Chapter 1946: The Imperial Grandson Returns

Southeast of the palace city, a Xuanhui Gate connected the Inner Palace with the Eastern Palace—this was the main and largest passage between the two, and it was through here that the Crown Prince and the consorts of the Eastern Palace ordinarily passed when entering the palace to pay their respects and offer greetings.

In ordinary times, the subordinate officials and palace eunuchs of the Eastern Palace were not qualified to pass through this gate; it was also the most tightly guarded palace gate around the Inner Palace, with two squads of Inner Palace guards permanently stationed there.

Another summer had arrived, the blazing sun hanging high in the sky, releasing its light and heat without restraint, casting the shadows of the solemn guards at Xuanhui Gate directly onto the ground. Besides the imposing guards, a group of people was also waiting at Xuanhui Gate.

Several palace eunuchs and maids, all from the Eastern Palace, stood there; a handsome, upright young man was the imperial grandson Liu Wenji, and in the narrow shade beneath the canopy was Consort Zhao, resplendently dressed and past her prime—of all those present, she was the one most eagerly straining her eyes.

The one they were waiting for with such solemn ceremony before Xuanhui Gate was none other than the imperial grandson Liu Wenhuan. Last year, when the matter of supporting Anxi had come up, Liu Wenhuan had happened to be present, and Emperor Liu, on a whim, had ordered Liu Wenhuan to lead a team escorting a shipment of important military equipment and supplies westward.

A single round trip had taken nearly a full year, and he had only arrived in the capital this morning. No sooner had he entered the city than Emperor Liu sent someone to receive him and bring him to the palace for questioning; grandfather and grandson had talked in Chuigong Hall for the entire morning.

As for Liu Wenhuan's return, the happiest person was without question his mother, Consort Zhao—a mother worries about her son traveling a thousand li, and Liu Wenhuan's round trip had been far more than ten thousand li, especially going to Anxi, where weapons clash and war rages.

Consort Zhao had been anxious for a full year, constantly offering prayers and blessings. Now her beloved son had returned safely—though the report said he was intact and unharmed, without seeing him with her own eyes, how could she be completely at ease?

Consort Zhao had already been waiting before Xuanhui Gate for nearly two shichen, her patience inexhaustible—she both longed to see Liu Wenhuan soon and harbored hopes and fancies about the old emperor receiving him for so long.

Compared to Consort Zhao's conflicted feelings, Liu Wenji, waiting off to the side, was quiet and composed; his still-youthful face made his age obvious at a glance, yet his low-key, restrained temperament also made him easy to warm to.

Of course, Liu Wenji's personally coming to the palace gate to await his elder brother was inseparable from the advice of his clever mother, Consort Xiao. Not to mention the brotherly respect and affection he ought to display, just the spirit of Liu Wenhuan's willingness to endure hardship and trek ten thousand li to the western frontier was something worth Liu Wenji learning from.

It was not until past noon, when the sun had shifted westward and even the palace attendants wore expressions of weary endurance, that Liu Wenhuan's figure finally appeared in view. Only a year in the west, yet Liu Wenhuan's growth had changed manifold—he looked leaner, but his spirit seemed to have been baptized, radiating a confident temperament from within.

Spotting the group beneath the palace gate from afar, especially his mother's familiar figure, Liu Wenhuan immediately quickened his pace, sprinting toward Xuanhui Gate. Drawing near, he knelt straight down and threw himself into the arms of Consort Zhao, who had rushed forward to meet him.

Mother and son reunited, and there was naturally an outpouring of longing—Liu Wenhuan's eyes brimmed with tears, while Consort Zhao wept for joy, looking down at the son in her arms, her tears flowing all the more uncontrollably.

Though he had returned intact, his sun-darkened face made Consort Zhao's heart ache—clearly, Liu Wenhuan's journey west had not been a pleasure trip.

"My son has suffered!" Consort Zhao murmured.

Liu Wenhuan, gradually calming his emotions, heard this and gave a hearty laugh: "No matter the hardship, it cannot compare to the officials and people guarding the frontier or the soldiers bleeding in the western campaign. What troubles me is that this journey took so long and made Mother worry—I feel deeply uneasy!"

Seeing this, Consort Zhao wiped her tears with relief and said excitedly: "It's good that you're back! It's good that you're back! Have you had your midday meal? I've already ordered people to prepare—"

"Thank you, Mother!" Though Emperor Liu had already kept him for lunch, Liu Wenhuan still appreciated his mother's thoughtfulness and smiled as he complied with her arrangements.

After mother and son had finished their brief exchange, Liu Wenji finally stepped forward, respectfully saluting Liu Wenhuan, a warm smile on his face: "Elder Brother, you've finally returned to the capital!"

