Chương 321: He Lian Meets with the Lady

Liu Ce was startled by the hug. He looked down at the child, who was fourteen years old and not short, but was crying like a seven or eight-year-old. He was trembling all over, and his tears and snot were all over his body.

He was thinking to himself.

This child was betrayed by his own uncle, frightened by the eunuch, deposed by Dong Zhuo, and threatened with poisoned wine. He fled for his life for half a month... Anyone would break down in his situation.

Liu Ce bent down, reached out and hugged Liu Bian, gently patting his back, as if coaxing his own child:

"It's alright, it's alright. We've arrived in Youzhou and Zhuoxian now, you're safe. With your royal uncle here, no one dares to touch you."

Liu Bian held him and cried for a long time before slowly calming down and letting go, sobbing.

His face flushed, he said, "Uncle... I... I lost my composure..."

Liu Ce smiled and patted his head, saying, "It's alright, just cry it out. Remember, you don't need to be afraid here with your royal uncle."

Consort Tang walked over and gracefully bowed, saying, "This humble servant, Tang, greets Your Highness, the Prince of Yan. Thank you for saving my life."

Liu Ce offered a helping hand and said, "Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."

Consort Tang stood up, walked to Liu Bian's side, and gently took his hand.

He Lian, once the Empress and Empress Dowager, was now dressed in a simple dress, without makeup, her hair simply tied up. She looked thinner, her eyes red, and she looked at Liu Ce. Her lips moved, but she didn't say anything.

She just stood there, looking at him.

Liu Ce was also looking at her.

Then, she slowly walked over to Liu Ce, opened her arms, and gently hugged him.

She didn't say anything, but buried her face in his shoulder, her whole body trembling slightly.

Liu Ce could feel warm liquid soaking his robes.

He raised his hand and gently hugged her.

After a long while, He Lian finally spoke, her voice choked with sobs, in a tone only he could hear:

"I was so scared... I thought I was going to die... I thought I would never see you again..."

Liu Ce held her close and whispered:

"It's alright. I'm here. No one can hurt you."

He Lian buried her face in his shoulder and cried for a long time.

All the fear, despair, and helplessness of the past few days were released at this moment.

Liu Ce just held her like that, patting her gently, without saying a word.

After a while, He Lian calmed down, wiped away her tears, and let go of him shyly.

She stepped back, regaining her composure as an empress dowager, though her eyes were still red.

"Liu Ce..." she said softly, "Thank you."

Liu Ce smiled and said, "We're all family, no need to thank me."

He Lian nodded, her eyes still brimming with tears, but she forced a smile.

Liu Ce didn't say much, and said, "Let's go, let's go into the city first. The residences arranged for you are right next to the Prince of Yan's mansion. Settle down and get some rest."

The carriage started again, with Liu Ce leading the way on horseback.

The group entered Zhuoxian County.

The city streets are clean and tidy, the people live and work in peace and contentment, shops are lined up one after another, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares rise and fall.

He Lian looked out through the carriage curtain, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Although both were territories of the Han Dynasty, Youzhou and Luoyang were practically two different worlds.

The people in the city were curious about the spectacle and peeked around, but no one dared to go up and ask.

The people saw the Prince of Yan personally welcoming a procession of carriages and looked on curiously.

Someone whispered, "Who's in that carriage?"

"I don't know, he looks like an important person."

"Nonsense, the Prince of Yan personally received him; could it be an ordinary person?"

The carriage stopped in front of a mansion.

This mansion is right next to the Prince of Yan's residence. Although it is not as grand as the imperial palace, it is quiet and elegant, with a spacious courtyard.

Liu Ce had already had it all taken care of.

"These are your accommodations. The Prince of Yan's residence is right next door, so you can come over anytime if you need anything," Liu Ce said.

He Lian nodded and led Liu Bian and Consort Tang into the mansion.

Liu Ce followed behind, personally making the arrangements. Bedroom, study, kitchen, maids, servants... everything was provided, showing meticulous consideration.

As he was leaving, Liu Bian held his hand tightly, refusing to let go: "Uncle, will you come to see me again tomorrow?"

Liu Ce patted his head and said, "See, I'll come tomorrow. You should get a good night's sleep and not think about anything."

Liu Bian then nodded and released his grip.

...

night.

The backyard of the Prince of Yan's residence.

Liu Ce's ten wives, Cai Yan, Zhen Jiang, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Zou Yu, Du Xiuniang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, and Zhen Mi, each holding or leading their own child, gathered in Cai Yan's room.

Princess Liu Yue of Wannian was also there.

"I heard the Empress Dowager and the Prince of Hongnong have arrived?" Zhen Jiang asked.

Cai Yan nodded and said, "My husband personally picked us up today and arranged for us to stay at the residence next door. Let's go and take a look today, after all... we're all relatives."

Ren Hongchang whispered, "I heard he suffered a lot on the way and was almost poisoned by Dong Zhuo."

Cai Yan said, "Let's go together tomorrow. Bring the children along, it'll be more lively, and they'll be in a better mood watching the kids."

...

The next morning, people from the Prince of Yan's residence arrived.

Princess Liu Yue was the first to rush over, shouting as soon as she entered, "Empress Dowager! Brother Bian'er! I'm here!"

When He Lian saw her, her eyes reddened again.

When the child was in Luoyang, she often went to her palace to play, treating her like her own daughter.

Princess Liu Yue ran over and hugged Empress Dowager He tightly: "Empress Dowager, you've finally come! I was so worried when I heard Dong Zhuo was trying to harm you! Luckily, my uncle sent people to rescue you!"

Empress Dowager He embraced her, tears welling up in her eyes again, and said, "Good child, good child..."

Following behind were Liu Ce's wives.

Led by Cai Yan, a large group of people arrived, including Zhen Jiang, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Zou Yu, Du Xiuniang, and the five Zhen sisters.

Cai Yan stepped forward, bowed gracefully, and said, "This humble servant, Cai Yan, greets the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty must have had a long journey; I'm glad you've arrived safely."

Empress Dowager He quickly helped her up, saying, "Sister, please don't stand on ceremony. I'm no longer an empress dowager; I'm just a person in distress. I'm already very grateful that you don't look down on me."

Zhang Ning laughed and said, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? You are the Prince of Yan's... uh... you are an honored guest! We are all family, no need for formalities!"

She almost let slip that not many people knew about the affair between Empress Dowager He and Liu Ce, but a few of the core wives did.

Zhen Jiang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Although Youzhou is not as prosperous as Luoyang, it is more stable. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything."

......

Zhang Ning leaned closer and handed her child forward: "Your Majesty, this is my son, Liu Yao. Look, doesn't he look like me?"

Liu Yao, a chubby-faced boy, stared at Empress Dowager He with his big eyes, then suddenly grinned, revealing two tiny teeth.

Empress Dowager He looked at the child, and her eyes reddened again.

She remembered Liu Bian as a child, he was just as chubby and energetic...

Zhen Jiang handed Liu Heng over as well: "Empress Dowager, this is my son Liu Heng."