The first thing Liu Chengyou did when he returned to Tokyo was to enter the palace to pay his respects to Queen Li and let her take a look at himself. This was something he had always done and couldn't change. Then, he learned from Li that his eldest brother Liu Chengxun had fallen ill, and was ordered to visit the Prince of Wei's Mansion.
Of course, Liu Chengyou had actually known about Liu Chengxun's situation for a long time, but he just couldn't show it. When he learned about the situation, Liu Chengyou's mood was complicated and difficult to describe.
"Find the best imperial doctor, use the best medicine, and I will cure the King of Wei. Otherwise, I will kill you!" Liu Chengyou came to the door and heard Liu Zhiyuan's angry voice outside Nuange where Liu Chengxun was resting.
Liu Chengyou stopped.
Accompanied by several coughs, Liu Chengxun's weak voice came: "The imperial doctors and servants have all served the soup and medicine with all their heart, and have never abandoned them. Father does not need to criticize them harshly..."
Entering the Nuan Pavilion, a bitter medicinal smell hits your nostrils. The further you go in, the stronger the smell becomes. On the couch, Liu Chengxun was lying on the bed, wrapped in a soft quilt, with a sickly look on his face and in very bad condition. However, when he saw Liu Chengyou, a pale smile appeared on his face: "Er Lang is here."
"Brother." Liu Chengyou didn't know what kind of emotion to face Liu Chengxun's smile, and he responded in a deep voice.
After asking the imperial doctor about his condition, he was told that he was afraid that cold poison would invade his lungs and that he needed to take good care of himself and work less hard. The imperial doctor spoke vaguely, but the situation was obviously not optimistic. After briefly greeting his eldest brother, seeing that his strength was declining, he felt inconvenienced and was called away by Liu Zhiyuan.
"Sister-in-law, take good care of big brother." Liu Chengyou sighed and told Princess Wei.
The sister-in-law's eyes were somewhat moist, but she nodded slightly sadly.
When he walked out of the Nuan Pavilion, Liu Zhiyuan stood under the verandah, raising his head and blowing the cold wind for a while. His expression showed compassion, and his face looked older. Liu Chengyou stood beside him and comforted him softly: "As long as you take good care of yourself, your brother will get better. Father, don't worry."
Hearing the sound, Liu Zhiyuan turned to look at the second son, his eyes were particularly complicated, and he summoned a eunuch, who was the chamberlain beside Liu Zhiyuan, and gave stern instructions: "If the Palace of Wei has any needs, they will be supplied in place, without any delay!"
"yes!"
"You must be tired after all the way back. Let's go home and have a good rest. I will allow you to take a bath for a few days. Well, the weather is so cold and freezing, so take care of yourself..." After giving the instructions, Liu Zhiyuan rarely spoke in a warm tone. , gave Liu Chengyou some instructions, which made him a little uncomfortable.
"Yes!" Liu Chengyou bowed respectfully.
"Go back to the palace!" Liu Zhiyuan ordered with half interest, and left slowly.
"Congratulations to the official family!"
Looking from behind, Liu Chengyou clearly noticed that Liu Zhiyuan's steps were staggering and heavy.
When Liu Chengyou returned to Prince Zhou's Mansion, he found that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the mansion. It was already dark, and the candles lit in the back hall were extremely bright. The two women, Mrs. Gao and Mrs. Geng, were sitting opposite each other... ..
Gao was born into a noble family and was beautiful and generous. Although she was getting married for the second time, she was not secretly despised. Sitting there, her beautiful eyes were as calm as water, and her aura directly overshadowed Geng's.
Mr. Geng had a weak and charming expression, his head lowered unconfidently, and he tilted his head slightly stubbornly, biting his tender lips. It was only when my hand touched my belly that I felt relieved...
"Erlang!"
"Your Highness!"
Seeing Liu Chengyou, the two women stood up and saluted one after another. Geng was a little anxious and rushed to the front of the hall with unsteady steps. With his brows slightly furrowed, Liu Chengyou put his hand on her arm and looked at her belly. It was already slightly bulging, but Geng was too thin, so the bulge was not too obvious.
Taking a slow breath, Liu Chengyou said softly: "It's cold, don't catch a cold!"
"Yes." He responded softly, and Geng couldn't help but glance at Gao Huaijin below and behind him.
Liu Chengyou had no intention of paying attention to the "confrontation" between the two women, or he didn't care at all. After ordering someone to clear out a courtyard and settle Gao's family in, Liu Chengyou went to his study alone. Geng couldn't help but feel disappointed that she couldn't be gentle with Liu Chengyou, but she knew Liu Chengyou's temper and didn't dare to make trouble at all.
