Chapter 1902: Speak Normally!

At the gate of the residence, several of Xiang Xun's descendants were present, though not many in number—adding up all his sons and grandsons, there were only five. Compared to those noble families with flourishing branches and abundant leaves, Xiang Xun's household could be considered thin of blood, and all of them were somewhat unremarkable; aside from his eldest son Xiang Deming, there was no one else of particular distinction.

Xiang Deming was still serving in Anxi at the time, acting as the logistics steward of the Anxi Army. Therefore, Emperor Liu turned his gaze to Xiang Xun's second son, Xiang Yu, and asked, "What office do you currently hold?"

Xiang Yu was only in his twenties, a son born to Xiang Xun in his old age, always doted upon. His upbringing had been decent, and he appeared fairly gentle, with a strong scholarly air about him.

He bore the look of one who had yet to be tempered by the world. Facing Emperor Liu's questioning, he was somewhat ill at ease, though his grief could cover some of his inadequacy in bearing. With reddened eyes, Xiang Yu replied, "Thanks to my father's protection and Your Majesty's blessing, your servant currently holds the office of Court Gentleman for Consultation!"

Court Gentleman for Consultation was a civil titular rank, the upper grade of the seventh rank. Though it was a sinecure, the level was not low. For these sons of meritorious nobles, in consideration of their fathers' contributions, the court would grant some favors as appropriate. But to achieve greater accomplishments, higher power, and status, one still had to rely on one's own qualities and abilities—at least that was how it worked in the current political ecology of the Great Han.

Xiang Yu was clearly inferior to his elder brother. However, Emperor Liu was now showing himself somewhat sentimental, or perhaps it was to express respect and regret for Xiang Xun, as he said immediately, "Too low! A fine man of valor, how can he be content with a mere seventh-rank honorary title! Go report to the Ministry of Personnel tomorrow, and let Lü Duan arrange a substantive post for you!"

Hearing this, Xiang Yu stared blankly at Emperor Liu. Only after Yan Tuo gave him a wink did he come to his senses and hurriedly express his gratitude.

Emperor Liu looked at him and said in a grave tone, "I hear you are the son Xiang Xingmin loved most. Work hard, and do not tarnish your father's reputation! Also, take good care of your father!"

"Your servant obeys!" Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Xiang Yu could not help but choke up again. He was not particularly shrewd, but he could sense that Emperor Liu was already making arrangements for Xiang Xun's affairs after his passing...

"Twenty-four ministers..." Stepping onto the imperial carriage by the footstool, Emperor Liu muttered again, paused on the carriage shaft to ponder for a moment, then turned to Yan Tuo and instructed, "Send someone to Jiangning at once to meet Duke Shou in person and convey a message for me—tell him to take good care of his health, to live well for me, and when I celebrate my sixtieth birthday, I still want to raise a cup and share joy with him!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo replied immediately.

Emperor Liu's words sometimes needed to be interpreted in reverse. But based on Yan Tuo's years of experience gauging Emperor Liu's thoughts, this concern for Duke Shou, Li Shaoyou, was certainly sincere, coming straight from the heart.

After all, if Xiang Xun were to depart, then of the Twenty-Four Ministers of Qianyou that had once been the envy of court and country alike, only Duke Shou, Li Shaoyou, would remain as a single solitary branch.

Even though the sun was bright, the early spring morning wind was still cold. As the sun rose high, Prince Yong, Liu Chenghsun, entered the palace for an audience. Before Chuigong Hall, Yan Tuo, who had been banished by Emperor Liu to wait outside the hall, saw him and hurriedly greeted him, bowing with a worried expression: "This humble one pays respects to Your Highness!"

Liu Chenghsun nodded to Yan Tuo in acknowledgment, instinctively glanced into the wide-open hall doors, and asked out of habit, "Is His Majesty present?"

"He is!" Yan Tuo nodded quickly, then said, "Your Highness has arrived just in time. Please do urge His Majesty—His Majesty has not eaten for a full day and night!"

Hearing this, Liu Chenghsun's expression immediately changed, and he rebuked sternly, "How have you been attending to him!"

"It is this humble one's fault, but His Majesty has been in low spirits these past two days, and truly cannot be persuaded..." Yan Tuo said.

Hearing Yan Tuo's words, Liu Chenghsun paid him no further heed. Without waiting for an announcement, he went straight inside. This was not a breach of protocol, for Prince Yong Liu Chenghsun possessed the privilege of meeting Emperor Liu without prior announcement—he simply did not ordinarily use it. But this was not an ordinary time; the Emperor had gone so long without food, what if his health were harmed...

As for why Emperor Liu was in low spirits, Liu Chenghsun naturally had a good idea. He was not deaf or blind to the world; being in the capital, he had heard something of the recent enfeoffment controversy and the grave illness of Duke Wenguo. However, in Liu Chenghsun's view, it was likely the former that troubled Emperor Liu more.

