Chapter 87: Establishing the Crown Prince

"What? The Empress is pregnant?" Wei Zifu, who was embroidering small clothes for her son, accidentally pricked her finger while sewing, and beads of blood visibly emerged. She hurriedly put her finger in her mouth and looked up at Xia Ling.

Xia Ling nodded vigorously and whispered: "It's absolutely true. A friend of mine who works in Yongxiang just told me personally."

Wei Zifu breathed out slowly. After a long while, she smiled at Xia Ling: "I know, you go down first."

Xia Ling replied: "Yes."

After only Wei Zifu and the little Liu Ju, who was sleeping soundly on the small bed, were left in the bedchamber, Wei Zifu put down the small clothes in her hand and reached out to gently stroke her son's pink, tender face.

Since witchcraft was mentioned before, Wei Zifu had been paying attention to the whole thing. She knew that Empress Chen had been imprisoned in Yeting Prison for practicing witchcraft, and she also knew that the Empress Dowager was now presiding over the court, intending to establish her Ju'er as the Crown Prince.

The development of all this seemed similar to the past life, but also seemed too different.

In the past life, she hadn't conceived Ju'er at this time. Liu Che hadn't been so seriously ill to the point of being beyond medical help, let alone the Empress Dowager presiding over government affairs.

Having lived one life, Wei Zifu was now increasingly cautious, not daring to take a single wrong step. In her past life, she had been Empress for thirty-eight years, and the Wei family had made so many contributions, but in the end, wasn't it all wiped out because of a few words from Liu Che?

The Empress Dowager wanted to establish Ju'er as the Crown Prince. Perhaps if it were someone else, they would be very happy, but Wei Zifu couldn't be happy at all.

She did want to regain everything that belonged to Ju'er, but not now. Now her Wei family had no powerful ministers and no military achievements. What could she use to ensure Ju'er's position would never change?

She had to wait for her younger brother to become famous in the Battle of Long City, gradually establish the Wei family's power, and stabilize Ju'er's foundation before she could stand out and fight for the succession.

Moreover, the fact that Liu Che was critically ill was too suspicious, and it was hard not to suspect that there was some conspiracy behind it.

And why could Empress Chen, who couldn't conceive in her past life, conceive frequently in this life?

The best way now was not to participate in the current affairs. If the Empress Dowager really wanted to establish Liu Ju as the Crown Prince, she would have to find a way to refuse this matter.

On the small bed, Liu Ju woke up with a babble. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw a familiar person. He waved his small hands and made sounds with babbling.

Seeing her son wake up, Wei Zifu showed a gentle smile on her face. She gently held Liu Ju's small hand back and said softly: "Ju'er, this time Mother will definitely protect you to be safe and healthy."

Little Liu Ju also gave his mother a "toothless" smile, and "Mother... Ah-pu..." popped out of his mouth.

Wei Zifu was stunned for a moment, and then a burst of ecstasy filled her heart. She reached out and picked up her son: "Ju'er, what did you just call?"

"Ah-pu..." Little Liu Ju seemed to notice that this word would make his mother very happy, so he repeated it several times.

Wei Zifu wept with joy, hugging her son into her arms while tears streamed down her face: "Mother is here, Mother is here."

Recalling the past life, when Ju'er first learned to speak, the first person he called was Liu Che. At that time, Liu Che was so happy that he picked up the little Ju'er, who was only a year old, and spun him in the air.

At that time, Liu Che was just like an ordinary father.

Later, when she watched the beauties in Weiyang Palace change batch after batch, she couldn't help but think, if time had stayed at the beginning, how good would that be.

The Liu Che of this world... Heh, I'm afraid he's going to care about the legitimate Imperial Son in the Empress's belly now.

Because the Empress said she was pregnant, and it concerned the Imperial heir, Zhang Tang didn't dare to be negligent and hurriedly turned to report this to the Empress Dowager.

Before leaving, he also told the small officials to take good care of the Empress and not let any mistakes happen.

Liu Che instantly changed from a prisoner to a golden nugget. Two small officials carefully sent him into the room. Seeing that there wasn't a single soft thing in the room, one small official hurriedly went to find a soft cushion.

Liu Che saw the small official who had changed his face, sneered, and said impolitely: "I'm thirsty and hungry, go get me something to eat."

The small official hurriedly replied: "Yes, yes, this servant will go right away."

