Chapter 365: Mother's Kindness, Son's Filial Piety

The imperial carriage moved slowly along the palace road, its wheels rolling over the blue stone slabs, emitting a steady, muffled sound.

Chen Wen leaned back in the carriage, eyes half-closed, feeling the autumn sunlight that filtered through the gauze curtains and already carried a hint of warmth.

Leaving behind the lingering medicinal scent of Yangxin Hall, the road to Cining Palace seemed to make even the air feel a bit fresher.

Yet the feeling of bodily weakness clung to him like a shadow; every slight jolt made him feel a faint ache in his chest and abdomen, reminding him that the wounds from that great battle and from overtaxing his abilities had not yet healed.

Cining Palace is situated in a secluded part of the rear palace, with a tranquil environment.

The eunuchs stationed before the palace gate had already knelt on the ground upon seeing the imperial carriage from afar.

Chen Wen waved his hand to decline their courtesy, and, supported by the eunuchs, he walked slowly inside.

Unlike the solemnity of Yangxin Hall and the grandeur of Taiji Hall, the interior of Cining Palace was arranged more simply and warmly.

A few late-blooming osmanthus trees were planted in the courtyard, their fragrance fresh and sweet, refreshing the heart and spleen.

Under the eaves hung several birdcages housing hwamei, which were emitting clear, pleasant chirps.

In the main hall, Empress Dowager Liu Shi sat on the soft couch by the window, making the most of the bright daylight as she focused on her needlework.

She wore a plain deep-blue robe, her hair neatly combed; though she was nearing sixty, with frost at her temples, her countenance remained kind and her eyes clear.

Hearing the footsteps, she lifted her head, saw that it was Chen Wen, and instantly broke into a genuine, warm smile, setting aside her sewing and preparing to rise.

"Mother, please stay seated."

Chen Wen took two quick steps—though it was a "quick walk," his gait still bore the lightness of post-illness—then stepped forward, lightly placed his hand on his mother's shoulder, and sat down on the embroidered stool beside the couch.

"My son, your complexion looks better today."

Liu Shi took Chen Wen's hand, examining him up and down, her eyes full of concern.

"Have you been taking your medicine on schedule? What did the imperial physician say? Does your chest still feel stuffy?"

A string of questions, delivered in the usual maternal nagging, yet caused a hint of warmth to rise in Chen Wen's heart, which had been cold for a long time.

"Thank you for worrying, Mother. I'm much better. I've been taking the medicine, and the imperial physician said I just need to rest and recuperate properly."

Liu Shi sighed lightly and gently patted the back of her son's hand.

"Mother knows you bear a heavy burden on your shoulders—just finished a battle in the north, while the south is beset by disaster, with countless matters to attend to."

"But the body is the foundation; you must never collapse. You are now the ruler of a nation, and moreover my reliance—if you were to fall, Mother… Mother wouldn't know what to do."

As she spoke, her eye sockets turned slightly red.

Chen Wen felt moved, and turned his hand to grasp his mother's rough yet warm hand.

"Mother, rest assured; I have a plan in mind. Look, I haven't come just to see you, have I?"

He tried to change the subject, his gaze falling on the needlework his mother had just set aside—a child's dudou embroidered with an exquisite pattern of carp playing among lotuses.

"This is…"

Liu Shi followed his gaze, her face breaking into a smile again, tinged with a hint of pride.

"It's for that little rascal of Wan'er's family. That little troublemaker is growing fast—last year's clothes no longer fit him this year."

As she spoke, her eyes shone with affection for her grandson.

"Wan'er brought the child to see me a few days ago; that little mouth was chattering away, probably saying he's just like his mother when she was little—very clever."

Upon mentioning his sister Chen Wan, Chen Wen's stern expression softened a bit.

"How is Wan'er doing over there? How does her husband treat her?"

Back when he rescued Mother and his twelve-year-old sister from Jiao Tu Zhen, Wan'er was still a frail, timid little girl who needed his protection.

In the blink of an eye, many years have passed; his sister is now a married woman and a mother.

Time truly flies.

"Good, good indeed!"

Liu Shi nodded repeatedly, her tone relieved.

"Your brother-in-law is an honest, dutiful man; although he's only a Colonel of the Valiant with a modest rank, he knows how to cherish people and is wholly devoted to Wan'er."

