Luoyang – Southern Palace, Jiade Hall
Liu Hong lay upon the dragon bed, eyes closed, his face ashen.
At his side stood Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, their expressions heavy with worry.
An imperial physician knelt nearby, fingers pressed to the emperor's wrist, his brows deeply furrowed. After a long silence, he finally withdrew his hand.
"Well?" Zhang Rang asked urgently. "How is His Majesty?"
The physician glanced at the emperor, then lowered his voice. "Attendant… may we speak privately?"
"Speak here."
A weak yet commanding voice cut through the room.
All turned—Liu Hong had opened his eyes and was struggling to sit up.
Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong hurried forward to support him. Even this small effort left him gasping for breath.
"My illness… cough… what is it?"
"Your Majesty suffers only a minor ailment. With rest, you will recover," the physician said quickly, bowing low.
Liu Hong leaned forward, staring at him.
"You're lying."
The physician immediately dropped to his knees. "I dare not! What I said is the truth!"
"You dare lie to me—I can have you killed." Liu Hong's gaze sharpened. "Tell me the truth. How long do I have? Speak honestly, and I will pardon you."
Silence filled the hall.
At first, Liu Hong himself had believed it to be nothing serious—mere exhaustion. Yet after more than a month of treatment, his condition had only worsened. Each day his body grew heavier. Even rising now required assistance.
And in his dreams…
Night after night, he saw his predecessor, Emperor Huan, raging at him—accusing him of deposing Empress Song, of causing her death, of executing Liu Kui of Bohai.
It felt as though the dead themselves were calling him to account.
"Your Majesty will live long," the physician insisted weakly.
Liu Hong nodded slightly.
The physician exhaled in relief—
"Drag him out. Execute him."
The words fell cold as steel.
Zhang Rang signaled. Eunuchs rushed in, seizing the physician.
"Your Majesty! Spare me!"
Zhang Rang glanced at Liu Hong. The emperor gave a faint nod.
"Bring him back."
The physician was dragged back, trembling and gasping.
"How long do I have?" Liu Hong asked calmly.
The physician hesitated.
Liu Hong's anger flared. "I only ask how long! Is that so difficult?—cough—cough—"
Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong quickly steadied him.
Finally, the physician spoke, voice shaking:"If Your Majesty rests and avoids state affairs… perhaps one month."
"And if not?"
"…less than half a month."
"Impudence!" Zhao Zhong shouted.
The physician pressed his forehead to the ground, body quaking.
"One month… half a month…"
Liu Hong murmured, almost to himself.
"Half a year ago, I could still wear armor and ride. How did it come to this?"
The physician swallowed.
"Your Majesty indulged too greatly in youth, exhausting your vital energy. Later, when you restrained yourself, you recovered somewhat… but recently…"
He hesitated, then forced himself to continue.
"That day… what little vitality had returned was spent all at once—like a flood bursting its banks."
"I see…"
Liu Hong gave a faint, almost relieved smile.
"You may go. Remember what you should—and should not—say."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The physician fled as though pardoned from death itself.
At the door, Zhang Rang made a subtle chopping gesture.
Mercy from the emperor did not mean safety from others.
A young eunuch followed the physician out.
"Imperial Physician, I have a treasure to show you…"
Zhang Rang returned to Liu Hong's side. The emperor sat quietly, lost in thought.
"Your Majesty?"
Liu Hong stirred. "Has Dong Zhuo gone to Bingzhou?"
"No," Zhang Rang replied grimly. "He refuses to relinquish his troops and asks to take them with him."
"Where is he now?"
"Hedong."
Liu Hong let out a cold laugh. "He grows bold, hearing I am ill."
He drew a breath. "Issue another edict. He is to report to Bingzhou immediately—or Huangfu Song will deal with him."
Zhang Rang hesitated. "Your Majesty… the physician said—"
"What difference is a month or half a month?" Liu Hong cut him off. "Better to be emperor for half a month than a corpse for one."
He coughed, then continued more quietly:
"I must settle the empire… before I go."
Tears welled in Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong's eyes.
"I'm not dead yet. Why are you crying?" Liu Hong said with a faint smile. "What news from court?"
Zhang Rang composed himself. "Huang Wan has impeached Bao Hong for embezzling millions."
"…It's true?"
"Yes."
Liu Hong froze—then collapsed backward.
"Your Majesty!"
They rushed to support him.
A hollow laugh escaped his lips.
The Northern Army was in He Jin's hands. The Xiyuan Army and court factions were divided. If he died now… chaos would erupt instantly.
After a long silence, Liu Hong opened his eyes again, determination flickering within them.
"By imperial decree—Bao Hong is to be imprisoned and executed."
Zhang Rang was startled. "Your Majesty… are you setting Liu Bian on the throne?"
"There is no other choice…" Liu Hong sighed.
"If I had ten more years—if Xie'er were grown, if Zhang Xin were ready—I would never pass the throne to Liu Bian…"
"But now…"
He closed his eyes briefly.
"Xie'er is too young. Zhang Xin, though capable, is too young to command the realm's respect. Alone, he cannot contend with all under heaven."
"Liu Bian… though weak, is seventeen. With He Jin as his uncle, at least the state may hold—for a time."
Zhang Rang bowed his head. "This servant understands."
"But…" he added carefully, "He Jin and Zhang Xin are enemies. If conflict arises…"
Liu Hong fell silent.
He knew the truth.
In the entire Han realm, only two men could match Zhang Xin in war: Huangfu Song… and Dong Zhuo.
If civil war broke out—whether the court won or lost—the dynasty would be fatally weakened.
After a long pause, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
"Summon Zhang Xin to the capital. If he refuses—execute his three sons. Then gather troops under the pretext of punishing rebellion."
"And if he comes… grant him favor. Let Zhang Ping inherit his title."
Zhang Rang bowed. "As you command."
Liu Hong lay back, drained of strength.
I pushed him too far, too fast…
Forgive me… brother-in-law…
Not long after, voices broke through his haze.
He opened his eyes to see Empress Dowager Dong weeping, Liu Xie beside her, tears streaming down his face.
"My son! What has happened to you?"
"Mother…" Liu Hong tried to smile. "I fear… I will not rise again."
At these words, she fainted.
"Grandmother!" Liu Xie cried out.
After she revived, grief turned to anger. "What use are the imperial physicians? Summon them!"
"No need," Liu Hong said gently, repeating the truth. "This body… is beyond saving."
She broke down again. "If you leave us, how will we survive?"
"Do not worry," Liu Hong said softly. "Liu Bian is not cruel. You and Xie'er will live in honor."
"And the He family?" she shot back bitterly. "Do you think they will spare him?"
Liu Hong fell silent.
She was right.
Liu Bian might not harm Liu Xie—but Empress He and He Jin might.
Looking at Liu Xie—his features reminiscent of his late mother—Liu Hong's expression changed.
"Zhao Zhong!"
"I am here!"
"Bring Zhang Rang back. Retrieve the edict—quickly!"
Zhao Zhong rushed out.
"What are you doing?" Empress Dowager Dong demanded.
Liu Hong did not answer. He looked at Liu Xie instead.
"Xie'er… come here."
The boy stepped forward, wiping his tears.
Liu Hong grasped his hand.
"Do you dare… be emperor?"
Liu Xie froze.
"Your father is dying," Liu Hong said gently.
"No! You will recover!" Liu Xie cried.
"Who lives forever?" Liu Hong smiled faintly.
Then his voice turned solemn.
"The empire of our Liu family needs a protector. Your brother cannot bear that burden."
He tightened his grip.
"Tell me—do you dare to defend it?"