Liu Che looked at Ah Jiao, then turned and buried his head into a soft pillow. "Jiao Jiao, let me calm down for a moment."
Ah Jiao walked over and sat beside him, smoothing his slightly disheveled topknot. She smiled. "Don't overthink it. It’s not as if you want to die right now, do you? If you die, you won't be the Emperor anymore." She watched his expression with great interest.
Liu Che slowly raised his head, and it took a long while before he spoke. "Jiao Jiao, how can this be? So, when you said before that one could achieve immortality through death... you weren't lying to me."
Ah Jiao blinked. "Before?" She thought back carefully; it seemed to have been when Wei Qing was gravely ill. "That’s right. I’ve actually been telling the truth all along. It’s just a pity you thought I was teasing you back then."
Liu Che nearly beat his chest in frustration. "Why must immortality look like this?"
Seeing this, Ah Jiao chuckled softly. *Once you reach the Underworld, you’ll find there are even more things you can't accept.* An Emperor like Liu Che would likely be conscripted as "labor" to fill a post in one of the various departments. It seemed she would have to work hard; she needed to become a permanent official before Liu Che died.
She didn't just want to surpass this old fellow in cultivation; she wanted to outrank him in status as well.
Her face glowed with a spirited radiance. As Liu Che watched her, he found her even more captivating. *If only Ah Jiao could become human again,* a thought suddenly surfaced.
Liu Che startled, turning to look around the room, but there was nothing there. His heart felt uneasy, and he couldn't help but ask Ah Jiao, "By the way, what did you all discuss? Do you know what kind of creature is causing this trouble? Jiao Jiao, I feel a constant restlessness, as if something is perpetually whispering in my heart. Tell me, have I truly been provoked into evil thoughts by that specter?"
As an Emperor—one who had been praised since childhood for his "piercing insight"—he had always believed his mental fortitude far exceeded that of ordinary men. He prided himself on the stoic calm of one who would not blanch even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. Yet, everything tonight seemed to be telling him that he was merely a mortal who could not control his own desires.
He was no different from a laborer by the roadside or a beggar on the street.
He felt utterly dejected. Ah Jiao looked at him, a flicker of melancholy passing through her heart. She watched him closely while offering comfort. "It was only a dream. Although it is generally believed that dreams are born from the heart, dreamscapes can also be forged. I know the art of dream-weaving myself."
Liu Che looked up, staring at Ah Jiao in surprise.
Ah Jiao took his hand and smiled warmly. "Do not resist. I will show you."
The art of dream-weaving was usually performed while a person was fast asleep because that was when one's thoughts drifted, making them easiest to infiltrate. If Liu Che did not resist now, she could take the opportunity to manifest it.
Liu Che felt as though his mind was being tugged by something. He began to struggle violently until Ah Jiao’s voice echoed in his mind: *“Ah Che, don’t resist.”*
He felt conflicted. Was it truly safe to surrender his thoughts to another? After a long struggle, he let out a dejected sigh and gave up his resistance. *Hadn't I told myself long ago to try and trust Ah Jiao?*
In a trance, he felt his surroundings undergo a profound change. When he opened his eyes, he saw a hibiscus in full bloom, its clusters of flowers elegant and magnificent. However, the space was only a few paces wide; he could only walk back and forth around the hibiscus. Beyond that was a fog so thick it seemed impenetrable.
He looked at Ah Jiao, who stood beside him with a proud expression. The wonder in his eyes could no longer be concealed.
Ah Jiao stepped forward, plucked a hibiscus blossom, and pinned it into her hair. She smiled. "Is it beautiful? Does it not feel real, as if this were your own dream? In truth, I conjured all of this. Therefore, the dream you had was simply created by someone more powerful than I. You are a mortal; naturally, you could not resist it. There is no need to disparage yourself."
Liu Che’s expression shifted through several emotions before finally settling into a look of melancholy. "Jiao Jiao, it seems I can only hope that you immortals eliminate that specter quickly. I feel as though I can do nothing at all."
Ah Jiao embraced him, continuing her comfort. "Don't be afraid. You are the Emperor, after all. Your greatest task is to keep the government stable and avoid causing trouble for the immortals. Furthermore, you must remember that I am looking out for you. If something happens to you, I... I would be very sad."
"You seem particularly good at saying sweet things tonight."
Ah Jiao paused, feeling a bit awkward. "Am I? I didn't notice."
"Rest assured, I will be fine. You must be fine as well." Liu Che returned her embrace.
***
After soothing Liu Che, Ah Jiao returned to Changmen Palace.
Although the focus currently seemed to be on Liu Che, there was no telling what that specter was planning. What if it was a diversion? She decided she should keep a close eye on Lord Yunhe these next few days. As for Liu Che—Huan Jiujun was watching over him. Huan Jiujun’s magic was stronger than her own; having him guard the Emperor was hardly a slight to the throne.
Looking out at the desolate landscape occasionally dotted with hints of fresh green, Yan Zheng walked to Ah Jiao’s side. "Your Highness, is something weighing on your mind? Ever since you last visited His Majesty, you have seemed constantly unhappy."
Ah Jiao turned and patted Yan Zheng’s rounded belly, helping her sit on a nearby couch before speaking. "Yes, some things have happened in the Underworld, so we must be cautious now. I won't be running back and forth lately. After all, I’m not much of a fighter."
Since the City God’s return from the Underworld, the patrols in the mortal realm had been intensified. What was once a patrol every ten days had become once every two days. Furthermore, these were now led by a Commander from the Soul-Hooking Division, leading reapers on rounds. Even staying within Changmen Palace, Ah Jiao could occasionally see ghost soldiers and heavenly troops flying across the sky.
