Ah Jiao did not wake until nearly the end of the hour of the Snake the following day. Upon waking, she noticed a fluctuation in the message-transmitting paper. Opening it, she found a query from Lin Gao asking whether he should purchase a residence in the city.
He explained it was one of Chen Xuan’s properties in Jianyang-li, roughly twenty units in size. Without summoning her attendants, Ah Jiao hopped out of bed and ground some ink to reply: *Buy it. Why wouldn't you? The location is excellent, the size is decent, and most importantly, it’s cheap!*
In Chang’an, the residences in the elite districts near the North Gate were the most expensive, though most were bestowed by the Emperor himself. Next in prestige were the neighborhoods of Xuanping and Qi-li. Among the remaining districts, a house in Jianyang-li was considered quite costly, as they were all detached, private estates.
Although she wasn't intimately familiar with current property values in Chang’an, she vaguely recalled hearing her mother mention at Longmen Palace that she had spent four or five hundred thousand coins to buy a property for one of Chen Xu’s sons. Clearly, real estate was not cheap.
Furthermore, she had recently purchased shops in the Eastern and Western Markets, each costing several hundred thousand coins. Twenty-five hundred thousand was an absolute bargain!
As her brush left the paper, she performed a quick hand seal, and the message vanished. Half a quarter-hour later, Lin Gao replied: *Great minds think alike!*
Ah Jiao: "..."
Tucking the paper away, Ah Jiao summoned her palace maids. Yu Li was absent, so Mian Fu and Nan Ke led the junior maids into the room.
Ah Jiao observed Mian Fu for a moment before realization dawned. "Mian Fu, it seems your parents and brother have returned to Chang’an. I’ll grant you a day’s leave; go back and see them."
Mian Fu was overcome with surprise, hardly daring to believe her ears.
Ah Jiao smiled. "Your brother took advantage of the La Festival to return to the capital and deliver paper to His Majesty. I heard he arrived some time ago. Go ask Yu Li for the formal leave, and just remember to return to the palace by evening."
The young girl finally broke into a series of joyful bows before attempting to wash Ah Jiao’s face. Ah Jiao laughingly pushed her away. "That’s enough, no need to serve me. Hurry along! I’m not short of help here; Nan Ke is with me."
Despite her repeated protests, Mian Fu could not win against Ah Jiao’s insistence and eventually withdrew.
Once Ah Jiao was dressed and groomed, a young eunuch arrived to announce the Emperor’s arrival.
Walking toward Jiexing Hall, Ah Jiao noticed that her bedchamber indeed had a new door. She stared at it quite openly.
Liu Che, entering from the gateway, was not annoyed. He walked over and supported Ah Jiao as they entered the hall.
The Food Intendant set out the dishes and stood aside.
Ah Jiao took two bites before suddenly remembering something. "Are there to be rewards for the paper-making workshop this time?" she asked.
Liu Che picked up a piece of dried fish and countered, "You ask about rewards before even asking how they performed?"
Ah Jiao huffed twice. "I saw that paper yesterday. It’s better than the last batch!"
The Emperor took a spoonful of sturgeon glue and lotus seed jelly before speaking. "I compared the two batches of paper; there is indeed great progress. I intend to rename the Paper-making Workshop to the Paper-making Bureau. This time, the Bureau Chief will be granted one hundred thousand coins, the Assistant five thousand, and the other ranks will be reduced by half accordingly."
"Oh? Tonifying the kidneys and replenishing essence... Has Your Majesty been feeling quite 'depleted' lately?"
Liu Che: "???"
"Tsk, it seems that without the Red Pearl, you really have aged!" Ah Jiao shook her head and sighed performatively, then finally began to enjoy her lunch with gusto.
Beside them, the palace attendants kept their heads pressed low. The Food Intendant felt like weeping; it was just a simple, ordinary, daily medicinal dish—how had it become proof of His Majesty’s aging and lack of physical stamina in Lady Chen’s mouth?
Liu Che set his bowl down, his gaze cutting like a knife across the Food Intendant’s form for several moments before he resumed eating.
***
Having eaten her fill, Ah Jiao decided to take a walk to aid digestion, which also provided an opportunity to visit Yan Zheng and Lord Yunhe.
Liu Che was originally reluctant to go out, but he reflected that he hadn't checked on the child in Yan Meiren’s womb for some time and decided to go see his son.
