Chapter 1801: The Hangover Scandal

Drinking was pleasant, but the suffering came afterward. For Emperor Liu, a man of ordinary tolerance for alcohol, it was even harder to bear. When he returned to Chuigong Hall, he vomited and retched, startling the eunuchs and palace women greatly. It even alarmed the imperial physicians, and the young Pure Consort Zhou hurried over to attend to him. After much fussing, Emperor Liu finally settled down.

When Emperor Liu woke, besides his still-aching stomach, he felt utterly exhausted and his head was dizzy. A few palace lanterns still burned in the bedchamber, casting dim light, and the surroundings were shrouded in a hazy gloom. Even indoors one could tell — clearly the hour was still early, and dawn had not yet broken.

He raised a hand to rub his swollen, throbbing head, and after a moment's respite, noticed a figure beside the imperial couch. Pure Consort Zhou, still in her palace robes, was lying propped against the edge of the bed. But she was clearly sleeping lightly — at the sound of movement, she quickly roused, and noticing Emperor Liu's open eyes, her jade-like face lit with joy. She hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, you're awake. How do you feel? Are you any better?"

"Where can a hangover feel good?" Emperor Liu shook his head and said: "I'm thirsty. Get me something to drink!"

"Yes!" Pure Consort Zhou acknowledged, and immediately ordered the eunuchs to prepare it.

Bending her graceful figure, Pure Consort Zhou helped Emperor Liu sit up. Looking at his haggard face, her voice choked with emotion as she said: "Your Majesty, last night you frightened us all half to death!"

"Hm?" Emperor Liu perked up with some interest, asking with a smile: "What, were you afraid I'd kick the bucket and die on the spot?"

Pure Consort Zhou was greatly alarmed at this, her beautiful face filled with fear and trepidation: "I beg Your Majesty, never speak such inauspicious words! You must take care of your imperial person!"

Emperor Liu wore a carefree expression, saying softly: "Don't worry! Even if I were to kick up a fuss, I wouldn't have much time left for it. Still, this wine truly isn't something to drink in excess — just this once. I'll control myself from now on. I was never much of a drinker anyway."

"That's good then! That's good then!" said Pure Consort Zhou. At this point, she dared not say much more. Though she was favored, when attending to the now-aging emperor, she still unconsciously served with a measure of caution. After all, since Empress Fu's passing, her opportunities to accompany the sovereign had grown fewer — clearly, Emperor Liu's favor had a limited shelf life.

Warm soup to dispel the hangover had long been prepared in the hall. Emperor Liu drank a few mouthfuls and finally felt somewhat better, his spirits recovering somewhat. Only then did he take stock of Pure Consort Zhou. At thirty-five, the young Lady Zhou was already the youngest consort in Emperor Liu's harem. Time had not faded her beauty; rather, it had given her more charm, and her reddened eye-rims made her all the more endearing.

Gazing at her weary face, Emperor Liu said: "Last night, I still have some memory of it. I put you all through quite an ordeal, didn't I?"

"Your Majesty's safety and well-being are what matter most!" said Pure Consort Zhou.

At this, Emperor Liu threw off the blanket, patted the bed, and said softly: "The hour is still early. Come up and keep me company for a while — you rest too!"

"Yes!"

The Pure Consort lightly shed her robes and climbed onto the bed, nestling close. A wisp of fragrance lingered around Emperor Liu's nose. Embracing that soft, voluptuous figure, Emperor Liu's lust stirred. He reached out and pinched the young Lady Zhou's cheek, saying: "The Lady Zhou is half past her prime, yet her charm remains."

Both in tone and expression, Emperor Liu carried a hint of impropriety. Feeling the old man's frivolity, the young Lady Zhou's jade-like face gradually flushed red. She thought of advising Emperor Liu to take care of his health and to receive her favor at another time, but in the end, she was too shy to speak.

However, Emperor Liu's next words sobered her considerably: "It's a pity, though — I find myself increasingly willing but unable."

"Your Majesty is vigorous and robust, hale and strong!" A string of bold, brazen words tumbled from the young Lady Zhou's red lips.

