Chương 288: Liu Hong instructs Liu Yue, Liu Ce escorts him.

"What books has Yue'er been reading lately?" Liu Hong took his daughter's hand and chatted casually like an ordinary father.

"I'm reading the Book of Poetry, and occasionally I also glance at the Songs of Chu," Liu Yue replied softly.

"The Grand Tutor sent me several volumes of newly annotated Analects the other day, and I'm reading them as well."

"Good, it's good to read more books." Liu Hong nodded, paused for a moment, and then suddenly changed the subject, "Next month, I will be making a northern tour to Hejian."

Liu Yue raised his eyes and said, "Your subject has heard. The court officials seem... not to agree."

"What do they know?" Liu Hong snorted, then softened his tone, "I plan to take you with me this time."

Liu Yue was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

"Not only will you go to Hejian," Liu Hong said, looking at her and emphasizing each word, "after you return from Hejian, you... will go directly to Zhuo County in Youzhou and stay at the Prince of Yan's residence for a while."

Liu Yue was completely stunned.

Going to Youzhou? Staying at the Prince of Yan's residence? What... what does this have to do with the Northern Inspection Tour to Hejian?

She wasn't actually familiar with Liu Ce, her imperial uncle; they had only met at a palace banquet.

My impression of him is that of a young and heroic prince, who had an unconventional laugh and spoke with strange words, but was gentle to others.

He had met his wife, Cai Yan, a few times; she was indeed a talented woman, and the two had even discussed the art of playing the zither.

She hesitated before asking, "Father, it is only right that I accompany you on your northern tour. But why do you wish to stay in Youzhou?"

Liu Hong remained silent for a long time; only the sound of breathing could be heard in the hall.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse: "Go to Youzhou, keep your sister-in-law Cai Yan company, and see your newborn brothers and sisters. What, you don't want to?"

Liu Yue quickly shook his head and said, "Of course I'd like to! Back in Luoyang, Sister-in-law Yan often discussed poetry and music with me; we were like sisters. And I've long wanted to meet my sisters-in-law Jiang'er and Ning'er as well. Not to mention those little ones..."

A genuine smile appeared on her face as she said, "I heard that my royal uncle has had eleven children—five sons and six daughters. It's truly a joyous occasion. As his elder sister, I should go and see them and offer some gifts."

She was telling the truth.

The deep palace is lonely. Being able to go to Youzhou to keep company with several like-minded sisters-in-law and see those beautiful younger brothers and sisters is something to look forward to.

Looking at the light shining in his daughter's eyes, Liu Hong felt a little comforted, but a deeper sorrow welled up inside him.

He patted his daughter's hand and said, "I'm glad you're willing. Go ahead and get ready. You might be staying for quite a while. Bring plenty of clothes and jewelry, don't skimp on yourself."

"Yes, Father." Liu Yue rose and bowed, then paused and asked softly, "Father, is there... something you're hiding from me?"

Liu Hong avoided his daughter's gaze and said, "What could I possibly have to do? I was just thinking... you must be feeling bored staying in the palace all by yourself. Why don't you go to Youzhou to relax? Your uncle's place is lively, with many children and a harmonious household. I'll feel at ease if you stay there for a while."

These words were spoken lightly, but Liu Yue's heart sank when she heard them.

Father's health... I'm afraid it's really not going to make it.

This trip to the north was less about "going home to visit" and more about... making arrangements for his funeral.

Her trip to Youzhou was probably not just for "relaxation".

"Your subject understands." Liu Yue lowered his head, concealing the worry in his eyes.

"Your subject will go back and make preparations immediately."

Liu Yue bowed and took her leave.

As she reached the entrance of the palace, she glanced back.

The emperor lay back on the soft couch, his eyes closed, his brows furrowed. His once spirited face was now only marked by illness and exhaustion.

A pang of pain shot through her heart, and she turned and left.

...

One month later, in May of the fifth year of the Zhongping era.

The north gate of Luoyang was wide open, and the emperor's entourage marched out of the city in a grand procession.

Banners obscured the sun, and carriages and horses moved like dragons.

Three thousand elite imperial guards led the way, with imperial guards holding halberds to protect the imperial carriage. Behind them followed the carriages of high-ranking officials, eunuchs and attendants, and supply wagons laden with provisions... stretching for miles, raising clouds of dust.

Inside the imperial carriage, Liu Hong closed his eyes to rest, his face appearing even paler from the jolting.

Beside her, Princess Liu Yue sat upright, occasionally lifting a corner of the carriage curtain to look out at the receding Luoyang city.

The procession was not moving fast.

When the emperor went on tours, there were many rules. Local officials had to greet and see him off whenever he passed through a prefecture or county. He had to stop and offer sacrifices at important mountains and rivers along the way. He had to stay and rest at post stations and cities. If he could travel dozens of miles a day, it was considered a successful trip.

Meanwhile, in Zhuo County, Youzhou, at the Prince of Yan's residence.

Liu Ce was "walking the kids" in the backyard. There were eleven children. He had a thick carpet laid out in the yard, put the children on it, and sat in the middle.

"Come here, Chen'er, come to your father!"

"Heng'er, don't snatch your sister's rattle drum!"

"Yao'er! Those are your brother's feet, you can't bite them!"

Just as they were busy with their work, a messenger came from the front yard: "An angel has arrived. Your Majesty, please receive the decree."

Liu Ce patted his bottom, stood up, wiped the child's drool off his body, changed into a formal robe, and went to the front hall to receive the imperial decree.

The imperial edict was very simple: His Majesty will be making a northern tour to Hejian, and orders Prince Liu Ce of Yan to go to Hejian County in Jizhou to receive him and accompany and protect him.

After seeing the angel off, Liu Ce returned to the council hall, stroking his chin in thought.

"Wait... wasn't Liu Hong scared off by Wang Fen's affair in history? How come he still went on the Northern Tour?" he muttered.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai and other core strategists were already waiting in the hall.

"Take a look at them all." Liu Ce handed over the imperial edict.

"His Majesty insists on making a northern tour to Hejian and has ordered me to go to Hejian to meet him and protect him."

After the book was passed around among them, their brows furrowed.

"This is unusual," Fang Xuanling said first.

"The Wang Fen treason case has just occurred, and the situation in Hebei is still unstable. Your Majesty's northern tour at this time is extremely risky. Given Your Majesty's past character, you should not be taking such a risk."

Du Ruhui nodded and said, "Unless... there is a compelling reason to go."

Xun Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty's health, I'm afraid..."

Guo Jia leaned back in his chair and said casually, "His Majesty seems to feel that his days are numbered and wants to return to his hometown to visit, and also... arrange his affairs after his death. Sending you, my lord, shows both genuine trust and... perhaps he intends to entrust his son to someone else?"

One sentence awakened everyone.

Xi Zhicai slowly said, "What Fengxiao said is not without reason. If His Majesty feels that his time is coming to an end, it is reasonable for him to make a northern tour to Hejian to worship his ancestors. As for ordering you, my lord, to protect and receive him... I'm afraid it's not just a matter of trust. Among His Majesty's sons, Prince Bian is old but weak, and Prince Xie is young but intelligent, but neither of them has the qualities of a great ruler.

If His Majesty truly intends to entrust his affairs after his death... looking at the imperial clan, only you, my lord, are capable of this task."

Liu Ce's eyelids twitched as he listened.

Entrusting the young emperor to someone? Don't be ridiculous! Historically, before Liu Hong died, he entrusted Liu Xie to Jian Shuo, and what happened? He Jin immediately had Jian Shuo killed.

This job is not easy!