When both small officials had left, Liu Che raised his eyebrows faintly, then walked out of the Yeting prison cell in a swaggering manner. He looked up at the sun above his head and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Now A Jiao was seriously ill, and his mother controlled the government. If something happened to A Jiao at this time, the Han would probably experience another period of chaos like Empress Lu's time.

Mother, oh Mother, you want to learn from Empress Lu, but you have to see if you have Empress Lu's ability.

Chu Fu was arranged by Liu Ling to be by his side, intending to harm the Son of Heaven. Once something happened to the Son of Heaven of the Han, those feudal princes with different intentions would take advantage of the situation.

So he must grasp the initiative now and attack the Huainan King first, so that he could grasp the initiative and wipe out all those feudal princes with different intentions.

And what he had to do now was to go to Shanglin Park to find A Jiao.

Regardless of whether A Jiao was dead or alive at this time, only by staying by A Jiao's side could he ensure his own safety.

If A Jiao was truly terminally ill, then the Imperial Son in his belly at this moment would be his last guarantee.

Thinking this, Liu Che's expression tightened, and he turned to walk out of Yeting.

However, before he had walked two steps, he was blocked by the Empress Dowager's imperial guards arranged to guard the Empress here.

Liu Che: "..."

Since when could the Empress Dowager's imperial guards replace the duties of the Weiyang Palace Qimen Army? Liu Che felt a lot of dissatisfaction in his heart.

The Empress Dowager's imperial guards looked at the Empress before them in surprise, stunned for a moment before reacting: "Empress?"

Liu Che coughed lightly and pretended to be calm: "Mm-hmm."

The guards were all shocked and immediately reached out to block him. The leading guard was even more furious: "What's going on with the small officials inside? The Empress has left the cell and no one reported it?"

Liu Che raised his eyebrows and said quite calmly: "Tingwei Zhang just came to convey the Empress Dowager's edict, don't you know?"

The guard leader nodded subconsciously: "Know... know." He had just let Tingwei Zhang in.

"Then I have already been pardoned by Mother, why can't I come out?" Liu Che showed dissatisfaction: "Why don't you go and arrange a carriage for me? The road from Yongxiang to Jiaofang Hall is so long, if the legitimate Imperial Son in my belly is hurt, can you bear the responsibility?"

The guard leader was bluffed by Liu Che's words: "Someone, please take the Empress back to the cell."

Two guards stood on Liu Che's left and right, making a gesture of invitation: "Empress, don't make it difficult for us, please go back."

Clearly, these guards were not easy to fool.

Liu Che was not someone who would sit and wait for death. Since he had walked out at this time, there was absolutely no reason to go back. He lowered his eyes to pretend to obey, but the next moment he snatched the weapon from the guard's hand and knocked out the guard closest to him with the back of the blade.

And then, before they could react, he dropped the big sword in his hand and ran away.

Although Liu Che had swapped bodies with A Jiao, he still remembered the moves he had practiced in martial arts. Although he was once the Crown Prince and the Emperor, his ability to ride, shoot, and fight was no less than anyone else's.

The guard leader couldn't care about the knocked-out soldier, drew his weapon, and roared: "Stop her."

Liu Che smiled contemptuously. A Jiao's body was light, which actually brought great convenience to his escape. He didn't believe they could catch up to him.

The guards behind were chasing, and Liu Che soon left them far behind. The difficulty was that there were patrolling guards on the palace road, and Liu Che was not sure if these guards would still obey his orders now.

The pursuing guards saw the patrolling guards in front and roared at the top of their lungs: "Quick, stop the Empress!"

The patrolling guards heard the commotion and turned to walk over. It looked like they were about to cross paths with Liu Che.

Liu Che's brow darkened, and he said to himself, "Not good."

The patrolling guards directly drew their weapons and blocked Liu Che. Liu Che panted while saying: "Which army are you from? Let me go." Being pressed down like this, he looked somewhat embarrassed no matter how one looked at it.

The patrolling guards in the palace were basically from the Northern and Southern Armies, only taking orders from the Son of Heaven and those holding the tiger tally. Clearly, the Empress was not the object of their obedience.

Liu Che was blocked and grabbed by the guards, and the Empress Dowager's imperial guards chasing from behind also ran over panting. The guard leader clasped his fist to the guard captain: "Thanks, brother."

