Chapter 89

In Empress Dowager Dong's palace, it seemed that Liu Yao had been delayed a bit by the matter with Diaochan. At this moment, Empress Dowager Dong and Liu Xin were already waiting there. Liu Xin was sitting on a chair, pouting, swinging her little feet, and her face was full of anger.

She kept muttering, "Stinky brother, how could you make your princess wait for so long? If you don't bring me a gift, I'll never talk to you again."

Empress Dowager Dong, on the other side, looked at Liu Xin with a loving expression. In recent years, since Liu Yao was not by her side, only Liu Xin could keep her company and alleviate her loneliness.

At this moment, Liu Yao had just entered the palace and heard Liu Xin's words. He couldn't help but tease her, "Who said they wouldn't talk to their brother anymore?"

Liu Xin heard the familiar voice of Liu Yao, turned around, and saw his figure. The anger she had earlier was long gone. She took a step forward and jumped onto Liu Yao, hanging on him like a koala. "Brother, you're finally back. I missed you so much."

"Is that so? I just heard someone say they wouldn't talk to me," Liu Yao said, pretending to be angry.

Liu Xin quickly shook her head like a rattle and argued, "No, no, no, Brother, you must have heard wrong. No one said anything."

Liu Yao couldn't help but laugh at her antics. His heart, which had been tense for years, finally relaxed. He couldn't help but think, "This is what home feels like."

"Come down, you're so big now, still clinging to your brother. What will people think if they see you?" Liu Yao scolded with a smile.

Only then did Liu Xin notice that behind Liu Yao stood a beautiful young lady and a stern-faced young man. She stuck out her tongue in embarrassment and jumped down from Liu Yao.

Liu Yao then walked over to Empress Dowager Dong, knelt down, and respectfully bowed to her, "Grandmother, your grandson greets you."

"Grandson, get up quickly, the ground is cold," Empress Dowager Dong quickly helped Liu Yao up and brushed the dust off his legs. She then examined Liu Yao's body, seeing his strong build and slightly tanned skin, tears welled up in her eyes. "My dear, you must have suffered a lot these past years."

"Grandmother, don't say that. For the Han Dynasty, a little hardship is nothing," Liu Yao said firmly.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Dong noticed the two people behind Liu Yao. She ignored Shi A, who clearly looked like Liu Yao's guard. However, when she saw Diaochan, she was somewhat surprised. It was normal for Liu Yao to bring a guard, but bringing a delicate woman here was unusual.

Empress Dowager Dong's eyes sparkled as she began to examine Diaochan from head to toe, occasionally making approving sounds. Her gaze was like that of a mother-in-law looking at her future son-in-law, but now it was more like a grandmother looking at her future daughter-in-law.

Diaochan, feeling the more direct gaze of Empress Dowager Dong, blushed even more and buried her head in her chest like an ostrich.

"Grandson, who are these two?" Empress Dowager Dong asked.

Diaochan and Shi A quickly stepped forward and bowed to Empress Dowager Dong, "Shi A (Servant Diaochan) greets the Empress Dowager."

"Grandmother, this is my personal guard commander, Shi A," Liu Yao said, pointing to Shi A.

He then hesitated a bit before introducing Diaochan, "This young lady is... is... someone I just rescued in the palace, her name is Diaochan."

"Oh!!" Liu Yao then remembered something and called out nervously, "Grandmother, Diaochan has a wound on her hand. Please send someone to bandage it for her."

Diaochan was deeply moved by Liu Yao's concern, feeling as if she had eaten honey. She never expected Liu Yao to care so much about a mere palace maid.

Empress Dowager Dong, seeing Liu Yao's worried expression, smiled even more and quickly called a few maids to take Diaochan to the inner courtyard to bandage her wound.

"Brother, did you bring me a gift this time?" Liu Xin grabbed Liu Yao's arm and shook it, pouting.

Liu Yao's forehead broke out in a cold sweat. He had been rushed into the palace by Emperor Liu Hong and hadn't had time to settle down, let alone remember to bring a gift.

Liu Xin, seeing Liu Yao's expression, knew he had forgotten. Her lower lip trembled, and her eyes welled up, ready to cry.

Liu Yao couldn't bear to see his sister cry. He remembered something and took out a千里眼 (千里眼, a device for seeing far distances) from his chest. "Here, Xin, your brother didn't forget the gift. Take it." He then generously handed the千里眼 to Liu Xin. Although he only had one, he didn't need it now. He could have more made in a few days.

Liu Xin curiously took the千里眼 and examined the hollow wooden tube. She knew her brother often came up with interesting gadgets, and this one was no exception.

Liu Yao then explained how to use the千里眼 to Liu Xin. As soon as she tried it, she immediately fell in love with the magical千里眼 and wanted to run out of the palace to play with it.

But before Liu Xin could take a step, Liu Yao stopped her. "Xin, wait a moment. I have something important to tell you."

Seeing Liu Yao's serious expression, Liu Xin knew it was no small matter and quickly quieted down.

"Grandmother, I have already received Father's permission to take you and Xin to Youzhou to live. What do you think?" Liu Yao asked.

"I want to go, I want to go!" Liu Xin jumped up excitedly at the mention of Youzhou. As a princess, she had never left the palace and was eager to explore the outside world.

Unlike Liu Xin's enthusiasm, Empress Dowager Dong shook her head without hesitation. "Grandson, I am old and don't want to go so far. You should take Xin, but I will stay in Luoyang."

Liu Yao was at a loss for words. He couldn't tell her that Luoyang would face great turmoil in five years. That would only make her more reluctant to leave.

"Grandmother, please come with us," Liu Xin pleaded, trying to persuade Empress Dowager Dong.

However, Liu Xin's usual effective pouting had no effect on Empress Dowager Dong, who still refused to leave Luoyang.

Liu Yao was also at a loss. He knew Empress Dowager Dong was determined to stay in Luoyang. But he had made up his mind. Before the chaos in Luoyang, he would even kidnap her to Youzhou if necessary. He didn't want anything to happen to Empress Dowager Dong in Luoyang. Historically, she was poisoned by He Lingyi after Emperor Liu Hong's death.

"Since Grandmother doesn't want to, I won't force you," Liu Yao said.

Empress Dowager Dong nodded with some reluctance, as she was also reluctant to part with Liu Yao and Princess Liu Xin. "Xin, go check if the young lady's wound is bandaged," she suddenly said to Liu Xin. Liu Yao clearly felt that Empress Dowager Dong was trying to send Liu Xin away.

Liu Xin, being young, didn't understand this and simply said, "Okay," and walked towards the inner courtyard.

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