Chapter 10

After about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, a eunuch came in to convey the emperor's command: "The emperor orders the four princes to proceed to the main hall..."

The four brothers quickly stood up.

Liu Rong, holding his head high and with an air of arrogance, was the first to walk out.

Looking at Liu Rong's back, Liu De turned to look at his two clearly very nervous younger brothers and comforted them, "Don't be nervous, Father probably won't ask you anything!"

"Really?" Liu E was unsure.

"Of course!" Liu De nodded his head toward Liu Rong's back and said, "Didn't you see how the eldest brother looks?"

Liu Rong had always been a person with little confidence, both in his previous life and in this one. Therefore, for him to walk out so confidently, it must be because his father had given him a cheat.

Thinking of this, Liu De sighed inwardly.

As the eldest prince, Liu Rong had too many advantages. Liu De even thought that, if nothing unexpected happened, Liu Rong would end up as the crown prince in this life, just like in his previous one...

Thinking to this point, Liu De felt he should accelerate his efforts to communicate and coordinate with Empress Bo.

While thinking, the four brothers slowly walked out of the rear hall and entered the main hall of the Xuan Room.

At this moment, everyone in the hall was sitting upright, grouped according to their status.

The imperial clan and feudal lords sat on the right, the concubines and young princes and princesses on the left, followed by the relatives of the empress.

The four brothers walked to the center of the hall and bowed, saying, "Your subjects greet Your Majesty, Empress Mother, and all the uncles and aunts of the imperial clan!"

Liu De slightly raised his head and saw his father, who was now dressed in formal imperial dragon robes and wearing a crown, sitting on the dragon throne.

The next moment, his father's powerful voice echoed, "Liu Rong, Liu De, Liu E, Liu Yu, these four princes are all beloved by Me and are the eldest among the princes. Tomorrow, they will be enfeoffed as kings to establish their own states, to protect the Han Empire and ensure the peace of the people. As the Book of Songs says: 'Like gold, like tin, like a jade, like a wall.' And also: 'There is a gentleman, who cannot be forgotten.' Today, with all the imperial clan and relatives present, I will follow the precedent set by Emperor Xiaowen and test your studies and political views!"

"Liu Rong!" The emperor stood up.

"Your subject is here!" Liu Rong stepped forward, confidently bowing to both sides.

"Liu De!"

"Your subject is here!" Liu De also stepped forward and bowed to both sides.

"Liu E!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Liu Yu!"

"Your... Your subject is here!" Liu Yu, perhaps too nervous, almost stumbled and nearly fell. Fortunately, Liu De reacted quickly, grabbing his sleeve to steady him, preventing him from making a fool of himself.

Even so, Liu Yu's face was not good, and his hands were trembling.

Fortunately, the emperor, who always doted on his stuttering son, did not blame him but said with some pity, "Liu Yu, you may write your answers instead of speaking them."

"Thank you, Father..." Liu Yu was so surprised that his stutter almost disappeared.

Liu De patted his shoulder and smiled at him.

In the presence of everyone, Liu De's image as a loving and protective older brother was naturally established.

Even Emperor Liu Qi, who had not paid much attention to Liu De, could not help but look at him more closely upon seeing this.

In this era, a person who could help the weak and love his brothers would certainly gain favor.

However, Liu Qi merely glanced at Liu De, showing a bit more interest in his second son, but his main focus was still on Prince of Qi, Liu Jianglu, who was sitting on the left.

Liu Qi deeply understood the importance of the State of Qi.

It was no exaggeration to say that as long as Qi remained neutral, it could effectively restrain the states of Jiaodong, Jiaoxi, and Jinan, preventing them from risking their homelands by committing their main forces.

Moreover, the Qi royal line was the bloodline of the eldest son of the High Emperor, with significant influence, truly a matter of one hair pulling the whole body.

This time, Prince Liu Jianglu's personal visit to Chang'an for the funeral indicated that he was somewhat inclined toward the court and was a potential ally.

Unfortunately, after repeated probing, the prince had not clearly stated whether he supported the court's efforts to reduce the power of the feudal lords, only speaking vaguely about the High Emperor and the late emperor.

Therefore, Emperor Liu Qi came up with this idea—to let the prince see the abilities of the imperial descendants, to reassure him, and perhaps achieve a surprising effect.

For this, Liu Qi did not hesitate to cheat, secretly giving Liu Rong a heads-up in advance.

Emperor Liu Qi took a few steps and looked at Prince Liu Jianglu, who was sitting with his eyes fixed on his nose and his nose on his heart, realizing that if he followed the original plan and asked some trivial questions, it might not move him.

The emperor cursed inwardly, "Cunning!"

His intentions had already changed.

He took two steps forward and said, "Prince of Qi!"

"Your subject is here!" Liu Jianglu, sitting on the left, quickly stood up upon hearing the emperor's name.

In fact, this time Liu Jianglu came to Chang'an mainly because he had received too much favor and care from Empress Dowager Bo. If he did not come for the funeral of the Grand Empress Dowager, he would surely be criticized.

In his heart, Liu Jianglu was actually quite不服 (unconvinced) of the current emperor sitting on the dragon throne.

Back then, the feudal lords and ministers jointly eliminated the Lü clan, and the Qi royal line had contributed greatly.

But in the end, the throne inexplicably fell to the then Prince of Dai, Liu Heng, for the equally inexplicable reason that "the Qi royal line is too powerful and difficult to control, and their maternal uncle is a bad person, just like the Lü clan."

Anyone in this situation would be dissatisfied.

Why should I shed blood and sweat, while someone else sits on the dragon throne and rules the world?

If it were not for the late emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager's kindness and repeated generous rewards, Qi would have rebelled long ago!

It was also because of that lingering sentiment and the pressure from his prime minister and commandant that Liu Jianglu had to come to Chang'an for the funeral.

Therefore, when he was called, Liu Jianglu was somewhat surprised.

But as the ruler of a state, not a powerless feudal lord like in the Ming and Qing dynasties, Liu Jianglu reacted quickly. He immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "What does Your Majesty command?"

One cannot catch a wolf without risking one's child. With this thought, the emperor took a few steps, finally made up his mind, and said, "I have long heard of the deep learning of the Qi royal line. This time, the prince might as well set the questions for the examination on my behalf!"

As soon as the emperor said this, the ease and comfort on Liu Rong's face instantly disappeared.

Liu De was also stunned.

His mind was left with only one word: butterfly effect!

……………………………………

With 100 favorites, thank you all, hehe, I almost forgot how long it has been since I felt this moved. Thank you for your support, I will continue to work hard!

[Page Flip AD Start]

[Page Flip AD End]