Seeing that he was about to be taken back, Liu Che suddenly covered his stomach: "Ouch, my stomach hurts." He covered his lower abdomen with a pale face, bent over, and shouted in pain: "If there is any mistake with the Imperial Son in my belly, you will all be buried with him!"

Now, none of these big men dared to touch Liu Che, and they all looked at each other.

Just then, the sound of horse hooves came from afar. The patrolling guards gave way one after another, and Wei Qing's calm voice came: "Why are you gathered here?"

"Leader Wei." Many in the patrolling guards knew Wei Qing.

Hearing Wei Qing's name, Liu Che subconsciously turned to look, only to see the man wearing black armor jump off his black horse majestically and then stride toward this side.

For some reason, the three words that came to Liu Che's mind were: "Saved at last."

He couldn't help but reveal a smile at the corners of his mouth. Wei Qing had already run to his side, reached out to support him, with a look of concern and nervousness: "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?"

Liu Che put on a painful expression, his voice squeezed through his teeth: "Wei Qing, save my child."

Wei Qing's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He couldn't even care about etiquette, reached out to hold Liu Che horizontally in his arms, and then looked at the others with a sharp expression: "What are you all still stunned for? Go find a medical officer quickly."

The guard leader hesitated: "But the Empress is still..."

"I am acting under the Emperor's orders to escort the Empress back to Jiaofang Hall!" Wei Qing's voice was sonorous and could not be refused: "Now if something happens to the Empress, none of you will be able to escape!"

"Em, Emperor?" Everyone was shocked. Wasn't it said that the Son of Heaven was critically ill? Could it be that the Emperor was already well?

However, the one who reacted even more was Liu Che. Hearing that Wei Qing was sent by the Son of Heaven, his stomach didn't even hurt anymore, and he instantly became energetic, raising his head in Wei Qing's arms: "How is the Emperor now?"

Wei Qing met Liu Che's suddenly spirited eyes and was stunned: "Your Majesty... you, are you okay?" This recovery was a bit too fast, right?!

Liu Che then remembered that he was just pretending to have a stomach ache. He coughed awkwardly, then continued to lean weakly in Wei Qing's arms, saying softly: "Wei Qing, take me to see the Emperor quickly."

Everyone: "..." Is the Empress too good at acting?!

Wei Qing's mouth twitched, but he still cooperated and held him, turning around and saying: "Yes, this subject will take Your Majesty to see the Emperor."

Wei Qing directly put Liu Che on the horse, then led the horse away in front of everyone, heading toward the Wenshi Hall.

Behind them, Zhang Tang, who had received the Empress Dowager's order, brought a medical officer who could take pulses, wanting to confirm whether the Empress was truly pregnant, but didn't expect that Yeting Prison had long been empty.

The secret guards Liu Li arranged to inquire about news quietly mixed into the escort team and reported the situation in Weiyang Palace to Liu Li.

Liu Li was surprised: "Mother is pregnant?"

A Jiao was also surprised to hear this news: "He is pregnant?"

Mother and daughter were both surprised sitting in the carriage. This was too sudden. A Jiao was silent for a moment and decided to let Wei Qing whip his horse to return to Weiyang Palace as quickly as possible to rescue Liu Che from Yeting Prison.

Wei Qing escorted Liu Che to the front of Wenshi Hall. On the way, he also explained to the Empress the Son of Heaven's experience at Shanglin Park: "The Emperor is still ill, but after he woke up and heard about Your Majesty's encounter in Weiyang Palace, he immediately ordered this subordinate to escort you back to the palace. The Emperor has always believed in Your Majesty, and on the way, he specifically asked this subordinate to return one step ahead to release Your Majesty from prison."

Liu Che didn't expect A Jiao to be so concerned about him, even though she was so ill, she still thought of asking Wei Qing to protect him. He was full of moving feelings. After arriving at Wenshi Hall, he couldn't wait to get off the horse and run in holding his skirt.

After running two steps, as if thinking of something, Liu Che stopped abruptly, looked back at Wei Qing and said: "Wei Qing, thank you for arriving in time to save me, and thank you... for your protection in Jiaofang Hall before."

Wei Qing stared blankly at the face standing on the steps, which was clearly covered in dust but still couldn't hide its brightness and beauty. He tried hard to restrain the restless heart in his chest, lowered his head, and clasped his fist: "This is what this subject should do."

