The Company

Chapter 34: The Shocking Vessel

In 209 BCE, the first year of Qin Er Shi Huhai’s reign, in Pei Fengyi, Zhongyangli.

The three-year-old Liu Ying, wearing straw sandals and tattered hemp clothes, clutched a pinecone he had just picked up from the woods as he stumbled along the mountain path.

He didn’t really want to walk alone in such a desolate mountain, but his father had been away from home for a long time, and his mother had left days ago to search for him. Since then, his mother rarely returned home, and when she did, it was only to gather money and supplies before leaving again. The neighbors said his father had committed a serious crime by releasing conscripted laborers and was hiding in the mountains, too afraid to return home.

But wasn’t his father a village chief?

Liu Ying pouted, determined to find his father himself. Although his older sister had said the mountains where his father might be were far from their home, he had sneaked out anyway.

It was midsummer, and although the woods provided some shade, the heat was still oppressive. Wiping the sweat from his face, Liu Ying felt his throat grow dry and thirstily licked the sweat from his palm.

Salty… it only made him thirstier.

Glancing around, Liu Ying spotted a faint figure sitting among the trees ahead. He toddled over and noticed the person was holding a vessel, staring down at it intently.

Since the person was sitting on the ground, Liu Ying could easily see that the vessel was empty.

Liu Ying recognized it as a yu vessel, used for holding food or water, as he had a small one himself. But this yu was exquisitely crafted, lacquered with a bright vermillion inside and a dignified black outside, adorned with cloud patterns in red lacquer. Black and red were the colors of the highest status. Even though his mother, Lü Zhi, came from a relatively well-off family and had brought a considerable dowry, Liu Ying had never seen such a refined yu vessel.

Yet, as captivating as the vessel was, to Liu Ying at that moment, it was no match for a bowl of water. He studied the person, who was disheveled and filthy, as if they had been wandering for a long time—a stark contrast to the pristine vessel in their hands. The person’s hair was messy and hung loose, obscuring their face, but Liu Ying guessed they were young. His sister had told him that children like him were in their "hair-hanging years," and only when they grew up could they tie their hair up, a rite called "capping."

Liu Ying felt disappointed, noticing the person carried no belongings besides the yu vessel. Patting his own empty stomach, he decided it was best to head home. With luck, he might still make it in time for the steamed buns his sister would make for dinner. It seemed his father was right: even the grandest ambitions paled before basic needs like food and drink.

Before leaving, Liu Ying kindly said to the person, "Hurry home! There are monsters in the mountains that eat people!"

As soon as he finished speaking in his childish voice, a mountain breeze swept through, making him shiver and fear grip him even tighter. When he had resolved to run away to find his father, he had been full of confidence, but now he was having second thoughts. His sister’s warnings echoed in his mind, sending chills down his spine.

And then an uncontrollable thought arose in his heart: Could this person be a monster?Liu Ying stood frozen, wanting to flee yet unable to move—whether from thirst or fear, he couldn't tell. He could only watch as the man slowly raised his head.

When Liu Ying saw the man's face clearly, his terror deepened. The man was young, with delicate features and the demeanor of a scholar. Yet a fresh, unhealed wound stretched across his neck, as if slashed by a blade. The gruesome cut emerged from the collar of his tattered clothes, impossible to conceal.

Liu Ying thought no mountain spirit could fall to such a state. With Qin Er Shi's tyranny plunging the world into chaos and refugees rising everywhere, perhaps this man had fled into the mountains after some misfortune. Though young, Liu Ying had been well-taught by his elder sister and kindly suggested, "Have you nowhere to go? You could come to my home."

The young man's eyes, once ashen, slowly blinked at Liu Ying's words. He twitched his lips and rasped, "No need. Thank you." His voice was hoarse and strained, as if unused to speech.

Hearing him speak, Liu Ying's curiosity overcame his fear. Pointing at the lacquer basin in the man's hands, he asked, "Is this yours?" It wasn't unreasonable to wonder—the man's wretched state contrasted sharply with the precious object he held.

Instead of answering, the young man countered, "Do you know what lacquerware is?"

Liu Ying tilted his head. Though no one around him spoke so formally, he understood well enough. What was lacquerware? He shook his head in confusion. Lacquerware was marvelous—light yet sturdy, gleaming and captivating like treasure.

"On slopes grows lacquer, in lowlands chestnuts... Emperor Shun crafted vessels, felling mountain timber, trimming saw marks, flowing black lacquer over them... Yu made sacrificial ware, staining the exterior black, painting vermilion within..." As if rediscovering his voice, the man spoke with growing fluency and volume. Though still rasping, his tone carried a sharp clarity that echoed through the mountain forest with the wind. Liu Ying understood little of the meaning, but the cadence enchanted him. Forgetting his thirst and hunger, he listened intently, his bright eyes wide.

