Chapter 56 Part 1

Given Liu Yuan's status today, he could make a casual joke, but Liu Zhen could not truly take his words as a jest.

She scrutinized her father's expression, only to find she could see no hint of his true intentions.

Liu Zhen thought for a moment, chose her words carefully, and said slowly, "First there was Madam Zhou who gave me life, and then Madam Zhang who raised me. For me, two mothers are enough."

She was speaking the honest truth. Although Madam Zhang had her flaws, as the saying goes, the grace of raising someone is greater than that of giving them birth. For so many years, while she might not have doted on Liu Nan and her, Madam Zhang had been dutiful. While she cared more for Liu Wan and Liu Zhuang in comparison, that was only human nature. When Madam Zhang married into the Liu family, Liu Nan was already old enough to be sensible and naturally wasn't as close to her. Liu Zhen, on the other hand, was mature beyond her years due to her past life's memories and didn't require much of Madam Zhang's attention in many matters. None of this was Madam Zhang's fault.

To be fair, when Madam Zhang married into the Liu family, Liu Yuan was still struggling. Forget a life of wealth; he was having a hard time just getting by. No one would have thought Liu Yuan would one day achieve such great things. In this era, if Madam Zhang had found life unbearable and returned to her maiden home to remarry, no one would have said a word. But she did not. Instead, like Madam Zhou, she even contributed her own dowry.

Of course, judging by Madam Zhang's frequent complaints and dissatisfaction before Liu Yuan's rise to prominence, she might not have been without the desire to remarry. However, she knew that even if she did, she might not find a husband better than Liu Yuan, so she reluctantly endured. But no matter what, in her actions, she had never done anything to wrong Liu Yuan or the Liu family.

What a person thinks in their heart is not important; what matters is whether they put those thoughts into action. Judge by deeds, not intentions. Liu Zhen felt that was enough.

Now that Liu Yuan was testing Liu Zhen with such words, it showed that he had such an idea in mind, whether he was joking or not.

As for her parents' affairs, Liu Zhen found it difficult to pass judgment. From Liu Yuan's perspective, she also felt her father had a hard life. He had to outwit his enemies, don his armor for battle, and contend for the world, all while having to deal with troubles in his own household.

Take this time, for instance. Madam Zhang had a falling out with the Liu family. Liu Xin and Liu Chi, furious and humiliated, would inevitably spread rumors about the unfilial conduct of Liu Yuan and Madam Zhang. If they were a bit smarter, they might even focus their firepower on Madam Zhang, saying she only dared to be so audacious because Liu Yuan was not around. If Liu Yuan intended to settle down in Xianyang, he would sooner or later have to bring Liu Xin and the others over, at which point he would be forced to clean up the mess Madam Zhang had left behind.

Once or twice might be forgivable, but if such things happened too often, Liu Yuan would naturally grow weary.

So, before Liu Yuan could speak, Liu Zhen added, "Mother has come into sudden wealth, and being confined by her environment, her perspective is inevitably narrow. She cannot be compared to you, Father."

This was a tactful admonishment, and Liu Yuan would not fail to understand.

"She accompanied me from my humble beginnings, never leaving my side. How could I not know that? But it is also a fact that she is stubborn and refuses to change despite my repeated admonitions. Now, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu is greatly displeased that I have occupied Xianyang and likely has more schemes in store. I have no spare energy to teach your mother!" Liu Yuan sighed. "If only your mother were still here, it would be much better. She was gentle, virtuous, and understanding. I would not have to be so troubled."

Madam Zhou was also the daughter of a merchant. If she were still here, she might not necessarily have done any better than Madam Zhang.

Liu Zhen knew this full well but did not point it out. Instead, she followed Liu Yuan's train of thought and said, "Father, Mother does not know what is in your heart. If things are left unsaid, misunderstandings may arise over time. Why don't you choose a day to have a long talk with Mother, to let her know your feelings?"

Liu Yuan waved his hand and smiled. "Enough, enough! There is no need for you to worry about this matter. A moment ago, you asked for a reward. I will grant you whatever you wish!"

