Chapter 63: Cousin's Warning

In the hall, a table of "fine dishes" had been laid out, and Liu Chengyou was hosting Li Shaoyou alone. With no outsiders present, Li Shaoyou appeared completely relaxed. Sweeping his gaze over the food on the table, he complained lightly: "Second Brother, you eat such simple, humble fare? Military life is inherently hard and bitter. If Aunt were to learn how harshly you treat yourself, she'd surely fret again..."

Liu Chengyou shot him a glance, pointed at the table, and said with an unchanged expression: "There's fish and meat, both meat and vegetables—how can you call this simple? The realm is torn by endless war, countless common folk are still going hungry. This table of food is already more than ample."

"Ah, I know you worry about the state and the people, your heart set on the realm. But you are now a proper imperial prince. Even if you want to save the people from fire and water, you must first fill your own belly."

Though his mouth kept up the chatter, Li Shaoyou's chopsticks moved swiftly—he was likely genuinely hungry, and he ate with relish. After a few mouthfuls, he took a sip of wine, smacked his lips: "No rare delicacies, no beauties to keep company, but this wine is quite good..."

As he spoke, Li Shaoyou drained his cup in one gulp. Liu Chengyou looked at the clear, faintly yellow wine in his own cup, raised it toward Li Shaoyou in a toast: "The Fenqing sweet brew of Apricot Blossom Village is naturally fine wine. The Luzhou government office happens to have some, so this time I'm using public resources for private ends to entertain you."

"Then I am truly honored." Li Shaoyou's tone remained light and easy.

"Second Brother, I'm afraid no one has told you this."

"Hm?"

"You've really become more and more dull. Back in the day..." Li Shaoyou sighed with a reminiscent look on his face.

The two chatted idly, though mostly Li Shaoyou did the talking while Liu Chengyou responded calmly. Ever since Liu Chengyou had "closed himself off," among the younger generation, only Li Shaoyou could still tolerate his personality, so the two genuinely had a good relationship. It was only in front of Liu Chengyou that Li Shaoyou dared to speak so casually.

"By the way, I hear His Majesty is already planning to bestow rewards upon the assembled ministers..." After eating and drinking his fill, as servants were clearing away the mess, Li Shaoyou let slip another piece of news to Liu Chengyou.

"Brother You, just how many things have these ears of yours heard?" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but rib him.

Li Shaoyou chuckled: "Merely rumors."

"I imagine that in Jinyang, everyone from top to bottom is eagerly awaiting it." Liu Chengyou spoke in a low voice, pondering as he did so.

"Naturally. Promotion and ennoblement—who wouldn't look forward to it?" Li Shaoyou's tone carried a hint of pride: "With the new dynasty established, Jinyang has become the center of power. They've leapt into becoming chief ministers overnight, governing the realm. Of course they wait with eager anticipation, eyes straining to the horizon."

"They are all ministers who followed the dragon, supporting our Liu family's rule. That they have aspirations is understandable. The state is newly founded, its governance not yet fully structured. The ministers have exerted their combined efforts to assist, stabilizing the situation—they have their merits." Liu Chengyou appeared very composed at this moment.

"Mm... however, someone has suggested to His Majesty that he should settle the succession early." Li Shaoyou added in a faint, offhand manner.

"Oh..." At these words, Liu Chengyou responded lightly, appearing quite calm, but his entire body unconsciously tensed up, as if struck by a freezing spell.

He sat woodenly for only a brief moment, then raised his eyes to gaze calmly at his cousin: "Settling the succession early is beneficial to the stability of the state and the altars—it is a good thing."

"For Brother Xun, it's naturally a good thing..." Li Shaoyou pursed his lips and said casually.

"Brother You, this casual nature of yours—you must change it!" Liu Chengyou slowly straightened his body and said sternly.

Meeting Liu Chengyou's somewhat chilling gaze, Li Shaoyou's face also took on a note of gravity, and he said in a low tone: "Second Brother, don't tell me you have no thoughts on this at all!"

"What thoughts?" Liu Chengyou's expression grew even more indifferent.

Watching Liu Chengyou's reaction, Li Shaoyou continued in a tone of reminder: "Brother Xun was the heir apparent before—his advantages are far greater. He's always remained at the center, attending at the imperial side, deeply favored by His Majesty, his conduct praised by all, and he's never made a single misstep..."

"Brother You!" Liu Chengyou suddenly spoke up to cut Li Shaoyou off, his sharp gaze burning into him, causing an involuntary chill to rise in the other's heart.

He paused, then spoke slowly: "You are drunk!"

The atmosphere suddenly grew oppressive. Seeing Liu Chengyou's serious, closed-off demeanor, Li Shaoyou realized he had indeed been a bit too casual this time. He promptly shook his head, let out a forced laugh, trying to lighten the mood—but Liu Chengyou remained unmoved, leaving him rather embarrassed.

"I am weary. Go rest at the guest hostel for now!" His face returning to normal, Liu Chengyou waved his hand calmly, though he now referred to himself as "I, the Prince."

Noticing the shift in Liu Chengyou's tone, Li Shaoyou obligingly rose and made a bow: "This official takes his leave."

Just as he turned around, Liu Chengyou spoke again, equally laced with warning: "Brother You, today, you have spoken a bit too much..."

Under the attentive reception of the guest hostel's staff, Li Shaoyou settled in. Strolling slowly along the hostel's corridors, reflecting on the conversation just past, Li Shaoyou's face no longer bore the frivolous ease he'd shown before Liu Chengyou. Wearing a thoughtful expression, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up: "How could you possibly have no thoughts!"

In the government office, Liu Chengyou was likewise deep in thought, soaking his feet. His cousin's keen perceptiveness had caught him somewhat off guard.

Liu Chengyou certainly had thoughts, and he believed he was not the only one who could see it—after all, with the abilities he'd displayed and his actions these past days, anyone with a modicum of insight could discern his ambition.

However, Li Shaoyou's visit had genuinely served as a reminder. Since leading troops in the field, his presence in Jinyang had dropped far too low. At court, before Liu Zhiyuan, there was no one speaking on his behalf.

For a short time, it might be fine, but if it dragged on, problems would surely arise. From the news Li Shaoyou had brought, there were already people in Jinyang scheming to strip away his authority and curb his development...

The gentle, modest face of his elder brother Liu Chengxun surfaced in his mind, and a cold suspicion took root in Liu Chengyou's heart.

Liu Chengxun's advantages were indeed considerable—eldest brother, former heir apparent, favored by Liu Zhiyuan, and possessed of an excellent reputation. He was nearly the perfect candidate for heir.

But he had no influence in the military. That single point alone was a fatal weakness! So, toward this elder brother of his, Liu Chengyou actually did not harbor excessive fear—even setting aside the factor of his "historically" dying of illness, it was the same. Unless, someday, Liu Chengxun also began to exert influence over the army...

He weighed many considerations, but for Liu Chengyou, the most pressing matter at hand was finding someone at court to speak for him. Someone clever enough, with enough weight, who could get a word in before Liu Zhiyuan.

Yang Bin—likely supported Liu Chengxun; Wang Zhang—Yang Bin's close friend; Guo Wei—hardly worth considering; Su Yugui—a good-natured sort, fine for scholarship and nothing more; as for the others—not familiar...

After much deliberation, he finally settled on one person: Su Fengji.

"My purse is thin, yet I must still send this Administrative Assistant Su a generous gift!" Liu Chengyou withdrew his feet from the already-cooled basin of water, sighed, and murmured to himself.