The Great Han Dynasty Volume 2: The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches; Eighty-seven emotions stir.

  It's June 6th before you know it.

  This day is Lü Hou's birthday.

  Lu Yuan got up very early and, together with her husband who had just arrived in Chang'an, brought their two children into the palace to celebrate the emperor's birthday. When the imperial carriage entered the Changle Palace, Zhang Yan was still leaning against the wall of the carriage dozing off, Lu Yuan couldn't help but laugh and ordered the palace staff to take her to a side hall to rest.

  When I woke up, daylight was already shining brightly.

  Zhang Yan put on her shoes.

  These years, Chang Le Palace has been like a second home to her. Waking up to find no family members by her side didn't startle her. She summoned a palace servant and asked, "Where is the Eldest Princess now?"

  The eunuch knelt down and reported, "The grand banquet is set up in the Yongshou Hall. The Princess Chang and the Marquis Xuanping are both over there at this time."

  She nodded, washed her face and walked out.

  She walked slowly along the Chen Dao in the palace, the sky was very good, and the morning sun shone on her body, warm and comfortable. After Emperor Hui moved to Weiyang Palace, the entire Chang Le Palace seemed a bit empty. The front hall where Gaozu held court with his ministers in the past is no longer used today, but it still looks solemn, with its heavy eaves and flying rafters, like an eagle spreading its wings to fly towards the clouds.

  Zhang Yan stood at the bottom of the grand hall's staircase, recalling that year when she first crossed over to this place. She had rushed into the hall in a daze, blocking Lu Hou's path and pointing at Liu Bang's nose as she scolded him for being unfaithful, unintentionally letting out a snort of laughter.

  It's already been four years, isn't it?

  Don't worry, I've got it under control.

  She whispered in her heart.

  At first, that bewildered and directionless child found her own way. She will keep moving forward like this until she feels that this life is enough.

  And you?

  "Zhang's wife." A clear young voice sounded from behind.

  She turned around, just as the red sun was passing over the eaves of the main hall, and the sunlight shone on a team of guards wearing armor and holding spears as they walked through the front hall. The leader looked over, his face bright and blurry for a moment, before Zhang Yan could see his features clearly.

  "It's Sorghum Marquis!"

  "You——"

  "Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, I was ordered to lead the Weiwei army to guard the safety of Changle Palace." Lu Ge bowed his hands and said, "Why is Zhang Niangzi alone here? The Empress Dowager is in Yongsu Hall, the birthday banquet is about to begin."

  "I know," she smiled slightly, "it's over."

  She bypassed the bright-eyed young man, who didn't see him turn his head and cast a lingering glance. Then he beckoned. Ordered his subordinates, "Continue to move forward."

  When she heard the sound of gurgling water, Zhang Yan stopped. She leaned on the white jade railing to look at the flying water under the wine pool, splashing water flowers. This is her favorite place in Chang Le Palace. As long as there is free time, she always comes over to take a walk.

  The pool's surface under the railing reflects her face, clear spring and beautiful hair, a pair of watery eyes, the water's surface ripples. Her five features follow the ripples.

  These years, the beautiful women she had seen, Qi Yi, Liu Danru, Liu Xian, Lü Wei, Sun Wu. Liu Liu, their faces floated one by one in her mind, Zhang Yan took a deep breath. Soon, soon, she would grow up to an age where she could compare with them in beauty and charm.

  "Hey, what is this beautiful little girl doing here at this hour?" A strange and flirtatious male voice came from behind.

  Zhang Yan suddenly made a sound and pretended to fall forward, no way. She had just been self-pitying for a while, and then she attracted the attention of a dandy?

  She turned around and asked coldly, "Who are you?"

  Liu Xiang was taken aback for a moment.

  The girl in front of him was wearing a dark, deep-colored dress today, which made her waist look even more slender. Her black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her eyebrows were shaped like willow leaves. Her elegant face was quietly beautiful, leaving him momentarily stunned.

  He smiled and said, "I am Qi Wang's son Xiang. May I ask for your name, young lady?"

