Lin Gao sighed and said, "I know, but this involves another very important matter. Let me finish explaining Liu Che’s harem first. Listen carefully."
Ajiao interrupted him. "Why are you so obsessed with Liu Che’s harem?"
Lin Gao stared at her as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Because I think you’re a bit in love with him! We’re partners, and I don’t want my partner to be some romance-addled fool who only has love and affection on the brain."
Ajiao was speechless. *I don’t think I am!*
"Anyway, I’ll continue," Lin Gao went on. "After Lady Li died, the next important figure was Zhao Gouyi. Why was she important? Because when Emperor Wu was sixty-two years old, she gave birth to his sixth and final son..."
"Sixty-two?" Ajiao was shocked and couldn't help but interrupt.
"Yeah. Liu Che lived to be seventy. Liu Fuling ascended the throne at age eight, so he was born when Liu Che was sixty-two."
"Liu Fuling? Ascended the throne? Isn't Liu Ju the Crown Prince?" Ajiao was stunned once again.
"Listen to me slowly. According to history, I’ve calculated that Wei Qing will die this year. Wei Zifu is already out of favor, and Liu Ju isn't liked by Liu Che; he’s viewed with suspicion. So, in the later years, Liu Ju’s life becomes very difficult.
"Zhao Gouyi was also a peculiar one. When the Emperor was on an inspection tour in Hejian—I don't remember the exact time—someone by his side said there was a miraculous woman in that area. Liu Che sent people to find her, and they found Zhao Gouyi. They said she was born with a strange condition: her hands had been clenched into fists since birth, and no one could open them. The Emperor was surprised and went to try for himself. Lo and behold, he opened them! Inside her hand was a jade hook. Liu Che was delighted, slept with her, and then Liu Fuling was born."
Ajiao said blankly, "Are you sure she wasn't just a fraud?"
Lin Gao waved his hand dismissively. "That’s not the point. What matters is the child. Legend says—mind you, legend—that Zhao Gouyi was pregnant for fourteen months. Liu Che named the gate of the palace where she lived the 'Gate of Yao’s Mother.' In short, they made it as miraculous as possible. And remember how Liu Che previously said the Crown Prince, Liu Ju, didn't take after him and thus didn't like him? Well, he said Liu Fuling looked just like him, so he doted on the boy."
"Tsk, Liu Ju must have been unhappy then!" Ajiao sighed, shocked yet again.
"Whether he was happy as Crown Prince doesn't matter. What matters is that many people around the Emperor had beef with the Crown Prince. Add to that the Princess of Weiyang and a few others—Wei Zifu’s three daughters, actually—who were accused of using witchcraft to harm the Emperor. They all died. Then a man named Jiang Chong accused the Crown Prince of using witchcraft to curse the Emperor. Then... the Crown Prince rebelled. He failed and was killed. Wei Zifu was deposed and committed suicide. The Crown Prince’s wives, children, and grandchildren were all slaughtered, leaving only one grandson named Liu Bingyi. The Wei family was almost entirely wiped out; at the very least, it’s certain that Wei Qing’s eldest son, Wei Kang, died. This Liu Bingyi becomes a major figure later, but he doesn't have much to do with Emperor Wu’s reign. I’ll tell you about him when I have time."
Ajiao’s face was drained of all color. "You mean to say... the one son and three daughters born to Wei Zifu were all killed?" She had no affection for Wei Zifu and even hoped for a miserable end for her, but... why was it Liu Che? She had always felt that while Liu Che was cold-hearted, he was at least decent to his relatives—like her mother, even when they disagreed, or his half-sister Jin Su!
Hearing this now, Ajiao felt a suffocating lump in her throat.
"Then Liu Ju died, the position of Crown Prince was vacant, and people fought for it. I don't remember the details of the struggle, but I know Liu Fuling was eventually named Crown Prince and became the next Emperor. At the same time..." Lin Gao glanced at Ajiao’s expression. "He ordered Zhao Gouyi to commit suicide. He also ordered the death of every concubine who had given birth to a child, whether it was a prince or a princess."
Those few short sentences made Ajiao shudder.
Lin Gao looked at Ajiao’s stomach with pity. He had heard from his sister that she was over a month along!
"That’s why I’m saying, if you have even a tiny bit of affection for Liu Che in your heart, you’d better crush it early. Do you understand?"
"I... I understand!" A faint hint of color returned to Ajiao’s face.
