"I have indeed neglected and owed them something!" After regaining consciousness, Emperor Liu showed a rare wry smile.
His personal energy and physical strength are limited. Apart from focusing on important state affairs, he doesn't have much time left for the harem, and the same goes for his children. Furthermore, he has so many children, how can he cover everything? Compared with the energy invested in his eldest children, he does not care much about other children.
Especially for the two brothers Liu Ye and Liu Xin, it's just that they are young. More importantly, their mother is from a humble background and cannot be taken seriously. Although Liu Ye's mother, Qin Li, had been granted the title of Concubine Xiang and had some status in the palace, it was only a reward for giving birth to a prince. At that time, she was just a Yao girl presented by Qin Zaixiong.
As for Concubine Yelu, due to her status as a Khitan royal family, it was even more difficult for her to win the favor of Emperor Liu, and she even looked awkward. The mother and son were even more ostracized in the palace, especially during the hostilities between Han and Liao. After the brutal battle, they could only keep their eyebrows down and live in peace.
The son is more valuable than the mother, and this is also true in the Han court. Their children, such as Empress Fu, Imperial Concubine, and Concubine Xian, received significantly more attention than others. In the past, Concubine Hui and Concubine Ning, who were less advanced, received a lot of favors due to their advantages in age and status, and their children also benefited from it. benefit.
As for the others, many people were almost forgotten by Emperor Liu. Including Concubine Zhou Shu, who was once favored, is not so valued now. After all, Concubine Shu is a literary and artistic person with a virtuous nature, beautiful appearance and good temperament. At first, she was able to attract Emperor Liu with this, but over time, she got tired of it and her temperament and interests were not congenial.
As she grew older and her beauty gradually faded, Emperor Liu's interest decreased even more. She did not have a deep relationship with Emperor Liu like Da Fu and Gao and Zhe.
More importantly, when Emperor Liu brought Xiao Zhou into the harem, yes, Emperor Liu had already brought Lady Xiao Zhou into the harem, and in one step, she directly canonized her as concubine Yi, which satisfied his inner sense of curiosity.
As for this move, others did not dare to say anything or gossip in private, but Concubine Zhou's reaction was surprisingly strong. This was the first time Emperor Liu discovered that this concubine also had a strong character hidden under her soft appearance.
He directly expressed his dissatisfaction with Emperor Liu's acceptance of his sister. This was the first time in his sixteen or seventeen years of serving Emperor Liu that he dared to disobey Emperor Liu's wishes and show off his temper to him.
But who is Emperor Liu, how can he allow her to be like this? He has no interest in guessing Concubine Shu's thoughts or understanding Concubine Shu's mood. Therefore, Concubine Shu of the Great Zhou Dynasty has completely fallen out of favor. Up to now, she can basically only stay in the dormitory. Gu Ying felt sorry for himself.
For Liu Hui's sake, Emperor Liu did not punish him too much, otherwise, he might be thrown into the cold palace. For Emperor Liu, he could not allow every concubine to be presumptuous in front of him. After all, there was only one Queen Fu in the world.
In the past, the seventh prince Liu Hui was loved and valued by Emperor Liu because of his extraordinary talents and outstanding literary talents. However, he was also ignored by Emperor Liu because of his mother.
This is what happened to Concubine Shu and her son, but not to others. For example, the two wives Xu and Li who had been forcibly brought into the palace by Emperor Liu had long been forgotten by Emperor Liu and disappeared somewhere.
The palace was never harmonious, and was always full of disputes and calculations. Emperor Liu was also a hard-hearted person, and he often showed his ruthlessness inadvertently.
In the past, there may have been a happy scene, but it was just a superficial illusion. They jointly created a harmonious atmosphere in order to cater to Emperor Liu or to offend him.
However, people's hearts are fickle, and Emperor Liu is gradually getting older. Most importantly, the princes are gradually growing up. They are talkative and have different thoughts. They are prone to conflicts and their feelings are becoming increasingly indifferent.
Including the father-son relationship between Emperor Liu and his children, even he himself had to admit that apart from the inseparable blood connection, the relationship was extremely shallow. Emperor Liu did not really fulfill his duties as a father. Of course, he also It is difficult to achieve, the palace is by no means so beautiful, and as an emperor, many things have long become a luxury for him.
One thing that can more intuitively reflect the relationship between Emperor Liu and his princes and children is that the princes at the back of the throne are also growing up, and when they face Emperor Liu, in addition to being in awe, they are full of a sense of alienation.
"Spend more time in the future!" Seeing Emperor Liu thinking deeply, Da Fu put his hand gently on his hand and said warmly.
Looking at her sideways, Emperor Liu smiled slightly: "Fortunately, I still have you. Having you as a good wife can take care of my harem and care for my children, which can also help me feel less guilty!"
Hearing this, Dafu said: "I'm just doing my job, but there are some things that I can't replace!"
