Chương 97: The Marquis of Champion's Residence, The Empress Hosts a Banquet

In the front yard, He Lian stood with her hands behind her back, looking around at the layout of the yard.

Today she changed into a pale yellow palace dress, her hair was neatly styled and adorned with a phoenix hairpin, exuding an air of nobility.

Four palace maids followed behind him, standing at attention with their hands at their sides.

Seeing Liu Ce rushing over, He Lian turned around, a half-smile playing on her lips:

"The Marquis of Champion's residence is well-maintained."

Liu Ce quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I was unaware of the Empress's arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."

"No need," He Lian waved her hand.

"I only came on a whim. I heard that the mansion His Majesty bestowed upon me has been repaired. I thought that since you are new to Luoyang, you might lack some supplies, so I brought some things with me."

As she spoke, she gestured to the palace maids behind her.

The palace maids brought out several brocade boxes, which, when opened, contained jade, silk, spices, and the like.

Liu Ce's heart pounded: "What does He Lian mean by this? Bringing gifts and coming in person... Could it be...?"

He recalled He Lian's ambiguous gaze at the banquet in Changqiu Palace that day.

"Your Majesty, I am terrified." Liu Ce lowered his head.

"It is such a trivial matter; how could I dare trouble Your Majesty?"

"No trouble at all." He Lian took a step forward, getting closer to Liu Ce.

"You taught Bian'er to ride a horse very well. The child has been talking about how great your Imperial Uncle is ever since he came back, and I am very grateful."

A faint fragrance emanated from her as she spoke.

It wasn't the strong fragrance usually used by imperial concubines, but rather a delicate orchid scent, subtle and almost imperceptible.

Liu Ce's nose twitched, and alarm bells went off in his head:

"Holy crap, this is too close... this scent... this look... He Lian, what are you trying to do?"

But he had to remain calm on the surface: "It is my duty to instruct Your Highness."

He Lian looked at him for a while, then suddenly smiled:

"Alright, stop standing here. Show me around your mansion; I've heard it's quite elegantly decorated."

Could Liu Ce say no? No.

So he steeled himself and led He Lian to the backyard.

Along the way, He Lian asked all sorts of questions.

As Liu Ce dealt with each question, he felt increasingly uneasy.

When they arrived at the backyard, He Lian suddenly stopped in front of a side room.

This private room has a great location, with windows facing the small garden, plenty of natural light, and the furnishings are more refined than those in the other rooms.

"This one is nice." He Lian pushed open the door, looked around, and then came out to say to her trusted maid.

"This is it. Go and tell them to move their things over here."

Liu Ce was taken aback: "Your Majesty, what is this...?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention." He Lian turned around, looking at him with a smile.

"I came here today not only to deliver some gifts, but also to host a banquet to thank you for teaching Bian'er. This room is spacious enough to accommodate the banquet, and I would like to invite my brother to have a few drinks to express my gratitude."

Liu Ce: "..."

It's just teaching someone to ride a horse, why would the Empress personally come to invite them to dinner?

He had a gut feeling that this was not a simple matter.

But since the Empress has spoken, can he refuse?

"Your Majesty, I am deeply humbled," Liu Ce said, forcing a smile.

"It is my duty to instruct Your Highness; how could I dare to trouble Your Majesty with such expenses?"

"We're all family, no need to spend money," He Lian said, walking straight into the room.

As they were talking, a palace maid came in carrying a food box.

One dish after another was placed on the table:... all were exquisite imperial dishes, along with a pot of wine.

Liu Ce was dumbfounded. This situation didn't seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision at all; it was clearly something that had been planned in advance!

He Lian waved her hand, and the palace maids withdrew.

She then looked at Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, and the steward:

"You may all leave now. I have something to say to the Marquis of Champion."

The group looked at Liu Ce.

Liu Ce nodded, and they bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind them.

Now only Liu Ce and He Lian are left in the backyard.

He Lian entered the room, sat down at the table, and beckoned to Liu Ce:

"Brother, please sit down."

Liu Ce hesitated for a moment, but still sat down with a stiff upper lip, his heart pounding: What's going on here?

He Lian poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Liu Ce:

"This cup is to thank you for patiently teaching Bian'er today. That child hasn't been this happy in a long time."

After saying that, she drank it all in one gulp.

Liu Ce had no choice but to drink it too.

He Lian poured another cup: "This cup is to thank you for not rejecting my brother's advances at the banquet at the General's Mansion that day, and for saving face for him."

Liu Ce was startled: She even knew this? It seems He Jin consults this younger sister about everything.

The two drank another glass.

He Lian poured another cup: "This cup is to congratulate you on moving to your new home. This house is nice; you'll have a decent home in Luoyang now."

He drank it all in one gulp.

Liu Ce continued to drink with them.

For the third toast, He Lian said, "This toast is... to the beautiful weather today."

Liu Ce: "..."

Your Majesty, your skills in making excuses need improvement!

He Lian drank five or six cups in a row, and her face gradually flushed.

She was already beautiful, but now, with her eyes glazed over from intoxication, she became even more alluring.

She put down her wine glass and looked at Liu Ce:

"My younger brother is now the Marquis of Champion, General of the Cavalry, and Governor of Youzhou. He has achieved great success at a young age and has a bright future ahead of him."

"Your Majesty flatters me," Liu Ce replied cautiously, "It is all thanks to His Majesty's great kindness."

"Your Majesty..." He Lian murmured repeatedly, her eyes somewhat unfocused, "His Majesty has indeed treated you well."

She poured herself another glass of wine and drank it right away.

Liu Ce's eyelids twitched: This way of drinking, he's going to get drunk.

He Lian rested her chin on her hand, her eyes fixed on Liu Ce.

Liu Ce felt extremely uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Your Majesty, are you... are you drunk? Should I have someone escort you back to the palace?"

He Lian shook her head, then suddenly asked:

"Liu Ce, do you think I'm beautiful?"

Liu Ce: "..."

This question is too sudden, too direct, and too dangerous.

He tried to look away, but He Lian's eyes seemed to have a magical power, locking onto him firmly.

Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, and her lips were slightly pursed as she awaited an answer.

He looked at He Lian; she was indeed beautiful. At this moment, with her eyes glazed over and her cheeks flushed, she possessed a breathtakingly alluring charm.

"Beautiful," Liu Ce heard himself say.

As soon as I finished speaking, I wanted to slap myself: If she's beautiful, why did you have to say it out loud!

He Lian smiled.

He Lian bit her lip lightly, her eyes becoming increasingly unfocused.

She slowly stood up and walked slowly to Liu Ce's side.

Liu Ce could smell her fragrance, mixed with the smell of alcohol, creating an indescribable ambiguity.

"So... do you like it?" He Lian leaned down, her breath brushing against Liu Ce's ear.

Liu Ce froze.

He recalled the tragic end of Empress He in history, who was deposed and killed by Dong Zhuo.

I also recalled the rumors about her and Liu Hong—that she was out of favor and living a life of widowhood…

But that's not a reason.

"Your Majesty, you are drunk." Liu Ce tried to stand up, but He Lian pressed down on his shoulder.

"I'm not drunk." He Lian's voice was soft, yet carried a stubbornness.

"Liu Ce, I know what you're thinking. The distinction between ruler and subject, the precautions between uncle and sister-in-law, right?"

She smiled, a smile tinged with sadness:

"But do you know, this palace is like a gilded cage."

I spent over a decade inside, watching His Majesty favor one new concubine after another, watching the other concubines fight over him, watching Bian'er grow up... Sometimes I felt that this was all there was to my life.