Chapter 513: Return to the Palace

In late spring, inside and outside the Eastern Capital, along both banks of the Bian River, the green willows formed dense shade, yet catkins were already drifting everywhere, making the air less than pleasant. Since the hour of Chen, the southern gate of Kaifeng—renamed by Liu Chengyou as the Dingding Gate—had been tightly guarded by palace guards, imperial troops, patrol inspectors, and strict security measures. The ceremonial procession was laid out, and from the chancellors on down, all court officials and nobles of the seventh rank and above in the Eastern Capital had been ordered to come and welcome the imperial carriage.

In addition, a great number of low-ranking clerks and commoners, upon hearing the news, came of their own accord to join the occasion—more like watching a spectacle than welcoming the emperor. Since Liu Chengyou had ascended the throne, this was the first time such a grand and solemn welcome ceremony had been held. Even his previous personal campaigns to suppress rebellions and his several inspection tours had been hastily concluded, or even cancelled outright.

Tens of thousands of officials, soldiers, and civilians crowded together, shoulder to shoulder and heel to heel, craning their necks to look southward. The climate had fully warmed, and a slight stuffiness lent the atmosphere a certain fervor. Though there was no loud clamor, the buzzing murmur of discussion gathered together still made considerable noise.

After about an hour and a half, when the common folk were growing increasingly impatient and some had even begun to disperse, light cavalry finally arrived from the north to notify the civil and military officials awaiting the emperor that the imperial carriage was approaching. Shortly after, through the rows of houses and shops, one could see flying black banners and a forest of pennants. All the officials and nobles awaiting the emperor immediately snapped to attention, straightened their spirits, and instinctively adjusted their caps and robes, wanting to present their best appearance before the Son of Heaven returning to the capital.

Six horses drew the imperial carriage. On the spacious vehicle, Liu Chengyou sat cross-legged, holding a scroll in his hand—a compilation of central and local military and governmental systems from successive dynasties that Li Fang had gathered and organized for him. Clearly, Liu Chengyou was still dissatisfied with the current political structure of the Great Han court and wished to consult references and continue deepening reforms and adjustments.

"Your Majesty, the Dingding Gate is approaching. The ministers, the hundred officials, and the gentry and commoners of the Eastern Capital are waiting before the city gate!" Zhao Kuangyin came forward to report.

"Understood!" Liu Chengyou acknowledged, putting away the scroll in his hand.

He looked up and met those captivating, water-like eyes. Catching the Son of Heaven's gaze, she averted her eyes as if shocked, nervously twisting her jade-like fingers, then summoned her courage and met Liu Chengyou's scrutiny.

The young lady Zhou Ehuang was dressed in a light purple palace gown, her hair styled in a married woman's bun. Her fair face was tinged with a hint of peach blossom pink, a jade belt cinched her willow-slim waist, and beneath her gauze skirt, one could faintly see the peony-embroidered undergarment clinging tightly to her bosom. Though young in years, she was extremely well-endowed—Liu Chengyou had personally felt and handled them.

Throughout this journey northward, serving by the emperor's side, the young lady Zhou had grown accustomed to her changed identity—from a secluded maiden of Jiangdu to the Son of Heaven's favored concubine. Though she had not yet been granted an official title, she could still feel Liu Chengyou's affection for her.

As a talented young woman just entering the bloom of youth, Zhou Ehuang still harbored some expectations of "romantic poetry and harmonious matrimony" when it came to love. However, after serving in his bed, she quickly came to recognize reality—the Son of Heaven of the Great Han clearly lacked tenderness.

Staying by the emperor's side, what Zhou Ehuang saw most was Liu Chengyou reviewing memorial after memorial, receiving civil and military officials one by one, handling military and governmental matters one after another, rising at dawn and not resting until sunset.

Even after newly taking her as a concubine, he did not indulge in nightly revelry and diligent effort in the bedchamber. When he had leisure, he would descend from the carriage, leave the imperial camp, and tour the farmlands of the Central Plains, even personally going into the fields to transplant half a mu of rice seedlings.

As for where she, his new favorite, was needed—besides warming the bed and serving at night—it was only when he was weary that he would have her discuss music, perform songs and dances, to help ease his spirits.

In truth, over this period of time, he had been somewhat neglectful of this young lady Zhou. But women always mature early, and Zhou Ehuang, having been educated and trained by her father Zhou Zong, was very sensible, docile and mature, conducting herself properly throughout, behaving very obediently.

"You seem nervous!" Liu Chengyou beckoned to the young lady Zhou, drew her into his embrace, and asked softly.

A trace of shyness appeared on the young lady's face as she replied gently: "Your servant is but the daughter of a captive, of lowly status, fortunate to serve the Son of Heaven and share the imperial carriage. Your Majesty is about to receive the welcome of the hundred officials and the people. It would truly be improper for your servant to remain by Your Majesty's side!"

