After dressing, Liu Che led Ajiao back to the main courtyard; it seemed Wei Qing had regained consciousness.
Even without Lin Gao’s foreknowledge, anyone looking at Wei Qing’s complexion could tell he was indeed nearing his end. With Wei Qing’s death, the Crown Prince’s greatest pillar of support would vanish. Yet, even so, he was still the Crown Prince—how could the Emperor’s close officials dare to offend him one after another, even slandering him with accusations of witchcraft? It was incomprehensible.
Midway through their conversation, Huang Yu led a young eunuch inside to report that the Crown Princess had gone into labor.
A flicker of joy appeared on Wei Qing’s sickly face, and Liu Che shared the sentiment. Thus, Ajiao hurriedly followed the Emperor back to the palace. Just as their carriage reached the palace gates, someone was already kneeling to receive them.
The Crown Princess’s labor had been successful; she had given birth to a son.
A legitimate imperial grandson!
Liu Che was overjoyed and immediately ordered the carriage to divert to the Crown Prince’s palace.
Wei Zifu was already at the Yunxin Hall, where the Crown Princess resided. She was beaming with joy as she held the infant, teasing the child alongside the Crown Prince. The various concubines of the Crown Prince’s palace stood by, smiling in attendance.
When Ajiao entered, she was met with a scene of peace and jubilation, though she wondered how much of that harmony was genuine.
The crowd had not expected His Majesty’s arrival and was momentarily flustered. Wei Zifu handed the grandson to the Crown Prince and stepped forward to greet Liu Che with a smile. "May Your Majesty enjoy longevity without end. Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the birth of a legitimate grandson!"
Liu Che sat down with a laugh, and the Crown Prince quickly brought the child forward. Ajiao took a seat by herself near the door, quietly observing the expressions of everyone present.
The Crown Prince said eagerly, "Imperial Father, why don't you bestow a name upon the child?"
Liu Che smiled, thought for a moment, and said, "Yong. How about Liu Yong?"
The crowd voiced their approval with smiles. Liu Che doted on his grandson for a while longer before leading Ajiao away.
As fate would have it, they encountered members of the Music Bureau practicing a dance by the Hanyi Pavilion near the pond. Ajiao looked at the beauty in the center, dressed in a gown of gold-threaded silk, and thought to herself that this must be destiny.
Seeing Ajiao staring out the window in a daze, Liu Che leaned over to see what the view was. Ajiao’s expression went blank as she swiftly pulled the curtain shut.
"What is wrong with you? You’ve been off since we were at Zhongqing’s manor. Did you catch a cold? Huang Yu, go summon the Imperial Physician General."
"It’s nothing! I’m just a bit tired," Ajiao replied listlessly.
Liu Che pulled her into his arms, coaxing her gently. "That’s how it is when you’re pregnant—you tire easily. But you can’t be lazy all the time. You should walk around Yunguang Hall when you have the chance, do you hear me?"
"I understand," Ajiao said, closing her eyes. In the past, she had never viewed Liu Che as anyone particularly special; even after he became Emperor, he was simply the husband she had grown up with.
In truth, her mother’s temperament was somewhat like Liu Che’s—both were cold-hearted and detached. Her mother only truly cared for five people: her grandparents, her two uncles, and herself. Toward anyone else, her mother could be incredibly ruthless.
Yet, even so, her mother would still look after her two brothers because they were her children. But what about Liu Che? Who did he truly hold in his heart? She could not fathom a man who could kill his own children.
The ancient texts were not without stories of sons killing fathers or fathers killing sons, but she had always read them as mere history. To have such a person by her side was what truly made her blood run cold.
***
A few days passed. Since the winter tour had been postponed, Liu Che gradually found himself with more leisure time. He enjoyed summoning Consort Xing and Lady Yan to Yunguang Hall, patting the bellies of all three women one by one. Ajiao found it irritating and eventually kicked Consort Xing out.
Liu Che looked at Lady Yan, who remained silent nearby, and patted her hand, telling her to return to Jiuhua Hall first.
Since returning from the Shanglin Park, Yan Zheng had been arranged by Wei Zifu to live in Jiuhua Hall. As one of the three main halls of the Yeting, it was not far from Yunguang Hall.
