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Inside the Lingshu Courtyard of Jianzhang Palace, the emperor's reward for the palace servants after his hunting trip, a hare and elk were being slaughtered. The eunuch, sleeves rolled up, wielded a butcher knife, first chopping off a pair of elk's antlers, then severing its neck. Only when its limbs had ceased struggling did he plunge the sharpened blade diagonally into the deer's belly. The skin, like a ripped garment, cascaded down the sides of the bench, revealing thick layers of fat and intestines. A murky mixture of yellow and green dripped down.
The eunuch smiled and said, "It's a good piece of leather. We can make a pair of boots for Lord Jiang. It's getting colder in the fall, and Lord Jiang's hands and feet are cold from serving His Majesty and keeping watch all night. This was originally a reward from His Majesty for Lord Jiang. His Majesty felt sorry for us and only asked for a pair of deer antlers. He told us to share the rest to enjoy some delicious food and share in His Majesty's grace."
The other man took the knife from him and said earnestly, "You are right. This deer is strong and plump. Thanks to you, we can all taste the deer hunted by His Majesty himself. Give me the knife."
The eunuch had only been in the palace a short time, but he was very articulate. "I shouldn't have troubled you, but I've never eaten or seen venison before. Where did I get it? I cut it here and there, and it broke. Now, these hares and pheasants will be ours."
After saying that, he took the knife and glanced into the net bag below. "That rabbit is good. It's fat and big. I'll use it to make roasted rabbit soup later."
Everyone laughed. They weren't greedy for the rabbit or pheasant, but they were just looking for the things of Jiang Chong, the eunuch beside His Majesty. The man picked up the rabbit's ear and just as he put it on the table, it took a bite.
"Hiss—this damn rabbit! How dare you bite me!"
"Hurry up and catch it, don't let it run away."
A few people caught it again, this time grabbing its limbs, and pressing it down on the stool with its belly spread open. Its eyes were terrified, and it seemed to be filled with tears.
"Oh, it's crying? Rabbits can shed tears!"
Everyone gathered together in surprise, watching. A palace maid said, "Master Wu, this female rabbit has a large belly. I'm afraid she's carrying a cub, so she's so wary of us. Killing a living being is not good. Why don't you let her go?"
The eunuch named Wu Yun was nonchalant. "It's just a rabbit. There's no point in talking about whether to kill it or not. Just kill it."
"But……"
Someone pulled her back and said, "Don't talk too much. You stopped Eunuch Wu from saying anything. This beast is pitiful, but we are not much better."
Wu Yun was a fellow townsman of Jiang Chong and was well-taken care of by him. When Jiang Chong was away, he regarded himself as the second consul of Jianzhang Palace. The rabbit had bitten him, and he was a vengeful person, so he would definitely kill it.
Although the palace maid was reluctant, she had to step aside after hearing the words and could not bear to watch any longer.
As soon as they turned around, they were startled. It turned out that there was a child walking in front of them, followed by Jiang Chong with a smile on his face.
"Meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Liu Ju had been summoned by the Emperor today to question him about his studies. As soon as he entered Jianzhang Palace, he saw a crowd gathered there, and from time to time he could hear the cries of frightened animals. He stopped and looked over there.
"What are you doing?"
The question was from the palace maid who had asked earlier. She said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has hunted some wild game and has given it to us thanks to Lord Jiang's blessing. Eunuch Wu is currently butchering the rabbit."
Liu Ju glanced at the blood and animal intestines on the ground and frowned. He then saw that the rabbit on the table had a sad look in its eyes and a swollen belly, obviously pregnant, so he walked over.
Jiang Chong hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please be careful with your steps. You will see His Majesty soon. It would be bad if your clothes get dirty."
"It's fine to kill a living thing in this yard, but this pregnant rabbit is so pregnant, how can you butcher it?" He said to the palace maid, "Go and bring the rabbit here."
After receiving the order, the palace maid felt relieved and hurriedly took the rabbit back from the crowd and brought it to Liu Ju. He reached out and touched it. As if feeling the man's kindness, it rubbed Liu Ju's hand and licked his palm with its head raised.
