Chapter 48: Liu Chan is Truly Carefree

Page 1 of 3

“Do you have any confidential intelligence to report?”

Liu Chen gazed at Zhang Chun with curiosity. He wanted to see just how capable Shu-Han’s Embroidered-Robe Envoys truly were.

Zhang Chun’s voice was low and steady, as though he were recounting some trivial matter. Yet the contents of his report were enough to unleash a bloody storm throughout the court.

“According to a secret report from the Embroidered-Robe Envoys, Crown Prince Liu Xuan and Grand Master of the Palace Qiao Zhou have just reached an agreement. Tonight, during the banquet, they intend to order Xiang Yi, Commander of the Feathered Forest Guards, to lead his troops into Jiade Hall and kill Your Highness.”

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze in an instant, turning even colder than before.

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan’s face went deathly pale. His fingers clamped tightly around the armrest of the imperial throne, and his body trembled faintly—whether from anger or fear, no one could say. He had never imagined that his usually mild-mannered crown prince would dare commit such an outrageous act of rebellion and fratricide. And the man directing it all was Qiao Zhou, who spent every day speaking of “Heaven’s mandate” and “submission to the rightful ruler.”

There was not the slightest trace of surprise in Liu Chen’s eyes. Only a hint of icy mockery remained, along with the cold gleam of a conclusion reached long ago. He turned slowly, his gaze passing over Liu Shan’s grim expression before settling on Zhang Chun’s impassive face.

“Heh. How interesting. My elder brother the crown prince certainly has a unique way of looking at things. He actually wants to kill me—but he seems to have forgotten that once I am dead, Zhong Hui will come attacking. Who will stop him? If Shu-Han falls, will he still be crown prince?”

There was neither anger nor joy in Liu Chen’s voice.

Liu Shan collapsed despondently against the imperial throne. His lips trembled, and only after a long moment did he manage to speak.

“An unfilial son… a treacherous minister… How dare they! Qiao Zhou… I have treated him well!”

He turned toward Liu Chen, a trace of entreaty in his eyes.

“Qiao Zhou is a renowned scholar, with countless former students and old associates. And the crown prince… the crown prince is, after all, the heir apparent. If this matter is handled improperly, I fear…”

“Fear that the realm will be shaken?” Liu Chen interrupted. His gaze was sharp as a blade, and he gave a cold laugh. “They are simply fortunate that Xiang Yi has already been stripped of his military authority. The imperial palace is now guarded by my men. Qiao Zhou cannot even find the troops he needs. How could he rebel?”

Liu Chen’s voice echoed through the frigid Jiade Hall with an almost cruel calmness, crushing the last shred of hope.

Liu Shan opened his mouth, but the words “the realm will be shaken” were forcibly swallowed back. Only his heavy breathing remained. He looked at the son standing below the steps—brave, decisive, and yet somehow a stranger to him—and felt an even deeper chill rise from the depths of his heart.

So Qiao Zhou and the crown prince’s scheme had long since been under Liu Chen’s control. He had even dismantled it with effortless ease.

Then what role did the emperor himself play in all this? A puppet kept in the dark, who had nearly needed his own son to rescue him?

The terror that came with this belated realization was even greater than the shock of hearing that the crown prince intended to rebel.

Liu Chen no longer looked at his shattered father. His gaze returned to Zhang Chun, who stood motionless as a granite pillar.

“Lord Zhang,” he said mildly. “Your report came at precisely the right time. It seems the Embroidered-Robe Envoys are not entirely undeserving of their reputation.”

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Zhang Chun bowed slightly. His posture was respectful, but his tone remained calm and unruffled.

“Your Highness is too kind. I have merely performed my duty. The Embroidered-Robe Envoys serve His Majesty directly. We naturally exist to be His Majesty’s eyes and ears and to expose treacherous men.”

He deftly attributed the credit to the emperor, but the three men in the hall all knew perfectly well whom the Envoys truly needed to serve at this moment.

“To expose treacherous men…” Liu Chen repeated, the trace of mockery returning to the corner of his mouth. “Then, Lord Envoy, how do you believe these ‘treacherous men’ should be dealt with?”

