Liu Bian at the start, so you're called Dong Zhuo, right?

"Your Highness, we have arrived at the Empress's Palace."

After walking for an unknown amount of time, two eunuchs whispered to Liu Bian.

"Um."

We walked up the steps and entered the palace.

Several palace maids and eunuchs stood in front of the hall; some of them already knew he was returning to the palace today and had made preparations.

When the people at the door saw him arrive, they all bowed down.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Liu Bian trembled slightly, but did not speak. He just gripped the hem of his clothes tightly, making a somewhat timid appearance.

But his eyes lifted up just in time, as if he were looking for someone.

"Don't be afraid," the young eunuch leading the way said softly. "Her Majesty is waiting inside."

As soon as the curtain was lifted, a wave of heat hit us.

Inside the hall, in front of the main seat, there was a curtain that blocked the view of a figure sitting on the seat.

The palace maid standing nearby spoke coldly:

"Has Zhang Changshi examined it?"

The two eunuchs trembled and hurriedly knelt down:

"I was only following orders; I know nothing else."

Someone coughed softly from behind the curtain.

"That's enough, all of you, step back."

The two eunuchs then quickly retreated.

"Your son...pays respects to Your Majesty."

The hall fell silent instantly.

Before long, the figure behind the curtain suddenly stood up and, disregarding etiquette, lifted the curtain and walked out.

"Look up." A slightly hoarse voice rang out in front of Liu Bian. "Let me see."

Liu Bian looked up, his eyes revealing a hint of timidity and grievance that he had long concealed.

There is still hope.

The person in front of me was dressed in a deep robe with phoenix patterns, his hair was tied up in a high bun, and his face was slightly pale, but his eyebrows and eyes were sharp, as if he was born to sit here.

"You're too thin," she said softly, as if blaming herself, or perhaps suppressing anger. "Who told you to get so thin?"

"I'm not suffering. Taoist priest... the people in the Shi residence are very kind to me."

Liu Bian lowered his head again.

Empress He didn't say anything more, but reached out and patted Liu Bian's head.

How do you know I am your mother?

"It was my uncle who said it, while we were in the car."

Empress He nodded. She knew that He Jin would not be able to keep things secret, and she also thought that there was no need to hide these things anymore.

She grasped Liu Bian's hand, her heart trembling:

Why are your hands so cold?

Liu Bian shrugged and said in a low voice, "I've been watched the whole way... I'm a little scared."

He was telling Ms. He that Zhang Rang's verification made him afraid.

Historically, Empress He was a staunch supporter of Liu Bian, but he was still worried.

He needed to know whether Madam He genuinely wanted to protect him, or whether she was just using him as a pawn.

Empress He's eyes turned cold, and she turned to the palace maid beside her, saying:

"Spring silk".

"This servant is here."

"Close the palace doors." Empress He's tone was flat, yet it was as if a bolt had been pulled down. "Everyone outside, retreat to the corridor. Only you remain inside the palace."

"Here you are."

Empress He knelt down and said softly:

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid...they won't let me see my mother," he whispered.

"I heard them talking about rules, proclamations, and names... They said that it only counts if it's verified first."

Her eyes welled up with tears halfway through her sentence.

After hearing this, Empress He did not get angry, but gently embraced Liu Bian:

"There are many rules in this palace. However, these rules are set for the servants."

"You are a prince, born of me. I've brought you back, and you won't have to listen to these servants' rules anymore."

"You are the one who sets the rules."

Liu Bian breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't say anything more, but simply hugged Empress He tightly.

"The Chamberlain He Jin requests an audience."

Suddenly, an announcement came from outside the hall.

"Announce."

He Jin entered the hall, bowed, and said, "Your subject He Jin greets Your Majesty."

"Was bringing His Highness back successful?"

Upon hearing this, He Jin felt a pang of anxiety—the word "smoothly" was an accusation.

He bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have done my best... but at the palace gate, Zhang Rang, according to the rules, first verified the oral announcement and registered the names, which I could not stop."

"Couldn't stop him?" Empress He raised her eyelids, a sharp glint in her eyes flashing. "He Jin, you are a Chamberlain."

He Jin hurriedly said, "I am a Chamberlain, and I can stay inside the palace gates. The imperial edict is in their hands. Zhang Rang can hold them back with a simple 'disruption of the rules.' If I insist, it will only bring trouble upon Your Highness."

He lowered his voice slightly as he said this, with a hint of resentment:

"Your Majesty... the He family is now weak. They rely solely on Your Majesty's imperial seal. If I were to openly confront them at the palace gate—they wouldn't dare touch Your Majesty, but they would dare touch His Highness."

Empress He frowned slightly, then sighed.

"Get up."

He Jin felt relieved and quickly got up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Empress He stopped talking to He Jin and turned to call out:

"Spring silk".

"This servant is here."

