The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 136 | A Calculated Reconciliation | Novela.app

“A’jiao, before Lord Huan arrives, you should think carefully about whether you want to tell me the truth of your own accord.” Liu Che gripped A’jiao’s hand, his gaze burning with intensity. “Ah, well...” A’jiao faltered. She knew she truly couldn’t speak of it. If she did, she might offend the great deities of the Netherworld or, worse, interfere with Lord Yunhe’s reincarnation. That would be a transgression so great she might be reduced to ashes and smoke to atone for it. After a moment’s hesitation, she suddenly lunged forward, pinning Liu Che down onto the bed. As she began to tug at his robes, she said, “How about this? I’ll let you sleep with me to settle the debt. I only absorbed some of your yang energy; you can just take it back.” As she spoke, she offered her neck with apparent sincerity. Liu Che looked at her—her skin was like polished frost, her hair at the temples as elegant as a cicada’s wing. Before his mind could wander into carnal thoughts, the memory of yesterday’s events resurfaced. His passion cooled instantly, and he scrambled backward to avoid her. Seeing the old Emperor’s reaction, A’jiao felt both amused and annoyed. Pursing her lips, she crawled forward a few more steps and said softly, “Didn’t Your Majesty want to be close to me every single day just a short while ago? Why are you acting so shy now? Don’t be afraid; I’m not some man-eating monster. I’m not injured today, so nothing will go wrong.” Liu Che propped himself up on the bed with one elbow while using his other hand to hold A’jiao at arm's length by her shoulder. He was starting to get angry. “Stop fooling around.” A’jiao giggled. “I’m not fooling around. I’m telling the truth! Unless... is Your Majesty afraid?” “Ahem. This subject pays his respects to Your Majesty.” Huan Jiujun’s voice drifted in from outside the curtain. Startled, A’jiao scrambled off Liu Che. She hurriedly smoothed her hair and dove under the covers, burying her ghostly form completely. Liu Che swatted the bulging lump in the quilt with annoyance before sitting up and walking toward the outer room. After a few steps, he turned back to ensure the curtains were tightly drawn. Hearing muffled voices, A’jiao poked her head out from under the quilt. However, with the curtains closed and the screen in the way, she couldn't see anything, and the conversation was too faint to make out. She crept out of bed and pulled back the curtain to peek out, only to find Liu Che standing right there. She patted her chest. “Goodness, how can a living person like you walk without making a sound? You nearly scared me to death.” Liu Che pinched her chin and gave her lip a sharp, playful bite before saying, “A’jiao, do not blame me for my lack of faith. You are hiding things from me after all. Under such circumstances, how can I trust you?” A’jiao wrapped her arms around his waist, lowering her head as she spoke in a wheedling tone, “Then just don’t worry about it.” “I am the Emperor; how can I simply ignore it? Matters of ghosts and gods are ethereal and unpredictable. Since you have displayed your divine powers in the mortal realm, how can you expect me to remain indifferent?” “You know that matters of ghosts and gods are ethereal, yet you believe in them so readily? Look at the alchemists you keep, look at the fortunes you’ve squandered on them—are your words even credible?” “I...” Liu Che furrowed his brows. He felt that Chen A’jiao had become increasingly sharp-tongued lately, daring to rebut him so casually. “So you see, Your Majesty, you’re just afraid we’ll harm you.” A’jiao reached up and gave Liu Che’s lip a little pinch in return. “Do you really believe I would harm you?” “Haven’t you already done so?” Liu Che pointed to the white hairs at his temples and huffed. “Ahem...” A’jiao coughed twice, looking a bit sheepish. “That was an accident. I’ve told you several times—it was unconscious, not intentional.” “If being unintentional means it doesn't matter, then can I behead you and say it was unintentional?” “You want to behead me?” A’jiao looked horrified. Hearing her nonsensical response, Liu Che was nearly driven to wit's end by frustration. He hoisted A’jiao up, threw her onto the bed, and pressed down upon her, beginning to kiss her fervently. A’jiao hurriedly tried to push him away. “Aren’t you afraid?” “I’m not afraid anymore.” As the red robes fell away and the silk skirts were loosened, their bodies entwined. In the heat of the moment, A’jiao noticed an amulet hanging around Liu Che’s neck. Panting, she reached out to touch it, but her hand was swatted away. The man’s voice rasped in her ear, “What are you doing? Focus.” A’jiao could only wrap her arms around his neck and continue her soft whimpers. She asked delicately, “Did Huan Jiujun just give that to you? To ward off evil?” “As long as you know.” Liu Che’s eyes were clouded with passion, his pulse racing. Remembering that a county magistrate was coming to report later, his movements became somewhat hurried. ... “Hmph.” A’jiao lay on the bed, grumbling to herself. The more she thought about it, the more she felt she had gotten the short end of the stick. She kicked the entire pile of bedding onto the floor. Having cleaned himself up, Liu Che saw A’jiao lying naked on the bed throwing a tantrum while the palace maids waited on her with bated breath. He couldn't help but step forward to pat her fair, shapely thigh, giving it a playful squeeze. He laughed, “Alright, go clean yourself up. Be careful not to catch a cold.” “I won’t catch a cold! Now get out, get out, get out!” Liu Che left with a smile, leaving the palace maids staring in stunned silence. *** A’jiao shooed the maids out. After washing herself, she used the excuse of being tired and wanting to sleep longer to forbid them from entering. Once the doors were shut, A’jiao flickered out of existence and headed straight for Zhangmen Palace. Upon arrival, she saw everyone gathered around Chen Wan’s body, their faces clouded with gloom. “Oh, are you all alright?” A’jiao manifested herself immediately. Yan Zheng, supporting her pregnant belly, stood up. “Your Ladyship, you’re finally back. I was afraid something had happened to you.” A’jiao patted her face and then her belly, smiling. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Something came up and I had to return to the Netherworld for a bit, but it’s settled now.” “That’s good.” Yan Zheng pulled A’jiao down to sit and pointed at Chen Wan. “Your Ladyship, look at her. I don’t think she looks very well.” A’jiao looked down and saw that the life force in Chen Wan’s body had thinned to the point of nearly vanishing. If she had returned any later, the body might have begun to decay. She recalled Liu Che’s words; he had indeed sent people to collect Chen Wan’s remains. *Tsk, tsk.* That old fox Liu Che was probably calculating how to make things easiest for himself even while they were in bed. Granting a posthumous title to “Chen A’jiao” was far more convenient than granting a living title to “Chen Wan.” No matter how much a dead person received, it could never compare to what a living person held. Although the deceased were given great funereal honors, those honors didn't affect the living. By honoring the late “Chen A’jiao,” he didn't have to promote her maternal relatives or grant noble titles to her family. It saved money, trouble, and effort. As for Chen Wan, it was even more convenient if she died. He wouldn't even have to bestow favors upon the Chen family of Guanshang-li. If he chose to employ the Chen brothers later, they would likely be so grateful they would prostrate themselves in thanks. A’jiao clicked her tongue in admiration. In the future, if she ever caused trouble, Liu Che could simply execute her under the name of an “evil spirit,” and it would be perfectly justified. She couldn't help but marvel at how well the old man calculated everything. Feeling that she had finally unraveled Liu Che’s schemes, she settled in comfortably to play cards with Yan Zheng and the others.