Chapter 438: Night Visit to Widow-Chaser Guo

Inside the inner chambers of Kunming Palace, the attendants were dismissed, and the imperial prince Yang was taken away, leaving only one dragon and two phoenixes. Liu Chengyou removed his jade headdress, shed his dragon robe, took off his boots, and lay quietly on the Empress's phoenix bed, while the two sisters each performed their duties, attending to him.

His feet rested on the younger Lady Fu's jade legs, while Consort Huifei's lady, with unpracticed technique, massaged the Son of Heaven; his head lay pillowed in the elder Lady Fu's embrace, where a light, elegant fragrance was pleasant, and looking up, one could see the full, desire-provoking curves—unfortunately, Liu Chengyou had his eyes closed.

A smile curled at the corners of the elder Lady Fu's lips as she let Liu Chengyou's head rest against her belly, feeling his calm yet scorching breath. Her jade cheeks flushed involuntarily, and she felt a shameful dampness in what she knew to be forbidden territory.

She shifted her alluring hips slightly, suppressing her wanton thoughts—after all, her younger sister, Consort Huifei, was still present. Steadying her mind, she carefully peeled a pear for Liu Chengyou with her own hands, while asking curiously: "What's wrong with Second Brother? Aren't you preparing for the northern expedition in person? Just now in the palace, I heard that you issued an edict halting the preparations and urgently summoned the civil and military officials for deliberation—has some unexpected event occurred?"

Liu Chengyou still kept his eyes closed. The elder Lady Fu's embrace seemed especially comfortable, and though the younger Lady Fu's technique was unpracticed, those small hands seemed able to scratch right into the depths of his heart.

Hearing the Empress take the initiative to ask, Liu Chengyou replied casually: "There has indeed been an unexpected event in the north. National policy and strategy must change with the circumstances, but in the court military deliberations, the ministers each hold their own opinions, each with their own reasoning. For a moment, I didn't know whose advice to follow!"

The doubt in her beautiful eyes dissolved, and she seemed able to sense the frustration in Liu Chengyou's heart, yet a smile bloomed at the corners of her lips as she said: "It seems Second Brother has encountered a difficult problem. I have never seen you hesitate like this before!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou suddenly opened his eyes and, with a nudge of his head, bumped into the Empress's bosom, eliciting a soft, charming cry...

He then shrank back, looking up at the Empress's jade-like face from below, and asked: "Is my mood really that obvious?"

The elder Lady Fu said: "It's practically written all over your face. If Second Brother doesn't believe me, ask Second Sister."

Liu Chengyou then looked at the younger Lady Fu, and Consort Huifei's lady nodded: "Your Majesty is a decisive sovereign. Since I entered the palace, this is also the first time I have seen you in such a state."

"Decisive sovereign, indeed—even the most decisive have moments of hesitation!" Liu Chengyou said self-deprecatingly, then in a complaining tone: "Those outside ministers are also too much. They never agree with one another, and they're all eloquent, each with their own reasoning, which only vexes and troubles their sovereign."

Hearing the Emperor speak thus, Empress the elder Lady Fu couldn't help but laugh, her bosom trembling with the motion: "Second Brother is shifting the blame onto others. I have heard that a wise sovereign draws upon the views of all, selects the best among them, and the final decision always rests with the ruler."

"So you saw through me!" Liu Chengyou said.

"I believe that with Second Brother's wisdom, you will make the most judicious decision!" The elder Lady Fu's tone was full of confidence in Liu Chengyou.

"Are you that confident in me?" Liu Chengyou asked.

The Empress lowered her head and answered seriously: "Of course."

"He who hesitates in decision invites disaster—and there isn't much time left for me to waver!" Liu Chengyou sat up from the bed, crossing his legs, and murmured.

"Second Brother, have a pear!" The elder Lady Fu's jade hand, with two fingers elegantly pinching a peeled pear, offered it before Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou took it, took a bite directly, and asked: "This is a crisp pear, isn't it!"

"Yes!" the elder Lady Fu replied: "It's a crisp pear produced at Mount Bagong in Shouzhou. I hear it's quite famous throughout the Huainan region, procured by the palace purchasing officers!"

"Mount Bagong produces crisp pears too? I only knew its purple-gold inkstone was famous—there's even a supreme piece in Chongzheng Hall!"

"Shouzhou, a land of culture, blessed with talent and natural beauty, a key stronghold of Huainan..." Liu Chengyou stared at the crisp pear with a bite missing in his hand, and said meaningfully: "This Shouzhou pear—its flavor is indeed quite good!"

