The Three Great Han Dynasties: Awaken Liu Bei with a scolding; you weave mats and sell sandals.

Chapter 162 Empress Dowager He's Compromise

While thinking this to herself, Empress Dowager He appeared somewhat calmer on the surface, no longer so cold and aloof: "It's still about the marriage of Bian'er and Xie'er."

Now they've both reached a certain age, especially Xie'er, who should be getting married.

When Empress Dowager He spoke, she was naturally referring not only to her own family's affairs, but also to the fact that she had to link the affairs of both families together.

Only then can she profit from it and truly make a fortune.

Empress Dowager Dong frowned, looking puzzled, and asked, "Xie'er's marriage is indeed something that needs careful consideration, but this matter doesn't really concern this old woman like me, does it?"

Empress Dowager He gave a bitter smile, then pretended to be aggrieved and recounted everything that had happened between her and Liu Hong in the Kunning Palace: "It's all because of that General. He thinks he has power now, but he doesn't respect his daughter-in-law at all."

Just now, his daughter-in-law discussed with him the possibility of him marrying the Liu family's daughter to the Liu family's son.

He, however, was unwilling.

Mother, look.

What is he trying to do?

I fear that when the time comes, he will even do what that bastard said he would. How will my mother and child, these two women, survive then?

"Please, Mother, understand."

At this moment, Empress Dowager He was really willing to go all out to achieve her goal, even saying such things, which was truly extraordinary and shocking.

Empress Dowager Dong herself was especially shocked.

After all, she had been in the inner court for many years, and few people had lived there longer or understood Empress Dowager He as well as she did.

She, this old woman, used to know everything perfectly well, but now that the other party has changed their attitude, the conspiracy behind it cannot be easily explained in a few words.

"This matter is indeed worth considering, but if we can't marry a daughter from the main branch, is it inconvenient to marry a daughter from a collateral branch? Is it really that difficult and troublesome?"

"That's what the Empress Dowager Dong said."

After all, her adopted son Liu Xie was just the Prince of Chenliu. In addition, it was common knowledge that the Liu family had no legitimate daughters. It was reasonable for her to marry a woman from a collateral branch. Did she have to wait until the baby in her womb grew up?

The problem is that within the Liu family, only the second branch holds power. The first branch is Liu Hong's lineage, and the second branch is Liu Yuanqi's lineage. The rest are just clan members who were added later.

Although each of them has the right to manage family affairs, they have little to do with the real power of the Liu family in Youzhou, so this is only natural.

"How can this be?"

When faced with Empress Dowager Dong's suggestion, Empress Dowager He refused without hesitation. Only after refusing did she realize that her purpose was too obvious, and then she put on that aggrieved posture again.

Currently, the Liu clan still wields considerable influence throughout the entire Han Dynasty, so she naturally cannot do whatever she wants.

Moreover, compared to her, Empress Dowager Dong had always stood by Liu Hong's side, so naturally many people were willing to protect this old woman. At least Liu Hong would never stand by and watch her get into trouble.

In addition, Liu Hong's many comments about Liu Xie in the palace had already reached her ears, and Liu Hong also valued Liu Xie quite a bit.

To be able to deal with someone like Cao Mengde in such a critical situation, and even to produce a blood-stained edict, is already extremely difficult. At the very least, he would become a loyal minister of the Zong family who could govern a province.

In this way, such clan members are definitely an extremely important part of Liu Hong's life, so how could he possibly abandon them?

Therefore, each link in this chain is interconnected, and it's a case of "pulling one hair affects the whole body."

It is precisely because of this that Empress Dowager Dong now has some legitimate power in the palace, and at least she is able to protect herself wisely.

The more stable the situation, the more important it is to adhere to these established rules and order. This has always been the case and has never changed in the slightest.

"Okay, I understand."

Empress Dowager Dong understood Empress Dowager He's intentions. She had previously cared a little, but at this moment, she completely disappeared and no longer wanted to care. "My Xie'er is satisfied with having a collateral relative of the Liu family of Youzhou."

Just a few days later.

He's coming to visit this old woman again; I'll ask him about it then.

Empress Dowager Dong waved her hand, indicating that she was dismissing the guests.

"Yes, Mother."

Empress Dowager He spoke slowly with a look of reluctance, and Empress Dowager Dong nodded lightly before Empress Dowager He finally withdrew completely.

About half a day later, Liu Xie, the newly appointed Prince of Chenliu, finally entered the palace.

Now that he has left the palace, he can truly be called a carefree prince, possessing all the privileges of a prince, and surrounded by guards.

Although the guards were not considered elite, they gave him a real force to rely on in this chaotic world.

When he goes to his fiefdom in the future, he will be able to command at least several thousand people. If he becomes the governor of a region, tens of thousands of troops will probably not be his limit.

Therefore, Liu Xie was riding high during this period, and even within the imperial city of Luoyang, he had made many connections with those aristocratic families.

Anyway, the throne will pass from one person to the other, and it will never be Liu Xie's turn. Naturally, many people from various clans are willing to befriend him.

This is a future prefect. Making good connections today will bring many benefits when your family's descendants are recommended for official positions in the future.

These clan members naturally all knew that even the best strategist wouldn't make a mistake on such a trivial matter.

"Grandmother, is there something you need from Xie'er?"

Liu Xie was not wearing the imperial robes, but only casual clothes. A dragon-patterned jade pendant hung at his waist. Although his face, with its red lips and white teeth, still showed some immaturity, the social interactions he had made over the past few days, as well as the power he had gained after escaping the palace, had changed him completely.

Power is the real tonic for men, and an unprecedentedly potent one at that.

Therefore, Liu Xie at present is truly a handsome young man.

"My Xie'er, why does he look so healthy?"

When Empress Dowager Dong saw this, she looked surprised and said...

Liu Xie smiled and began to recount his actions during this period: the Yuan family, the Yang family, and even several ministers in the court.

He visited them all one by one.

He would not collude with court officials, since he now held the status of a court official. At least in the Han Dynasty, it was common for members of the imperial clan to hold official positions, and most people in the court were happy for members of the imperial family to enter officialdom.

There are no taboos about the friendship between officials, especially here in the imperial city of Luoyang.

Liu Xie wouldn't attract much attention anyway, so it's impossible for him to do anything out of line in this regard.