Chapter 526: Withering

As night fell, Liu Chengyou arrived at Yaohua Hall as promised, sharing a meal with Noble Consort Gao and his third son, Liu Xi. When the night deepened, he had the wet nurse take away Liu Xi, who was somewhat clingy to his mother, finally gaining some space to engage in some intimate husband-and-wife activities with Noble Consort Gao.

Noble Consort Gao was three or four years older than Liu Chengyou—old enough to "hold a gold brick," as the saying went. In earlier times, Liu Chengyou had almost regarded her as an elder sister, and perhaps there had been some unusual feelings between them. Over the years, as she aged, the Noble Consort had grown increasingly mature and voluptuous. With her long habit of martial practice, her figure was unmatched among the consorts of the Han palace.

After the deed was done, his head resting on a jade pillow, he held the Noble Consort in his arms, one hand unconsciously roaming between her curvaceous waist and hips—the touch exquisitely smooth—while his eyes betrayed a pensive look.

"What is His Majesty thinking about?" the Noble Consort asked with some curiosity, her breath as fragrant as orchid.

At this moment, Liu Chengyou's heart felt somewhat empty, and his body seemed weary. Hearing the question, he snapped back to attention. Looking at the beautiful Noble Consort, whose forehead still glistened with fine sweat, Liu Chengyou replied casually: "I was thinking—tomorrow I'll go to the Gao residence to visit, to see my father-in-law! You and the boy will come along!"

"Are you serious?" Lady Gao seemed somewhat excited, propping herself up directly.

In that brief daze, Liu Chengyou only felt a flash of white before his eyes—truly large. He smiled faintly and replied: "The sovereign's word is his bond!"

Since Liu Chengyou had ascended the throne, only a scant few had been honored by his imperial visit—it was extremely rare. No wonder Lady Gao was so delighted.

The next morning, he brought only a hundred or so guards, without an elaborate procession, heading straight for the Gao residence. On the carriage, Liu Chengyou held his third son Liu Xi, teasing him and gently pinching his tender cheeks. Though the boy didn't cry or fuss, his pitiful expression made Liu Chengyou chuckle.

Before the Linqing Prince's mansion, there was a flurry of activity—clearly preparations for receiving the imperial visit had been hastily arranged. At this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but glance at Lady Gao. Though this woman sometimes indulged in jealousy and rivalry, she evidently knew how to handle the bigger picture—she hadn't been clever on her own and tipped off the Gao residence about his visit in advance.

This time, all three wore plain clothes, and Lady Gao hadn't applied heavy makeup—just like an ordinary family, a man bringing his wife home for a visit to her parents.

"This old minister pays respects to Your Majesty!" With the central gate thrown wide open, Gao Xingzhou led his family in a respectful bow before the entrance.

Gao Xingzhou was afflicted with illness, gaunt and haggard, his decrepitude visible to the naked eye. He had dragged his ailing body out to receive the emperor upon hearing of his arrival. Liu Chengyou immediately waved his hand: "Father-in-law, please rise quickly!"

As he spoke, he gestured to Zhang Dejun, who immediately stepped forward to support Gao Xingzhou. Liu Chengyou said: "Your Grace's body is unwell—there's no need to stand on such formalities!"

"Rites must not be abandoned!" For a renowned military man like Gao Xingzhou, having such awareness was commendable. Of course, with one foot already in the grave, he had long since learned to read the times.

Entering the hall, they took their seats and tea was served. Lady Gao and Liu Xi paid their respects to father and grandfather. Seeing her old father's sickly countenance, Lady Gao already felt deep sorrow welling up.

"I returned to the capital not long ago, and affairs have been manifold. Upon learning that my father-in-law was gravely ill, I found time today to come specially to visit!" Liu Chengyou looked at Gao Xingzhou and said with concern: "Father-in-law must take good care of his health!"

"Many thanks to Your Majesty! This minister hardly deserves such kindness!"

Gao Xingzhou was clearly in good spirits, his gaze toward his daughter and grandson even more gratified. He said to Liu Chengyou: "This old minister has served in the army for fifty years, a lifetime of war, with many hidden injuries. To have clung to life until now is already more than I could have hoped for. And to be trusted and valued by Your Majesty—even in death, I shall have no regrets!"

"Father!" Hearing Gao Xingzhou speak such dispiriting words, Lady Gao's heart ached, and she couldn't help but cry out to stop him.

A faint smile appeared on Gao Xingzhou's sickly face. Turning to Liu Chengyou, his tone weak but his expression one of resignation, he said: "This old minister has lived a life tossed about by the chaos of these times, ever clad in armor, never knowing what peace truly means! Decades of drifting with the current, and only at the age of sixty did I encounter a peerless sovereign. Though I was not born at the right time, to have found such a lord—that is enough!"

"My only regret is that I fear I shall not live to see Your Majesty unify the realm and usher in a new era of peace!" With that, Gao Xingzhou let out a long, sighing lament.

Hearing his words, setting aside the flattery, Liu Chengyou could somewhat sympathize with Gao Xingzhou's feelings. As he had said, the word "peace" for him perhaps existed only in books or in imagination.

"Father-in-law, you should still take good care of your health—the day of peace will yet be witnessed with your own eyes!" Liu Chengyou looked at Gao Xingzhou, his words like a promise, or perhaps more like consolation.

"May this broken body of mine hold on until that day!" Gao Xingzhou said with a light laugh.

At the Linqing Prince's mansion, Liu Chengyou stayed for nearly an hour, conversing with Gao Xingzhou. Today was probably the happiest day Gao Xingzhou had had in recent times—the Son of Heaven, Liu Chengyou, had given him ample respect.