The palace maid laughed and said, "Just now, when Lord Wu tried to catch it, he was bitten. He was angry at its wildness and unruliness. But now, in Your Highness's hands, it has become so obedient. It seems that this animal has some intelligence and knows that Your Highness is a kind person."
The palace servant who was on good terms with the palace maid secretly poked her on the back, but she seemed unaware.
Liu Ju couldn't help but smile when he heard her words. "Since this rabbit is destined for me, I wonder if you could ask Eunuch Wu to give it up so I can take it back to the East Palace and raise it for fun."
Wu Yun was called and immediately stepped forward, looking at Jiang Chong and saying, "This is a gift from Lord Jiang. I don't dare to make the decision."
Seeing Liu Ju looking at him, Jiang Chong said, "It's just a rabbit. Your Highness is kind-hearted, so I will naturally help you. I will send it to you shortly."
Wu Yun also nodded in agreement, and glared at the maid as he snatched the rabbit from her hands. He then asked someone to find an exquisite cage, cover it with hay, and put the rabbit in it.
"Your Highness, let's go quickly. His Majesty is waiting."
Liu Che had long since retired from court. While reviewing memorials in the front hall, a eunuch arrived to announce that his wife had brought snacks and a stew for him and the Crown Prince. Without a second thought, he declined. They both knew the purpose of her vengeful visit: she intended to target Gongsun as well as the Crown Prince. This child, after all, was his firstborn, his bloodline flowing through his veins. The fate of the Han Dynasty depended on him, so he had to be cautious.
Hearing the sound of light footsteps, a shadow stopped in front of the door, but did not go in immediately. He seemed to straighten his clothes and adjust his hat and belt, and then Jiang Chong reported him in.
"Why are you so late?" He glanced at Liu Ju. The sleeves of his moon-white robe were stained with blood. "Why are your clothes in this state?"
"When I arrived, I saw palace servants slaughtering a pregnant rabbit. I couldn't bear it, so I stopped them. That's why I was delayed. I hope your Majesty will forgive me."
Liu Che was silent for a long while, swallowing his words of admonition and not continuing the topic. "The Grand Tutor said that you have been writing well recently and have memorized the scriptures well."
"Taifu, your praise is unbelievable. Please examine me, Father."
"It's enough to know these scriptures; that's not the point. The key is to debate with your East Palace officials and attendants. The reason for all these stereotyped discussions is for selection. You're the crown prince, so it's your turn to choose others. You need to understand their thinking, but you don't need to understand it too well. Do you understand?"
Liu Ju seemed to understand but didn't quite understand, but he still made a statement.
Liu Che looked at the child and sighed secretly. He had indeed placed great hopes on Crown Prince Liu Ju, but the child's nature was not like his. Instead, he was similar to his mother, calm and gentle. Many civil officials praised his kindness and tolerance, but he did not think that these were the qualities a crown prince should have.
The imperial court had a custom of selecting only senior and high-ranking Taifu from prominent families. Those few who came and went were largely the same, not because they were all old-fashioned and inflexible, but because they became more sophisticated with age. They certainly wouldn't raise their young crown prince to be as arbitrary as he was. They nurtured him with the moon and the warmth of flowers in their bedroom, teaching him to observe the rules and imparting virtues—ethics and morality—things they themselves lacked. They wanted a sage emperor so they could manipulate him like a puppet.
He could only start from the adjutants of the Eastern Palace, but he couldn't find a suitable candidate at the moment...
Seeing that the emperor was silent and looked unhappy, Liu Ju became a little nervous. At this moment, Jiang Chong walked in from outside and whispered something to Liu Che.
Liu Che nodded and said, "Go and call him in. Oh, and call the people from the Imperial Censorate as well."
Liu Ju saw Jiang Chong hurried out again, thinking that he was a court official with something to report, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Since the emperor has important matters, I will withdraw from here."
"You stay. Your uncle has captured the fugitive and is reporting to me. Go behind the screen and listen."
Liu Ju sat down behind the screen, which was as thin as a cicada's wing. Sitting in front of it, he could clearly see his uncle Gongsun He escorting a man with tattoos on his face into the room.
"Prime Minister, I heard that your men found Baili Xi hiding in the mountains in the East China Sea?"
