Chapter 1879: The Imperial Carriage Visits the Mansion

The imperial carriage slowly came to a stop before the gates of the Duke of Chu's mansion. With Yan Tuo's support, Emperor Liu stepped down onto the back of a kneeling palace eunuch, and once on the ground, he pushed away Yan Tuo's helping hand, displaying the stubbornness of an aging emperor.

However, when Yan Tuo subsequently handed him the bamboo staff, Emperor Liu did not refuse it. This was a specially made walking stick, and for Emperor Liu as he was now, walking on his own was already impossible without it.

No precious materials had been used—just an ordinary fine bamboo cane, polished and decorated to a degree. The most eye-catching feature was probably the few strands of gleaming golden tassels.

The daylight was dim, and Emperor Liu's eyes seemed to have lost some of their luster as well. He raised his head and cast a brief glance at the ornate gates of the mansion, then without a word, leaning on his bamboo staff, he made his way step by step into the residence.

The gatekeeper and the guards, seeing this, were so tense they could not speak. They all knelt in unison, heads buried low, not daring to make a sound. Emperor Liu paid no attention to these people—in his eyes, they did not exist at all. He simply walked on, step by step, in a solitary manner, as if immersed in his own world.

This was Emperor Liu's first time leaving the palace in several months, appearing before outsiders. His first destination was the mansion of Liu Shu, Duke of Chu—there must be deep meaning in that. And the Emperor Liu who appeared before people once more looked noticeably more haggard than before, his aged appearance more pronounced. What was injured was not merely his bones and sinews—what was more serious, perhaps, was his allotted span of life...

Upon learning that the old emperor had come to his mansion, Liu Shu was greatly startled, quite taken by surprise. After all, this was the first time Emperor Liu had ever visited his Chu Duke's mansion. But precisely because the visit was so abrupt, with no preparation whatsoever, Liu Shu could not help but feel nervous, afraid that Emperor Liu might seize upon some new fault of his. Although Liu Shu had something of a "a dead pig fears no scalding water" attitude, he was not so base as to actively seek out a scolding.

Moreover, his period of house arrest had not yet ended. That incident months ago, besides settling the matter of land taxation for imperial relatives, had also resulted in Liu Shu being punished once again—his salary suspended for two years, along with six months of house arrest.

For Liu Shu, this was already routine. At thirty years of age, Liu Shu had accumulated more than two years of house arrest punishments for various faults and errors—among the imperial clan, he was the only one. And when he had first heard the punishment decision, Liu Shu had even been greatly surprised, for he had already prepared himself for the stripping of his title and exile. Who could have imagined Emperor Liu would be so lenient? This even gave Liu Shu a sense of guilt he had never felt before.

Not daring to think too much, Liu Shu tidied himself up somewhat and hurried out to receive the emperor. However, Emperor Liu did not follow convention and went straight to the rear garden of the mansion. Upon learning this, Liu Shu hastily changed course and headed directly for the rear garden. By the time he arrived, panting and drenched in sweat, he found Emperor Liu watching with great interest as his imperial grandson Liu Wenyan amused himself with crickets...

In the summer pavilion, by the stone table, Emperor Liu leaned forward with his arms crossed, a trace of tenderness on his aged face, watching Liu Wenyan's operations with rapt attention. This scene, carrying a hint of warmth, appeared utterly unreal in Liu Shu's eyes.

The sharp chirping of the crickets snapped Liu Shu back to his senses. He slowed his steps and approached, stopping three to five paces away, then stood at attention and bowed: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Hearing the voice, Emperor Liu glanced at Liu Shu. Just a calm look was enough to make Liu Shu's heart race and his head lower instinctively.

At this moment, Liu Shu was dressed somewhat incongruously—a Daoist robe, colored with the double-fish and Eight Trigrams pattern, a crescent-moon crown atop his head. His attire was quite neat, yet it showed not the slightest trace of Daoist otherworldliness.

"What is the meaning of this attire of yours?" Liu Shu's strange getup did not move Emperor Liu in the slightest; he merely asked in a flat tone.

Upon the question, Liu Shu bowed and replied: "Your subject merely recites the Huangting Scripture, praying day and night for Your Majesty's blessings!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's eyelids lifted slightly, and with a faintly mocking smile he said: "So you actually care about my health now? That truly is a strange affair!"

