Chapter 1991: A Son Like His Father — the Kind Consort Seeks a Title

"Heaven does not speak, yet all things prosper and the year's work is accomplished — what does this mean?" Inside Chuigong Hall, the old emperor suddenly began quoting from the classics.

Liu Wenji, attending at his side, immediately responded: "The officers of the four seasons and the assistants of the five elements spread its vital force."

The old emperor continued: "The sage does not speak, yet the people grow close and the myriad states find peace — what does this mean?"

Liu Wenji: "The Three Dukes discuss the Way, the Six Ministers divide their duties and spread their teachings."

Seeing Liu Wenji's familiar response, a smile appeared on Emperor Liu's aged face, and with slight curiosity he asked: "Have you studied this essay?"

"This is the 'Record of the Dawn-Waiting Hall' written in his early years by Governor Wang of Shanzhou. Master Xu only lectured on it not long ago, which is why your grandson remembers it clearly!" Liu Wenji answered obediently.

Governor Wang naturally referred to Wang Yucheng, who had torn the "great policy of the western expedition" to shreds yet emerged unscathed, and had already taken up his post in Longxi as one of the reform officials specifically implementing the "Edict Abolishing the Western Expedition."

Master Xu was Xu Xuan, Grand Academician of the Jixian Hall. Xu Xuan had been pardoned and returned to the capital together with Xu Shilian, and upon arriving in the capital, he became a guest of honor of the old emperor. As a southern official, a surrendered official, who had also herded sheep and taught at the frontier garrison of Fengzhou for nearly twenty years, Xu Xuan's knowledge could be said to be broad, combining the best of north and south — he was a literary master renowned throughout the realm.

At the very least, tempered by twenty more years of wind and snow beyond the northern frontier, and stripped of the romance and idealism that Jiangnan's waters and soil had bestowed upon him, Xu Xuan's literary achievements now far surpassed those of his "previous life." As could be seen from his works over these years, he paid ever more attention to reality and cared about the people's suffering.

And having learned the lesson of those years, Xu Xuan no longer pushed his policy ideas with the same sharp-edged aggressiveness as Wang Yucheng and others, but he did manage quite well to keep himself clean and out of trouble.

Compared to that aloof and arrogant demeanor of before, after returning to the capital, Xu Xuan's entire temperament had undergone a tremendous change — at least he had become somewhat more down to earth. Moreover, since he was after all a great scholar of vast learning, Emperor Liu finally forgave him for his old crime of "yearning for his former state."

However, high office and heavy power could not be granted; he was also advanced in years, so in the end he was bestowed the title of Grand Academician of the Jixian Hall, essentially honored and set aside. But more important was another assignment — lecturer in the Wenhua Hall, among the top-ranked ones, responsible for the cultural education of the princes and imperial grandsons.

The old emperor was always like this — when he hated someone he could grind their bones to dust, but when he appreciated someone, he would treat them with utmost sincerity.

At this moment, hearing Liu Wenji say that Xu Xuan was actually lecturing on Wang Yucheng's works, the old emperor was somewhat surprised. Twenty or thirty years ago, political essays of this sort would hardly have appeared in Xu Xuan's lecture notes.

His gaze fell upon Liu Wenji. This grandson had always given him a feeling of steadiness. Moved by emotion, he opened his mouth and asked: "Do you know what the main theme of Wang Yucheng's 'Record of the Dawn-Waiting Hall' is?"

Upon the question, Liu Wenji thought for a moment before saying: "Governor Wang is emphasizing the weight of the chancellor's authority — if Your Majesty wishes to rule by non-interference and bring peace to the realm and tranquility to all matters, you must draw close the worthy, distance the wicked, and remove the mediocre, while also encouraging the chancellor to be diligent in governance, to think of the worthy, and to worry for the people."

"Did Xu Xuan teach you all this?" Emperor Liu asked.

Liu Wenji nodded honestly: "More or less."

