On the way back to Beijing, Liu Heng looked out the car window at the sparse farmland and fell into deep thought.
The day before the mountain sacrifice, he heard the chief steward report that the crown prince had slept with a palace maid who served him at the imperial palace.
In fact, Liu Kang has not married yet. He is in the prime of his life and it is not a big deal for him to find a woman. However, in principle, the palace maids in the imperial palace are all the emperor's women. Even though Liu Kang is the crown prince, he cannot do whatever he wants if the emperor does not grant him a woman.
Liu Heng pondered for a moment and then had someone cover up Liu Kang's mistake. After all, Liu Kang's affair with a palace maid was, strictly speaking, an overstepping of his bounds. If it were discovered, it would inevitably become a stain on his reputation, leading to his downfall.
Liu Heng himself has always been indifferent to women. Although he never used this to restrict Liu Kang, he always neglected this aspect.
Therefore, he hadn't considered Liu Kang's needs. He simply thought that if Liu Kang wanted someone, he could just tell him directly, and everything would be more transparent. The fact that Liu Kang insisted on taking a roundabout route when there was a clear main road left Liu Heng slightly disappointed.
After all, he was still his own son. Liu Heng ordered someone to cover up the matter for Liu Kang, waiting for Liu Kang to come and talk to him about it himself. This would also be a good opportunity for father and son to have a deeper conversation. Liu Heng knew that Liu Kang would be marrying the Crown Princess after the mourning period, and he wanted to ask for his opinion.
However, he kept waiting for Liu Kang to tell him, but he never did until the return journey. Liu Kang then pretended nothing had happened, which only made Liu Heng angrier.
In Liu Heng's eyes, Liu Kang's actions were tantamount to shirking responsibility. Liu Heng sighed even more when he heard that Liu Kang had secretly disposed of the palace maid no sooner than they left.
Suppressing her anger, she summoned the Crown Prince to the carriage. Seeing his head bowed and silent, she swallowed back the reprimand that was on the tip of her tongue.
Liu Kang had grown up, and it would be embarrassing to reprimand him for such an embarrassing matter as having an affair with a palace maid.
After exchanging a few casual words, Liu Heng let him leave. In the end, Liu Kang failed to seize the last opportunity and still did not voluntarily confess what he had done at the palace.
Thinking about Liu Kang's performance along the way, Liu Heng was also disappointed.
When he was a child, we could say that this son was kind and gentle. Now that Liu Kang has grown up, he is only average in all aspects. He is impatient and has not shown any talent so far.
Even on the way there, when Liu Heng showed Liu Kang the memorial sent from the capital, Liu Kang's first reaction was to apologize.
This left Liu Heng, who had originally intended to guide his son, feeling somewhat frustrated. Although even within the imperial family, there was a distinction between father and son, and between ruler and subject, this did not mean that status could erase the bond between father and son.
Liu Heng was at a loss as to what to do with Liu Kang. He wanted to be close to his son, but Liu Kang had never taken the initiative to see him along the way; he only came when Liu Heng summoned him. Since he was so unwilling, Liu Heng couldn't force him.
However, Liu Kang could escape him and the mistakes he had made, but he could not escape his identity and responsibilities as the crown prince.
Liu Heng himself had also weathered the storms and hardships of the struggle for the throne, and he would never forget the dangers and difficulties of that time. Although Liu Kang was the crown prince, his position was not without its risks.
Even Liu Heng himself couldn't guarantee what would happen when his sons grew up. Deep down, he didn't want his sons to experience turmoil and walk a bloody path.
Therefore, he consciously widened the gap in treatment between Crown Prince Liu Kang and Second Prince Liu Yan. Liu Kang's status was determined early on, and his various treatments far exceeded those of Liu Yan.
That's all he could do. To be honest, in terms of cleverness and intelligence, Liu Kang was far inferior to Liu Yan. Liu Heng had no idea whether Liu Yan would truly submit to Liu Kang as the crown prince in the future.
Liu Heng was increasingly doubtful about whether Liu Kang was capable of serving as the crown prince.
The difficulty now lies in the fact that as long as the Empress is still alive, Liu Kang is the eldest son of the legitimate wife and will inevitably be the most legitimate Crown Prince according to etiquette. Even if Liu Kang is truly unable to assume the position of Crown Prince in the future, and he wants to appoint another son, he will have to replace the Empress as well.
Let's wait and see. Maybe Liu Kang will grow up after marrying the Crown Princess.
With a sigh, Liu Heng realized it was too early to say anything, so he could only convince himself to continue patiently waiting for Liu Kang to improve.
Furthermore, Liu Kang was mediocre in all aspects, while Liu Yan was too shrewd and cunning, with an outward sharpness, and was not the best candidate to succeed him in his mind.
A good reputation is essential for survival, but Liu Yan's attempt to befriend everyone and avoid offending anyone resulted in a loss of principles. This isn't about being a good person; over time, the pressure will increase, conflicts will multiply, and even the most carefully cultivated network of relationships will crumble.
As the ruler of a country, the most important thing is to have a firm stance so that you are not led by the nose by your ministers.
Although every one of Liu Yan's mentors praised him highly, Liu Heng could sense that as he grew older, his intelligence became increasingly superficial.
In the other carriage, Liu Kang also looked worried. He had previously felt, in front of Liu Heng, that his father already knew about this matter.
"Are you sure that thing was done without leaving a trace?"
Even after hearing his confidant's affirmative reply, he still felt uneasy.
If word gets out that he slept with a palace maid after drinking, it will surely be a scandal. Moreover, he is still in mourning, so he will inevitably be branded a lecherous man.
