Chapter 5
After the embroidered robes envoy left, Liu Che gave a few instructions to the attendant, then turned around and headed for Feixiang Palace.
Liu Ju had been restless since he heard Feng He's "message". When he heard that Liu Che had arrived, he immediately panicked. His mind was confused and he didn't know what to think. He hurriedly climbed onto the bed and lay down: "I'm resting."
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Che walked into the room, pretending not to hear him, and stood by the bed and took a look: "It's rare to rest at this hour."
It was late afternoon, not late evening. It was indeed rare. Liu Ju gritted his teeth and remained motionless without saying a word.
Liu Che sighed softly: "Forget it, since you are asleep, I will leave."
He was about to turn and leave after saying this, but seeing that he had dodged this section, Liu Ju could no longer lie down. His heart was in turmoil, and he finally sat up: "Father!"
Liu Che raised his eyebrows: "Awake?"
Liu Ju pursed his lips, all kinds of lies flashing through his mind, and finally chose to answer honestly: "I... I didn't sleep."
He turned over and got out of bed, bowed respectfully and properly, not running over to call "Father" affectionately like he did in the past. He looked anxious, his eyes flickering, and he glanced at her twice before quickly retracting his gaze. He lowered his head, tugging at his fingers, hesitant.
For a child this young, their thoughts were almost always written on their faces, making them very easy to guess. Liu Che knew what was going on, a hint of a smile playing in his eyes. He turned around and sat down at the desk, not taking the initiative to speak, just waiting.
Liu Ju took several deep breaths and mustered his courage: "Father, I was wrong."
Liu Che said seriously: "What's wrong?"
"I shouldn't have pretended to be asleep, and I shouldn't have sent Feng He to the Xuanshi Palace to gather information. Father, I..." Liu Ju spread his hands, "Punish me."
He looked like he was going to die in battle, which made Liu Che both angry and amused.
He winked at the attendant, who soon found a ruler from somewhere and came back. Seeing the ruler's width and thickness, Liu Ju became even more frightened. His outstretched hand trembled slightly, but he managed not to withdraw it.
He is a good boy. He admits his mistakes and corrects them. He is not a spineless and irresponsible coward.
Liu Ju gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, showing great "heroic spirit" and "ready to die with equanimity."
Three snaps. The imagined pain didn't come. Liu Ju slowly opened his eyes, his palms slightly red. It hurt a little, of course, but not too much.
Everyone present could see that Liu Che wasn't genuinely angry, nor did he truly want to punish Liu Ju; he was simply pretending to teach him a lesson. Only Liu Ju couldn't understand, and he felt a bit bewildered.
Just like that? Just three quick taps? And it was over?
Liu Che snorted softly, "Why, you want a few more blows? Do you think I didn't hit you lightly?"
Liu Ju immediately withdrew his hand and covered his palm, shaking his head repeatedly: "No, no. It hurts already."
Liu Che couldn't help laughing and tapped his forehead: "You are too curious. You got anxious and angry after hearing a few words between me and Zhang Tingwei. Do you know what Xuanshi Hall is? Who in the world would be so bold as to come to Xuanshi Hall to inquire about the news!"
Liu Ju curled his lips in disbelief. "If it were anything else, it would be fine, but this is a matter of life and death for me. I almost died, and I've been wrongly accused of deliberately murdering Madam Wang and my younger brother. I have to know who did it."
Liu Che was speechless. He also knew that the child had suffered a great injustice recently. Thinking of his previous repeated high fevers that had been dangerous for several times, Liu Che still felt a little scared.
He pulled Liu Ju to his side and said, "Father knows everything. Fortunately, you and Hong'er are fine now. Don't worry, Father will not let this happen again."
The first sentence expresses relief, while the second sentence hides a deep chill.
After saying this, he signaled Wu Changshi to bring people in. They were two palace maids, about fifteen or sixteen years old, and their faces were very unfamiliar.
Liu Ju was confused when he heard Liu Che say, "Most of those serving you in Feixiang Palace are new. Apart from Fenghe, there aren't many capable people. I'm really worried, so I ordered someone to pick out two good ones and send them to you. Let them first familiarize themselves with the affairs of Feixiang Palace with Fenghe, so that they can serve you well in the future."
It was a trivial matter, but Liu Ju's heart skipped a beat: "What about the people who used to serve me?"
Liu Che glanced at him and knew what he was thinking. He snorted coldly, "Even if they find out they have nothing to do with this matter, but failing to protect you and causing you to get hurt is a serious crime."
Liu Ju was anxious: "Don't blame them. It was me who said I should hide by myself when playing hide-and-seek and didn't allow them to follow me. I was worried that they would reveal my location. It was also me who ran out of the restricted area on my own. It has nothing to do with them."
Unfortunately, Liu Che did not think so and remained firm in his attitude.
