Chapter 1613: Graying Hair and Beard

"Haha, you little rascal, you've got some nerve. In all these years, you're the only child who's dared to say my calligraphy is ugly!" A burst of Emperor Liu's scolding laughter rang out in Chongzheng Hall, though from his tone, there was no anger at all—only delight.

On the long table lay the four treasures of the study, and beside it stood three figures—one large, two small. Emperor Liu stood, while his grandson Liu Wenhuan stood on tiptoe with his chin resting on the table's edge. Four-year-old Liu Wenji, being shorter, simply sat on the table itself.

Emperor Liu's laughter was directed at Liu Wenji. He loved both grandsons equally, and today he had again sent someone to the Eastern Palace to fetch them, to keep him company while he practiced calligraphy.

He had just finished writing a piece when, in the way of innocent childish speech, young Liu Wenji gave a rather honest answer when Emperor Liu asked how his writing looked.

Though Liu Wenji didn't understand much yet, he instinctively knew that this old man before him was someone to please. Emperor Liu's beaming expression was rather infectious, so he slightly amended his words: "Grandson didn't say Grandfather's writing is ugly—just that it's not as good as the tutor's!"

The crisp voice reached his ears, and Emperor Liu grew even more delighted. He reached out and tapped Liu Wenji's forehead: "Comparing my writing to the Eastern Palace tutors'—now that's bullying me. They make their living by writing, seeking fame and office through it. What they do is calligraphy. Your grandfather doesn't depend on brush and ink for his livelihood—there's no comparison..."

Liu Wenji clearly didn't understand what Emperor Liu meant, but seeing him laugh, he laughed along. Beside him, Liu Wenhuan, who had already started school, was quieter, his bright eyes fixed on Emperor Liu's new work while he muttered something under his breath.

"Wenhuan, what are you mumbling about? Have you spotted something clever?" Seeing his earnest expression, Emperor Liu reached out and patted Liu Wenhuan's head, asking.

Liu Wenhuan raised his head, a trace of shyness on his youthful face, and said: "Grandson's learning is still shallow—there's one character I don't recognize."

Following the direction of Liu Wenhuan's pointing finger, Emperor Liu wore a look of gentle kindness and said: "This character is read 'pi'—it's a fierce kind of brown bear!"

Liu Wenhuan seemed to have learned something new and looked rather pleased, asking curiously: "Is this a poem you just wrote?"

"No!" Emperor Liu shook his head and said with self-deprecation: "Your grandfather has not a shred of poetic talent. A few clumsy works from my early years—even now, thinking of them fills me with shame!"

As he spoke, Emperor Liu's tone grew full of emotion, and he said slowly: "As for this poem, it was written by a great man!"

"A great man?" Liu Wenhuan grew even more curious and asked: "Is there anyone in this world greater than Grandfather? Could it be some ancient emperor or mighty ruler?"

Emperor Liu couldn't help but smile and said softly: "To call him an emperor would be an insult to him. But indeed, he possessed grand strategy and bold vision, encompassing the realm within his grasp, embracing heaven and earth, with his heart devoted to the common people—truly worthy of being called a sage of the ages.

Once, I too worshipped and respected him deeply. But the way your grandfather has lived his life now—I'm afraid I'd be exactly the sort of person he would want to overthrow..."

Hearing Emperor Liu's lavish praise, Liu Wenhuan furrowed his brow slightly and said: "If such a person existed in this world, he should be arrested and tried at once, to prevent future trouble!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled, patted Liu Wenhuan's head again, and said nothing more. His gaze, calm and deep, fell upon the poem on the table, on which was written:

Only heroes drive off tigers and leopards,

No brave man fears the brown bears.

Plum blossoms rejoice in the sky full of snow,

Frozen flies dying is nothing strange.

The Instructor's poems always carried a unique charm, moving the heart and inspiring longing. Even Emperor Liu—this feudal, autocratic ruler—still maintained a heartfelt admiration. Of course, only because they were not of the same era...

"Your Majesty!" Yan Tuo walked in at that moment and bowed in salute.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu was in high spirits and beckoned to him: "Come take a look—how is my new calligraphy?"