Yan Zheng had also just finished her midday meal. She was huddled by a brazier with Yuan Yi and Bi Luo, sewing small clothes for the baby.
By her own calculations, the child would likely be born between the fourth and fifth months. Although the Weaving House had begun preparing the infant's wardrobe as soon as her pregnancy was confirmed, she wanted to make something with her own hands.
If it weren't for the fact that the palace was a place of hidden agendas, she would have even liked to follow folk customs and make a "hundred-family robe" or a "hundred-family quilt" for the child.
Before she could finish embroidering the character for "Longevity" in the "Five Blessings Surrounding Longevity" pattern, a palace attendant reported that the Emperor and Lady Chen had arrived.
The three were startled. Yuan Yi hurried to help Yan Zheng stand while Bi Luo checked her appearance. Because she hadn't left her quarters for days, Yan Zheng was dressed very simply.
Meeting them at the door, Yan Zheng knelt to pay her respects, but Ah Jiao hurried forward to support her. She took the chance to pat the woman’s increasingly rounded belly. At five months, it was starting to look quite intimidating.
Liu Che watched coldly as Ah Jiao acted with great warmth toward Yan Zheng, showing not a hint of jealousy.
The three entered the hall, and attendants served hot drinks.
The Emperor took a sip of hot water and began to inquire about Yan Zheng’s recent condition.
No illness, good appetite, excellent complexion!
Ah Jiao nodded repeatedly, feeling quite relieved. She wondered if it was because Lord Yunhe was an immortal soul in human form; unlike other women in the palace who were sick for three days and sighing for five during pregnancy, Yan Zheng had been healthy and lively throughout, save for a period of severe morning sickness earlier on.
They spoke with Yan Zheng for a good while and bestowed many gifts. It was only when Yan Zheng began to show signs of fatigue that the couple departed.
Since Yunguang Hall and Jiuhua Hall were close by, the two walked with their attendants. The palace paths were somewhat slick, so Liu Che held Ah Jiao’s arm to prevent her from slipping.
They were walking very close when Ah Jiao heard the Emperor’s voice again: "Jiaojiao, let us have a child."
"Why are you bringing this up again?" How many days had it been, and he still wasn't tired of it?
Liu Che held her hand, their cold fingertips touching as he felt the woman’s smooth skin.
Ah Jiao leaned toward his ear and whispered, "Setting aside whether I *can* conceive, even if this body gives birth, it would be the child of you and Chen Wan, not mine."
The Emperor’s eyes widened.
Ah Jiao sighed. She was already a ghost. According to the records of the Underworld, aside from Lord Yunhe—who was a half-human, half-ghost being born from a biological mother—all ghosts were either formed from the chaos of the Yin Realm or were mortal ghosts created after death.
She had once wondered if her mother and Lord Shen might have a child, but upon reflection, she knew it was a pipe dream.
A child... in this life, or the next, she feared she had no hope.
Ah Jiao grew sorrowful. Such was life; one always lamented the experiences one could never have.
Beside her, Liu Che also fell silent.
The two walked toward Yunguang Hall in silence.
***
Before the Emperor departed for his southern inspection tour, he took the Crown Prince for a visit to the residence of the Marquis of Changping. First, he expressed concern for Wei Qing’s health, then he entrusted him: "The Crown Prince is young to be overseeing the state; the Grand Marshal must help him deliberate on all matters."
Wei Qing prostrated himself, claiming he was unworthy of such a heavy task.
A few days after returning to the palace, the Emperor entrusted the affairs of the Changxin Shaofu to the Wei clan, and Empress Wei also prostrated herself to accept the command.
On an auspicious day chosen by the Grand Diviner, the Emperor’s southern inspection carriage train departed the capital in a grand procession along the central Imperial Highway.
Wei Zifu, the Crown Prince, and Wei Qing saw them off outside the city, with the princesses and officials standing behind them.
"Imperial Mother, allow your son to escort you back," Liu Ju said, supporting Wei Zifu once the Emperor’s carriage had disappeared into the distance.
The three walked slowly toward the Empress’s carriage. The Master of the Carriage had already prepared the footstool. The Grand Prolocutor and the Crown Prince supported Wei Zifu on either side as she boarded the carriage, while the Palace Administrator stood behind her, holding the hem of her robes.
Only after Liu Ju had escorted her back to the Hall of Cascading Incense did Wei Zifu let out a soft sigh.
Liu Mu and Liu Mo, the two sisters, sat on either side of Wei Zifu and asked, "Imperial Mother, why do you sigh?"
