I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 83 A Brief Time

After Yin Mo left, Liu Shan sat in the side hall for a long time.

He is too tired.

He stayed up all night studying to prepare for the great scholar.

As the saying goes, "Even last-minute sharpening of a spear can make it shine, though it may not be sharp at first."

Judging from the debate just now, I think I've already graduated in Yin Mo's heart.

"His Majesty."

Wang Gui's voice rang in my ears.

"Her Majesty the Empress sent someone to ask if His Majesty will return to the inner palace for dinner later?"

Liu Shan rubbed his eyes, then said with renewed spirits, "Return."

He stood up and stretched his stiff neck.

Tell the Empress that I will be there soon.

Jiaofang Palace.

When Liu Shan arrived, a meal had already been prepared in the palace.

It wasn't anything fancy, just a few ordinary dishes of vegetables, a bowl of soup, and two bowls of rice.

Zhang was still standing at the palace gate waiting for him.

She was dressed in an elegant dark robe, her hair was simply tied up, and she had a faint smile on her face.

"His Majesty has arrived."

Liu Shan walked over and took her hand.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"Not long." Madam Zhang shook her head. "I know Your Majesty is busy."

Liu Shan looked at her and suddenly felt a little guilty.

"Let's go inside and eat."

During the meal, neither of them spoke much.

Liu Shan was starving and buried his head in his food.

Zhang ate slowly beside him, occasionally adding a piece of food to his plate.

Halfway through the meal, Liu Shan suddenly spoke up.

"Yun'er, what do you think of me as the emperor?"

Zhang was stunned for a moment.

"Why did Your Majesty suddenly ask this?"

"I just want to know."

"Your Majesty, I know nothing of court politics," she said, her head bowed, casually picking at the food in her bowl with her chopsticks. "But I do know one thing."

"What is it?"

"In the past, when officials in Chengdu met, they would talk about who got promoted, who got demoted, and who was close to whom."

She paused, then put down the bowl in her hand.

"Now, they're talking about how much grain the agricultural settlements have harvested this year, how capable the officials from the Imperial Academy are, and how fair the court's selection of officials is."

Liu Shan raised his head and said with a smile, "Yun'er still cares about this?"

Zhang smiled.

"I do not concern myself with court affairs, but I do care about Your Majesty. What makes Your Majesty happy is what makes me happy."

Liu Shan looked at her, suddenly unsure of what to say.

He thought of Empress Zhang in history, who was only mentioned briefly in historical records.

"Empress Jing'ai of the Later Lord was the eldest daughter of General Zhang Fei. In the first year of Zhangwu, she was made Crown Princess. In the first year of Jianxing, she was made Empress. She died in the fifteenth year and was buried in Nanling." And then that's it.

No one knows what she looks like, no one knows what she said, and no one knows what kind of person she is.

But now, she sits right in front of him, her eyes gentle, and says, "What makes Your Majesty happy is what makes me happy."

"Yun'er." Liu Shan put down his chopsticks.

"Um?"

"I have neglected you before."

Zhang was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, busy with matters of state, I understand."

"You don't resent me?"

"I don't blame myself." She shook her head. "I only blame myself for not being able to help."

Liu Shan looked at her, then suddenly reached out and grasped her hand.

"You can help."

Empress Zhang raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

"Help me live a good life." Liu Shan said softly, "Every day I'm out there scheming against those people, but when I come back and see you, I feel like the day hasn't been wasted."

Empress Zhang's eyes suddenly reddened.

"His Majesty……"

"Alright, alright, stop crying." Liu Shan quickly let go of her hand.

"Let's eat, the food's getting cold."

Empress Zhang lowered her head, picked up her chopsticks, and continued eating.

But Liu Shan noticed that as she lowered her head, the corners of her mouth were curved in a smile.

After the meal, the two took a short rest in the inner palace.

This was a rare moment of alone time for the two of them during the day.

Half an hour later, Liu Shan was to meet with Yang Hong and others.