"Do you know the Zhouyi?" the young man abruptly shifted topics. Not expecting an answer from a toddler, he continued after a pause, "The Zhouyi has eight trigrams: Qian three unbroken, Kun six broken, Zhen like an upright basin, Gen like an overturned bowl, Li hollow at the center, Kan full at the center, Dui broken above, Xun broken below. These verses aren't merely for memorizing trigrams."

Liu Ying listened with polite confusion, refraining from interruption.

"King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, not only wrote the hexagram and line statements but also crafted objects representing each trigram." The young man sighed softly, tracing the lacquer basin with his fingers. "This is the Zhen upright basin."

"Zhen upright basin?" Liu Ying repeated, puzzled. The basin looked valuable, but he hadn't expected such an odd name.

"The Zhen trigram's form resembles an upright basin. When Zhen appears, it shakes the foundations of a state..." The young man's voice cracked again. He covered his mouth, coughing violently.Perhaps because the wound on his throat hadn't fully healed, Liu Ying could see blood slowly seeping from the gruesome scar. The man couldn't hold onto the lacquered bowl in his hand, and it fell to the ground, rolling right in front of Liu Ying.

"You... are you alright?" Liu Ying couldn't help but pick up the bowl, intending to return it to the young man, but he felt its weight suddenly increase, almost making him drop it. Looking down, he saw that the bowl was now inexplicably filled to the brim with clear water!

Liu Ying was so shocked he couldn't speak. Just moments ago, the bowl had been empty in the man's hands—why had it become full of water the moment he picked it up?

The young man gazed at the Zhenyang Bowl in Liu Ying's hands with a complicated expression, then sighed deeply after a long pause. "Treat this object well, and do not let it fall and shake again."

"Ah?" Liu Ying looked up in confusion, only to see the man already standing and staggering deeper into the mountain forest.

Clutching the lacquered bowl, Liu Ying chased after the man for a few steps but soon lost sight of him. Staring at the clear water in the bowl, young Liu Ying resisted and resisted, then finally lowered his head and tentatively took a small sip.

Sweet and soothing to the throat. Liu Ying blinked his large eyes and, holding the bowl, gulped down the water until it was all gone.

But then the clear water reappeared in the lacquered bowl, still full to the brim. Liu Ying was stunned. Though young, he knew that ordinary bowls couldn't continuously produce clear water. Had the man been looking down at the bowl in disappointment earlier because, in his hands, it could no longer generate water?

Young Liu Ying didn't have much time to ponder this question, as his sister soon found him and was about to give him a good scolding. Quickly, Liu Ying presented the lacquered bowl like a treasure to share with his sister.

Strangely enough, as long as the bowl was in Liu Ying's hands, it remained full of clear water, but in his sister Liu Le's hands, it was just an ordinary bowl.

Liu Le, now nine years old, was unusually mature for her age. Though young Liu Ying stumbled through the story of his encounter with the young man, she could tell the lacquered bowl had an unusual origin. She instructed her younger brother to keep it safe and not tell anyone else.

"Not even Mom and Dad?" young Liu Ying asked, tilting his head.

"Wait until they return home..." Liu Le patted her brother's soft hair, thinking that this matter must be discussed with their parents.

The two siblings had high hopes, but reality was harsh. Not long after, news arrived that their father, Liu Bang, had slain the white serpent at Mount Mangdang, risen in rebellion, and revolted!

In truth, after Chen Sheng and Wu Guang's uprising at Dazexiang, the world had fallen into chaos. Liu Bang was well-liked in Pei County, and many friends rushed to join him upon hearing the news. The siblings, Liu Le and Liu Ying, were cared for by relatives and neighbors. Life went on, but Liu Ying now had a small secret—he would occasionally take out the lacquered bowl, drink a few sips of the sweet water, and be happy for days.

Their father never returned. Their mother came back a few times but always left in a hurry. Over the following years, the two siblings heard intermittent news about their father: his advance into Xianyang, the Hongmen Banquet, his enfeoffment as the King of Han in Bashu... and then, the great defeat at Pengcheng.Pei County was in chaos. Rumors spread that the Overlord Xiang Yu was about to slaughter the entire county, and no one knew the truth amidst the conflicting accounts. Twelve-year-old Liu Le secretly took six-year-old Liu Ying into the mountains. In their haste, the siblings had brought little food and even less water. Fortunately, Liu Ying clung to his lacquer bowl, which saved them from dying of thirst in the woods.

