Jinting Han people

Chapter 8: Duke Anle Takes a Concubine

This sudden bloodbath in front of the mansion completely changed Liu Xian's childhood. He had never seen anything like it, nor could he imagine it. For several nights thereafter, he suffered nightmares, constantly encountering blood, mud, corpses, and the frosty gleam of knives.

In the flash of the knife, he seemed to be fighting with someone, but the fight was endless. When one opponent fell, a new one would take over, forcing him to fight endlessly. Until one day he became tired, and then was cut in the throat by a knife. He would wake up in bed, stroking his throat in shock.

After slowly calming down, Liu Xian's eyes would see Wang Fu's lonely figure and his ghostly, colorless face.

Who is he? Where did he come from? Why did he die? And how does he relate to me?
Some philosophical questions that children should not think about are now haunting Liu Xian, making him feel fear and confusion, and forcing him to find the answers.

But unfortunately, when Liu Xian asked his father for the answer, he saw an extremely gloomy face.

"Forget him." My father answered so concisely and clearly.

But Liu Xian could see it, and everyone in the mansion could see it, that although Duke Anle said so, he could not do it himself.

In Liu Xian's memory at this time, his father Liu Xun was a very difficult person to get close to.

This doesn't mean he was always stern and a strict father. Quite the opposite, in fact. Liu Xun was a very easygoing person. Whenever a servant in the household asked for leave or was shortchanged in paying taxes, Anle Gong would let them go without questioning them. He was also very generous in distributing food and rice to his servants during festivals.

But this was just an appearance. Liu Xian could clearly feel that under his father's disguise of being open-minded, he was actually indifferent to everything.

Once, Liu Yao returned from the palace and recounted to Liu Xian recent anecdotes from Luoyang. One of the rumors mentioned was that someone, after taking Wushisan (Five Stones Powder), had suddenly developed hysteria and accidentally killed someone, even dissecting a pregnant woman. The scene was so brutal it was truly heartbreaking.

Liu Xun then said, "Is that all?"

"That's all."

"boring."

Duke Anle's tone at the time was very flat, as if he was saying that the topic itself was boring, and Liu Yao, who was narrating the incident, was also boring. After that, he walked away.

It was just an ordinary conversation, but when Liu Xian heard these two words, he almost suffocated because of the cold and gloomy emotions contained in them.

This indifference is not just directed towards others. In fact, Liu Xun is the same towards his family members.

Remember that Liu Xian had disappeared for half a day after climbing a tree, and the whole family was in a panic. Zhang Ximiao asked him to ask the Luoyang magistrate to help search, but Liu Xun was indifferent. Instead, he complained that his wife was making a fuss and said sarcastically:
"It's only been half a day since I last saw you, and you're already looking for the Luoyang magistrate. If I haven't seen you for a whole day, should I go and beg the emperor?"

Zhang Ximiao later told Liu Xian this. Initially, Liu Xian didn't think anything was wrong, but as he grew older and got to know Anle Gong better, he came to realize more and more deeply that love manifests itself in the little things, not just in heartbreaking moments of life and death. If one doesn't care for their children even in daily life, then they probably won't develop such feelings in the future.

From this perspective, Liu Xun was indeed not a good father. But as a child, Liu Xian could not imagine what his indifferent father really cared about or what he was obsessed with.

But this time, this sudden bloody incident in front of the mansion really broke Liu Xun's indifference.

For several days, Liu Xun often wandered alone by the lake or shut himself in his study, remaining silent. Occasionally emerging for meals, his expression visibly frozen in place, a look of distress on his face. Anle Gong's apathy was now superficial, a solid barrier separating him from everyone else. No one knew what was stirring beneath his heart, or what actions might prompt him to take.

Finally, he exploded.

That morning, Lai Fu's daughter, A Yue, came to visit her family for the first time. A Yue was a young girl, barely 18, and despite her peasant family background, she possessed fair complexion, a delicate face, a petite figure, and a beautiful appearance. As she arrived to visit her father, carrying a load of clothing she had sewn, she happened to encounter the osmanthus blossoms in the courtyard, their fragrance filling the air. Standing gracefully beneath the tree, she resembled the snow on Mount Yushan. Everyone around her couldn't help but sigh, "Even though their family was so poor, they could raise such a daughter. Her father must have truly cherished her."

Unexpectedly, when Lai Fu took A Yue to the backyard to reminisce about the past, they ran into Liu Xun coming out of the study. When Lai Fu saluted Liu Xun, Liu Xun suddenly asked:

"Laifu, is this your daughter?"

"Yes, sir, this is my second daughter, Ayue."

"How old is this year?"

Lai Fu looked at A Yue with pride, then smiled at Liu Xun with a hunched back, "Sir, she just turned fifteen, and it's time for her to find a husband this year."

This was a scene of joy between master and servant, but Liu Xun said without warning:

"Laifu, since your daughter is getting married, why doesn't she marry me as a concubine?"

These words were completely devoid of courtesy and decency, shocking both Lai Fu and his daughter. Lai Fu frantically looked up at his lord, only to find that An Le Gong was staring at him blankly, his red, turbid eyes emitting an unusual light, like a ferocious beast ready to devour anyone.

Normally, being able to marry his daughter to his master was an honor and grace for a slave. However, considering Liu Xun's unusual behavior some time ago, it was clear that his master was not acting in good faith.

Even a servant wouldn't want to see his daughter become a mere plaything and a tool for venting anger. But how could a servant refuse his master? Lai Fu didn't know. He just hoped to put it off for a while, wait until his master calmed down, and see what happened next.

So he pretended to be happy and said:

"This is really... embarrassing for me. I'll discuss this with Madam later and pick an auspicious day to set the time."