As soon as Li Chongju returned to Beijing, he sorted out the intelligence information uploaded by his spies. He was summoned by Liu Chengyou and prepared a full report, especially about the changes in the court after Liu Chengxun fell ill.
To sum it up in one sentence, Yang Bin seized power wantonly, and all military and political affairs, no matter how big or small, were passed through his hands, put into his eyes, and then implemented...
It was still early, and it was already dark. The guards came to report, and Li Shaoyou, the eunuch of the palace, came to visit. His cousin had been promoted again and had some practical duties, taking charge of the court's etiquette affairs.
"Erlang, have you gone to see King Wei?" Li Shaoyou asked Liu Chengyou very familiarly as soon as he sat down.
"Yeah." Liu Chengyou nodded.
I saw Li Shaoyou saying slightly excitedly: "As soon as he falls ill, your opportunity will come!"
After saying this, Li Shaoyou glanced at Liu Chengyou and saw that his face was expressionless and his expression was solemn. With the corner of his mouth raised, Li Shaoyou said: "How can I inherit the throne, sick Yangzi? After this incident, I am afraid that the emperor's heart will be biased towards you. Officials will not be careless about the country and the country." If the news spread that King Wei was seriously ill, all the officials would be unable to sit still. "
"Tell me, should we seize the opportunity and take advantage of it..."
Li Shaoyou made circles with his fingers, giving Liu Chengyou advice like a dog-headed strategist. Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Liu Chengyou: "What are you doing while you have the opportunity?"
Liu Chengyou looked at Li Shaoyou with a cold face, making his cousin feel a little guilty. He took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Now, there is nothing we can do! We also need to pray for my elder brother and hope that he will get well soon. !”
Hearing this, Li Shaoyou thought for a moment, nodded thoughtfully, glanced at Liu Chengyou, and said subconsciously: "In my opinion, if King Wei dies this time, then -"
"Shut up!" Liu Chengyou slammed the table and scolded him sternly, making Li Shaoyou jump.
The atmosphere in the room was a little depressed, and his expression was slightly stagnant. Li Shaoyou looked at Liu Chengyou seriously. I murmured in my heart, could it be that King Zhou still cares about brotherhood?
However, after thinking about it for a while, Li Shaoyou couldn't help but feel horrified. He seemed to have violated a taboo. Then thinking of what Liu Chengyou said, he quickly stood up and said, "I understand."
Seeing his reaction, Liu Chengyou was a little surprised. What do you understand?
"Inaction means doing everything! At this time, you really must not move lightly, otherwise you will only fear the criticism of the ministers..." Li Shaoyou looked like he had guessed Liu Chengyou's thoughts.
...
Liu Zhiyuan was also ill and had no energy to manage the affairs of state, so he left all major affairs of government to the hands of Yang Bin and other prime ministers. After Du Chongwei was pacified, the situation in Dahan finally entered a period of stability.
Due to the weather, Meng Shu did not dare to invade Fengxiang and Jingzhao. Knowing that the Central Plains was settled, he decisively retreated.
As for Gao Congjiao in the south, he sent 20,000 soldiers from Jingnan to attack Yingzhou in the north. However, An Shenqi, the governor of Shannan East Road, led thousands of state soldiers. He defeated many with less and was defeated. Hearing again that Liu Zhiyuan's relatives had won the battle and returned to the court, Gao Laizi was frightened and sick. He quickly sent an envoy to the Southern Tang Dynasty to profess his vassalage to Li Jing in order to seek protection...
As for Liu Chengxun's illness, it never got better. It was delayed until the winter months, but became worse. Emperor Liu Zhiyuan was worried about this.
In November, Liu Chengyou suddenly received an invitation from Liu Chengxun to visit him.
With some doubts in his heart, Liu Chengyou came to the door. To his surprise, Liu Chengxun did not see him in the "Medicine Pavilion", but in an octagonal pavilion in the garden of Prince Wei's palace, fully clothed.
Set up a table, cook wine, and grill meat.
Sitting in front of the case, Liu Chengyou noticed Liu Chengxun's face. He was as pale as Fu Fen, with a strange blush on his face. His movements were weak, giving people the feeling of being terminally ill.
"It's windy here, brother, you shouldn't do this, you'd better go inside."
Liu Chengxun shook his head. He was out of breath, but his voice was leisurely: "Being sick in the house for more than a month is not as refreshing as the outside..."
Seeing Liu Chengyou's serious expression, Liu Chengxun smiled, as gentle as he usually was: "Erlang, I'm afraid I won't die soon!"
