Chương 66: Emperor Ling of Han Summons Him

Seeing that more and more people were gathering around him, and it looked like they were going to block him at the palace gate and hold a fan meeting, Liu Ce made a quick decision.

Liu Ce raised his voice and addressed the crowd around him:

"I am deeply grateful for the kindness of my lords! However, His Majesty has bestowed upon me this important task, and I must immediately go to the relevant government office to obtain the credentials and complete the handover procedures, so as not to delay state affairs."

I'll take my leave now, and seek your guidance again another day!

After saying that, he ignored everyone's reaction and slipped away as fast as he could, leaving behind a group of officials who were still unsatisfied.

After walking a distance, Liu Ce breathed a sigh of relief: "My God, I finally escaped! This capital city is full of tricks. I need to go back to Youzhou... uh, no, I need to get the necessary paperwork done first."

……

After finally getting through that huge pile of tedious "award-receiving procedures," such as verifying the official seal at the Ministry of Personnel, registering the title and fief at the Ministry of Ceremonies, and collecting the credentials and tokens for the Governor of Youzhou and the General of the Cavalry from the relevant government offices...

After running for almost the entire distance, Liu Ce felt as if his legs no longer belonged to him, and his body felt completely drained, even more tiring than a forced march.

He breathed a sigh of relief, preparing to slip away from the palace, this place of trouble, and return to the Zhen residence to catch up on some sleep.

As soon as they reached the vicinity of the palace gate, they were stopped by a eunuch.

"Lord Champion, please wait! His Majesty has issued an edict requesting you to stay and follow me."

Liu Ce's heart skipped a beat, and he muttered to himself:

"Again? Wasn't the commotion in court enough? Now he has to hold private meetings too? This emperor has way too much energy!"

But he remained outwardly calm: "Thank you for leading the way, sir."

The young eunuch bowed and led Liu Ce not out, but deeper into the palace.

They walked through corridors and around palaces, becoming increasingly secluded, until they finally arrived at a palace called the "Greenhouse Palace".

Liu Ce knew this place; it was where the emperor usually lazed around and took naps. Generally, only his most trusted advisors or the emperor himself would come here when he wanted to have a private chat.

He straightened his clothes, stepped over the threshold, and entered the hall. The feeling was immediately different.

The imperial court was solemn and dignified, but here, a faint, warm fragrance of orchids permeated the air.

The windows were half-open, letting in the afternoon sunlight at an angle, creating an exceptionally tranquil atmosphere. The interior furnishings were exquisite but not extravagant, exuding a sense of "understated comfort."

Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, had changed out of his heavy and elaborate court robes and crown, and was now wearing only a plain silk robe. He was leaning against a large lacquered couch by the window, looking rather unladylike, and was playing with a shiny object in his hand. It was the "glass dragon pearl" that Zhang Rang had presented to Liu Ce on his behalf.

Name: Liu Hong Gender: Male Age: 28 [Strength]: 25 Command: 58 [Politics]: 60-85 The Liu family is hard to judge!

Intelligence: 60-80 [Appearance]: 75cm Hearing footsteps, Liu Hong looked up and saw Liu Ce. He smiled casually and waved to dismiss the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the hall.

Upon seeing this, Liu Ce instinctively began to bow according to court etiquette.

Liu Hong spoke first, his voice much gentler and more casual than the deliberately drawn-out tone he used in court:

"Alright, alright, Your Majesty, there are no outsiders here, no need for such formalities, come and sit down."

He pointed to a folding chair placed in front of the couch.

Liu Ce thought to himself, "You think you can just say you don't need to do it? Every single act has to be performed!"

He bowed respectfully, still maintaining perfect decorum, and said:

"Your subject Liu Ce greets Your Majesty."

Then he got up, walked to a folding chair placed to the side of the soft couch, sat down properly with his back straight, and looked like he was saying, "I'm listening carefully to any instructions you give me, leader."

He began by asking, "Your Majesty, I wonder what brings you to this private audience?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong placed the glass bead in his hand on the small table beside him, feigning displeasure, and said:

"Hey! I just said there are no outsiders here, why are you calling me 'Your Majesty'? It's too formal! We're family, call me 'Royal Brother'!"

Liu Ce readily agreed and immediately changed his tune, his tone becoming more relaxed, but still respectful:

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Upon hearing the address "Your Majesty," Liu Hong's smile became noticeably more genuine, and he thought to himself with delight:

"Hmm, not bad, not bad at all. I'm so tired of those old men calling me 'Your Majesty' all the time. This 'Royal Brother' sounds so nice and warm! Family is the best!"

Taking the opportunity, Liu Ce glanced around and relaxed a little, then started a conversation:

"Your Majesty, this Wenshi Palace is much more comfortable than the Deyang Palace. Just now at the court meeting, I was so stiff that I didn't dare to breathe too much, for fear of breaking the rules of etiquette."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong couldn't help but roll his eyes, picked up a piece of jujube cake from the small table beside the couch, took a bite, and mumbled:

"Nonsense! What kind of place is the imperial court? It's a place where you put on a show for the world! How can you be at ease there?"

That place is a hub of officialdom, posturing, and backstabbing! Even I, sitting there, have to maintain my composure; it's exhausting! Unlike here, where I can lie down or sit as I please.

As he spoke, he actually crossed his legs and found a more comfortable position.

His fingertips unconsciously touched the crystal-clear glass bead again, his gaze lingering on the bead and Liu Ce for a moment, a look... well, a bit like a child seeing a new toy and wanting another one.

He coughed and asked in a seemingly casual but actually expectant tone:

"My dear brother, the 'Glassy Dragon Pearl' you presented as tribute last time was very much to my liking. Do you have any more of these in stock?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ce thought to himself, "As expected! These glass beads were incredibly dangerous to the ancients; even the emperor couldn't resist them!"

He immediately understood, as if guided by a crystal mirror, that the emperor had come to "demand tribute," and in a rather "tactful" manner. He promptly displayed a perfectly timed expression of "regret" and respectfully replied:

"Your Majesty, I do indeed possess some similar glass beads, which I obtained by chance. However..."

He paused, glancing at the dragon ball in Liu Hong's hand.

"A stone as large, as pure, and with such exquisite dragon patterns as the one in my brother's hand is unique; there is no other like it."

The others, though also sparkling and lovely, ultimately fall short in terms of scale and decoration.

"If Your Majesty does not mind, I will immediately send someone to deliver those beads to the palace for Your Majesty to enjoy upon my return to my residence."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong felt incredibly relieved.

"Look at my younger brother! How sensible he is! He's good at fighting, eloquent, and knows how to be filial! He's far better than those who only know how to beg for money!"

He nodded in satisfaction: "Yes, Your Highness is very thoughtful."