The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

The Northern Royal Palace, inside the sleeping quarters.

The charcoal fire burned quietly in front of the bed, emitting a lazy warmth that kept out the chill of the winter night, making the room feel warm and comforting.

Inside the tent.

Liu Chen and Liu Zhaoning slept in each other's arms. Liu Chen's eyelashes fluttered, he opened his eyes, and then slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

"That feels so good." He turned his head and kissed Liu Zhaoning's soft, fragrant face, a smile spreading across his face.

The boudoir is warm and fragrant, and the beautiful woman is as lovely as jade.

After the harsh winter of the military hunt, we are greeted by warmth today, which is truly delightful.

"Your Majesty." Liu Zhaoning woke up, sat up, and looked down at Liu Chen. The bedding slipped down, revealing skin as white and tender as mutton fat.

Liu Chen smiled and said, "Get up."

"Mmm," Liu Zhaoning hummed in agreement. The Queen had a rule: once the King was up, she could not stay in bed.

The curtains were drawn back, and the two got up together to wash and change. Then they ate together.

Just as the meal was finished, a eunuch entered from outside. His expression was strange as he said, "Your Majesty, an imperial envoy has arrived. He says that He Sui died and summons you to court."

Liu Zhaoning's expression changed drastically, and then her breathing became rapid.

Liu Chen brought back a woman surnamed Lü, which was no secret within the palace. Has it come to light now?

"No need to panic. Order men to prepare carriages, horses, and ceremonial guards. They will accompany me to court," Liu Chen said, standing up.

"Yes." Seeing Wang Zhen's composure, the eunuch's expression also calmed down. He bowed in agreement and turned to leave.

"Bring me my court robes," Liu Chen said to his attendants.

"Yes." The attendants bowed in response and turned to fetch the court robes: a nine-tassel crown, a ceremonial robe, and a complete set of accessories.

Queen Chen Mingzhen arrived upon hearing the news. Her small face was serious. She first gave a slight bow and then said, "Your Majesty."

"It's alright." Liu Chen smiled and squeezed her small hand, then gripped his sword and walked out of the palace.

Chen Mingzhen and Liu Zhaoning exchanged a glance, then followed each other out, standing under the eaves to see them off.

Liu Zhaoning said with a worried expression, "Even if it's a feudal lord, if this charge is proven true..." She then added plaintively, "If the king finds our service inadequate, he can simply send someone to buy girls. Why do this?"

Now, she and Chen Lingzi, two older beauties, are serving her in the palace. Liu Chen indulges in revelry every night, yet he still longs for the beauties outside the palace... She feels guilty and resentful.

Chen Mingzhen also sighed.

When Jin Gen's carriage arrived at the front palace, Yang Yong and other kingdom officials came to the carriage upon hearing the news.

Yang Yong and the others looked at Liu Chen sitting high in the Jin Gen car, and they all opened their mouths as if to speak, but no one said a word.

They learned that Liu Chen had been summoned by the emperor because he had killed He Sui and plundered the Lü family. Their feelings were extremely complicated.

When they learned that He Sui had been murdered, they were overjoyed and drank a feast together. They thought to themselves, "What kind of hero is this, so loyal and brave?"

I never imagined it would be my king...

The feudal lords murdered their husbands and abducted their wives; the circumstances were extremely heinous. Logically, as officials of the kingdom, they should have offered advice, expressed remorse, and condemned the actions.

But what about the dead?

They now don't know whether to criticize Liu Chen or to protect him.

My feelings are extremely complicated.

"You need not worry, I will be right back." Liu Chen smiled and ordered the carriages to set off.

With a retinue of elite cavalry at the front and rear, the magnificent golden carriage traveled along the main road towards Chengdu.

Now that it's dawn, Chengdu is gradually becoming lively. Seeing the golden carriage, officials and commoners alike readily make way for it.

The golden carriage arrived at the palace gate smoothly and, after verification, entered the palace.

The physician led Liu Chen up the west steps and into the main hall.

All eyes of the court officials were on this controversial figure. Their first impression was that he was "all show and no substance."

Liu Chen was indeed handsome, a descendant of Liu Bei, wearing a nine-tasseled crown and titled King of the North—truly the bearing of a monarch. But the affairs of Qianlong are truly a complicated matter.

Qiao Zhou narrowed his eyes, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he felt disgust and hatred.

Jiang Wei looked at Liu Chen and, because of what happened, felt that Liu Chen was particularly approachable today.

After Liu Chen came to his feet, he bowed deeply to the emperor. Then, a court attendant stepped forward to inquire.

Liu Chen held his sword in his left hand, his right hand hanging naturally at his side, and said, "Lady Lü is beautiful, and I adore her. She is also a widow, yet I have taken her as my wife. What law have I violated?"