His tone had finally softened, and he no longer mentioned divorcing his wife to remarry. In truth, Liu Yuan likely did not have a good candidate for a new primary wife, but he was probably fed up with Madam Zhang's foolishness. Having reached his limit, he sought out Liu Zhen to gauge her opinion. If Liu Zhen had agreed with him just now, it might have solidified Liu Yuan's resolve to divorce his wife.

Madam Zhang had no idea that her fate, in a corner hidden from her view, had just taken a sharp turn, only to swerve back again.

Liu Zhen blinked her eyes and said, "Xianyang Palace is very large. If you have time, Father, could you take us for a walk around?" For her age, it was no longer quite appropriate to act spoiled, but Liu Zhen did so without any pressure, for before her was none other than her own father. "It has been so long since Ah Jin and the others have seen you, Father, and you are busy with a thousand tasks a day, with little free time to play with us. Please agree, Father?"

As she tugged at his sleeve, more than half of the resentment Liu Yuan felt toward Madam Zhang dissipated. "Alright, alright. For the entire day tomorrow, I will handle no official business. I will spend it all playing with you!"

Liu Zhen beamed with joy and dragged her younger brother into her scheme: "Ah Jin will certainly be happy to know!"

——————

Liu Jin was not the least bit happy.

If one were to ask him what he feared most in his life, there would be two things: one was ghosts, and the other was seeing his father.

If Liu Yuan knew that his status in Liu Jin's mind was comparable to that of a ghost, one wonders what he would think.

But regardless of what Liu Yuan might think, Liu Jin was currently walking behind his father, trying his best to adjust his expression, lest his father turn around and see his miserable face. He would probably get another scolding.

"This is Ganquan Palace."

Just as his heart was filled with misery, Liu Yuan had already stopped and was pointing to the palace complex before them.

After agreeing to Liu Zhen's request the day before, Liu Yuan had truly set aside his work today to take his children on a tour of the Emperor of Qin's Palace.

As a liege lord of little scholarly accomplishment, Liu Yuan generally adopted a humble, listening attitude in front of his subordinates and officials. It was a rare opportunity to be able to pontificate before a group of young children, and Liu Yuan's penchant for being a teacher was thoroughly aroused. He tirelessly explained every building to them.

The magnificence of Ganquan Palace was in no way inferior to that of Xianyang Palace. During the era of Qin Shi Huang, its front hall even had an elevated, covered walkway leading to Mount Li for leisurely excursions. However, whether it was because the Second Qin Emperor, Huhai, disliked coming to Ganquan Palace or was unwilling to spend too much on its maintenance, this walkway had long fallen into disuse. It looked markedly older and more desolate than the walkways at Xianyang Palace. Even the carved lacquer on the flying eaves was peeling, lending an indescribable air of desolation to its imposing grandeur.

But Liu Yuan's enthusiasm was undiminished, his mood unaffected by the bleak scenery before him.

He now held the three commanderies of Hengshan, Nanjun, and Nanyang, and had opened the road from Nanyang to Xianyang, seizing the city ahead of everyone else. Even though he had given away every last treasure from within the Emperor of Qin's Palace, in Liu Yuan's eyes, its strategic location was far more important than any of those riches.

Occupying Xianyang was like taking hold of the heart of the world.

Beholding the heroes of the world, who but me is worthy? To count the truly great figures, one must look to the present day—such was Liu Yuan's current state of mind!

"Look," he said to his children, pointing at the structure upon the high platform, "throughout history, how many heroes have had to bow their heads beneath this high platform!"

Song Hong declared loudly, "A man in this world should strive to emulate the Emperor of Qin and achieve immortal merits!"

These words greatly pleased Liu Yuan, and he revealed a smile of approval.

Liu Nan also looked up, his heart filled with heroic sentiment, but his words were slightly different from Song Hong's: "The people of Qin were skilled in battle, which is how they were able to unify the world. Father, in a few more years, I will surely be like Bai Qi and Meng Tian, galloping across the battlefield and victorious in a hundred battles!"

One can conquer the world on horseback, but can one rule it from horseback?

Liu Yuan was slightly disappointed by this answer, but it could not be said that Liu Nan's ambition was wrong.

"Do you intend to spend your entire life galloping across battlefields? Is there such a thing in this world as a general who never grows old?"

