The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 129 | Times Have Changed | Novela.app

Ah Jiao had never returned to the Underworld on her own before, so she decided to find the local City God to ask for directions. Just as she stepped out of Dinghu Palace, she heard someone call her name. "Father Shen!" Ah Jiao exclaimed in pleasant surprise. Shen Zhi smiled and asked, "Are you heading toward the City God Temple?" "Indeed. I don't know the way back to the Underworld, so I thought I’d ask." Shen Zhi realized her predicament and said, "That is simple. I will teach you. Summon your official tablet, perform the Pathfinding Mudra, and focus your mind on the Underworld." Ah Jiao followed his instructions. The official tablet vibrated slightly and flew forward. It traveled less than a few feet before returning to circle around her. "I told you, the official tablet has many uses," Shen Zhi remarked. "You should experiment with it more; it is all in that book I gave you." Ah Jiao felt a flush of embarrassment. "I forgot for a moment. I will remember next time!" "Mm. Since you are going back, you should take the opportunity to report Yun He’s recent situation to Fei Kang and Yun Yue. Secondly, use the chance to see your mother." Ah Jiao’s face instantly lit up with joy. "Continue letting the tablet lead the way. See if you can find the Underworld." "Yes!" Ah Jiao continued to channel the spell, utilizing her Instant Stride technique to keep pace with the tablet. Shen Zhi flew behind her, observing her control over the magic. Practicing cultivation within a mortal coil was restrictive and consumed far more energy, but once freed from the flesh, casting spells became significantly smoother. Though the journey was a bit stumbling and required two or three breaks for Ah Jiao to recover her spiritual power, they eventually arrived accurately at the entrance to the Yellow Springs Road. The moment she stepped onto the Yellow Springs Road, Ah Jiao felt a weight lift from her soul. Looking back, she realized she had unknowingly detached from Chen Wan’s body. The physical form slumped to the ground, and A-su’s spirit tumbled out as well. Ah Jiao frowned. With a wave of Shen Zhi’s hand, Chen Wan’s body drifted upward and was gently leaned against a tree. "Let her stay here for now. A mortal body cannot walk the Yellow Springs Road or enter the Netherworld. As for this ghost, she must walk the path herself." Ah Jiao nodded repeatedly. Then, before she could even see what spell he had cast, a hideous, greenish-black beast emerged from the mist. It stopped before them and spoke in a human tongue: "Great One, what are your orders?" Shen Zhi pulled out a small bead and tossed it. The beast caught it in its maw and crunched it loudly. "We have business in the Underworld, but this mortal body cannot be taken inside. Guard it here for a while. Do not let any malevolent ghosts or monsters snatch it away." "Understood!" the beast replied briskly. Ah Jiao and Shen Zhi gave A-su a sharp command, and she began to wander onto the Yellow Springs Road. Only then did Ah Jiao follow Shen Zhi onto the path. she couldn't help but marvel, "So this is the beast that guards the Yellow Springs. Their race has no specific name; we usually just call them Yellow Springs Beasts." Ah Jiao nodded. "I know, I know!" The further they descended into the Yin Realm, the more light and comfortable Ah Jiao’s body felt. This subtle difference was something she hadn't noticed before. Upon returning to the Underworld, she handed A-su over to the nearby ghost messengers and headed first to the Court of Judgment to see Ghost Emperor Fei Kang and Heavenly Master Yun Yue. After watching the high-ranking couple embrace and comfort each other for a while, she finally returned to Yidu. Father Shen had mentioned that when her mother had nothing to do, she still preferred living with her grandmother and the others. It was livelier that way! *** It wasn't until Lord Shen arrived to warn her that dawn was approaching that Ah Jiao reluctantly returned to the mortal realm. She hurried back to Changmen Palace. As for Liu Che—to hell with that Emperor. Bah, scumbag! Thus, she was quite surprised to see Huan Jiujun at Changmen