The moon has risen, big and round, casting a silvery glow over the courtyard.

Liu Shan leaned against the railing, suddenly remembering something.

"By the way, how's your mother doing lately?"

Zhang was puzzled as to why Liu Shan would mention her family.

"My mother?"

"Hmm. I haven't seen her in a long time."

Zhang remained silent for a while.

"My mother... is doing well."

Zhang looked somewhat sad.

"After Father passed away, Mother devoted herself to taking care of her younger siblings and even complained about His Majesty."

Liu Shan asked, puzzled, "Complaining about me?"

"Hmm." Madam Zhang nodded. "Last time I went back to my parents' home, my mother talked to me for half an hour, saying that since Xingguo entered the academy, he has been studying hard every night, and now that he has joined the army, she is always a little worried..."

No mother in the world wants her son to go to the battlefield. But for those born into royalty and military families, this is a mission they are born with.

"However, Mother also said that it was His Majesty who cured Xingguo's bad habit of not liking to study."

Liu Shan laughed out loud after hearing this.

Zhang looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Your Majesty, you are truly different from others."

"What's different?"

"In the past, emperors would talk to me about matters concerning the harem, the concubines, and the offspring."

"What Your Majesty said to me was all about family matters, which warmed my heart."

Liu Shan smiled and said, "Isn't this... good?"

"Alright." Madam Zhang nodded and said, "I like to hear these things. Because when I hear them, I feel that Your Majesty treats me as family, not just as an empress."

Liu Shan gently stroked her face and said, "Then from now on, in the palace, don't call me 'Your Majesty' or 'Your Majesty' all the time, okay?"

Zhang lowered her head and said, "Yes, my husband, Yun'er understands."

The two sat under the eaves for a long time.

Liu Shan told her about the Imperial Academy, how the students farmed, made machinery, and processed tea.

Zhang listened attentively, covering her mouth and laughing when something interesting happened, occasionally asking a question or two.

"Is Wang Ping really illiterate?"

"real."

"How did he pass the exam?"

"Because he knows how to fight. An illiterate person thinks of things that literate people can't think of."

Zhang seemed to be deep in thought.

"Has he started learning to read yet?"

"He listened to me and studied hard, which is why he passed the exam. His thesis was even awarded first grade when he graduated!"

"Can the 'One Ear of Rice Transmission' method really make every grain of rice burst full?"

"Of course. When this rice is ripe, I want Yun'er to have the first bite. I guarantee it will be soft, delicious, and fragrant."

Zhang smiled and then said, "May all the people of Yizhou be able to eat this kind of rice."

"Yes," Liu Shan said with a firm look in his eyes, "not only the people of my Han Dynasty, but all the people of the world should be able to eat it."

Noon had passed, and the shadows on the ground began to slant.

Zhang suddenly spoke.

"My lord, Yun'er has a request."

"explain."

"Yun'er wants to... wants to go back to her parents' home for a few days."

Liu Shan was taken aback.

"What's wrong? Are you not comfortable living in the palace?"

"No," Zhang shook her head and said, "It's because Yun'er misses her mother and her younger sister."

Liu Shan realized that he would be very busy for a while and wouldn't be able to spend time with her, so he readily agreed.

"Okay, it's fine to go back and stay for a few days."

"Yun'er thanks her husband."

"You're welcome."

Zhang pressed her body close to Liu Chan.

Her laughter was clear and crisp, like the wind blowing through a bamboo forest.

Liu Shan suddenly felt that no matter how tired he was, it was all worth it.

Just as the two were deeply in love and preparing to return to their room, a palace attendant came to report.

"Your Majesty, the three officials Qiao Zhou, Yang Hong, and Zhao Guang have come to the palace to request an audience."

Happy times always seem so short.

Liu Shan smiled and shook his head.

Zhang nodded in acquiescence.

Although there was reluctance in their eyes, their feelings for each other were self-evident.