In the afternoon, leaving the residence to return to the palace, the Noble Consort, who had been holding it in all this time, finally couldn't contain herself and wept bitterly. She had asked the imperial physicians—given Gao Xingzhou's condition, he wouldn't last more than half a year, and there was no telling when he might pass.

Drawing Lady Gao into his embrace, offering his shoulder, Liu Chengyou's face was filled with emotion as he let out a heavy sigh. At his knee, little Liu Xi watched his mother cry and, not understanding what was happening, began to wail along with her—loud, bawling sobs.

"There, there!" Stroking the Noble Consort's jade-like back, Liu Chengyou's tone was very gentle.

Sitting up and wiping her tears, Lady Gao held Liu Xi, soothing him, her beautiful eyes red-rimmed.

Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, then instructed Zhang Dejun: "After returning to the palace, have the Bureau of Military Affairs issue an order to Gao Huaide—tell him to set aside his Longqi Army duties for now and return home more often, to attend to his father's medicine and care for the Linqing Prince!"

"Yes!"

With such an arrangement, Liu Chengyou was essentially planning to let Gao Huaide see Gao Xingzhou through his final years and give him a proper funeral.

Before returning to the palace, passing by the Southern Market, Liu Chengyou was struck by a whim to take a stroll and lift his spirits, hoping the lively atmosphere of the common folk might dispel the gloom in his heart. In the afternoon sun of the Eastern Capital's markets, the warm light shone brightly—it was the busiest time of day.

However, instead of letting Liu Chengyou peacefully observe the people's joy, his eye was immediately caught by a nobleman galloping his horse recklessly through the streets. Without even blinking, Liu Chengyou pointed at the young man who was spurring his horse wildly, causing crowds in the market to scatter in all directions. Though no one had been knocked down or injured, it was still utter chaos.

There were market officials and patrol guards clearly present, yet no one did anything about it. Liu Chengyou pointed and ordered: "Go ask—whose son is that, so ostentatious? Truly full of youthful vigor!"

Before long, a guard returned with the report: it was the youngest son of Murong Yanchao, the Governor of Kaifeng—a relative of the imperial family. Liu Chengyou didn't directly comment on this, only asking flatly: "Wasn't it said that since my imperial uncle took office as Governor, law and order in the Eastern Capital has been improving day by day?"

After returning to the palace, he rested briefly, when a protocol official reported: "The Duke of Ju, Su Yugui, requests an audience!"

Liu Chengyou was somewhat curious—what could this former chancellor, who had long since faded from the court, want by suddenly coming to see him? In the early days of the Great Han's founding, Su Yugui and Su Fengji had been known together as the "Two Sus," jointly wielding state power with overwhelming influence, nearly able to stand as equals against Yang Bin.

But later, when Su Fengji's case broke and he was demoted, Su Yugui—unlike Su Fengji's reckless behavior—knew when to stop, understood the times, and had early on expressed to Liu Chengyou his intention to retire from politics.

In recent years, Su Yugui had mostly stayed at the Historiography Institute, leading a group of civil officials in compiling histories, content with the status quo and immersed in quiet routine.

Of course, beneath the surface of "quiet routine" lay Su Yugui's full enjoyment of wealth and glory. During his brief time in power, he had used his position to amass a vast fortune. According to what the Wude Office had uncovered, the Su family controlled over a hundred qing of land in the Central Plains, ten estates, and dozens of shops of various sizes—not to mention other assets.

However, precisely because he knew how to read the times, Liu Chengyou had not slaughtered this "fat sheep," but instead tacitly permitted what he had gained. Over the years, as Liu Chengyou continuously pruned away old ministers and founding meritorials, Su Yugui, this mere scholar, was kept as a "showpiece" among the old ministers—a fig leaf of sorts.

Su Yugui entered the hall, as respectful as ever. Perhaps because he was at ease in both body and mind, among all the old ministers, Su Yugui had aged the slowest. Aside from a few more white hairs at his temples, he looked no different from four or five years ago.

Liu Chengyou asked: "How does the Duke of Ju find the leisure to come to Chongzheng Hall?"

Facing the Son of Heaven's inquiry, Su Yugui wore a mournful expression and said to Liu Chengyou: "I report to Your Majesty—just now, Jia Wei, Grand Academician of the Jixian Hall, passed away at the Historiography Institute. Even unto death, he still held his writing brush!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was momentarily struck speechless. Jia Wei was currently the foremost historian in the Great Han court—his writing brush was famous throughout the court. In recent years, whenever Liu Chengyou ordered histories or books to be compiled, Jia Wei had largely been involved.

"With one brush, Duke Jia chronicled the ages. With his passing, the Great Han has lost a historian for the ages!" Liu Chengyou said with flagging spirits and a note of sorrow in his voice: "Issue an edict—posthumously bestow upon Jia Wei the title of Director of the Chancellery, and give him a lavish burial!"

"Yes!"

Having visited the gravely ill Gao Xingzhou in the morning, then learning of Jia Wei's death in the afternoon, Liu Chengyou felt deeply unsettled. This time, he sighed from the bottom of his heart: "The old ministers are withering away one by one—what can I do about it!"

Jia Wei hadn't been particularly well-liked in the Great Han court, given his stiff temper and sharp tongue. But his sudden passing still stirred much remembrance, especially among the literary and historical officials. Especially since, upon hearing the tragic news at home, his wife died of grief on the spot—the old couple departing for the underworld together. All who heard of it sighed in lamentation.