Chapter 280: The Secret Agent's Private Report

This was probably the most restful sleep Liu Chengyou had gotten in the past two months. Young and full of energy, he recovered quickly after a night's rest, though the vigorous bout that came with his morning mood had consumed some energy, his spirits were even more invigorated than before.

Unlike usual, Liu Chengyou was clearly reluctant to leave the bed. By the time he left the hall, it was already broad daylight. Empress Fu could barely walk, so he let her rest. Liu Chengyou, refreshed and clear-minded, went to Renming Hall to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, Lady Li.

Yaohua Hall was where Noble Consort Gao Huaijin resided.

Lady Gao had a habit of morning exercise. After finishing her sword dance and returning indoors, her alluring figure was wrapped in a set of form-fitting martial attire, the fullness of her form seeming to steam with warmth, carrying a seductive charm. But soon, after cleansing herself, a loose plain robe covered this exquisite body.

Attended by her maidservants, she tidied her appearance. Before the bronze mirror, Lady Gao gazed at her reflection and asked calmly: "It's already the hour of Xu, and His Majesty still went to the Empress's chambers?"

"Indeed, he didn't leave until the beginning of the Chen hour." The maidservant's tone seemed anxious on Lady Gao's behalf: "His Majesty rarely visits the inner palace on ordinary days, and now that he's returned to court, he's been monopolized by the Empress..."

"She is the Empress, His Majesty's consort, the rightful wife. That's understandable." Lady Gao waved her hand.

"Lady, this time the Empress personally went to Chuigong Hall. In this servant's view, you should also visit Chuigong Hall more often on ordinary days!"

Lady Gao did not reply, pondering to herself for a moment, then asked: "Where is His Majesty?"

"He has already left the hall and gone to Renming Hall. He should be paying respects to the Empress Dowager."

"The Empress did not accompany him?"

"For some unknown reason, she did not go along."

Lady Gao seemed lost in thought, perhaps recalling Liu Chengyou's vigor and strength between the sheets. Without shame, she sighed suggestively: "I imagine she couldn't bear the favor of his grace..."

Picking up a sheet of pale red lip paper, she lightly pressed her jade lips, imprinting the rouge upon them, then rose and instructed: "We shall go to Renming Hall as well!"

Within the palace, open strife and hidden rivalry were ever unavoidable, and it was no different with Liu Chengyou. Though only the Empress and the Noble Consort held honored positions of favor in the Han palace, the trouble between just these two was by no means small. After all, two points could never be as stable as three.

Both were daughters of military families, and both could be called extraordinary women who did not yield to men. Though Lady Gao was a remarried woman, this era had not yet been completely shackled by "ritual doctrine," so it was not too great a disadvantage. Her father and brother—Gao Xingzhou had been enfeoffed as a prince, and Gao Huaide had been summoned to serve in the imperial army, clearly receiving greater favor from Liu Chengyou.

Thus, though the elder Lady Fu held the title of Empress, she had no great advantage when facing Gao Huaijin. Moreover, on ordinary days, Liu Chengyou was quite fond of Lady Gao, spreading his favor evenly, especially delighting in her brisk and valiant bearing and her healthy, well-built figure...

Fortunately, neither woman was foolish. Though they contended, they always kept it within certain bounds, never troubling Liu Chengyou. And Liu Chengyou basically paid little mind to the troubles between women; in his view, his harem was still fairly calm.

On Liu Chengyou's side, as he accompanied the Empress Dowager at breakfast and saw Lady Gao personally come to pay her respects and fulfill her filial duty, regardless of anything else, he was quite satisfied with her sentiment. Noticing her demeanor and her full, voluptuous figure, Liu Chengyou unconsciously began to form an idea—next time, he should visit Yaohua Hall.

"Third Brother!"

Exiting Renming Hall, he ran into his younger brother Liu Chenghsun at the turn.

"Your Majesty." His brisk steps immediately slowed, the mischievous smile on his face also reined in. Approaching, he respectfully performed a bow.

"No need for ceremony!" Rarely seeing this lively lad so proper, Liu Chengyou was rather surprised, scanning him: "We are brothers, no need to be so constrained."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chenghsun immediately straightened his back, watching his elder brother's expression, his lively eyes rolling around twice, his hesitant manner rather amusing.

Seeing the hesitation that could not be hidden on his youthful face, Liu Chengyou grew interested: "What, is something the matter?"

At the question, Liu Chenghsun immediately perked up. Stepping forward, a hint of shyness showing on his handsome face: "Second Brother, look, I'm getting older now, still moving about the inner palace—it's not proper etiquette, and quite inconvenient..."

"Want to leave the palace?" Liu Chengyou looked at him.

He subconsciously nodded, then hurriedly shook his head. Scratching his head, Liu Chenghsun grinned: "Second Brother, you're still as astute as ever!"

