After relaying the matter of Lin Gao to Lord Shen Zhi, A'Jiao saw off her mother and stepfather before slowly lying back down. To her surprise, the person beside her opened his eyes the moment she moved.
"What time is it?" Liu Che asked, his voice thick with sleep.
"It’s just the fifth watch. Sleep a little longer." A'Jiao patted Liu Che’s back and rolled over to face the wall.
She wasn't blind to her mother’s intentions; the Princess hoped she would use this opportunity to mend her relationship with Liu Che so that he might eventually agree to let her stay in "Yidu."
However, Liu Che was hardly a virtuous man! Furthermore, if what Lin Gao said was true, Liu Che still had twenty years to live. Who knew what accidents might happen in those two decades?
Liu Che closed his eyes and lay back down, pulling A'Jiao into his arms. As he reached out, his hand brushed against the slightly cool bedding beside her. It didn't feel as though someone had been sleeping there all night.
"Did you not sleep last night?" he asked.
A'Jiao grumbled inwardly, *As an Emperor, can’t you stop paying attention to such trivial details?* but she only offered a soft "Mhm."
Liu Che sighed. "You shouldn't be like this. The Imperial Physician said your delusional malaise is mostly a psychological affliction, caused by pent-up brooding. When are you going to fix this habit of staying up night after night overthinking things? You aren't even that clever to begin with; you won't figure anything out. If this continues, you'll just go mad—I mean, fall ill. Don't do it again."
A'Jiao: "?" *How did you jump to all those conclusions? I wasn't even thinking about that much!*
Liu Che stroked her hair, coaxing her as if she were a small child.
A'Jiao was speechless. She waited until Liu Che fell asleep again before slowly closing her eyes.
By the time A'Jiao woke up again, the sun was high in the sky. She let out a yawn and stretched beneath the covers. The charcoal in the brazier had already been replaced with fresh embers.
"Mian Fu, Nan Ke," A'Jiao called out softly.
"Your Grace, you’re awake!" Mian Fu lifted the curtain and walked in, looking radiant with joy.
"Mhm. What were you all doing outside? Every one of you disappeared." A'Jiao’s cheeks were flushed from sleep as she kept her eyes closed, letting Mian Fu help her up.
Mian Fu laughed. "Your Grace, His Majesty issued an edict this morning. Everyone serving in this hall has been granted an extra month’s salary..." Her smile deepened as she continued, "He also bestowed upon Your Grace the newly made sweet osmanthus rice wine from the palace. They say it’s nourishing for the body, perfect for Your Grace to consume after the... miscarriage."
Palace maids filed in one after another, carrying basins and toiletries. After rinsing her mouth, A'Jiao smiled. "It’s just a jar of rice wine. Is it really worth all this excitement?"
"Your Grace, it’s different this time. Think about it—how long has it been since His Majesty visited Yunguang Hall? You have no idea what the people outside were saying!"
Extending her arms to let the maids dress her, A'Jiao said, "Let them talk. Tongues belong to others. Besides, even if His Majesty didn't come to Yunguang Hall for a dozen days, he stayed alone in Wengshi Hall. He didn't visit any other palace. What right do they have to laugh at us?"
Mian Fu thought about it and realized she was right, so she brightened up again and began chatting about other matters.
Once A'Jiao was dressed and groomed, Nan Ke led a line of young maids carrying lacquer trays into the room. Nan Ke placed her tray on the dining table and set a jade bowl of rice wine before A'Jiao. "Your Grace, this was made with sweet fermented rice paired with this autumn’s osmanthus, saffron, and goji berries. It was sealed for over half a month before being opened. Please, have a taste!"
A'Jiao took a bite, and indeed, the fragrance lingered on her palate.
After breakfast, A'Jiao thought about going for a walk. The snow had been getting heavier these past few days. Yan Zheng, fearing the slippery paths, hadn't dared to come out and talk to A'Jiao for nearly a week.
After lying in bed for days without even being able to play leaf cards, A'Jiao felt she would wither away if she didn't get some fresh air. Yet, before her foot could even clear the threshold, the palace servants knelt in a row, claiming the cold air was harmful and begging her to cherish her health and stay inside.
A'Jiao: "..." *I’m not a porcelain doll that shatters at a touch. Is this really necessary?*
She had only paced around the entrance twice when the Emperor’s messenger arrived, requesting her presence at Wengshi Hall for a brief chat. A'Jiao arched an eyebrow and boarded her palanquin.
Upon arriving at Wengshi Hall, Guo Dun was already waiting at the door. He led her inside to the Emperor’s bedchamber. Liu Che merely waved a hand, signaling for her to hide behind a floor screen embroidered with cranes and clouds.
A'Jiao felt a flicker of unease but followed his instructions, rounding the screen. Behind it, a red-wood tea table and a plush cushion had already been prepared for her.
As A'Jiao settled herself, footsteps echoed from outside.
"Your servant, Qiu Zhuang, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal joy without end!" A'Jiao heard a clear, resonant male voice.
Liu Che’s voice was deep and commanding. "Rise. Be seated."
After the rustle of robes, the man presumably sat down.
The osmanthus had bloomed well this year, and the palace had stored a great deal. After being washed and dried, it was now perfect for brewing tea. A faint floral scent drifted through the hall. Liu Che took a sip of water and said, "Regarding what you mentioned yesterday, I went to Yunguang Hall and asked some questions. What I found was vastly different from your claims. Tell me again, in detail."
