Chapter 736: A Private Conversation Between Husband and Wife

The bright spring sunshine shone upon all things, and on the official road running straight from the Eastern Capital to Baima, the northbound imperial procession was bathed in a gentle golden glow. The guards of the ceremonial escort all sat astride tall, fine horses—majestic and imposing—their armor gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight, so much so that onlookers dared not even glance sideways.

Seated within the spacious imperial carriage, his body swaying with the motion of the journey, Liu Chengyou slightly lifted the curtain, feeling the warm sunlight and admiring the fields, woodlands, and hills continuously receding outside. His mood was rather pleasant.

Empress Fu shared the carriage with Liu Chengyou, accompanying him at his side, gazing at him with eyes as gentle as water—those bright pupils seemed capable of speech. Noticing this, Liu Chengyou examined himself, stroked his beard, and asked curiously: "What is it? Is something amiss, that you look at me this way?"

Empress Fu's dignified smile was like the brilliant sunshine outside, and she said with a hint of emotion: "It has been a long time since I saw you wear such a relaxed expression! No—I should say, in all these years, today is the most at ease I have ever seen you!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was briefly at a loss, then could not help rubbing his face and joked: "Surely not? Though I present myself with solemnity, I do recall that I used to smile often!"

"A smile on the face can hardly conceal the weight in the heart!" Empress Fu said this.

"Ah!" Liu Chengyou let out a light sigh and said with some feeling: "It seems you are the one who understands me best after all!"

At Liu Chengyou's words, the elder Lady Fu was clearly pleased.

As he spoke, Liu Chengyou turned his body, lay down gently, resting his head upon Empress Fu's lap. Closing his eyes, he felt the fullness and softness of the Empress's jade-like legs, while the faint fragrance wafting from her robes lingered at the tip of his nose.

The elder Lady Fu took the opportunity to reach out and gently massage his head. By now, all the women of the harem knew that the Emperor most enjoyed this pleasure. Her jade-like hands were slightly cool, and as he savored the soft touch, he heard the elder Lady Fu speak with a hint of amusement: "We have been husband and wife for so many years now—I have gained some understanding and insight!"

"Erlang, you have been too weary all these years!" Her slender hand stroked Liu Chengyou's face with exceptional gentleness, and the emotion in Empress Fu's voice grew ever stronger.

With his eyes tightly shut, Liu Chengyou said: "I cannot afford not to be weary! You know well the situation at the founding of the state—internal strife and external threats, a hundred things awaiting restoration, the accumulated ills of three generations. It took me over eight years to gradually correct them.

Now, we are at a critical juncture for unifying the realm. If we do not advance, we retreat. The world has been in chaos for so many years, and the people have suffered for so many years. I will not allow the southern states to continue their precarious existence any longer..."

"I understand your great ambition. With such diligence and grand strategy, you are certain to succeed!" The elder Lady Fu responded, her tone filled with confidence in Liu Chengyou.

A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as Liu Chengyou continued: "The hardships are likely still ahead. I intend to pacify the realm in fifteen years—half of that time has already passed, yet the southern lands remain divided. With less than seven years remaining, time waits for no one!"

Back when Liu Chengyou first ascended the throne, he had set a broad goal: fifteen years to pacify the realm, and fifteen years to govern it.

Hearing him say this, Empress Fu chuckled lightly: "Though I know nothing of military affairs, having heard you speak of it so often, I know that your subduing the various states, unifying the realm, and ushering in a new golden age is only a matter of course."

Chatting with the elder Lady Fu always put Liu Chengyou in a pleasant mood. He opened his eyes, and from the familiar angle, he beheld a tempting vista—her beautiful countenance half-concealed by towering peaks, evoking a seductive, alluring sensation.

Liu Chengyou could clearly feel his heart pound violently several times, and his body grew warm. As time passed, Empress Fu had become ever more dignified and noble, and her bosom ever more magnificent—though in terms of figure, she still could not match Noble Consort Gao.

Forcibly suppressing the wanton thoughts growing wildly in his mind, Liu Chengyou seemed to seek a distraction and said: "Even unifying the realm is only the beginning. The vast lands to the north remain occupied by the Khitan; Liao remains a great threat. The northwest is not yet pacified, Longxi and Hexi have yet to be recovered, and the Western Regions have not felt the majesty of our Huaxia for many years. The Duan clan of Dali and the Wu clan of Jiaozhi have each declared independence in succession. There is still much that I must do..."

At this moment, sensing the surging ambition within Liu Chengyou's breast, Empress Fu once again sighed with admiration: "Erlang's aspirations are so lofty, his vision so far-reaching—truly one who surveys past and present with dominance. In the annals of history, you shall surely be remembered as an emperor for the ages!"

"the elder Lady Fu, you are flattering me!" Liu Chengyou looked up, shifted to a more comfortable position—closer to the Empress's forbidden sanctum—and smiled at her.

Empress Fu, however, replied with a serious expression: "I am merely speaking the truth! As you yourself said, throughout the ages, how many emperors could accomplish such feats?"

"Do you know what my aspiration was ten years ago?" Liu Chengyou asked, watching the elder Lady Fu's expression.

