Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

The servants at the mansion had already prepared wine and food.

It wasn't anything fancy, just some simple, home-style dishes: stewed chicken soup, steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, a few snacks, and some warm wine.

The atmosphere was much more relaxed than in the palace.

The three sat around the table, and Liu Ce would occasionally serve food to Liu Bian and ask him about his studies and archery.

Liu Bian chattered away, his innocent words making the two of them laugh.

He Lian watched from the side, her eyes crinkling with a smile, occasionally interjecting with a few amusing anecdotes about Liu Bian, such as secretly raiding bird nests in the Imperial Garden and being chased by eunuchs; or dozing off while reciting his lessons, drooling all over the book...

"When Bian'er was little, he recited 'Confucius said' as 'Confucius said' when he was reciting his lessons, which made the Grand Tutor so angry that his beard trembled," He Lian said with a light laugh, covering her mouth.

Liu Bian blushed: "Mother! Didn't we agree not to mention this?"

Liu Ce laughed heartily and said, "It's alright, it's alright. Even when I was a child, I often mispronounced words."

Laughter filled the dinner table, creating a warm atmosphere like that of a real family.

After a satisfying meal, most of the food on the table was gone.

Liu Bian was still young, and after eating his fill, he became sleepy and started yawning.

Seeing this, He Lian put down her wine cup and said to him with a smile, "Bian'er, go play at your uncle's residence for a while. Your mother will say a few words to your royal uncle, and then have the guards escort you back later."

Liu Bianzheng, being young and impetuous, didn't think much of it. He simply nodded and said "okay," then bid farewell to the two men and skipped away with his guards.

In an instant, only Liu Ce and He Lian remained in the mansion.

The atmosphere suddenly softened, or rather, became ambiguous.

The servants cleared away the remaining food, leaving only a few plates of dried fruit and warm wine, before discreetly leaving and closing the door.

He Lian personally poured Liu Ce a cup of wine and then filled her own cup as well.

He raised his glass and clinked it against Liu Ce's, the wine going down his throat.

A faint blush rose to her cheeks as she looked up at Liu Ce, her eyes seeming to shimmer with tears.

Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of indescribable affection as she said, "These past two years, you've been far away in Youzhou, and I... I've always thought of you, and I often think about the past at night."

Liu Ce looked at her without saying a word.

He Lian poured herself another cup and drank it down.

One cup after another.

Her eyes grew increasingly alluring, and the obvious hints in her gaze as she looked at Liu Ce were impossible to hide.

How could Liu Ce not see it?

He put down his wine glass, reached out, and wrapped his arm around her waist.

It feels warm and soft to the touch, with an excellent tactile experience.

Caught off guard, He Lian let out a soft "ooh," her delicate body went limp, and she leaned against Liu Ce's chest.

Her nose was pressed against his chest, and her breathing was erratic.

Liu Ce lowered his head and smelled her fair and delicate neck.

A faint scent of perfume mixed with body fragrance wafted into my nostrils.

He thought to himself: It smells fucking good.

He whispered in her ear, his voice husky yet full of affection:

"Your Majesty... my Lian'er."

He Lian raised her hand to hug his neck, pressed her cheek against his shoulder, her breath sweet as orchids, and her voice so soft it could melt water:

"Liu Ce...my...lover."

Liu Ce's heart burned with passion. He picked He Lian up and strode to the bedside in the inner room. He gently placed her on the soft brocade quilt, leaned down and kissed her lips. The mellow aroma of wine still lingered on his lips. Looking at the seductive look in her eyes, he whispered, "Today I'm going to teach you a lesson."

He Lian hooked her arm around his neck, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and said with a touch of coquettish provocation, "Come on, I'm not afraid."

Before he finished speaking, Liu Ce leaned down and covered her. He Lian did not resist at all, but instead cooperated fully. When the passion was intense, she took the initiative to climb on top of him, as unrestrained as riding a horse... as galloping... her charming eyes even more alluring.

Inside the warm tent, their bodies were flushed with passion, soft whispers and moans mingled, and a tender, lingering lovemaking lasted for most of the day. As the sun began to set outside the window, the warmth inside the tent remained undiminished.

(...clothes gradually fall away, and the room is filled with spring light...it's not that the author is lazy, it's that the censors won't allow it.)

...

After a period of tender and passionate lovemaking...

In the room, He Lian was teased by Liu Ce for the entire afternoon.

I just got up, my legs were weak, and I had a happy smile on my face.

He Lian sat in front of the mirror, while her personal maid was doing her makeup behind her.

Looking at the Empress's radiant face in the mirror, the personal maid couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Majesty, you are so beautiful! I have served you for so many years, but I have never seen you so beautiful today."

Upon hearing this, He Lian smiled.

That smile held contentment, sweetness, and a hint of pride.

"You've become more eloquent," she said softly. "You'll be rewarded when we get back."

"Thank you, Your Highness," the maid said happily.

He Lian looked at herself in the mirror—her eyes were full of spring, her complexion was rosy, and she was indeed more beautiful than usual.

She touched her face, and the emptiness in her heart was finally filled.

For the past two years, Liu Ce has been in Youzhou, while she has been in the deep palace. Although she is the empress, she feels incredibly lonely being with that "absurd" emperor Liu Hong and looking at all the beautiful women in the harem.

Only when she thought of Liu Ce, the ambiguous atmosphere of that banquet, and the subtle feelings between them, did she feel that life still had some meaning.

Today, my wish finally came true.

"Your Highness," the maid asked softly, "Does the Prince of Yan... come to Luoyang often?"

He Lian's eyes darkened as she said, "He was granted the title of Prince of Yan, but he is stationed in Youzhou and won't come here often."

But soon she smiled and said, "But he will come eventually. As long as he comes, I will be able to see him."

The maid dared not ask any more questions and focused on combing her hair.

Looking at herself in the mirror, He Lian pondered: What excuse should I use to see him next time?

...

A few days later, Liu Yu, the Imperial Clan Secretary, arrived at Liu Ce's Prince Yan residence.

Liu Yu was an elder member of the imperial clan, in charge of clan affairs, and was highly respected.

Liu Ce was practicing his halberd skills in the backyard when he heard that Liu Yu had arrived. He quickly put down his weapon, changed his clothes, and went out to greet his guest.

"Uncle, what brings you here?" he greeted with a smile.

"My dear nephew," Liu Yu stroked his beard and said with a smile, "I've discussed it with a few old fellows in the imperial clan, and you're almost twenty this year, aren't you?"

Liu Ce nodded and said, "Yes."

In the Han Dynasty, men were capped at the age of twenty, signifying adulthood.

Although Liu Ce was mentally an adult, his physical body was indeed not yet twenty. Moreover, as a member of the imperial clan, the coming-of-age ceremony was a major event and had to be conducted according to custom.

"That's perfect," Liu Yu said with a smile. "Since you're about to be crowned a king, let's add your coming-of-age ceremony to it as well, making it a double celebration, shall we?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ce smiled and said, "Then I'll leave it to you, Uncle. I'll follow your arrangements."

Since we're going to hold a coronation ceremony, it would be much easier to do the capping ceremony at the same time.

Then Liu Ce understood: this was to "complete the formalities" for him. Although he had previously held power, he was still nominally an "unripe lad," and he always lacked confidence in doing certain things. After being officially recognized, he would be completely legitimate.