Liu Ying vaguely remembered that these very woods were where he had once met a young man. The siblings supported each other as they hid for several days until a carriage finally arrived.

Liu Ying had been too young when his father left home to remember his face, but Liu Le had a faint recollection. She eagerly pulled her brother forward to reunite with him. It turned out that after his defeat at Pengcheng, Liu Bang had come to Pei County to fetch his family and escape together. However, his wife Lü Zhi and father had been separated from him in the chaos. He had returned home first but found his children missing, assuming they too were lost. Their reunion was unexpected.

The situation was urgent, leaving no time for tearful embraces. Liu Bang’s grand coachman Xiahou Ying quickly dismounted, lifted the Liu siblings into the carriage, and urged the horses to gallop away.

Xiahou Ying was a close friend of Liu Bang. Though young, Liu Ying remembered Xiahou Ying’s thick beard vividly and sweetly called him "Uncle Beard." As for his father, Liu Ying glanced at him and noticed the man looked utterly unfamiliar—his face dark and filled with a fierce intensity, devoid of the joy from their reunion moments earlier.

It must be because he lost the battle... Liu Ying dared not bother his father and hid his small frame in his sister’s embrace, still clutching the lacquer bowl tightly.

Strangely, despite the carriage’s violent jolting, not a single drop of water spilled from the full bowl.

How wonderful—I can offer this to Father later. He must be thirsty, Liu Ying thought happily.

Liu Le, however, noticed none of this. She sensed that their long-lost father was not as kind and gentle as she had imagined. Their frantic escape suggested they were caught in a grave crisis. The distant thunder of hoofbeats and shouts made her regret boarding the carriage, but there was nothing she could do except hold her brother close.

Unaware of his sister’s turmoil, Liu Ying focused on the bowl. After what felt like an eternity, a powerful force sent him tumbling out of the carriage. He landed hard, rolling twice before propping himself up dazedly.

His sister lay beside him, a large boot print stamped on her back—clearly, they had been kicked off the carriage.

By whom? Uncle Beard is driving upfront, and Father is the only one inside!

Liu Ying quickly looked up at the carriage. His father sat coldly within, his expression unreadable.

Clatter!

The bowl finally fell from Liu Ying’s grasp, spilling some of its water onto the parched soil, leaving damp patches like tearstains.Liu Ying had little impression of his father, but over the years, his elder sister and villagers had constantly spoken of how wise, mighty, and admirable his father was. So at this moment, Liu Ying remained completely unaware of what had truly happened—until he numbly picked up the lacquered bowl and saw only half a bowl of clear water left inside. It was then he felt as though something had been lost.

It wasn’t just the spilled water from the bowl.

The bearded uncle halted the carriage, argued with his father, then lifted Liu Ying and his sister into the carriage.

Then, to lighten the load for a quicker escape, his father kicked them back out.

This repeated three times.

Liu Ying was utterly dazed, while Liu Le ceased crying and could only clutch her younger brother tightly.

Xiahou Ying quarreled fiercely with Liu Bang, who repeatedly drew his sword, threatening Xiahou Ying to leave his children alone. In response, Xiahou Ying placed the siblings on his own horse and galloped away at full speed.

Liu Ying drifted in a haze, unaware of how they reached Xingyang. It took a long time for him to regain his senses under his sister’s concerned gaze.

The siblings exchanged silent looks, their hearts too sorrowful for words. As if by unspoken agreement, neither mentioned the incident, pretending it had never occurred.

The clear water in the lacquered bowl was never as full as before—only about half remained. Liu Ying vaguely guessed it might be because he had dropped the bowl once.

But what did the water in the bowl signify? He didn’t know, only that when he drank it again, it lacked its former sweetness, tasting bland and ordinary, no different from common water.

His father was staying temporarily in Xingyang. Aside from the bearded uncle, no one knew how heartlessly their father had kicked them off the horse that day. His father had many subordinates, and in idle moments, Liu Ying occasionally met a few who respectfully addressed him as "Eldest Young Master." Unaccustomed to such formality at first, Liu Ying grew used to it over time.

What did being the Eldest Young Master matter? In his father’s eyes, wasn’t he still a burden to be discarded at any moment?

His sister, seemingly traumatized, began staying indoors. Rumor had it their father was already seeking a marriage alliance for her to strengthen ties with other factions—making the most of every resource.

At just six years old, Liu Ying overheard much, as most people didn’t take him seriously, assuming he wouldn’t understand. But he felt he had suddenly grown up, becoming quiet and losing his smile. Most of the time, he held the lacquered bowl in silence.

Many assumed the bowl was a memento of his mother, so they paid it no mind.

One day, he saw his father leading his generals outside the city to welcome a valiant general in armor, who looked strikingly familiar.