"Even if it is a matter of personal responsibility, it has greatly relieved my worries!" Emperor Liu said immediately, looking grateful to the queen.
Emperor Liu's words were not without purpose. Empress Fu had always shown herself to be a great lady in the Han Palace. She also paid more attention to the less favored concubines and the prince's children in the harem, which indeed played a role in stabilizing the harem and the mother-in-law. The role of Yitianxia.
Of course, this is also the smart point of Empress Fu. She never suppresses those concubines who cannot threaten her status, and tries her best to show her tolerance, magnanimity, gentleness and virtuousness. In terms of style, magnanimity, and knowledge, there is no one else in the Han Palace after Shi Fu. This is also the most fundamental reason why she can firmly occupy the lower position and win the respect of Emperor Liu.
"The children are getting older and are not so easy to discipline. They all respect you. I hope you will pay more attention in the future!" Emperor Liu said to Empress Fu.
Gu Chui and Da Fu just smiled at this.
"Your Majesty!" During the conversation, the two ministers stepped onto the stage and bowed in salute.
"Brother Yun, there's no need to be polite!" Emperor Liu smiled gently when he saw the visitor.
The first person to take the lead was King Xu and Zong Zhengqing Liu Chengyun.
"Little Fourteen, go find your mother, don't run around, pay attention to safety!" Emperor Liu said, shuddering slightly at Liu Xin's back.
"Yes!" Looking at Emperor Liu, Liu Xin jumped to the ground, saluted the emperor and empress, bowed to the visitor, and then trotted away with her calves.
Seeing Liu Xin's back, Liu Chengyun couldn't help but sigh to Emperor Liu: "Although the Fourteenth Prince is young, he understands etiquette so well. He will definitely be a handsome gentleman in the future. His Majesty has taught him well!"
In response to the compliment, Emperor Liu smiled lightly: "Brother Yun, you're welcome, these boys can't stand the compliment!"
Liu Chengyun laughed along with him and turned his body away somewhat deliberately, making Emperor Liu pay more attention to the person next to him.
"It's Brother Jun!" The smile on Emperor Liu's face did not diminish, but his eyes were a little calm.
"Your Majesty, Chengjun is about to take office in Guangnan. I came here to say goodbye and listen to your Majesty's lessons!" Liu Chengyun said proactively.
The middle-aged man beside Liu Chengyun is Liu Chengjun, the son of the late imperial uncle and Taiyuan King Liu Chong, and of course, Liu Chengyun's brother.
At this time, Liu Chengjun was approaching his fifties, but he looked very old. His body did not look very strong, he was a little puffy, and his face showed the vicissitudes of life.
"Your Majesty!" Facing Emperor Liu, Liu Chengjun was more reserved, a little nervous, and a little timid.
"Brother Jun, there is no need to be restrained. We are all a family. If you need anything, you can come to see me directly!" Emperor Liu remained gentle, but Liu Chengjun did not dare to take his friendly smile seriously.
Speaking of which, it has been almost nineteen years since the Hedong incident, when Liu Chong's family was "escorted" to Beijing. After Liu Chong died, all his sons were recalled and kept in captivity in Luoyang.
If there is a chance, Liu Chengjun really wants to ask Emperor Liu, do you know how we got here in the past nineteen years? It may be a bit excessive to say that pigs are being raised, because pigs only need to squat in the pen and wait for food.
And they were concentrated in a large manor and had to make a living by digging in the fields like those mud-legged people. For such a large family, the money and food allocated by the government every year was simply not enough for them to live a comfortable and wealthy life. Life.
Doing business was prohibited, even freedom was restricted, and people were not allowed to leave the territory of Luoyang. It was not until the imperial court moved westward to Luoyang that control was relaxed.
Counting Liu Chengyun, Liu Chong had ten sons in total, and after many years, only four of them are still alive. The others either died of illness, depression, or died in accidents...
It was not until the past two years that Emperor Liu finally completely lifted their ban, allowed them to return to the court, and granted them official positions. Life became easier and they gradually returned to the treatment of nobles. Of course, behind this is Liu Chengyun’s years of unremitting efforts to plead for mercy.
I have to say that in the eyes of some people, Emperor Liu was quite tolerant towards foreign ministers, but towards his own family within the royal family, Emperor Liu seemed a bit harsh and ruthless.
You must know that even criminal ministers like Yang Bin and Su Fengji have returned to the court for many years, retiring in Beijing and spending thousands of years in peace, and Su Fengji's children and grandchildren have also begun to serve as officials.
It happened that the descendants of the elders of the clan like Liu Chong and Liu Xin had not enjoyed the status and honor they deserved for many years. If Liu Chengyun had not been interceding for him, perhaps nothing would have changed until the death of Emperor Liu.
"Brother Jun, don't you think Lingnan is remote and difficult?" Emperor Liu said softly, looking at Liu Chengjun who looked in awe.