At the question, a trace of curiosity appeared on the elder Lady Fu's noble features. After thinking for a moment, she said in a speculative tone: "Ten years ago, Erlang was only sixteen—you must have been thinking of galloping across the battlefield and establishing meritorious deeds!"

"You might not believe it if I told you!" A relieved smile hung on his face, and Liu Chengyou's gaze turned inexplicably deep as he said: "At that time, all I thought about was how to preserve my life and survive in this chaotic world. And my method was to join the army of my own accord, perform actively, cultivate my own power, and accumulate strength..."

"How could that be?" The elder Lady Fu could not help but be stunned.

Liu Chengyou was not surprised by her reaction—after all, ten years ago he had been the second son of the Prince of Beiping. Though young, his status and position were noble; how could he have only thought of survival? But judging by her expression, she did not seem to be feigning disbelief. At this moment, the elder Lady Fu suddenly realized that this man she had believed she knew so well still seemed to harbor more concerns and secrets.

Liu Chengyou continued, sharing some hidden anecdotes with Empress Fu: "Even back in Jinyang, I had already conceived the ambition to contend for the succession. At that time, my elder brother was the heir apparent, with a good reputation and standing, but he was too benevolent by nature—that era was not suited to his temperament.

It was probably after the Battle of Luancheng that I firmly resolved to seize the succession. Later, I even came to regard my elder brother with hostility, treating him as my rival. However, when Father later favored me, and my elder brother unfortunately passed away from illness, I was able to inherit the imperial enterprise in an open and aboveboard manner..."

"Why has Erlang suddenly thought to tell me all this?" Hearing this confession of secrets, the elder Lady Fu's expression turned somewhat serious.

Liu Chengyou, however, was entirely at ease and replied with a smile: "Some things, some words—when they have been bottled up too long, one always needs someone to confide in. We are husband and wife, treating each other with mutual respect; there is nothing that cannot be spoken between us!"

Hearing this, the elder Lady Fu's expression relaxed somewhat, but she was, after all, a woman with political acumen. She would not naively believe that Liu Chengyou truly only wished to unburden himself. Clearly, Liu Chengyou's reputation for deep cunning had become deeply ingrained in people's minds—even his bedmate was no exception, always sensing an underlying meaning in his words.

Though, at this moment, he truly only wanted someone to confide in...

"Do you know why I had Liu Min adopted into my elder brother's line?" As Liu Chengyou posed this question, the elder Lady Fu's hands visibly tightened: "On the one hand, I have always harbored a sense of guilt toward my elder brother. All along, he treated me with sincerity, friendship, and love, yet I could not reciprocate. On the other hand, I wish to use this to promote the virtues of filial piety and fraternal duty..."

"Erlang, I understand!" The elder Lady Fu's spirits sank somewhat, yet there was also a measure of relief—at least Liu Chengyou had taken the trouble to explain himself sincerely this time.

"Enough, let us not speak of this!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand and returned to the earlier topic: "Though my goals are grand, they are in truth somewhat overambitious. If I force the matter, it would become a case of craving greatness and success. I fear that even spending my entire life, I may not be able to accomplish it all..."

Hearing Liu Chengyou's lament, a strange glint flashed in the elder Lady Fu's beautiful eyes as she said: "If Erlang cannot finish it, there are still your descendants, still the succeeding sovereigns. Passed down generation after generation, upholding your will, it will surely be realized!"

"Some things are only suited for a founding emperor to do!" Liu Chengyou said this.

However, Liu Chengyou quickly caught himself—from Empress Fu's words, he sensed a hint of probing. After a moment of silence, Liu Chengyou said slowly: "Last year, I heard of the tragic court massacre of the Liu clan in Lingnan. For the sake of the throne and power, Liu Sheng actually slaughtered all his flesh-and-blood brothers! That incident served as a warning bell for me!"

Though his eyes were closed again, Liu Chengyou could sense the change in Empress Fu's expression upon hearing these words. Organizing his words slightly, Liu Chengyou said: "I am well aware that both the harem and the court have been urging me to quickly establish a Crown Prince to secure the foundation of the state. However, the position of heir apparent requires my comprehensive consideration—I must both ensure the stability and continuity of the state, and avoid a human tragedy like that of the Liu clan in Lingnan."

"the elder Lady Fu!" Liu Chengyou suddenly sat up, crossing his legs, and looked directly at Empress Fu: "We have been husband and wife for many years, entrusting our hearts to one another. I will not hide it from you—the sons are still young, and I have yet to make a decision on the position of Crown Prince. But I can assure you that I will definitely cultivate Liu Yang as the heir apparent. As long as he possesses the qualities to succeed, the position of Crown Prince will be his in the future!"

Hearing this, Empress Fu's expression shifted several times before she let out a light sigh, leaned against Liu Chengyou's chest, and said softly: "With these words from you, my heart is already comforted!"

In truth, because Empress Fu truly understood Liu Chengyou well enough, she also realized that his being this candid with her was already his bottom line. His meaning was also quite clear—even in Liu Chengyou's eyes, Liu Yang was the first in line of succession, but the precondition was whether he could meet Liu Chengyou's requirements, at the very least surpassing the "passing line" in his heart.