Chapter 611: Mother, Wife, Son

"Second Brother, what brings you here today?" Inside Ciming Hall, Empress Dowager Li looked at Liu Chengyou with some surprise.

The surprise in the Empress Dowager's eyes made Liu Chengyou feel somewhat ashamed. After all, he had once been known for his filial piety, but over the years, for various reasons, his visits to Ciming Hall had grown fewer and fewer, far from the daily morning and evening greetings expected of him.

Fortunately, he had a virtuous Empress who attended to the Empress Dowager at Ciming Hall regularly, fulfilling his filial duties on his behalf. At this moment, Empress Fu, her pregnancy now slightly visible, was in the hall, chatting with Lady Li. Indeed, Empress Fu had conceived again last winter.

Nodding to Empress Fu, Liu Chengyou stepped forward and helped her sit down, then said: "I heard Your Majesty is feeling unwell, so I came to see you. Third Brother and my uncles are all away from the capital at present. Mother, you must take care of your health!"

"I merely slept late last night and caught a slight chill. The imperial physician has already prescribed medicine to regulate my condition—nothing serious!" Hearing Liu Chengyou's words of concern, Lady Li sighed, her phoenix-like countenance relaxing somewhat as she replied.

Noticing the dark circles under his eyes, she could not help but say: "I live in the palace, pampered and at leisure, cultivating my mind and spirit, with so many palace attendants to serve me—naturally nothing will befall me. It is you who should take care! So many years of diligent attention to state affairs, worrying day and night—I hear you stayed up until midnight again last night before resting? The state and the family both rest upon your shoulders—do not overwork yourself!"

"Your son knows!" Liu Chengyou nodded, a slight smile appearing on his face.

Seeing this, Empress Dowager Li could not help but sigh inwardly. He knew, but knowing and changing were two different things... In terms of attitude, Liu Chengyou gave the Empress Dowager no cause for reproach.

Lifting his eyes to meet the Empress Dowager's kind gaze, Liu Chengyou felt a stir in his heart. Over these years, the relationship between mother and son had inevitably grown somewhat distant, but clearly, a mother was ultimately a mother—she might harbor some displeasure over certain of his actions, yet she still cared for him.

In recent years, the Empress Dowager had remained in the Han palace, yet she was not truly happy there. Liu Chengyou was busy with state affairs, Liu Chenghsun was in Chang'an, and of her several younger brothers, Li Hongwei garrisoned Qingzhou while Li Ye was far away in Yuanzhou, with the remaining few enjoying themselves in Luoyang. With few relatives by her side, she could not help but feel lonely.

The Empress Dowager believed in Buddhism, yet for the sake of state affairs, she forcibly suppressed her unhappiness and turned to studying Daoist philosophy instead. The only thing that gave Lady Li solace was her eldest grandson Liu Xu, whom she had raised by her side all along...

Noticing the noticeably increased white hairs at Lady Li's temples, Liu Chengyou felt a pang in his heart. He smiled and said to her: "I have also brought Mother several pieces of good news!"

"Oh? What happy tidings?" Lady Li perked up with mild curiosity.

"Little Uncle has done well in his post at Yuanzhou—three years now, and in every annual assessment he has ranked in the upper-middle tier. He has the makings of a pillar of state and deserves promotion. I have ordered him back to the capital to report on his duties. Henceforth he shall be assigned a new post near the Eastern Capital—perhaps Zhengzhou, Xiangzhou, or Ruzhou—no longer suffering the hardships of the frontier!" Liu Chengyou said.

Of her several younger brothers, the one Lady Li loved most and worried about most was Li Ye, and she never concealed this fact. Hearing Liu Chengyou's words now, joy immediately shone in her eyes, though after a moment's thought, she asked with some restraint: "Truly? Second Brother, are you just trying to comfort me? I know Li Ye's nature—will this not cause you difficulty?"

Liu Chengyou replied: "Uncle has indeed achieved results in his post at Yuanzhou. Promotion and advancement are only natural. Mother should also understand me—I would not act out of personal favoritism!"

Hearing this, Lady Li's brow relaxed. Liu Chengyou continued: "Third Brother in Chang'an has been observing governance, treating the worthy with respect and caring for the people. He has earned much praise among the populace and gained the name of 'Worthy Prince,' spreading the imperial family's reputation throughout Guanzhong. I have already summoned him back to Kaifeng."

"Furthermore, for this coming Jiaqing Festival, military governors and army commanders from all regions will be entering the capital for audience. Elder Sister (Princess Yongning) and Brother-in-Law (Song Yanwo) will also come to court, and Uncle Hongwei is among those listed. As for the uncles in Luoyang, I also plan to summon them to the Eastern Capital so the whole family can gather together..."

Hearing Liu Chengyou's words, Lady Li was thoroughly delighted, her worried expression completely dissolving into a look of eager anticipation. She let out a light sigh and gazed at Liu Chengyou with kind eyes: "Second Brother, I understand your intentions!"

Lady Li was a clever woman. Though joyful, she was also well aware that Liu Chengyou's actions were essentially all for her sake.

"Father!" At that moment, the eldest prince entered the hall and paid his respects with proper decorum.

Though but a small child with hair still hanging loose in childhood style, Liu Xu appeared very composed. Though sparing with smiles, he was well-mannered.

"Nong'er, come, let me hold you!" Liu Chengyou beckoned, lifting him up and affectionately rubbing his stubbled chin against the boy's tender cheek, drawing light, cheerful laughter from him.

Noticing mud clinging to his boots, Liu Chengyou asked curiously: "Where did you go to play?"

Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, Liu Xu said: "I went to the Grain-Viewing Hall to look at the crops!"