The next moment Liu Che said: "I also hope you will always remember your identity." After saying this, he no longer looked at Wei Qing, who had suddenly stiffened, turned around, and ran into Wenshi Hall.

Leaving Wei Qing standing stiffly in place, repeatedly recalling the words the Empress had just said. The restless, fiery heart was like being splashed with a basin of cold water, instantly extinguished.

Did "she" discover something?

This time the Empress was going to enter Wenshi Hall, and the guards at the door were very sensible and didn't block her. Liu Che rushed in hurriedly and happened to meet Liu Li coming out of the hall. He was pleasantly surprised: "A Li!"

Liu Li turned to look at him and also showed a pleasantly surprised expression. She ran to Liu Che and hugged him: "Mother!"

Liu Che squatted down to hug her daughter, feeling very happy in his heart. This scene of "mother-daughter" affection made the palace attendants standing on the side wipe their tears.

The two hugged for a while, and Liu Che let go of Liu Li and asked: "How is your father?"

Liu Li wiped her moist eyes and choked up: "Father was unconscious for the past few days. Today, after he woke up and learned about Mother's situation, he ordered Leader Wei to escort him back to Weiyang. The journey was exhausting, and now Father has fallen asleep."

Hearing Liu Li say this, Liu Che stood up and wanted to go in to see.

Inside the bedchamber, A Jiao lay quietly on the bed, her face bloodless and looking very bad. Liu Che's heart skipped a beat. He walked to the bedside with big strides but didn't dare to get too close.

After a long time, he tremblingly reached out his hand, placed it under A Jiao's nose to feel her breathing, and then quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

She was still alive.

It was good to be alive.

Liu Che sat gently on the edge of the bed, staring at the sleeping A Jiao for a long time, until Liu Li on the side reminded him: "Father, why don't you go wash up first? You look so embarrassed now."

Liu Che regained his senses, looked down at his clothes covered in dust, and nodded: "Alright."

Taking advantage of Liu Che going to take a bath, A Jiao opened her eyes on the bed and said to Liu Li with a mix of anger and amusement: "He actually tested my breathing just now to see if I had stopped breathing!"

How outrageous!

Liu Li suppressed a laugh: "Looking at Father's embarrassed appearance just now, he must have suffered a lot in Yeting Prison these days."

A Jiao's expression paused, and she said unpleasantly: "He deserves it."

Liu Li curled her eyes and didn't forget to ask with concern: "But I heard that the environment in Yeting is very poor. Will this affect the child in Father's belly?"

Thinking of the last child Liu Che was pregnant with, Liu Li's worry was not unreasonable.

A Jiao wasn't worried at all, raised her eyebrows and said: "That would only affect him if he were really pregnant."

Liu Li blinked her eyes and reacted: "Father is not pregnant?"

"If he were really pregnant, would he dare to run for his life like that on the palace road?" A Jiao sneered: "Claiming to be pregnant is just his delaying tactic."

Liu Li clicked her tongue: "Amazing, this way even if we didn't come back, the Empress Dowager wouldn't dare to touch him."

A Jiao nodded and smiled: "Yes." Similar circumstances, but different choices. A Jiao suddenly understood a little why Liu Che could succeed.

Thinking about it now, if she had half his courage, the ending of her past life might have been different.

A Jiao lay back on the bed to continue pretending to be a patient.

Liu Che came out after washing very quickly. Because there were no outsiders in the hall, he was only wearing a thin undergarment, and his hair was wet and dripping with water droplets.

Soon, palace maids came to serve him, change his clothes, and handle his hair.

Liu Li had the palace attendants send over the prepared food: "Mother, you must not have eaten well in Yeting these days. I just had the kitchen prepare some food, come and eat a little."

"I am a little hungry." Liu Che smiled, waved his sleeves, sat down, and looked at the food his daughter had prepared for him, feeling quite moved: "A Li is still the most thoughtful."

During this time, Liu Che's daily meals were a steamed bun with a little side dish, which made his mouth blister. It was not only dry but also difficult to swallow. Now seeing the food his daughter had carefully prepared for him, Liu Che was deeply moved.

【Han Wudi Favorability: 71.】

Liu Li glanced at the favorability value that had increased by 1 point, and then glanced at Liu Che who was eating. The words she wanted to complain about were stuck in her throat, and she didn't know where to start.