Liu Ying stood frozen not far away. As if sensing his gaze, the young general paused upon seeing the lacquered bowl in his arms, now holding only half its water, and offered him a faint smile.

“Three years have passed since we parted in the woods. How have you been, Eldest Young Master?”

Liu Ying had little chance to speak with the general, as his father seemed eager to converse with him and quickly led him away.Looking down at the lacquered basin in his hands, Liu Ying saw the ripples in his own pupils reflected on the clear water surface.

He began inquiring about that general.

It turned out his name was Han Xin—fatherless and motherless, said to have wandered homeless since youth, enduring many hardships. In Huaiyin, he had once been humiliated by local ruffians who forced him to crawl between their legs. Later, he joined Xiang Yu's forces, serving as a halberd-bearing guard under his command. Failing to gain recognition, he eventually switched allegiance to Liu Ying's father, Liu Bang.

Naturally, he didn't obtain an official position easily. He was merely assigned as a warehouse guard, and was even falsely accused of treason—a capital offense. Had it not been for a last-minute self-defense statement that impressed the supervising official Xiahou Ying, who recognized his extraordinary qualities, this legendary general would have perished then.

Although Liu Bang later neglected to value him, Han Xin maintained close ties with Chancellor Xiao He. Yet still undervalued within the Han army, Han Xin eventually decided to leave—prompting Xiao He's famous moonlit pursuit of him, which became a celebrated anecdote in the Han forces.

Thereafter, he was appointed Grand General.

From that moment, the God of War became invincible!

Liu Ying listened quietly as people chattered about Han Xin's exploits—some envious, some worshipful, some contemptuous, others indifferent.

Though young, Liu Ying felt that true masculinity lay in such resilience: the ability to endure humiliation like being trampled into the mud, yet still rise again with dignity.

He longed for an opportunity to ask Han Xin about the significance of the Zhenyang Basin, but his father would never permit his top general to interact with his son. The very next day, Liu Ying was designated Crown Prince and sent to Guanzhong. Meanwhile, Han Xin was entrusted with the defense of Xingyang—and as if by sorcery, the tide of battle reversed. Territories like Yongqiu and Waihuang were swiftly recaptured by Han forces, who then established a defensive line spanning Xingyang, Chenggao, and Luoyang.

This defensive line—Xiang Yu never crossed it, not even once until his death.

The bloodshed and brutality of war were firmly kept beyond this barrier. Liu Ying's life in Guanzhong grew tranquil. His mother returned, but seemed a completely different person. His father took a concubine, Lady Qi, who bore him a younger brother named Liu Ruyi. His father doted on the child, while his mother viewed the situation as a grave threat.

Liu Ying felt no jealousy whatsoever. That kind of love was like blazing fire—visibly brilliant and warm, yet capable of mercilessly consuming those who drew too near. Just like that day: one moment, overwhelming joy at their reunion; the next, a sudden kick into the abyss.

News from the frontlines kept arriving. Over three years, Han Xin successively conquered Wei, subdued Zhao, pressured Yan, and pacified Qi... culminating in the decisive showdown with Xiang Yu at Gaixia.

Chu—annihilated!

From the moment Han Xin took the battlefield, he never suffered a single defeat! This was true invincibility—a peerless national treasure!

While Guanzhong celebrated, discordant whispers emerged—rumors that Han Xin sought to establish his own regime with his troops, aspiring to kingship or even emperorship.

Liu Ying saw nothing wrong with this. His father's empire was essentially built by Han Xin's hands—what had his father actually accomplished? After the disastrous defeat at Pengcheng, Liu Bang stripped Han Xin of military authority, appointing him Chancellor instead and ordering him to recruit his own troops to conquer Qi. And just before the decisive battle of Gaixia, Liu Bang suffered another major defeat by the Chu forces—had Han Xin not turned the tide, his father would have perished without a burial place.

Then came news: Han Xin was again stripped of military command, this time enfeoffed as King of Chu.Lu Yin was utterly perplexed—why did he obey his father so unquestioningly? Why didn't he claim the throne for himself?

On the night his father ascended the throne, he cradled the lacquered bowl filled halfway with clear water and murmured the question aloud. His elder sister had long since married away, and he had grown accustomed to whispering his thoughts to the lacquered bowl.

"What's so great about being emperor anyway?" A voice came from the window, raspy yet familiar.

Liu Ying jolted upright and immediately pushed the window open. Bathed in the chill moonlight, the renowned Great General stood outside his window—dressed in plain robes, one hand resting on his sword, his heroic figure cutting a dashing silhouette against the night.

