Brushing away the hand that was wandering over her body, A'jiao continued to dwell on her own thoughts. Liu Che, however, refused to behave. Even after washing up, a faint scent of wine still clung to him.
"Your Majesty—" Annoyed by the pestering, A'jiao couldn't help but draw out her words in a groan.
"A'jiao, Jiaojiao!" Liu Che’s body was radiating heat as he leaned in to kiss her neck. Since returning from Shanglin Park, he had not summoned any concubines for a month, spending every day by A'jiao's side.
Perhaps stirred by the provocations earlier that evening, a fire burned within him. The delicate, lingering fragrance of that unique incense seemed to haunt his senses. Now, with A'jiao wearing only her sleeping robes, her snowy neck and pale skin were exposed like fine jade, glowing with a soft luster that begged to be admired.
A'jiao sat up and pushed Liu Che a good distance away, frowning. "I see Your Majesty is quite restless tonight. Why not go elsewhere to extinguish your fire?"
Liu Che pulled her back into his arms. "No need." After a moment of silence, he asked, "How many months has it been?"
A'jiao’s heart skipped a beat before she steadied herself. "A little over a month. Not quite two."
Liu Che nodded with a smile. "In another two months, the pregnancy will be stable. Then, I shall simply wait for our child."
A'jiao gave a faint smile. "Indeed. But why is Your Majesty so... tonight? Could it be..." She trailed off, watching him as his smiling expression gradually turned grim.
"Summon the Imperial Physicians!" Liu Che barked.
The Emperor’s midnight summons startled the two physicians on duty. Trembling with trepidation, they arrived at Yun-guang Hall to find the palace brightly lit. A young eunuch led them into the inner bedchamber. One layer of curtains had been drawn back, but a second set of floor-length brocade hangings with diamond-cloud patterns remained down. The physicians could vaguely discern a figure behind them; they caught only a glimpse before hastily lowering their heads.
The Emperor sat on a couch covered in thick tiger fur and plush velvet, draped in a fox-fur cloak. Beside him stood a charcoal brazier burning brightly. After the physicians performed their salutations, the Emperor impatiently extended his hand.
After a meticulous pulse reading, one physician reported honestly, "Your Majesty drank heavily today, causing a surge in your blood and qi. Aside from that, there is nothing amiss."
Liu Che frowned. "I am so restless tonight that I cannot sleep. Could someone have used some... illicit substance?"
The physicians were alarmed and performed another careful examination. After whispering together for a moment, they confirmed, "To answer Your Majesty, there is truly nothing wrong... It is simply that Your Majesty is in the prime of health, with vigorous blood and qi. It is only natural to have... certain desires."
A soft chuckle sounded from behind the curtains. Liu Che’s face flushed red. He kicked the two physicians aside, threw back the curtain, and stepped inside, shouting furiously toward the outside, "Get out!"
A'jiao sat on the edge of the bed, covering her mouth as she laughed. Liu Che walked over and pinched her cheek, his embarrassment turning into anger. "Laughing? What the hell are you laughing at!"
A'jiao tried to pry his hand away. "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. How can you speak such vulgarities?"
"What are you going to do about it!" Liu Che snorted, pushing A'jiao down onto the bed. "Did you hear that? My 'desires' are perfectly normal human nature." As he spoke, he began to tug at his robes. A'jiao rolled to the side, but Liu Che pinned her down.
"Wait, wait, wait! Your Majesty, I admit I was wrong."
Liu Che wouldn't let go. A'jiao’s eyes darted around before she was struck by a sudden inspiration. "This servant was wrong, Master..." Before she could finish, her mouth was covered.
"Where did you learn such words?" Liu Che roared. The mere memory of *that* night made him feel a phantom ache and a wave of unease.
"I heard someone else say it," A'jiao lied through her teeth.
Liu Che gave her a rough squeeze before finally letting go and lying down on his own.
A'jiao leaned over with a giggle. "But I heard those words from Your Majesty."
Liu Che grew wary. "When did I ever say that?"
"When Your Majesty was dreaming at night. Tsk, tsk. You said quite a lot of foul things. I truly wonder where Your Majesty learned them."
Liu Che caught A'jiao’s foot as she playfully kicked at him. He turned on his side and muttered, "None of your business." Then he rolled over again, a mischievous thought occurring to him. "If you're so capable, why don't you repeat my sleep-talk back to me, word for word?"
A'jiao burrowed back into her own quilt, huffing, "Bah! Such filthy talk—you might be able to say it, but I certainly can't." As Liu Che grew older, he didn't just snore; he also liked to toss the blankets and kick in his sleep. During those days at Shanglin Park, she would often wake up in the middle of the night to find her blankets gone, the old Emperor’s foot resting on the small of her back while he was sprawled out like a starfish.
