Chapter 3: Midnight Reflections

The night had grown deep, yet Emperor Wu of Han had not yet retired. Outside, a young eunuch entered with a respectful bow and reported that Lady Gou Yi was requesting an audience with the emperor at Weiyang Palace. Since Empress Wei Zifu had fallen out of favor, Emperor Wu had gradually become enamored with the younger and more beautiful Lady Gou Yi, surnamed Zhao.

It was hard to imagine that the emperor, already past sixty, still indulged in such passions. Truly, a man remains a youth until death; even the great Emperor Wu was no exception. Yet this time, he restrained his desires and waved his hand, saying, “Tell her to come another day. I am weary.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the crown prince’s power waned, various factions emerged, each coveting the throne. Everyone sought to carve a piece from Crown Prince Liu Ju to seize the rightful position. All of this rested upon a single thought in Emperor Wu’s mind.

He doted on Lady Zhao deeply. Moreover, she had carried the child for fourteen months before giving birth to Liu Fuling. The emperor specially built the Yao Mu Palace for her, sending a powerful political signal to the outside world.

Lady Zhao was somewhat surprised, uncertain why the old emperor refused to see her behind closed doors this day.

Inside Xuanshi Hall, late at night, Emperor Wu’s expression was complex. Several times, he rose and walked outside the hall, only to return again. His strong pride made him unwilling to meet with his grandson Liu Jin, so he paced back and forth, eventually deciding to postpone visiting the Eastern Palace for a while.

If only he had been more lenient before, this awkwardness could have been avoided.

The next morning, a palace attendant bowed before the emperor and reported, “Your Majesty, the crown prince’s eldest son requests an audience to present agricultural irrigation implements. He earnestly wishes to see you.”

Emperor Wu hesitated for a moment, then said, “Have him leave the items. He need not enter Weiyang Palace.”

“Yes.”

Outside Weiyang Palace, Liu Jin waited quietly. After some time, the eunuch returned and told him, “Your Highness, the emperor has instructed that you leave the items here; you need not enter the palace.”

Liu Jin was momentarily taken aback. He explained, “There is only one drawing on silk. The farming tools are too large to bring inside. I fear grandpa might not understand…”

Before he finished, the eunuch interrupted, “That is the emperor’s order. Please comply.”

For a eunuch to cut him off so brusquely—after the fall of the crown prince’s faction, the palace eunuchs no longer regarded him, the eldest grandson, with respect!

Liu Jin fixed him with a steady gaze and nodded, “Understood.”

“What is your name?”

“I am Su Wen,” the eunuch replied.

“I see.”

Watching him leave, Liu Jin’s expression shifted subtly. Had the first treacherous minister already emerged?

Not long after, during the witchcraft incident, the entire crown prince’s line was exterminated, with palace eunuch Su Wen among the conspirators.

Yet for now, Liu Jin had no time to quarrel with a eunuch. After all, Su Wen was close to Emperor Wu, a fifth-rank official under the prime minister’s authority. Liu Jin understood this and saw no reason to offend him.

It seemed Emperor Wu was already arranging plans for the future; after all, past sixty, life was limited, and affairs must be prepared in advance.

Although Huo Qubing and Wei Qing had passed away, the power of the Wei family, his maternal relatives, remained strong. When Emperor Wu no longer deemed Liu Ju a suitable heir, he would surely find a way to remove Empress Wei.

The example of Empress Lü’s family usurping power was fresh in mind, and Empress Wei possessed the ability and influence to become the second Empress Lü of the Han.

Emperor Wu always felt that Liu Ju was too mild and cautious, his governance too weak, not matching the emperor’s expectations, and might not be capable of wielding such great authority.

He would rather not hand the empire to Crown Prince Liu Ju than allow the great power of Han to fall into foreign hands after his death.

Could this be why he refused to see his grandson?

On the way back to Changle Palace, Liu Jin thought deeply. Previously, he had tried to use the dragon-bone carriage as bait to break the ice; if he could just meet his grandfather, he might glean his true intentions and secure political leverage for the crown prince’s faction—or perhaps even change Emperor Wu’s view of his father.

But it was useless.

He hadn’t even passed the first hurdle; the old man refused to see his own grandson.

There were many things he could not tell his father, the crown prince. He knew the future history, but his father did not. His father naively thought Emperor Wu was discerning and would not be swayed by traitors.

But he had no idea how far-reaching the witchcraft incident a year later would be—thousands in Chang’an would be slaughtered by Emperor Wu. This was a reality Liu Jin could not face.

Speaking with some selfishness, he too would die. Nothing was more important than one’s life.

Though he had intended to return to Changle Palace, Liu Jin changed course halfway, taking several servants and leaving the palace.

The outskirts of Chang’an were still hot, even so early in the morning.

Liu Jin first bought some Hu-style cakes at the market, then went to the irrigation canal outside the city and sat in a daze.

“A little one, I saw you from afar. Why are you back again? Did the officials receive the dragon-bone carriage? Did they reward you?”

Liu Jin smiled. Though many worries could not be confided to the Eastern Palace, chatting with a stranger was a good way to ease his mind.

“I delivered it. Soon, you can enjoy the benefits from the court’s favor.”

The old man smiled. “How is it? Such a remarkable invention—your grandfather must be very proud.”

Liu Jin shook his head. “He still refuses to see me.”

“Oh.”

“‘Oh’?” Liu Jin looked at him suspiciously. That wasn’t what you said yesterday.

Emperor Wu sighed helplessly. This boy seemed smarter than he had thought. Just one wrong attitude and suspicion arose?

He hardened his heart and said, “Your grandfather really is a scoundrel!”

“Don’t say that,” Liu Jin replied contentedly but still shook his head slightly.

Emperor Wu felt uneasy. If he didn’t scold, the boy’s clever nature would soon suspect something was amiss. But if he scolded, he himself would feel uncomfortable.

If not for his pride and years of neglect toward his eldest grandson, he would have surely received Liu Jin at Weiyang Palace this morning.

This grandfather had indeed failed in his duties. Thus, he had this thought—to make a special reward to the eldest grandson who contributed prominently to Han’s agricultural irrigation. It was also a chance to give time for reflection on how to relate better to this grandson, whom he had long overlooked.

“Seeing you so burdened, since your grandfather won’t see you, why insist on meeting him? What do you want from him? Dividing the inheritance?”

Emperor Wu asked with a faint smile.

Liu Jin shook his head and smiled wryly. “My grandfather is surrounded by many. If I do not see him for long, even as family, I cannot withstand the slander of outsiders… Never mind, you wouldn’t understand.”

Emperor Wu laughed. “So in the end, it’s about the inheritance?”

Liu Jin took a deep breath and nodded firmly. “Yes, in a way. To fight for it is to hope. As a son, one must be ambitious, not merely wait for handouts!”

“I want to prove myself to my grandfather. I want him to know I am not lacking! Neither is my father!”

Emperor Wu was momentarily taken aback. The boy’s manner, so confident, sharp, and aggressive, reminded him of his younger self.

He had once been just the King of Jiaodong. Without striving, how would he have known the outcome?