Lin Gao stood in a daze for a long time after hearing the news of Chen Wan’s death. He had only just found a patron who was also a colleague; how could she be gone in the blink of an eye?
After sighing for a good while, he finally remembered that Chen Ajiao was still an emissary of the Netherworld. How could she die so easily? She had to finish her missions for the Underworld first, didn't she?
He had heard she came to the mortal realm specifically to protect the reincarnation of some high-ranking official from the Netherworld. He gripped his brush, hesitated for a moment, and then penned a letter to Chen Ajiao on a transmission paper.
Before long, a reply arrived.
"I am well. Do not worry. I will find an opportunity to explain everything to you in detail."
"Well, then..." Lin Gao tucked the paper away, still unsure of what had transpired.
That evening, during the shift change for dinner, Qu Yunxu quietly approached and tugged at his sleeve. He followed her and found Ajiao sitting in the room, teasing a child.
"Brother Lin, come, come. Let me explain. There’s been a bit of a problem. My identity has been exposed; Liu Che knows. The identity of 'Chen Wan' can no longer be used."
"Whoa, the Wild Boar is that smart? Truly worthy of the name."
"What?" Ajiao blinked. "Wild Boar?"
Lin Gao sat down, gulped some water, and said, "Aren't you Liu Che’s childhood sweetheart? Don't you know? Wasn't his name originally Liu Zhi? *Zhi* means pig, so he’s the Wild Boar."
Ajiao sucked in a breath, taking a long moment before speaking. "I think people from your era might have many misunderstandings about us. From the time I was small until now, I have never heard of Liu Che being called Liu Zhi."
"Um... he wasn't?" Lin Gao’s expression turned slightly awkward.
"But... it sounds rather interesting. I’ll call him that from now on. Anyway, as I was saying, Chen Wan is exposed, and Liu Che knows who I am. Have you heard about the great beauty who recently appeared by his side?"
Lin Gao nodded honestly.
"That’s me! But as you know, ghosts have no shadows. Moving around in front of people is very restricted, so I feel like I can’t appear openly most of the time. If anything happens, I’ll write to you."
"Understood. I’ll write to you if I have news as well."
"Mhm. Liu Che has forced me into his imperial tour party, and we’ll be traveling for a long time. I’m worried that when Yan Zheng gives birth, Liu Che might not be back yet. Please keep an eye on Longmen Palace for me. Thank you."
"The one in Yan Zheng’s belly is that 'Great Lord'?"
"Yes. Sigh, unfortunately, I’m being coerced by Liu Che and can’t stay in Longmen Palace to guard her at all times."
"Tsk, I feel like I’ve accidentally aligned with the history I know again."
"What?" Ajiao froze for a second, then reacted. "You mean... the sixth son?"
Lin Gao nodded.
"Hiss—" Ajiao suddenly felt a sense of predestination. "Then tell me, will that Lady Gouyi appear in the future?"
"Who knows? At least for now, Liu Che’s six sons are all accounted for."
"Then we’ll take it one step at a time. Oh, and keep an eye on Chang'an. Wei Qing’s health is poor; it might happen this year." Ajiao stood up, preparing to leave.
"I know. I told you before, history says it’s this year, likely after the southern tour. I originally thought he would die in the winter, as I heard he was at death's door then—which would have been earlier than in history—but then he suddenly took a turn for the better." Lin Gao stood up as well, his expression turning solemn. "It’s aligned with history again, hasn't it!"
Ajiao shuddered. She looked around before saying slowly, "Perhaps this is the true power of the divine. I won’t say more; I must go. I slipped away while Liu Che was eating. If he can’t find me in a moment, he’ll be displeased again."
"Fine, fine, hurry back. Oh, right, remember to mention the cotton planting to him. Spring has begun; if we don't prepare now, it will be too late."
"Liu Che is already preparing. He’s selecting land and people. I expect my eldest brother’s sons and grandsons might even join in to make up the numbers."
"Inspecting the land is fine, as long as it grows. By the way, is your brother’s family as rich as Chen Xuan?"
"No, his household is quite poor now."
***
Liu Che had dismissed his attendants and was studying a map while waiting for Ajiao. The matter of planting cotton was urgent, and the personnel had been selected. Chen Xu’s two sons, Chen Lang and Chen Jing, were already in their forties or fifties; they couldn't do much heavy lifting, so they would mostly be there to fill the ranks and watch over the fields.
As for the land—there were many fertile fields near Shanglin Park. They would plant for one year first to see if this crop was truly good. If it proved effective, they would clear a section of Shanglin Park next year to expand the cultivation.
"Oops." Ajiao’s landing spot was poorly chosen; she dropped right onto the Emperor, her weightless form collapsing against him.
Liu Che caught her, turned her around, and pointed at the map. "Look, we shall try these fields first. What do you think?"
Ajiao leaned in to look. "Only ten *qing* of land? That’s far too little. How much cotton can that produce? It might not even be enough to make winter clothes for the people of Chang'an."
Liu Che frowned and gave her small head a light rap. "This thing is unheard of. We don't know the methods of cultivation or the expected yield. If we rashly plant on a large scale and nothing grows, what then?"