"Ge... General! Why are you here?" Liu Ying was thoroughly frightened. Though only nine years old, he knew perfectly well that if others discovered he had returned to Guanzhong, it would cause an enormous uproar.

"I came specifically to see the Crown Prince one last time." The young general executed an elegant bow before straightening up to look at Liu Ying, his phoenix eyes revealing complex emotions.

Liu Ying looked down at himself. Thanks to his mother and Zhang Liang's efforts - they had even invited the Four Haos of Mount Shang - his father had ultimately not replaced him with Liu Ruyi as crown prince. He remained the Han Empire's crown prince, dressed in the most prestigious black ceremonial robes. Lifting his head, Liu Ying felt this young general was looking through him, reminiscing about someone else.

"General, I am unworthy of this." Liu Ying said gloomily. He was merely an ordinary child, dull and slow-witted, not even as clever and bright as his six-year-old brother Liu Ruyi.

"What's so good about being emperor?" The young general repeated his earlier words, this time with a faint mockery. "His father no longer regards him as a son, his wife no longer sees him as a husband, his children don't treat him as a father. He will suspect everyone around him, trust no one, and ultimately die alone."

"For him, this is a punishment."

Though summer had already arrived, Liu Ying suddenly felt a chill. These words lingered in his heart like a curse, yet he had to admit the other was probably not wrong. He knew something of past events - during the military standoff at Guangwu Ravine, Xiang Yu had threatened his imperial father with his grandfather and mother's lives, but his father had said, "If they are to be made into meat porridge, please share a bowl with me."

"Then... General... why did you... help my father?" Liu Ying stammered. He suddenly realized six or seven years had passed, yet this person remained as youthful as when they had met in the forest, completely unchanged.

"I must go." The young general curved his lips slightly and turned to leave. Liu Ying grew anxious - he had many questions, and vaguely understood that after this meeting, there would likely be no further encounters. "General, you repaid the washerwoman who helped you with a thousand pieces of gold for one meal, which is beyond reproach. But why didn't you punish the man who insulted you, instead making him a commandant?"

The young general stopped and said calmly, "That humiliation wasn't entirely bad - it made me see my place clearly."

He turned back, glancing at the lacquered vessel in Liu Ying's hands, and said indifferently, "Do you know what lacquerware is?"

Liu Ying shook his head. He had been asked this question years before, but still didn't know the answer.

"Exquisitely crafted and beautiful on the surface, lacquered to preserve it from decay, but at its core, it remains wooden." The young general sighed softly and continued walking into the darkness, his intermittent words carried by the wind.

"Don't cling too tightly to the past - otherwise, how will you grasp the present?"

Hearing this, Liu Ying's grip on the lacquered vessel loosened slightly, then tightened again.

Liu Ying never got the chance to ask why there was clear water in this Zhengyang vessel. He had a premonition that even if he asked, he wouldn't receive an answer.

That year, Liu Ying gained another brother named Liu Heng.The Empress Dowager did not pay much attention this time, for the younger prince's mother, Consort Bo Ji, was not favored. The only one she guarded against was Lady Qi.

However, Liu Ying felt that this younger brother was rather pitiable. It was said that his father had only favored Consort Bo Ji for one night and, even after learning of her pregnancy and the birth of their son, never visited again. Liu Ying sent some items to the boy. Though he could not personally care for him, this younger brother was, after all, his own flesh and blood.

Since growing distant from his parents and with his elder sister married off, Liu Ying had come to value familial bonds even more. As for the Han Xin he had once admired, when they met again, there was no sense of familiarity. Liu Ying believed that the real Han Xin must have departed, even though the current General Han looked exactly the same as before.

Days passed one after another. Liu Ying continued to feign foolishness and dullness, silently observing the struggles between his father and mother without uttering a word.

He did not place much importance on his position as Crown Prince. If possible, he would have preferred to live as an ordinary farmer.

The clear water in the Zhenyang Yu vessel diminished day by day, but he paid it no mind.

He even felt that the water might symbolize his hopes. As a child, he had hoped for many things, but he was met with constant disappointment. As hope slowly dried up, it turned into despair.

In the year he turned sixteen, his father passed away, and Liu Ying ascended the throne in a daze. State affairs were entirely managed by the Empress Dowager, and he was content to remain idle.

After all, he did not understand much of it. With Chancellor Xiao He in charge, he believed no major chaos would arise.

However, a year earlier, the Empress Dowager and Xiao He had conspired to kill Han Xin at the Changle Bell Chamber. Liu Ying knew it was not the real General Han, but he was still deeply shocked upon hearing the news.

He had known his mother had changed, but he never imagined she would become a stranger.