Emperor Liu's words seemed to cast doubt on the sincerity of the scripture-reciting and blessing-praying. Liu Shu perceived this and grew somewhat anxious, unable to help saying: "Your subject was guilty of great treason, causing harm to Your Majesty's sacred person. I am overwhelmed with shame and remorse, unable to forgive myself. I do not seek Your Majesty's pardon—I only pray that Your Majesty may recover soon. For that, I am willing to pay any price..."

Although Liu Shu was a reckless sort, when he was serious, the aura he emitted was completely different from usual. It was only a momentary impression, but Emperor Liu was certain in his heart that this unfilial son's words came from genuine sincerity.

A few more expressions appeared on his aged face, barely counting as a gesture of goodwill. He pointed toward the stone table and said softly: "Sit!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Shu gave thanks for the favor. Turning his head and seeing Liu Wenyan still absorbed in amusing himself with the cricket in the jar, anger surged within him: "You beast! So obsessed with playthings that you abandon all ambition—how could you ever amount to anything! Get out of here at once, I'll settle accounts with you later!"

Perhaps because Emperor Liu was present, Liu Wenyan was not afraid of Liu Shu's scolding in the least—after all, even his imperial grandfather had just been seriously watching him play with the crickets. He raised his head and looked at Emperor Liu with pleading eyes. That innocent little gaze was indeed full of the spirit of a born performer.

Unfortunately, Emperor Liu's response disappointed Liu Wenyan. Stroking Liu Wenyan's little head, Emperor Liu said with a light laugh: "Your father has been a fool for twenty or thirty years, but even a fool, pondering a thousand times, must hit upon a truth once! What he said is correct—this little thing is indeed a plaything. It's fine to amuse yourself occasionally, but you must not let it waste your studies or extinguish your fighting spirit!"

Toward his grandson, Emperor Liu was naturally not as stern as he was with others, but even his gentle words made Liu Wenyan feel a pressure. After a moment of hesitation, Liu Wenyan gritted his teeth and bowed to Emperor Liu: "Grandfather's instruction, your grandson will keep in his heart!"

So saying, under the astonished gazes of grandfather and father alike, he hurled the jar to the ground. The jar shattered, the cricket leaped out, and Liu Wenyan, reacting with remarkable speed, stomped the fierce little fighter to death...

Seeing this display, Emperor Liu was finally moved. He gave this grandson of his, not yet nine years old, a long, appraising look, and Liu Wenyan met Emperor Liu's scrutiny with a stubborn expression of his own.

After a long while, Emperor Liu pointed at Liu Wenyan and said to Liu Shu with a sigh of admiration: "This son of yours—his future achievements are beyond anything you could imagine!"

Hearing this assessment, Liu Shu could not help but beam with joy. This pleased him more than being praised himself. Of course, he rarely received praise—indeed, one could almost say never.

He strode forward quickly and practically pressed Liu Wenyan's head down to make him kneel, scolding as he did: "Hurry up and thank your grandfather!"

In Liu Shu's view, Emperor Liu's assessment was practically a guarantee of Liu Wenyan's future prospects. Though somewhat mystical, such was the extent of Emperor Liu's influence these days. A living deity on earth was no joke—as long as he still drew breath, no matter how many schemes others harbored, none dared to act out.

After the little interlude, Emperor Liu had Liu Wenyan withdraw, then dismissed all the attendants, leaving only Liu Shu behind.

Alone with his father, Liu Shu suddenly felt enormous pressure. He did not dare sit, nor did he dare decline to sit. Emperor Liu remained silent for a time, simply staring at the still lake in the rear garden, utterly lost in thought, as if his soul had flown away—paying no attention whatsoever to Liu Shu.

For Liu Shu, this experience was pure torment. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Liu Shu spoke up: "If Your Majesty wishes to punish your subject, your subject will have not a single word of complaint. Please issue the edict!"

Liu Shu's abrupt words had some effect, at least in bringing Emperor Liu back to his senses. He looked with amusement at Liu Shu, whose face bore a hint of resignation, and said softly: "You think I came to your mansion in person to punish you?"