Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 141 I am first Bian'er's mother, then the Empress of the Great Han, and finally his sister.

In the capital, there are no secrets, and news spreads as fast as the wind. The events that occurred in the General of Chariots and Cavalry's mansion had spread throughout the entire city of Luoyang in less than an hour.

The fierce fighting in the capital, Luoyang, resulting in nearly a hundred deaths and injuries, was so earth-shattering that it could not be concealed. Furthermore, the overwhelming presence of the Crown Prince's guards sealing off the General of Chariots and Cavalry's residence drew the attention of countless onlookers.

"Your Highness, that is the whole story."

After listening to Xu Chu's report, and seeing Dian Wei's still unsatisfied and unresolved expression, as well as Xu Chu's lowered eyes and slightly guilty look, Liu Bian couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

"Wu Kuang is to be executed and added to the list of those not granted amnesty." Liu Bian stood up and stepped forward, slowly walking to Dian Wei's side. He gently patted the sulking Dian Wei's shoulder and said in a feigned ingratiating manner, "With this punishment, does my General Dian still have any grievances?"

Dian Wei was taken aback, then his eyes widened, and he quickly bowed down, saying, "Your Highness, how could I possibly hold a grudge against you? I simply..."

"Alright, how could I not understand Junming's thoughts?" Liu Bian smiled gently, took a jade pendant from his waist, placed it in Dian Wei's hand, and said with a smile, "I remember Aman is four years old this year, right? Consider this a gift from me to him, wishing him to be as strong and robust as his father in the future."

Upon hearing this, Dian Wei's face flashed with panic. He hurriedly declined, taking a few steps back in a flustered manner. He then bowed and said, "Your Highness, you mustn't! This is the jade of a ruler, blessed by the heavens. It is not something Aman can accept. It would cause his untimely death!"

Liu Bian chuckled. Who said Dian Wei was brainless? He's quite quick-witted and eloquent, isn't he?

"Nonsense, this is a blessing bestowed upon him by me. Your Aman will surely become a valiant general who surpasses his master."

Liu Bian forcefully shoved the jade pendant into Dian Wei's hand and continued, "This jade pendant was given to me by the Taoist priest Shi Zimiao when I was in the Taoist temple outside the palace. He was worried that I would die young. It is not a royal item, so please accept it. I am still hoping that Aman will inherit my father's business in the future."

Dian Wei remained silent, his eyes slightly reddening. Ignoring the Crown Prince's obstruction, he prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed three times before asking a palace maid for a few handkerchiefs. He gently and delicately wrapped the jade pendant in them, his eyes filled with a hint of piety, and then carefully placed it in his bosom.

Xu Chu watched from the side, and immediately became envious. He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing.

Liu Bian naturally noticed Xu Chu's expression. He smirked slightly, slapped Xu Chu on the chest, glanced at him sideways, and said, "What are you, Xu Zhongkang, afraid of? Do you think I am a tyrannical ruler, and that you would consider my repeated obstruction of the Emperor's will to be disloyal?"

Xu Chu scratched his head, smiled awkwardly, and didn't know how to respond.

"Junming killed someone in anger because I was humiliated, which is loyalty; Zhongkang was worried about my reputation and the bond between my mother and me, which is also loyalty. There is no distinction between big and small, both are loyalty!"

"However..." Liu Bian changed the subject, adding with a hint of teasing, "I have heard from my mother that Zhongkang's father and mother have complained several times that Zhongkang only has one concubine and has not yet married. This is not acceptable."

"Your Highness, minister..."

Xu Chu was embarrassed, his face instantly turning red. He hadn't expected his parents to talk to the Empress about such trivial private matters. He was at a loss for words, fidgeting nervously with his hands in front of him.

In fact, his decision not to marry was based on practical political considerations. As the commander of the Crown Prince's guards, responsible for protecting the Crown Prince, his position was too sensitive, and he could not easily form a marriage alliance with someone else.

Dian Wei came from a humble background and had already married a wife with no powerful family background before entering officialdom. However, Xu Chu came from a powerful family and could not possibly marry a rough and uncouth woman with no backing like Dian Wei.

However, this raises many issues. If he were to marry someone else, the Crown Prince might not trust him as much as before.

For Xu Chu, the worst that could happen was that he wouldn't marry a wife but would only take concubines. He was determined to solidify his position and the Crown Prince's trust in him, and these things were absolutely not to be shaken.

"How about this? In a few days, I will ask Mother to select a woman from the imperial clan who is both beautiful and virtuous. What do you think?"