Hearing this, Liu Wenhuan turned his attention to Liu Wenji, his gaze sharp as a hawk's as he surveyed this younger brother from head to toe, then quickly returned a smile and stepped forward to give him a hug: "Second Brother, a year without seeing you, and you've grown quite a bit!"

Though both were teenagers in their teens, it had indeed been some years since the brothers had been this affectionate, and Liu Wenji was momentarily stunned. But he soon beamed with joy and said to Liu Wenhuan: "Elder Brother, you've been away from the capital so long—we've all missed you dearly. Hearing of your return, Aunt Zhao was overjoyed and has been waiting here for two shichen."

Hearing Liu Wenji say this, Liu Wenhuan's expression turned serious. He looked at his mother again, solemnly clasped his hands in salute to Consort Zhao, and said with sincere tone: "I've made Mother worry!"

"Elder Brother, I've never even left the capital, and you've already traveled ten thousand li west!" Liu Wenji said with great enthusiasm, following up: "You must tell us all about your journey west! The northwest must be as vast and magnificent as the teacher said! Have you seen the ninety-nine bends of the Yellow River? Have you walked through the desert? Is the swirling sandstorm truly as awe-inspiring as they say?"

On Liu Wenji's face, besides intense curiosity, there was also deep admiration—his eyes were practically sparkling with stars. Seeing this, Liu Wenhuan couldn't help but reveal a slightly smug smile, his vanity greatly satisfied, and he patted his shoulder: "These things are far too common in the great northwest—I've seen them all. Let's return to the palace first, and I'll tell you slowly..."

Hearing this, Liu Wenji's expression shifted from beaming joy to sheer elation...

Consort Zhao, whose mood had also gradually settled, watched the exchange between the two brothers. Though Liu Wenji's attitude toward Liu Wenhuan was one of humility, respect, and even a hint of eagerness, Consort Zhao still felt somewhat uneasy in her heart.

Seeing the brothers growing ever more familiar, Consort Zhao couldn't help but give a soft cough, then said to Liu Wenhuan: "Wenhuan, you really must tell your mother all about your experiences along the way!"

"Yes!" Liu Wenhuan replied respectfully.

Seeming to sense the faint rejection from Consort Zhao, Liu Wenji quickly restrained himself, a smile still on his lips as he followed the mother and son back to the palace like an attendant, eyelids lowered, gaze calmly fixed on the small patch of ground before his feet, silent.

On the way back to the Eastern Palace, Liu Wenhuan, to show filial devotion, personally supported Consort Zhao, speaking softly with a smile: "There's also a piece of good news to tell Mother—just now in Chuigong Hall, Grandfather has bestowed a title upon me, enfeoffing me as First-Class Marquis of Wannian..."

No one was happier about Liu Wenhuan's return than Consort Zhao, and second only to her was the Crown Prince Liu Yang—after all, he was a parent. However, compared to Consort Zhao, Liu Yang was steadier, remaining in Guangzheng Hall all along, devoted to state affairs, appearing as if nothing had changed.

But since Liu Wenhuan had entered the palace, he had sent people to keep watch, and today he left Guangzheng Hall half a shichen earlier than usual. In the afternoon, Liu Yang specifically summoned Zhao Defang and Murong Yongren to Guangzheng Hall to personally inquire about Liu Wenhuan's journey west—these two were the accompanying officials Liu Yang had specially selected for Liu Wenhuan.

Eastern Palace, Hongde Hall.

A family banquet was only natural; the palace attendants bustled about in orderly fashion, preparing all the items for welcoming the imperial grandson and washing away the dust of travel. To the left of the hall, Crown Prince Liu Yang received Liu Wenhuan alone. Since returning to the palace, Liu Wenhuan had been somewhat buoyant—even before Emperor Liu, he had been brimming with confidence—but now, meeting his father's appraising gaze, his complacency faded somewhat.

Calmly watching Liu Wenhuan, seeing him standing straight and not daring to relax, Liu Yang finally smiled, and that smile also made Liu Wenhuan breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps it was an illusion, but Liu Wenhuan felt that his father the Crown Prince was even more imposing and awe-inspiring than his grandfather the Emperor.

"I asked Zhao Defang and Murong Yongren, and their assessment of you is quite good—they say you have a resolute temperament, can withstand trials, and are fit for great responsibility!" Liu Yang said slowly.

Hearing this, Liu Wenhuan felt a flicker of joy within, but on the surface he said modestly: "I dare not accept such praise. I have long been taught by Grandfather and dare not forget it; I only seek to fulfill the mission entrusted to me."

Seeing this, Liu Yang shook his head again and said flatly: "Zhao and Murong have never been through great affairs themselves—how much of their praise is flattery, we'll set aside for now. I only hope this journey was not wasted; that what you experienced and witnessed firsthand can be remembered and become your true knowledge!"

"Yes!" Hearing Liu Yang say this, Liu Wenhuan grew composed and obediently replied.