How had she never noticed he had so many bad habits before? Upon returning to Chang'an, A'jiao had insisted on sleeping with separate quilts.
In the past two days, Zhongyu had come to see her again, saying he had consulted the City God. The consensus was that the identity of "Chen A'jiao" was the most suitable for their future plans, so she shouldn't think about seeking death. A'jiao had no choice but to endure her time in Yun-guang Hall.
She had exchanged another letter with Lin Gao, informing him of the truth regarding Liu Che’s recent restlessness and insomnia. Lin Gao had listed four shops in Chang'an, detailing their locations and prices for A'jiao to choose from. He also suggested a theory: perhaps because the Emperor had already taken Li Yan in history after the "Song of the Great Beauty," but hadn't done so now, his desires had no outlet, causing him to disturb A'jiao’s sleep night after night.
At the end, he added a few lines: *Your Grace could use this opportunity to test it. Let Liu Che find any woman to sleep with and see if the situation improves. If it does, it means His Majesty is simply lustful. If not, it might be that history has decreed that the legendary Lady Li, Li Yan, must receive his favor. This is the 'Historical Halo.'*
A'jiao stared at the silk cloth for a long time. With a wave of her hand, she decided to buy all four shops, then tossed the silk into the charcoal brazier.
That evening, when Liu Che arrived at Yun-guang Hall followed by eunuchs carrying a load of bamboo slips, the main gates of Jiexing Hall were closed, though the lights inside were still burning. Yuli bowed to the Emperor at the entrance and said, "Her Grace is feeling unwell. She requests that Your Majesty go elsewhere."
Closed doors, lights on, "feeling unwell." This was a well-known method of "avoiding favor" that had circulated in the palace for years. Usually, it was used by highly favored consorts to display their "virtue." Typically, a personal maid would then offer a few hints to the Emperor, suggesting he visit a specific location.
Liu Che found this novel. He had the eunuchs carry the bamboo slips back to Wenshi Hall and rested nearby for a while. Even after Yang Deyi had replaced his honey water three times, not a single person emerged from Jiexing Hall to bring him a message.
*I suppose I've made things difficult for her,* Liu Che thought with a sigh. He eventually left, deciding to visit Consort Yan at the nearby Jiuhua Hall. Liu Che didn't have much of an impression of Consort Yan, only remembering her as steady and submissive. As for her looks, she was unremarkable within the harem.
Now three months pregnant, Yan Zheng had recently begun suffering from severe morning sickness. She couldn't stand even the slightest odor, which was why she had declined the Xiayuan banquet. Yun-guang Hall had sent over several types of dried sour dates and apricots, but they only slightly suppressed her nausea.
She wasn't the only one living in Jiuhua Hall. When the announcement of the Emperor’s arrival reached the Hall of Heart-Binding, Yan Zheng had just finished vomiting and was in a daze. The two palace maids by her side were friends from her days as a palace candidate. Hearing the commotion outside, they quickly cleaned the room and opened the windows to air it out.
The Hall of Heart-Binding—A'jiao had thought the name sounded pleasant, so Liu Che had renamed the side hall where Consort Yan resided. Liu Che supported Yan Zheng as they went inside and sat across from each other to chat.
The Yan woman was gentle. She had been in the palace for four years and was eighteen this year. Had she not been lucky enough to receive favor a few months ago, she would have been content to wait quietly in the palace for a chance to be "bestowed out."
Talking with her was pleasant enough. Liu Che sampled the pastries in the Hall of Heart-Binding while leaning against a soft pillow. Yan Zheng had read a few books, but she hadn't studied as deeply as a man; she could answer his questions, but her insights were not exceptional.
After talking for a while, Yan Zheng felt another wave of nausea. She didn't dare be rude in front of the Emperor, so she hurried to the other side of the room to retch quietly. Despite her efforts, a faint, sour smell wafted through the room.
Liu Che sat up straight, offered a few words of comfort, and walked out. Only once he reached the door did he slightly cover his nose.
"Mistress! Don't be sad!" Yuanyi supported Yan Zheng while Biluo wiped the corners of her mouth. Yan Zheng stared blankly at the patterned Western Regions carpet beneath her feet. She smiled faintly and said, "There's nothing to be sad about."
Sitting in his imperial carriage, Liu Che thought that since he had visited the Yan woman, he might as well see the Xing woman. She was already five months pregnant. Before the trip to Shanglin Park, Xing Ronghua had been favored for a time, but since he brought A'jiao back, he hadn't visited her once—and for some reason, A'jiao didn't seem to like the Xing woman.
The lights were still burning in Huicao Hall. Princess Run and the Fifth Prince were already asleep, but Xing Ronghua was still under the lamp with Suoyue, making clothes for the baby.