Yan Zheng withdrew obediently, though she grew increasingly curious about her mother’s instructions. When she reached her third month of pregnancy, she was permitted to petition the Empress to invite her mother into the palace. Her mother had told her to use that opportunity to invite "Lady" Chen to Jiuhua Hall.
A few days ago, His Majesty had suddenly issued an edict ordering the entire palace to honor the Chen clan member as "Lady" (Niangniang), even holding a small banquet to celebrate. Yan Zheng did not understand why her mother wanted to meet Lady Chen for no apparent reason.
Inside the hall, Ajiao paced back and forth, an inexplicable sense of unease gnawing at her. She stroked her belly repeatedly, praying that the Great Deity of the Underworld, Lord Yunhe, would grant her some peace of mind.
Liu Che assumed Ajiao was simply in a bad mood due to her pregnancy. Recalling the Imperial Physician’s advice, he didn't pay it much mind and occupied himself with reading memorials.
At the hour of the Sheep, Yang Deyi suddenly burst in and fell to his knees. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The Marquis of Changping... the Marquis of Changping..."
Ajiao watched as the brush in Liu Che’s hand snapped in two.
"The Marquis of Changping is well!"
"What did you say?" Liu Che suspected he had misheard.
Catching his breath, Yang Deyi hurried to explain. "Early this morning, Princess Weichang suddenly went to the Marquis’s manor. She claimed to have found a divine life-saving pill. Ignoring Princess Royal Yangxin’s attempts to stop her, she fed it directly to the Marquis. By noon, the Marquis began to regain consciousness. The manor’s physicians have examined him; he is indeed recovering."
Liu Che stood up abruptly. Without a word to Ajiao, he headed outside. Startled and suspicious, Ajiao followed immediately, and no one moved to stop her.
When they arrived at the Marquis of Changping’s manor, a crowd had already gathered by Wei Qing’s bedside, many in tears. Even the Crown Prince was there.
Upon entering, Liu Che indeed saw Wei Qing awake, leaning against the headboard. At the sight of the Emperor, Wei Qing’s eyes reddened, though he was still unable to speak.
The Emperor stepped forward and grasped Wei Qing’s hand. For a long moment, sovereign and subject wept in silence, leaving the room hushed. Ajiao, however, slowly began to frown. Around Wei Qing, she sensed a faint, thin aura of blood and resentment—and it did not originate from Wei Qing himself.
After a long while, Liu Che wiped his tears and smiled. "Weichang, you are a good child."
Liu Qing walked to the bedside, knelt, and performed a solemn kowtow to Liu Che. "Daughter heard that my uncle was unwell and felt as though my very heart were burning. I spent the entire fortune of the Princess’s manor to find a divine medicine, and finally, I was able to save him."
Liu Che’s eyes lit up. "What divine medicine?"
Liu Qing replied, "It was someone I met by chance. He said that my uncle has exhausted himself for the Han Empire and performed great services. Heaven took pity on him and sent this person to save him."
"Then..." Liu Che felt his blood begin to boil, a flush of excitement appearing on his face.
Liu Qing bowed again. "Daughter also pleaded for my parents, but that person said my parents’ longevity exceeds my own. He said there was no need for me to ask, and then he departed."
Hearing this, Liu Che remained silent for a long time before laughing. "Since the immortal says my lifespan is still long, there is no rush. Weichang, you have shown great filial heart."
Ajiao pursed her lips. She noticed Liu Qing’s face was slightly pale. Despite her thick clothing hiding her waistline, her aura had become increasingly cold and detached.
Liu Che comforted Wei Qing for a few more moments before being invited by Liu Ying to sit in the main hall. Seeing Liu Qing step out, Ajiao used an excuse to follow her.
At three months, Ajiao’s belly was not yet prominent, but Wei Yuan was very cautious. Seeing Liu Qing standing on the bridge, Wei Yuan’s expression was complex. Although she now loathed Liu Qing to the extreme, the woman had, after all, saved her father’s life today.
Supported by a maid, Wei Yuan performed a deep bow to Liu Qing.
As Liu Qing looked at Wei Yuan, a flash of deep-seated resentment crossed her eyes. Her mother had used her uncle’s illness as an excuse to refuse to intercede with him on her behalf. Her brother was even more afraid of provoking their father at such a time, forcibly joining forces with their mother to confine her to her manor. If not for... she feared her child would have been lost.