From the New Year to now, Liu Li clearly felt that Liu Che's attitude toward her was getting better and better, but his favorability toward her had never changed. Now that there was finally a fluctuation, it was only 1 point.

She could only comfort herself that having this 1 point was better than nothing, and it was worth 100 points at least.

Liu Che finally finished eating and drinking. Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, he heard someone report from outside: "Princess, the Empress Dowager has brought people over."

Liu Che's expression tightened.

Liu Li blinked her eyes and said: "I think the Empress Dowager must be here to see Father."

Now with the Son of Heaven by his side, Liu Che had a bit more confidence. He stood up and asked the Qimen Army soldiers who came in to report: "Where is the Qimen Army now?"

The Qimen Army were imperial guards belonging to the Son of Heaven. Facing the Empress's question, he hesitated and glanced at Liu Li on the side. After getting Liu Li's nod, the Qimen guard said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Qimen Army is on duty at the South Gate today, and there are currently twenty people guarding Wenshi Hall."

Liu Li sat on the side and added: "Mother, Father is afraid of accidents, so he ordered Leader Wei to take nearly a thousand Feathered Forest Guards to station outside the North Gate."

Liu Che nodded slightly upon hearing this and ordered the Qimen guard: "Good, you go out and block the Empress Dowager and others, I will be there in a moment."

Liu Li was curious: "What does Mother intend to do?"

"You sit still." After Liu Che left this sentence, he turned and walked out of the main hall, seemingly walking toward the bedchamber.

Although she didn't know what Liu Che was preparing to do, Liu Li still sat in place cooperatively, waiting for Liu Che to return.

Liu Che came out very quickly, but he didn't enter the main hall again, but walked directly outside. Liu Li was curious about what he was going to do, so she quietly got up and followed him out of the main hall.

Liu Che walked all the way to the entrance of Wenshi Hall, stood on the steps, and looked at the few Qimen guards who had been controlled by the Empress Dowager's imperial guard team below, his eyes darkening. Then he walked down the steps with his head held high, dignified and elegant, his skirt swaying slightly with his movements, making people feel awe.

Until he walked in front of everyone, facing the aggressive Wang Taihou, Liu Che said leisurely: "Mother is concerned about the Emperor, how dare you block her?"

Guard: "?"

Didn't you just say to block the Empress Dowager and not let her in?

The Empress Dowager looked up and down at the "A Jiao" before her, staring at his abdomen for a long time: "The Empress is truly capable, daring to leave Yeting without my order!"

Liu Che also looked at his mother, but at this moment, his eyes were full of strangeness: "The Emperor has already pardoned me, so I am innocent, why should I live in Yeting." Saying this, he reached out and stroked his lower abdomen: "What's more, I have the future Crown Prince of the Han in my belly."

He no longer said legitimate Imperial Son, but directly changed his words to Crown Prince.

The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth, but at this time she had to temporarily let "Chen Ajiao" go. She stepped up the steps and stood on the same step as Liu Che: "Since that's the case, Empress, you might as well recuperate in Wenshi Hall."

Saying this, she turned and prepared to take her imperial guard team into Wenshi Hall. Liu Che turned sideways and blocked the Empress Dowager's path: "The Emperor is seriously ill in bed, yet Mother brings so many imperial guards into Wenshi Hall, what is the intention?"

The Empress Dowager was not to be outdone: "My son is seriously ill in bed because of your stupidity. Now I naturally have to come and take care of the Son of Heaven's safety myself, so as not to let people with ulterior motives take advantage of the loopholes."

Liu Che still blocked the Empress Dowager: "This Wenshi Hall, except for the Empress Dowager, no one else is allowed to enter. Those who violate the order will be treated as treason."

"Chen Ajiao, by what right do you give orders?" The Empress Dowager was furious, not expecting the "A Jiao" before her to be so tough, not taking her seriously at all.

Liu Che slowly raised his hand and displayed the tiger tally belonging to the Emperor: "This is the Emperor's order, how dare you not obey?"

The Empress Dowager was astonished: "He actually handed the tiger tally to you to command?"

This was of course not handed to Liu Che by A Jiao. In fact, A Jiao didn't even know where Liu Che hid the tiger tally.

Liu Che ignored the Empress Dowager and looked at those imperial guards: "Are you going to withdraw on your own, or are you waiting for the Feathered Forest Guard and Qimen Army stationed at the North and South Gates to come and arrest you?"

