"Your subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"
The following day, Liu Tong arrived at Liu Hong's bedroom on time to pay his respects.
"Tong'er is here! Come, come, Father hasn't seen you in so long. Sit down next to Father and see if you've lost weight..."
Princesses and emperors should not have been apart for so long, but because of He Ling, Liu Hong, although he doted on his only daughter, rarely summoned her alone.
"Your subject... Your daughter hasn't seen you in a long time. You've lost weight, and your wrinkles have increased..."
Liu Hong is only 31 years old this year, and she was only a few years old when she gave birth to Liu Tong.
Time flies, and Liu Tong has grown up so much, while he has aged prematurely.
"It's alright, it's alright... As long as you're nice, Tong'er, your father will be happy..."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Liu Hong got straight to the point.
"Daughter, there's something I want to tell you. You and Zhao Hao might not be able to get married."
Liu Tong's eyes narrowed, and before she could ask further, Liu Hong spoke to himself.
"This kid is not as simple as you think. In the coming days... he's probably going to go against all the powerful families, landlords, and gentry in the world."
Daughter, I'll find you another one later...
"No!"
Liu Tong shook his head firmly, interrupting Liu Hong.
"Father, there's no need for this! Your daughter will marry no one but Zhao Hao. I beg you to grant my request!"
Liu Hong's face turned pale and then red. Originally, he planned to let the matter with Zhao Hao cool down and let it pass in a few years.
Liu Tong is already eighteen (by Chinese reckoning), and by the time things cool down with Zhao Hao, she will be too old to get married... Therefore, Liu Hong plans to find Liu Tong a suitable match and cancel the engagement.
Unexpectedly, Liu Tong's reaction far exceeded his expectations.
"You... you're determined to marry him? You've met him?"
Liu Tong nodded and said frankly.
"Father, please forgive me. A few days ago, I secretly left the palace and traveled around Luoyang City."
I was present when General Zhao Hao and General He Miao had their conflict!
Father, there are few truly loyal and righteous people in this world. Those who are selfless and devoted to the people and to justice are even rarer.
This is the kind of man my daughter desires to marry; I beg Father to grant her wish!
Liu Hong frowned slightly. "Did he...recognize you?"
Liu Tong shook his head again. "No, my daughter went out dressed as a man. If one of his men hadn't inadvertently revealed it, she wouldn't have known he was the famous Zhao Hao..."
Liu Hong rubbed his temples; this time, he was in a very difficult situation.
He couldn't ignore Liu Tong's request, but if he continued to let Liu Tong marry Zhao Hao, it would mean a complete breakdown in relations with the He family.
"you.."
"Your Majesty! The Empress and Prince Shi are requesting an audience!"
Liu Hong took three deep breaths before speaking to Liu Tong.
"You should go back first. I have my own plans!"
"Father..."
"go back!"
"Your subject obeys!"
After Liu Tong left, He Ling naturally saw Liu Tong's dejected expression, and her heart was filled with even more joy.
As she led Liu Bian into the palace, she felt even more certain that her plan would be rewarded.
"Your concubine/your son pays respects to Your Majesty/Father!"
"Yes, get up, everyone."
Afterwards, He Ling took Liu Bian and chatted casually with Liu Hong for a few minutes.
However, Liu Hong's mind was not at peace until He Ling mentioned it.
“Your Majesty, Bian’er is already sixteen years old (by Chinese reckoning). Why doesn’t Your Majesty appoint Bian’er as Crown Prince and let him assist Your Majesty in handling state affairs, so that he can fulfill his duties as a subject and lighten Your Majesty’s burden?”
Liu Hong chuckled. He Ling had brought her son to visit early in the morning; she was clearly up to no good.
"Establishing the Crown Prince is no small matter. However... Bian'er, your father has a question for you."
If you answer well, then establishing an heir apparent is not out of the question.
Liu Bian nodded blankly, "Father, please ask any questions. I will study hard today and will not disappoint you!"
"Hmm... what would you do if someone bullied your uncle?"
He Ling's expression hardened, and she instinctively wanted to speak.
Whether it's offering a reminder or answering on Liu's behalf, she wants to do it.
After all, this problem was clearly a trap set by Liu Hong.
"Huh? Well... someone bullied my uncle, of course I'll fight back for him!"
However, He Ling was unable to speak up for Liu Hong. Liu Hong's cold, murderous gaze made her afraid to utter a word.
"Hehe... Empress, let's discuss the matter of establishing the Crown Prince later! I need to review memorials today. Empress, please take the eldest prince back to the palace first, and I will give him a proper lesson!"
"Yes... Your Majesty!"
Liu Bian's answer would be perfectly reasonable in an ordinary household.
But as a descendant of emperors, everything he does should be based on the interests of the nation.
If Liu Bian were to ascend to the Eastern Palace at this moment, he would be tormented to death by those ministers at any time.
Seeing He Ling shooting herself in the foot, Liu Hong's expression shifted slightly.
"By my order, prepare the place where Empress Dowager Dong is located!"
...
Speaking of which, Liu Bian was raised by He Ling, while Liu Xie, who lost his mother at a young age, was raised by Empress Dowager Dong.
From this perspective, Liu Tong is actually the most lonely and destitute person, without any elders to raise him.
"Mother, it's been a long time."
"Hehe, Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and you must be very busy with state affairs. How could you possibly remember an old woman like me who has lived in the deep palace for so long?"
"Um... Your son pays his respects to Your Majesty."
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