Chương 251: A Dragon and Phoenix's Appearance, A Radiant Face

Guo Jia was the first to speak, grinning as he said, "Your Majesty, since being conferred the title of Prince of Yan, you seem to have become much more energetic and charismatic! The aura of a prince is truly extraordinary!"

Xi Zhicai quipped, "That's the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, a countenance that shines like the sun and the moon! The aura of a king is overwhelming!"

Jia Xu also spoke up, though in his usual calm tone, "Your Majesty's conferment of the title of King is perfectly legitimate. It will make future actions much easier."

Other advisors followed suit, one saying "Your Majesty is wise and mighty," another saying "Your Majesty's spirit is overwhelming," praising Liu Ce to the point that he almost thought he was a god descended from heaven.

Liu Ce laughed and scolded, "Alright, alright, stop flattering me. I know you guys too well. Fengxiao is trying to say I'm 'hypocritical,' isn't he?"

Guo Jia laughed and said, "How could that be? I'm just sincerely praising you."

Everyone laughed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, and others began to report on recent events.

"In the month or so since Your Highness left, everything in Youzhou has returned to normal. The autumn harvest is complete, the grain has been stored, and the total revenue has reached a record high."

"The promotion of new agricultural tools is progressing smoothly; the curved plow... has been adopted by more than 80% of farmers."

"Workshop output is stable..."

"The expansion of village schools is progressing smoothly. Now, the enrollment rate of children aged six and above in Youzhou has reached 80%."

"In business, fine salt is sold nationwide, generating a monthly profit of about thirty million coins; fine wine is in high demand, and Lady Zhen Jiang is expanding her winery; paper..."

Each item, each line, was meticulously organized.

Liu Ce listened and nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, that's good. Thank you for your hard work," he said sincerely.

These strategists and officials managed Youzhou very well while he was away, and their contributions were indispensable.

Everyone said in unison, "It's no trouble at all to share the King's burdens!"

At this moment, Xun Yu spoke up: "Your Majesty, we have prepared a victory banquet this evening to welcome you back and celebrate your honor of being enfeoffed as the King of Yan."

Liu Ce was taken aback, then laughed, "A victory celebration banquet? Wasn't that already held in Luoyang?"

Guo Jia quickly explained, "Your Majesty, that was a victory celebration banquet held by the imperial court, unlike ours in Youzhou! This is your victory celebration banquet for being enfeoffed as a king, it must be held! Besides..."

He blinked and said, "That way I can drink a few more glasses of wine!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ce laughed loudly and said, "Good! It's done! But Fengxiao, you have to drink less—and Zhicai, you too. Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo both said that your health needs to be taken care of, and you can't drink too much."

Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai's faces immediately fell.

"Your Majesty..."

"Pleading won't work," Liu Ce said sternly.

"This is for your own good. How about this, I'll make an exception today and give everyone three extra drinks. That's all."

Guo Jia wailed, "Three cups are not enough!"

Xi Zhicai, however, took it in stride and laughed, "Three cups are fine, it's better than nothing."

Everyone burst into laughter again.

...

After leaving the Prince of Yan's residence, Liu Ce returned to his own residence.

Liu Bo, the steward of the Liu family, was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Liu Ce return, he quickly bowed and greeted him.

"This old servant greets Your Highness, the Prince of Yan!"

Liu Ce stepped forward to help him up, and said with a smile, "Uncle Liu, please call me Young Master. It sounds more friendly."

Uncle Liu hesitated for a moment and said, "This... isn't against the rules?"

"What rules and regulations?" Liu Ce waved his hand and said, "In our own home, I am the young master. You have watched me grow up since I was a child. Calling me 'King' is too formal. It feels more intimate for me to call me 'Young Master'."

Looking into Liu Ce's sincere eyes, Uncle Liu felt a warmth in his heart and nodded, saying, "Yes, young master."

"Yes, that's right." Liu Ce replied with a smile and walked into the mansion.

He entered the mansion and went straight to the backyard.

As soon as I entered the moon gate, I heard a chorus of warbling birds.

"Sister, when do you think my husband will arrive?"

"It should be soon. The front yard just reported that they've already entered the city."

"I miss my husband so much..."

"Me too......"

Liu Ce smiled and deliberately slowed his pace.

After passing the artificial hill, you'll see a group of beautiful women standing under the eaves.

Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, Zhen Mi, Zou Yu, and Du Xiuniang are ten women, each beautiful and unique in their own way.

They were talking when they suddenly saw Liu Ce and were all stunned.

Then...

"My husband!"

"My husband is back!"

"My husband!"

Instantly, a swarm of women surrounded them.

Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, Zhen Mi, Zou Yu, and Du Xiuniang, ten fiancées, each dressed in their finest attire, their faces beaming with smiles.

"Congratulations to my husband on being granted the title of Prince of Yan!" the women exclaimed in unison.

Liu Ce hugged each of them, smelling their different fragrances, and thought to himself: Home is still the best.

Then he laughed and said, "I've missed you all so much!"

These words were quite blunt, and all the women blushed, but their eyes were filled with joy.

Cai Yan's eyes were a little red as she said, "My husband has worked hard outside."

Zhang Ning remained relatively calm, but the longing in her eyes was unmistakable: "We were all very happy to hear that my husband had been granted the title of king."

Ren Hongchang wrapped her arms around Liu Ce's neck and refused to let go, saying, "Husband, please take me with you on your next long journey."

The five Zhen sisters chattered on and on:

"My lord, is Luoyang fun?"

"Is the palace big?"

"Has anyone been bullying you?"

Liu Ce answered them one by one with a smile.

After a moment of tenderness, Liu Ce remembered his business.

He took out the imperial edict that Liu Hong had given him from his bosom and handed it to Cai Yan, saying, "Yan'er, this is the imperial edict from His Majesty bestowing upon you the title of Princess Consort of Yan."

Cai Yan was taken aback, then took the imperial edict and unfolded it.

The women also gathered around to look.

The imperial edict, personally written by Liu Hong and stamped with the imperial seal, officially conferred upon Cai Yan the title of Princess Consort of Yan, the principal wife, while the other women were designated as secondary wives.

After reading it, Cai Yan was momentarily dazed, and her eyes reddened slightly.

She stepped forward and hugged Liu Ce, her voice choked with emotion, "Thank you, my husband. I... I will take good care of my sisters."

That's a very sensible thing to say.

Liu Ce patted her back and said, "You are the principal wife. From now on, you will have to take good care of this family."

The other women also offered their congratulations: Congratulations, sister!

"Sister Yan is truly deserving of the title of Empress!"

"From now on, we'll listen to our older sister..."

Cai Yan wiped away her tears and smiled, "We sisters are of one mind and will assist our husband together."

Liu Ce felt incredibly relieved watching this scene.

A harmonious harem is better than anything else.

He said, "By the way, at the celebration banquet this evening, I'll mention our marriage to my father-in-law and see when would be a good day."

Upon hearing this, all the women lowered their heads shyly, but their eyes and brows were full of smiles.

"It's entirely up to my husband to decide," Cai Yan said softly.

"Okay." Liu Ce nodded.

...