Three Kingdoms: Mistakenly Becoming Liu Bei's Adoptive Father at the Start

After a busy night, the next morning...

When Liu Liang woke up, the person next to him was empty.

He sat up and saw Diao Chan sitting in front of the dressing table, combing her hair in front of the blurry bronze mirror.

Dressed in simple, old clothes, her hair already tied up, she turned around when she heard the noise.

"The gentleman is awake."

Liu Liang hummed in agreement, put on his robe, and got out of bed.

As he passed by her, he paused and reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Diao Chan lowered her head slightly, and the roots of her ears turned red.

Liu Liang smiled, pushed open the door, and went out.

In the courtyard, Zhou Cang was squatting in the corner practicing his sword skills. When he saw Liu Liang come out, he grinned and was about to shout.

Zhao Yun raised his hand to stop him and whispered, "Don't shout."

Zhou Cang quickly covered his mouth, but his eyes darted towards Liu Liang, his gaze full of curiosity about "how big brother had last night."

Liu Liang coughed twice and went straight to Tang Ji's room to bring her some fruit and snacks.

Tang Ji continued doing her needlework, unusually ignoring him.

Liu Liang was taken aback, thinking to himself that this woman was probably jealous.

Before long, Wang Yun sent someone to invite him.

Liu Liang changed into a clean set of dark robes, and together with Zhao Yun and Zhou Cang, went out with Wang Yun.

As they approached the palace, they ran into a troop of Cao Cao's soldiers.

The captain in the lead recognized Liu Liang, clasped his hands in a salute, and then escorted them through the last street.

Outside the palace walls, Cao Cao's army tents were pitched everywhere.

Banners fluttered in the wind, sentry posts were heavily guarded, and soldiers stood with spears every ten steps.

Cao Cao surrounded the palace like an iron barrel.

Wang Yun whispered, "Cao Mengde has... locked up the emperor."

Liu Liang did not respond.

The palace gates opened, and a middle-aged eunuch came out to greet them, bowing and leading the way.

After passing through two palace gates, we entered the main hall.

The palace doors were open, and the interior was dimly lit, but one could vaguely see a figure sitting on the throne.

Wang Yun straightened his clothes and led Liu Liang into the hall.

Sitting on the throne was none other than Emperor Liu Xie.

He was wearing the emperor's ceremonial robes, which were too big for his small frame, making him look like a child wearing an adult's clothes.

The crown tassels hung down, covering most of her face, revealing only a bit of her chin and lips.

It was cold inside the hall, and there was no charcoal fire.

Liu Xie's hands were tucked into his sleeves, making it impossible to tell whether he was cold or afraid.

Wang Yun did not kneel, but bowed. Liu Liang followed suit and bowed as well.

"Your subject Wang Yun greets Your Majesty."

"Your subject Liu Liang greets Your Majesty."

Liu Xie's voice came from behind the crown, somewhat weak: "Rise, my dear minister."

The two stood up.

Liu Xie's gaze fell on Liu Liang, and after a moment, he suddenly said, "You are Liu Liang? Liu Bei's adoptive father?"

Liu Liang said, "Yes."

Liu Xie's crown swayed slightly as he asked, "Mr. Liu, I've heard that you are also a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan?"

Liu Liang's heart tightened, but his face remained calm. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, my branch is indeed descended from Prince Jing of Zhongshan. I am the fourteenth generation descended from him."

Liu Xie's eyes lit up. He stood up, walked to Liu Liang, and looked him up and down. His crown tassels swayed, revealing his young face.

"I have often heard people say that the descendants of Prince Jing of Zhongshan are all over the world, but I have never seen one. Today I have finally seen one alive."

Liu Xie seemed very interested in Liu Liang's identity and asked, "How did your lineage come to be what it is today, sir?"

Liu Liang was prepared and calmly said, "My branch of the family migrated north to Youzhou during the Yongyuan era and took refuge in Dai County. For generations, the family was passed down by a single heir, and they kept their names hidden until my generation dared to revert to our original surname and clan."

