Chapter Twenty-Four: Seeking Connections, Offering a Painting

Virtue and wisdom bestow blessings upon the world;
Talent and beauty ensure everlasting happiness in life.
Inscription: Model of motherhood for all.

When Liu Tan first saw the couplet hanging by the door, his initial impression was that it was vulgar; the second impression stirred an unexpected sense of aversion within him. Even he himself could have composed such lines—there was no hidden meaning, nothing but blatant ostentation.

Moreover, he was the Emperor, yet the inscription meant for the Empress was hung at the entrance of the Empress Dowager's palace. What sort of arrangement was this?

"Empress, shouldn’t this couplet be hanging at the entrance of your own hall right now?" Liu Tan, having practiced his exercises and bathed, arrived at the Palace of Eternal Spring with his three wives to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Upon seeing the couplet at the door, he raised this question.

The Empress glanced at it and replied with a hint of grievance, "Your Majesty, this was bestowed by the late Emperor. How could I dare to claim it?"

Liu Tan continued, "May I ask, what is the name of your residence, Empress?"

The Empress replied, "I reside in the Palace of Tranquil Splendor."

"Palace of Ease?" Liu Tan repeated softly. "It’s even less dignified than my own Hall of Joy. It must be changed. From now on, it shall be called the Palace of Earthly Serenity. As the saying goes, Heaven attains clarity through unity, and Earth attains peace through unity. I am Heaven, the Empress is Earth. I am the Qian, the Empress is the Kun. I now dwell in the Hall of Cultivating the Heart, but I plan to establish a place for handling state affairs—the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Therefore, the Empress’s residence shall be the Palace of Earthly Serenity."

"Heavenly Purity... Earthly Serenity!" The Empress gazed at Liu Tan, eyes filled with admiration, and solemnly declared, "I vow to serve Your Majesty faithfully for life, never wavering!"

Liu Tan chuckled, "Just watch, Empress. I will take this couplet for you!"

The Emperor’s arrival required no notification. The guards at the Palace of Eternal Spring knelt in panic, shouting, "His Majesty has arrived!"

This announcement spread like wildfire, and before Liu Tan could even step across the threshold, the news had reached the inner chambers. All along the way, unimpeded, Liu Tan heard nothing but the shouts of palace maids, eunuchs, and guards.

Thus, when Liu Tan finally met the Empress Dowager, she was already waiting at the entrance of the hall to welcome him. Behind her, all the eunuchs and maids knelt, awaiting his arrival.

Liu Tan ascended the steps, followed closely by his three wives. On the platform, he bowed to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your son pays respects to Mother!"

The three wives also bowed, "We greet the Empress Dowager!"

The Empress Dowager smiled, "Your Majesty, it has been some time since you last visited me. I was just thinking of coming to the Hall of Joy to see you these days!"

Liu Tan bowed again, "Mother, did Prince Liang not tell you? He and I went to the mountains for a trip, unfortunately I hit my head, and have only just recovered these past few days. So now I hurried here with them to see you!"

The Empress Dowager shook her head, still smiling, "Seeing Your Majesty healthy today, my heart is filled with joy. Come, follow me inside!"

She glanced at the sky and instructed, "Qiu Ju, prepare lunch, and do so according to the specifications of a small imperial banquet!"

Then she took Liu Tan’s hand and led him into the hall.

After some pleasantries, the palace maids laid out a sumptuous luncheon in the hall.

The Empress Dowager said, "Your Majesty, today’s meal between you and me is a small feast; surely this doesn’t violate your previous decree?"

Liu Tan smiled, "Mother, you jest. That was but a playful remark, how could you take it seriously?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head, "Your Majesty’s words are never mere jest. When the late Emperor was alive, he often taught me that a ruler’s word carries the weight of nine tripods. These past days, I have strictly followed your instructions!"

"Please, sit down. The Empress and you three should be seated as well. Today it is a family gathering, no need for formality," she said with gentle warmth.

