Chapter 171: Can I Say, What I've Taken a Liking to Is the Second Young Lady of the Fu Family?

"Duke Fu!" On the way to Wansui Hall, Liu Chengyou happened to run into Fu Yanqing and immediately greeted him.

Hearing the voice, Fu Yanqing quickly concealed the slight daze in his eyes, looked at Liu Chengyou, and returned a respectful salute: "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Duke Fu, have you finished your audience with His Majesty?" Liu Chengyou chatted with him casually.

Fu Yanqing replied: "To have seen the imperial countenance, this minister feels deeply honored."

"Observing Duke Fu's furrowed brow, it seems you have some concerns. I shall take the liberty of asking—has something happened, and can I be of help?" Liu Chengyou watched Fu Yanqing's expression and asked with warm words, his intention to build rapport quite evident.

Fu Yanqing likewise observed Liu Chengyou—clad in a well-fitted dragon robe, made noticeably more handsome by the weight of power and status. Though still young in years, no trace of boyishness remained on Liu Chengyou's face.

He could sense Liu Chengyou's intent to win him over, but hearing the question, Fu Yanqing couldn't help thinking to himself—does the Crown Prince truly not know?

Though muttering inwardly, Fu Yanqing's demeanor remained deferential. His face displayed full worry as he said: "Nothing much. His Majesty granted this minister a favor, and I am overwhelmed by the honor, hence this agitation."

"A favor that can make even Duke Fu agitated—it must indeed be considerable!" Liu Chengyou said, the curiosity in his eyes growing even stronger.

Opening his mouth, Fu Yanqing did not say it directly, instead bowing once more to Liu Chengyou: "If Your Highness has important matters to see His Majesty, this minister should not linger. I shall take my leave!"

"Go slowly, Duke Fu!"

Watching Fu Yanqing's steady departing figure, Liu Chengyou's brow furrowed slightly. Fu Yanqing's reaction was somewhat strange—especially the look he gave him before leaving...

"This minister pays respects to His Majesty." Entering the hall, he made his obeisance.

"Rise, dispense with these formalities." Liu Zhiyuan said softly.

Unlike before Fu Yanqing, Liu Zhiyuan now lay curled on the couch, tucked into his quilt, leaning against a pillow, his frailty obvious. Looking at his spirited son standing before the couch, his face was stern, but the sharp vigor burst forth—and in his aged eyes, a trace of satisfaction could not help but appear.

"Father must take care of your dragon health!" Seeing Liu Zhiyuan about to rise, Liu Chengyou stepped forward personally to help him sit up. Looking at his old father's slightly pale lips, he spoke with gentle concern.

"No matter, I can still hold on!" Liu Zhiyuan was quite composed. Though he did not hide his aged state, his tone and expression still carried the stubborn fortitude and dignity of the master of the realm.

"Regarding your supervision of state affairs, I have heard all about it—steady and measured, cautious in action. I am very satisfied!" Liu Zhiyuan praised.

"Having not disappointed Father, this son's heart is much relieved." Liu Chengyou performed with great humility.

"I hear the matter of dispatching troops to Guanzhong has been decided?" Liu Zhiyuan asked in a tone of certainty.

Liu Chengyou nodded: "After discussion between your son and the various chief ministers, Wang Jun has been appointed Patrol Inspector of Fengxiang, leading five thousand imperial army troops to Guanzhong, to join with the various armies west of the pass to resist the Shu army's incursion. The vanguard troops have already been mobilized to Tong Pass, and this morning Wang Jun has already set out westward."

"Wang Xiufeng is a talent. These years he has served tirelessly, going on diplomatic missions and accompanying the army, with notable accomplishments. Though this is his first time taking sole command, with his abilities, the court can rest assured." Liu Zhiyuan roused his spirits and rambled on in the manner of an old father:

"As for the situation west of the pass, though the external threat is urgent, the primary concern lies within. As long as Hou Yi does not defect to the enemy, the situation will not easily deteriorate."

"The iron certificate and the pardon edict have already been sent to Fengxiang, delivered into Hou Yi's hands. With such leniency from the court, if Hou Yi still harbors treacherous intentions, then no matter how difficult the state's affairs become, we must grit our teeth and pacify him once and for all!" Liu Chengyou said calmly, clearly having already prepared himself mentally.