He paused, then continued, "As for the land, Lady Lü and He Sui have no children. According to the law, the land should be inherited by Lady Lü. Now that Lady Lü is my wife, what is wrong with me accepting her property?"

"As for the murder," Liu Chen turned his head slightly and looked at Imperial Censor Jiang Yu, saying, "May I ask, Lord Jiang, are there any witnesses or physical evidence?"

"If not, I will punish Lord Jiang for false accusation," Liu Chen said grimly. If false accusations go unpunished, the consequences will be severe. False accusations will become rampant in the court and among the common people, and no one will be able to get anything done.

He could, and should, admit to the Lü family and the land. A true man acts with integrity and responsibility. The widow is mine, and the land is mine too. But he absolutely cannot admit to murder. Assassins are death squads; they would rather die than utter a word.

Moreover, the Dabashan area is hundreds of miles in thieves, and with the current administrative efficiency of the Liu Han court, where are they going to find those few people?

As long as he doesn't admit it, no one can do anything about it.

It is impossible for a prince to be punished the same as a commoner when he breaks the law.

On the throne, Liu Shan's face darkened. This brat had acknowledged the Lü clan, and he was most likely the one who killed the people involved in the land dispute. What a rebellious son!

Jiang Yu, as the Imperial Censor and a seasoned official, was not intimidated by Liu Chen's words. He ignored Liu Chen and bowed to Liu Shan, saying, "Your Majesty, every deed leaves a trace. I request that the officials and subordinates of the Prince of Beidi be interrogated, and the truth will surely come to light."

Liu Chen said, "What crime have my officials committed? The Imperial Censor should interrogate them."

Liu Chen and the Imperial Censor clashed fiercely. But to the court officials, it was a sound that made them drowsy.

This kind of verbal battle is useless; the key is still the emperor.

As Liu Shan listened, his head began to throb with pain. He once again turned and left, returning to his chamber through the side door.

Huang Hao chased after him again.

Liu Chen and Jiang Yu immediately shut up.

Liu Chen tidied his appearance, gripped the hilt of his sword with his left hand, and stood facing north.

The courtiers either looked at Liu Chen, exchanged bewildered glances, or whispered amongst themselves. This Prince of the North...

In the toilet room.

Liu Shan sat down, looking troubled, and said, "Hao, what should I do?"

Huang Hao didn't think it was a big problem. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Does Your Majesty intend to kill the Prince of Beidi?"

Liu Shan glanced at Huang Hao but said nothing.

"Does Your Majesty intend to depose the King of the North?" Huang Hao asked again.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Shan shook his head. He understood that Liu Chen was probably behind it, but he couldn't depose the Prince of Beidi without evidence.

He rarely even killed his ministers, so it was even less likely that he would kill his own son.

It can't be scrapped either.

Liu Shan said, "I want to reduce the salary of the King of Beidi."

Huang Hao immediately said, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Beidi... is fond of wealth. If Your Majesty reduces his salary, I fear he will be dissatisfied. This matter will cause a great uproar and damage the dignity of the royal family."

"Is there nothing I can do?" Liu Shan roared angrily, standing up.

"You don't even dare to kill a servant, so what can you do? You really can't do anything..." Huang Hao thought to himself. He had taken Liu Chen's money, so of course he had to speak up for Liu Chen. But even if he didn't speak up, Liu Shan could only punish Liu Chen by reducing his salary. With him there, Liu Chen's salary would definitely be safe.

Huang Hao remained calm and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant believes that the reason why the Prince of Beidi is... is because he lacks a strict minister to discipline him. I think a strict minister should be appointed as the Prince of Beidi's tutor to discipline and restrain him."

Liu Shan's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "That makes sense." He was well aware that he couldn't control his son. But he could find someone to take his place.

The crown prince has his tutor, and the king has his tutor.

First, the son must not be killed.

Second, the son cannot be deposed.

Third, a son who is greedy for money should not be punished by having his salary deducted.

If something goes wrong, we can't control it. It would be better to appoint a strict tutor to prevent problems from arising in the first place.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Shan looked up at Huang Hao and said, "Dismiss the court. Tell the Grand Censor that this matter is closed. Appoint Huang Chong, the Gentleman of the Palace, as tutor to the Prince of Beidi."

After saying this, Liu Shan's eyes lit up. "Great! I haven't done anything wrong, yet Huang Chong keeps talking to me. Now, by sending Huang Chong to discipline my rebellious son, the son will be disciplined, and I won't have to listen to Huang Chong's nagging anymore."

one stone two bird.

Liu Shan waved for Huang Hao to leave, and then had another eunuch prepare ink and write two sentences on silk.

"Do not refrain from doing good because it is small, nor do evil because it is small."

After thinking for a while, Liu Shan had someone fetch Zhuge Liang's letter of admonition to his son, made a copy, and sent it to Liu Chen along with the letter.

Be a good person, you unfilial son.