"To be honest, Your Majesty, I have put a great deal of effort into finding this man. Baili Xi was once a minister in the Huainan Prince's palace. He intended to incite the Huainan Prince to murder Your Majesty. After the plot was exposed, he fled out of fear of punishment. He disobeyed the imperial order and deserves death."
During the first few years of Emperor Liu Che's reign, the Prince of Huainan, despite being far away in Huainan, cultivated friendships with court officials, exchanged secret letters, amassed wealth, and maintained tens of thousands of troops. When trouble arose, he shifted the blame entirely onto his beloved crown prince, claiming the child was ignorant and ungrateful, and that he was completely unaware. After his son was executed, he remained silent for a while, but Emperor Liu Che knew he would not rest on his laurels.
"Back then, you served as a refugee in the palace, assassinating and coercing court officials for them. You nearly lost your life several times, but never achieved wealth and honor. Later, when the incident happened, they mercilessly pinned the blame on you, forcing you to live in seclusion in the mountains for ten years. Baili Xi, do you really think this is the master you should be loyal to?"
Baili Xi lowered his head and said nothing, but just snorted with a sneer.
Liu Che continued, "I heard that you were very close to Prince Liu Qian of Huainan, and that you were his swordsman. He treated you like a brother. It wasn't just you, but Liu An ruthlessly pushed even his own son out to take the blame. Now he has so many concubines and children that he's forgotten all about Liu Qian. Princess An was unhappy and died young. Don't you even blame him for all this?"
He saw a dark flash in the eyes of the man in front of him, so he slowed his tone, "Tell me, who was the mastermind behind what happened back then, and who wronged Liu Qian? Who in the court still has close ties with him? If you tell me, I can forgive your crime, promote you to a higher position, and give you a wife and children."
Baili Xi slowly raised his head, but suddenly spat at Liu Che in the face of his hopeful gaze, and then laughed.
"A promotion? I stole a basket of dim sum for my starving brother, but was apprehended and severely punished. The King of Huainan, grateful for your filial piety, saved me and took me into his palace, giving me a meal. I am eternally grateful to the prince. But now, seeing you scheming and plotting, slaughtering the prince's palace, I understand the dangers of wealth and honor.
Now I am alone, living in the mountains, free and unrestrained. I don't need to be like you, scheming against each other and killing each other. What good thing is this? You want to give it to me? Although I, Baili Xi, come from a humble background, I will not be a slave to you people!
Liu Che wiped the spit from his face with a handkerchief, his anger growing. He sneered, "Since you refuse to speak when I ask you, I'll have no choice but to ask someone to pry open your mouth. I want to see how far your loyalty to Liu An can stand. Where's the censor on duty today? Send him to interrogate you."
Liu Che just sat there, watching Zhang Yannian coming over with the torture instruments. He placed Baili Xi between two benches and took out the red-hot iron.
In an instant, the flesh suddenly shrank, and the bronze skin sank in like cheese melting in the sun. Green smoke accompanied by the aroma of barbecued meat filled the air, revealing a deep red mess of flesh and blood.
After two or three burns, the man still gritted his teeth and refused to let go. Then, he was beaten with a barbed whip and a heavy slap...
The man had no healthy skin left on his body, and he lay there quietly like a pool of stagnant water. Behind the screen, Liu Ju couldn't help but cover his mouth, the acid in his stomach rising, and his heart began to beat rapidly.
Gongsun He's legs went weak as he listened to the horrific sounds of the torture instruments. He was thinking of his son, feeling both sympathy and relief. Fortunately, he had found Baili Xi, otherwise his son would have suffered this torture.
Zhang Yannian asked something calmly, and when he was about to impose another punishment, the man finally moved his mouth and seemed to say something.
Zhang Yannian leaned forward, and the man said, "Your Majesty, let me tell you something..."
Zhang Yannian looked at Liu Che and said, "Your Majesty, he has confessed, but he only told you."
Liu Che thought for a moment, then stood up and walked over. Baili Xi supported himself and sat up with the help of Zhang Yannian. He opened his mouth to Liu Che.
Liu Che didn't hear clearly, so he moved closer to him and lowered his head slightly.
