Chapter 235: The Empress Offers Counsel

Liu Chengyou walked slowly back to Chuigong Hall. His expression was calm, but his mood was clearly poor. Under the palace eunuch's attendance, even the motion of removing his ceremonial crown and robes was somewhat impatient.

Since Liu Chengyou had ascended the throne, the personal eunuchs attending him had already been changed several times, all failing to suit his taste. Now, an eunuch had been transferred from the palace of Empress Dowager Li, named Zhang Dejun. Though young in years, he was clever in conduct—otherwise he would not have been sent over. Seeing that Liu Chengyou was in a bad mood, he tactfully withdrew, not daring to disturb Liu Chengyou's "deep contemplation."

Thinking back to the scene in Guangzheng Hall earlier, Liu Chengyou found it hard to suppress the surging anger in his heart. He forcefully swept a stack of memorials off the imperial desk, scattering them across the floor—completely unlike his usual restraint. After venting, Liu Chengyou took several deep breaths before his emotions gradually calmed. A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he murmured: "Why must you repeatedly test my patience?"

There was no diarist by Liu Chengyou's side at this time. This was one thing he could no longer pretend about—having every word and deed recorded was truly unbearable. It wasn't that the post had been abolished, but rather it was now situational and occasion-based; when appropriate, the diarist would be dismissed. As for Jia Wei, Liu Chengyou had sent him to compile the Veritable Records of Gaozu and edit the dynastic history—a task the old historian was quite willing to undertake.

A bit later, the Empress arrived. After every major court session, the elder Lady Fu would come to pay her respects, bringing Liu Chengyou some food and keeping him company in conversation to ease the fatigue of body and mind.

"Who has provoked His Majesty into anger this time?" Seeing the memorials still scattered before the imperial desk, the elder Lady Fu bent down to pick them up and arrange them while asking softly.

The attendants had all been dismissed, so as not to disturb the Emperor and Empress in their conversation or private affairs. What the elder Lady Fu had brought was a bowl of noodles, made in the rustic farmhouse style, tasting quite good. At her question, Liu Chengyou slurped up a mouthful, licked his lips—with food in his belly, his state of mind had fully returned to calm, and whatever anger remained had been suppressed.

Looking at the elder Lady Fu's gentle and virtuous demeanor, Liu Chengyou did not deliberately avoid the subject and said directly: "The Chancellor treats me lightly. I believe I have already shown him sufficient tolerance and leniency, yet he still does not know to restrain himself, priding himself on his merits and monopolizing affairs on his own authority!"

A trace of resentment could still be heard in Liu Chengyou's words. The elder Lady Fu's surprise grew even greater—this was the first time she had seen Liu Chengyou so bluntly express dissatisfaction with a Chancellor. Her elegant brows curved into a fitting arc as she asked with a hint of probing: "Is it Chancellor Yang?"

Liu Chengyou's days had indeed been dull and oppressive lately. Seeing her demeanor, a surge of desire to confide rose in his heart. Gently taking the elder Lady Fu's jade-like hand, he had her sit beside him, and with a calm mind, recounted the dispute with Yang Bin in Guangzheng Hall from beginning to end.

After digesting what Liu Chengyou had related, the elder Lady Fu pondered inwardly for a moment, then gave a gentle smile and said to Liu Chengyou: "Though your concubine dwells deep in the palace, I have heard something of the realm's efforts to suppress bandits and eliminate brigands."

Having opened the topic, she also piqued Liu Chengyou's interest somewhat. He looked at her, signaling her to continue sharing her views.

Sensing Liu Chengyou's approval and encouragement, the elder Lady Fu perked up and continued: "Through Your Majesty's and the ministers' rectification and management, the realm's bandit troubles have gradually ceased, and the people have mostly returned to orderly life. The realm has been in chaos for decades, with countless lives lost. Among the common folk, some turned to banditry out of desperation. Your Majesty is merciful, mindful of the people's suffering, and unwilling to inflict more slaughter. By now, those who still gather in the mountains and forests as bandits are all truly wicked men who refuse to submit to imperial rule. Yet toward these bandit types, I imagine Your Majesty also harbors the intent to root them out..."

