Chapter 213: The Brother-in-Law and the Sister-in-Law

"Please speak, Uncle."

Liu Chengyou temporarily set aside his scattered thoughts, remaining expressionless as he calmly watched Liu Xin, waiting to hear what he had to say.

A slight smile played at Liu Xin's lips, and his attitude was surprisingly deferential. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, since Chief Commander Shi serves as the defender of the Western Capital and is away from the capital, how can there be a principle of a commander being far from his soldiers?"

Liu Chengyou wondered who had coached Liu Xin to say this. He asked directly, "What wisdom does Uncle have to offer?"

Upon being asked, Liu Xin immediately replied, "In my humble opinion, another meritorious veteran general should be chosen to command the imperial army."

Liu Xin was certainly not one to be coy. Of course, Liu Chengyou could easily see through his little scheme. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, then glanced at him: "Uncle, who do you think would be suitable to replace Minister Shi in commanding the imperial army?"

Liu Chengyou's question caught Liu Xin off guard, and he couldn't help but cast a puzzled look at the Emperor. He had made his intentions so clear—could the Son of Heaven really not understand?

As his staff advisor had suggested, Liu Xin was the second-in-command of the Imperial Guard Command, and since the new Emperor's ascension, he had held real power in counterbalance to Shi Hongzhao. As long as he made the proposal, the Son of Heaven should logically have let him take the top position.

But now, the situation was clearly different from what he had imagined. Noticing Liu Chengyou's somewhat profound gaze, Liu Xin's heart skipped a beat, and then an inexplicable surge of dissatisfaction welled up within him.

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Xin said, "I await Your Majesty's wise decision!"

Whether it was an illusion or not, Liu Chengyou detected a hint of petulance in Liu Xin's tone. After considering for a while, Liu Chengyou said, "Let me think it over. To hear both sides is to be enlightened. On this matter, I intend to solicit opinions from all sides. You gentlemen may, together with the matter of the Governor of Kaifeng post, deliberate and propose candidates!"

"Yes!" They all acknowledged in unison.

And so, almost casually, it was decided that Shi Hongzhao would be removed from his post as Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard's Cavalry and Infantry. Shi Hongzhao, far away in Luoyang, had no room whatsoever to argue or struggle.

As the discussion dispersed, several people cast amused, knowing glances at Liu Xin as they observed him.

"Your Majesty, Fu Zhaoxin, Prefect of Hezhou, and Gao Huaide, Prefect of Zhongzhou, request an audience!" The sun had already sunk considerably in the west, and Liu Chengyou had barely rested when another report came in.

He perked up at once and decisively summoned them.

Earlier, Liu Chengyou had issued an edict summoning Fu Zhaoxin and Gao Huaide to the capital for official posts. When the envoys reached the localities, Fu Yanqing and Gao Xingzhou had not obstructed them, allowing them to go to the capital to make their way. By the time they arrived at the Eastern Capital, Liu Chengyou had already gone on his western inspection tour, taking the Empress and consorts with him. Having no choice, they had to stay at a separate residence in the Eastern Capital, awaiting the imperial carriage's return for an audience.

Today, when Liu Chengyou held the morning court assembly, the two of them coincidentally entered the palace together. However, they hadn't expected the assembly to last so long, and after it ended there was still a palace council discussion. They waited wearily under the corridor for most of the day, and only after the chancellors had dispersed did they finally get the chance to see Liu Chengyou when he had leisure.

Upon seeing Liu Chengyou, the two bowed their heads and announced their names in greeting.

"Rise, no need for ceremony." Liu Chengyou spoke as he appraised the two men.

Gao Huaide was at the age of sharp-edged vigor. Standing there, he was like a sharp sword, his heroic and dashing bearing catching the eye. After all, since his youth he had followed his father in military training. In comparison, Fu Zhaoxin appeared more ordinary—one could describe him as reserved.

At first glance, both men gave Liu Chengyou a rather good impression. They lacked the superficial flashiness of noble scions—all show and no substance. Their family upbringing must have been quite good.

"I have long awaited you two brothers-in-law. Seeing you today, you are indeed outstanding young talents of extraordinary bearing. My heart is greatly pleased!" Liu Chengyou's attitude was warm and approachable.

"Your Majesty flatters us." Both men appeared somewhat ill at ease.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou naturally took the lead in the conversation and asked, "When did you arrive at the Eastern Capital?"

"It has been seven or eight days already," Fu Zhaoxin replied.

"I arrived a bit earlier—ten days now," Gao Huaide said.

"Have you been to the palace to see the Empress and the Noble Consort?"

"We naturally came first to pay respects to Your Majesty."

Nodding, Liu Chengyou noticed the unnatural look on their faces—clearly signs of hunger. Understanding the situation, he said, "You must have waited long. You've worked hard."

Though famished, Fu Zhaoxin's emotional intelligence was evidently not low, and he knew how to speak well: "Your Majesty and the ministers govern the state and handle myriad affairs, from sunrise to sunset without rest. Compared to such diligence, how dare I complain of hardship."

Gao Huaide echoed in agreement.

Hearing this, the corners of Liu Chengyou's mouth turned up slightly, his mood improving a little. He said he was hungry himself and ordered several plates of pastries to be brought, sharing them with the two. This kind of casual care and consideration was truly conducive to enhancing one's personal charisma, and clearly, it had its effect—as they ate and chatted, Fu Zhaoxin and Gao Huaide were visibly less constrained than at the start.