Palace, much like the surprise Yan Zheng felt upon seeing her. "Why aren't you by the Emperor's side? Why are you here?" Ah Jiao marveled. "Did you also find that old Emperor unbearable and decide to quit?" Huan Jiujun gave a faint smile. "No, quite the opposite. I am here on the Emperor's orders to bring you back." "I’m not going! I said long ago I didn't want to go on this southern tour with him. I’m not going, and that’s final!" "So, are you truly angry because of that female ghost from yesterday?" "What female ghost?" Yan Zheng, who had been stunned for a long while, finally managed to interject during a gap in their card game. Huan Jiujun explained, "Last night, there was a woman whom His Majesty had once favored..." He recalled the Emperor's instructions and added, "But a woman he had long since forgotten. She died at some point and became a ghost. She went to find His Majesty yesterday, and then Lady Chen ran off in a fit of rage!" Ah Jiao let out a cold, mocking laugh. Yan Zheng looked at Ah Jiao with a face full of worry, wanting to offer comfort. "My Lady..." Ah Jiao interrupted her. "Don't overthink it. I am only concerned for your safety and the safety of the child in your womb." Yan Zheng whispered, "Actually, I feel quite fine." Huan Jiujun agreed. "Indeed. Both her own body and the fetus are very healthy, and her life force is flourishing. You really don't need to worry so much." Ah Jiao: "...Regardless, I am not going back! Tell Liu Che I am not returning!" "But why?" Yan Zheng asked, puzzled. Huan Jiujun also leaned in with interest. "I just feel that... a karmic bond that has already been severed should remain severed." Previously, she had prided herself on being clear-headed, yet she had inevitably lingered on Liu Che’s kindness and his affection for her. But the future Lin Gao had told her of, Liu Che’s obsession with Li Yan, and now A-su’s fate and Liu Che’s coldness—it was as if the whole world was telling her to stop being a fool. She knew her forty years of obsession wouldn't be easy to let go of, but she was giving herself time to recover. Moreover, she now had a much wider world to explore. The Yin Realm, the Underworld, the life of a ghost official! She was no longer that woman locked within the heavy walls of Weiyang Palace, forced to bear a child until she was driven mad. Nor was she the woman in Changmen Palace who spent her days chanting the Emperor's name, begging for Liu Che to change his mind! She now had her own long road to walk! Though Father Shen said cultivation was difficult, it proved to her that her future life—no, her ghost life—was truly in her own hands! Father Shen said that mortal emotions were the hardest to forget, but once they were laid down, one would realize they were "nothing more than this." The events of last night were merely a catalyst, never the root cause! She hadn't come back for Liu Che’s sake in the first place! Father Shen also said that once they reached the Underworld, she would no longer be among the partners Liu Che could choose from. Even Li Yan, the future "Empress Xiaowu," was gone. Who would have thought she would once again end up paving the way for Wei Zifu? Even Ah Jiao hadn't expected that. *** Liu Che ordered the party to stay an extra day in Lantian County. He was growing impatient waiting for news of Ah Jiao. He took the opportunity to handle several local matters until Huan Jiujun finally returned. "Where is the Lady? Is she still throwing a tantrum?" Huan Jiujun replied, "Your Majesty, the Lady says she... will not be coming back!" "So her temper hasn't cooled yet?" Huan Jiujun remained silent for a moment before continuing, "Actually, in my humble opinion, the Lady seemed quite serious when she said 'not coming back'." "What do you mean?" "It means the Lady truly does not intend to return." "..." Liu Che felt the anger he had suppressed all night flare up even more. "What else did she say?" Huan Jiujun thought for a moment and said, "The Lady also said that if Your Majesty believes your past choice to have many concubines as Emperor was correct, then you must surely understand that her current choice not to be with Your Majesty is also correct. It is simply a matter of making the right choice