Wei Zifu lamented, "In previous years when your Imperial Father went on tour, whether they were Ladies or Palace Ladies, he would always select many to accompany him. But this time, he took only Chen Wan."
Liu Ju was dismissive. "Imperial Mother, no matter how favored Chen Wan is, she has no son. What is there to fear? Instead of watching Chen Wan, we should pay more attention to Xing Ronghua of Huicao Hall. She is already raising Liu Bo; if she has another, it will be trouble."
Princess Yangshi, Liu Mu, agreed. "My brother is right. No matter how favored Chen Wan is, the Chen family is dependent on our Wei family; they are not a threat. I also feel we must guard against Xing Ronghua. She is seven months pregnant and will give birth in two months. If it’s a prince, things will be truly difficult to handle."
She sighed. "Liu Bo’s birth mother, Lady Li, was originally favored by Imperial Father. Fortunately, she was not blessed with a long life, otherwise, who knows what the state of this palace would be!"
Princess Zhuyi, Liu Mo, added, "Indeed, Imperial Father has praised Liu Bo’s intelligence more than once." She glanced at Liu Ju as she spoke.
Wei Zifu then asked the Crown Prince, "I heard that the study companions the Emperor asked you to choose for Liu Bo were all replaced?"
A flash of anger and grievance appeared on Liu Ju’s face. He replied, "I chose two, both sons of Marquises, but Imperial Father replaced them both, saying they were lazy. Imperial Father even rebuked me for it, saying I was an unkind elder brother."
"How did that happen?" Wei Zifu frowned.
"I do not know. My subordinates looked into it and said Imperial Father went to check Liu Bo’s lessons and saw the companions dozing off in front of the tutor. He was displeased and asked a few questions, and the tutor claimed those two were often like that despite constant reprimands. Imperial Father was furious and replaced them!"
Wei Zifu was silent for a moment before she couldn't help but scold, "Then why did you choose them in the first place?"
Liu Ju lowered his eyes. "I tested their lessons one by one. I chose the four who were most literate and articulate. Two were given to Jin’er, and two to Liu Bo. Who knew they would act like that?"
Wei Zifu could only sigh. "Those two children were disappointing and ended up implicating you!"
After asking about Liu Yong’s recent situation, Wei Zifu dismissed the children.
Although he had been rebuked by the Emperor, Liu Ju was generally in a good mood because he was now the Regent!
Furthermore... Consort Chen was pregnant! And previously at the Shanglin Park, his Imperial Father had only selected two from the newly entered Palace Ladies for himself, then bestowed eight upon Liu Ju, leaving the rest for the Empress to distribute among the various halls.
Among those eight Palace Ladies was one surnamed Li, a Middle Palace Lady. He heard she was the daughter of Li Gan. She had a fair face and full cheeks, a high nose and delicate sideburns, a slender waist, and a voluptuous figure. He had favored her once and found the experience most exquisite.
In a few days, once Consort Chen’s pregnancy reached three months, he would bring them both to see his Imperial Mother.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
建阳里 | Jianyang-li | A residential district in Chang'an.
北阙甲第 | North Gate Residences | The most elite housing area in Chang'an, near the palace.
宣平 | Xuanping | A prestigious district in Chang'an.
戚里 | Qi-li | A district in Chang'an, traditionally where relatives of the imperial family lived.
造纸属 | Paper-making Bureau | The upgraded official department for paper production (formerly a workshop).
鱼鲞 | Dried fish | A type of preserved fish.
鳇鱼胶 | Sturgeon glue | Also known as isinglass, used in traditional medicinal cooking.
捷星殿 | Jiexing Hall | Ah Jiao's current residence.
云光殿 | Yunguang Hall | A palace hall.
九华殿 | Jiuhua Hall | A palace hall.
长信少府 | Changxin Shaofu | The office/official managing the Empress Dowager's palace affairs.
惠草殿 | Huicao Hall | The residence of Lady Xing (Xing Ronghua).
刑容华 | Xing Ronghua | A concubine of the rank Ronghua.
李婕妤 | Lady Li (Jieyu) | The late Lady Li, mother of Liu Bo.
陈孺子 | Consort Chen (Ruzi) | A concubine of the Crown Prince (rank Ruzi).
中家人子 | Middle Palace Lady | A specific rank of palace woman/concubine.
李敢 | Li Gan | A historical figure, son of Li Guang.
