The Innocent Heart - Chapter 9

The lineage of the Marquis of Tangyi originated in Dongyang of Donghai. However, since the founder, Chen Ying, the Chen family, despite receiving great imperial favor, had not produced a single notable descendant.

Especially since Empress Chen and the current Emperor became estranged, the Marquis of Tangyi’s residence, while outwardly appearing splendid and flourishing, had long lost much of its actual power and political influence.

Liu Piao (Grand Princess Guan Tao), though she dearly loved her daughter, still had two inept sons in her family that she had to vigorously support.

Looking at the Wei clan, which was constantly producing talented individuals and showing an increasingly upward trend in court, the habitually overbearing Grand Princess Guan Tao showed a trace of hesitation on her face.

The Chen family could not afford to put all their eggs in one basket. She had watched the current Emperor grow up. Compared to others, she had a deeper understanding of this high-minded nephew.

She knew that the Xiongnu were a thorn constantly lodged in his heart, and sooner or later, he would personally root them out.

Even though most of her support came from the old forces left behind by her mother, Empress Dowager Dou, who traditionally advocated for the doctrine of Huang-Lao Taoism and wu wei (non-action) governance, Liu Piao knew clearly that a war between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu was inevitable.

Would the Emperor truly do as he said—send her grandson and Princess Pingyang’s son to the battlefield to gain merit?

Liu Piao hesitated. The Marquis of Tangyi’s residence desperately needed a capable heir to salvage its decline and lead the crumbling Marquisate back to a path of resurgence.

Lost in thought, she turned her gaze back to her grandson.

For the imperial audience, she had specifically ordered a new, clean, and pressed silk robe for him and made sure he was properly groomed.

Yet, standing next to the youth from the Wei family named Huo Qubing, her grandson was clearly superior in terms of the luxuriousness of his clothing. But no matter how she looked at it, the Wei family’s child was much more handsome and taller.

Even though one was her own legitimate grandson, Liu Piao had to concede in her heart that this child of the Wei family looked like he was destined for greatness.

Forget it. She had likely protected these grandchildren too well, allowing them to indulge in extravagance and vice, extinguishing any ambition they might have had for service.

Then, rather than letting these worry-some elements self-destruct after her death, she might as well give it a try.

Although the Chen bloodline seemed to produce nothing but good-for-nothings, she, Liu Piao, was no ordinary person. Perhaps this grandson, whom she had raised herself, could inherit some of her ability?

“His Majesty speaks rightly. It is common for children to lose their sense of proportion when playing rough. Since the Marquis of Pingyang passed away, Pingyang (Princess Pingyang) has guarded Ah Xiang as if he were the apple of her eye. Now he is joining the military, can she truly bear it?”

After a moment of deliberation, Liu Piao put away her angry expression and smiled. Although the words were spoken with a smile, they were laced with an attempt to gauge the Emperor’s intention.

“When boys grow up, they naturally aspire to gain merit. My elder sister came to the palace specifically to discuss this with me two days ago.” How could Liu Che not hear the implied meaning in Liu Piao’s words?

His aunt was no simple character. Her aggressive entrance into the palace with her grandson was nothing more than an excuse to suppress Wei Zifu in the palace.

Though he intended to favor the Wei family, he could not make it too obvious. This was why he brought up his elder sister, Princess Pingyang. Since Wei Zifu was presented to the palace by Princess Pingyang, the two generations of princesses had been subtly competing with each other.

As ambitious Princesses of the Han Dynasty, neither was willing to concede defeat.

As expected, the mention of Cao Xiang, Princess Pingyang’s son, completely diverted Grand Princess Guan Tao’s attention. Liu Che thought to himself with a degree of smugness, seated on the imperial throne.

“Ah Zhi (Chen Zhi) also often clamored to join the military at home, making my ears hurt. However, considering his young age and the dangers of the battlefield, I have always refused him.

But since Ah Xiang is also going, and the two children have known each other since they were young and are relatives, it would be wonderful for them to look out for each other in the military! I just wonder… where does Your Majesty intend to assign the two boys?”

Liu Piao slightly lowered her head, her gaze sweeping past her grandson, who looked utterly unwilling at the mention of being sent to the military. Taking advantage of the others’ distraction, she gave her grandson a warning pinch on the back, concealed by her wide sleeve.

“Since Ah Zhi is my nephew, he should naturally join the Qimen Army.”

The Qimen (Imperial Guards) were originally composed of “good youths” from Longxi and Beidi who excelled in riding and archery and were conscripted to await orders at the palace gates, hence the name. The Qimen Army frequently served near the Emperor, making it an excellent placement for aristocratic youths.

Upon hearing this, Liu Piao immediately beamed with joy. She pulled her grandson Chen Zhi closer, then glanced at the Wei family uncle and nephew still kneeling on the side, giving a subtle, contemptuous smile. Only then did she kneel down to express her heartfelt gratitude.

“Ajiao has been in the palace for a long time and misses her aunt dearly. Since there is such good news, why don’t you go to the Pepper Chamber to share this happy occasion with Ajiao?” Liu Che, seeing Liu Piao in a good mood, seized the opportunity to suggest.