Liu Bian naturally understood Xu Chu's concerns. He could not allow Xu Chu to marry any woman from a noble family, so he planned to arrange a marriage for Xu Chu with a woman from the imperial clan.

In this way, the relationship would be strengthened, neither disgracing Xu Chu nor affecting the trust between the ruler and his subject.

Upon receiving the Crown Prince's bestowal of marriage, Xu Chu's eyes flashed with joy. Not only was the troublesome matter that had plagued him for so long resolved, but he also gained an unexpected reward. However, when discussing his marriage in front of the Crown Prince, this eight-foot-tall man still felt somewhat awkward, stammering, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I thank you... I thank you for your great kindness." "Why doesn't Xu Zhongkang thank me?" Suddenly, Empress He's voice came from outside the door. Empress He, dressed in a crimson phoenix robe, had appeared outside the palace gate at some point. Her voice carried a slight hint of reproach as she said, "Bian'er bestowed the marriage with just a few words, while I, the Empress, went to find a suitable match for Xu Zhongkang and worry about the marriage."

"Your Majesty, I thank you!"

Xu Chu could tell that Empress He was teasing him, but he didn't dare to be too close to her. After all, the He family was in a delicate situation, and being too close to Empress He at this time would be detrimental to both her and the He family.

While Xu Chu was talking to Empress He, Liu Bian exchanged a glance with Zhao Zhong, who had come in with Empress He. They were curious about why Empress He had entered Yong'an Palace without announcing her arrival.

However, he had no complaints. After all, Empress He was his mother and son, and there was nothing to worry about. He just wanted to know how Empress He was feeling at the moment.

After all, no matter what, he did send someone to seal off the General of Chariots and Cavalry's residence.

"Junming and Zhongkang, please leave. I have something to discuss with the Empress Dowager."

After receiving a relatively positive response from Empress He, Liu Bian waved his hand, dismissing the eunuchs and maids around him. There were some issues between him and his mother that they would eventually have to face.

"What does Bian'er intend to do with him?" After the palace doors closed, Empress He, sitting in the main seat, rubbed her temples, a look of exhaustion on her face. She sighed and asked Liu Bian directly, "There's no need to worry too much about Mother's thoughts."

"I am first Bian'er's mother, then the Empress of the Great Han, and finally his sister."

Although Empress He did not specify who "he" was, Liu Bian understood that "he" referred not to Bian Rang, but to He Jin.

Liu Bian lowered his head slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, and said in a low voice, "I haven't figured out how to deal with him either."

His answer surprised Empress He slightly. Her hand, which was rubbing her temples, paused, and her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

In her memory, her son always planned carefully before acting. She thought that since Liu Bian was making such a big show of taking action against He Jin, he must have planned it in advance.

“These are all memorials from that scoundrel Bian Rang…” Liu Bian rubbed his temples, a look of annoyance on his face. He pointed to a bamboo slip on the table with a wry smile and said, “These are all memorials from Bian Rang, the clerk of the General of Chariots and Cavalry’s office. I acted impulsively in a fit of anger.”

Empress He only knew that Bian Rang, the clerk of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, had submitted a memorial that infuriated the Crown Prince, but no one in the Ministry of Personnel dared to reveal its contents, so she did not know the details.

Liu Bian glanced sideways at Empress He's expression and saw anger flashing in her phoenix eyes, which made him feel slightly relieved.

If Empress He could understand him, many things would be easier to handle.

"Traitorous and treacherous officials who sow discord among family members deserve to be torn to pieces!" Empress He's chest heaved violently, her face flushed red. She slammed the bamboo slips heavily on the table, cursing Bian Rang aloud, but in her heart, she was also cursing He Jin.

She didn't believe He Jin was unaware of this matter. If this memorial were to be circulated, her son's reputation would inevitably be damaged. What good would that do for He Jin?
If you want an official position, wouldn't you have to yield?
Why would you rather kneel down and earn an official position?

Weren't there many imperial brothers-in-law who died during the Han Dynasty?
Liu Bian sighed softly, a hint of helplessness on his face. He held Empress He's arm and whispered, "Although I haven't figured out how to deal with my uncle, I won't kill him. At least I'll let him live a life of wealth."

"Well then, let it be. As long as he becomes a wealthy man and his life isn't taken, I have no other desires."

Empress He gently stroked Liu Bian's head. She was not an unreasonable person and knew that He Jin had disobeyed her son in many ways.

The reason her son had tolerated He Jin for so long was all because of her.

Giving He Jin a life as a wealthy man would be a fitting end for their brother-sister relationship.

(2607 words)
(End of this chapter)