"But Lin Gao grew it! He harvested seven or eight hundred catties of raw cotton per *mu*, which pressed down to over two hundred catties of lint."
"You are very familiar with Lin Gao?" Liu Che asked, alert.
"Huh?" Ajiao looked blank. "He was a bondservant of the Chen family, did you forget?"
"Didn't you just possess Chen Wan a few months ago? You’re that close to him?"
"Er..." Ajiao hesitated, thinking she couldn't expose Lin Gao’s true background now that she herself was exposed. She said, "Not exactly. It’s just that he promised to give me a share of the money he earns."
She cupped her face and smiled. "You know he was originally of slave status and had no private property, but he wanted to build an estate. So, I gave him money to open shops and do business, and he gives me fifty percent of the profits."
Looking at the woman’s bashful face, Liu Che sighed. "Are you that poor? Do you fear being short of money while following me? Tell me whatever you want."
"I don't want anything right now. Oh, anyway, I’ve already settled it with him. You already know about the shops, don't you?"
"Mhm. I knew the moment Lin Gao bought the shops." After all, he had to keep an eye on Lin Gao to be at ease. As for Ajiao providing the funds, a simple investigation had revealed it.
Ajiao shook his shoulder and said, "Think about it. Ten *qing* is five hundred *mu*. At eight hundred catties of cotton per *mu*, that’s only four hundred thousand catties of raw cotton, which yields about a hundred and thirty thousand catties of lint. Look at the cotton clothes Lin Gao sent before; one adult garment takes about a catty of cotton. What can ten *qing* possibly achieve?"
"The population of the city alone is over two hundred thousand, not to mention the various tomb towns. Tell me, what can ten *qing* do?" Ajiao spread her hands, speaking with great earnestness.
Liu Che smiled and patted her hand. "The people in the capital region aren't lacking for your cotton. I said we’ll test it first. Besides, over a hundred thousand catties of cotton is not a small amount."
And so, the couple finally finished designating the fields and personnel. Orders were sent back to Chang'an for the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Sang Hongyang, to execute.
***
After the two had washed up and lay down in bed, Ajiao suddenly toyed with a lock of the Emperor’s hair and asked, "Ah Che, how many children do you want?"
Hearing this, Liu Che froze. He pressed his hand against Ajiao’s stomach. "You’re pregnant?"
He was a bit dazed. Ajiao was currently a ghost; if she were pregnant, would the child be human or ghost? If it were human, it would be fine, but if it were a ghost... he felt a strange sensation in his heart.
Ajiao crossly swatted his hand away. "Nonsense. You’re the one who’s pregnant. I was just asking."
Liu Che lay back down, thought for a moment, and said, "My progeny is not abundant. To be honest, I always hope for more."
Emperor Gaozu had eight sons; Emperor Wen also had eight; Emperor Jing had fourteen. And he... only had five sons so far.
The thought made him sad. Liu Che sighed and buried his head in the crook of Ajiao’s neck.
Ajiao knew Liu Che was upset, but considering she didn't have a single child herself, she didn't feel like comforting him. She just patted his large head. "Maybe it’s just your fate to have few sons."
Liu Che looked up with an ill-tempered expression, but seeing Ajiao’s indifferent face, his reprimand stuck in his throat—Ajiao had no children at all, and she probably didn't think there was anything wrong with that.
"Ajiao, you care so much about Yan Zheng... is it because she’s carrying a boy?" Liu Che asked, seemingly casual.
"How did you—" Ajiao quickly bit her tongue. "How could you think that? How would I know? Haha, haha."
"And you call yourself a Ghost Immortal. Truly useless." Liu Che felt his long-standing suspicion confirmed, and his mood improved significantly.
"Ajiao, sit up. Don't be lazy. Let’s move a bit." Liu Che pulled Ajiao up.
Ajiao was limp and didn't want to move. She gave a cold laugh. "Liu Che, don't try to trick me. And don't celebrate too early."
The Emperor wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled apologetically. "Good Ajiao, it was just a few words. It’s fine." As he spoke, his hands nimbly stripped away her clothes.
It had been a few days since they were intimate, and Liu Che was full of energy.
Ajiao allowed him his movements, but her eyes swept over him coldly. After a while, she gave a sharp "owoo" and bit his shoulder.
"Liu Che, tell me, are you still going to have children with other women?"
Liu Che’s hands paused. He hadn't actually had that thought recently, since Ajiao was always by his side.
But when it came to the matter of heirs...
"Ajiao, don't overthink things." He began to kiss her, moving down from her neck.
"Ah Che, you know I don't like it. If you are with me, you are not allowed to have other women. If you cannot let go of those fluttering swallows and beautiful blossoms, then we should part ways sooner rather than later." Ajiao pushed him back, her gaze sincere.
"Ajiao, these things don't conflict, do they? I don't love them; it is only for the sake of the imperial succession..."
"You have a Crown Prince, and five more sons behind him."
"Chen Ajiao!"
"Liu Che, this isn't the first day I’ve said these things. Since we’re talking, let’s make it clear. Don't be vague and indecisive. You are an Emperor; be decisive. Choose me, or choose them."
"I choose you, I choose you." Liu Che leaned forward and pulled her into his arms.
***
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