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

On the way back to the palace, the sound of flags faded into the distance, and the drumbeats were also blocked by the palace walls.

Liu Bian walked along the corridor, his steps slow.

Xun Yu followed half a step behind him and whispered:

"Your Highness did very well today."

Liu Bian did not answer, but only asked one question:

"Sir, Father Emperor's smile was so genuine today... does it mean that deep down he actually—"

Xun Yu was silent for a moment, then answered softly, but coldly:

"His Majesty is kind to people and knows how to use them effectively."

"Pain and use sometimes go in tandem, and sometimes they contradict each other."

Liu Bian paused, looked at the palace road ahead, and slowly exhaled.

He knew that he had made contact with Gongsun Zan today, which was a small victory.

But the moment Liu Xie was carried onto the viewing platform in the West Garden, an even bigger game was quietly set up on the table.

-

Zhangde Hall.

After returning from the ceremony, Emperor Ling of Han changed into ordinary clothes and removed his crown, but he could not shake off the weariness that weighed on his bones. He leaned against a low table, holding a scroll in his hand, turning a couple of pages before closing it.

Not a single word on the page caught my eye.

His mind was filled with that scene in the West Garden—

Liu Xie sat on his lap, reciting the Classic of Filial Piety in a childish voice. At that moment, he was genuinely happy. That happiness was unrelated to court politics or calculations; it was simply the joy of a father seeing his youngest son able to recite a book.

But in the blink of an eye, he saw Liu Bian again.

The child stood very steadily, so steadily that he couldn't tell for a moment whether it was maturity or concealment; whether it was forbearance or a deeper scheme.

He should have been pleased, but the moment that gratification surfaced, his underlying wariness resurfaced.

Bian'er is so capable.

He knew how to attribute credit to the emperor, how to conceal his strength, and how to inquire about the morale of the army without seeking military command.

Such a person is even more terrifying if they truly desire something.

"I..." Emperor Ling of Han murmured to himself, tapping his finger lightly on the armrest, "Shouldn't I... erect something for Xie'er?"

It's not about establishing an heir apparent.

He had no such thoughts and knew that he couldn't do anything about it now.

But "give him something"—give him a title, a source of support, and someone to speak up for him, so that Liu Xie wouldn't have to rely entirely on his mother and her favor in the palace.

More importantly—let Bian'er know that there are other paths in the world besides yours.

The thought had barely formed when a eunuch's urgent, low voice suddenly came from outside the hall:

"Your Majesty, someone from Chongde Palace has come—Empress Dowager Dong requests Your Majesty's presence for a discussion."

Emperor Ling of Han paused, his fingers moving slightly.

Empress Dowager Dong.

She had kept a low profile for many years, seemingly hiding behind the palace walls to recuperate quietly. But today, after the ceremony at the West Garden, the moment Liu Xie appeared, she immediately went to the Zhangde Hall.

Emperor Ling of Han raised his eyes, his gaze darkening slightly. He neither said he would go nor refused, but simply asked:

"What is it?"

The visitor bowed his head and replied, "The Empress Dowager only said that she wishes to see His Majesty to inquire about the matters of the West Garden, and also... about the princes."

"The matter concerning the prince."

Emperor Ling of Han rolled those four words lightly on the tip of his tongue, and the hesitation in his heart became even more chaotic.

It's no secret that the Empress Dowager has always doted on Liu Xie. If she becomes active again, her purpose won't be limited to just "asking questions."

She wanted to help Liu Xie.

Supporting Liu Xie means that the game of chess in the palace is about to start all over again.

Emperor Ling of Han slowly stood up, straightened his sleeves, and spoke in a calm voice:

"Prepare the carriage for Chongde Hall."

Zhang Rang stood to the side, his eyelids twitching slightly before drooping even lower.

He knew that if Empress Dowager Dong made a move, Empress He would no longer be sitting there.

The palace was in even greater chaos.

-

Chengde Hall.

After returning to the palace, Liu Bian did not rest immediately. He was at his desk copying the rosters of the various units of the Xiyuan New Army. Xun Yu had already taken his leave, leaving only Wang Ming and a few eunuchs in the hall.

Under the lamplight, Liu Bian's face was calm, as if he was waiting for something.

Sure enough, not long after, light and hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. A eunuch quietly entered, bowed, and whispered a few words in Wang Ming's ear.

Wang Ming's expression changed, and he immediately stepped forward, lowering his voice:

"Your Highness, Guo Changshi reported that His Majesty was summoned by Empress Dowager Dong's people and went to Chongde Hall."

Liu Bian paused, his pen momentarily drawing a smudge of ink onto the paper.