Although the imperial guards were used by the Empress Dowager, they were also soldiers of the Han. Now that the Empress had taken out the tiger tally, they naturally only had the part of obeying orders.

These imperial guards released the arrested guards, put down their weapons one after another, and silently retreated away from Wenshi Hall.

Liu Che looked at these few Qimen guards and ordered: "Convey my order, let Zhang Fen lead the Qimen Army under his command to Wenshi Hall to wait for orders."

Guard: "Yes."

After arranging everything properly, Liu Che looked at the Empress Dowager: "Mother, please come in."

The Empress Dowager's face was livid at this time. She really wanted to flick her sleeves and leave, but she really couldn't save face, and she was indeed worried about her son.

So she could only bite the bullet and walk forward, but felt that her lungs were about to explode.

Liu Li, who was hiding on the side and witnessing the whole process, marveled at Liu Che's courage. In just a few minutes, he had turned the situation around. He was worthy of being Emperor Wu of Han!

If she had really let the Empress Dowager bring her imperial guards to station in Wenshi Hall, the court in the future would probably really change its surname to Wang.

At the same time, Liu Li also had a trace of luck in her heart. At least until now, she and Liu Che were not on opposite sides.

She just hoped that Liu Che wouldn't discover that this witchcraft incident was entirely a calculation by her and A Jiao.

Inside the bedchamber, the Empress Dowager finally saw her son who was rumored to be "seriously ill," and her heart twitched slightly: "Che'er, my son!"

Was this man lying on the bed, whose face no longer had its former handsomeness, so thin and dark, and dead-looking, really her son?

How could he become like this in just half a month?

At first, the Empress Dowager didn't quite believe that the Son of Heaven was seriously ill, but now that she saw it, her heart was almost cold.

A Jiao cooperated very well by coughing, then opened her eyes very weakly, and said in a weak voice: "Mother."

"Che'er, how do you feel?"

A Jiao: "Cough, cough, cough, son is fine, let Mother worry."

"How is this fine?" The Empress Dowager choked up: "You were harmed like this by the Empress, why do you still protect her? Even the tiger tally..."

"Mother..." A Jiao interrupted the Empress Dowager and turned her eyes to Liu Che standing on the side, her dark eyes full of deep affection: "Son believes A Jiao didn't mean it, you shouldn't blame her anymore."

Empress Dowager: "..." When did her son become a love-brain? Or did "Chen Ajiao" cast other witchcraft on Che'er?

Afterward, A Jiao closed her eyes very tiredly, obviously not wanting to speak anymore.

Seeing A Jiao like this, Liu Che was also shocked. He lowered his voice and said: "Mother, the Emperor needs to rest, let's go to the side hall and talk."

The Empress Dowager glared at Liu Che: "What else is there to talk about?"

"Naturally, it's to talk about what you want to hear." Liu Che raised his eyebrows.

The two went out of the bedchamber one after another and arrived at the side hall. Liu Li wanted to eavesdrop, but Liu Che turned around and closed the hall door.

She couldn't hear anything, so Liu Li had to enter the Son of Heaven's bedchamber, talk to A Jiao, and incidentally help her touch up her makeup.

While Liu Li was touching up the makeup on A Jiao's face, she told A Jiao about Liu Che using the tiger tally to mobilize troops just now.

A Jiao was also lucky after hearing it: "It seems that none of us can beat him combined." It was also fortunate that after swapping bodies, she didn't do anything ruthless to Liu Che, otherwise, with Liu Che's scheming and strategy, she would definitely not be his match.

Liu Li raised her eyebrows and said solemnly: "So Mother, from now on, you have to be twelve times more energetic to act as a patient, and you must not reveal your secrets in front of Father."

A Jiao nodded: "I know."

Inside the side hall, this war between the Empress and the Empress Dowager finally ended with the Empress holding the tiger tally and commanding ten thousand troops, achieving victory.

Liu Che turned his back to the Empress Dowager, not letting her see the expression on his face, and said slowly: "I thought after the last incident, Mother could give up, but I didn't expect that I underestimated Mother's ambition."

He thought his mother wanted to imitate the Empress Dowager Dou, but didn't expect Mother wanted to be Empress Lu.

"Saying I have ambition, don't you have it?" The Empress Dowager scolded: "Didn't you also beg that witch to let you conceive a legitimate Imperial Son early, and that's why you were tricked and harmed the Son of Heaven?"

