Chapter 292: The Emperor Visits Yaohua Hall

Zhang Peng, a warrior of no particular renown, found his way into the historical records largely because he was executed for his words, killed by Gao Xingzhou. In his early years, he had served under Li Congke, the last emperor of the Later Tang, rising through military ranks. He was brave and strong, admired by his fellow soldiers, and had earned merit defending the frontier against the Liao. After the Great Han was founded, Liu Zhiyuan appointed him Deputy Military Governor of Chengde.

But unlike most warriors, he had been a monk in his youth — he was literate and skilled in debate. Moreover, he loved grand pronouncements and could not govern his tongue, often holding forth with wild talk and reckless rhetoric. On a recent journey south, intending to enter the capital to seek an audience with the sovereign, he passed through Yedu, where Gao Xingzhou personally hosted a banquet for him — and then a single session of pontificating about the realm brought him death.

Before the assembled officials of Yedu, this man held forth at length on the fall of the Later Jin, discussing sovereigns and generals, critiquing policies, and between the lines, somewhat attempting to whitewash the Jin's young emperor Shi Chonggui. One must understand that under the current "mainstream" view, the fall of the Jin house was attributed largely to the young emperor's benighted rule.

But Zhang Peng advanced a startling thesis — that the vassal lords and frontier governors had done nothing, devoted themselves only to amassing wealth, shown scant loyalty to the state, and surrendered to the Khitan, thereby bringing about the destruction of the ancestral altars... Speaking thus in private might have been tolerable, but the crux was that at the banquet Gao Xingzhou hosted for him, he was practically pointing at the monk and cursing the bald donkey.

One could say Zhang Peng had found his own way to die. Even at the Han court's center, most ministers supported his execution, including even that good-natured soul Feng Dao. Throughout the realm, how many vassal lords had surrendered to the Khitan back then!

Earlier, Yedu had submitted a memorial to the Eastern Capital requesting Zhang Peng's execution, but Liu Chengyou had hesitated and kept the matter pending without a response.

"The Prince of Linqing has submitted a separate confession of guilt, stating that he killed Zhang in a fit of anger and requests the court to punish him!" As Liu Chengyou's emotions churned, Feng Dao quietly added another line.

"For a man of his father-in-law's lenient temperament to have conceived murderous intent — one can imagine how grievous Zhang Peng's words must have been, how deeply they provoked his wrath!" Liu Chengyou sighed softly, yet his words leaned toward Gao Xingzhou's side.

Setting aside his status as the emperor's father-in-law, given that he held Yedu, and given the current situation in the Eastern Capital, Liu Chengyou precisely needed his father-in-law's support.

Therefore, even if he was not satisfied with Gao Xingzhou's actions, Liu Chengyou had to suppress the discomfort rising in his heart and close the matter.

"Issue the edict: Zhang Peng, Deputy Military Governor of the Chengde Army, received salary and grain from the Great Han, yet instead of repaying the state, he yearned for the former dynasty, harbored treacherous intentions, spoke reckless words, deluded the people, and plotted impropriety — he shall be punished with the extreme penalty!" Liu Chengyou said flatly.

After a pause, he added his instructions: "Though Zhang Peng was guilty, the Prince of Linqing, without awaiting the court's decree, took it upon himself to determine the crime and carry out the punishment — this too was improper. He shall have half a year's salary stripped as a reprimand!"

These two edicts constituted Liu Chengyou's final disposition of Zhang Peng's death. All in all, Zhang Peng did not die unjustly — excessive talk and reckless commentary brought about his own destruction.

What truly displeased Liu Chengyou was that, without the court having issued a decree on the matter, Gao Xingzhou had casually killed Zhang Peng. Put more seriously, this was contempt for the authority of the Son of Heaven and the court. Since he knew enough to submit a memorial beforehand, yet still executed the man without the court's approval, the insult to the throne's face was all the more severe in some respects.

That night, carrying a rather sour mood, Liu Chengyou visited Yaohua Hall. His arrival was so sudden that Noble Consort Gao was caught completely off guard and hurriedly scrambled to receive him.

"Your servant greets His Majesty." Between her radiant features, an unexpected joy showed as Gao Huaijin sank into a graceful bow.

"Rise." Liu Chengyou reached out and personally helped Lady Gao up, then waved a hand at the palace maids and eunuchs who had bustled into activity at his arrival, instructing: "No need for all that fuss. Keep everything simple — just bring some food."