Liu Ju could only settle for the next best thing: "Then what does your Majesty intend to do with them? They have taken care of me for several years with all their heart and soul. Even if they have no merit, they have worked hard.
"Father is so kind, so tolerant, and so generous. He is the most virtuous monarch in the world. He will definitely show mercy, right?"
Oh, he's even wearing a high hat. Liu Che sneered: "Then how do you think we should deal with it?"
Liu Ju tentatively asked, "Why not ask them to leave Feixiang Palace and relocate them somewhere else, or even banish them from the palace?"
Is this considered a punishment? Liu Che sneered.
Liu Ju pursed his lips and hugged him tightly: "Father, this matter is really not their fault. They have suffered because of me. If they are severely punished because of me, or even die because of me, I... I will feel sad."
Liu Che frowned. This child was good in every way except that he was too gentle and kind. He was very friendly to the palace maids and eunuchs. Although this was an advantage, it was also a disadvantage.
Liu Che sometimes felt that he lacked a certain amount of toughness. Fortunately, he was still young, so he could slowly teach him.
Liu Che sighed lightly and finally agreed.
Liu Ju finally put down his heavy burden and had time to look at the two palace maids. "What are your names?"
The two paused, looked at each other, and knelt down. "I was born in poverty. I was never formally given a name at home, and after entering the palace I was called by my birth order. Now that I have the honor of serving Your Highness, I hope Your Highness will grant me a name."
Liu Ju thought for a moment, then pointed at Feng He and said, "Her name is Feng He. Why don't you call her Yu Sui or Sheng Gu?"
Without waiting for the two to reply, Liu Che laughed heartily: "Abundant grain, abundant ears of wheat, abundant grain, the world is full of grain, and the harvest is abundant. This is a good name, very good."
It is both a compliment to the name and a compliment to Liu Ju.
Liu Ju was very happy, but then he said aggrievedly, "My father has been very busy lately and hasn't played with me for a long time."
Liu Che laughed and tapped his forehead lightly: "Father is free now, so I'll play with you!"
Liu Ju immediately cheered and leaped onto Liu Che, who then picked him up. Their movements were smooth and seamless, and it was clear this wasn't the first time the father and son had done this.
Liu Che ordered someone to bring Cuju, and the father and son played back and forth on the flat ground in front of the hall. After playing Cuju, Liu Ju still felt unsatisfied, so Liu Che pushed him to play on the swing.
The barrage instantly became lively.
No way, no way. I must be seeing things. It's only been two episodes, and I've seen Emperor Wu of Han coaxing Prince Li to sleep, playing Cuju with him, and even pushing him on a swing! Are the father and son's relationship this good now? They're so doting. I'm inexplicably tempted to do it. Ahhhhh!
- Hold on, think about it later, in his later years, Liu Che was obsessed with seeking immortality, and favored villains, which led to the disaster of witchcraft. The result... well, you know, it was a tragedy!
—That said, I'm now clear-headed. But is it really okay for the screenwriter to do this? With such a good father-son relationship, how can witchcraft disasters happen again in the future?
—I can tell the guy upstairs hasn't watched enough TV. The better the father-son relationship is now, the more abusive it will be later. I bet my money the screenwriter did it on purpose, creating a stark contrast to make us cry. Heh. I absolutely refuse to eat this kind of candy destined to be full of broken glass later!
Liu Ju's heart trembled, his hand slipped, and he almost fell down because he didn't hold the swing rope tightly, but he managed to stabilize himself.
He was Crown Prince Li, his father was Emperor Wu of Han. He had already confirmed this from the various comments in the comments section. He had thought the word "Li" sounded like a posthumous title and looked ominous, but he had never imagined things would turn out this way. Was he involved in the Witchcraft Incident?
Liu Ju:!!!
There is so much information that I feel like my brain is not enough.
Noticing his strange expression, Liu Che asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Liu Ju shook his head and said sullenly, "I don't want to play this anymore."
The child's ideas kept coming up, but Liu Che didn't seem to be suspicious. He smiled and asked, "So what do you want to play next? How about riding a big horse?"
Riding a big horse? Yes. That was a game his father often played with him. He would ride his father as a horse. It was rare to find an emperor who loved and pampered him so much.
Thinking of the heartwarming moments between father and son in the past, Liu Ju couldn't believe they would end up with the tragic ending hinted at in the comments. What a jerk of a screenwriter, creating such a stark contrast to elicit tears? Pah, he just didn't believe it!
Liu Ju took a deep breath and opened his arms towards Liu Che in a rage: "Okay, I want to ride a big horse!"
In a flash, his body was in the air and he was lifted up and placed on Liu Che's shoulders.
Liu Ju raised his hands as if to charge: "Father, go! Go! Go! Charge!"
Barrage: ...An ignorant child who is not afraid of death!
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