Hearing her words, Liu Chengyou smiled faintly, reached out to stroke the young lady's luminous, moon-like face, and said: "The Duke of Zhou has raised a fine daughter!"

After a moment's thought, Liu Chengyou released the young lady Zhou and instructed Zhang Dejun to prepare another carriage to escort the young lady and arrange for her entry into the palace.

"Your servants welcome Your Majesty's triumphant return!"

The imperial carriage arrived. Before the Dingding Gate, civil and military officials performed the great ritual, the hundred officials paid homage, crying out in unison. Liu Chengyou leaned out from behind the curtain, stepped onto the carriage beam, and looked around. The surrounding commoners had already knelt of their own accord, crying out "Long live the Emperor!"

Looking around, heads crowded densely together—tens of thousands of officials and commoners all prostrated in unison. The scene was truly grand—something Liu Chengyou had never experienced even among armies of over a hundred thousand. He felt very satisfied with this.

"All ministers, rise! All soldiers, rise! All people, rise!" A steady and resonant voice issued from the Son of Heaven's mouth.

After showing his face, Liu Chengyou withdrew back into the carriage. Thereafter, under the direction of Minister of Rites Zhao Shangjiao, a ceremony for welcoming the emperor into the city unfolded—drums and horns sounded together, ceremonial flowers drifted through the air. After the imperial carriage passed, each unit of the imperial army, arrayed according to military merit, entered the city in orderly fashion, receiving the congratulations and cheers of the officials and people of the Eastern Capital.

The army returned in triumph, bringing with it illustrious martial achievements and extraordinary accomplishments. Yet amid the jubilation, disappointment and grief were unavoidable. Among the soldiers, some returned from a hundred battles, but naturally some had perished and been lost. The sorrow of those who had lost sons, husbands, and fathers was simply too small—and too tragic—amid the festive atmosphere.

Returning to the Han Palace, as usual, Liu Chengyou issued an edict instructing the officials of the Eastern Capital to return to their respective offices and attend to their duties. Liu Chengyou himself went directly to Ciming Hall to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Li.

"Mother, your son has returned!" Inside the hall, Lady Li was personally waiting at the door. Seeing the Empress Dowager, Liu Chengyou immediately prostrated himself in full ceremonial bow.

"Rise quickly, no need for such ceremony!" Lady Li was clearly somewhat emotional as she stepped forward to help Liu Chengyou up.

As in previous years when welcoming Liu Chengyou back to court, Lady Li looked her second son over from head to toe, and only after confirming that he was unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Entering the hall to take their seats, the consorts of the Han Palace were all present—one empress and three consorts, led by the Empress, the elder Lady Fu, paying their respects to Liu Chengyou. The Empress was ever more dignified, the Noble Consort ever more radiant, the Worthy Consort noticeably more mature, and as for the Worthy Consort Lady Zhe, her pregnant belly was already prominent. A flock of beauties, their gazes toward Liu Chengyou inevitably carried a hint of expectation...

Afterward came Liu Chengyou's four imperial princes, led by the eldest son Liu Xu, kowtowing to Liu Chengyou. The eldest son Liu Xu, about to turn four, was still a small child, yet he conducted himself very properly.

The second son Liu Yang and third son Liu Xi, both just over two years old, could walk and run. Having inherited their parents' genes, they were very handsome children. Their childish eyes looked at Liu Chengyou with pure curiosity, their kowtows imitated what they saw, and their attention soon wandered elsewhere.

As for the fourth son Liu Fang, only a year and a half old, still babbling his first words—what was called performing the ritual kowtow was in fact just sitting there, and he couldn't even sit still. He didn't look at Liu Chengyou at all, but instead got energetic and crawled around his three older brothers, crawling quite fast at that.

This scene directly amused the adults in the hall. Liu Chengyou couldn't contain his smile either. He rose, scooped his fourth son into his arms, and while letting the child struggle, couldn't help remarking to the Empress Dowager: "Home is still the best—a good mother, virtuous wife, young children..."

"When you're not in the Eastern Capital, personally on the battlefield, leaving us women and children in the palace, our hearts are truly uneasy!" Lady Li said in a tone of mild complaint.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's smile faded: "Has someone been disrespectful to Mother?"

Seeing this, Lady Li shook her head: "All the court officials and palace attendants have served respectfully. It's just that with you, the one in charge, absent, my heart carries some worry!"

Resuming his smile, Liu Chengyou sat down beside Lady Li: "I've troubled Mother with her concern! I was unable to fulfill my filial duties at your knee—I beg your forgiveness!"

Lady Li said: "With the Empress and the others attending to me, I'm not lonely!"

Nodding toward his consorts, Liu Chengyou said: "Today I have returned to the capital. Let us summon the relatives in the capital and hold a family banquet—a gathering of the family, to celebrate the occasion!"

"Very good!" Lady Li approved of Liu Chengyou's idea and agreed directly.