Nodding, Liu Zhiyuan still sighed and said: "It's just that with the imperial army marching west, I only worry that Hou Yi, in suspicion and fear, might raise a rebellion!"

Liu Chengyou raised his hand and clenched his fist, speaking resolutely: "The court cannot keep hesitating like this forever. We cannot entrust the situation west of the pass to Hou Yi's attitude. Therefore, the imperial army's westward march is imperative. Regardless of Fengxiang's reaction, the court must seize the initiative!"

"With my son's insight like this, my heart is greatly comforted!" Liu Zhiyuan sighed with emotion at Liu Chengyou's response. Along with his gratification, a trace of desolation could not help but appear in his eyes, giving Liu Chengyou a feeling of a hero in his twilight years.

He then reported several more matters of state to Liu Zhiyuan, seeking his opinions and heeding his teachings—and naturally, all received Liu Zhiyuan's approval. In truth, Liu Zhiyuan's ability in governance was really not much to speak of; previously he had entrusted everything to Yang Bin, Wang Zhang, Su Fengji, and others. Major state affairs were basically implemented after discussion between Liu Chengyou and the ministers, so even if Liu Chengyou consulted him on matters, Liu Zhiyuan normally could not offer any better solutions.

Liu Chengyou's patient reporting was, besides informing him of the regency's situation, naturally also partly for show. The more sensitive the moment, the more critical the juncture, the more one could not relax—Liu Zhiyuan needed to be put at ease. The Emperor had not yet passed away; he, as Crown Prince, could not be overbearing and arbitrary, appearing too eager. These past two days, that fellow Yang Bin had been making frequent trips to Wansui Hall.

A wave of weariness once again spread across his face. Liu Zhiyuan asked: "I hear that these past few days, you've had intense disputes with Yang and Shi over military and political matters?"

Having said this, he could not help coughing heavily several times. Liu Chengyou immediately sat by the couch and rubbed his back. When he felt much better, he said: "Your son's disagreements with Chancellor Yang and the others are merely differences in political views, a contest of ideas. All for the stability of the realm and the smooth functioning of governance—nothing of great consequence."

Seeing Liu Chengyou speak so lightly, Liu Zhiyuan silently let out a breath. After a moment's deliberation, he looked at him and said: "Yang and Shi are both pillars of the state, holding military and political power—you still need their support. Differences in political views are acceptable, but you must never let the scene become too ugly, affecting unity at court. As Crown Prince, you should know to harmonize civil and military, to share the same boat and weather difficulties together..."

"Your son respectfully heeds your teachings!" No matter what he thought inwardly, toward Liu Zhiyuan, Liu Chengyou always displayed deference.

"Your Majesty, it is time for your medicine." At this moment, a palace eunuch came to report.

Soon, the imperial physician attending at Wansui Hall entered, followed by a medicine attendant carrying a bowl of steaming medicine that gave off a medicinal aroma.

"You may withdraw!" After the medicine was first tasted and found safe, Liu Chengyou took the bowl and dismissed them.

Lady Li had gone to Daxiangguo Temple to pray for Liu Zhiyuan, so Liu Chengyou decided to personally attend to his father's medicine.

Though sugar had been added, the taste was still unpleasant. Under Liu Chengyou's care, Liu Zhiyuan grimaced through a few sips before losing all interest in drinking more.

Looking at Liu Chengyou, he said: "I have found you a Crown Princess."

Hearing this sudden news, Liu Chengyou felt somewhat surprised. His mind immediately turned to Fu Yanqing's strange behavior earlier, and he asked: "May I ask which family's lady Father has in mind?"

"The eldest daughter of the Duke of Qi!" Liu Zhiyuan said.

"This..." Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's face showed no joy, but rather a hint of hesitation: "The eldest daughter of the Fu family has already been betrothed to the son of Li Shouzhen of Hezhong. Is this not inappropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it!" Liu Zhiyuan took a silk handkerchief and wiped his mouth, saying: "A mere marriage contract—just annul it!"

Liu Chengyou still shook his head slightly. Seeing this, Liu Zhiyuan was instead surprised: "What, do you think the Fu girl is unworthy to be your Crown Princess?"