Liu Che: "..."

"Even so, I have never thought about usurping the Emperor's power!" Liu Che said this quite frankly, because he really hadn't thought about it.

"But you, Mother... The Son of Heaven is still here, yet you are so impatient to hold the government. When the feudal princes cause chaos, how much certainty do you have to quell the rebellion? Even the Empress Dowager Dou never did this."

Liu Che condemned: "You are now the Empress Dowager, why can't you think for your son? Why only think about expanding the power of the Tian clan and usurping power from the Son of Heaven!"

"Dou Ying as the relative force behind you, of course you are not anxious." The Empress Dowager snorted coldly.

"Prime Minister?" Liu Che gave a light sneer: "Does Mother think the current Prime Minister still has a lot of power?"

The Empress Dowager frowned.

"Mother has the ambition of Empress Lu, but not the ability of Empress Lu." Liu Che mocked mercilessly: "I fear Mother has also forgotten what the fate of the Lu clan was after Empress Lu died."

The Empress Dowager's face changed.

Liu Che: "It doesn't matter if you forget, I can help Mother recall. The Lu clan members, regardless of gender, were all beheaded, not a single one left. Does Mother also want the Tian clan to end up like this?"

Because of Liu Che's words, the Empress Dowager's face turned pale: "Chen Ajiao, shut up!"

Seeing that his hammering was in place, Liu Che smiled: "Mother, rest assured, you are the Emperor's biological mother, so no matter what you do, out of filial piety, the Emperor will not do anything to you. But—"

He said slowly: "To deal with the Tian clan members, there is no need to be soft. The previous Wuan Marquis Tian Fen is the best example, have you forgotten again?"

The Empress Dowager staggered two steps, finally realizing that she couldn't beat the "Chen Ajiao" before her.

Was this still the A Jiao she watched grow up, the one who didn't have much scheming?

"Che'er is seriously ill in bed, if it were you, wouldn't you do the same thing as me? Could you quell the rebellion if the feudal princes caused chaos at that time?" The Empress Dowager was still unconvinced: "What I couldn't do, you could do?"

"Of course." Liu Che raised his eyebrows.

Empress Dowager: "?"

Liu Che reached out and stroked his stomach: "Because my maternal grandfather is Emperor Wen. The child in my belly is the most qualified to inherit the Han throne."

There was no Imperial Son with a purer bloodline than the child in his belly.

Even if he wasn't pregnant at all, before A Jiao recovered, there must be an Imperial Son in his belly.

After sending the Empress Dowager away, hundreds of people under Zhang Fen of the Qimen Army all came. Liu Che redeployed them to various parts of Weiyang Palace to prepare for contingencies.

Afterward, he ordered someone to summon Zhang Tang and asked him about the investigation of the witchcraft case. Liu Che didn't blame Zhang Tang for his interrogation of him before, but instead appreciated Zhang Tang's impartiality.

After Zhang Tang repeated the investigation results, Liu Che ordered him to release all the palace attendants in Jiaofang Hall who were imprisoned.

Zhang Tang accepted the order and asked: "What about the witch Chu Fu?"

Liu Che's eyes were cold: "Wait until the Huainan King matter is verified, then deal with her."

Afterward, Liu Che ordered the Lieutenant Yin Hong to secretly visit the Huainan Kingdom for investigation. And he made strategic deployments for the Feathered Forest Guard led by Wei Qing to cope with the possible war time.

After dealing with this whole set of things, it was already dark. Liu Che walked out of the deliberation hall, stood on the pavilion with his hands behind his back, looked up at the starry sky above his head, his eyes desolate.

Wei Qing, who hadn't left yet, turned to look at the Empress standing alone there. "Her" back looked so slender and lonely. Thinking of the calmness and composure "she" showed in the deliberation hall just now, and the decisiveness when giving orders, all were deeply engraved in his mind.

She was so bright, with wisdom and ability not inferior to men. Such an Empress seemed to be worthy only of the current Son of Heaven.

He clenched his fists, walked two steps toward "her," but still kept a long distance and said: "Your Majesty, the night is cold, you should go into the hall to rest."

Liu Che regained his senses and turned to look at Wei Qing. He wanted to smile, but thought of Wei Qing's impure thoughts about "A Jiao," so he narrowed his brows and said: "Wei Qing, you should be twenty-three this year, right?"

