Chương 485: A Little Interlude

After saying that, he quickly called his servants to move the things away in a flurry, which made everyone burst into laughter.

Cheng Yaojin, standing to the side, laughed so hard he slapped his thigh: "Hahaha! Old Wang, are you planning to turn Chongde Hall into the imperial kitchen? So that in the future, when the lord goes to court, he can cook while reviewing memorials?"

Zhang Fei chimed in, "Exactly! How can the ministers hold meetings when there's so much smoke and heat from cooking? They'd all be coughing and choking. Just thinking about it is hilarious!"

Old Wang blushed with embarrassment at their laughter and moved things even faster.

There was also a little incident: Liu Ce's daughter, Liu Ran, took advantage of everyone's inattention and secretly ran to the artificial hill in the Imperial Garden to hide and play hide-and-seek with everyone.

Everyone searched for more than half an hour and was almost frantic. Later, Liu Ce quickly ordered the Imperial Guards to search the entire palace.

Finally, Dian Wei heard the sound of eating coming from inside the artificial hill. He climbed up and found Liu Ran sitting on the top of the hill, holding a handful of freshly picked wild dates and eating them with relish.

Her little face was flushed from the sun, and there was still some date paste on her lips. When she saw Dian Wei, she smiled at him and said, "Uncle Dian Wei, do you want some? It's so sweet!"

Dian Wei was both amused and exasperated. He carried her down from the artificial hill and brought her to Liu Ce.

Liu Ce was both angry and heartbroken. He picked her up and patted the dust off her bottom, saying, "You little rascal, you scared your father to death! You're not allowed to run around like that anymore, understand?"

Liu Ran stuck out her tongue and stuffed a wild jujube into Liu Ce's mouth: "Father, try it, it's very sweet."

Liu Ce took a bite, and it was indeed very sweet. He smiled helplessly and shook his head.

...

They were busy until evening, and finally all the things were moved. Everyone got their own courtyard that they were happy with.

That evening, the family ate their first palace dinner in a side hall.

The imperial chef prepared a table full of dishes, all of which looked, smelled, and tasted delicious.

Braised pork knuckle, steamed sea bass, sweet and sour pork ribs, egg drop soup, osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice lotus root... a table full of dishes, the aroma was irresistible, making the children's mouths water.

The children ate ravenously, their little bellies becoming round and full.

After dinner, the children ran outside to look at the moon, pointing at the stars and chattering away.

"Daddy, what's the name of that brightest star?"

"That's the North Star, always pointing north. Just like Father, always pointing in the right direction."

"What about those little stars over there?"

"Those are you, always revolving around your father."

The children nodded as if they understood, then ran off again.

The ladies sat on the veranda, drinking tea and chatting, talking about picking flowers in the Imperial Garden and boating on Taiye Pond the next day.

Cai Yan suggested holding a flower appreciation party in the Imperial Garden tomorrow, Zhang Ning suggested a martial arts competition, and Zhen Jiang suggested a poetry gathering. The group argued endlessly, but finally decided that they would each hold their own event so that no one would interfere with the others.

..................

Cai Yan said softly, "Although this palace is large, it always feels like it lacks a bit of warmth and human touch."

Zhang Ning laughed and said, "You'll get used to it gradually. We've moved everything from the Prince's mansion here; we have everything you need."

Zhen Jiang nodded: "Yes, as long as our family is together, it doesn't matter where we live."

Looking at the lights in the distance, He Lian said softly, "I used to live here, and it always felt so cold. Now that I have you all, this palace finally feels like home."

Standing on the steps, Liu Ce looked at the heartwarming scene before him, at the brightly lit palace, and at the distant city of Luoyang, where thousands of lights shone. He felt a deep sense of peace.

He gently took Cai Yan's hand and whispered, "Yan'er, thank you. Thank you for always being with me."

Cai Yan leaned on his shoulder and said softly, "Husband, we are family, there's no need for thanks."

Zhang Ning, who was nearby, overheard this and deliberately coughed, "Oh, my husband is biased, only whispering to Sister Yan."

Liu Ce smiled and pulled her close, saying, "Thank you too. Thank you all."

Zhen Jiang smiled, pursing her lips, "Why is my husband being so sweet-talking today?"

"Because I'm happy." Liu Ce looked at the stars in the sky.

"Because I know that from now on, this country will get better and better."

As night deepened, the children went back to sleep, and the ladies also returned to their respective palaces.

Liu Ce stood alone by the Taiye Pond, watching the moonlight spill onto the lake's surface, creating a shimmering effect.

He recalled when he first transmigrated... he was trembling with fear, as if walking on thin ice... and now, he sits in this palace, about to become the master of this country.

But he knew that this was not the end, but the beginning.

He still has a lot to do.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and went back to his bedchamber.

...

Late December, 192 AD.

In the Luoyang Imperial Palace, the cold wind whipped up snowflakes that pattered against the vermilion palace walls.

But inside the palace, it was warm and cozy, with red lanterns hanging everywhere. Even the palace lanterns under the corridors had been replaced with gilded dragon and phoenix designs, exuding a festive atmosphere.

The palace servants moved quickly but in an orderly manner, each performing their duties without chaos.

With only ten days left until the coronation ceremony on the first day of the first lunar month in 193 AD, the entire court was spinning like a top.

The lights in Zhangde Hall stayed on from morning till night without ever going out.

Sometimes when Liu Ce passed by, he would see Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui huddled together by candlelight, whispering to each other over a booklet, their heads almost touching...

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu and others came and went, each carrying stacks of documents, as if they were moving house.

That morning, Liu Ce had just finished reviewing the last memorial concerning the grand ceremony. He rubbed his sore eyes, stretched, and his bones cracked.

Before he could even take a sip of tea, he saw Fang Xuanling, Xun Yu, and Xu Da file in.

"Your Majesty, you summoned us?" Fang Xuanling asked, bowing respectfully.

The three of them were travel-worn and still carried the chill of the outside air, but their faces were full of energy, although the dark circles under their eyes betrayed them.

Liu Ce quickly had three chairs brought over and three cups of hot ginger tea: "Sit down, sit down, have some tea to warm yourselves up. Look how cold you are, your noses are all red."

The three of them took the tea, held it in their hands, and felt the warmth spread from their fingertips to their whole bodies, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Ce leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly:

"I've called you all here today to decide on the temporary Three Dukes. Although I previously served as Minister of Works and Grand Commandant, it's impossible for me to personally preside over the enthronement ceremony. Besides, the enthronement ceremony cannot be held without the Three Dukes presiding."

He paused, then continued, "I've been thinking, so that Xuanling will temporarily act as Minister of Works, overseeing the grand ceremony and the officials' audience; Wenruo will act as Minister of Agriculture, in charge of sacrifices and mausoleum matters; and Tiande will act as Grand Commandant, overseeing all troops inside and outside the capital, and responsible for the security of the grand ceremony."