Chapter 1980: The Emperor and the Crown Prince

Since the start of the year, Liu Yang had met with Emperor Liu very few times, and even at the Qianyuan imperial banquet on Lantern Festival day, their exchanges had been minimal. The reason was simply that Liu Yang did not want to provoke Emperor Liu further.

The relationship between the Emperor and the Crown Prince could only be described as ambiguous and complicated. Even Liu Yang found the proper measure difficult to grasp, and he had to act with great caution.

Stepping into Chuigong Hall once more, Liu Yang could not help but feel a trace of melancholy. When he saw his imperial father, his emotions grew even more complex. At least outwardly, Emperor Liu's condition was not good. The imperial desk remained elevated as always, but it was almost entirely shrouded in shadow, making his face hard to discern, as if he were hiding wounds and weaknesses.

Drawing closer, one could clearly see the old emperor's exhaustion — disheveled graying beard, heavy dark circles under his eyes, wrinkles like cracks. He had completely sunk into a state of decrepitude.

The solitary, aloof figure stirred a flicker of wistfulness in Liu Yang's heart. However, quickly steadying his mind, Liu Yang behaved as he always did, saluting Emperor Liu calmly: "Your subject Liu Yang, summoned by decree, requests an audience!"

Emperor Liu sat there like a statue. After a moment, he finally stirred, waving at Liu Yang: "Rise! Be seated!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"How is your recovery from illness?" No sooner had Liu Yang taken his seat than Emperor Liu asked.

Liu Yang had previously requested leave from Emperor Liu on the pretext of illness, and had been staying in the Eastern Palace, quietly "recuperating." Of course, Liu Yang did genuinely need rest — after all, he was past forty now, no longer young.

And Liu Yang's conduct in his twenties and thirties had been almost a replica of Emperor Liu's younger days — diligent and devoted to governance, without the slightest slack. It was just that unlike Emperor Liu, he had not accumulated chronic ailments from rushing about, but his body still could not bear the burden. Not to mention anything else, after this month or more of rest, Liu Yang's complexion was clearly much improved.

Therefore, Liu Yang answered with complete candor: "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern! After this period of quiet recuperation, your subject's health has already improved greatly, and my spirits have doubled!"

"You have worked hard these past years!" Emperor Liu nodded calmly and sighed: "For the sake of the rivers and mountains, the state and the realm, you must take good care of your health!"

These words truly caught Liu Yang by surprise — there was even a sense of unreality about them. When was the last time Emperor Liu had shown concern for Liu Yang's health? Ten years ago? Twenty years ago?

But regardless, when the old emperor spoke these words of care, Liu Yang could not help but feel moved — such moments were far too rare. He hurriedly expressed his thanks and responded.

However, that touch of warmth seemed merely an illusion. Immediately after, Emperor Liu asked in a cold, eerie tone: "Zhang Xun, Lü Mengzheng and those others — what do you think of them?"

Liu Yang was clearly prepared for this turn and was not surprised. After a brief moment of thought, he said: "Based on my previous experience working with these two, they are both most loyal and diligent!"

"They colluded with that pack of court officials, built up momentum, and together pressured me, demanding that Wang Ji'en be dealt with. What is your view on such conduct?" Emperor Liu's tone was icy as he stared at Liu Yang.

Hearing this, Liu Yang felt a chill in his heart and dared not be careless. He answered in a deep voice: "Your Majesty overstates it! In your subject's view, they do not have such audacity — they merely have certain designs!"

"What designs?" Emperor Liu's voice immediately rose several notches, and he said darkly: "Is one Wang Ji'en worth their forming such factions and cabals? Listen to the rumors in the capital — quite the 'Twenty-Eight Worthy Ministers,' is it? What do you make of that?"

Liu Yang paused, then cupped his hands and said: "The common folk are base and ignorant — it is but idle rumor, passed along by those who parrot others."

"Indeed, parroting others — but who first started spreading it? Who is behind it, fanning the flames?" A fierce light gleamed in Emperor Liu's aged eyes: "Nonsense about 'Twenty-Eight Worthy Ministers' — they are nothing but traitorous ministers! If they are gentlemen and worthy ministers, then what am I? A fatuous ruler? A tyrant?"

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!" Seeing Emperor Liu suddenly flare up, Liu Yang immediately rose, knelt, and prostrated himself.

Looking down at Liu Yang prostrate on the ground, Emperor Liu was silent for a moment, then asked coldly: "Your words, between the lines, all seem to exonerate Zhang and Lü. Do you think Zhang Xun, Lü Mengzheng and the others do not deserve death?"

At this point, Liu Yang's expression finally turned truly grave. In his view, of course, one could not kill all twenty-eight of them — their crimes did not warrant death. Killing them rashly would bring too many consequences and too wide an impact.