Smiling slightly, Emperor Liu said with pointed meaning: "Is it that the great order of the realm is entirely the chancellor's merit, and the emperor need only fold his hands and stand by, letting him do as he pleases?"

At this, Liu Wenji was somewhat surprised. After thinking for a moment, he faced the old emperor's probing gaze and said respectfully: "Your grandson believes that the rivers and mountains of the state, the four seasons and yin-yang, certainly require the chancellor's assistance, but one cannot rely solely on the chancellor's personal character and integrity. Ruling by non-interference is not ruling by folding one's hands and doing nothing — Your Majesty needs to constantly supervise and spur on the chancellor."

Hearing this discourse, the old emperor once again revealed a kindly smile and said leisurely: "Who taught you this?"

Liu Wenji seemed somewhat bashful, lowered his head, and answered softly: "It is your grandson's own shallow opinion. If there is anything improper, I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Looking at this grandson who still bore a youthful greenness, suddenly turning back in memory, Emperor Liu realized with a start that Liu Wenji had seemed to be this way — low-key and modest, steady and calm — from childhood to now. Compared to the spirited and dashing Liu Wenhuan, Liu Wenji always appeared slow and deliberate, mild as water.

And this calm composure made the old emperor suddenly think of Liu Yang. It should be known that the Crown Prince, in his youth, had also been known for being slow and composed — it was just that the decisiveness Liu Yang had displayed in politics over these past ten-plus years had made people somewhat forget those memories of the past.

When the figures of father and son overlapped in his mind, the old emperor's gaze toward Liu Wenji naturally gained some added depth. Liu Wenji seemed to sense the change in his grandfather's eyes, and this appeared to be the first time his grandfather had looked at him with such an expression — he lowered his head somewhat uneasily.

After a long silence, the old emperor's low laughter echoed through the hall: "Wenji, you are quite good too! From now on, hold your head up — don't keep it lowered."

"Yes!" Since the old emperor had spoken, Liu Wenji naturally dared not be slow — he slowly raised his head.

However, though his head was raised, his eyelids remained lowered, whether observing the bridge of his nose or looking at the tips of his shoes — this demeanor too made the old emperor sigh with many feelings.

Just as he was about to say more words of encouragement, Hu De walked in, and from a few paces away bowed and reported: "Reporting to His Majesty, Noble Consort Hui requests an audience!"

Unlike Yan Tuo, Hu De — also a close eunuch and chief of the palace eunuchs — was rarely able to serve at close quarters except on formal occasions.

Hearing the report, Emperor Liu was somewhat surprised, muttered a phrase, and then ordered: "Summon her!"

Before long, the younger Lady Fu, Noble Consort Hui, walked in. She was also a woman approaching sixty, long weathered by time — let alone youthful beauty, if not for her magnificent palace gown, meticulous adornment, and innate nobility, she would hardly differ from an ordinary old woman.

To say that the old emperor and Noble Consort Fu shared deep feelings or many beautiful memories would be somewhat affected and contrived. Their union, in the final analysis, was a political marriage, along with Emperor Liu's inflated carnal desires in his early years.

Nevertheless, over the years Emperor Liu had always had a fair amount of affection for Noble Consort Fu, and was generally lenient with her in daily matters.

When the Noble Consort arrived, Liu Wenji rose and bowed respectfully. Though Emperor Liu remained seated, his posture became noticeably more upright.

"Wenji is here too!" Looking at Liu Wenji, the Noble Consort also revealed a kindly smile on her face, though her eyes seemed strange.

Liu Wenji was also a person of nearly sixteen years, with some sensitivity in reading expressions. Noticing her gaze, he tactfully bowed to the emperor and consort, then slowly withdrew.

After he left, Emperor Liu calmly looked at the Noble Consort, gestured for her to sit, and asked casually: "What brings you to have leisure to come to me?"

