Chapter 1338 - 1275: Fury_3
In Tuoba Yilu’s harem, there was no distinction between wives and concubines; they were all his wives. However, Tuoba Liuxiu’s mother was the first to follow him, so she was the First Lady, but the status of other ladies was not below hers.
Especially Tuoba Biyan’s mother, who was particularly favored. Regardless of their status or age, other ladies could only lower their heads in her presence.
Tuoba Yilu quickly proved Ji Dan’s words with action.
He first had people prepare gifts to send a tribute to Luoyang, then he went to the backyard and lashed out, saying that Tuoba Liuxiu’s mother had ruined the gift prepared for Zhao Hanzhang, and directly deposed her.
Tuoba Liuxiu was both angry and powerless; he could only go and retrieve his mother, who had been driven out, intending to take her back to Xinping City.
His mother held him back and said, "I will wait for you in Ping City. You are the eldest prince, and the new emperor’s ascension is a major event. Your honorary aunt is very fond of you; you should go to Luoyang with your father."
"Mother, haven’t you realized by now? He won’t take me to Luoyang," Tuoba Liuxiu said. "I won’t stay here to be mistreated by him. Let’s go back to Xinping City. I can write to Aunt and have her send me another invitation. Then I’ll go to Luoyang myself."
Lady Jujube hesitated, "Your relationship with your father is too strained. Continuing like this will only be harmful, not beneficial."
"I don’t expect any benefit," Tuoba Liuxiu said. "I know his thoughts. He will never establish me as the princely heir. Aunt has twice mentioned fulfilling the promise to appoint a crown prince for Dai Country, but he always says I’m unfilial. Clearly, he has decided to hand Dai Country to Tuoba Biyan."
"I don’t necessarily need Dai Country. Aunt is going to become an emperor, so I can go to Luoyang to support her and become a general. I can still have a career."
Lady Jujube thought it over and also felt that the possibility of reconciliation between her son and husband was very low, finally nodding in agreement: "Alright, let’s go back to Xinping City."
Tuoba Liuxiu immediately arranged for the departure and went to the palace to bid farewell to Tuoba Yilu on the same day.
Actually, he didn’t even want to say goodbye, but everyone around him persuaded him, "The Great King may be unkind, but the eldest prince must not be unfilial. Whatever you may think, you must maintain appearances. So when you say goodbye, you must be respectful and not quarrel with the Great King."
Tuoba Liuxiu was overwhelmed by their insistence, and given that he would need a good reputation when he went to Zhao Hanzhang to find a position, he knew that among the Han people, if someone is considered unfilial, they basically have no opportunity for official employment.
So he could only suppress his temper and go to bid farewell to Tuoba Yilu.
Tuoba Yilu had already decided to set off in three days. Seeing him arrive, he immediately called Tuoba Biyan, having him stand in front of Tuoba Liuxiu, "Since you are leaving, give your brother a salutation."
Tuoba Liuxiu: !!!
He glared fiercely at Tuoba Biyan, causing him to take two steps back, then said, "He is my brother; he should salute me, not the other way around."
Resolutely refusing to salute.
Moreover, this time he remembered his confidants’ advice, not to lose his temper. Everything was for his future, and once he left Dai Country in the future, he would seek revenge at that time.
Despite constant internal self-suggestion, Tuoba Liuxiu managed to restrain his temper without losing it on the spot, let alone losing his composure.
Seeing he neither salutes nor loses his temper, Tuoba Yilu frowned displeasedly, tugged for a while, only to give up, waving his hand for him to leave.
As soon as he left, Tuoba Yilu asked those around him, "When does he leave the city tomorrow?"
"At辰时."
Tuoba Yilu nodded and said, "I’ll go see him off tomorrow."
This news spread, not only surprising the angry departing Tuoba Liuxiu, but even Ji Dan and Wei Xiong were amazed, "The Great King is actually going to see off the eldest prince?"
Although they did not know what his father was up to, Tuoba Liuxiu’s inner frustration dissipated significantly, and those around him said, "A tiger may be fierce but does not eat its cubs. He is, after all, your father. This time he is not taking you to Luoyang, perhaps he is feeling guilty and wants to compensate for you. The love between father and son is earned through mutual concessions; you were too mischievous in the past and always competed against the Great King, hence the antipathy between father and son."
"Now that the Great King wants to make amends, why not adopt a respectful attitude? You are, after all, his eldest son. As long as you are willing to improve, show filial piety to the Great King, and brotherly love, I think the relationship can be repaired."
Tuoba Liuxiu was slightly moved, and the next day specifically waited at the city gate, sure enough, as辰时approached, Tuoba Yilu’s entourage arrived.
The people around him nudged Tuoba Liuxiu, excitedly saying, "The Great King has taken a step, the eldest prince should reciprocate."
Tuoba Liuxiu then stepped forward, kneeling on one knee, pressing his hand to his heart to salute, "Son pays respects to father."
The curtain of the entourage suddenly lifted, and Tuoba Biyan laughed heartily with his hands akimbo.
Tuoba Liuxiu quickly looked up, shocked to see Tuoba Biyan. Anger immediately clouded his judgment.