Liu Chengyou indeed slept a while in Kunming Hall, not leaving until dusk. Because he hadn't expended much energy, his steps were steady.

Not taking a palanquin, he strolled leisurely through the palace grounds, then suddenly said: "If Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin were in the Eastern Capital, I would like to hear their views—how would they choose?"

Zhang Dejun, following closely at his side, heard this and couldn't help saying: "Why doesn't Your Majesty summon them back to the capital?"

"How would that be in time!" Liu Chengyou looked at Zhang Dejun: "Where has your usual quick-wittedness gone? Can't you see the military urgency?"

At the question, Zhang Dejun said sheepishly: "This humble one is dull-witted—how would I know the grand strategies of state and military?"

Liu Chengyou paid no mind to Zhang Dejun's caution—being clever was the way to live long.

Liu Chengyou thought of Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin because both possessed "the bearing of an emperor," but it was merely a fleeting thought. Walking along, he stopped in his tracks, standing beneath the palace terrace. Liu Chengyou suddenly realized that in the Eastern Capital, there was still another with "imperial potential."

"Zhang Dejun!" Liu Chengyou called.

"Here! What does Your Majesty command?" Startled by the sudden order, Zhang Dejun hurriedly pricked up his ears.

"Summon Zhang Yongde, and come with me to the Duke of Xingguo's mansion!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Your Majesty wishes to leave the palace? This humble one will give the orders at once and prepare the imperial carriage!" Hearing the command, Zhang Dejun said immediately.

"What need for an imperial carriage? Call a squad of guards—travel light and simple!"

The central gate of the Duke of Xingguo's mansion was a scene of plainness, save for the broad and imposing plaque above it.

At dusk, the household servants were busy preparing the evening meal. Though it was a noble duke's mansion, it carried a touch of human warmth.

In the rear garden, Guo Wei, recuperating at home from illness, was beaming as he played with his newly born youngest son, born in the autumn of the third year of Qianyou, now over a year old. The child babbled in Guo Wei's arms. Having obtained a son in his old age, Guo Wei doted on him especially.

After seven or eight months of leisure, Guo Wei's overall spirits were quite good, and he appeared even more vigorous. The gray at his temples had not increased much, and his body still looked strong and healthy. Having not suffered the severe injuries he did in the original history, he should be able to live a few more years.

When he learned from the household steward that the Emperor had arrived at his door, Guo Wei was greatly surprised. A flicker of confusion passed through his old eyes. Guo Wei put away his doting father's expression, handed the young child to the wet nurse, and immediately returned to his room to change clothes and tidy his appearance, instructing the household to prepare to receive the imperial visit. Yet he was told there was no need for any great commotion—the Emperor had come quietly and was already in the main hall.

In the main hall of the duke's mansion, Guo Wei, with his family, performed the ceremonial bow, and was personally helped up by Liu Chengyou.

"How could I trouble Your Majesty to come in person? Your servant failed to receive you in time—please forgive me, Your Majesty!" Guo Wei begged pardon.

Liu Chengyou's attitude toward Guo Wei at this moment was exceptionally cordial. He said with a light laugh: "I, this uninvited guest, have come to your door and startled your household—Sir Guo must not take offense!"

"How would this old servant dare!" Guo Wei personally welcomed Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, please take the seat of honor!"

Without declining, Liu Chengyou sat directly in the seat of honor, his gaze falling upon Guo Wei's family. Two beautiful noble ladies, graceful and dignified in bearing, were his current wife and concubine, Lady Zhang and Lady Dong.

As for this Guo Wei, the latter half of his life could be summed up as "rising in office, growing rich, and losing wives." First there was his first wife, Lady Chai; after Lady Chai died, his second wife, Lady Yang, also died in Taiyuan within a few years.

When the Han rose and he entered the Central Plains, Guo Wei successively sought to marry Lady Zhang and Lady Dong. And what's rather interesting is that of Guo Wei's four wives, aside from his first wife Lady Chai, all were widows—calling him "Widow-Chaser Guo" wouldn't be an exaggeration. The key point is that his taste was quite good: Yang, Zhang, and Dong were all beautiful mature women, full of charm, virtuous in character—a man of no small fortune in romance...

Of course, in the hall of the Guo mansion, Liu Chengyou paid no attention to Guo Wei's wives and concubines, instead focusing his attention on Guo Wei's young son, who lay quietly in the wet nurse's arms.