"Your Majesty, how do you find the characters I've written?" Fifteen-year-old Liu Ruyi held up a bamboo scroll with both hands, presenting it to Liu Ying. Liu Ruyi had inherited most of his mother Lady Qi's features. Though still a youth, he was delicate and handsome, with almond-shaped eyes that held a pleading charm, making it hard for anyone to scold him.

Originally, Liu Ruyi had been enfeoffed in the land of Zhao, but the Empress Dowager summoned him to Chang'an with an edict. Fearing his mother might harm Liu Ruyi, Liu Ying personally went outside the city to welcome him and brought him directly to his own palace quarters. They ate and slept together, ensuring the Empress Dowager had no chance to act. Liu Ruyi also knew that the only one in the capital who could save him was his emperor brother, so he grew increasingly dependent on him.

Liu Ying took the bamboo scroll from Liu Ruyi, glanced at it casually, and praised, "Very good." In truth, he had little interest in such things. Seeing how thin Liu Ruyi appeared even in thick winter robes, Liu Ying frowned and said, "Ruyi, you should rise early with me to practice archery."

Looking at the heavy snow outside, Liu Ruyi shivered. In recent days, at most, he had accompanied Liu Ying to the hunting grounds early in the morning, but only as an observer. The hall was warmed by a stove, cozy as spring. If not for the threat to his life, why would he willingly rise early to practice archery? Having grown familiar with Liu Ying, Liu Ruyi knew his emperor brother had a kind heart and reverted to his old ways. Ultimately, he was just a pampered young noble. He shook his head vigorously in refusal, employing every coquetry tactic he knew until Liu Ying could only sigh and rub his forehead in resignation.

At times, Liu Ying felt that this fifteen-year-old Liu Ruyi was less sensible than the eight-year-old Liu Heng. Perhaps their father had been most susceptible to such coquettish antics back in the day.The young eunuch delivered the meal, and Liu Ying was the first to pick up his chopsticks and taste each dish. This wasn't due to fastidiousness, but rather his fear that the delivered food might be poisoned. He didn't even trust others to test for toxins, preferring to do it himself.

Liu Ruyi witnessed this and felt even more grateful in his heart.

After taking a few bites and detecting nothing unusual, Liu Ying nodded to signal that Liu Ruyi could begin eating.

Pointing to the side, Liu Ruyi asked, "Imperial Brother, why is there always half a bowl of water in the lacquered basin by the bed?"

Liu Ying's gaze followed Liu Ruyi's finger to the basin placed at the head of the bed. He stared blankly for a long time before calmly changing the subject without answering.

Liu Ruyi stuck out his tongue, unconcerned.

The next day, when Liu Ying woke up and saw Liu Ruyi sleeping soundly beside him, he couldn't bear to wake him. He quietly got up and went alone to practice archery. Upon returning, he found none of the attending young eunuchs at the palace entrance.

A sudden chill rose in his heart. Shouting Liu Ruyi's name, Liu Ying hurried into the hall, only to first see the basin that had rolled onto the floor.

The basin was empty, its water long since drained, and Liu Ruyi—who had been playfully clinging to him just yesterday—now lay on the bed, blood streaming from all seven orifices, devoid of life.

"My son, are you listening?" Lü Zhi slapped the table before her, looking at Liu Ying with exasperation. He sat cross-legged opposite her, drinking wine sip by sip from the lacquered basin.

After Liu Ruyi's death, Lü Zhi felt immense satisfaction, venting years of resentment and bitterness upon Consort Qi. She ordered her limbs severed, her eyes gouged out, molten copper poured into her ears, and her tongue cut out, turning her into a "human swine." Still unsatisfied, she commanded Liu Ying to witness the spectacle. The sight shocked her feeble son into a severe illness from which he only recovered over a year later. Since then, he had taken to daily drinking, using the very lacquered basin that once held the poison that killed the curious Liu Ruyi. Lü Zhi found it both offensive and chilling, but she couldn't lower herself to wrest the basin from her son. Though she was the most noble woman of the Han dynasty, adorned in the finest robes, gold hairpins, and exquisite makeup, at her core, she remained the peasant woman from Pei County.

Thus, she was particularly mindful of her words and actions, though more often than not, she struggled to control her innate nature.

Perhaps she should have a young eunuch find an opportunity to dispose of that basin.

Lü Zhi knew her son harbored deep resentment toward her, but she could no longer concern herself with that. Years of experience had taught her that only power could ensure a woman's safety. At least power wouldn't abandon her like a man might—waking up one morning after a few years or a decade to cast her aside like worn-out shoes.

She didn't regret the brutality she had inflicted on Consort Qi and her son, but she did regret allowing her soft-hearted son to witness such a horrific scene.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm herself, Lü Zhi straightened her posture and declared coolly, in a commanding tone, "My son, you are nearing adulthood. It is time to choose an empress."