Liu Nan, completely oblivious to his father's subtle hint, still smiled and said, "One can be vigorous even in old age. Even when I am old, I, your son, will still have some strength left!"

Liu Yuan gave a noncommittal response and turned to tease Liu Zhen, "What thoughts does Ah Zhen have? Surely you don't want to be a general for your entire life like your elder brother?"

Liu Zhen shook her head. "The Great Wall of ten thousand li still stands today, but the Qin Shi Huang of that year is nowhere to be seen. The rivers and mountains remain the same, but the heroes have already become white bones. Only when one stands upon the high platform does one know that it is lonely at the top!"

Liu Yuan chuckled, dismissing her lamenting sighs as inconsequential. He thought to himself that no matter how outstanding this daughter of his was, she was ultimately a woman, more prone to sentimentality than ambition.

Who does not know it is lonely at the top? But even so, countless people have surged forward one after another, wanting to stand on that high platform and look down upon all living beings. This is the allure of power. Those who do not have it yearn for it; those who have it cannot relinquish it. Liu Yuan could no longer imagine losing all his status and position and returning to the kind of life he had before. Therefore, he could only press forward; he could not retreat.

On a whim, Liu Yuan had asked three people and received three completely different responses. He glanced at Liu Jin and Liu Wan and the others, but had no interest in asking them.

In his view, Song Hong's answer was the closest to his own thoughts, but unfortunately, Song Hong was not surnamed Liu.

Liu Yuan strolled slowly with his hands clasped behind his back, changing the subject and telling his children anecdotes about Ganquan Palace.

Liu Jin peeked at his father and, seeing he had no intention of questioning him, could not help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

If he had been asked the same question, how would he have answered? Liu Jin thought he might have answered something like, "Actually, watching the scenery from below the high platform also has its own special charm." But such a response would have certainly earned him a scolding.

So, it was a very good thing that his father hadn't asked him.

——————

Since Madam Zhang's arrival in Xianyang, Liu Yuan had not spoken to her alone, relaying any messages through palace attendants. Madam Zhang had grown accustomed to this. But after returning from Ganquan Palace with the children, Liu Yuan suddenly had a message conveyed to Madam Zhang. He stated that Fang Yu was an external official with more important matters to attend to; he could not be expected to manage affairs that should be handled by eunuchs for an extended period, as it was an insult to him. Therefore, she needed to take over Fang Yu's duties as soon as possible and deal with the remaining palace staff from the Emperor of Qin's Palace.

And so, Madam Zhang found herself staring at a thick pile of bamboo slips containing the palace roster, feeling rather troubled.

She had managed a commandery governor's residence and Prince Yu's residence, but this was the Emperor of Qin's Palace, countless times larger than the King of Yu's Residence. The number of people had also multiplied, and among them were former eunuchs, former imperial concubines, palace maids, and female officials. The complexity of handling them was also several times greater.

Madam Zhang did not know that how well she handled this matter would directly prompt Liu Yuan to make a certain decision. After thinking for a long time, she ordered someone to summon Madam Han.

As the governess for the three girls, Madam Han was unburdened by family ties. When Madam Zhang and the others came to Xianyang, she had voluntarily offered to accompany them. Now, she was housed in the palace chambers next to where Madam Zhang lived, making it very convenient for her to come and go.

Madam Han had assumed Madam Zhang had called for her regarding Liu Zhen and the other girls. To her surprise, Madam Zhang said to her, "I have heard you mention that you once had sisters and friends who were sent to the Emperor of Qin's Palace. I had someone organize the roster and found that there are still some former palace staff from the state of Han here. You might want to go and take a look; perhaps you can be reunited with family and old friends."

Madam Han was stunned. She had never imagined that a story she had once told in casual conversation would be remembered by Madam Zhang for so long.

Seeing that Madam Han did not react, Madam Zhang added, "If they are still alive, I will set aside a residence within this palace for you to live together with your sisters. This way, you will all have each other for support!"

Madam Han finally reacted, and joy slowly crept across her face. Who, after having been alone for most of their life, would not want to live with relatives and friends in their old age? Even if the people she knew might not have truly survived, Madam Zhang's words were like a ray of hope.