Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 142 The favor comes from above; you, Zhu Miao, have overstepped your bounds!
While the mother and son were chatting, Zhao Zhong entered with small, quick steps and a bowed posture, and loudly announced, "Your Majesty, the Empress and the Crown Prince, General Zhu Miao requests an audience."

"I hope he's not here to add fuel to the fire." Upon hearing this, Empress He rubbed her temples, feeling utterly exhausted.

As long as the matter doesn't involve He Jin, Zhu Miao is a good older brother; but once it involves He Jin, Zhu Miao becomes a complete scoundrel.

"Mother, please don't worry, your second uncle will give you a pleasant surprise."

Liu Bian walked behind Empress He and smiled as he massaged her shoulders. The just-right pressure and the corresponding acupoints relieved Empress He's fatigue.

"Oh? A surprise?"

Empress He's beautiful eyes brightened slightly. She could tell that her son wasn't being sarcastic. Then, she glanced at the hands that were resting on her shoulders. Feeling the service from her own son, with whom she shared blood, Empress He's mood improved. She said, "When did Bian'er learn such exquisite and lewd skills?"

"I've been studying medical texts these past few days and memorized the acupoints on the human body, so I tried massaging them for Mother to relieve her fatigue," Liu Bian said with a smile as he massaged Empress He's body.

Empress He's luscious lips curved slightly into a smile, and she felt much more relaxed, both physically and mentally.

You despicable woman surnamed Dong, your son is not as filial as mine.

The relationship between mothers and sons in the Han Dynasty imperial family, while not exactly one of maternal love and filial piety, was comparable to that between uncles and nephews in the Han Dynasty imperial family.

Or, to put it another way, if the relationship between mothers and sons in the Han Dynasty imperial family had not been so strained, so many conflicts between uncles and nephews would not have arisen.

But her son was different. Unlike those who were all talk and no action, who seemed to be loving mothers and filial sons but were actually just pretending to be, their blood ties were more like those of ordinary people in the countryside.

Although it did not conform to etiquette in many ways and was inevitably criticized by scholars, one could still feel the genuine affection between mother and son.

"Alright, let's meet your second uncle first. Mother also wants to see what the surprise Bian'er mentioned is."

Before long, Zhu Miao, having received permission, slowly entered the hall. His posture was upright, yet he also appeared somewhat reserved. He bowed and said, "Your subject greets the Empress and the Crown Prince."

During the ceremony, Zhu Miao caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince kneeling behind the Empress, massaging her shoulders, and his gaze faltered slightly.

Zhu Miao immediately lowered his gaze and looked straight ahead, showing no regard for himself as the Crown Prince's uncle and the Empress's brother, a stark contrast to He Jin's previous behavior.

Empress He narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze lingering on Zhu Miao thoughtfully. She felt a pang of emotion, slowly raised her hand, and said softly, "Second brother, there are no outsiders in the hall at the moment. Those present are merely your nephew and sister."

Zhu Miao glanced at the Crown Prince behind Empress He. Seeing the Crown Prince nod slightly and a faint smile appear on his face, Zhu Miao's tense expression relaxed a little, but he still adhered to the etiquette between ruler and subject and dared not overstep the bounds.

Now that He Jin has fallen, can he expect to remain safe and secure for long?

The feeling of shared sorrow when the rabbit died was not unfounded when I was at the General of Chariots and Cavalry's mansion.

Without prey, does the crown prince still need hunting dogs to deal with the prey?
When the birds are gone, the good bow is hidden; when the cunning rabbit dies, the lackeys are cooked.

Although the Crown Prince would not necessarily cook his "lackey" alive, he would probably treat him like a useless bow and put him away in a high place.

"I heard that your eldest uncle entrusted your cousin to your second uncle?"

Just as Zhu Miao was feeling sentimental, the Crown Prince's words struck him like a thunderbolt, his face changed drastically, and cold sweat immediately poured down his back.

Zhu Miao trembled slightly, looking at the Crown Prince with fear as he calmly massaged Empress He's shoulders and neck. At the time, only he and He Jin were in the main hall of the General of Chariots and Cavalry's residence. His purpose in entering the palace was to report this matter to the Crown Prince and Empress. Did the Crown Prince truly possess the ability to foresee the future?
Liu Bian continued working with his hands, a faint smile playing on his lips. Seeing Zhu Miao's trembling and anxious state, he offered no further explanation.

After all, the fact that Xiuyi was hiding outside the main hall window to eavesdrop was not something worth mentioning, especially since he had intended to use this to warn Zhu Miao.

The relationship between a cunning rabbit and a hunting dog can only be that of prey and a hunting dog driven by the hunter. If the prey and the hunting dog collude with each other, then the hunter can only "cook the hunting dog."

Whether the little bastard survives depends on whether the hunter is willing to show mercy, rather than whether the lackey takes the initiative to protect him out of pity.

Grace comes from above!

You, Zhu Miao, have overstepped your bounds!
"Your Majesty, I am guilty. I acted on my own initiative and agreed to raise Xian'er. Please forgive me." Zhu Miao no longer dared to treat her as family as the Empress had suggested. He hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground, his forehead pressed against the ground, his voice full of fear.

Empress He gently patted the hand on his shoulder. Liu Bian understood, stood up, walked to Zhu Miao, reached out and helped him up, saying, "Hey, what does this mean, Second Uncle?"

"I am merely curious about how my second uncle and eldest uncle reconciled their differences, and I have no intention of questioning my second uncle. Besides, He Xian is my cousin and my second uncle's nephew, so it is most appropriate for him to raise him."

Zhu Miao was taken aback, then understood the meaning behind the Crown Prince's words.

He Xian is also the Crown Prince's cousin. The Crown Prince will not go so far as to kill him. The Crown Prince has also allowed him to raise He Xian and will not make things difficult for him. This is just a warning, not an attempt to hold him accountable.

Seeing that the Crown Prince's smile was genuine and not feigned, Zhu Miao felt a great weight lifted from his heart. He raised his head slightly, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes, and a relieved smile appearing on his face.

Afterwards, Liu Bian and Zhu Miao inevitably displayed a deep uncle-nephew relationship, though Liu Bian did reveal some genuine feelings.

Although he resented Zhu Miao for overstepping his bounds and taking on the responsibility of raising He Jin's son on his behalf, he also trusted Zhu Miao more because of Zhu Miao's sensitivity and human touch.

Ultimately, no one will dislike a person who values ​​loyalty and righteousness. Just as the officials of the Crown Prince's Palace may not agree with the value of Liu Yi's heartfelt acts of kindness, they still respect Liu Yi and acknowledge him as a person.

Of course, all of this is on the premise that one's own interests are not harmed.

Seeing her son and second brother putting on an act, Empress He rolled her eyes, then shook her head slightly, pursed her lips, and asked Zhu Miao for details.

After learning the whole story, Emperor He was quite moved.

If the brothers could have reconciled sooner, and He Jin could have wholeheartedly assisted the Crown Prince instead of opposing him, how wonderful that would have been.

Unfortunately.

Empress He sighed softly, a trace of sadness appearing in her beautiful eyes, her gaze somewhat unfocused.

After all, they were siblings from the same father. Even if they favored their own son, it would be impossible for them to be completely indifferent to He Jin and feel no sorrow whatsoever.

After a long while, Empress He held Liu Bian's hand, squeezed it gently, and said slowly, "As for Xian'er, let's give him a chance to serve the court in the future. After all, he is of the bloodline of the He family of Nanyang."

Liu Bian nodded slightly and said, "Mother, please don't worry. I will make the best use of your talents. At the very least, I will give him a prestigious job."

(End of this chapter)