Inside the hall, Emperor Liu sat cross-legged, curled up in a hunched posture within the imperial seat, flipping through documents in his hand. Unlike the memorials submitted by ordinary officials, what Emperor Liu held were secret reports—intelligence on public sentiment in the Western Capital's court and society, compiled by the Palace City Office and the Wude Office for Emperor Liu.

Compared to relying purely on suspicion and conjecture, Emperor Liu now increasingly depended on the intelligence from these two secret service agencies. And the results only made his heart more weighed down.

Judging by what the reports presented, among the court and the public regarding Emperor Liu's enfeoffment proposal, those who viewed it pessimistically were many, and those watching the show were numerous. As time fermented, the trend grew ever more pronounced. Only a minority praised Emperor Liu's pioneering enterprise, and even among that minority, not many were truly sincere in their support—at least in Emperor Liu's view, those seeking advancement through opportunism likely made up the majority...

"Your Majesty!" From ten paces away, Liu Chenghsun made a solemn bow to Emperor Liu.

Looking up and seeing his own brother, Emperor Liu's gloomy expression relaxed somewhat. A smile appeared as he said to Liu Chenghsun, "You've come. Sit!"

Liu Chenghsun expressed his gratitude but did not take a seat. Looking at Emperor Liu's sallow, undernourished face, he asked with concern, "I hear Your Majesty has not eaten for a full day and night?"

At the question, Emperor Liu waved his hand and said with an air of indifference, "No mood, no appetite!"

Hearing this, Liu Chenghsun shook his head and counseled, "That will not do. Meals should still be taken at regular times! Nothing matters more than Your Majesty's health. I beg Your Majesty to eat soon and take care of your imperial person—the court cannot do without you..."

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu chuckled and said lightly, "I am not that important. I am but one among the masses. Without me, would the government cease to function? Would the people be unable to live?

Besides, everyone urges me to take care of my health, but who knows what schemes lie in their hearts! Within this palace and court, I fear there are not a few who wish for my early death, so that the restrictions and constraints placed upon them might be lifted..."

Emperor Liu's casual words made Liu Chenghsun's expression change drastically. Almost instinctively, he lowered his head. These were words he dared not respond to lightly, even as Prince Yong and Emperor Liu's own blood brother.

Seeing no response from Liu Chenghsun, Emperor Liu came back to himself and looked at him. Noticing his quail-like cowering posture, he could not help but say, "What kind of reaction is that?"

Liu Chenghsun took a deep breath, bowed deeply with clasped hands, and said, "Your Majesty's words fill your servant with awe and trepidation!"

"What are you afraid of!" Emperor Liu said with some impatience. "I wasn't talking about you!"

Perhaps feeling that his reaction had been excessive and his severity undignified, Emperor Liu calmed himself and said in a gentler tone, "You are my own blood brother, my confidant. You are not like outsiders—there is nothing that cannot be said between us!"

At Emperor Liu's words, Liu Chenghsun did not believe a single syllable in his heart. His entire life had been lived in the radiance of Emperor Liu's glory, and also shrouded in his shadow. For decades now, up to this very day, how could he still dare to truly regard Emperor Liu as an elder brother? He had not even called him "Second Brother" for many years...

"Your servant is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's trust and favor!" Liu Chenghsun could only express himself thus.

Clearly, Liu Chenghsun could no longer be as unrestrained before Emperor Liu as he had been in his youth. Emperor Liu sighed inwardly, then changed the subject and asked, "You have not come to the palace for many days. What brings you to see me today?"

"Having not seen Your Majesty for many days, I came to pay my respects."

"I doubt that! By now, I am probably regarded as a fierce tiger in your eyes—one you would flee from lest you be too slow..."

"Your Majesty!" Liu Chenghsun found Emperor Liu's sharp words and manner of speaking somewhat hard to bear, and could not help raising his voice, saying with exceptional solemnity, "No matter what Your Majesty thinks, no matter what others think, at least your servant has a clear conscience—and has done no wrong to Your Majesty!"

Liu Chenghsun's declaration of his true feelings was delivered with resolute firmness. Whether or not it was actually true, at least the force of it was fully displayed, and Emperor Liu was indeed shaken for a moment.

Looking at his younger brother's gravely serious face, Emperor Liu let out a light sigh: "I have been in a foul mood lately, and my words have been somewhat harsh. Do not take offense!"

"Your servant would not dare!" Seeing that Emperor Liu showed signs of speaking normally, Liu Chenghsun immediately lowered himself, his demeanor reverting to its usual humility and meekness.

"You have also come to counsel me about the enfeoffment matter, have you not?" Emperor Liu said leisurely.

Liu Chenghsun pondered briefly, then replied, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Looking at Liu Chenghsun, Emperor Liu said with equal solemnity, "I do not care who sought you out, nor what considerations you may have. But I do not need you to counsel me. My mind is perfectly clear—I have not yet gone senile!"