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou was somewhat curious: "Why would you want to go to the Grain-Viewing Hall?"

At the question, Liu Xu answered seriously: "I heard that Father, every spring, leads the ministers and high officials to work in the fields, and I was curious. The palace has newly established the Grain-Viewing Hall, so I went to take a look!"

Liu Chengyou was rather astonished. He looked Liu Xu up and down, and seeing the child's clear, bright eyes, asked: "And what did you gain from it?"

Liu Xu extended his hand and wagged it, saying: "I can now identify the five grains!"

Liu Chengyou's interest grew: "And what are the five grains?"

Liu Xu counted on his fingers and answered: "Rice, millet, foxtail millet, wheat, and beans! I had the palace attendants bring out the seedlings and grains of the five crops and identified each one. I also learned that the rice and flour we eat daily come from rice and wheat..."

"Haha..." Liu Chengyou laughed aloud, patting the boy's head and looking around, saying: "Seeing this child's conduct, giving him the childhood name Nong suits him well!"

Empress Dowager Li was in excellent spirits. She drew Liu Xu into her embrace and said to Liu Chengyou: "Second Brother, Nong'er is almost six years old now. It's time to find him a tutor and begin his education."

Liu Chengyou considered for a moment and said: "Indeed, he has reached that age! Does Mother have anyone in mind?"

"What about Grand Guardian Yang Yingshi? He is a renowned calligraphy master, famous both at home and abroad!" Lady Li said.

Liu Chengyou's eyes flickered, and he shook his head: "Lord Yang is advanced in years and his health has been poor lately. I have not summoned him to the palace for quite some time!"

"Minister of Rites He Ning?" Lady Li proposed another candidate.

"He Ning is indeed quite learned, but he excels at short songs and amorous verses—his literary style is ornate and florid. Not suitable!" Liu Chengyou said.

Seeing this, Lady Li said directly: "In that case, Second Brother, you decide!"

Somewhat embarrassed, Liu Chengyou looked at Liu Xu, who sat quietly in his grandmother's embrace like a well-behaved young lord. After deliberating for a moment, Liu Chengyou said: "Zhang Zhao then! He has returned to court from his post at Zhengzhou and has not yet been assigned a position. This works perfectly—he can enter the palace to compile history while also serving as tutor to the princes. This gentleman is quick-witted and learned, thoroughly versed in the histories and policies of all dynasties..."

Taking his leave and departing Ciming Hall, Liu Chengyou walked alongside Empress Fu. He personally supported her as the two strolled leisurely through the palace grounds. This rare display of attentiveness was quite enjoyable for Empress Fu.

She touched her belly and said softly to Liu Chengyou: "It's only four months—no need to be so nervous!"

"It's only proper! I rarely have much time to spend with you on ordinary days!" Liu Chengyou said.

Leaning gently against Liu Chengyou, the elder Lady Fu said: "I have been attending upon Her Majesty, and I have not seen her so joyful as she was today in a long time!"

Liu Chengyou sighed softly at this: "Mother has always supported me silently from behind. Some things may not please her, yet she still considers my feelings and goes along with my decisions, never causing me difficulty. In comparison, it is I, as her son, who have been somewhat unfilial. These past two years, I have rarely gone to Ciming Hall—partly because I felt somewhat ashamed to face her."

Seeing him open his heart with a somewhat downcast air, Empress Fu took Liu Chengyou's hand and comforted him: "Second Brother, you are the head of a family and the sovereign of a nation. Everything you do and think carries considerations. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager understands this!"

"Precisely because of that, reflecting on it only makes me feel more guilty..." Liu Chengyou let out a long breath.

Seeing this, Empress Fu changed the subject: "Liu Xu is young, but he is clever and endearing! When he grows up, he will surely be a benevolent and virtuous man. The Noble Consort of Chen passed away early, and all these years he has grown up in Ciming Hall—it is rather heartrending to see. But with a son like this, the Noble Consort's spirit in heaven can rest in peace!"

"That child is indeed clever!" Liu Chengyou acknowledged, mentioning Liu Xu.

Liu Xu's performance in Ciming Hall just now had not escaped his notice. Empress Fu continued: "In comparison, Liu Yang and the others still only know how to laugh and play, endlessly restless. Second Brother, should you not also find a tutor for Liu Yang?"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but turn his head to look at Empress Fu. A faint smile played at the corners of her lips, her face full of gentleness.

Liu Chengyou said: "A child of four or five—playfulness is his nature..."

Empress Fu clearly had her own thoughts on the matter: "As a son of the imperial house, he bears great responsibility by birth—how can he be like the children of ordinary families? I think Liu Yang is ready to begin his studies."

A slight frown creased Liu Chengyou's brow. He stopped in his tracks, but saw Empress Fu gazing at him with some stubbornness. After meeting her eyes for a while, Liu Chengyou showed signs of relenting: "Since you feel this way, then let Liu Yang also study his characters and letters under Zhang Zhao..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Empress Fu broke into a radiant smile and nestled intimately against him.

Liu Chengyou personally escorted Empress Fu all the way back to Kunming Hall, holding her hand the entire way. Along the journey, the Emperor and Empress spoke of many things, yet the elder Lady Fu was tactful enough not to raise the matter of the princes again.

Returning to the Guizheng Hall, Liu Chengyou walked lost in thought. Suddenly it struck him—his princes were all nearly at the age to begin their studies. A sudden wariness rose in his heart. In the past, the consorts had vied for favor. What of the future?

Today, the conduct of Liu Xu, this innocent orphan, had truly surprised him. At the same time, he could not help but worry—this child's early precociousness—was it a blessing or a curse...