for one's position!" "Does she mean she wants me, the Emperor, to beg her?" Liu Che’s face was a mask of frost. Huan Jiujun thought to himself that she definitely hadn't said that. What she actually said was... Clearing his throat, Huan Jiujun mimicked Ah Jiao’s tone and manner: "Back then, Your Majesty was the Emperor, the Lord of All Under Heaven; naturally, you had the right to abandon a woman." He paused. "It is good that she understands," Liu Che’s tone softened slightly. "Go and tell her again that I will compensate her." Huan Jiujun’s expression was slightly awkward, but he couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart. He continued, "Your Majesty, do not be in such a hurry, there is more! Ahem—'Then, as I am now a Ghost Immortal, I naturally have the right to abandon a mortal'." Having finished, he stood perfectly straight, staring at the Emperor's face without blinking. Liu Che was stunned! Huan Jiujun coughed twice more. The Emperor finally snapped, "If there is more, say it all at once! Stop hesitating!" Huan Jiujun let out a look that suggested he wanted to laugh but was trying his best to hold it in. He spoke: "The Lady also said, 'Your Majesty, times have changed'!" Struck by a flying bamboo slip, Huan Jiujun fled the Tangquan Palace in a panic. Hah, meddling in a couple's domestic affairs was truly a thankless task! Why did he have to do this kind of work? Well, if it remained this interesting, it wouldn't hurt to do it again next time. The Emperor immediately ordered the journey to resume the next day without delay. Yu Li, along with Mian Fu and Nan Ke, stayed anxiously inside the carriage originally prepared for Ah Jiao. By rights, the three of them were there to serve Lady Chen, but it seemed that ever since the Lady had sent them out the day before yesterday, she had vanished. In any case, they hadn't seen her since! They didn't dare ask the Emperor, and when they asked Lord Yang, they were met with a scolding. The three girls huddled together; Mian Fu was on the verge of tears. Nan Ke squeezed her hand to comfort her. "Don't be afraid, sister. Perhaps the Lady is simply resting with His Majesty. Don't overthink it." "But... how can someone just disappear like this? Sigh!" The three of them sighed in unison. After leaving Lantian, the Emperor stayed at Yao Pass for two days. Finding the pass in good order, he proceeded to Shangluo County in Hongnong Commandery for another two days. However, Ah Jiao never returned. Liu Che immersed himself in handling various affairs, but the moment he stopped, the fire in his heart began to brew—a fire directed solely at Ah Jiao. At worst, he would settle the score with her once they returned to Chang'an. Liu Che thought resentfully: *I must have spoiled her too much lately, allowing her to become so reckless and lawless. When I see her again, I must make her understand what it means to be the Son of Heaven, and what it means to be a husband!* On the night before leaving Wu Pass, Liu Che fell into a peaceful sleep, though he muttered a few rebukes toward Ah Jiao before drifting off. In his daze, he felt as if he had returned to Chang'an. Weiyang Palace, Hanyi Pavilion—it was a place he knew well. Inside Hanyi Pavilion was a stage open on all four sides. At this moment, a beauty dressed in ivory-crimson dance robes was dancing gracefully, her sleeves swaying, her eyes full of longing. Liu Che suddenly snapped into clarity. "You are A-su? Where is Chen Ah Jiao?" *** | Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 引路诀 | Pathfinding Mudra/Spell | A specific hand seal or spell used for navigation. | | 瞬行术 | Instant Stride | A movement technique or teleportation-like spell. | | 黄泉兽 | Yellow Springs Beast | Creatures that guard the path to the Underworld. | | 懿都 | Yidu | The capital city of the Underworld in this setting. | | 审判司 | Court of Judgment | The judicial department of the Underworld. | | 鬼仙 | Ghost Immortal | A high-level spiritual being/cultivator in the afterlife. | | 牙绯色 | Ivory-crimson | A specific pale red or pinkish-red color. | | 含怡阁 | Hanyi Pavilion | A specific building/pavilion within the palace. | | 孝武皇后 | Empress Xiaowu | The posthumous title of Lady Li (Li Yan) in history. |