Finally seeing off his troublesome aunt, Liu Che secretly breathed a sigh of relief on the imperial throne. Only then did he feel inclined to carefully question the uncle and nephew still kneeling in the hall.

“Qubing, tell Zhen (I, the Emperor), did you win or lose the fight with Chen Zhi today?” Unlike his solemn demeanor when speaking with Grand Princess Guan Tao, Liu Che’s tone now carried a hint of teasing amusement, making him appear much more approachable.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, your humble servant won,” Huo Qubing, hearing his name called, did not flinch, but raised his head and replied clearly and loudly.

Just as Liu Che had expected. Although Huo Qubing was far inferior to Chen Zhi and Cao Xiang in terms of birth, he was nevertheless the junior most favored by Liu Che.

Firstly, Huo Qubing inherited the good looks of the Wei family, and Liu Che was a man who appreciated beauty; pretty people generally received more favor in his presence.

But more importantly, Qubing’s temperament was perfectly to his liking. Unlike the careful restraint, gentleness, and obedience of Wei Zifu and Wei Qing,

Huo Qubing was an exceptionally sincere child. When conversing with him, Liu Che didn’t have to guess how much sincerity and how much pretense lay in his words.

For Liu Che, who was accustomed to the careful suspicion of the imperial family, spending time with Huo Qubing was a rare opportunity to relax.

Moreover, despite his young age, Liu Che had already keenly sensed Huo Qubing’s military talent.

“Haha, why did you two fight again after only a few days of peace? If this continues, the Capital Commandant will have to come to me late at night again to complain and beg for relief,” Liu Che said, feigning anger and speaking in a tone of playful reproach.

This did not frighten Huo Qubing, but it gave Wei Qing a cold sweat. He quickly bent down and bowed deeply to Liu Che: “It is your subject’s lax discipline. I will definitely keep a tighter restraint on Qubing when we return home. I beg Your Majesty to forgive him this once, considering Qubing’s youth and ignorance!”

“But they were the ones who provoked with their words first! As the saying goes, the one who starts the fight is ignoble. Your Majesty is not an unenlightened ruler. If punishment is to be dealt, how can you only punish me?”

Huo Qubing, unlike his uncle, retorted stubbornly, neck stiffened.

Wei Qing was so furious at Huo Qubing’s words that he almost fainted. He gritted his teeth, straightened his upper body, and raised his hand to heavily hit his nephew on the back, muttering through clenched teeth: “You brat, this is before the imperial throne! Who gave you leave to be so disrespectful?”

Liu Che looked at the pair of uncle and nephew before him, finding the scene rather endearing. He raised his hand to mediate: “Alright, alright, it was merely roughhousing between children. Wei Qing, you are truly many years older, yet you are not as bold as your nephew.”

“Qubing, how many of you were fighting?” he asked, changing the subject, seeming quite interested in the details of the brawl.

“Your humble servant had one companion, and Chen Zhi’s group had five people.”

“Oh? Two against five, and you still won? That is truly excellent!” Liu Che was not angered by Huo Qubing’s words; instead, he praised him. But he quickly asked curiously: “Two against five? Who was your companion? That boy from the Gongsun family?”

“No… no, it was a friend of your humble servant.” However, at this question, Huo Qubing, who usually answered readily, stammered.

The more he hesitated, the more curious Liu Che, and even Wei Qing, became. Huo Qubing had a rather aloof personality, rarely taking ordinary people seriously.

The identity of the person he called a friend was completely unknown to both Wei Qing and Liu Che.

“A friend? I didn’t realize Qubing had made a friend? Is it someone your uncle and I know?” Liu Che leaned forward to look at the young boy, whose face showed a rare expression of discomfort.

“It is not someone Your Majesty or my uncle knows. He is merely a commoner. Your humble servant met him by chance, and we found our personalities quite compatible, that is all.”

Huo Qubing was secretly vexed. He himself deeply resented the complex power struggles of the court and had no intention of dragging the innocent Guan Yueyao into them.

But the Emperor was someone he respected, and he did not want to lie to him, which led to this awkward situation…

Liu Che naturally saw Huo Qubing’s reluctance to speak further. Children of this age were beginning to have their own secrets. Furthermore, he was merely a commoner without status; he was not worth the Emperor’s repeated inquiry.

Liu Che dropped the matter. After discussing a few court affairs with Wei Qing, he dismissed the uncle and nephew, whose minds were no longer fully present, sending them back home.

“Qubing, who exactly is that friend of yours? You know that my Wei family’s status is currently very sensitive. We cannot be careless about whom we associate with,” Wei Qing said seriously to his distracted nephew in the carriage on the way back to the residence.

“I know, I know. Don’t worry,” Huo Qubing replied with a touch of impatience.

Seeing his nephew still look so defiant, Wei Qing found himself helpless and unable to do anything more. In the end, he could only let out a heavy sigh.

“When we get back, go and pay your respects to your mother. Having rushed into the palace suddenly like this, she must be very worried about you.”

However, Wei Qing did not know at the time that this casual instruction would later stir up a major incident.