  Zhang Yan glanced at the man her grandmother and mother had intentionally introduced to her as a potential husband. Liu Xiang was very tall, with a handsome and elegant appearance, having a pair of gentle and affectionate peach blossom eyes, his demeanor was unrestrained yet carried an air of nobility, and he was also the heir to the wealthiest vassal state of the Great Han, surely the ideal son-in-law in the hearts of women.

  "Why should I tell you?" Zhang Yan turned around and walked forward.

  But she just doesn't like it.

  Liu Xiang's eyes flashed with a hint of interest, and he stretched out his hand to intercept her, saying, "As the saying goes, 'coming but not going is impolite.' Since I've already told the young lady my name, shouldn't the young lady also tell me her lovely name?"

  "Prince of Qi," Jie You stepped forward, shielding Zhang Yan, and said, "My wife is the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Xuanping's household. The Empress Dowager is waiting for her to arrive, please make way, Prince of Qi."

  "Relax." Zhang Yan hastily called out, but unfortunately it was already too late. She couldn't help but stomp her foot. If it were an ordinary person, they would naturally have some respect and fear for the identity of the Empress Dowager's granddaughter, but Liu Xiang was the Crown Prince of Qi, and this identity had limited intimidation effect on him. Yan's trip was indeed a bit too clever, and moreover, when Ruyuan mentioned the Empress Dowager's plan in the carriage that day, Yan was not by her side serving.

  Now, she could only hope that Auntie was just thinking to herself and hadn't given any hints to the Qi State envoy. However, when she raised her head and saw Liu Xiang's eyes, which seemed to be filled with a sense of determination, she let out a silent sigh in her heart.

  "It's even more convenient, and I shouldn't let Sister Yanyan travel alone. Speaking of which, although Sister Yanyan and I are sworn siblings, we haven't seen each other in many years, so we should get closer." He smiled, wanting to hold Zhangyan's hand, his peach blossom eyes blinking, very kind, with a hint of coldness hidden within, well concealed.

  Zhang Yan furrowed her brow, took a step back and smiled, "Thank you, Brother-in-law, for your concern. I can walk by myself. Please go ahead of me."

  "Ah Yan, no need to be so polite," Liu Xiang smiled and took a step forward, pushing Zhang Yan to the railing, cleverly making it impossible for her to leave. "We are both from Linqu near the sea, Ah Yan, one day you come to Linqu, I'll accompany you to see the sea, you will definitely like it."

  "Who wants to go to Linqu?" Zhang Yan's eyes turned black with anger, glaring fiercely at the stranger in front of her. Not wanting to get too close to him, she reluctantly leaned against the white jade railing and slightly arched her back backwards.

  "Oh, Ah Yan's angry expression is really lovely." The young man stretched out his hand, and surprisingly, he wanted to pinch the girl's cheek.

  In an instant, the two were close enough to hear each other's breathing. Zhang Yan had nowhere to hide and was terrified, unable to believe that she was being molested in her great-grandmother's Longle Palace. Her heart was racing with shock and horror when she suddenly saw a procession approaching from afar and loudly shouted "Imperial Uncle!" She pushed away the startled Liu Xiang and threw herself into the arms of the emperor, who was dressed in his imperial robes and crown.

  Bang, bang, bang - She slightly gasped for breath, hearing her own heartbeat like a drumbeat, exhilarated, with a hint of coolness at the tip of her fingers. As if in an instant, she felt a thrilling sense of security.

  She furrowed her brow, somewhat unable to understand her own emotions.

  How can I describe that kind of peace of mind?

  It was as if many years ago, she held a doll and hid behind Geng Er, looking up at the back of Geng Er. It didn't need to be so tall or so strong. Just a feeling.

  As long as you're by my side, I feel utterly safe.

  When facing Liu Xiang, she wasn't that scared, but in front of Liu Ying, she felt wronged. She turned her head and glared at Liu Xiang, pointing and saying, "Uncle, he's bullying me." Her voice had a hint of coquettishness.

  Liu Xiang stood on the corridor, feeling both amused and annoyed. He couldn't believe that he had just so directly and bluntly reported the situation.

  Liu Ying furrowed her brow and asked in a stern voice, "Liu Xiang?"

  Liu Xiang walked down the long corridor, smiling and said, "Imperial Uncle, this——" Seeing Liu Xin's solemn face, his heart skipped a beat. He knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I just saw that my cousin is lovely, so I played with her for a bit."

