The first thing Liu Chengyou did when he returned to Beijing was naturally to go to the Ciming Palace to greet Empress Dowager Li. This was a matter of love and etiquette. The Queen Mother was naturally overjoyed when the emperor returned, but what made her even happier was the return of Liu Chengxun's family of three.
Holding her grandson Liu Chun in her arms, she refused to let go. The little baby's several calls made her even more happy. Parents often love their young children very much, and Li couldn't escape this law. She caught Liu Chengxun and asked him questions, showing concern for him, fearing that he would suffer hardship in Chang'an.
"Mom, I'm already twenty-three years old!" Regarding Li's enthusiasm, Liu Chengxun was careful and at the same time a little overwhelmed, so he could only remind him with a little helplessness.
"You are thirty-three years old, and you are also my son!" After hearing what he said, Li Shifeng stared at him.
Hearing this, Liu Chengxun subconsciously shrank his neck, took the initiative to help Li, and said, "Mother is right!"
Seeing this, Mrs. Li couldn't help but smile again. Her angry look disappeared and she regained her kind-hearted look. Looking at her young son, she sighed with some regret: "That's right! Now, my Sanlang has indeed grown up and is now a father! But my mother is Getting older!”
"Mom, you are still young!" Liu Chengxun said sweetly and looked like he was arguing.
Li is now over fifty years old. As a queen mother, although her appearance is well maintained, it is difficult to withstand the erosion of time. The crow's feet at the corners of her eyes and the gray on her temples all show her age.
After noticing it, Liu Chengyou put away his playful smile and said in a serious tone, "Mom, you should take care of your health! When you were sick last year, you scared me!"
Feeling her son's care, Mrs. Li smiled happily, looked at him, and asked, "How long can I stay in Beijing this time? Do I still have to go out to guard?"
Although he was speaking towards Liu Chengxun, he was clearly looking at Liu Chengyou who was following him silently from the corner of his eye. Observing his words, Liu Chengyou had a calm expression. He also took two steps closer, supported Li, and said: "Erlang has been in Chang'an these years and has played a great role in stabilizing the situation in Guanyou. After so many years of experience, he has grown considerably. In my opinion, Come, you can be entrusted with errands. When I ask him to come back this time, I plan to let him stay in Tokyo, join the government and help me!"
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengxun glanced at the emperor's brother in surprise, and couldn't help but ask: "Brother, what position do you plan to take on me?"
"Don't worry, I won't wrong you, the noble prince!" Liu Chengyou said in a brisk tone, appearing very relaxed and immersed in the harmonious atmosphere.
Li said: "No matter what position you are in, just stay in Tokyo!"
Obviously, Mrs. Li cares more about her children and grandchildren, as long as they are around, visible and within reach.
"Sanlang, during this time, you should go to the palace more often so that you can spend time with your mother. She has missed you so much over the years!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
"yes!"
Mrs. Li turned her attention to Liu Chengyou again and said, "When the official family returns to Beijing, it's time to visit the harem!"
Seeing Liu Chengyou's unexpected expression, the Queen Mother pointed her hand and reminded him: "During your absence, two more children were born in the palace. You did the same, but you chose to go on tour when they were giving birth. This is Concubine Zhou Shu's first child. Also Xiao Fu, you are eight months pregnant and your mood has been a bit depressed recently. If you return to Beijing later, I'm afraid you won't be able to catch her in labor..."
After hearing Li's scolding, Liu Chengyou didn't dare to argue. He didn't use the "meaning of the tour" to explain away, but just agreed honestly: "Mom taught me that, but I ignored it a little!"
In the few months since Liu Chengyou left Beijing, Lady Zhou and Lady Zhe gave birth to two princes, making them his seventh and eighth sons.
After staying in Ciming Hall for more than an hour, Liu Chengyou rushed to Qiuhua Hall to visit Concubine Zhexian. She gave birth to her third child at the end of March. No matter what happened in the official history, in the era of Liu Chengyou, Lady Zhe did have the attribute of "having many children".
In the palace, Lady Zhe still held Liu Fang for careful questioning. The son traveled thousands of miles, and his mother was worried. After all, he was only a six-year-old boy, and the journey he traveled was still thousands of miles away. Liu Fang was not a peaceful character, and the wife was also worried that she was injured or sick. Fortunately, he came back intact.
Liu Fang was active and lively. When Liu Chengyou arrived, he was telling Madam Zhe about his experiences on the tour. The boy had no logic and his words were scattered, but Madam Zhe listened very seriously and her eyes were encouraging.
"Official!"
