Changle Palace.
Liu Heng's eyes sparkled as he gazed at Luo Xin, brimming with admiration. "Uncle, are you the most formidable person in the Great Han? At yesterday's banquet, all those ministers listened to you."
Hearing Liu Heng's uninhibited childish words, Luo Xin laughed easily. "Your Majesty, the ministers were not listening to me. They were listening to Your Majesty."
Liu Heng tilted his head in puzzlement. "Uncle, I don't understand."
Luo Xin stroked Liu Heng's head and said gently, "I am the regent. What does being a regent mean?
"This realm was originally governed by Renzong, Emperor Xiaohui. But when your imperial father passed away, you became its master. Since you are still young, Emperor Xiaohui asked me to manage the realm on your behalf. That is what being a regent means.
"So the ministers are not listening to me, but to Your Majesty.
"It is all right if you do not understand now. When you do understand, you will truly be the emperor. As long as you diligently study statecraft and governance, the classics and their commentaries, you will surely become a wise and enlightened sovereign whom everyone under heaven praises."
At these words, Liu Heng immediately felt very impressive himself. He declared spiritedly, "Uncle, Father asked you to manage the realm for me instead of the other ministers. That must be because you're so capable. You must teach me everything. I want to be like you, too."
Luo Xin laughed heartily. "Very well. Today, I shall teach Your Majesty the Rites of Zhou."
"The Rites of Zhou?"
Liu Heng asked in confusion, "Several of my other teachers from the Confucian School have already taught that subject. It's all rules, one after another. It's very dull."
Luo Xin smiled. "Yes, the Rites of Zhou on their own are