Fortunately, her mother and brother did not yet know that her child had been forcibly preserved. Before she could even feel joy, she had heard that Wei Yuan was pregnant.
Liu Qing smiled tenderly and said, "Cousin, you are with child; there is no need for such formality."
Wei Yuan rose and said she was worried about her father and intended to return to care for him. Unexpectedly, Liu Qing blocked her path.
"I know Cousin has a grievance against me. Would you like to have a chat?"
"My father is gravely ill; this lowly woman has no heart for—"
"You know my child is gone, don't you?" Liu Qing smiled sorrowfully.
Wei Yuan was momentarily stunned; she had been at the Marquis’s manor and was unaware of this.
Liu Qing walked up to her and grabbed her wrist. "I know Cousin has grown distant because of Junzhuo. But your elder sister did not do it on purpose. Junzhuo and I were simply... unable to restrain our feelings."
Wei Yuan’s face turned pale. She tried to leave, but her wrist was held in a death grip. She forcibly shook her off and said, "Princess, watch your words! Junzhuo is my husband. How could he and the Princess—"
"Ah!"
"Princess!" The lakeshore suddenly fell into chaos.
Wei Yuan stared blankly at Liu Qing, who had fallen into the water. The maid beside Liu Qing knelt on the ground, wailing, "Why did the young mistress push my Princess? My Princess just saved the Marquis’s life! Master Chen, save my Princess!"
Watching her husband jump into the water without a second thought, swimming urgently toward the other woman, Wei Yuan nearly collapsed.
Ajiao had been standing under the corridor behind them, hidden by the foliage. She stepped forward immediately, kicked the wailing maid over, and barked, "Nonsense! I saw it clearly. The Princess lost her footing and fell from the bridge herself. What does it have to do with the Second Young Mistress Chen?"
The commotion drew Liu Che’s attention, and he sent men out to inquire.
Liu Qing was carried ashore by Chen Chuo. She clutched his clothes and cried, "It hurts... my stomach... save our... save the child..." The winter water was freezing, and a pool of red began to spread beneath Liu Qing.
On the other side, Liu Che, who had come out upon hearing his daughter had fallen, heard her words clearly. The Crown Prince was horrified and immediately knelt, not daring to lift his head.
Chen Chuo abruptly dropped Liu Qing, his voice cold. "Princess, do not speak such nonsense." He looked at Wei Yuan, saw her swaying on her feet, and hurried over to hold her, though he hesitated to touch her lest his wet clothes make her catch a cold.
Liu Che’s joyful mood vanished instantly. With a frozen face, he returned to the main hall.
The Emperor sat while everyone else stood. Liu Qing’s maid wept as she recounted how the Princess and Chen Chuo had met, how she had become pregnant, and how Wei Yuan had pushed her.
Ajiao walked to the side of the ice-cold Liu Che, took his hand, and shouted at the maid, "Master Chen is the husband of the Wei daughter. The Princess is her cousin. Would Princess Weichang truly degrade herself to seduce her cousin’s husband? It is clear this servant is speaking utter nonsense."
Liu Che tried to pull his hand away, but Ajiao held on tight, forcing him to let her sit right beside him.
Ajiao then said, "Chen Chuo, speak!"
Chen Chuo performed a respectful salutation and knelt straight-backed. "What this maid says is truly laughable to my ears. She speaks with certainty, yet every word is a lie. The Princess’s pregnancy has absolutely nothing to do with me. This woman slanders a subject as disloyal and accuses a Princess of being unrighteous. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly."
The Emperor remained silent. The Crown Prince, concerned only with pleading for his sister, couldn't help but curse Chen Chuo a few times. The noise in the hall reached Wei Qing’s ears, and he sent someone to ask what was happening.
Liu Qing’s soft sobbing drifted in from the side. A physician came to report: the Princess’s three-month pregnancy was gone.
Wisps of blue smoke rose from the gold-inlaid Boshan censer. In the next moment, Liu Che hurled it, striking Chen Chuo and leaving him with a bloodied head.
Chen Chuo’s body swayed, but he remained firm. "I am innocent. I beg Your Majesty to investigate."
Liu Che nearly hissed through gritted teeth, "Do you not value your life?"
Wei Yuan knelt down in tears, wanting to plead for him, but she was held back by Wei Kang, who covered her mouth.