  "Is this how you play?" Liu Ying patted the girl in her arms, "You scared Ah Yan."

  "It's my fault." He rubbed his nose, admitting he was unlucky.

  "Hasn't apologized to Ah Yan yet."

  Liu Xiang could only awkwardly salute Zhang Yan and mumbled an apology, then made up an excuse and quickly ran away.

  ……

  "Uncle, is this from Weiyang Palace?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "Go to Yongshou Temple to celebrate grandma's birthday."

  This time, Liu Ying remained silent for a long time. Fang nodded and said, "Mm."

  She raised her head and smiled, "Fortunately, Emperor Uncle arrived in time, otherwise Ayan would have been in trouble this time."

  Liu Ying was amused by her, "Xiang Er is a bit frivolous, but she's not a bad person and won't go too far."

  She glanced sideways at the young man and muttered to herself, "Is there really a bad person in your heart?"

  Liu Ying stopped in her tracks, smiled at her, with a bright teasing glint in her eyes.

  "What's wrong?" She felt a bit awkward and touched her cheek, "Is there something dirty on my face?"

  "Not really." Liu Ying smiled, bent down and pinched Zhang Yan's cheek, "In the blink of an eye, our Ah Yan has grown up too, to the age where boys like her."

  Uncle, what's with this tone of yours that sounds like "my daughter has just grown up"? What do you mean?

  "Actually, Xiang Er is not bad," said Liu Ying. "He is the beloved son of King Qi, clever and intelligent since childhood. This time in the capital, I saw him several times in the Xuan Hall and felt that he has a good mind and talent..."

  Zhang Yan stumbled and looked up at Liu Ying, then had an urge to cover her face.

  Grandma, if you really have a small abacus, just quietly calculate it in your heart, no need to announce it to the world and let everyone know.

  Besides, uncle, your profession is being an emperor, not a matchmaker, no need to recommend your big nephew so strongly.

  Zhang Yan pouted and said, "Liu Xiang is fine, but he has nothing to do with me." Her voice was firm.

  "A Yan——" Liu Ying was somewhat surprised.

  "It doesn't matter at all." She insisted.

  "Alright, alright." Liu Xuan also didn't mind it that much in her heart and went along with her, "It has nothing to do with you."

  She then turned her face and smiled.

  Yongshou Temple

  After taking a sip of wine, Lü Zhi raised her head and looked at Liu Ying, then let out a sigh.

  "Your Majesty," she coughed and called out.

  "It's been a year since the former emperor passed away, and it can't be helped that he feels lonely in Changling Mausoleum. He was most fond of Consort Qi during his lifetime, so I thought, why not let her go to Changling to guard the mausoleum and also keep the former emperor company? What does Your Majesty think?"

  Liu Ying was shocked.

  He had always known that his mother-in-law detested Madame Qi, but he hadn't expected her to say something like this.

  It was almost instantaneous that he understood, this was a concession made by Empress Lü to him.

  He was somewhat moved.

  "Empress Dowager."

  "Let's just go with what Mother said."

  As you wish, if you knew your mother was fine, you should be happy too, right?

  Zhang Yan took a sip of wine and dishes, thinking slowly in her heart.

  It's also tiring to pretend to be resistant all the time, especially since Liu Ying is essentially a warm person. This compromise may not be what he wants after all.

  For a moment, the mother and son's relationship thawed, although there was still some awkwardness, but the atmosphere in the hall became slightly warm.

  Hu turned to Empress Dowager and smiled, "Your Majesty, I have recently come across a joke. Would you like to hear it?"

  Cough, that requirement of hugging, today I'm going to "hug" it for you.

  The title of this chapter is probably not what everyone thinks it means. What I want to express is a sense of impulsiveness. But still, it's so ambiguous. It feels like there are bubbles rising in the air.

  Today, Jiang's pink tickets rose rapidly, giving Jiang a feeling of being pampered. If every day was this happy, it would be great (someone is having a beautiful dream). Thank you again. By the way, I'd like to remind everyone that the voting for pink tickets will end tomorrow (31st) at 12 noon, so classmates should hurry up and vote. This really is the last day.

  So, stepping on the tail of March, ambiguously ask for a recommendation vote again.