"If His Majesty does not summon me, am I not permitted to come and pay my respects on my own?" The Noble Consort was still in her old style, her words carrying a hint of a woman's plaintive reproach.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu was not annoyed, and said: "Since you're here, stay and join me for the midday meal!"

There was a flicker of interest in her eyes, but the Noble Consort still spoke with an unpleasant tone: "Did I come just for a meal?"

Emperor Liu's patience was rarely this abundant. Seeing her state, he chuckled: "Then shall we go to the Spring Orchid Hall?"

Sensing Emperor Liu's teasing, the Noble Consort shook her head instead, her expression becoming unusually serious. After a moment's deliberation, she said: "I hear that Wenyuan has already returned to Andong?"

Having gotten no advantage from the old emperor, let alone from the court, Liu Wenyuan had actually become clear-headed after his setback. He did not linger long in Luoyang — after receiving Liu Xu's "inheritance" in Luoyang, he set off back to Andong, leaving cleanly without any dragging of feet.

However, in the end he was young and spirited — before leaving, at his farewell banquet, he had said one thing: "If the court won't give it, then I'll rely on myself!"

At this moment, hearing the Noble Consort bring it up, Emperor Liu couldn't help but be curious — why was she concerned about Liu Wenyuan? Examining her, Emperor Liu nodded: "He is the Prince of Andong — how could he long remain away from his fief? With matters concluded, it is only proper that he return."

Hearing this, the Noble Consort said with feeling: "Wenyuan, as His Majesty's eldest grandson, is now already the king of a state!"

Pausing for a moment, she then sighed: "Even Wenhai and Wenhuan have been enfeoffed as marquises and established their own households."

At this point, Emperor Liu vaguely sensed where this was going. Looking at the Noble Consort, he said: "You have some thoughts — speak them plainly, no need to beat around the bush!"

Seeing this, the Noble Consort lowered her eyelids slightly and said in a tone of reminder: "Your Majesty, Liu Xuan is already twenty-two years old, and to this day has not a single title to his name — appearing before others merely under the name of imperial prince is truly somewhat unsightly."

Hearing her say this, Emperor Liu's old eyes narrowed slightly: "What, is the dignity of an imperial prince not enough for him?"

Watching Emperor Liu's reaction, the Noble Consort hurriedly said: "It's just that grown imperial princes mostly have titles and ranks. Liu Xuan is already married, but the plaque on his mansion gate doesn't even know what to write — even opening the doors to receive guests is inconvenient. It truly brings shame upon the imperial house."

"The face of the imperial house!" Emperor Liu muttered, then said: "If he wants a title, why doesn't Liu Xuan come himself? Must he have you, his mother, come before me to make the request?"

"His Majesty's majesty is deep and weighty — even if he dared to come, would he have the courage to make such a request?" The Noble Consort raised her head and answered.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu said coldly: "I granted fiefs back then — it was you who failed to seize the opportunity and gave it up yourselves. I also said that every choice carries a corresponding price. Now you come before me to complain — it's too late!"

Emperor Liu's words immediately provoked the Noble Consort. Like a lit firecracker, she said loudly: "I know His Majesty holds anger in his heart, but stopping Liu Xuan from receiving his fief back then was my decision — it was because I couldn't bear to part with him, not because he didn't dare go. If His Majesty broods over this and wishes to punish someone, then by all means come at me — don't take your anger out on Liu Xuan and delay his future!"

Seeing her self-righteous appearance, Emperor Liu's tone remained cold: "In your eyes, am I the sort of person who strikes back in vengeance? And against my own son at that?"

The Noble Consort was clearly getting carried away, and said directly: "Those who stayed in the capital without taking up fiefs — is Liu Xuan the only one? Liu Hui, Liu Ai, Liu Zhao and the others — some got titles, some got offices. Liu Ai even entered the Hall of State Affairs. All are imperial princes — does Your Majesty not play favorites?"

"Presumptuous!" Emperor Liu was finally angered.