Chapter 1808: Yan Yan, Help Me Think This Through

Evening, the Eastern Palace, Xuande Hall.

Inside the bedchamber, Liu Yang lay quietly on the soft couch, a folded towel resting on his forehead, looking exhausted, his overall condition clearly a cause for concern.

"Your Highness!" Xiao Chuo, attending at his side, seeing Liu Yang in this weary, troubled state, called out to him with concern.

"I'm fine! Don't worry!" Liu Yang's voice was very low and deep, his eyes shut the whole time. He only took the towel from his forehead and lightly tapped his brow with the back of his hand, looking greatly distressed.

Seeing this, Xiao Chuo immediately leaned in and, with her soft hands, gently massaged him. This method was clearly effective—soon, the discomfort on Liu Yang's face eased considerably.

"Is Your Highness still troubled by court affairs?" Seeing that Liu Yang's mind remained unsettled, Xiao Chuo hesitated, then finally took the initiative to ask.

Liu Yang nodded at the question, then shook his head. After a moment of deliberation, he instead reminded her: "This storm at court has already lasted several months and still shows no sign of stopping. From top to bottom, everyone's position is precarious from dawn to dusk. Tell your father, brothers, and relatives to be cautious and careful, and not to let anyone seize a handle against them. His Majesty is determined to overhaul official governance—no one's persuasion will do any good, and whoever commits an offense will not escape!"

"I understand!" Seeing Liu Yang's grave expression, Xiao Chuo nodded thoughtfully and replied.

"His Majesty's reform of official governance should be a good thing for the state and the people. Does Your Highness hold a different view?" Xiao Chuo asked softly.

To this, Liu Yang was silent for a while before speaking slowly: "Do you also think I am soft-hearted, pedantic, and weak?"

"I would never dare!" Hearing this sudden remark, Xiao Chuo's expression shifted slightly, and she hurriedly rose and bowed to show her deference.

Seeing her so nervous, Liu Yang smiled, gestured for her to sit, and sighed lightly: "Do I not know the harm of corrupt officialdom? For those vermin who embezzle, abuse power, deceive the sovereign, and harm the people, I too wish I could wipe them all out!

But His Majesty has adopted such drastic measures—implicating entire families, launching great inquests—like an autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves. Yet whenever a great inquest is held, there are bound to be injustices. Especially with the Imperial City Office and the Wude Office running rampant, it both damages the legal system and loses the ministers' hearts.

All these laws of the Great Han were perfected bit by bit by His Majesty himself. Yet he himself seems to have little confidence in them, always preferring to go his own way, solving problems with such crude and direct means, hoping to warn the world in the most painful and eye-catching way.

If no one follows the state's laws, then what is the point of making laws? It is true that the Son of Heaven speaks with heavenly authority, but if even the Son of Heaven does not value the legal system and tramples it wantonly, then among all officials and subjects above and below, who will still take the Great Han's legal code seriously?

The deterrent effect of executions is naturally striking, and I do not oppose executing corrupt officials. It is just that His Majesty hates them too deeply, judges them too harshly, and acts too hastily.

If this continues, even if every corrupt official is killed, the Great Han's court discipline will be in chaos. What benefit would that bring to the state and the people?"

These heartfelt words of Liu Yang's had clearly been bottled up inside him for a long time—he dared not speak them to outsiders. Even today, when he risked admonishing Emperor Liu, he had been very restrained, and even so, he had provoked the Emperor's great wrath. Some innermost thoughts could only be poured out to Xiao Chuo—this was the trust the Crown Prince had placed in her over many years.

"I truly had no idea that Your Highness carried so many worries and such a heavy burden in your heart!" Xiao Chuo's gentle gaze held a trace of heartache as she said: "Did you present these words to His Majesty today?"

At the question, Liu Yang's brow furrowed slightly. He opened his eyes and looked at Xiao Chuo with a probing gaze: "What do you mean by that? You know I admonished His Majesty today?"

Xiao Chuo lowered her head and said softly: "Not only that—I also know that Your Highness was reprimanded by His Majesty. It has already spread throughout the palace."

Hearing this, Liu Yang was stunned for a long while before giving a bitter smile: "Word travels fast indeed! They say these high walls and deep palaces have tight guards, but against rumors and gossip, there seems to be no defense at all!"

After this sigh, Liu Yang said somewhat dejectedly: "These past days, countless officials have come to me in fear and distress, hoping I could dissuade His Majesty. But His Majesty is not only the Son of Heaven—he is also my father. As his son, how could I defy my father's will?"

"But Your Highness still spoke up," Xiao Chuo said.

"Yes," Liu Yang let out a long sigh. He briefly recounted the circumstances and outcome of today's admonishment at Chuigong Hall, then asked: "Tell me—was I right or wrong to speak up today?"

Xiao Chuo took this question very seriously. After thinking it over carefully, she said: "The gains and losses are evenly balanced!"