It was a test—blunt and piercing.

“His Majesty and Your Highness will naturally reach that decision. I have merely reported the intelligence to you both,” Zhang Chun replied without hesitation.

Liu Shan’s expression showed faint displeasure. He snorted.

“Zhang Chun, they are already plotting rebellion. Now that you have evidence, why not arrest them outright?”

Liu Chen, however, nodded.

“Father, I believe General Zhang has done nothing wrong. Investigating intelligence is the proper duty of the Embroidered-Robe Envoys. They possess the authority to investigate, but not to make decisions.”

“Your Highness is wise,” Zhang Chun said, his eyes brightening.

Liu Chen gave a slight nod, acknowledging Zhang Chun’s caution and clarity of mind. He turned toward Liu Shan, who still sat upon the throne in a state of shock and uncertainty. His voice was composed, yet carried an unquestionable force.

“Father, the matter has reached this point. Panic will accomplish nothing. Our immediate priority is to deal with it at once, uphold the law of the state, and reassure the people.”

Liu Shan seemed to have found something to cling to. He hurriedly said, “Chen’er, tell me—what should we do? I… I will leave everything to you.”

With those words, he had practically surrendered the power of decision to his son.

Liu Chen hesitated before speaking.

“The banquet tonight should proceed as planned. When Qiao Zhou and the crown prince realize that Xiang Yi has not arrived and that their plan has been obstructed, they will surely become alarmed. They may hold back, or they may seek another course of action. Either way, they will reveal their weakness. But our forces already control the palace. They are turtles trapped in a jar. Once their intentions become clear, we can seize the principal culprits with overwhelming force. Then our actions will be entirely justified, we will minimize unrest, and we can preserve the dignity of the imperial house.”

“Yes, yes. Chen’er is right,” Liu Shan said, nodding repeatedly.

“Father, if they make the first move, do not blame me for showing no mercy. Whoever dares obstruct my efforts to unify the realm beneath the Han will pay with his life.”

“Of course, of course.” Liu Shan looked somewhat embarrassed and quickly forced a smile. “My son, you have been away from home for more than a month. Go back to your residence and see your wife and children first. Return to the palace tonight.”

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

Liu Shan was broad-minded in his own way. Once he saw that neither his throne nor his safety was in danger, his spirits improved considerably, and he dismissed Liu Chen.

“Your son obeys.”

Seeing this, Liu Chen could only smile bitterly inwardly.

Perhaps it was precisely this temperament that had allowed Liu Shan to laugh and converse freely while Zhuge Liang held power, and later, when facing Sima Zhao, to say, “The pleasures here are enough that I no longer think of Shu.”

His heart might be somewhat soft, but for Liu Chen, that was not necessarily a bad thing.

Liu Chen’s carriage stopped before the gates of the Prince of Qin’s residence. Compared with the murderous chill of the imperial palace, the stone lions before the mansion and the guards standing watch brought him a trace of long-missed warmth.

The moment he stepped through the gates, his family, who had received word of his arrival, came out to greet him.

“Your Highness!”

Princess Consort Cui led the others in graceful bows. Her voice held unmistakable excitement and relief. She was dressed with simple elegance, her features dignified, and her eyes filled with concern. As a daughter of the Cui clan of Qinghe, she had always been composed and restrained, but the faint redness around her eyes revealed the worry she had endured throughout the past month.

“Rise, all of you. There is no need for formalities at home.”

Liu Chen hurried forward and personally helped Cui to her feet, his gaze passing over those standing behind her.

His secondary consort, Lady Wang, was gentle and mild-tempered, while Lady Xu was more delicate and charming. Both now gazed at him eagerly, their joy impossible to conceal.

Even more striking were the three boys standing before them. His eldest son, Liu Jun, already possessed a distinctly heroic air. His second son, Liu Yan, appeared quiet and scholarly. His third son, Liu Ying, still seemed bewildered by the world. The fourth, Liu Hao, lay swaddled in his birth mother Lady Xu’s arms.

“Father!”

The three boys stepped forward once more to offer their greetings.

“Rise.”

Liu Chen nodded to his three stepsons and ushered everyone into the princely residence.

Page 3 of 3