"What else did Guo Sheng say?"

Wang Ming swallowed hard.

"Guo Changshi said, 'The Empress Dowager has been frequently summoning Consort Wang lately. After today, it seems that Your Majesty will have to decide on the proper etiquette.'"

Dingli.

These two words are like a knife, gently pressed against the skin.

Liu Bian closed his eyes, his mind racing as he connected several lines of thought—

Jian Shuo, Yuan Shao, Empress Dowager Dong, Consort Wang, Liu Xie.

The West Garden is the soldier's sword.

Chongde Hall is the knife of the palace.

The two knives, one in front of the other, are both aimed at achieving "balance".

The goal is not to immediately dismiss him, but to make his path narrower, slower, and more difficult.

Liu Bian stood up, put on his outer robe, and said to Wang Ming:

"Prepare the sedan chair; we're going to Changqiu Palace."

Wang Ming was taken aback: "Your Highness, going to Changqiu Palace at night..."

"The later it gets, the more we must go." Liu Bian's voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness. "The Empress Dowager will know first. She will be faster than me."

He paused, then added:

"Moreover—this is not just a matter for the Crown Prince's Palace, but also for the Changqiu Palace."

Wang Ming immediately agreed and turned to make the arrangements.

As Liu Bian walked to the palace gate, the night wind blew against his face, and the chill went straight into his collar.

He looked up at the dark sky, and a very clear thought suddenly surfaced in his mind:

In the game of chess at Xiyuan, he could still conceal his strength.

But in this game within the palace, the hidden strength is insufficient.

First, one must stand behind the Empress Dowager and leverage her influence to secure the title of Crown Prince—and then consider how to ensure that the Emperor's "favor" and "use" of the Crown Prince are no longer contradictory.

-

Chongde Hall.

The lights inside the hall were warmer than those in the Zhangde Hall, yet also quieter. The sandalwood incense in the incense burner burned very slowly, the smoke as thin as silk, winding its way up the beam.

Empress Dowager Dong was already waiting.

She was old, with graying temples. She sat on the couch, with only two of the most experienced palace servants by her side, and even the extra eunuchs were sent outside the curtain.

Upon seeing Emperor Ling of Han enter, she didn't discuss any business, but simply raised her hand, like an ordinary old woman beckoning her son:

"Come, sit closer."

Emperor Ling of Han paused slightly, but still walked over and sat down beside the couch, his face showing his usual respect:

"I was late when my mother summoned me last night."

"What's so late?" Empress Dowager Dong smiled, but her smile was anything but gentle. "You are the Emperor; who dares to blame you?"

As she spoke, she glanced toward the palace gate, and the people outside the curtain immediately retreated further away as if holding their breath.

Empress Dowager Dong then slowly revealed her true intentions:

"Today in the West Garden, you were holding Xie'er, smiling so sincerely." She sighed, "When I found out, I felt a strange pang of sorrow in my heart."

Emperor Ling of Han did not respond.

Empress Dowager Dong continued speaking to herself:

"These past few years have been tough for Xie'er. Such a young child, and she doesn't even have a proper title. I know you're busy and can't help her."

She paused, and her voice immediately softened.

"He's very sensible. I heard that when you held him, he didn't dare to move, and even though he stumbled while reciting his lessons, he still tried his best to memorize them—did you see that?"

Emperor Ling of Han twitched his brow.

He saw it.

That's why I laughed like that.

Seeing that Emperor Ling of Han's expression had relaxed, Empress Dowager Dong seized the opportunity to press her advantage:

"Bian'er is fine too."

"That child is too good... so good that even this old woman is afraid."

Emperor Ling of Han looked up at Empress Dowager Dong.

Empress Dowager Dong spoke slowly:

"Look at what he's done these past few years—lifting the ban on factions, purging the corrupt officials, establishing charitable granaries for merchants, and strengthening local governance... He's done everything so well that people outside say, 'His Highness the Crown Prince is a blessing to the Han Dynasty.'"

Then, she changed the subject.

"But you are the emperor. What would the emperor think if he heard that?"

Emperor Ling of Han tapped his knee lightly with his fingers, but said nothing.

Empress Dowager Dong seemed oblivious to everything and continued speaking:

"Don't blame me for being harsh. When you first ascended the throne, the Ten Attendants, the Qingliu faction, and the aristocratic families—weren't they all watching you? You were able to sit securely because you knew that anyone who stretched their arms too far would have to be chopped off."

She raised her eyes and stared at Emperor Ling of Han:

"Then tell me, what will become of a crown prince who is too intelligent, too capable, and too good at winning people's hearts?"