"There are gains to be had?" Liu Yang was somewhat surprised, as if in his view there had only been downsides.

Xiao Chuo calmly analyzed for him: "The downsides need no elaboration—Your Highness rashly admonished, went against His Majesty's will, displeased him, and drew his rebuke. However, judging from His Majesty's reaction and handling, although he was momentarily angered, he was not truly angry at Your Highness—he merely gave a scolding and let it go.

As for the gains, they naturally lie in the hearts of the people. At this tense moment in court, the ministers are all terrified, their hearts unsettled, dreading being charged and beheaded. That Your Highness would risk His Majesty's displeasure at such a time to step forward and speak for the officials fully demonstrates the Crown Prince's sense of responsibility.

Your Highness has always been known for leniency and tolerance. After this affair, officials both inside and outside the court will be even more convinced and devoted to Your Highness."

After Xiao Chuo finished, Liu Yang glanced at her in surprise, his eyelids twitching a few times as he said: "I hadn't considered all that. I simply couldn't bear to see this court become a world of terror. Now the entire court is silent—those who plead illness and request retirement are beyond counting. This hardly looks like the scene of a peaceful world.

Today I received resignation letters from quite a few officials of various departments and offices. Each had their own hidden reasons, their words vague—but I know clearly that they are simply afraid, and would rather give up their posts!

I still have to gather them together and do my best to reassure them, get them back to their duties. It's not that I fear the court will have no one to use—I fear that state affairs will be neglected, and I fear His Majesty will use that as an excuse to execute them all! To stay in one's place and do one's duty may only be dangerous, but there will always be a day when it passes.

But to stir restlessly and act rashly will only invite disaster! His Majesty often says he will not punish people for their words, will not execute without instruction, and will not engage in thought-crimes—but—"

Liu Yang did not finish his sentence, but that long, drawn-out sigh already said everything.

"Your Highness, forgive my impertinence!" Seeing that Liu Yang's worries lingered and would not disperse, Xiao Chuo pondered for a moment, then took the initiative to say: "Might Your Highness be overthinking things a bit?"

"How so?" Liu Yang looked at her.

Xiao Chuo said: "The court is indeed a scene of terror, but a few days ago, when I went to Shangqing Temple to offer incense, I passed through the streets and markets. I saw that Luoyang remains prosperous, the people live in peace, and the common folk go about their trades contentedly. Even those low-level clerks who love to throw their weight around and play tricks were exceptionally well-behaved. The streets present a scene of stability and harmony—"

As Xiao Chuo said this, Liu Yang's expression shifted slightly, gaining a measure of contemplation. Seeing this, Xiao Chuo continued: "Perhaps Your Highness should not fixate solely on the palace and the court. The streets and alleys of Luoyang, the lives of the common people—they might ease your worries somewhat."

"Your words do share something in common with what His Majesty said!" Liu Yang furrowed his brow in thought for a moment, then sighed: "Come to think of it, I've been back in Luoyang for over half a year now, and I still haven't seen what the city looks like these days. I should find time to leave the palace and take a stroll!"

"Your Highness is wise!" Seeing Liu Yang's worries somewhat eased, Xiao Chuo revealed a faint smile and said: "In my view, if His Majesty heard of Your Highness's conduct, he would be very pleased.

And from now on, Your Highness should not speak further on this matter. You must know that going too far is as bad as not going far enough. Otherwise, if you thoroughly anger His Majesty, it would do Your Highness no good, nor would it help improve the court situation!"

Hearing this, Liu Yang smiled, and for once a hint of ease appeared on his face. He looked her over and said: "What's this—are you teaching me how to do my job?"

"I wouldn't dare!" Xiao Chuo lowered her head.

"It's fine if you are!" Liu Yang waved his hand and said: "Since you've opened your mouth, go ahead and finish. What do you think I should do?"

Seeing that Liu Yang was not joking, Xiao Chuo hesitated briefly, then said in a low voice: "I truly would not presume to instruct Your Highness. As for what Your Highness should do, His Majesty has already shown you—stabilize the court, reassure the people, nothing more."

"You see things clearly enough!" Liu Yang murmured softly. Still, after this exchange with Xiao Chuo, his mood had indeed improved considerably, and the expression on his face was no longer so grim and bitter.

With the knot in his heart somewhat loosened, his appetite returned. Just as he was about to order the meal brought in, he saw the palace eunuch Wang Yue walk in and report in a low voice: "Your Highness, Princess Huaiyang requests an audience!"

"Fifth sister?" Liu Yang was somewhat taken aback: "So late—what does she want?"

Wang Yue cautiously glanced at Liu Yang, and seeing that his mood seemed to have recovered considerably, only then said: "Just now, Imperial Son-in-law Zhang Jing was arrested by subordinates of the Wude Office. Su Cheng, the Prefect of the Capital Region, personally led the operation."