He gently lifted Lady Zhe up and said warmly, "No need to be polite!"
He has a good physical condition. After more than three months of recovery, his figure has almost recovered, but it is more plump. His long legs and slender waist give Liu Chengyou a strong and powerful feeling. I have the urge to measure my feelings with my own hands, but when I am a child, I cannot let myself go wild and I have to maintain the dignity of my father.
Sitting down, Liu Fang immediately sat at his feet. The fifth son, Liu Yun, was a little more awkward, but he followed his brother's example and sat on the other side, timidly calling "Daddy."
"Why, you don't recognize me anymore?" Seeing Liu Yun's unfamiliar expression, Liu Chengyou asked with a smile.
Xiao Liu Yun shook his head, nodded again, his immature face turned red, and finally buried his head.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou had to sigh to himself, there were so many children, it was indeed difficult to take care of them all. He is busy with state affairs, has endless government affairs, and endless worries. The only attention he pays to his children basically falls on the four older princes. As for the others, he does not have that much energy, and it can be regarded as a gain and a loss. Bar.
"Has this child always been so shy? He blushes when he sees me!" Liu Chengyou asked, looking at Madam Zhe who served him tea in person.
Mrs. Zhe said: "She is a bit quiet and doesn't like to talk. After my brother was born, he loved to laugh and was well-behaved. He even took the initiative to help me take care of him..."
"Really? So sensible?" Liu Chengyou touched Liu Yun's head, looked at Madam Zhe, and said with a smile: "Where is my eighth prince? Come out and show me!"
...
Chunlan Palace is the dormitory of Concubine Hui Xiaofu. The decoration inside the palace is not luxurious, but it exudes nobility. In terms of family background, no one in Liu Chengyou's harem could compare with him except his sister Da Fu. Therefore, Concubine Hui has always been somewhat arrogant.
The air is filled with a little calming aroma. She was eight months pregnant with a round belly. She was wearing a loose and revealing palace skirt, and she was leaning quietly on the soft bed in a comfortable posture.
The sky was already getting dark, and the palace attendants were carefully lighting candles to make the palace brighter. A female maid stood aside respectfully and reported carefully: "After returning to the palace, the officials first went to Ciming Hall to pay homage to the Queen Mother. After leaving Ciming Hall, they went to Qiuhua Hall and Shulan Hall to visit the Concubine Xian and the Queen Mother. Concubine Shu, it seems she is still with Concubine Shu now..."
Hearing this, Madam Xiao Fu couldn't help but show sadness in her moonlight face, her eyes were full of sorrow, and she muttered: "Can the officials even think of visiting Concubine Shu, but not me?"
"Madam, don't worry too much. The official may just go to see the two princes, and they may come back later!" Seeing that her mood was a little low, the attendant comforted her.
"Hmph..." The corner of her mouth twitched, and the expression on Mrs. Xiao Fu's beautiful face became more intense.
At this time, there was a noise outside, but it was the laughter of the eldest princess Liu Jia. With her eyebrows slightly furrowed, Madam Xiao Fu said, "Go and see what's going on? Keep an eye on Liu Jia and don't let her run around!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch ran in quickly and announced happily through the beaded curtain and white gauze: "Madam, the official is here!"
Hearing this, Mrs. Xiao Fu suddenly turned from resentment to joy. She held on to the armrest and tried to get up. However, she thought of something and lay back down again. She said calmly: "Well, I understand..."
Outside the hall, a delicate and cute little girl was running around the pillars of the hall, her steps slightly hurried, like Little Red Riding Hood being chased by the big bad wolf, but she was laughing while running, and her mouth made a childish and sweet sound.
A tall shadow covered her, and two big hands clamped her. After all, she could not escape the grasp. With a crisp cry, Princess Han was held in Liu Chengyou's arms.
"You can't escape!" Liu Chengyou pinched his eldest daughter's nose.
Shaking his head vigorously to break away from Liu Chengyou's teasing, Liu Jia sweetly called out: "Daddy!"
The eldest princess Liu Jia was less than four years old, but she didn't recognize Liu Chengyou at all. Her bright eyes were full of spiritual energy. She put her little hands around Liu Chengyou's neck and kissed him on the face, leaving some saliva.
Holding his beloved daughter in his arms, Liu Chengyou asked, "Do you miss me?"
"think!"
Liu Chengyou said: "Why are you playing alone outside the palace?"
Liu Jia curled her lips and said, "Mother doesn't like to laugh, and she doesn't play with me either..."
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou was thoughtful, and soon showed a soft smile: "Dad is back, I will accompany you! Let's go and see your mother first..."