Hearing this, Yan Tuo hurried forward attentively, hunched over as he scanned the piece with an appreciative gaze, then launched into flattery: "Your Majesty's piece has powerful brushwork, lively and unrestrained—truly excellent. And this poem is even more remarkable. This humble servant feels a majestic force rushing at him, making him want to kneel in submission..."

Hearing Yan Tuo's words, Emperor Liu hadn't even reacted, but the brothers Liu Wenhuan and Liu Wenji widened their eyes, staring at Yan Tuo in great astonishment. Young Liu Wenji couldn't hold it in and burst into giggles.

At this, Yan Tuo was also stunned. He looked at Emperor Liu uneasily and asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, has this humble servant said something wrong?"

A relaxed smile curled at the corners of Emperor Liu's mouth as he waved his hand: "You're not wrong—Wenji is laughing because you're too honest!"

Yan Tuo was still full of confusion and felt somewhat embarrassed, so he could only smile along.

Emperor Liu then asked: "What business brings you here?"

At the question, Yan Tuo said joyfully: "The Prince of Zhao and his family have arrived in the capital and are waiting at the palace gate for your summons!"

Hearing this news, Emperor Liu's face lit up with great delight: "Liu Fang has returned already? Why wait for a summons? Why not bring them into the palace at once? Go quickly!"

"Yes! This humble servant will go to receive them immediately!" Seeing Emperor Liu happy, Yan Tuo beamed as well and scurried out of the hall.

"Come, you two little ones—accompany your grandfather to receive your fourth uncle!" Emperor Liu took one child by each hand and walked out of the hall.

In recent years, Prince of Zhao Liu Fang had been stationed permanently in Hexi and Anxi. Over seven or eight years, he had returned to the capital only three times, the most recent being two years ago.

Distance creates beauty. Perhaps precisely because of this separation, Emperor Liu's feelings for these sons serving far away ran even deeper, and his joy at Liu Fang's return was all the greater.

Liu Fang's entire family had returned to the capital, all of them. He now had two sons and a daughter—his eldest son Liu Wengong was about the same age as Liu Wenhuan, eight years old; his second son Liu Wentao was six; and his little daughter Liu Wenlan had not yet fully left her swaddling clothes.

Seeing this family, Emperor Liu was deeply moved and personally helped up the bowing Liu Fang and his family: "Rise, rise quickly!"

Liu Fang was clearly somewhat emotional as well, even struggling to find words. Feeling Emperor Liu's firmly gripping hands, he said respectfully: "Father's birthday is approaching, so your son has specially brought his wife and children back to offer congratulations. The road from Anxi is long, and to avoid missing the auspicious time, we came a few months early..."

"It's good that you're back, good that you're back!" Emperor Liu repeated the words twice for emphasis: "Now that you're back, your father is happy!"

Studying Liu Fang carefully, Emperor Liu said with feeling: "The northwest is ultimately no match for the Central Plains—your skin has darkened considerably, and grown rougher too!"

Hearing this, Liu Fang said: "Wind, sand, bitter cold—your son regards it all as tempering. Guarding the borders and protecting the realm is also a prince's duty!"

"Good! Worthy of being my son—that bold spirit hasn't diminished one bit. My eagle remains unchanged!" Emperor Liu praised immediately: "You're a man of thirty now, and you look more mature. And this build—still sturdy!"

As he spoke, Emperor Liu even patted Liu Fang's chest affectionately.

Liu Fang responded with a smile, but as his emotions calmed, he looked at Emperor Liu with a hint of concern in his eyes and said hesitantly: "Father, you..."

"What is it? Have I changed?" Seeing this, Emperor Liu spread his hands and displayed himself generously.

Liu Fang pointed out: "Your beard and hair..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu chuckled, looking completely at ease: "It's nothing—just a few more white hairs and white beard. A man nearing old age—nothing strange about it. When you reach my age, you may not look any younger than I do..."

"Come, let's go inside and talk!"

Even though Emperor Liu had been paying extra attention to his health in recent years, his aged appearance grew more pronounced by the day—a fact that did not bend to his personal will.

In the past, only a few strands of white had been mixed among his beard and hair. Now, they were already half white.

. wap.