Wei Qing nodded: "Yes."

"Why haven't you married yet?"

Wei Qing choked, and after a long time, he replied: "This subject has been training in the army all year round, so... so..." The excuses he told his sisters at home, he couldn't say to "her" at this moment.

Liu Che said: "A man should establish a family before establishing a career. What's more, you are not young anymore. Don't let your sisters at home worry about you, and don't put your thoughts on places that can't have results."

Wei Qing's heart beat like a drum. Standing under the Empress's gaze, he had a feeling that his thoughts had been peeked at. His throat choked, and a sourness he couldn't explain surged into his heart.

——Don't put your thoughts on places that can't have results.

After a long time, Wei Qing raised his hands and clasped his fist: "This subject obeys the order." If this is what you hope for, then let it be as you wish.

Liu Che looked at Wei Qing, who was lowering his eyebrows and eyes before him. He walked up to him and stopped by his side, then patted his shoulder twice, solemnly: "Wei Qing, you were promoted by my... my husband, I hope you won't be confined to love and forget the high hopes the Emperor has for you."

Wei Qing smelled a faint fragrance. He knelt on one knee before the Empress, his voice thick: "This subject will definitely not fail the Emperor's high hopes."

Liu Che curled his lips: "It's getting late, you go back first."

"Yes." Wei Qing stood up straight and left. The sound of leather stepping on the wooden board seemed to prove his determination.

Leaving Weiyang Palace, Wei Qing soon returned to his home in Chang'an City. His elder sister Wei Junru was awakened by the sound of Wei Qing returning. She put on her robe and came out to check, "Younger brother, why did you come home at this time? Aren't you at Shanglin Park..."

Wei Qing smiled: "For the past few days, I have been on duty in Weiyang Palace, so I am staying at home today, Elder Sister, don't worry."

"So that's how it is." Wei Junru said: "Then have you had dinner? Shall I ask the kitchen to make you something?"

Wei Qing said: "I have already eaten in Weiyang Palace, Elder Sister, go rest."

Seeing this, Wei Junru didn't say anything more. Just as she was about to turn back to her room, Wei Qing called her again: "Elder Sister."

"Hmm?"

"Can you arrange for us to meet the Shen family girl you mentioned before?"

Wei Junru was stunned, then reacted, overjoyed: "Younger brother, are you finally willing to start a family?"

Wei Qing replied somewhat arduously: "Yes, I am not young anymore, I can't always let Elder Sister worry about my marriage."

"Good, Elder Sister will contact them tomorrow, just wait."

Liu Che had been busy almost all day, and only now that it was dark did he have time to return to the bedchamber. He walked in quietly, only to see his daughter sleeping by the bedside at some point.

She was still a child after all; she could even fall asleep while lying on the bed board.

Liu Che walked over quietly, reaching out to pick up Liu Li, but he overestimated Liu Li's weight and almost fell down while holding her.

A Jiao, who was pretending to sleep on the bed, saw this scene and was so scared that she almost jumped off the bed. To cover it up, she hurriedly coughed: "Cough, cough, cough."

"Did I wake you?" Liu Che looked at A Jiao, his voice gentle.

A Jiao said weakly: "Where are you taking A Li?"

Liu Che said: "She fell asleep by your bedside just now, I'll have someone arrange a bedchamber for her."

"Why not let A Li sleep by my side, the bed is very big." A Jiao said: "If you go out to arrange another bedchamber, you will wake her up."

Liu Che thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright." Saying this, he gently placed Liu Li beside A Jiao, and then he took off his shoes and climbed onto the bed.

Looking at his daughter sleeping between them, Liu Che felt as if his heart was filled with something. He sighed and said: "It seems our family has never slept together like this before."

"Yes." A Jiao turned to look at Liu Li's sleeping little fleshy face, her heart also filled with softness. She never expected that the scene she had dreamed of seeing would actually come true.

The candlelight was hazy, and the grayness on A Jiao's face was still very obvious. Liu Che reached out his hand pityingly to stroke her cheek: "You recuperate well, from now on our family will sleep together every day."

As Liu Che spoke, his expression paused slightly, and his palm carefully stroked A Jiao's cheek: "A Jiao, you are seriously ill in bed, why did you put so much fine powder on your face?"

A Jiao: "..." ===== CHAPTER 88 =====