"Xue Pan's matter isn't over so quickly. He's eating and drinking well in prison, so you don't need to worry." Lu Ming stroked Aunt Xue's cheek, his tone condescending and teasing. "Listen to me, and the Xue family will continue. If you don't, I'll make the Xue family disappear! Do you hear me, my Lady Xue!"
"Yes, sir," Aunt Xue lowered her head, suppressing her shame. She hated her own incompetence, her son's lack of ambition, and even more so, why had she willingly committed adultery with him?
It was clearly immoral, but when Lu Ming sent someone to summon her to the governor's mansion, she dared not disobey, a desire tinged with longing.
After all, she was a woman long deprived of love, yearning for a man's penis!
After having sex with Aunt Xue, Lu Ming went to the military camp, where Liu Bian was practicing to strengthen his body.
This wasn't proper training. Empress He thought Liu Bian could eventually take over the army, but it turned out she was mistaken.
At this moment, Liu Bian was being embraced by several burly men, ostensibly for a massage to relax his muscles after his exertions.
In reality, their aim was to turn Liu Bian gay, to make him a submissive!
Only in this way would Liu Bian lose interest in women, making him easier to control.
This was Lu Ming's cunning, however despicable it may be, but what could he do?
After inspecting the military camp, Lu Ming went to the palace.
The newly repainted Changqiu Palace, compared to its previous dilapidated state, possessed a touch more solemnity, but it still wasn't enough. The gradually abandoned palace looked like it had been banished to the cold palace.
If it weren't for her son, Empress He certainly wouldn't have come.
There was no precedent for an empress leaving Luoyang, leaving the emperor.
Unless she was deposed, but if she were deposed, she would be dead long ago; how could she still be alive?
Empress He, with her exquisitely beautiful face, was brewing tea, seemingly in a good mood.
Upon seeing Lu Ming, she smiled warmly, a smile so captivating it could launch a thousand ships. "Anmin, come, sit. The Longjing tea just arrived; it tastes quite good."
Lu Ming sat opposite Empress He, meeting her gaze. He now possessed the power to do so. It was so bold, so willful, and so passionate.
Empress He, however, seemed slightly moved. Without changing her expression, she poured Lu Ming a cup of tea. "Has Bian'er fallen behind in his studies? I'll trouble you, his brother-in-law, to check on him. Now that Xie'er has been made Crown Prince, and Bian'er has lost his position, Anmin, are you disappointed?"
Lu Ming looked at Empress He strangely, wondering how this shrewd and ruthless woman could be so happy about her son losing his position as Crown Prince.
"As a subject, His Majesty's word is law. How can there be talk of joy or disappointment?"
Seeing Lu Ming's statement, a hint of displeasure flashed in Empress He's eyes.
She was indeed furious. Upon learning the news, she even smashed many vases and had several palace maids who had offended her executed, demonstrating the extent of her anger.
In her heart, Emperor Ling was a dying old dog, and she couldn't possibly return to Luoyang to embarrass herself.
She knew Emperor Ling's methods well. Since he had already forcibly placed Liu Xie on the throne, he certainly wouldn't allow her to become Empress Dowager and hinder Liu Xie.
"Anmin, the Han Dynasty is on the verge of collapse and still needs your support. I heard an imperial edict has arrived, ordering you to go and aid Bingzhou?" Empress He lightly touched her right hand with her left, her nail polish painted a pale red, a substance similar to rouge. It might wash off if she washed her hands, but the manicure looked beautiful, something no woman could resist.
"I will lead the army to war soon. Does Your Majesty have any instructions?" Lu Ming looked at Empress He's face, his heart filled with a restless desire.
He desperately wanted to pin Empress He down and rape her, to ride her noble, naked body.
To brutally defile her, to toy with her!
To satisfy his desire to manipulate the mother of the nation, a thrill of trampling on imperial power!
"It's nothing serious. Be careful on the battlefield. Take Bian'er with you this time. As the Right Prince of Fufeng, it's only right that he shares the burdens of the state." Empress He's expression remained inscrutable. Did she want Liu Bian to achieve military merit so she could continue her quest for the throne?
Or was she planning to use the same trick again, poisoning Liu Xie, killing him, so that Liu Bian, Emperor Ling's only heir, could rightfully ascend the throne?
Whatever Empress He's intentions, she had indeed lost her former power.
Not long ago, Emperor Ling issued an imperial edict ordering Empress He to stand in Chang'an to worship the ancestors of the Han dynasty, burning incense, praying, and chanting Buddhist scriptures to ensure the stability of the Han empire.
In ancient times, with its strong belief in spirits and deities, this act of filial piety left her with no reason or excuse to refuse. To worship the ancestors, especially the late emperor, on behalf of her husband made it even more impossible for her to refuse.
Therefore, Empress He could not return to Luoyang.
This worship ceremony would take at least two or three years. By the time Empress He had free time, Liu Xie would have already firmly established himself in Luoyang. Why would he give her the opportunity?
As for General He Jin, he was even easier to deal with. He could simply win him over by having Liu Xie marry He Jin's grandson.
Becoming in-laws was obviously more prestigious than being the emperor's brother-in-law.
After a certain point, there are no truly steadfast allies.
As long as the benefits are sufficient, even staunch allies will betray you—that's reality.
Let alone siblings, even fathers and sons can turn on each other.
Lu Ming lowered his head, remaining silent as he watched Empress He's face until she grew impatient. Then he spoke, "Your Majesty still wants the Right Fufeng Prince to ascend the throne, doesn't she? I heard His Majesty personally decreed that the Crown Prince take the Grand General's granddaughter as his Crown Princess. I'm afraid Your Majesty's plan to rely on the maternal relatives will be thwarted."
Upon hearing this, Empress He's face turned ashen; she could no longer contain herself.
"Lu Ming! Don't be so presumptuous!"
Seeing Empress He's changed expression, Lu Ming burst into laughter, a lewd smile playing on his lips. "This humble subject was merely stating the facts. Your Majesty's desire for me to side with the Right Fufeng Prince is wishful thinking. The tide has turned; Your Majesty should face reality."