Lin Gao continued, "I know this is a bit difficult to process, but now I have to tell you an even more important part."
Ajiao straightened her posture. "Go on."
"I’ve discovered that although this world is still the Han Dynasty, it’s different from the one I know. Regarding Lady Li—based on what I remember from checking after watching TV shows—someone calculated that the fifth son, Liu Bo, might have been born around 100-something B.C. But the current Liu Bo was born in 111 B.C..."
"Wait, what does 'B.C.' mean?" Ajiao asked, confused.
Lin Gao explained, "It’s just a method of counting years that we used back then. I actually only remembered that Liu Che was born in 156 B.C.; the rest I calculated myself."
"I see." Ajiao nodded.
"Back to Lady Li. You just said that many things about the Lady Li in the palace who gave birth to Liu Bo don't match the historical Lady Li. So, I suspect our appearance has caused a deviation in history. However, the general outline might still be the same, which is why Liu Bo was still born."
Ajiao carefully chewed on Lin Gao’s words, her heart a tempest of emotions. Lin Gao said he was speaking of history, but now he said history had changed? She could hardly accept it, but she forced herself to keep listening.
"This might be hard for you to grasp, but basically, some things are different from history while others remain the same. But now, you know, Li Yannian sang the 'Song of the Rare Beauty,' and another Li Yan has appeared. Doesn't that match the historical Lady Li? So I suspect this Li Yan is the true Lady Li, and that Lady Li in the palace isn't the one from history. Therefore, Li Yan should be the 'true love.' Given how history usually goes, she’ll probably be slept with by the Emperor soon and become his favorite."
"Slept with? Could you use a more refined term?" Ajiao frowned.
Lin Gao replied, "No need, as long as we understand each other. Since we’re partners, we need to find a way out. If I’d known earlier that you were a transmigrator like me, I wouldn't have let you enter the palace. But since you’re already in, you have to find a way to secure your position... As for whether you want to keep this child, that’s for you to decide. After all, the Emperor is only fifty now; there are still twenty years until he dies."
Ajiao nodded slowly. "I will give it careful thought."
"Second, how do we make our fortune? I have this papermaking technique, but I don't think it’s enough. I’m also trying to figure out how to produce more things. As for you, why not use your status as a favored consort to advertise for me? Do you know what advertising is? It means using your influence to promote something, letting more people know about it so they’ll follow your lead and buy it."
"That is certainly possible. So, are you planning to open a shop?"
Lin Gao nodded. "They say the social hierarchy is scholars, farmers, artisans, and then merchants, but merchants make the most money. With enough money, you can even buy an official position! Besides, His Majesty just gave his word to remove my slave status. Why shouldn't I make a grand go of it? It’s just that, well, you know... heh heh..."
"Short on money?" Ajiao smiled.
"Your Ladyship is clever. I just don't have much capital. Although I earned a bit running businesses for the Chen family before, I realized it’s nowhere near enough after doing the math. Things in the capital are truly expensive."
"Leave the money and the matter of buying a storefront to me. As for what business to run and how to manage the shop, you’ll have to handle that. It’s inconvenient for me since I’m in the palace. As for the profits..." Ajiao agreed.
"A fifty-fifty split!" Lin Gao said readily.
Ajiao’s smile deepened. "Agreed."
Lin Gao added, "You heard what I said. The Wei family can be relied on for a few more years, but they won't last. We need to find a new backer. When Liu Che dies, he leaves several regent ministers for his son. I remember Huo Guang, someone named Shangguan, Sang Hongyang, and Jin Mi-something—I don't recognize that last character. We need to find a way to connect with them, especially Huo Guang. In the end, he basically covers the sky with one hand, deposing and enthroning emperors without even asking for permission!"
"I understand. I will keep an eye out in the palace." The shock in Ajiao’s heart was so immense that she had instead become calm.
"Oh, and there’s a princess named Princess Eyi, also known as Grand Princess Gaichang. Look for her in the palace. She’s the one who will take care of the new Emperor, Liu Fuling, in the future. We need to suck up to her."
"Must you use such an ugly term as 'suck up'?" Ajiao was exasperated.
"My Lady, when one is under another's roof, one must bow one's head," Lin Gao sighed.
That was true enough. "You have a point." Ajiao nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I might have to give birth to this child. However, I don't plan on waiting for some Liu Fuling... This child will be the future Emperor!"