Especially Gao Huaide—he was naturally a forthright man. When Liu Chengyou asked about his military combat experience, he spoke with animated excitement, talking a mile a minute, even daring to laugh aloud in the hall. That open-heartedness made Liu Chengyou feel very comfortable.

"Are Lords Fu and Gao in good health?" Liu Chengyou asked about Fu Yanqing and Gao Xingzhou.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. My father is in good health."

Gao Huaide's expression, however, was somewhat more solemn, with a trace of worry on his face: "My father is advanced in years, afflicted by old ailments and lingering conditions. He suffers from them repeatedly and is currently undergoing careful recuperation."

"Ah. The Prince of Linqing has spent his life on horseback in war, and the founding of the Great Han also owes much to his steadfast support. Now he also guards Yedu on my behalf, pacifying Hebei—truly a man of great toil and merit." Liu Chengyou sighed, then instructed those around him: "Convey an edict to the Bureau of Palace Receptions: send those two thousand-year-old ginseng roots I seized from the Khitan to Daming Prefecture, as a gift to the Prince of Linqing."

"Yes."

"I, on behalf of my father, thank Your Majesty." Seeing this, Gao Huaide hurriedly rose and solemnly performed a bow.

He then asked about the situations in Daming Prefecture and Yanzhou, and both answered in detail. The territories governed by Gao Xingzhou and Fu Yanqing naturally couldn't be in bad shape—not to say the people were fully devoted, but at least order could be called stable.

"You two brothers are both outstanding scions of military families, with remarkable talents. Since I have summoned you to the capital, I naturally intend to entrust you with important posts. I wonder if either of you has a position in mind?" Finally, Liu Chengyou asked.

In truth, this kind of question from a sovereign left them little room to answer. Fu Zhaoxin adopted a docile attitude and said respectfully, "To serve the country, how dare we pick and choose? We are willing to accept whatever assignment Your Majesty gives."

Gao Huaide said, "I await Your Majesty's arrangements!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou considered for a moment, then said, "Then enter the imperial army to command troops. I will notify the Bureau of Military Affairs right away—you two brothers should be appointed Commanders!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"After your audience, you may go pay respects to the Empress and the Noble Consort, to catch up on sibling bonds." Liu Chengyou added a simple instruction.

"Yes."

In the evening, Liu Chengyou dragged his somewhat weary body to the Empress's bedchamber. Soft light illuminated the chamber in tranquility, and the atmosphere within was warm. Empress Fu was conversing with her younger sister, looking every bit the picture of sisterly affection.

Fu Zhaoxin had brought the two Fu sisters with him on this trip to the capital...

The younger sister had come to the palace to visit her elder sister, and the elder Lady Fu had remained in the palace to keep her company. Seeing Liu Chengyou arrive, they both rose to greet him: "We welcome His Majesty."

"No need for formality." Liu Chengyou had always been gentle in his attitude toward the elder Lady Fu.

"So this is the younger Lady Fu?" Liu Chengyou asked, appraising the young lady beside the elder Lady Fu.

"I have met His Majesty." At the elder Lady Fu's introduction, the young lady lowered her voice and performed another bow.

The elder Lady Fu assumed a virtuous posture, smiling gracefully: "Knowing His Majesty was coming, I have already prepared the meal."

Liu Chengyou nodded and raised his hand, saying, "Let us dine. I am quite weary today."

"His Majesty has worked hard."

Liu Chengyou's visit certainly did not exclude the intention of taking a look at the younger Lady Fu. As he took his seat, he examined her with a direct and forceful gaze. The Fu family's genes were naturally good—her appearance was fine, and her figure was developing well in all the right places. The young lady of sweet sixteen radiated the aura of maidenhood, though her temperament was vastly different from the elder Lady Fu's. Innocent and unversed in the ways of the world, she was like a delicate flower bud that had never weathered a storm. Thanks to good family upbringing, her bearing was quite refined.

Liu Chengyou's gaze clearly frightened the young lady. She lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushing crimson, shy and timid. Her heart pounded like a deer's. She had already heard that she might well be entering the palace to serve the Son of Heaven before her together with her elder sister.

"Ahem, ahem." The elder Lady Fu cleared her throat twice, causing Liu Chengyou to look away. But he saw the elder Lady Fu's phoenix brows slightly knit, as if somewhat displeased: "Your Majesty, let us dine."

"The Fu family's daughter has grown into a beauty..." Liu Chengyou felt no embarrassment at all. He pressed the elder Lady Fu's hand and sighed with complete candor.

At these words, the elder Lady Fu bit her lip, while the young lady beside her buried her head even lower, the blush on her powdered cheeks deepening.

To be honest, the two daughters of the Fu family had not brought Liu Chengyou any great surprise. As the Son of Heaven, if he wished for beautiful concubines and lovely consorts, he could have them in abundance. Where mere appearance was concerned, unless a woman was truly stunning enough to topple cities, it was hard to move him.

What could move him was either temperament, or talent, or status... And what attracted Liu Chengyou to the two young ladies of the Fu family, aside from their Fu clan origins and their fame in history, was largely only the matter of serving him as sisters together.