Qiu Zhuang bowed slightly. "Understood. Your servant heard that when Your Majesty was hunting in Shanglin, you encountered Lady Chen of Yunguang Hall and showed her great favor. At the palace banquet a month ago, her pregnancy was confirmed. However, according to my calculations, Lady Chen’s pregnancy... was false!"
Liu Che relaxed his posture and leaned back. Through the curling steam rising from his jade cup, he watched Qiu Zhuang’s respectful and cautious expression.
"How can you be so certain?"
Qiu Zhuang prostrated himself. "I have calculated the destiny of the Chen family’s sixth daughter. Not only is she fated to be childless, but her life was destined to be cut short in her youth."
A'Jiao looked up, but she could only see the rows of immortal cranes and auspicious clouds embroidered on the silk screen. A hint of tension rose in her heart—Huan Jiujun was only a step away from becoming an Earth Immortal, yet even he couldn't see through her identity directly. What kind of ability did this Qiu Zhuang possess?
Liu Che placed his cup on the bluestone table and smiled. "Destined to die young? Are you saying that Lady Chen is already dead?"
"Your servant dares not make a definitive judgment!"
"But Lady Chen is alive and well, laughing and eating without any abnormality. How do you explain that?" Liu Che leaned against his armrest, his tone light and smiling. He didn't even glance toward the silk screen beside him.
Qiu Zhuang lowered his head, appearing even more subservient. He replied, "Your Majesty, I have heard that there are foul methods in this world for rebirth through soul-seizing, as well as evil arts that steal the lifespan of others to prolong one's own. To the casual observer, the practitioner appears no different from a normal person. However, over time, those close to them will be afflicted by the malevolence, wasting away until their health is ruined and their life is forfeit."
Liu Che’s smile faded. "Are you implying that my Lady Chen is a malevolent entity, here to harm me?"
"Your Majesty, this man is speaking utter nonsense." A powerful voice rang out from the doorway.
A'Jiao recognized it as Huan Jiujun’s voice and felt her heart settle.
Qiu Zhuang looked toward the door as two figures walked in slowly—one was Huan Jiujun, whom he recognized. As for the other, he thought for a moment before remembering it was Chu Haiguang, who had gained the Emperor’s trust over the past two years.
Liu Che lifted his eyelids. "So it is Master Huan and Master Chu. Sit."
The two thanked him and took their seats.
The moment he sat down, Huan Jiujun barked at Qiu Zhuang, "You claim His Majesty’s Lady Chen is a malevolent entity. Are you not implying that Master Chu and I are incompetent, unable to handle even such a trivial matter?"
Chu Haiguang also eyed Qiu Zhuang sideways, his expression quite unfriendly. Over the past two years, because of Huan Jiujun, the Emperor hadn't consulted him on everything. However, Master Huan had a free-spirited nature, disregarded social formalities, and didn't care for wealth, so the two of them actually got along quite well.
"That was not my intention," Qiu Zhuang frowned, cupping his hands in response.
Huan Jiujun huffed and turned to Liu Che. "No one knows Lady Chen’s origins better than Your Majesty. This man speaks wild words to frame a noble lady. I wonder what his true motives are?"
Qiu Zhuang was incensed, wondering how this Huan Jiujun had managed to arrive at Wengshi Hall at this exact moment. He suppressed his anger and replied, "Every word I speak is the truth. If Your Majesty does not believe me, I can perform a ritual to verify it!"
Liu Che finally sat up straight. "Truly?"
Qiu Zhuang replied with certainty, "Truly!"
Liu Che clapped his hands and turned to Chu Haiguang with a smile. "What does Master Chu think?"
Chu Haiguang surveyed the room calmly before replying, "Your Majesty, I believe it would be best to let this..."
"I am Qiu Zhuang."
"...to let this Mister Qiu and Master Huan perform their arts together to verify who is right and who is wrong." Chu Haiguang expressed his confidence in Huan Jiujun’s magic; he knew his own skills were far inferior to Huan’s.
Liu Che nodded. "I agree. Master Chu, go and divine an auspicious hour for the two of them to perform their arts and see who is superior."
Qiu Zhuang felt the phrase "see who is superior" was somewhat inappropriate, but he didn't dare argue. He could only bow and accept the command.
After the three men departed, A'Jiao refilled her cup with hot water. "This man claims he can see through my origins. Che'er, do you really think he didn't know I was right behind the screen?"
Liu Che stood up and walked around to sit opposite A'Jiao. Yang Deyi promptly replaced their drinks with fresh, hot ones.
Liu Che glanced at A'Jiao. "It doesn't matter." *Che'er?* He hadn't heard that name in a long time.
A'Jiao sipped the faint fragrance of osmanthus. "I found that sweet rice wine quite good today. What do you think?"
Liu Che nodded. "It’s acceptable."
A'Jiao chuckled softly. "You don't usually like sweets, but this rice wine is indeed good and healthy. You should try it more often."
"Jiaojiao, are you afraid?"
A'Jiao smiled elegantly. "My heart is upright; I have nothing to fear."
Liu Che’s eyes flickered as he smiled. "Seeing you so calm puts me at ease. Between Master Huan and that Qiu Zhuang, I trust Master Huan more. However, you are unique. Perhaps Qiu Zhuang’s cultivation is shallow and he couldn't see the truth of your fate, leading to a misunderstanding. I want to use this opportunity to see what he is truly capable of."
"Che'er’s thoughts are naturally wise." A'Jiao looked down at the tiny golden flowers floating on the surface of the water in her cup, finding them quite lovely.
***
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The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 110 | A Dangerous Accusation | Novela.app | Novela.app