Suddenly, a cold light flashed, and the bloody man who was dying just now immediately broke free from his restraints and attacked the emperor. Liu Che hurriedly took two steps back. He heard Jiang Chong's sharp and panicked shouts for the Yulin Guards. The screen collapsed with a bang, and Liu Ju rushed out in horror and stood in front of Liu Che.
Zhang Yannian caught a glimpse of the thin figure rushing towards him, but he took a step forward to block in front of Liu Che. Baili Xi stabbed Zhang Yannian's abdomen with a dagger that was hidden somewhere.
Liu Che was stunned for a moment, then supported Zhang Yannian. Before he could draw his sword, Zhang Yannian quickly adjusted himself, knocked his dagger down, and regained control in front of Liu Che.
"Is Lord Zhang all right? Send for the imperial physician!"
"I am not in any way in the matter. Your Majesty is not injured?"
"Thank goodness you were quick to block the blow for me. Jiang Chong, go!"
Zhang Yannian was about to speak when his expression suddenly changed. "There's a razor blade in his mouth. Stop him!"
However, before he could finish his words, it was too late. Baili Xi swallowed the blade, his mouth full of blood, and he spat out every word he spoke.
"Ha ha ha ha--"
He looked at Gongsun He, "Gongsun He! You captured me for your son and asked me to betray you. You want my life in exchange for your son's. On what basis?"
He looked at him with resentment, his voice becoming more painful, "If Your Majesty wants me to tell you, I will tell you a secret."
"Gongsun He, you've been planning for your foolish son for so long, but you didn't know that your wife has been secretly having an affair with someone else. She's just waiting for His Majesty's death and the crown prince to take the throne. Then she can kick you out and live freely with her lover..."
Gongsun He's face turned ugly and he reached out to strangle him, but was stopped by Zhang Yannian.
"Nonsense, shut up!"
"Am I talking nonsense? If you don't believe me, go check and see if there's a Gu puppet resembling Your Majesty buried beneath the stone wall in your wife's inner courtyard, next to the locust tree. She and the Wei family are all hoping for Your Majesty's death so she can be with Master Jiang, who is by the Crown Prince's side. And you're trying to capture me to atone for your sins?"
Baili Xi sneered, coughing up blood, "Your Gongsun family is the one who committed the heinous crime of confiscating your property and exterminating your entire clan!"
He roared out his last few words before expiring. The room remained eerily silent for a long moment. Liu Ju, who had unsuccessfully attempted to block Liu Che's sword, stood three steps away, sweating profusely. The man's name included his junior tutor, Jiang Mo, and even mentioned his father's death and the succession of the crown prince...
He was almost frozen in the ice cellar, with cold sweat on his back.
Liu Che's face was gloomy as he looked at the dead and wounded in front of him, and the mess. Gongsun He was angry and afraid. If he had not been there, he would have pulled the man on the ground up and whipped him. However, in an instant, he regained his senses and immediately knelt down to express his determination to him.
"Just now, Baili Xi was resentful of me for capturing and torturing him, and he harbored a grudge, so he slandered me. My family, young and old, are loyal to Your Majesty and have absolutely no evil intentions. Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to be discerning and not to listen to the words of this villain, which alienates the relationship between the ruler and his subjects, and between father and son—"
Liu Che glanced between the few people and felt a headache. "Retreat first."
Gongsun He wanted to say something, but Liu Che's tone was filled with anger, "I tell you to leave first."
Gongsun He had no choice but to shut up. Everyone retreated, leaving only Liu Che and the palace maids who were cleaning. Looking at the palace maids' gentle and submissive appearance, he thought of that person.
How could Baili Xi know about the Gongsun family's affairs? Witchcraft... witchcraft again. He felt something was amiss. Wei Junru didn't believe in witchcraft, so why would he hide a witchcraft doll in his home, and boldly make it look like him? Only she knew the truth about his deep anger towards the witchcraft doll...
The Crown Prince, Gongsun Lin, Wei Junru...killing three birds with one stone, and she is the one who benefits the most from this.
The woman's charming face appeared in his mind. She was not here, but she was playing them around. What should he do to eliminate her hatred?
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