Chapter 1845: Dropping the Act

Emperor Liu only received the news of Zhao Kuangyin's death from illness when he rose in the morning of the second day. The report had been submitted to the palace the previous night, but Emperor Liu was in a deep sleep at the time, and the eunuchs dared not disturb him, so they had kept putting it off.

For this "delay," Emperor Liu even gave Yan Tuo a scolding. Spreading his arms open as usual to let the palace maids dress him, he looked at the bronze mirror that had long since replaced the old one. Gazing at his own blurred, unfathomable reflection, Emperor Liu suddenly let out an inexplicable sigh: "How could it be so sudden? Just the other day, wasn't he still hale and hearty, able to eat meat and drink wine..."

"The vicissitudes of life truly move one to boundless lament!"

Zhao Pu stood nearby, his old back slightly bent, attending at the side. Old men sleep lightly — Emperor Liu was like that, and Zhao Pu was the same, rising even earlier than Emperor Liu. Spending the night in the palace was no pleasant experience; aside from the supreme honor, there was nothing but endless pressure.

Imagine it — the Emperor sleeping on the imperial couch a mere curtain's breadth away from you, his snoring rumbling like thunder, while those burly eunuchs outside watched you every moment, wary that you might make some unusual move, guarding against you as if you were a thief.

Even when the urge to urinate came, you had to hold it in, not daring to make any movement. A single turn of the Emperor's body was enough to provoke tension. An aging old emperor inspired such dread — even Zhao Pu, who had returned with a changed mindset, could hardly suppress the reverence born from the marrow of his bones. Especially in the dead of night, he had the illusion that the Emperor was hidden in the darkness, staring at you.

Tense, oppressed, even fearful — Zhao Pu had clearly not slept well the night past. The first thing he did upon rising was to relieve himself in a great torrent. At this rate, if he slept beside Emperor Liu a few more times, his urinary system would be thrown into complete disorder.

At this moment, hearing Emperor Liu's lament, Zhao Pu immediately added a measure of caution and echoed the sentiment with his own sigh: "Such is the way of life, much the same for all. Your Majesty, please restrain your grief!"

But in his heart, Zhao Pu could not help but ponder deeply — Emperor Liu's words had already revealed no small amount of information. Though Zhao Pu had been away from court for two years, he was not wholly ignorant of affairs in the capital, and while he was not familiar with the situation of Duke Rong, he knew something of it.

At the very least, as far as Zhao Pu knew, before he had even stepped down from office, Zhao Kuangyin had already given up wine long ago. But from Emperor Liu's words, Zhao Kuangyin had been eating meat and drinking wine again — could there really be no hidden story behind that?

Zhao Kuangyin's love of wine was known to all at court and in the countryside; he would get drunk at every drinking session. Yet during those years he quit drinking, he had truly managed to abstain completely. If one said it was because he could not bear the craving — given the iron will of a man like Zhao Kuangyin — under what circumstances would he relapse after having successfully quit?

Vaguely, Zhao Pu formed some suspicions, but he dared not think further along those lines. His head unconsciously bowed lower, and he even felt somewhat afraid to look at Emperor Liu. This old emperor was even more formidable than before — or rather, even more dangerous...

"What is Minister Zhao thinking?" Abruptly, Emperor Liu's gaze snapped onto Zhao Pu.

Startled by the voice, Zhao Pu quickly composed himself, clasped his hands, and said with a sighing tone: "This old minister was thinking that with the passing of Duke Rong, the court has lost a pillar of state — truly a cause for regret!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu withdrew his gaze but said flatly: "Everyone has such a day eventually; it is only a matter of sooner or later. Duke Rong's life was magnificent and full of stirring waves — he achieved fame and success, and did not come to this world in vain."

Hearing Emperor Liu speak thus, Zhao Pu only grew more certain of his faint suspicions, for there was indeed a strange flavor to Emperor Liu's words. In the past, when a great minister of state passed away, regardless of what he truly thought, Emperor Liu would at least put on a sorrowful expression, utter words of regret, and even show genuine emotion that moved others to sympathy.

But this time, toward Zhao Kuangyin's death, he was overly calm — or rather, indifferent. Look at the words he spoke; there was not a trace of grief on his face, and even that hint of surprise seemed merely a gesture of courtesy.

If one said he had grown accustomed to seeing old ministers wither away, or that in his old age he had come to view life and death lightly, that would hardly be convincing. After all, with Emperor Liu's skill at performance, putting on a show would be no trouble at all — but judging by his demeanor, he was not even willing to pretend.

Suppressing the racing thoughts in his mind, Zhao Pu continued to echo: "Your Majesty speaks most truly!"

Unable to ascertain Emperor Liu's true feelings toward Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Pu decided not to say anything more about his passing, lest he invite needless trouble.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, but one still had to eat. The eunuchs presented a steaming hot morning meal — nothing of rare delicacy, merely the coarse grains of the common folk, which suited the principle of nourishing one's health.

Drinking his porridge with a hearty appetite, Emperor Liu observed Zhao Pu by the light of the palace lanterns that still cast their glow. Pointing at the dark circles that would not fade from the old man's face, he said with a light laugh: "Did Minister Zhao not sleep well last night?"

At the question, Zhao Pu replied: "Your servant is advanced in years; perhaps the fatigue of the journey has not yet worn off."

Emperor Liu could not help but give Zhao Pu another look, then nodded: "This is indeed Our oversight. Minister Zhao truly had a hard time yesterday — you could not even have a moment's peace returning to your residence. The clamor in the capital is like buzzing mosquitoes and flies; I imagine it must be quite unbearable!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Zhao Pu's heart tightened secretly — was this a rap on the knuckles for the flattery at the Zhao residence yesterday? But before he could utter some pleasantries, Emperor Liu continued: "We have already sent people to your residence to handle matters; I imagine you can return home within two or three days. Though the guest lodgings in Luoyang are not without comfort, if the chancellor of the Great Han were to be quartered in a hostel, unable to return to his own home, it would not sound well if word got out — don't you agree?"

Zhao Pu quickly declared: "It was this old minister's failure to consider properly!"

Seeing his demeanor, Emperor Liu waved a hand: "It was Our failure to consider. You conduct yourself with uprightness, distinguishing public from private — you exemplify the style of a good chancellor! These past days have been trying; rest well for a while. Once your health is restored and your spirits are fully recovered, then you may attend to state affairs. Mundane matters are wearying, taxing both mind and body. The tax reform cannot be rushed — you may deliberate and plan it carefully!"

"Your Majesty's concern is overwhelming; this old minister is moved to tears of gratitude!" Zhao Pu's old face naturally assumed an expression of deep emotion.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu smiled. Then something suddenly occurred to him — his hand paused, and he set down his porridge bowl, recalling a matter that had nearly been forgotten. He picked up a silk handkerchief to wipe his mouth, then said: "For people like us, the most important thing is the final verdict after the coffin is sealed. Duke Rong is gone, but the matters after his death cannot be handled carelessly. Issue the decree: suspend court for three days. Duke Rong's funeral rites shall be conducted entirely according to court ceremonial, and the relevant offices are to arrange the mourning!"

Saying this, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Pu again: "Minister Zhao, go on Our behalf to the duke's residence, offer condolences to the Zhao family, and express Our grief..."

Emperor Liu spoke as if it were a trifling matter, while Zhao Pu responded solemnly: "Yes!"