Chapter 407: The Harem Is Never Peaceful

"This little one is full of spirit and vigor—I think one day he might become a Grand General!" Inside the bedchamber of Worthy Consort Zhe, Liu Chengyou held the squirming, struggling little prince in his arms, laughing heartily.

"My lady, His Majesty is in a good mood today!" A female official beside them said softly to the young Lady Zhe.

Lady Zhe's postpartum figure had long since recovered, and through her continued martial training, she had regained her former lithe and firm physique—though her chest and hips were noticeably fuller now. As she moved about before the Emperor, she often stirred Liu Chengyou's heart with longing. He loved power even more than beauty, but the temptations of the harem sometimes proved impossible for him to resist.

The young Lady Zhe had now fully transformed into a young matron, her bearing graceful and elegant, yet with a striking valor shining through her countenance. She was still in her nursing period, but the little prince had specially selected wet nurses, so during this time, the Worthy Consort's side had rather been a boon to the Emperor...

"Your Majesty, be gentle!" Lady Zhe approached with a faint smile at the corner of her lips, watching Liu Chengyou as he fussed over their child, feigning mild annoyance.

"Heh heh..."

Liu Chengyou held the little prince up by the armpits with both hands, maneuvering him about. The little prince was clearly displeased and uncomfortable, but he didn't cry or fuss—he simply struggled ceaselessly, his two little legs kicking vigorously, as if determined to wrestle with his father to the very end.

"You see, Ming'er is different—unlike Mu'er and Liang'er. When they were the same few months old, if I moved them around a bit more roughly, they'd cry and fuss..." Liu Chengyou said to Lady Zhe, looking genuinely pleased.

This was Liu Chengyou's fourth son, Liu Fang, called Ming'er, born in the early winter of the third year of Qianyou, now barely four months old.

Lady Zhe stepped forward and practically snatched the prince from Liu Chengyou's hands, cradling him protectively in her arms. Only upon returning to his mother's embrace did the little prince finally settle down.

Lady Zhe looked at Liu Chengyou and said: "What can a child of a few months know? When uncomfortable, of course he cries and fusses. Those words you just spoke—if they were to spread, I fear..."

"Fear what?" Liu Chengyou reached out and gently stroked the young lady's soft features twice.

"I fear..." The young lady let out a sigh, hesitated briefly, then said: "It might affect the harmony within the palace."

Seeing the young lady turn her body slightly, as if avoiding his gaze, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, the confusion in his eyes gradually dissipating. He walked to her side, drew her into his embrace, and said softly: "I always thought our Lady Zhe, a tiger's daughter from a general's house, was open and magnanimous. But now I see your mind is quite sharp as well—truly, wisdom hidden within!"

"Is Your Majesty mocking me, or praising me?" Lady Zhe tilted her head up, gazing at Liu Chengyou, her eyes never before so limpid, and asked.

"Naturally, I'm praising you!" Liu Chengyou said with a faint smile.

Seeing that the child seemed somewhat drowsy, she handed the little prince to the wet nurse to take him off to sleep, then personally served Liu Chengyou a cup of tea: "I observe that Your Majesty is in excellent spirits today—might I ask what happy tidings have come?"

"Your tea-making skills are improving steadily. In another two years, you'll nearly match the Noble Consort—among all in this palace, her tea pleases me most!" Liu Chengyou had been drinking tea for several years now and had developed some discernment, so he offered Lady Zhe another compliment. However, he was clearly somewhat oblivious to a woman's feelings—though he didn't particularly care.

Setting down the teacup, Liu Chengyou said: "A military report has come from the northwest. Lord Zhe devised a plan to ambush the Wild Pheasant tribe, routing over three thousand barbarian soldiers, beheading three hundred, capturing eight hundred, and seizing more than a thousand horses. The Wild Pheasant chieftain was greatly alarmed and withdrew to his territory, not daring to venture out rashly. The Ox-Slaying tribe, which had joined in the chaos, has now taken the initiative to send envoys to discuss peace."