Perhaps it wasn't just as the City God said—that someone was merely coveting her Official Tablet. After all, the tablet of a temporary ghost reaper wouldn't normally alarm the heavenly troops of the Celestial Realm.
Yan Zheng’s smile was gentle, her voice soft. "It is good to stay in Changmen Palace. I feel more at ease with you here."
Ah Jiao gave her a gentle smile, but she couldn't bring herself to relax.
Occasionally, Lord Zhongyu would visit to check on her and Lord Yunhe, bringing news of Liu Che. Despite the tense situation, Liu Che’s imperial tour had not stopped; it seemed they would soon reach Xunyang.
Once they reached Xunyang, they would switch to traveling by boat.
"I wonder if he is still being influenced," Ah Jiao sighed, murmuring to herself. Ren Qiao came out carrying a basket of needlework, which contained the clothes they had been personally making for the child. It wasn't convenient for Yan Zheng to do the work, so Ah Jiao had been holding the needle and thread lately to keep her mind calm.
That night, Ah Jiao walked a perimeter around Changmen Palace. After ensuring there were no issues, she climbed to the top of the Frost-Fall Pavilion to look out in all directions. The benefit of being a ghost was that she did not tire; she could maintain her focus at all times.
Her Official Tablet vibrated slightly. Ah Jiao looked around as a figure slowly appeared in the courtyard. She hurried down to meet them.
A dark iron Official Tablet, engraved with sixteen cloud-and-water patterns.
"Commander of the Soul-Hooking Division, Xin Sheng," the newcomer announced, displaying his tablet.
"This subordinate greets the Commander," Ah Jiao said, bowing with her hands clasped.
Xin Sheng looked at the little ghost reaper. He knew she was Shen Zhi’s stepdaughter and that she had been guarding Yunhe for a long time. His expression softened as he spoke. "The Underworld is concerned for Yunhe’s safety. They felt that having only one reaper watching him might not be enough, so they sent me to take over. As it happens, I hold a post under Celestial Master Yunyue, so this is convenient."
Ah Jiao nodded to acknowledge the order, then couldn't help but ask, "Then should I return to the Underworld, or remain here?"
Xin Sheng smiled. "Go to Little Nine’s side."
"Little Nine?" Ah Jiao was stunned for a moment, then it clicked. "Are you Huan Jiujun’s master?" She remembered that Huan Jiujun’s master was indeed a Commander in the Underworld.
Xin Sheng nodded. "Indeed. I saw the boy had talent, so I took him as a disciple. I had hoped to use Yunhe’s reincarnation to help him accumulate some merit, but with this chaos, I don't know if it will turn out for better or worse."
"Please put your mind at ease, Commander. Huan Jiujun is talented and clever; nothing will go wrong. But if you are suddenly sending reinforcements to his side... has something happened to the Emperor?" Ah Jiao lowered her head to hide her deep concern.
Xin Sheng lifted his robes and sat on a nearby stone. "The Emperor is about to travel by river. Little Nine says he feels something is wrong with the water, but he doesn't know exactly what is happening. So, I suggested you go over to help. Sigh, honestly, even if the mortal Emperor were to perish, it wouldn't be a great matter. The changing of dynasties, birth, aging, sickness, death, fortune, and calamity—these are all common occurrences."
Ah Jiao nodded. She knew Commander Xin Sheng was right, but the thought of Liu Che dying... actually didn't seem like that big of a deal.
Fair enough.
"Alright, head over there. Be careful on the road. Zhongyu will also be there to assist. You three stay sharp; if there’s danger, remember to run if you have to. If a mortal dies, they can still go to the Underworld. If your souls are scattered, you’re truly gone."
"..." The words sounded a bit strange, but Ah Jiao decided not to dwell on them. "Commander, I am acquainted with Lord Yunhe’s mortal mother. I will leave a word for her so they don't worry."
"Very well."
Ah Jiao turned and entered the house. Finding Yan Zheng fast asleep, she didn't want to disturb her. She walked to the side room and found that Wen Song had not yet retired.
"Your Highness, why have you come? Do you have instructions?" Wen Song quickly threw on a coat and stood up.
Ah Jiao walked over and pressed him back into his seat. "It’s nothing major. I simply have to go to His Majesty’s side to keep watch. I must trouble you to look after Lady Yan here."
"Oh, Your Highness, what are you saying? This is merely an old servant's duty; there is no 'trouble' about it." Wen Song waved his hands repeatedly. He had originally thought his mistress had been reborn in Chen Wan’s body to rekindle her bond with the Emperor, but Chen Wan had died shortly after.
He certainly loved the child in Yan Zheng’s womb, but it would have been even better if Her Highness could have had a child of her own.
"Good, then I can go with a clear mind. Oh, and rest assured—there are others protecting Lady Yan and her child from the shadows. However, they usually don't bother with trivial matters and might only intervene in a life-or-death crisis. So, you and Ren Qiao must remain vigilant."
"This old servant obeys your command."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
枔生 | Xin Sheng | A Commander in the Soul-Hooking Division and Huan Jiujun's master.
勾魂司令官 | Soul-Hooking Commander | A high-ranking official in the Underworld's Soul-Hooking Division.
落霜阁 | Frost-Fall Pavilion | A building within Changmen Palace.
寻阳 | Xunyang | A geographical location on the Emperor's tour route.
云月天师 | Celestial Master Yunyue | A high-ranking figure in the spiritual hierarchy.
沉铁官牌 | Dark Iron Official Tablet | The status symbol/token of a higher-ranking Underworld official.
十六朵云水纹 | Sixteen cloud-and-water patterns | Decorative markings on an Official Tablet indicating rank.