Liu Chengyou's tone gave nothing away, and the smile on Lady Gao's delicate features receded slightly. His Majesty was as composed and solemn as ever, but clearly, his mood today was not good.

After all, she was the one who shared his pillow, and having been in deep communion with Liu Chengyou for over a year now, Lady Gao was familiar with this subtle shift. She discreetly gestured to the attendants in the hall, signaling them to do as Liu Chengyou had instructed.

Lady Gao was a clever woman. Her expression betrayed nothing as her graceful figure moved with supple elegance; she personally guided Liu Chengyou to his seat, attended him at his side, and replied with a smile: "His Majesty is so busy with state affairs — how is it that today he finds leisure to come to your servant's quarters? Why didn't you send word ahead, leaving your servant in such a fluster?"

Liu Chengyou had originally come bearing some resentment over his father-in-law's affair, but feeling the beauty's tenderness, his mood naturally calmed. He, Liu Chengyou, would not stoop to taking out his anger on a woman.

Without a second thought, Liu Chengyou took Gao Huaijin's hand. A warm sensation gradually welled up in his heart, and a relaxed curve spread across his lips: "It's been a long while since I came to your place. I thought I'd look in on you."

Hearing this, Lady Gao's beautiful eyes nearly narrowed into thin slits. Leaning close against Liu Chengyou, her voice grew even softer and more pleasing as she answered in a low tone: "That His Majesty would remember your servant — in my heart, that is enough."

Playing with Lady Gao's hand, he noted it was not as soft as the elder Lady Fu's — owing to her martial training, it was somewhat rougher — but it had its own distinct feel.

As they chatted, Lady Gao personally peeled a pear for Liu Chengyou, her movements practiced as she cut it into small pieces. A beauty does everything in a way that pleases the eye, and Liu Chengyou, leaning to one side, calmly observed her posture and movements, his heart gently stirring.

Picking up a slice of pear, Lady Gao took a bite herself, then offered the remaining half to Liu Chengyou's lips. All he had to do was open his mouth; as he savored it, his tongue even curled once around Lady Gao's jade-like finger, adding a touch of amorous play between man and woman, bringing a flush of shyness to the beauty's face.

"This is a goose pear newly tributed to the palace — thin-skinned and full of juice, with a rich fragrance, and it has the properties of clearing heat and detoxifying..." Lady Gao introduced it at his side.

"Goose pear incense in the bed-curtain..." The phrase popped unbidden into Liu Chengyou's mind — apparently an impression left over from watching some palace intrigue drama in his previous life.

Reining in those wandering thoughts, Liu Chengyou slowly sat up, gestured for Lady Gao to draw closer, and casually placed his hand upon the beauty's supple rear, naturally working to stimulate her blood flow.

Idly, Liu Chengyou asked: "Your brother and sister are both in the Eastern Capital now, while your father holds Yedu alone — do you miss him?"

Feeling Liu Chengyou's shameless touch, Lady Gao's cheeks burned and her breath came in short gasps. But hearing his question, her nearly intoxicated mind instantly cleared, and a flicker of melancholy passed across her finely drawn brows: "That we cannot serve at our father's knee and fulfill our filial duty — that is our sin, my brother's and mine."

Sniffing at Lady Gao, Liu Chengyou's mischievous hand paused, and for an instant his gaze seemed to grow far deeper: "Your father is getting old after all. He has held Yedu for me, stabilizing Weibo, for a year now, and the strain grows daily. I intend to summon him to the capital for office, to assist at my side nearby, to rest and recuperate — and it will also allow you father and children to be reunited."

Hearing this, Lady Gao's face immediately lit with joy: "If that is so, your servant thanks Your Majesty for his great grace."

Having whispered intimately with the beauty for so long, if he felt nothing he would not be a man. Soon Liu Chengyou ceased to restrain himself, swept Lady Gao up in his arms, and carried her to the bed. The Noble Consort did not play coy but accommodated him with great understanding...

Within the bed-curtains, before their conversation, Lady Gao had already ordered the evening incense prepared — its fragrant scent permeating the air, stirring desire.

They dallied for no short time, and by the time the emperor and his consort emerged from the inner chamber nestled together, the prepared evening meal had long since gone cold.

The next day, Gao Huaijin sent people to secretly investigate what had happened at court concerning Gao Xingzhou. This woman was no fool — Liu Chengyou would never have come to her without reason to raise the matter of summoning Gao Xingzhou to the capital for office.

Soon, having learned the details, the Noble Consort thought it over seriously for a long while, then personally wrote a letter and had her elder brother Gao Huaide deliver it to Yedu.