Moreover, he dared not let his father know about this. Having an affair with a palace maid would make him seem unbecoming, lacking in self-discipline, and he worried that his father would be disappointed in him.
He already had his second brother eyeing him covetously, and there was also the potential threat of his third brother born to the Imperial Concubine. He felt immense pressure, and if he were to lose his father's favor, his position as Crown Prince would become even more difficult.
However, Liu Kang increasingly felt that his relationship with his father was growing distant and shallow. Along the way, he did not communicate much with his father as he had expected; on the contrary, his father rarely summoned him.
He dared not take the initiative to request an audience, as he had to consider his status and dignity, lest others perceive him as overly obsequious. Although they were father and son, they were first and foremost ruler and subject, and he had to observe proper etiquette, no longer able to act as recklessly as he had in the Prince's residence.
Thus, the father and son, each with their own thoughts, did not have a heart-to-heart talk until they returned to the palace.
That evening, when Liu Heng went to Yanqing Palace, he had someone bring along the "gifts" prepared for the journey.
As soon as he entered, the first person to rush up to him was a chubby little boy.
"father!"
Mengmeng's cries were loud and clear, with spittle flying everywhere.
Holding his chubby son, Liu Heng felt very comforted. He had thought that Mengmeng was so young and that she would become estranged from him after he had been gone for more than two months.
Mengmeng wrapped her arms around Liu Heng's neck, smiling sweetly as she pressed her cheek against his. Liu Heng turned his head and kissed his son's cheek. He thought to himself that his son was definitely easier to get close to when he was little. Once he grew up, he would unconsciously drift away from him, just like Liu Kang.
"Calling me 'Dad' won't work, you still need to eat vegetables!"
Lin Yuqiao also walked over to Liu Heng's side, and stared at Mengmeng with wide eyes.
This child is too clever. He only eats meat and not vegetables when fed complementary food. If you force him to eat, he will run away when you are not paying attention.
Now, seeing Liu Heng come in, he acted as if he had seen a savior, instantly becoming arrogant and looking down at her. He was no longer the pitiful little girl who had been fed food she didn't like and looked aggrieved.
What are you all making such a fuss about?
Liu Heng pulled Lin Yuqiao into the house, placed his son on the tatami mat, and sat down with her on either side.
"I've discovered a big problem with Mengmeng! He doesn't like to eat vegetables!"
Lin Yuqiao used to admire her son. He didn't like playing with toys, didn't cry, ate and slept on time, was very well-behaved and easy to take care of. He was a good child that everyone praised.
Finally, she discovered Mengmeng's flaw. Lin Yuqiao was incredibly excited, as if she had discovered a new continent. Finally, she was normal! That's more like it; her child was too perfect, which put pressure on her as a mother.
Hearing Lin Yuqiao's exaggerated tone, Liu Heng couldn't help but laugh. What kind of question was this? Did she have to announce it to him so solemnly?
"Everyone has their own preferences. Don't force him to accept what he doesn't like."
"But not eating vegetables is bad for children's health!"
Shocked by the father's unbridled indulgence, Lin Yuqiao quickly turned her head to refute him.
Finding her wide-eyed expression adorable, Liu Heng gently pinched the tip of her nose. "Mengmeng is still young. It's not too late to teach him to eat vegetables when he can feed himself. Forcing him now won't be good for him. Don't worry, Mengmeng will understand when he's older, without being told."
As long as it's not a major matter of principle, Liu Heng feels that children should be treated with more leniency.
Regarding raising children, Liu Heng's core philosophy is to let nature take its course. He believes in imparting experience and knowledge to those who need education, and letting go of what children should learn on their own.
Lin Yuqiao bit Liu Heng's wrist, finding it hard to believe. Where was the strict father and kind mother? How could the roles be completely reversed now?
"No, we have to start now, while he's still young, and correct the problem as soon as possible. He'll only be upset for a short time. If we wait until he's older, it will be much more difficult to correct it."
Lin Yuqiao's earnest rebuttal made Liu Heng raise an eyebrow. He really hadn't expected that Lin Yuqiao, whom he had always thought would indulge her child without limits, would be so meticulous in her attention to the child's education.
"So, it's no use that your father is back. If you don't eat vegetables starting tomorrow, there won't be any meat."
Pinching her son's cheek, Lin Yuqiao smiled as she looked at his somewhat bewildered eyes. It doesn't matter if he doesn't understand now; he'll experience it for himself tomorrow.
After the wet nurse took her son, Lin Yuqiao nestled in Liu Heng's arms and rubbed against him.
"I'm finally back. I'm going to get sick if I don't see you again."
"kindness?"
Hearing Lin Yuqiao's words, Liu Heng raised an eyebrow at her, puzzled.
"Do you even know how deeply I miss you? It's so profound!"
Lin Yuqiao took Liu Heng's hand and placed it on her chest, her beautiful eyes sparkling with light, and her smile radiant.
These sweet words were so tender that Liu Heng looked at her gently, slowly moving closer, his hand never leaving her side.
The next day, after Lin Yuqiao got up, she remembered the things Liu Heng had brought back the day before.
Open the brocade box, and inside lies a willow branch lying quietly, along with a note.
The clouds have just cleared over the nine streets, and the willows along the imperial road are already renewed.
Jiang, the old woman standing to the side, saw a willow branch and her heart skipped a beat. She looked at Lin Yuqiao cautiously.
Remembering how sad she cried when she saw the bamboo flute in the brocade box, could it be that something happened between the two of them again?
Jiang Mama only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Lin Yuqiao's lips curving into a sweet and content smile.
Why does this master always like to send different things?
Filled with confusion, Granny Jiang shook her head to herself and went to do something else.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com