Sitting on the ox cart heading towards Princess Yangxin's mansion, Liu Tan was truly filled with sorrow, feeling that he had a truly miserable life.
After he traveled through time, the only thing that could comfort him was that he could see the real Emperor Wu of Han and Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.
Especially the latter two, maybe it’s because of personal filters. Liu Tan always felt that although Liu Che was a very successful emperor, there were also emperors who could be equally successful as him, and before him there was the First Emperor who was glorious throughout the ages.
But if we talk about famous generals, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing are definitely the best. There are many famous generals in history, but there are probably not many who are as legendary as these two.
As a result, the cruel reality now told him that after finally arriving in the Han Dynasty, he couldn't see either of these two people. This was too painful.
Yes, he had only received the news of Wei Qing's death, but the problem was that in history, Huo Qubing died earlier than Wei Qing.
Now perhaps the only thing he needs to pray for is that Chen Ajiao's butterfly power can leave at least one.
It can be said that the Han Dynasty's disrespectful war against the Xiongnu basically started after Wei Qing's death. It was probably because Liu Che had used up all his luck in drawing the Golden Light card before, and the ones he drew later were too bad.
While pondering this, Liu Tan said tentatively, "These past two days... I'm afraid Father's mood has also been affected."
Liu Ju sighed and said, "Yes, especially since the liquor-offering incident happened again. Wei Kang, Wei Buyi, and Wei Deng were stripped of their titles again. Father is very disappointed in them."
Only then did Liu Tan understand why Liu Ju said that he was going to the Princess Yangxin's Mansion. Wei Kang and the others had lost their titles, so it naturally could not be called a marquis' mansion.
Liu Tan took the opportunity to ask, "How are Li Xi's family doing?"
Liu Ju asked, "Are you worried about them?"
Liu Tan said shyly, "After all, they have taken care of me for many years and have done their best. Although I know he made a mistake, I don't want him to suffer the consequences."
Liu Tan actually didn't care much about Li Xi, but he felt that after returning to the palace, he ignored his adoptive father... well, he could barely be considered an adoptive father, which seemed too heartless.
Liu Tan didn't know Liu Che very well, but judging from the degree of neurosis of these monarchs in history, he probably felt that his son was not good for being too indecisive, too gentle, or too cold-blooded.
Anyway, he couldn't let Liu Che or Liu Ju have the impression that he was cold-blooded.
Liu Ju patted his shoulder and said soothingly, "Don't worry. Although the emperor has punished him, he hasn't dismissed Li Xi from his post. He should be able to make ends meet. You don't have to be too cautious. You can go visit them. If they're truly struggling, you can offer some assistance."
Liu Tan was somewhat puzzled when he heard that Li Xi still held an official position. "But when I returned to the palace, they all cried and shouted that the emperor had ordered the confiscation of their property."
Liu Ju explained, "That was Du Zhou's sentence at the time, but later, my father, remembering Li Xi's meritorious service in the battle against the Xiongnu, pardoned him and only demoted him three ranks."
After hearing this, Liu Tan felt that Li Xi was quite miserable. First, he lost his title, and then his official rank was demoted three levels. The difference between his salary inside and outside the court was too great.
But think about it, the person who sentenced him was Du Zhou, who was also a famous cruel official. Now Li Xi can still hold an official position, which is indeed a mercy from Emperor Liu Che.
But no matter how miserable he was, he would not go to see Li Xi. What if Liu Che thought he was close to the guilty minister? What if Li Xi found out that he was not the original one?
While the two brothers were talking, they arrived at the Yangxin Princess's Mansion, formerly the Marquis of Changping's Mansion.
This place was indeed very close to the imperial palace, and after the two of them came down, someone went in to report.
Not long after, Princess Yangxin came out with two young men and a boy.
Liu Ju hurried forward and said, "I came here on a whim to disturb you, and I have caused my aunt to come and greet me myself. I am truly ashamed."
Princess Yangxin does not look very much like Liu Che. To be honest, she is not very beautiful, at least not as beautiful as Chen Ajiao, but her face is upright and dignified, and she is the type that makes people feel comfortable at first glance.
She looked okay at the moment. Princess Yangxin had almost gotten used to the fact that her husband had died, not to mention that her relationship with Wei Qing was just average to begin with.
Wei Qing...after all, he was just one of her riding slaves back then.
Princess Yangxin smiled and patted Liu Ju's hand, saying, "How could I not go out to greet the Crown Prince, who has come in person? This must be Ah Tan, right? I didn't expect him to have grown so big."
Liu Tan politely bowed to Princess Yangxin and said, "Greetings, Aunt."
The Crown Prince did not have to perform the ceremony because he was half a monarch, and the Princess could not deny this fact even though she was his elder. However, Liu Tan did not receive such preferential treatment.
Princess Yangxin exchanged greetings with Liu Tan while asking her three sons to pay their respects to Liu Ju and Liu Tan.
Although they were all commoners, Liu Tan did not dare to accept their full courtesy. After all, they were Liu Ju's cousins and descendants of Wei Qing. Even if they were not born to Princess Yangxin, no one dared to say whether they would be restored to the title in the future.