"Take His Highness to change his clothes." Empress He's tone was crisp and decisive. "His attire shall be in accordance with the regulations for princes. We will arrange for him to stay in a side hall—closer to me, so he won't be stopped on the way."

"Here you are."

After speaking, Empress He turned her gaze to He Jin:

"Zhang Rang's side... don't let them reach into my palace again."

He Jin clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty, I understand. I will go immediately."

Just as he was about to turn around, Liu Bian's voice rang in his ears:

"Uncle...remember to come see me."

He Jin's heart softened, and he finally whispered:

"Yes, Your Highness... Remember to listen to Her Majesty."

He Jin left, and the palace door closed again. Inside the palace, only the charcoal fire and the aroma of incense remained.

Chunjuan led Liu Bian to the side hall, whispering instructions as they went:

"Your Highness, please change your clothes and wash your hands to warm yourself."

"When you go to see His Majesty later, do not look around or ask any questions. Answer whatever His Majesty asks."

Liu Bian nodded obediently, responding with "uh-huh" as if he didn't understand, but his heart sank little by little.

To see Emperor Ling of Han—not to see one's father, but to see the emperor.

Hot water and proper attire had already been prepared in the side hall. A small crimson robe was laid out on the table, next to a thin jade belt and a warm, smooth jade pendant.

The palace maids moved extremely quickly, wiping his hands, combing his hair, tying his belt, and even smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothes.

Looking at his still-childish face in the mirror, Liu Bian suddenly felt a strong sense of unfamiliarity.

A child raised outside the family can be dressed in the robes of a prince in the blink of an eye.

Chunjuan tucked the last strand of hair under her crown and whispered:

"Your Highness, the time has come."

Liu Bian took a deep breath and stepped out of the side hall.

Empress He was standing under the corridor waiting for him when she saw Liu Bian dressed in his finest clothes, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"From this day forward, you are the prince of my great Han Dynasty."

"Let's go."

"Yes, Mother."

Empress He took his hand and turned to leave.

...

"arrive."

Not long after, Empress He stopped in front of her.

Liu Bian raised his head and looked at the three large characters in front of him—Zhangde Hall.

"The Empress has arrived—His Highness the Prince has arrived—"

The two were led into the palace by a palace attendant.

At the head of the hall, a man leaned against a couch, dressed in a brocade robe. His eyes showed weariness, as well as an indescribable sense of languor and pride.

Emperor Ling of Han.

Liu Bian suddenly felt a little dazed. This famous "tyrant" in history books had actually come to see the real person.

Empress He led him to the bedside, curtsied, and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Your son... greets His Majesty."

Emperor Ling of Han's gaze fell on him and lingered for a long time, as if he were looking at an object that had been left untouched for seven years.

"This is...Lord Shi?" he asked, his voice languid.

"Yes, it is my son."

Emperor Ling of Han gave a soft "hmm," but his gaze swept past Empress He and landed on Zhang Rang beside him.

"Zhang Rang," Emperor Ling of Han suddenly said, "you've verified it?"

Zhang Rang immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the oral announcements and names have been verified and recorded in accordance with regulations. Your Highness is wise and knows proper etiquette, and we dare not disturb you."

Emperor Ling of Han seemed to have heard a pleasing reply, so he stopped pursuing the matter and instead raised his hand towards Liu Bian:

"Come closer, let me see you."

Liu Bian rose, walking at a moderate pace, stopping two steps from the bed. His eyes did not wander, but focused only on Emperor Ling's knees—this was what Chun Juan had just taught him: when meeting the emperor, one's gaze should not go above the eyebrows.

Emperor Ling of Han sized him up: "Can you read?"

Liu Bian's heart skipped a beat.

"I know a little. The Taoist priest taught me."

He didn't specify what he could do, but answered in the tone appropriate for a seven-year-old.

Emperor Ling of Han smiled enigmatically: "Which line do you know?"

"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the king."

The courtiers inside the hall were all taken aback.

Zhang Rang's eyes twitched slightly, and Zhao Zhong's smile faded a bit.

Emperor Ling of Han smiled and pointed at him:

"She's quite eloquent."

Empress He's eyes relaxed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, maintaining her dignified demeanor as the Empress.

Emperor Ling of Han suddenly asked, "What's your name?"

Liu Bian understood in his heart: this was to ensure that the official titles were truly implemented.

He looked at Empress He pleadingly.

Empress He nodded calmly.

He whispered, "I... dare not call myself. I only know that everyone calls me Lord Shi."

Emperor Ling of Han frowned: "Nameless?"

Empress He immediately responded, her voice neither humble nor arrogant: "I dare not speak much about the matter of keeping a mistress outside the palace. However, now that Your Highness has returned to the palace, your status should be legitimate."

Emperor Ling of Han remained silent for a moment, then spoke:

"Once you return to the palace, you will be given a name."

"Name...argument."

"My eldest son is intelligent and eloquent—so I will name him Liu Bian."