The Empress’ Livestream

When Liu Huan’s corpse reached Prince Changshou’s army camp, he was discussing with his generals how to conquer Chenzhou at the beginning of spring.

“Reporting—”

The reporting soldier’s voice could be heard from outside the tent. He frowned and impatiently ordered him to enter.

“What has happened?”

He wore a strange expression, and hesitated before saying, “A coffin has been transported from Chenzhou. It’s said that the Fourth Princess Consort lies within it.”

“What?” Prince Changshou stood up in shock, his eyes as wide as saucers. He almost screamed, “Who did you say rests in that coffin?”

He cautiously repeated once more, “Based on what the envoy said, the Fourth Princess Consort died from her arduous delivery. She died from blood loss.

In the next moment, a jade colored teacup smashed into pieces in close proximity to him, the broken pieces scattered on the ground.

“That old bastard. He is totally oppressing us—”

His chest anxiously rose and fell, his normally scholarly and poised face reddened because of the raging fury in his heart. His expression was terrifying.

The military generals inside the tent didn’t understand what was happening. However, those quick-witted strategists sensed a different atmosphere.

Rightfully, this Fourth Princess Consort was the daughter of Liu She from Chongzhou. Since she died from a perilous delivery, the one who should be madly raging was Liu She. After all, he was her biological father. How was this associated with Prince Changshou?

They all saw things from another perspective. A shocking revelation quickly took shape in their minds.

Perhaps this Fourth Princess Consort has a secret relationship with their lord?

Maybe her supposed death by hemorrhage had actually been arranged by some unseen hand.

The bystanders looked from one to another, communicating the same thoughts with their eyes.

Presently, Prince Changshou was so consumed by his anger that he could not think rationally. How could he muster the energy to care whether his subordinates were busybodies or if they were drifting off?

He questioned, “Did those who sent the coffin leave any message?”

The soldier who had conveyed the message squirmed in discomfort and replied, “There is none.”

Prince Changshou’s body deflated, as if he had aged ten years in a split second. Yet his anger simmered steadily.

He couldn’t have cared less about Liu Huan, his daughter, but for her to have died by his hands rather than his enemy’s — those were two opposing concepts. The most likely person to have carried out this act was his very own second brother.

The other party must have known that Liu Huan was his daughter with that woman. Out of jealousy, he took out his wrath on Liu Huan.

At this thought, Prince Changshou’s almost non-existent love surfaced, and his hatred for the Emperor was raised by a notch.

“When spring arrives, we will conquer Chenzhou!”

Revenge for his daughter was imperative!

The advisors in the tent and military general couldn’t decipher the reason, but Prince Changshou’s determination and strong demeanour jolted their nerves so badly, they shouted “we will obey” in unison. Momentarily, the entire tent was filled with a murderous aura, but then his sinister expression returned to its original state. He spoke to the reporting soldier, “I will draft a letter shortly and order men to send it with the coffin to Chongzhou, and reveal the truth to Magistrate Liu!”

Since his great second brother was so heartless, he could not be blamed for being ruthless. He would make a comeback with drastic actions.

Since he dared to make the first move, he couldn’t blame his brother for taking the subsequent steps.

All the strategists became suspicious because Prince Changshou’s reaction was indeed strange.

Yet if this detail was overlooked, they also understood the rationale that over at Chenzhou the military strength was sufficient. It could not be defeated in the short term. If they could win the support of Chongzhou’s Liu She, the probability of them winning the battle would increase tremendously.

Because of many considerations, the decision was finalised.

None knew that if Liu She received this big gift, he would probably snuggle in his blanket and laugh uncontrollably.

At that very moment, Liu She, who was at Chongzhou, continued to live his carefree days.

His daily schedule involved inviting friends over to feast on steamboat or roasted meat, and the wide variety of seasonings won over the stomachs of many gourmets.

Fortunately, Chongzhou and Xiangyang district had business relations. Otherwise, based on Liu She’s frequency of use, no matter how much seasonings and sauces they had, it would never be enough.

It would have been a mistake to belittle Chongzhou, that small area at the border, as there were many hidden talents.

Feasting on roasted meat amid the snow and icy ground, cooking meat in the steamboat, even the saint and wise sage could not resist it.

On that day, he had been inspired to invite his new, youthful friend along.

The chefs in the kitchen were still preparing the raw ingredients for the steamboat and roasted meat. Liu She and his friend were battling it out on the chessboard to kill time.

“It seems that the Magistrate’s mood is not bad. Did you meet with an auspicious event?”

Liu She twirled the chess piece with his fingers, seated directly opposite his friend. He deliberated for a while before he carefully made his move, only to redeem the declining situation briefly.

Obviously, this round of chess was not favourable for Liu She, yet a faint smile, that stemmed from the bottom of his heart was evident on his lips. This caused the person sitting opposite to wonder with curiosity.

Either the man had a generous personality and didn’t mind losing or winning, or he enjoyed the time spent playing the game.

Either Liu She had met with a joyous event that day or something grand and auspicious must have happened.

After the monk speculated, he analyzed Liu She’s personality and determined that it was more likely that an auspicious event had happened.

Liu She laughed saying, “When I woke up this morning, I discovered a magpie visiting my house. Don’t you think it’s wonderful?”

He discreetly frowned, the remaining light shone on the accumulated snow in the inner courtyard.

In weather like this, are there even auspicious events?

Though his thoughts were such, with his mouth he congratulated Liu She, “Since it’s an auspicious event, seems like something exciting is coming up for the magistrate.”

Liu She smiled saying, “Thank you for your kind words.”

Coincidentally, that round of chess had entered the most critical phase, and they both ended the topic midway.

Liu She was in a joyous mood. Based on the timing calculated, both letters which demanded lives should have reached their lord’s hands.

Bearing his grievances for years, he could finally get his revenge. Why would Liu She be unhappy?

The hatred from killing one’s wife, the revenge for killing one’s son, so long as Liu She was still alive, he would demand justice until the end.

Liu She was not a good person by nature. When Gu Min was alive, she could stop him; he was also pleased with portraying his kindest side. Yet now, his beloved wife had been dead for years and his enemy who caused her death was still alive and kicking. Liu She had no limits so he’d rather decisively tear apart his disguise.

After careful, strategic planning, all that was left was waiting.

Now, they were seeing the first fruits.

Viewing the white snow outside the courtyard, he sighed softly.

When the dark winter passed, the year would start with the bright summer. Ah Min’s death anniversary was also nearing.

Liu Huan’s life and the dynasty of Dongqing were the best offerings he could give her.

Liu She smiled gently and was filled with emotion, “The weather is really cold.”

He breathed into his stiff, cupped hands to briefly warm them.

The servant set up the steamboat and roasted meat rack, and a variety of sauces and ingredients were spread across the short table.

The monk commented, “A timely snow is an omen for good luck. Hopefully next year will be prosperous.”

Regardless of what the war situation was like, at least within the borders of Chongzhou, peace remained. The people were already anticipating the autumn harvest next year.

“It will be so.”

They were entering the depths of winter.

Though this was a year of devastating disasters and hardships, celebrating the new year and customs was tradition.

The people of Xiangyang district had spare cash, after all they needed to buy some groceries to return home and celebrate the new year.