Emperor Liu smiled but didn't respond. He knew his own physical condition all too well. The excessive strain of his early years, coupled with a lack of restraint in the bedchamber, meant that the older he grew, the more he felt his strength waning, hard-pressed to accomplish much. Still, on this matter, Emperor Liu was fairly open-minded. He had long since enjoyed what there was to enjoy — if not completely indifferent, he certainly wouldn't feel ashamed or vexed about it.

The two embraced, speaking privately for a while, when Emperor Liu suddenly noticed a figure pacing outside the curtain. He immediately called out: "Who's out there? Yan Tuo?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is this humble servant!" Yan Tuo's cautious voice came through, and even through the curtain, one could faintly make out his bowed, deferential posture.

"What is it?"

"Your Majesty, word has come from the Duke of Lu's residence — Duke Zhao Kuangzan of Lu passed away this morning!" Yan Tuo reported.

"Oh? Zhao Kuangyin is dead?" Perhaps because he hadn't heard clearly, Emperor Liu said in surprise.

Yan Tuo paused visibly, then repeated: "Reporting to Your Majesty, it is Duke Zhao Kuangzan of Lu!"

Only then did Emperor Liu realize he'd made a mistake, though he showed no embarrassment whatsoever. After a moment of silence, he revealed a trace of sorrow and said: "How could he go just like that? I remember — last night I was still drinking with him from golden cups!"

"Another pillar of state lost to me. Of the Twenty-Four Ministers of Qianyou, how many fruits remain?" Emperor Liu lamented.

In fact, with Zhao Kuangzan's passing, of the once-renowned Twenty-Four Ministers of Qianyou, only Duke Li Shaoyou of Shou, Duke Zhao Kuangyin of Rong, and Duke Xiang Xun of Wen remained.

What Emperor Liu did not yet know was that after returning home from the birthday banquet last night, Zhao Kuangzan had collapsed and never risen again, lingering until his final moments. He had long arranged his own funeral affairs, but he stubbornly held on, refusing to breathe his last — until he learned from his family that the hour of Zi had passed, only then did he depart this world. His sole concern had been not daring to die on Emperor Liu's birthday.

"Your Majesty, please restrain your grief!" Seeing Emperor Liu's sorrowful expression, Pure Consort Zhou gently consoled him.

"Old friends keep withering away — how can I not grieve?" Emperor Liu's arm around the young Lady Zhou tightened slightly as he sighed, then gave his orders: "Duke of Lu's funeral arrangements shall follow all proper rites. Have the Crown Prince and the Prince of Zhao represent the court in offering condolences!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo acknowledged, then after a slight hesitation, added: "Learning that Your Majesty was awake, the Crown Prince and various ministers are waiting outside the hall, hoping to be granted an audience to pay their respects."

"Hm?" Emperor Liu let out a questioning sound, then said: "What, do they have such abundant energy that they need no rest or sleep, just waiting on duty outside all along?"

Yan Tuo was silent for a moment before answering: "Yes!"

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu gave two cold laughs: "These people — do they truly hope I wake up, or do they hope I never wake up?"

At these words, the Pure Consort Zhou in his arms instinctively shrank her head, and even through the curtain, one could feel Yan Tuo's terror.

Emperor Liu pondered for a while, then said: "Tell them I am well and they need not worry. Let them each return to their residences and enjoy their day of rest!"

"Yes!"

"Also, summon Zhang Dejun for me!" Emperor Liu's tone was icy cold.

"Yes!" Yan Tuo dared not delay and hurried off to relay the message. He too realized that another storm was likely brewing — why else would the Palace City Office be mobilized?

Before long, Wang Ji'en, Commissioner of the Palace City, hurried in for an audience. But his first concern was still Emperor Liu's health, and his anxious, deeply moved expression was rather touching.

Leaning back on the imperial couch, Emperor Liu gave his instructions directly in front of Pure Consort Zhou: "Two matters for you to handle. First, send someone to Mount Hua to find the Daoist Chen Tuan. Tell him I miss him again, and invite him to Luoyang to expound the Dao to me once more. Second, investigate the reactions of the ministers and high officials after last night's birthday banquet — what they said, what they did. I want to know everything, no matter how trivial!"

"Yes!" Wang Ji'en likewise showed no hesitation, and receiving his orders, departed.