Chapter 954: Family Matters

Following Liu Chengyou's usual practice, the first thing he did upon returning to the palace was to go to Ciming Hall to pay respects to the Empress Dowager—a custom that had never changed over the years. Wherever the Emperor went, there was always bustle and excitement, especially within the palace. By the time he set foot in Ciming Hall, it was already a scene of chattering ladies in colorful attire.

From departing the Eastern Capital in the eighth month of last year to returning to court in the fifth month of this year, Liu Chengyou had been away from the capital for nine months for this northern campaign. Such a long time was enough to make the consorts and noble ladies left behind in the palace stare longingly into the distance.

Led by Empress Fu, all the titled consorts and Ladies of Beauty of the Han palace gathered at Ciming Hall, each bringing their children, including the two Shu consorts, Xu and Li, whom Liu Chengyou had favored only once.

Normally in the palace, each hall basically lived its own life, and apart from grand ceremonies or special festivals, they rarely gathered together in one place. And basically, every time, Liu Chengyou had different feelings.

With over a dozen children present together, Liu Chengyou felt quite proud of his large family—flourishing offspring, a thriving clan. Anyone in his position would feel a sense of satisfaction.

"My son has grown thin. Away from the capital for so long, and on the battlefield—how we have worried about you. As the sovereign of a nation and the head of a family, you should be more careful with yourself!" Looking at Liu Chengyou, Empress Dowager Li remained as kind as ever.

And Liu Chengyou had indeed lost considerable weight compared to before leaving the capital—even his belly had shrunk noticeably, and after so much northern wind, his skin had grown rougher. Yet none of this could hide his high spirits. Liu Chengyou had always possessed excellent energy; otherwise, he could never have borne the heavy burden of military and state affairs year after year.

Hearing the Empress Dowager say this, Noble Consort Gao took the initiative to speak: "It is your concubine's failure to properly care for His Majesty. I beg Your Grace to punish me!"

Of course, no one took her words seriously. Liu Chengyou said to the Empress Dowager: "Causing Mother worry is my fault. After this campaign, matters of conquest will be handled by the generals and marshals. I shall take my seat at the center of power to stabilize the realm!"

Liu Chengyou's words were both to comfort the Empress Dowager and his women, and to make clear his stance—from now on, he would not lightly launch expeditions. In fact, by now, looking across the realm, there was no force left worthy of his personally leading a campaign, including the Khitan Liao, which had just suffered a heavy blow.

"While you were away, the palace gained new children. You, as their father, haven't even seen them yet!" Lady Li said again.

Liu Chengyou naturally noticed the two infants held in the arms of Empress Fu and Consort Zhe, and immediately broke into a smile. He looked at each in turn and held them both—they were the tenth son born to the Empress and the eleventh son born to Consort Zhe.

Of course, these two sons were not yet included in the official birth order. Over the years, one after another, several of Liu Chengyou's children had died young before growing up, causing him to endure the pain of losing a child multiple times. Now they could only be found recorded in the imperial clan genealogy.

The younger of the two infants, born to Lady Zhe, was somewhat quiet, but perhaps affected by Liu Chengyou's imperial majesty or the killing aura he brought back from the campaign, he burst into loud crying the moment he was held. As for the result—the child cried, and Liu Chengyou laughed.

The Empress Dowager and Empress Fu, meanwhile, pulled Consort Guo Ning aside to chat, inquiring after her health with great concern, especially paying attention to her already prominent belly. After all, it was Consort Ning's first pregnancy, and she had gone through the journey of accompanying the Emperor. Although she had received meticulous care, travel was unavoidable, and even though she had always been healthy, special attention was still needed.

Among the older imperial princes, Liu Fang was the most lively, shouting that he had another little brother and wanting to hold the baby. But he had no sense of his own strength—who would dare hand a fragile infant to him?

With the children present, the atmosphere in the hall was very lively. The younger brothers and sisters gathered around their returned elder brothers, wanting to hear stories of the outside world. Indeed, the little princes and princesses were somewhat unfamiliar with Liu Chengyou, their own father.

Even so, the noisy atmosphere made Liu Chengyou feel a wave of warmth. The fatigue of the journey and the sharp edge he carried with him both dissipated considerably.

"Someone, bring the things up!" Liu Chengyou ordered.

Soon, several palace attendants carried two chests inside. Liu Chengyou pointed and said: "These are my spoils from the north and tribute from the local regions. I've selected the finest as gifts for you—each of you, take your pick!"

The tribute contained all sorts of things—jewelry, ornaments, feathered garments, jade ware, auspicious objects, even weapons. It attracted everyone's gaze. Although life in the palace had improved greatly over the years, in ordinary times the consorts still did not dare dress too extravagantly or adorn themselves in glittering finery.