"Of course not!"

"Then what are your concerns!" Liu Chengyou's hesitant demeanor, so different from before, made Liu Zhiyuan somewhat impatient. In truth, since his illness had grown severe, Liu Zhiyuan's patience had never been good.

"The Fu and Li families already have a marriage contract. If we seize the bride, once it spreads, we would be in the wrong, and it would certainly offend Li Shouzhen. At present, the situation in Guanzhong is critical, and Hezhong occupies a strategic thoroughfare. If Li Shouzhen is pushed into rebellion and leads his Pu army westward across the river, it would be nothing short of a disaster—whether for Guanzhong or for the entire Great Han!" Liu Chengyou voiced his hidden concern.

Hearing this, Liu Zhiyuan no longer felt so at ease. He sat up abruptly from his sickbed, drawing a sharp breath, and said: "This matter—I failed to think it through!"

"But the words have already been made clear to Fu Yanqing. What is to be done?"

Liu Chengyou sighed, seeming somewhat regretful, but still answered calmly: "The Fu family's daughter is certainly qualified to hold the position of Crown Princess. Your son has heard that Duke Fu has three daughters. Besides the eldest who has come to the capital, there is also a second daughter, just sixteen years old, clever and bright. If we wish to win over Duke Fu and form a marriage alliance with the Fu clan, we may seek his second daughter instead!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's words, for a moment Liu Zhiyuan felt this was a good solution. But upon deeper reflection, he still shook his head: "I have already made a marriage promise—how can it be changed? If I do as you suggest, where would my dignity be?"

Wasn't it just changing the eldest daughter to the second? Liu Chengyou truly could not understand what Liu Zhiyuan was agonizing over—just for that bit of face? Moreover, if each son married one daughter, they would become brothers-in-law, which could also take the opportunity to pacify the Hezhong side. He had long heard that ever since his "sworn brother" Du Chongwei had met with the fate of his entire household being executed, Li Shouzhen had been extremely uneasy in Hezhong.

Though the elder Lady Fu's "reputation" was considerable, in ordinary times it might not matter, but with the Guanzhong situation so urgent, compared to the stability of the realm, one woman was hardly enough to cloud Liu Chengyou's judgment. Besides, having the younger Lady Fu as Empress wasn't bad either...

He carefully advised: "As for Li Shouzhen—"

"I don't believe Li Shouzhen would dare rebel!" Liu Zhiyuan grew inexplicably angry: "These military governors—if they truly dare to defy the court, they will surely be destroyed!"

The corner of his mouth twitched. Liu Chengyou thought to himself—given the current central authority's binding power over the regions, was there anything the military governors wouldn't dare do? Rebellion wasn't easy, but truly give them an excuse and an opportunity, and see if they'd dare. Think of how the Liu family in Hedong had once resisted the Later Jin court...

After a moment of silence, Liu Zhiyuan finally revealed his true thoughts: "I have heard that a diviner said the Fu family's eldest daughter bears an inestimably noble destiny! Don't you understand? That Li Shouzhen seeking her for his son—he likely harbors ulterior motives. You must guard against him well!"

Liu Chengyou had indeed heard something of this matter, but he didn't put much stock in diviners' words, so he paid it little mind. But Liu Zhiyuan, a native of this age, took it very seriously indeed.

Calming down somewhat, Liu Zhiyuan said: "This matter need not be rushed. We can drag it out for a while, find an excuse to keep Lady Fu in the Eastern Capital, and wait to see how Wang Jun's campaign progresses before deciding what to do!"

Liu Chengyou considered it—for now, this approach could work. He let out a light breath: "It seems your son must pay a visit to the Fu residence!"

"You might as well take the opportunity to ask for his second daughter!" Liu Zhiyuan said.

Liu Chengyou was slightly at a loss, the corners of his mouth twitching. He really had never seen anyone so eager to find a woman for his son!

In truth, Liu Chengyou did have some thoughts about the elder Lady Fu. After all, in the original history, of the three Fu sisters, only the elder Lady Fu was the most outstanding—steady and brave, magnanimous and sensible, truly a remarkable woman!

A woman like that—how could the son of Li Shouzhen be worthy of her!