Liu Xie nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Then he glanced at Wang Yun, who was stroking his beard and smiling, showing no sign of doubt.

Liu Liang felt somewhat relieved.

At this moment, there were no great Confucian scholars or historians beside the emperor, only Wang Yun, and Wang Yun's eyes were full of admiration when he looked at Liu Liang.

Liu Xie sighed, "In the palace, all I see are sycophants. A true member of the imperial family like you, sir, is left to wander in exile. Alas..."

Liu Xie returned to his throne, sat down, and said solemnly, "Sir, you have rendered great service to the nation. You suppressed the Yellow Turbans, drove out Dong Zhuo... and last night you even executed the rebel Liu Dai. I have heard all of this. Now that you have come to court, I shall personally bestow upon you an official title and rank."

Liu Liang was taken aback and quickly declined, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is too much for me to bear. I only offered some suggestions; the real credit goes to the soldiers."

Liu Xie said, "Sir, there is no need for you to be modest. Although I am young, I know how to distinguish between rewards and punishments. The title of Prefect of Beihai and Marquis of Yicheng that Dong Zhuo bestowed upon Liu Huangshu was issued by an edict through my hand, not my own intention. Now that you are here, I will personally bestow the titles and rewards."

Liu Liang was about to decline when Wang Yun spoke up, "Mr. Liu, His Majesty is sincere. If you don't accept, it will put His Majesty in a difficult position."

Liu Liang inwardly grumbled, knowing that he had no choice but to accept this official title.

He immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

Liu Xie said, "I wish to appoint you, sir, as Grand Master of Remonstrance, with the title..."

Liu Liang said, "Your Majesty, I dare not accept this official position."

Wang Yun chimed in, "Mr. Liu, the position of Grand Counselor is a prestigious one, not confined to the imperial court..."

Liu Liang said, "I appreciate your kindness, Minister Situ."

He then turned to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, although I am of royal blood, I am accustomed to traveling outside the capital and not to serving as an official in the court. If Your Majesty truly wishes to reward me, granting me a nominal title without salary would suffice."

Liu Xie asked, "Then... what title do you wish to receive, sir?"

Liu Liang said, "Your Majesty, I dare not make a decision. You may decide."

Liu Xie said, "I hereby bestow upon you the title of Marquis of Guide Pavilion, with a fief of three hundred households. What do you think?"

Liu Liang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

Liu Xie then said, "Although you have not accepted an official position, I may summon you to court for discussions at any time should there be any important matters in the future."

"I obey your decree."

Liu Xie was very pleased and suddenly asked, "Mr. Liu, what do you think of me as the emperor?"

That was a sudden question.

Liu Liang raised his head and, through the crown, could vaguely see the emperor's eyes.

It was both dark and bright, but there was something indescribable about it.

It wasn't fear, nor anger, but an emptiness of "it doesn't matter anymore."

Liu Liang said, "Your Majesty has gone to great lengths."

Liu Xie paused for a moment, then suddenly chuckled twice.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you..." Liu Xie repeated these three words, then smiled, "Mr. Liu speaks differently from others."

Liu Liang didn't reply, but he was thinking to himself.

At fifteen years old, in modern times, that would still be junior high school.

But here he stands, wearing an ill-fitting dragon robe, asking a stranger, "How am I doing as emperor?"

Man is the knife, I am the fish.

An emperor without any powerful forces to rely on can still become a lamb to the slaughter.

Looking at the dust rising outside the palace, Liu Xie quickly said, "You kill me, I kill you, when will this end...?"

After speaking, he turned around and sat back on the throne, his crown tassels hanging down to cover his face.

The hall fell silent again.

Wang Yun gave Liu Liang a wink, and the two of them cupped their hands and said in unison, "Your Majesty, we take our leave."

Liu Xie remained unmoved, offering no response.