Seeing this, Liu Che hurried over and said, "You are carrying a child; how can you tire yourself like this? Leave such things to the Weaving Chamber."
Xing Ronghua smiled. "This concubine simply feels that as a mother, I can only be at peace if I have a hand in it myself."
Liu Che nodded and asked about the two children’s recent well-being. Xing Ronghua answered everything with a smile. As the sound of the water clock echoed, a hint of shyness appeared on her face. She asked softly, "Will Your Majesty be staying here tonight?"
Liu Che looked at her protruding belly and shook his head. "I won't stay. There are still government affairs to handle at Wenshi Hall." With that, he walked out.
Leaving Huicao Hall, Liu Che ordered a direct return to Wenshi Hall.
The path from the inner palace to Wenshi Hall passed a small pond filled with various koi fish. Lanterns were placed along the bank, creating a beautiful night scene. Not far from the pond was the Plum Garden; now that it was winter, it was the only place where blossoms still flourished.
Liu Che had his attendants detour to the Plum Garden. He stepped off his carriage, selected a branch of red plum, and snapped it off with his own hands, instructing a middle eunuch to deliver it to Yun-guang Hall.
Suddenly, the sound of young women laughing reached his ears. The palace maids and eunuchs immediately moved to shield the Emperor.
"Who goes there?" Yang Deyi barked.
Several lanterns appeared among the plum trees. A group of girls, protecting a plain silk lantern, emerged swaying from behind the trees. They offered a soft, gentle greeting: "May Your Majesty enjoy longevity without limit."
The girl in the lead, her face clearly illuminated by the lantern, was Li Yan.
Her beautiful eyes were like shimmering pools. Liu Che smiled as he saw them carrying several cloth bags. "What are you doing here so late at night?"
Li Yan bowed her head and replied, "My sisters and I were bored tonight, so we thought we would come out to pick some plum blossoms to make sachets." As she spoke, she stepped forward, her snowy, jade-like hands holding up a brocade sachet embroidered with butterflies and flowers.
Liu Che picked it up and sniffed it, praising, "It indeed smells more pleasant than those filled with spices. You are quite ingenious."
The beauty smiled bashfully. "It is merely a trifle I thought of on a whim. Your Majesty overpraises me."
"Then... may I have this one?"
Li Yan looked up in surprise, her face lighting up with joy. "If Your Majesty finds it worthy, it is this concubine's blessing."
The moonlight was cold, mingling with the candlelight from the lanterns to spill over Li Yan's face. Liu Che couldn't help but reach out and touch her. A faint pink hue appeared on her delicate skin.
The others dared not speak; only the north wind wailed. Liu Che withdrew his hand, feeling a slight sense of trepidation. In this setting, it felt like a regret not to do something, yet if he did, he felt he would be betraying A'jiao, who was sleeping alone in Yun-guang Hall.
A'jiao...
Liu Che felt the fire in his body half-extinguished. Only after visiting Jiuhua Hall and Huicao Hall did he realize, in hindsight, that A'jiao seemed to have been avoiding him lately—at least, avoiding his intimacy.
When he tried to hold her, she always had an excuse of being unwell. She wouldn't let him touch her, and she even avoided his kisses.
Liu Che spoke, "If you encountered someone you liked, and they wanted to be close to you, would you avoid them?"
Li Yan was stunned for a moment, her face flushing a deep red. She lowered her head, her voice as sweet as thick honey. "This servant's heart belongs to Your Majesty... naturally, I would not."
Liu Che nodded and returned to his carriage, muttering to himself, "That's what I thought."
And besides, A'jiao had been afraid of him these past few days!
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 避宠 | Avoiding favor | A tactic used by consorts to decline the Emperor's sexual attention, often to show virtue or for personal reasons. |
| 历史光环 | Historical Halo | A modern term (plot armor/historical destiny) used by the transmigrator contact. |
| 捷星殿 | Jiexing Hall | Star-Catching Hall; A'jiao's specific residence within the palace complex. |
| 九华殿 | Jiuhua Hall | Nine-Glory Hall; residence of Consort Yan. |
| 绾心堂 | Hall of Heart-Binding | The specific name given to Consort Yan's side hall. |
| 惠草殿 | Huicao Hall | Gracious Grass Hall; residence of Consort Xing. |
| 容华 | Ronghua | A mid-level rank for an imperial consort. |
| 赐出 | Bestowed out | The act of releasing palace women to be married off to officials or commoners. |
| 愿如意 | Yuan Ruyi | "May Your Heart's Desires be Fulfilled"; the name of the new incense. |
| 下元 | Xiayuan | A traditional festival (the 15th day of the 10th lunar month). |
| 润公主 | Princess Run | Liu Che's daughter with Consort Xing. |
| 五皇子 | Fifth Prince | Liu Che's son with Consort Xing. |