Using Zhang Ximiao, known for her kindness and goodness, as a shield was the best solution Lai Fu could think of. He looked at Liu Xun anxiously, hoping it would work. "There's no need to ask for her consent for such a small matter."

Liu Xun spoke with a pale and stern expression. After he finished speaking in a ruthless tone, he looked down at Ah Yue from top to bottom, his red eyes staring at her until she trembled all over. Then he said in a commanding tone:

"As for the time, why bother with so much trouble? Let's do it today, right here!"

"grown ups……"

Facing such frank words filled with lust, Lai Fu also began to tremble. An expression of fear finally emerged on his face uncontrollably. He wanted to refuse but didn't know how to refuse. The man in his forties looked at Liu Xun with pleading eyes, took a step forward, and whispered:

"Sir, I have raised Ah Yue for fifteen years. I have nothing to ask for except happiness and peace in her future..."

"Why? If I marry Ah Yue, will I abuse her?"

Lai Fu's teeth chattered, and he nearly bit his lip. Perhaps Liu Xun was too repressed on a daily basis; his naked gaze made his words pale.

As a servant, Lai Fu could understand his master's anger to some extent. However, the more difficult the situation, the more he should overcome it, rather than venting it on those around him. This was a sign of incompetence. At least, the former lord Liu Bei would never do so. But these were words he couldn't speak, so he could only swallow them and express his protest silently.

"So, you don't believe me?"

"How dare I?!"

"You don't dare? You already dare!" Liu Xun glared at Lai Fu, but his gaze seemed to penetrate him and see deeper, communicating with the same group of ghosts: "I know you are all laughing at me in private. An incompetent person like me is nominally a county magistrate, but in reality, I can only sit in this house, unable to do anything and protect nothing!"

"Your Excellency is wronged. I never said that!"

"You haven't said this, but I'm afraid you've thought it! You're probably still wondering how a hero like the late Emperor Liu Bei could have such a cowardly grandson!"

Lai Fu was speechless, for Liu Xun had indeed hit the nail on the head. Lai Fu's failure to immediately deny the matter undoubtedly made An Le Gong's face flush even redder. His pent-up anger had pushed him to the brink of a mental breakdown, to the point where he began to hallucinate: "Kill him! Kill these disloyal people!"
So Liu Xun began his first atrocity since inheriting the title.

As Liu Xian sat on the roof, lost in thought, he was suddenly awakened by a burst of crying. The sound was so mournful that it reminded him of a dying carp on a chopping block. He quickly slid down the mulberry tree from the top and ran straight to the source of the sound.

Many people had heard the plaintive cries, but strangely, the servants were all blocked in the corridor in the backyard, not daring to step in. When they saw Liu Xian coming, they surrounded him and spoke as if they had seen a savior:
"Young Master, quickly go and invite Madam and the First Madam, or even a few of the Marquises. If they don't come, someone will die!"

Liu Xian didn't understand and didn't want to ask his mother and uncle for help. When he heard the word "human life", he immediately thought of Wang Fu's body in the mud, and then instinctively drove him into the backyard.

He then saw Lai Fu and his father: under the golden osmanthus tree, Liu Xun was sitting on a stone platform with his hands behind his back, his shoulders heaving as if he was leaning on something to breathe; while Lai Fu was slumped to the ground, his face as pale as gold paper, his eyes closed, and his chest barely rising or falling; an unknown girl was lying on his back, crying like rain.

Almost no explanation was needed; even a child like Liu Xian could instantly understand the cause and effect.

"Father." After Liu Xian called out, Liu Xun suddenly stood up, his tall figure turned around, and a captivating divine light followed. Liu Xian could clearly see that his father was holding a scabbard in his hand, and the tyranny in his eyes was as rampant as a wave.

At this moment, Liu Xian remained surprisingly calm. He wasn't frightened, nor did he retreat. Instead, he looked at Liu Xun with an accusing gaze. The father and son were like strangers, observing each other from a completely new perspective.

Liu Xianxian withdrew his gaze. He was not defeated, but rushed to another battlefield.

He ignored Liu Xun, walked over to Lai Fu, and asked, "What's wrong? Can you get up?"

Lai Fu had already fainted from the pain, and it was A Yue who answered with a sob: "Father's leg is broken, I'm afraid he can't walk anymore."

Liu Xian waved to the door, inviting Zong Liu and Zhu Fu, two young men, to come in and join the group. As the two men trembled and left, Ah Yue remained motionless, weeping. Liu Xian was quite puzzled and asked, "Why don't you leave?"

A Yue didn't dare to answer, but just carefully looked into An Le Gong's eyes.

Liu Xun's expression remained gloomy, but his tyranny had almost vanished. He waved his hand and said, "Go away. Don't tell anyone about what happened today."

After saying this, he seemed exhausted, so he set off again, walked back to the study with unsteady steps, and locked himself in.

Young Liu Xian watched his father's back disappear. When there was no one around him and osmanthus petals fell on him, he woke up from his dream.

In the days that followed, troubles continued to unfold within the palace. First, Duke Anle and his wife, Zhang Ximiao, had a violent argument, the most serious of which the old Duke had ever experienced since settling in Luoyang. Even the intervention of Liu Yao and Fei Xiu failed to reconcile the two. Subsequently, the couple began to live apart and engage in a cold war. Zhang Ximiao moved to the west wing to share a room with Liu Xian, while Liu Xun took in two concubines in the east wing, where he spent his days indulging in pleasure.

No one expected that the peace in Anle Mansion would be gone in just half a month.

Liu Xian also felt that the ghost in his dream was still haunting him, not only him, but also everyone in the mansion.

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(End of this chapter)