Liu Chengyou's expression gradually turned solemn. Scanning this younger brother, he pondered the matter. Liu Chenghsun was already fifteen, indeed not young anymore, but there was no need to forcibly send him out of the palace either.

Looking back at Renming Hall, he said to him: "As long as Mother agrees!"

At this, Liu Chenghsun's little face immediately turned bitter, pouting: "If you agree, won't Mother agree?"

"If Mother agrees, then I agree!" Amused by his expression, Liu Chengyou waved his hand, dismissing him: "Go on into the hall!"

There had long been an edict that there would be no morning court today. Of course, since Liu Chengyou had ascended the throne, he had held court sessions rather infrequently. Aside from the rare grand assemblies, he basically summoned the chancellors and various ministers to discuss matters before the throne.

Originally, Liu Chengyou had intended to summon Zhao Shangjiao and Tao Gu to inquire about the situation of the examination selection he was concerned about.

But before he could issue the summons, someone had already taken the initiative to seek an audience—Commissioner of the Wude Office, Li Shaoyou. As the Emperor's favored minister and enforcer, he had actually come the night before, but Liu Chengyou had been too busy to see him, and later the Empress had arrived, so he had tactfully refrained from disturbing Liu Chengyou's marital life.

"Have a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I had intended to summon you anyway. Since you're here, speak—what are the detailed conditions in the Eastern Capital's court and public circles during my two months of campaigning?" Looking at this cousin, Liu Chengyou asked directly.

"For earlier matters, I have already submitted a memorial reporting to Your Majesty. During the time Your Majesty was away from the capital, with the Empress Dowager keeping things in check, everything has been fairly stable..."

"Go straight to the problems!"

At the question, Li Shaoyou paused, thought for a moment, then changed his wording: "Chancellor Dou, Chancellor Li, and Chancellor Zhao have been in close contact with one another. In the Hall of State Affairs, they frequently clash with Chancellor Wang of the State Finance Commission."

His brows knitting, Liu Chengyou said flatly: "These old ministers of the Shi Jin certainly know how to band together quickly!"

In the current Great Han court, Feng Dao, Li Tao, Dou Zhengu, and Zhao Ying were all Chief Ministers—all four were old ministers of the Shi Jin. Liu Chengyou used them, barely managing to achieve the goal of suppressing the old ministers of Hedong and maintaining balance in the court.

But since Su Fengji had been demoted, Yang Bin's power curbed, and Su Yugui rendered inactive, Liu Chengyou discovered that the voices of these remnants of the former dynasty seemed to have grown louder again. It had been fine before, but now it looked somewhat unbalanced again. Of course, in Liu Chengyou's eyes, the most unbalanced thing was that there was no "imperial faction."

Nodding slightly, he looked back at Li Shaoyou.

Hastily, Li Shaoyou said: "The dispute between Commander-in-Chief Shang and Commissioner Guo of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Your Majesty must already know. Additionally, recently Shang Hongqian has privately contacted quite a few imperial army officers, and has also promoted quite a number of people..."

"Do you know what they discuss? Any movements in the army?" Liu Chengyou's expression immediately turned stern.

"No movements as yet. I only know they gather for feasts and entertainment. As for other matters, they await further investigation!" Li Shaoyou, with an impartial attitude, dripped poison against Shang Hongqian.

"Do you have a list?"

"I have recorded everything in a register."

Pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou nodded very slightly and changed the topic: "Any movements among Yang Bin's partisans?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, nothing unusual."

Liu Chengyou's brows locked, seemingly somewhat disappointed. Letting out a heavy breath, Liu Chengyou said again: "Anything else?"

Judging from the Son of Heaven's expression, his purpose had likely been achieved. Li Shaoyou's mouth curved slightly, but he quickly composed himself and reported on other matters.

Nie Wenjin, Drafter of the Bureau of Military Affairs, bullying his subordinates; illegal activities among the capital's generals and officials; Guo Yunming, Commissioner of Tea and Wine, selling off imperial tea and wine on the side; and even the Emperor's maternal uncle—Li Shaoyou's own young uncle, Li Ye, Commissioner of the Southern Court of the Palace Audience—secretly withholding tribute goods presented by Qian Hongchu, King of Wuyue. To show his loyalty, Li Shaoyou decisively sold him out as well...

"Quite a lot indeed!" Liu Chengyou's tone turned slightly cold.

"Additionally, not long ago, two monks entered the palace to preach Buddhist doctrine to the Empress Dowager!" Li Shaoyou further reported.

Liu Chengyou's eyes narrowed, his gaze alarming, his reaction greater than to any previous report: "Ha! Monks from where?"

Li Shaoyou lowered his head and said: "Daxiangguo Temple!"