Noticing Liu Chengyou's gaze, Guo Wei took the initiative to introduce: "This child is the young son I gained last year, temporarily named Fuge."

Aside from Guo Rong, Guo Wei's other two sons had both already married and established themselves—one serving as Vice Bureau Director in the Ministry of War, the other as Prefectural Administrator in Caizhou. Young as they were, their official careers could be said to be smooth sailing.

Liu Chengyou rose, casually removed a yellow-patterned jade pendant from his waist, and gently placed it into the child's swaddling clothes, saying with a smile: "Sir Guo, this is what they call 'many sons, many blessings.' Consider this jade pendant my belated congratulatory gift. When this child is a bit older, he might even enter the palace to study alongside the imperial princes!"

Liu Chengyou said it casually, but Guo Wei took it to heart, bowing in thanks: "Your servant thanks Your Majesty on behalf of my young son for your gracious favor."

Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou casually patted his stomach and said to Guo Wei with a smile: "Before I even reached your gates, I saw smoke rising from your kitchen chimneys—I've come on an empty stomach!"

Seeing the Son of Heaven in such an affable manner, Guo Wei was even more overwhelmed by the honor, and immediately said: "Your servant will at once have food prepared, with some wine and dishes added. Your Majesty, please do not disdain the humble fare of my household!"

"No need for such trouble. I haven't had roast meat in a long time. Set up a rack in the courtyard, prepare some pork and mutton, and have the spices ready. You and I, sovereign and minister, can drink wine, roast meat, and talk freely about the realm—how about it?" Liu Chengyou appeared quite taken with the idea.

Seeing this, Guo Wei clasped his hands and said: "Since Your Majesty has such refined interest, your servant naturally shall keep you company."

The late autumn weather was already somewhat cold, and a considerable wind blew, sending fallen leaves swirling and stirring ripples on the lake. Beside the tranquil lake in the rear garden of the Guo mansion, two roasting racks were set up, with wine and meat prepared. Guo Wei's wife, Lady Zhang, personally roasted the meat nearby, while Zhang Dejun led men to inspect the food—when the Emperor dined, necessary caution was still required.

Beneath the crescent moon, in the garden, roasting by the fire, eating meat, drinking wine, and chatting—it had a flavor all its own.

"Sir Guo, you've been recuperating at home for nearly eight months now, haven't you? Being able to drink so freely today, it seems your illness has mostly recovered!" Clinking another cup with Guo Wei, Liu Chengyou suddenly asked with concern.

At the question, Guo Wei paused with the cup at his lips, glanced at Liu Chengyou, and saw that the man was intently watching Lady Zhang slice roasted mutton onto a plate. Taking a sip of wine, Guo Wei thought for a moment and replied: "I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern. My illness is an old ailment—wounds from the battlefield. I fear it may be difficult to fully recover."

"In that case, you should drink less of this wine!"

"Coming from the battlefield, one always keeps a taste for it; my family often urges me otherwise..."

"With your merits and abilities, Minister Guo, it must be quite hard to endure being idle at home for so long." Liu Chengyou's tone remained as affable as ever.

Guo Wei looked magnanimous: "At home, Your servant is free from the vexations of military and political affairs. I can both nurture my health and enjoy the pleasure of playing with my grandchildren, savoring family bliss—I find it quite leisurely!"

Liu Chengyou did not believe Guo Wei's words much. Chatting like this felt rather pointless, so his eyes rolled for a moment before he suddenly stared straight at him: "I won't beat around the bush with you, Minister Guo. Since the founding of the state, you have held military and political authority. At the start of the year, I divided some of the Bureau of Military Affairs' power to the Ministry of War. In your heart, is there truly not a single trace of resentment?"

Liu Chengyou's gaze at this moment was somewhat sharp, glinting in the firelight. Stared at like this, Guo Wei's smile slowly receded, his eyelids drooping as he pondered how to answer this question. If he were to say directly that he bore no resentment—never mind Liu Chengyou, even he himself wouldn't believe it, unless he were a sage...

His mind only turned slightly, and Guo Wei revealed his usual honest smile: "The state has just been established; its institutional framework is not yet perfected. Adjustments, gains and losses among the various offices and bureaus, are only natural. That Your Majesty is determined to act and pursue reforms is also understandable."

Hearing this answer, Liu Chengyou could not help but laugh a few times. Taking a small sip of the light wine, his expression turned solemn: "The reason I have come today is to bring you a dose of good medicine, Minister Guo!"