Hearing that her grandfather had achieved great merit, Lady Zhe was overjoyed, her lovely eyes sparkling: "Then I must congratulate Your Majesty!"

"The miscellaneous barbarians of Hexi—in recent years, they've bullied us for being unable to attend to the west, repeatedly committing offenses and stirring up trouble. Most detestable. After this battle, the various barbarian tribes of the northwest will surely hold the might of the Han army in awe. With Lord Zhe in place, we may rest easy!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Grandfather is getting on in years after all. Though he's long accustomed to the bitter cold of the frontier, my heart is often troubled with worry for him!" Sighing, Lady Zhe leaned against Liu Chengyou, showing a rare hint of melancholy.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou gently patted her back to comfort her. After a moment's thought, he said: "When an old general takes the field, what I borrow is precisely Lord Zhe's prestige and military talent. Before appointing him, I did feel some reluctance in my heart, mindful of his advanced age. Very well—once the situation in the northwest stabilizes a bit more, I shall recall Lord Zhe to the Eastern Capital!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration!"

"It's only natural—your filial piety is commendable!"

After delivering the good news to Lady Zhe and lingering a while longer, he finally departed. As he walked out of the hall, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but shake his head. He had suddenly realized that no matter the woman, trouble was always unavoidable. In the palace, the Empress and the Noble Consort had already begun their open and covert struggles, and this Lady Zhe seemed to harbor some "palace grievances" of her own as well.

Seated in his palanquin, reflecting on his exchange with Lady Zhe, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but say to Zhang Dejun, who was hurrying alongside: "Zhang Dejun, tell me—how should one grasp a woman's mind? I merely spoke a casual remark, and it could affect the harmony within the palace?"

"This humble one is a man without roots—how could I understand the affairs of men and women!" Zhang Dejun replied with lowered head, watching Liu Chengyou's expression, then flattered: "But what the Worthy Consort said does have some reason. Your Majesty, as the sovereign of ten thousand chariots, your words are golden and your utterances carry the weight of nine tripods..."

"Enough!" Liu Chengyou interrupted him with some impatience: "Put away your flattery. If you use it all up at once, what will you have left to say later?"

Zhang Dejun's face showed embarrassment, but he quickly recovered his composure and smiled ingratiatingly: "Your Majesty jests."

Turning his body to glance behind him, Liu Chengyou instructed Zhang Dejun: "Draw from the imperial treasury—bestow upon the Worthy Consort one hundred taels each of gold and silver, and ten bolts of silk!"

"May I ask Your Majesty, under what pretext?" Zhang Dejun asked cautiously.

Liu Chengyou's eyes slanted sideways: "When I bestow gifts upon palace personnel, do I need a pretext?"

"This..." Zhang Dejun bowed even lower, speaking softly: "Your Majesty once said that rewards and punishments must be clearly distinguished, and no nameless gifts shall be bestowed!"

Liu Chengyou was taken aback, then glanced at Zhang Dejun: "You remember my words quite well!"

"What name do you think I should bestow this gift under?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Zhang Dejun chuckled lightly, cupping his hands: "Lord Zhe has won a victory in the northwest—let it be a favor extended to his family..."

"You eunuch, you're quite clever!" Liu Chengyou suddenly said flatly, his tone calm but his words chilling: "Only, you talk a bit too much!"

The Emperor's sudden change of mood made Zhang Dejun's face turn pale. Trembling, he knelt to the ground, slapping himself several times: "This humble one talks too much! This humble one talks too much!"

Liu Chengyou narrowed his eyes, casting an indifferent glance, and said nothing more. He simply rested his hand on the palanquin's armrest, closed his eyes, and composed himself.

The palanquin did not pause but continued on toward Chongzheng Hall. Along the palace road, only Zhang Dejun remained kneeling there, filled with anxiety and unease.

Upon returning to Chongzheng Hall, he had barely read a few memorials when someone came from Yaohua Hall to invite him, saying that the Third Prince Liu Xi had fallen ill, and Noble Consort Gao requested His Majesty to come see...