Liu Chengyou nodded.

"That Ye Renlu may have truly mistaken them for thieves. His methods were ruthless, but they were directed at bandits. Even if Your Majesty feels his means were cruel and cannot tolerate such viciousness, he may be charged with harming living beings—but not with suppressing bandits. Otherwise, if word spreads, the realm will think Your Majesty weak, indulging brigands and thieves in wreaking havoc!"

After all, not all who turn to robbery and banditry were forced up the mountain.

After hearing her out, Liu Chengyou sighed, his expression softening, and said with a tone of admiration mixed with praise: "The Empress is clever, possessing such insight—truly an extraordinary woman!"

The elder Lady Fu had spoken her fill, and now being praised by Liu Chengyou, her jade-like countenance shifted slightly. She immediately rose and bowed, saying with some unease: "Your concubine momentarily forgot herself and spoke too much. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness?"

Liu Chengyou's expression was now gentle. He waved his hand, rose to help the elder Lady Fu up, and sat down with her, saying: "What crime is there? What you raised—after deep reflection, I have already recognized the problem. Earlier, a single leaf had blinded my eyes. Otherwise, in Guangzheng Hall, I would not have let the matter rest!"

"It was your concubine being clever for nothing. I imagine that with His Majesty's wisdom and keen perception, how could you fail to see through the reasoning behind it." The elder Lady Fu felt slightly relieved and could not help but offer Liu Chengyou a small flattery.

This woman, the elder Lady Fu, was truly intelligent—possessing foresight, insight, learning, and reason. Most importantly, she had little arrogance, and that was what Liu Chengyou found most comforting.

However, her analysis still had not reached the most crucial point. Was Liu Chengyou's anger limited solely to the matter of bandits? Of course not. What mattered more was Yang Bin's arrogance and self-importance—he had actually dared to contradict him in open court, challenging his authority.

He had been Emperor for over five months now, striving to establish and maintain his authority, to dispel the "negative impression" of a young sovereign. But Yang Bin remained unaware. If he behaved this way, how would others perceive it? If all followed his example, how could he, the Emperor, sit securely on the throne?

Though the elder Lady Fu was clever, when it came to the convoluted intricacies of sovereign-chancellor power struggles and court disputes, she found it hard to see through them. Of course, if the elder Lady Fu could perceive even these, then this woman would be too clever by half...

Having won some favor in Liu Chengyou's eyes, the elder Lady Fu was naturally quite pleased—unaware that the man beside her had already "complicatedly" drifted off in his thoughts.

Gently leaning against Liu Chengyou, the elder Lady Fu's beautiful eyes quietly studied his profile. She blinked and called out softly and elegantly: "Your Majesty."

"Speak your mind directly." Liu Chengyou turned his head to look at her.

Seeming to hesitate slightly, the elder Lady Fu said in a low voice: "Nong'er is truly adorable, and I genuinely cherish him in my heart. Since Consort Geng has passed, the imperial prince should not be without a mother. I hope to be permitted to raise him myself, and I will surely treat him as my own son."

Liu Chengyou's eldest son's name had already been decided—Xu, with the childhood name Nong'er. Nong'er was a name Liu Chengyou had chosen personally.

Hearing the elder Lady Fu suddenly raise this matter, Liu Chengyou instinctively straightened his back and glanced at her—he could already smell the thick air of rivalry within the harem.

Turning his body to look at the elder Lady Fu, whose eyes were full of expectation, Liu Chengyou was silent for a moment, seeming to consider, before finally saying: "I am busy with state affairs and seldom attend upon the Empress Dowager. Nong'er is better left in her personal care—it will also relieve her loneliness..."

"That is well too." Hearing this reply, the elder Lady Fu showed no sign of disappointment on her face, but rather nodded in approval.

After a moment's thought, Liu Chengyou added: "If you want a child, we can simply have one ourselves."

With that said, Liu Chengyou scooped the Empress up by the waist and made to head toward the inner bedchamber.

The elder Lady Fu let out a startled cry, her cheeks flushing crimson: "Now?"

Though the setting sun hung low, the sky was not yet dark......