Lin Gao was still thinking if there was anything else to remind her of, but when he heard this, he froze for a moment. "Big sister, have you been scared out of your mind?"
Ajiao rolled her eyes. "Who’s your sister? You’re the one who’s scared witless. I can only tell you that I must help the one in my womb. I have no choice, do you understand?"
"But..."
"Instead of waiting twelve years for a Liu Fuling who might not even show up, I might as well help this one first!" Ajiao urged.
"This... I’ll consider it." He would wait and see which way the winds of history blew.
Ajiao smiled. "Of course. As for the shop and such, let’s get started. We’ll prepare for both possibilities."
"Naturally..."
"Your Ladyship!" someone called from outside.
Mianfu quickly stepped forward and asked, "What is it?"
The person shouted, "His Majesty has awakened and is looking for Her Ladyship."
Ajiao had no choice but to stand up. She hurriedly said to Lin Gao, "I must go. We’ll find a way to send messages and discuss the details later."
"Alright, alright!" Lin Gao stood up as well.
Nanke saw this and came over to support Ajiao as they headed toward the main house.
When Ajiao entered the room, she saw Huang Yu serving Liu Che as he dressed. An unfamiliar maid was prostrate on the floor, weeping softly. Raising an eyebrow, Ajiao walked in.
The curtains in the room had not yet been drawn back. In the dim light, Liu Che’s expression was unreadable. Ajiao watched him from a distance, and thinking of Lin Gao’s words, she suddenly felt a chill run through her.
Liu Che, wearing his inner robes, walked over and took Ajiao’s hand, leading her further inside. He scolded her softly, "Where did you run off to? I called for you several times when I woke up."
Ajiao looked at the woman on the floor. She was seductive and slender—a beauty.
Liu Che followed her gaze, and his irritation grew. "Zhongqing is ill, and this household has become increasingly undisciplined. How dare she enter without being summoned?"
Ajiao gave a thin smile. How could a maid enter the Emperor’s resting quarters so boldly without someone arranging it? She said, "Your Majesty, perhaps someone was worried I wouldn't serve you well enough and specifically sent her to attend to you..."
Liu Che’s expression darkened further. He said coldly, "The master of the house is still ill. Who dares to use such underhanded tricks? They deserve to die."
Ajiao took the outer robe from Huang Yu’s hands and helped Liu Che put it on. She remarked, "I fear... it might be Your Majesty’s sister showing her concern for you!"
Liu Che froze, saying nothing. After a long silence, he said, "Drag this woman out and beat her to death. Regardless of who arranged it, to harbor such thoughts while the master of the house is gravely ill is a capital offense."
"What’s wrong? Are you cold?" Liu Che looked at Ajiao.
Ajiao was slightly dazed, not understanding his meaning.
Liu Che grasped her hand and said softly, "You’re shivering. I told you not to go running outside. It’s getting colder by the day. Going in and out between the heat and the cold is the easiest way to get sick, especially since you’re carrying a child. Don't be so headstrong in the future, do you hear me? Look at you, your palms are covered in cold sweat. Go see the Imperial Physician when we return."
Ajiao felt the sweat on her palms as she watched the woman’s mouth being gagged before she was dragged out.
So, she had been shivering?
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 恋爱脑 | Romance-addled / Love-brain | Modern slang for someone who prioritizes love above all else. |
| 巫蛊 | Witchcraft / Sorcery | Specifically refers to the "Witchcraft Scandal" (Wu Gu) of the Han Dynasty. |
| 尧母门 | Gate of Yao’s Mother | A legendary name given to the gate of Lady Gouyi's palace. |
| 刘弗陵 | Liu Fuling | The future Emperor Zhao of Han. |
| 刘病已 | Liu Bingyi | The future Emperor Xuan of Han. |
| 卫伉 | Wei Kang | Wei Qing's eldest son. |
| 公元前 | B.C. (Before Christ) | Modern chronological term used by the transmigrator. |
| 鄂邑公主 | Princess Eyi | Daughter of Emperor Wu, later a powerful figure in the regency. |
| 盖长公主 | Grand Princess Gaichang | Another title for Princess Eyi. |
| 霍光 | Huo Guang | A powerful official and regent during the Han Dynasty. |
| 桑弘羊 | Sang Hongyang | A prominent official known for his economic policies. |
| 金日磾 | Jin Midi | A Xiongnu prince who became a trusted official and regent. |
| 仲卿 | Zhongqing | Wei Qing's courtesy name. |
