novelAbuy Chapter 19: Three Generations of Prosperous and Virtuous Grandson: Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun!
Chapter 19: Three Generations of Prosperous and Virtuous Grandson: Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun!
"Where is Jin'er?"
Liu Ju glanced at Shi Liangdi, then looked at the empty space behind her, and couldn't help but ask.
"Jin'er just ate, and the wet nurse is sleeping with him."
Shi Liangdi said gently.
The Crown Prince's eldest son, Liu Jin, was only a little over a year old, a time when he needed to be pampered in every way.
The people who took care of Liu Jin were all trusted confidants personally appointed by Empress Wei Zifu and drawn from the Jiaofang Palace of Weiyang Palace by Grand Chamberlain Wei Yong. Even his own mother, Consort Shi, was not allowed to take him along, which shows how much importance was placed on him.
"You've suffered."
Liu Ju pulled Shi Liangdi into his arms and comforted her.
"I am not suffering."
Shi Liangdi sat comfortably in Liu Ju's lap, feeling his broad-mindedness, and was completely content.
"I wasn't talking about Jin'er, but you."
"You gave birth to my eldest son. Jin'er is not only the eldest son of the Crown Prince, but also His Majesty's eldest grandson."
"You should be promoted to Crown Princess and take charge of the affairs of the Crown Prince's palace."
Liu Ju gently inhaled the faint scent of soapberry in Shi Liangdi's hair and said with pity.
"Your Highness."
Consort Shi broke free from his embrace and said earnestly, "I don't want any Crown Princess title."
"I only wish that Jin'er and Your Highness will live a peaceful and prosperous life."
"You silly woman."
Upon hearing this, Liu Ju felt both heartache and helplessness.
In the history of the Han Dynasty, there has never been a woman whose husband was the Crown Prince, whose son was the eldest grandson of the Emperor, whose grandson was the Emperor, yet she herself was not the Crown Princess. This was extremely unfair to Consort Shi, and all of this stemmed from Emperor Wu of Han's suppression of the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness."
"I heard that you killed the Imperial Censor in Ganquan Palace."
"Now, all the Confucian scholars in Bowang Garden have been sent to the Court of Justice."
"At the court assembly the day after tomorrow, Father Emperor, and all the ministers in the court..."
"It's alright."
Liu Ju extended his index finger and placed it on Shi Liangdi's red lips.
He knew, of course, what Consort Shi was worried about: Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che's, dissatisfaction, and the disappointment of the ministers in the court who were close to him.
But a short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one. Who knows whether those people in the court truly support the Crown Prince or are just taking advantage of the chaos? This is a good opportunity to see clearly who the allies are, who the enemies are, and who the useful ones are.
"I understand now."
"It's going to rain, and my mother is going to remarry. My father's dissatisfaction with me is not just a recent thing."
"Why should I care about his moods? I am the Crown Prince, the heir apparent of the Han Dynasty."
"As long as I don't commit any heinous crimes while in this position, what does it matter if he is the Emperor? He still can't depose me."
When this was mentioned, Liu Ju's face showed disdain and sarcasm towards Liu Che.
As long as the Wei family remains in power and Wei Qing is still alive, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, is dreaming if he wants to touch this crown prince.
Would those former subordinates of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing in the army agree to this?
"I am ignorant of matters of state and military affairs."
"I only know that Your Highness is my husband."
"Your Highness may do whatever you wish, and I will always support you until death."
Consort Shi met Crown Prince Liu Ju's gaze with a firmness she had never shown before.
"You're such a silly woman."
Liu Ju could see the fear in her heart, but Shi Liangdi overcame her fears and chose to support him for her own sake. She was a good woman.
"Your Highness."
Shi Liangdi nestled in Liu Ju's arms, doing nothing, quietly enjoying this rare moment of intimacy.
At this moment, some thoughts began to surface in Liu Ju's mind. Shi Liangdi's maternal clan came from the Shi clan of the State of Lu. The Shi clan was descended from the Grand Historian Yi of the Western Zhou Dynasty. They took their surname from their official titles. When King Ping of Zhou moved the capital eastward, the State of Lu performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth with the rites of the Son of Heaven. King Ping sent Shi Jiao to the State of Lu to stop the suburban sacrifice. Shi Jiao once lived in the State of Lu and served as the Prime Minister and Historian of Lu. He was the ancestor of the Shi clan of Lu.