Liu Tan originally came to see Wei Qing, but... he saw Wei Qing's tablet. When he was burning incense to Wei Qing, his expression looked sadder than Liu Ju, and even sadder than Wei Qing's three sons, which made Princess Yangxin look at him strangely several times.
Liu Ju was also obviously confused. He hesitated for a long time before comforting Liu Tan and said, "Fifth brother, there's no need to be too sad..."
He couldn't finish the sentence halfway through. He felt it was a bit strange. He had heard this sentence from countless people before, and they were all meant to comfort him. Why was it the other way around when it came to Liu Tan?
Liu Tan was very depressed and said, "When I was young, I thought that a man should be like Marquis Lie and Marquis Guanjun. Besides my father, I admired these two the most. But I didn't expect that I would die forever before I even met Marquis Lie."
Liu Tan was so sad that he almost cried when he said this. Perhaps because of him, Princess Yangxin's eyes also turned red. She broke away from her polite aunt image and took his hand and said, "Good boy, don't be sad. If you have anything to say, go and tell him in person in a couple of days."
Liu Tan: ...
Although I know you are inviting me to attend Wei Qing's anniversary memorial, why does this sound like a curse on me?
Liu Ju, standing by, also whispered, "If you want, you can also pay your respects to Marquis Jing Huan on the way."
Liu Tan's heart... was completely cold.
I couldn't help but feel sad thinking that Chen Ajiao's butterfly wings were not very good. Why didn't he let him wear them a few years earlier?
Knowing that Huo Qubing was unable to change his fate, Liu Tan was in a very depressed mood when he returned. Liu Ju opened his mouth several times but didn't know what to say. He always felt it was a bit awkward to ask him to comfort Liu Tan.
Fortunately, when he was about to reach the palace gate, Liu Tan's spirits had recovered a lot. Although depressed, he now wanted to know more about the life stories of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.
The history books only record the achievements of these two people, and the evaluation of them is only a few words. Liu Tan really wants to know what these two people are like in real life.
Before he could ask, he suddenly felt the ox cart stop suddenly.
The palace servant driving the car outside whispered, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Fifth Prince, someone is stopping the car."
Liu Ju frowned and asked, "Who is so bold?"
Liu Tan was also very surprised, as most of the places they passed along the way were imperial cities.
In the Han Dynasty, the imperial city was a very broad concept. In addition to the imperial palace, it also included the places where princes and nobles lived outside. These places were not easily entered by outsiders, and markets and peddlers did not exist.
Because of this, it is rare for people to stop cars to appeal for justice in the imperial city.
The palace servant outside whispered a few questions and soon returned with the following statement: "Your Highness, the one who stopped the carriage was Li Buyan, the son of Li Xi, who requested an audience with the Fifth Prince."
Liu Tan: ...
What you fear will come true. If there is someone in this world that Liu Tan least wants to see, the first one would probably be Liu Che, and the second would be the Li family.
Liu Che was worried that this person put too much pressure on him, and he was afraid that Liu Che would dislike him and think that he threatened Liu Ju and bullied Liu Fuling and wanted to destroy him inhumanely. As for the Li family, he was worried that it would turn against him.
But since Li Buyan stopped a car in the street, something big must have happened.
Liu Tan could only say to Liu Chuan with a bitter face: "Your Highness, I will go to see him, so as not to waste your time."
Liu Ju didn't know what he was thinking, so he said, "He must be in such a hurry because he wants to talk to you about something important. I'll go down and take a look. If you need anything, I can help you."
It wasn't that Liu Tan thought too much, he always felt that Liu Ju's kindness came out of the blue, but he still said, "Okay."
With Liu Ju around, the other party should not care too much about his abnormality. What's more, if Li Buyan has any inappropriate ideas, maybe Liu Ju can act as a shield for him.
After getting off the ox cart, when Liu Tan saw the man named Li Buyan, he suddenly realized that it was the eldest son of the Li family.
Li Buyan's eyes lit up when he saw him, but when he saw Liu Ju beside him, he looked a little scared again.
Liu Tan was a little puzzled. Liu Ju looked quite gentle, so why did Li Buyan seem so scared when he saw him?
After Li Buyan had bowed, Liu Tan asked, "I was thinking of visiting you guys these days, but I didn't expect Dalang to show up. Is there something important?"
Li Buyan glanced at Liu Ju again, then lowered his head and said in a tearful voice, "Your Highness, please save my father."
Liu Tan was somewhat surprised: "Didn't the Emperor already grant me some mercy? What happened now?"
Li Buyan quickly wiped his eyes and said, "Yes, Your Majesty is merciful, but Father... Father has been punished to plant grapes. If he doesn't do a good job, I'm afraid he will be punished again."
Liu Tan was startled: "What?"
Even if Li Xi was demoted three ranks, he wouldn't be forced to grow grapes, right? He was a military officer, so the most he could be sent to guard the border.
Li Buyan continued, "The person who previously handled this matter was castrated by His Majesty for incompetence. Your Highness the Crown Prince should know this. My father... how could my father understand this? I'm afraid he won't be able to escape castration either."
Liu Tan was horrified. "??? So he's going to be castrated?"
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