Liu Ying then spoke, "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the Empress’s family and the Marquis of Changping’s manor, as well as the reputation of the Imperial Family. It is not wise to reach a conclusion too hastily."
Just then, Liu Qing, supported by her maid and ignoring the physician’s attempts to stop her, ran out from the side chamber. Her face was deathly pale as she pleaded for Chen Chuo, her wet hair clinging to her back. "Imperial Father, I beg you not to make things difficult for Junzhuo. I beg of you."
Liu Ying’s expression was hideous as he barked at the servants, "Why haven't you taken the Princess back yet?"
Liu Qing clung to Liu Che’s leg, crying, "Imperial Father, I beg you. I ask for nothing else. I beg you..."
"Princess, do not speak such lies!" Chen Chuo was so angry his eyes were red.
Liu Qing gave him a sorrowful look and continued to wail, "Imperial Father, I know I have made things difficult for you. I am willing to give up everything. I want no title, nor do I want Junzhuo to divorce my cousin. I only ask that you..."
Ajiao watched as Liu Che kicked Liu Qing away. She fell limply to the floor, staring at her father in utter disbelief.
For a moment, no one dared to speak.
"The Princess has fallen into the water and is speaking nonsense in her illness. Take her back immediately," Ajiao seized the opportunity to say. Seeing that the Emperor did not object, the attendants finally dared to step forward and carry Liu Qing out.
Ajiao smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the winter is cold. Women often suffer from blockages of the *tiankui*; under sudden shock, it is common for it to be discharged all at once. Physician, is that not so? The physicians in the Marquis’s manor are not specialists in women’s ailments; it is only natural for them to make a mistake in a moment of haste. The Princess’s feverish words cannot be trusted, and this wicked maid’s attempt to frame her master is even less credible. What does Your Majesty think? Why not have the physician re-examine the Princess?"
Liu Che looked at Ajiao for a moment, then nodded. The physician, looking as if a heavy burden had been lifted, hurried to the side chamber. He returned shortly after and said, "The Princess indeed suffers from a cold constitution, which caused a blockage of her *tiankui*. This subject is guilty of a misdiagnosis that damaged the Princess’s reputation. I await Your Majesty’s punishment."
Liu Che’s expression softened slightly. He dismissed the physician with a reprimand and scolded everyone in the hall. He ordered the Crown Prince to take Liu Qing back to her own manor and commanded that all of Liu Qing’s personal attendants be beaten to death for failing to look after her. After visiting Wei Qing once more and offering a few words of instruction, he hurriedly returned to the palace.
In the carriage, Liu Che looked coldly at Ajiao. "Did you also know about this?"
Ajiao nodded. "I had heard some rumors."
Liu Che swept everything off the small table in a fit of rage. After several heavy breaths, he said, "No wonder Wei Qing asked for a peerage for Wei Yuan in front of everyone the other day. Hmph. If today’s events were to spread, the people of the world would think a Princess of the Great Han Imperial Family was bullying the descendant of a loyal official. Truly..." He looked as if he wanted to kick his useless daughter to death.
Ajiao said cautiously, "It is natural for a Princess to feel lonely in her chambers. But I do not believe Chen Chuo would have an affair with her. Chen Chuo is not a fool; he is married to Wei Qing’s daughter. There is no need for him to provoke Your Majesty’s Princess..."
"But Wei Qing is dying. Perhaps Chen Chuo had a change of heart."
"Your Majesty is mistaken. If he had a change of heart because of Wei Qing’s illness, the pregnancy wouldn't be three months along. Why not... have Huang Yu go to the Princess’s manor to oversee the executions? If any words are spoken, he can report them to Your Majesty immediately."
"Hmph, do I need you to remind me?" Liu Che snorted coldly.
Ajiao lifted the curtain and looked out. Indeed, Huang Yu was nowhere to be seen. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty is always thorough. It is best to settle this matter quickly. Now that Wei Qing’s health is improving, we must not let the petty grievances of children ruin the bond between sovereign and subject."
Liu Che looked up, pinched Ajiao’s chin, and pulled her into his arms. "What do you mean by that? Everything the Wei family has was given by me. Do I have to worry about Wei Qing’s reaction?"
Ajiao was bewildered. What was wrong with this old man? When had she ever suggested such a thing?
Liu Che released her and sighed. "Zhongqing played me for a fool... unfortunately, he didn't die!"
***
**Glossary**
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