But facing the old emperor at this moment, could he speak his mind directly? What was the old emperor really thinking? Did he truly want to kill the twenty-eight ministers Zhang and Lü? And how should he himself answer?

In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through Liu Yang's mind. At the same time, Xu Shilian's recent counsel in Hongde Hall seemed to echo in his ears — if he followed that advice and answered according to the old emperor's wishes, that would be the safest course.

But did the old emperor truly harbor murderous intent? He probably did — Jiang Mu was already a very clear signal.

Seeing Liu Yang's hesitant demeanor, Emperor Liu's tone carried a note of impatience: "Is my question so difficult for you?"

After this brief calculation, Liu Yang had settled on his course. Meeting Emperor Liu's scrutinizing gaze, Liu Yang rose and said solemnly: "To answer Your Majesty, Zhang, Lü and the others may indeed be guilty of seeking fame through bluntness, but according to court law, their crimes truly do not warrant death!"

At these words, Emperor Liu's expression grew visibly darker, his gaze sharper, even carrying a hint of menace as he stared fixedly at Liu Yang. Under such circumstances, Liu Yang naturally felt immense pressure — the old emperor's gaze made him feel as if thorns were pricking his back — but he dared not make the slightest move, only striving to maintain his composure.

It was like a silent standoff. After a long while, Emperor Liu's rigid body sagged, leaning back against the backrest of the imperial throne, as if sheathing his fangs. In a level tone, he asked: "And Wang Ji'en?"

Sensing the change in the old emperor's tone, Liu Yang could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, feeling as though he had passed a dangerous hurdle. Facing the new question, after a moment's thought, he cupped his hands and said: "Wang Ji'en has served Your Majesty faithfully for forty years. Even if he has made some small errors or oversights, if he is to be dealt with, it should only be according to Your Majesty's will — your subject, as an official outside the palace, has no right to interfere!"

Emperor Liu made no comment, but immediately pressed further: "And the Palace City Office?"

"How could the Son of Heaven blind his own eyes and deafen his own ears?" Liu Yang's answer was even more direct, concise and forceful.

The expression on Emperor Liu's aged face slowly relaxed. Looking at Liu Yang before the throne, he said unhurriedly: "You are not without understanding — so why do you still plead for Zhang, Lü and that lot?"

To this, Liu Yang thought for a moment before answering calmly: "Zhang and Lü are, after all, capable ministers of the court, and Lü Mengzheng in particular was promoted step by step by Your Majesty's own hand. Though the court is now teeming with talent, ministers of this caliber are still rare. Therefore, your subject's heart could not bear it, and I took the liberty of speaking a few words on their behalf."

Hearing this explanation, Emperor Liu was silent for a long while, a hint of bewilderment even appearing in his aged eyes. After a long pause, he said indifferently: "For these ministers who presume upon favor and harbor treacherous designs, I had originally intended to impose the harshest punishment. However, since you have pleaded for them, I shall deal with them leniently!"

In truth, though rage consumed his heart, Emperor Liu's mind had not been burned out. He knew full well in his heart the grave consequences of directly killing the twenty-eight ministers Zhang and Lü.

But if he did not punish them at all, how could he intimidate those bureaucrats and ministers? On the other hand, he had already built up such momentum — if he raised high and struck lightly, people would only think him outwardly strong but inwardly weak, and those bureaucrats would only despise his age all the more.

Thus, with the Crown Prince pleading and remonstrating, Emperor Liu exercising clemency and sparing their lives became a way to land smoothly. Of course, Emperor Liu also had a backup plan — if the Crown Prince did not plead, then killing them was killing them; if they wanted fame as loyal and worthy men, he would grant it to them.

"Exile that whole lot to posts in the northwest!" Emperor Liu made his final decision, but quickly realized something was wrong and immediately changed his words, saying coldly: "In the capital they dare to act so recklessly, colluding and stirring up trouble. If sent to the provinces and kept together, would that not give them another chance to stir up storms! Scatter them — you handle the arrangements!"

Emperor Liu's suspicious demeanor was still suffocating, but fortunately their lives were spared. Liu Yang could only respond solemnly: "Yes!"

"You have rested for quite some time. If your health is no longer a concern, return to the Hall of State Affairs to manage governance — lest with time, your ministers say that you, the Crown Prince, are being remiss!" Emperor Liu turned his attention back to Liu Yang, looking at him calmly and speaking unhurriedly.

Clearly, Emperor Liu's attitude toward the Crown Prince had returned to normal. As for what he said, it was merely finding a passable excuse to give both father and son a way to step down.

Leaving Chuigong Hall, Liu Yang looked up at the sky beneath the high eaves, feeling as though he had escaped a cage. His back was cold — under the heavy pressure in the hall just now, he had still broken out in sweat down his back.