Once seated, they ate and exchanged trivial words—nothing but expressions of mutual concern and affection.

During the meal, Liu Tan remarked, "Mother, today as I saw the couplet at the palace gate, I felt it was somewhat inappropriate."

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, responding only with an "Oh," then fell silent.

The three wives exchanged glances, thinking secretly, "He’s really going to ask for the couplet? The Emperor truly acts on his words!" They felt uneasy, burying their heads in their bowls and picking at their food, pretending not to hear, as if it were none of their concern.

Liu Tan continued, "I know this was bestowed upon you by the late Emperor, but now, with him gone and your status elevated, I believe the phrase 'Model of motherhood for all' no longer suits the Empress Dowager. I am the ruler of the realm, the Empress is the mother of the realm—if this couplet remains at your palace gate, knowledgeable people will surely mock it!"

At these words, Liu Tan saw the Empress Dowager’s expression shift, becoming somewhat unnatural.

This Empress Dowager, Lady Liao, had married Liu Bei later in life. Though she was nearly fifty, she was well-preserved, looking scarcely forty.

Liu Tan smiled inwardly at his own words, which made the point clear: as Emperor, and with her as Empress Dowager, keeping the title of "Model of motherhood for all" would disrupt propriety. She was the Empress Dowager, yet acting as Empress? If she felt no shame, he at least did.

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, then understood, her expression growing awkward.

She said, "Ah, this couplet was a gift from the late Emperor, hanging here since his passing. I kept it as a memento, never thought to replace it. Now, your reminder fills me with regret—if not for Your Majesty, I might have let it remain and brought ridicule upon myself!"

She paused, then called out loudly, "Attend me!"

When the eunuch of the Palace of Eternal Spring entered, she commanded, "Take down the couplet at the palace gate and deliver it to the Empress."

Liu Tan, expressionless, stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth and chewed slowly. The Empress could no longer feign indifference; she rose and knelt, "Empress Dowager, this couplet was bestowed upon you by the late Emperor. How could I dare to claim it?"

The Empress Dowager placed her food into her mouth, but the delicious dishes now tasted like wax. Setting down her chopsticks, she said, "Empress, you are the model of motherhood—it fits the couplet perfectly. Leaving it here brings me shame!"

Seeing that the Empress Dowager truly wished to give it away, the Empress no longer hesitated, kneeling to thank her.

After the meal, Liu Tan said, "Mother, a few days ago I chanced upon a painting of remarkable skill. I have brought it for you! Lady Li, present the painting."

Lady Li acknowledged and took a scroll from her sleeve, bringing it to the table and carefully unrolling it.

The painting revealed two towering mountains, a treacherous path between them, and a fierce tiger descending upon two hungry wolves below.

One wolf was large, its eyes furious and teeth bared at the tiger, ready to fight. The other, slightly smaller, also showed its teeth, but its attention was on the other wolf rather than the descending tiger.

Lady Li, born of scholarly lineage, had impressed Liu Tan with her artistry. In his previous life, such skill would have been hailed as masterful.

The fine brushwork captured the posture, expression, and intent of the tiger and wolves with exceptional accuracy.

Liu Tan laughed heartily, "Mother, look at this little wolf—is it not a foolish creature? Does it not realize that once the tiger devours the big wolf, it too will be eaten?"

Liu Tan, the Empress, and Lady Li glanced furtively at the Empress Dowager, whose face changed once more. After a pause, she regained composure and laughed, "It truly is a foolish wolf!"

"I think so too. It’s quite amusing, so I brought it for you, Mother, so you might laugh as well!" Liu Tan chuckled, adding, "Seeing you smile makes me happy and at ease. So I shall take my leave!"

The Empress Dowager laughed along, "Your Majesty is thoughtful. I find it amusing as well. Farewell, Your Majesty!"

After Liu Tan and his wives departed, the Empress Dowager’s face darkened. Staring at the painting on the table, she remained lost in thought for a long time before calling out, "Attend me! Summon Prince Liang to see me!"