Chương 291: Legal Basis

Liu Hong continued, "Wan Nian is my favorite child. Her mother passed away early, and she doesn't have many relatives left in this world. I brought her here this time because I want to... entrust her to you."

Liu Ce was stunned and said, "Brother..."

"I know my own body well," Liu Hong pointed to his chest.

"I can't hold on much longer. After my death, Luoyang will surely descend into chaos. He Jin and the eunuchs will definitely fight each other. Bian'er and Xie'er, whoever ascends to the throne, will likely just be puppets. It's too dangerous for Wan Nian to remain in Luoyang."

He grasped Liu Ce's hand tightly and said, "Of all the imperial relatives, you are the one I trust the most. My brother, take good care of her for me and protect her for the rest of her life."

Liu Ce's throat tightened, and he nodded heavily, saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, as long as I am alive, I will never let the princess suffer the slightest grievance."

"Alright, alright." Liu Hong released his hand, took a sip of tea, paused for a moment, and then said, "There is one more thing... I hope that, no matter whether Bian'er or Xie'er sits on this throne in the future, you, my brother, can do your best to help him. Even if... it's just to let him be a peaceful emperor, and not die too miserably."

Liu Ce solemnly replied, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost."

Liu Hong looked at him and suddenly smiled, a smile that was both desolate and relieved.

He stood up, walked to Liu Ce's side, patted him on the shoulder, then leaned down and whispered something in his ear in a voice only the two of them could hear.

Liu Ce's eyes widened little by little.

"If they are capable of serving you in the future, then you, my brother, should serve them well. If... they are both incapable of being developed, then you, my brother, should take their place."

Liu Ce was startled and suddenly looked up.

Liu Hong pressed down on his shoulder, preventing him from getting up, and continued to whisper:

"I won't blame you. You are a member of our Liu family, and the blood of our ancestor flows in your veins."

"Besides, I obtained this position by accident back then, so there's no question of legitimacy or illegitimacy. As long as the family name is Liu, this empire doesn't necessarily have to belong to my branch."

"Most importantly, we must not let the Han Dynasty collapse! We must not let the ancestral foundation of the Liu family be destroyed! We must not let the people of the Han Dynasty fall into misery again! We must not... let outsiders taint the Liu family's empire!"

These words were spoken with absolute certainty, carrying the final decision of an emperor.

After saying that, he took out a scroll from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Keep this safe."

"If it really comes to that in the future... this will be your legitimate proof."

"This world... is entrusted to you."

The scroll is bright yellow and embroidered with dragon patterns; it is an imperial edict.

Liu Hong patted Liu Ce on the shoulder heavily, gave him one last look, turned around, and slowly walked down the hillside.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu wanted to follow, but Liu Hong waved his hand and said, "Let me walk by myself."

His figure stood forlorn, slowly fading into the afterglow of the setting sun.

Liu Ce sat alone in the pavilion, remaining motionless for a long time.

A breeze brushed past the teacup, and the water had gone completely cold.

He reached out, picked up the imperial edict, and slowly unfolded it.

His eyes swept over each word, and his pupils suddenly contracted, his breath catching in his throat for a moment.

The imperial edict was short, but its meaning was terrifyingly clear:

"... If future generations are unworthy and the dynasty is in peril, a virtuous and capable member of the imperial clan may be chosen to succeed him. Liu Ce, the Prince of Yan, is my younger brother, loyal and brave, and his achievements are unparalleled in his time. He is suitable to inherit the throne..."

Behind it is the imperial seal, as well as Liu Hong's autograph and personal seal.

This is a secret edict... a succession decree.

No, to be more precise, it was a legal basis for saying, "If neither Liu Bian nor Liu Xie can do it, then you can take over."

Liu Ce's hand, holding the imperial edict, trembled slightly.

He looked up and gazed in the direction where Liu Hong had disappeared.

As the sun sets, the sky turns blood red.

He slowly stood up, faced that direction, bowed deeply, and prostrated himself in worship.

This bow is a subject's farewell to his monarch.

It is also... a brother's promise to his elder brother.

...

A few days later, Liu Hong set off to return to Luoyang.

Liu Ce, accompanied by Princess Wannian and his guards, returned to Youzhou.

As they parted, Liu Hong smiled and waved to Liu Ce from his imperial carriage, saying nothing.

Liu Ce stood by the roadside, bowing as he saw them off until the procession disappeared at the end of the official road.

Liu Ce, along with Princess Liu Yue and her entourage, headed north back to Youzhou.

On the way...

"Uncle," she said from inside the carriage, "what kind of place is Youzhou?"

Liu Ce laughed and said, "It's different from Luoyang. There aren't as many rules or as much fighting. The people are simple and honest, and the soldiers are brave and fierce. You'll definitely like it when you go there."

Princess Wannian nodded and said, "I've heard that my Imperial Uncle has implemented new policies in Youzhou, and the people are living in peace and prosperity. There aren't many places like this left in the Han Dynasty."

"I've done my best," Liu Ce waved his hand.

He sized up his niece.

She is indeed a smart girl, and she speaks and acts with great tact, unlike those pampered princesses.

Throughout the rest of the journey, Liu Yue didn't say much, spending most of her time reading in the carriage or gazing out the window at the scenery.

Liu Ce knew she was worried, so he didn't ask any more questions. He simply instructed people to take good care of her.

...

A few days later, in Zhuo County, at the Prince of Yan's residence.

The backyard suddenly became lively.

When the ladies Cai Yan, Zhen Jiang, Zhang Ning, and others heard that Princess Wannian was coming to stay for an extended period, they prepared the courtyard well in advance. It was next to the main courtyard, quiet and elegant, and fully equipped.

As soon as Liu Yue entered the backyard, Cai Yan grabbed her hand: "Princess, you've finally arrived! You must be tired from your journey. Come in and rest, tea and refreshments are ready."

Zhen Jiang smiled and handed over a damp cloth: "Wipe your face, it's so hot today."

Zhang Ning said with a grin, "If the princess doesn't come soon, Sister Yan will keep nagging about it, and my ears are tired of hearing it!"

Looking at those kind, smiling faces, Liu Yue felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

In the deep palace of Luoyang, there had never been such a warm and lively scene.

"Aunties, please don't stand on ceremony, just call me Yue'er," she said with a smile.

"I'm sure I'll be bothering you for quite a while this time."

"I wish you could stay longer!" Cai Yan pulled her to sit down.

"Perfect timing. Your brothers and sisters are all causing quite a ruckus. As their older sister, you'd better help us keep them in line."

Amidst laughter and conversation, the wet nurses came over carrying the children.

Liu Yue's eyes lit up, and she looked at them one by one.

Liu Chen is chubby and adorable, Liu Ying is delicate and beautiful, Liu Heng is quiet and well-behaved, Liu Yao is lively and active, and the little girls Liu Sui, Liu Yi, and Liu Mei are lovely and charming. Liu Yong, Liu Ran, Liu Nong, and Liu Yan also have their own endearing qualities.

"So pretty..." Liu Yue carefully took the youngest Liu Yan. The little guy wasn't shy at all. He looked at her with his big, dark eyes and suddenly grinned.

"Wow, he smiled!" Liu Yue exclaimed in surprise.

"It seems Yan'er likes her older sister." Zhen Mi said with a gentle smile.

Holding her soft, cuddly nephew, Liu Yue's sorrow at parting was instantly dispelled.