Liu Ying didn't respond. Not even a flicker of emotion crossed his face as he continued pouring wine from the nearby jug into the lacquered basin.

Lü Zhi hadn't expected any reaction from him and continued, "Yan'er is quite suitable. This mourning mother is very pleased. Arrange the wedding for next month."Liu Ying had just taken a sip of wine when he choked upon hearing the words, coughing several times as he stared at Lü Zhi in disbelief.

Yan'er? That was his elder sister's daughter! His own niece! Only twelve years old this year! Had his mother finally gone mad?

Lü Zhi, however, was quite pleased to see a different expression on her son's face, though that didn't mean she would allow him to oppose her decision. Her gaze fell upon the lacquered vessel in Liu Ying's hand - since the death of his younger brother Liu Ruyi, the clear water in the vessel had become increasingly scarce.

The vermilion lacquered interior of the vessel was brilliantly smooth, with a few droplets of wine clinging to its walls, slowly sliding down to the bottom where they gradually mingled with the small amount of clear water. That water was unbearably bitter and astringent, only becoming palatable when mixed with wine.

Liu Ying smiled bitterly. His mother hadn't been seeking his opinion just now - she had merely been informing him of her decision.

Draining the remaining mixture of wine and water from the bottom of the vessel, Liu Ying wiped the residue from his lips with a helpless smile.

He dared not refuse. To this day, he still had nightmares about Lady Qi's tragic fate. His mother's methods were too cruel - why had the kind mother from his childhood become this demonic figure?

"Brother... younger brother... what's wrong?" A gentle voice sounded by his ear, its tone so familiar it nearly brought Liu Ying to tears.

"Elder sister!" Liu Ying rose from the table to look at his long-unseen sister. Since Liu Le had married, she had lived in seclusion, and Liu Ying had rarely seen her. Though her face showed signs of weariness, he could still glimpse the caring expression from their childhood. Clutching Liu Le's sleeve as if grasping a lifeline, Liu Ying pleaded: "Sister, please speak with Mother. We can't let Yan'er marry me!"

Tears welled in Liu Le's eyes. If she had a choice, she would never allow her daughter to enter this prison-like deep palace, but she was powerless. Their mother was not one to listen to advice. "Brother, listen to me. You must not refuse. Rumors are already spreading everywhere. If you don't marry Yan'er, she won't be able to marry anyone else. Entering the palace is still better than being unable to marry at all..."

As Liu Le continued her anxious chatter, all concerns focused on her daughter, Liu Ying slowly released his grip, letting his sister's sleeve slip from his palm.

Yes, his sister had long married and started her own family. She couldn't only think of him as she used to...

"Brother, your sister has never asked anything of you before. Remember when I helped you escape through the forests all those years ago..."

Liu Ying forced a smile uglier than tears and nodded with difficulty: "This emperor understands. I shall comply with your wish."

The shift from "I" to "this emperor" made Liu Le realize something. But hearing Liu Ying's agreement, she simply sighed in relief and hesitantly departed.

Miserably raising the lacquered vessel, Liu Ying failed to notice that no more clear water would seep from it.

He continued drinking his sorrows away in large gulps.

Yes, he could protect Yan'er. Though he couldn't be a proper husband to her, with the title of empress, he could at least ensure her safety for life.

But why did no one ever consider his feelings...In his sorrowful state, Liu Ying drank more and more until, in his dazed stupor, words from many years ago echoed repeatedly in his mind.

What is so good about being an emperor?

His father no longer regarded him as a son, his wife no longer regarded him as a husband, and his son no longer regarded him as a father. He would suspect everyone around him, trust no one, and ultimately die alone.

This was a punishment...

Liu Ying curled up in agony. He had done nothing wrong, so why must he endure such punishment?

In the vast and desolate hall, the young emperor of the Han Dynasty lay drunk and asleep, as was his daily habit. A young eunuch peered around cautiously for a long while before finally tiptoeing over, picking up the empty lacquer basin from the floor, tucking it into his robe, and slipping away quietly.

188 BCE, Chang’an, a teahouse.

Two young gentlemen drank tea in silence, listening to the hushed whispers of nearby patrons discussing Empress Lü’s consolidation of power since the unexpected death of Emperor Hui of Han.

The young gentleman in white sighed softly and lowered his voice, saying, "Sir, thank you for saving me."

The young gentleman in black curled his lips into a smile and pointed at the lacquer basin on the table. "If I hadn’t seen this item for sale, I wouldn’t have thought to seek you out." It turned out that the young eunuch, under Lü Zhi’s orders, had taken this basin from Liu Ying but, instead of destroying it, recognized its value and secretly sold it outside the palace, where it eventually made its way into the hands of the common people.