"His mother is also kind-hearted, never putting on airs to make things difficult for her."

"Wan'er now manages that whole household, keeping everything inside and out in orderly fashion—she is no longer the timid little girl who used to follow you around, sniffling."

Chen Wen gave a slight nod, setting his mind at ease.

The provisions he has given his sister's family have never been lacking, enough to ensure they live in prosperity without worry.

But what he cares about more is whether his sister is truly living comfortably and happily.

Now, hearing his mother say this, he also feels reassured.

"Speaking of which, Wan'er still mentions you."

Liu Shi continued speaking.

"You're always busy with state affairs, so she hasn't seen you in a long time. She also said her son, who only saw his uncle once at birth, now hardly recognizes you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen's face showed a hint of apology.

"It's my negligence. Once I'm past this busy spell, I'll summon them to the palace for a gathering."

The hall fell silent for a moment, save for the clear chirping of the hwamei and the faint sound of wind outside the window.

Sunlight filtered through the carved lattice windows, casting mottled shadows on the clean floor.

Liu Shi looked at her son's still-pale profile, hesitated a moment, then spoke softly:

"Wen'er, Mother knows she shouldn't meddle in state affairs, but Mother… Mother's heart is never at ease."

She paused, then lowered her voice even further.

"Your constitution now… although the imperial physician says that proper rest and recuperation will pose no serious problem, Mother… Mother feels… this vast realm of ours must have a reliable steward."

"You've been on the throne for some years now, yet the Eastern Palace has remained vacant—this simply isn't a solution."

"Mother has heard that Lord Zhang and Lord Wang have also been worrying about this matter lately…"

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was already crystal clear.

Appoint the crown prince, secure the foundation of the state.

This is a problem no dynasty can avoid, especially when the emperor's health is poor.

Chen Wen remained silent, his gaze falling on his mother's hands, rough from years of labor, now clasped tightly together.

He understood his mother's worry.

This was not only a mother's concern for her son's affairs, but also the instinctive worry of an elder who had lived through turbulent times and knew the cruelty of dynastic change, for the stability of the realm and the altars of the state.

Had he not considered it himself?

But previously, with internal troubles and external threats, powerful enemies surrounding him, he had to focus all his energy on responding.

Now, the northern borders are temporarily stable, and the False Song also needs time to lick its wounds; although internal disasters continue, the court remains relatively stable under the leadership of Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, and others.

Perhaps the time has come.

"Mother's words, I have taken them to heart."

Chen Wen lifted his eyes, saw his mother's worried gaze, and gave a gentle smile.

"This matter concerns the foundation of the state; I will consider it carefully and discuss it with several senior ministers."

"Don't worry, Mother; take care of your health, watch Wan'er's child grow up, and see our Great Chen become better and better—that is the right thing to do."

He did not give a clear answer, but his attitude had already softened.

Seeing her son had listened, Liu Shi said no more, merely sighing lightly and patting his hand.

"Mother knows you have discretion. But… no matter what, you must look after your own health."

After sitting with his mother in the Cining Palace for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, chatting about family matters, Chen Wen then rose to take his leave.

Leaving the Cining Palace and walking along the palace road back to the Yangxin Hall, the autumn sunlight shone on him, yet it seemed unable to dispel the inner and outer chill and heaviness.

His mother's words still echoed in his ears.

The Eastern Palace stands vacant, the foundation of the state undecided.

This is indeed a problem that must be resolved.

He thought of his sister Chen Wan, and of her son whom he had seldom seen.

The family's bloodline continues.

And the dynasty's inheritance likewise requires foresight.

His own physical condition, he knows best.

The wounds brought by the backlash of Fortune Momentum are far deeper than they appear.

This serious illness is a warning.

He cannot forever rely on his own strength to support this dynasty.

It is time, for the state he founded with his own hands, to seek a more stable and enduring future.

Appointing the crown prince is not merely to put his mother's and the senior ministers' minds at ease.

It is also to leave a spark of hope for Great Chen.

He raised his head, gazing at the towering eaves of the Taiji Hall, his eyes gradually becoming resolute.

Family affairs, state affairs, all under heaven.

In the end, he needs to sort them out one by one.