Therefore, they were quite interested in the gifts Liu Chengyou had brought back, their eyes drawn to them. However, they all remained reserved, looking at the Empress Dowager.

Seeing this, Lady Li smiled and said: "I am old now, no need for such adornments. My daughters-in-law may help themselves!"

With the Empress Dowager speaking first, the Empress also expressed humility. In this way, no matter how tempted they were, none of the beauties dared step forward to pick. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment—having everyone pick for themselves was not a good method—so he said to Empress Fu: "Da Fu, you are the Empress. You shall do the distribution!"

With the Emperor's command, Empress Fu did not decline further. She ordered the gifts to be laid out one by one in preparation for distribution. Liu Chengyou, meanwhile, did not stop, instructing: "Order a banquet to be prepared at Wansui Hall. Tonight, we shall hold a family feast!"

With that said, Liu Chengyou left first—but he took Crown Prince Liu Yang with him.

On Empress Fu's side, she calmly proceeded with the distribution of gifts. With her discerning eye, she could naturally tell the quality of each item. First, she presented the most precious string of jade beads to the Empress Dowager. She knew that the Empress Dowager still believed in Buddhism at heart. For many years now, in the absence of great wealth, the court had not deliberately suppressed it, and Buddhism had seen something of a revival. One had to admit, its vitality was truly tenacious.

For the next tier, Empress Fu ordered items to be wrapped and sent to the Prince Yong manor and the Prince Wei manor. For the tier below that, she distributed according to rank, one by one to the various consorts, concubines, Ladies of Beauty, princes, and princesses. As for Empress Fu herself, she took only a box of rouge.

Her conduct in this matter displayed the grace of a principal wife.

On Liu Chengyou's side, he brought Crown Prince Liu Yang back to Chongzheng Hall. Nearly a year as Crown Prince had clearly made the boy grow considerably—his expression was no longer as lively as before, carrying a look of preoccupation.

In the hall, looking at Liu Yang standing properly before him, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but recall the secret reports he had received earlier—before the chancellors, the boy probably sat just as properly as this.

"Sit!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes!" Liu Yang obediently responded, then sat up straight with proper posture.

"During the time I was away, I am very satisfied with your performance as regent!" Liu Chengyou's expression softened somewhat as he spoke gently.

Toward the Crown Prince he had chosen, Liu Chengyou mainly offered encouragement. Sure enough, seeing his father's kind face, Liu Yang subconsciously let out a breath of relief and replied: "All matters of state were handled by the chancellors. I only needed to observe from the side—I dare not accept praise!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but laugh and said: "Matters of state and military affairs are naturally meant to be handled by your ministers—how could they be entrusted to a child like you! Having you sit in at the Hall of State Affairs is for observing governance—listen more and watch more, that's all. Tell me, what thoughts do you have?"

At this moment, Liu Yang was like a primary school student answering a teacher's assignment—one that had been assigned on the spot and answered on the spot. Thoughts were not easy to produce.

Scrunching up his small face, thinking hard for a long while, and cautiously glancing at Liu Chengyou, Liu Yang decided to speak honestly: "I have no other thoughts. I only feel that there are so many affairs—after one matter comes another, after great matters come small ones, as if they are endless. Also, the chancellors often argue, but the moment Father's decree arrives, they immediately reach consensus and cooperate with full effort..."

Liu Chengyou was clearly very satisfied with Liu Yang's answer. Looking at him, he said again: "Remember, besides listening more and watching more, you must also think more. You must have your own thoughts and views. Understand?"

Liu Yang hesitated for a moment, a hint of contemplation appearing in his clear, cool eyes, before he nodded and replied: "I understand!"

"Have you set aside your studies?" Liu Chengyou asked again.

"On odd days I go to Wenhua Hall; on even days the Grand Tutor teaches me governance!" Liu Yang said.

"Duke Wei was also my teacher—a pillar of the state with heavy responsibilities. Having him teach you, I feel it's even beneath his talents!" Liu Chengyou said. "You must never be remiss with him!"

"Yes! I understand!"

He did not directly test Liu Yang on political matters. As Emperor, he showed concern for the Crown Prince; as a father, he taught his child. That was all.

"Go to the Hall of State Affairs and convey my oral decree—let the chancellors each attend to their duties, and I shall receive them tomorrow. Additionally, have the Xuanhui Institute prepare a victory banquet, and have the Bureau of Military Affairs, the State Finance Commission, and the Ministry of War draft a memorial on rewards and commendations for the meritorious officers of the northern campaign!" Liu Chengyou instructed Liu Yang.

Hearing Liu Chengyou's words, Liu Yang quickly took out a brush, wrote it all down, then had Liu Chengyou confirm it was correct before taking the note and withdrawing. Although it was an oral decree, word-of-mouth transmission was most prone to error. Liu Yang's way of doing things suited Liu Chengyou's taste well.