Chapter Eighty-Seven: Meeting Liu Hong Again

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“Oh? And what is it?” Liu Hong asked with curiosity, for it was the first time he had seen his son, usually so composed and mature for his age, wear such an embarrassed expression.

“Well… your son… your son wishes to ask Your Majesty to bestow a marriage.” Gritting his teeth, Liu Yao spoke with determination.

Liu Hong was taken aback, struck speechless for a long while, leaving Liu Yao sweating anxiously.

After quite some time, Liu Hong finally recovered, still in disbelief. “My son, did you just say you wish me to grant you a marriage?”

“Yes, I ask Father to grant it,” Liu Yao replied, bowing formally.

“Hahaha! A marriage! Very well, very well!” Liu Hong burst into laughter, then half-teasingly asked, “So, which family’s daughter has caught your eye, my son? Tell me quickly—if she’s not exceptional, I won’t agree.”

“Heh…” Liu Yao let out a silly laugh. Confronted with such a situation, he, a virgin in both his lives, had no experience at all. Blushing, he replied, “Father, she is the beloved daughter of my teacher—Cai Yan.”

“Oh, you mean the daughter of Lord Cai Yong, that little prodigy of Luoyang.” Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction, as if he had long since known.

Liu Yao was a bit stunned. He hadn’t expected Cai Yan’s reputation to have reached Liu Hong’s ears. In truth, she was not so widely famed, for how could a sheltered maiden confined to her home be so well known? In fact, Liu Hong had sent people to investigate. After all, with Liu Yao living in Cai Yong’s household for so long as a child, Liu Hong had naturally inquired thoroughly into everyone there, only then feeling reassured.

“Yes. I ask Father to grant your blessing,” Liu Yao pleaded.

Liu Hong narrowed his eyes and said, “Although Lord Cai Yong is not of a great clan, since you favor her, I will not oppose it.” He knew well enough of Cai Yan’s talent and virtue—she was more than worthy to be Liu Yao’s wife. Besides, he trusted his son’s judgment, believing that anyone Liu Yao chose must be extraordinary.

“Thank you, Father!” Liu Yao exclaimed excitedly. In truth, he was fortunate that in this era, the rules of matching social status were not so rigid. Look, Liu Hong’s current empress, Empress He, was the daughter of a butcher—a far lower status than Cai Yan.

“Good, good. Tomorrow at court, you may raise the matter yourself. I want all the officials to know this happy news!” Liu Hong laughed.

“Yes, Father.”

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Looking at Liu Yao’s face, Liu Hong sighed deeply, emotion heavy in his voice. “Ah, I don’t know if, in what years I have left, I will see you marry and have children.” After all, Liu Yao was only fourteen, and Cai Yan just twelve. For now, only a betrothal could be arranged; they would marry only after both came of age. Liu Hong was well aware of his declining health, growing weaker each year, unsure how much longer he would live.

“Father, you surely will,” Liu Yao replied, biting his lip and holding back tears as he forced himself to sound resolute. He knew Liu Hong would die in 189 AD. Yet, he could not reveal this. The pain of knowing exactly when one’s loved one would die, being powerless to prevent it, and unable to confide in anyone, was almost unbearable.

Liu Hong gave a soft laugh and said, “No need to be so solemn, my son. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the way of the world. Having a son as outstanding as you in this lifetime, I have no regrets.”

Then, shifting the topic, he continued, “However, my son, within the harem there are two people you must protect at all costs. You must never let harm come to them.”

“Who are they?” Liu Yao asked.

Liu Hong took a few steps and replied, “One is my mother, your Grand Empress Dowager Dong. The other is your sister, Princess Wannian, Liu Xin. Though I have three sons, she is my only daughter, and I would not see her harmed. Should I pass away, there’s no telling what that vile He Lingsi might do to them.”

He Lingsi—at the thought of her, Liu Yao’s mind darkened. He vividly recalled the time she tried to poison him. Had it not been for a life-saving ancient remedy, he would have died young. But he quickly suppressed his anger; now was not the time to act, and in due course, others would deal with her. There was no need to ruin his plans over such a minor character.

Two figures appeared in Liu Yao’s mind. Grand Empress Dowager Dong, who had cared for him since his mother died young, was dear to him. As for Princess Wannian, Liu Xin, he thought of the little girl who always trailed behind him as a child. Liu Xin, born to one of Liu Hong’s beauties, was two years younger than Liu Yao, and they had always been close. As they grew older, he’d become busier, and their time together dwindled. Now, he wondered how she had changed, and felt a pang of longing.

“Father, I will care for them and not let them suffer the slightest harm,” Liu Yao promised. “If possible, I would like to bring them both to Youzhou. In Youzhou, I can guarantee their absolute safety.”

“Hmm.” Liu Hong considered—indeed, Youzhou would be safer than Luoyang. “Very well, I approve. Go now, and pay your respects to your grandmother on my behalf.”

“I understand. I take my leave.” With that, Liu Yao bowed to Liu Hong, then departed the Southern Palace accompanied by Shi A and a young eunuch, heading for the Grand Empress Dowager’s residence. He also sent another eunuch to summon Princess Wannian.

Liu Yao did not know the size of the entire imperial palace in Luoyang, for he had never wandered its halls out of boredom. Yet the Southern Palace where Liu Hong resided and the Grand Empress Dowager’s quarters lay at opposite ends—one south, one east—occupying two corners of the palace.

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But as Liu Yao walked past a small, nameless palace, a shrill, unmanly voice erupted in anger, followed by a woman’s cry of pain.

Puzzled, Liu Yao turned to the eunuch at his side. “What is this place? What is happening?”

The eunuch, well-versed in the palace’s layout, quickly replied, “Your Highness, this is where the Ten Attendants store their ornaments and crowns.”

“Hmph,” Liu Yao sneered with disdain. “Even trinkets require their own special storeroom for these parasites. Shi A, come with me—we’ll see what’s going on.” With that, he strode forward.

Shi A followed at once, while the young eunuch, sweating nervously—the Ten Attendants were his direct superiors, after all—could only hurry to keep up, for only Liu Yao would dare insult them so openly.

They had not gone far before Liu Yao reached the small, nameless palace and saw the scene before him: two young eunuchs were surrounding a palace maid, cursing and striking her about the face, while she desperately shielded herself with her hands.

“Stop at once!” Liu Yao cried out.

The two eunuchs turned, glaring at Liu Yao. “Whose attendant are you?” they demanded, clearly mistaking him for one of their own, oblivious to the difference in their attire.

At that moment, the palace maid also looked toward Liu Yao, and he could not help but meet her gaze.

For a moment, Liu Yao was utterly stunned, his breath quickening. Before his eyes was a girl of thirteen or fourteen, with a beauty beyond words. He was at a loss for description—perhaps only the old phrase, “so lovely as to make fish sink and birds alight, outshining the flowers and the moon,” could suffice.