The black-clad gentleman took a sip of tea, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Since you were willing to abandon the highest position in the world, what harm is there in helping you once?"

Liu Ying sighed silently. He knew the gentleman before him possessed extraordinary abilities. Though Liu Ying was now twenty-three, this man looked just as young as he had two decades ago when they first met. Sitting together now, Liu Ying even appeared older. He refrained from revisiting the past; having escaped that ruthless abyss that devoured people without leaving a trace, he had no further desires. As for the throne, he believed his younger brother Liu Heng could succeed him. Whether Liu Heng would ultimately ascend to the throne, however, was beyond his ability or desire to interfere.

Liu Ying picked up the lacquer basin from the table and asked curiously, "What is the origin of this Zhenyang Basin? Why did it once hold water when I held it, only to gradually dry up later?"

The black-clad gentleman set down his teacup and replied calmly, "Do you know of King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang?"

Liu Ying nodded. He vaguely remembered the past events—this Zhenyang Basin was related to the Zhou Yi, written by King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang.

"Do you know of Bo Yikao?"

Liu Ying nodded again. Bo Yikao was the eldest son of King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang. When Ji Chang was still the Marquis of the West, legend had it that King Zhou of Shang had Bo Yikao boiled to death and made into a meat broth, which he then forced Ji Chang to eat. Even knowing it was his son’s flesh, Ji Chang had no choice but to consume it under King Zhou’s coercion. It was an exceedingly tragic and brutal tale.

"King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, used a wooden basin to eat that bowl of meat broth, enduring unbearable agony. To remind himself of this profound blood feud, he carried the wooden basin with him at all times. Fearing it would decay, he later lacquered it..."

As if scalded, Liu Ying immediately set the Zhenyang Basin back on the table, stunned into silence.

"This is the Zhenyang Basin. Legend says that only the true Son of Heaven, when holding it, will reveal clear water within the basin. And this water... represents the familial love in your heart..."Liu Ying could guess the rest without it being spoken. The clear water in the yu vessel had been spilled many times—what's done cannot be undone... and this was why he now walked away without looking back.

Family bonds are like clear water—seemingly dispensable and seldom treasured. When drinking it daily, one hardly notices its presence, leaving no time to care. Yet after a long drought, it becomes as precious as sweet rain. But once it dries up...

The young master in black also fell silent, gazing quietly at the lacquered yu vessel on the table. He had once witnessed the water in this Zhenyang Yu go from full to dry. Ironically, the last person qualified to hold the Zhenyang Yu never ascended the throne as emperor.

After a long while, Liu Ying withdrew his gaze and asked, "Master, I have no other wishes in this life. I wish to follow you."

The young master in black softened his expression, the icy killing intent he once had as a general completely gone. He nodded and said, "Very well. Follow me to find someone. It may take a very long time..."

"As you wish."

A.D. 2012.

"So actually, Emperor Hui of Han never really died!" Doctor exclaimed after hearing the story, twitching his rabbit ears. He hadn't eaten anything for so long that he had begged Boss to buy him a bag of chocolate beans. Now he was struggling to pour them out onto the counter. Even if he couldn't eat them, just looking would be satisfying!

"No, he died." Boss calmly wiped the Zhenyang Yu in his hands, lowering his head to gaze at it quietly. Lacquerware from that era typically only used black and red, as these two colors were considered the most noble in ancient times. The red was vibrant yet not flashy, the black profound yet not dull—the two complemented each other perfectly. Though the entire yu vessel bore no decoration beyond the cloud patterns on its surface, it remained dignified and serene, a rare masterpiece.

Hearing this, Doctor's chocolate beans scattered with a clatter, bouncing noisily across the counter. Several fell to the floor, spinning in circles.

Boss set down the Zhenyang Yu, bent over, and patiently picked up the chocolate beans one by one. He gathered those on the counter and piled them beside Doctor.

"Sorry," Doctor whispered apologetically. He couldn't imagine how Boss had spent these thousand years seeing off friend after friend. Watching them gradually age under time's assault, witnessing their transformation from youth to bleached bones... Doctor suddenly felt sorrowful. Perhaps one day, he and Boss would meet the same end.

"Why apologize? All men must die." Boss smiled faintly, picking up a chocolate bean and wiping it with a silk handkerchief before popping it into his mouth.

"I'm apologizing for spilling the chocolate beans!" Doctor retorted fiercely.

Boss smiled gently. "The chocolate is quite delicious!"

"...Damn it!"

(End of Chapter)