The Shi family of Lu produced many historians, including Shi Qiu (whose courtesy name was Ziyu and was also known as Shi Yu), a high-ranking official of Wei.
By the time of Shi Liangdi's generation, her elder brother Shi Gong was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou with the rank of General of the Household, and the whole family moved to Duling (northwest of present-day Chang'an County, Shaanxi Province).
Shi Gong died young, leaving behind three sons: Shi Gao, Shi Zeng, and Shi Xuan, all of whom were quite talented.
Shi Gao was once a trusted minister of Emperor Xuan of Han, who rose to the positions of Grand Marshal, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and head of the Imperial Secretariat. During Emperor Xuan's reign, Shi Zeng served as Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Shi Xuan was enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingtai Kang.
The Shi family was Liu Jin's maternal clan and also his wife's clan, thus they were bound together and naturally had a foundation of trust.
Thinking of this, Liu Ju immediately asked, "Jie'er."
"I remember my brother-in-law has three sons: Shi Gao is about the same age as me, Shi Zeng, and Shi Xuan?"
"Your Highness."
Although Shi Liangdi was somewhat puzzled as to why Liu Ju suddenly asked this question, she still answered truthfully: "My eldest brother's eldest son has just come of age, his second son is still young, and his youngest son is no more than a toddler."
"Um."
Upon hearing this, Liu Ju pondered for a moment and then said, "Summon Shi Gao, Shi Zeng, and Shi Xuan to the palace tomorrow."
"I have my own plans."
"On behalf of the historian, I thank Your Highness."
Shi Liangdi could easily see that Liu Ju intended to give the Shi family an important position, and she was so excited that she immediately knelt down and bowed.
"Get up quickly."
Liu Ju helplessly helped Shi Liangdi up and explained, "The Shi family is Jin'er's maternal family, and is my wife's family."
"I don't have many capable people around me. If I don't use my own people, why should I use outsiders?"
"Jin'er has a wet nurse to take care of him. You have nothing to do on weekdays, so learn from your mother to manage all the affairs of the Crown Prince's palace."
"Your Highness, this..."
Shi Liangdi looked at him with some surprise.
Regarding the internal affairs of the Crown Prince's palace, the court had a special official in charge, namely the Grand Tutor, who was responsible for managing the household affairs of the Crown Prince and the Empress.
The current Chancellor Chen Zhang is not only the great-grandson of Chen Ping, the Marquis of Quni who was a founding meritorious official of the Western Han Dynasty, but also the husband of Wei Qing, the Marquis of Changping, and Wei Shao'er, the elder sister of Empress Wei Zifu.
"You don't need to worry about the Grand Tutor; I have my own arrangements."
"From now on, all palace maids and eunuchs in the Crown Prince's palace will be under your command."
"In the future, you will become the Crown Princess and the Empress. You must start learning these things now."
"Do you understand?"
Liu solemnly instructed.
Based solely on the fact that Consort Shi was Liu Jin's mother, she was certain that she would become the Crown Princess and Empress.
It wasn't important that the throne passed to Liu Jin; what mattered most was that it passed to Liu Jin's son, Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun.
"Your Highness, I will certainly live up to your expectations."
Shi Liangdi was overjoyed and quickly agreed.
Previously, she didn't care about the position of Crown Princess, but now it's different. She gave birth to Liu Jin. If she were the Crown Princess, Liu Jin would be the eldest son of the Crown Prince, the eldest grandson of the current Emperor, and the future Emperor of Han. For the sake of her son, she had to fight for it whether she wanted to or not.
"Um."
Liu nodded, becoming increasingly satisfied with Shi Liangdi.
PS: The age breakdown of men in ancient times.
Ages 8 to 14 are considered the "total age" when hair is tied into two buns.
Ages 13 to 15 are considered the "spoon dance" years, during which children learn etiquette dances, including the spoon dance.
Ages 15 to 20 are considered the prime years for learning elephant dance, specifically martial arts: elephant dance.
At the age of 20, one undergoes the coming-of-age ceremony, signifying adulthood and eligibility for military service.
At 30, one stands firm; at 40, one is free from confusion; at 50, one knows one's destiny, for at fifty one understands the will of Heaven.
60 years old, the age of understanding and acceptance; 70 years old, the age of antiquity; 80 to 90 years old, the age of advanced age.