The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 23 | The Road to Recovery | Novela.app

Ajiao drifted back to consciousness. "You're awake? How do you feel?" "Who are you?" Ajiao realized she was in an unfamiliar place, and the person before her was someone she had never seen. Qi Wuyi gave a gentle smile that carried the refined grace of the mortal world’s wind and moon. "This is the Judgment Department. I have been ordered by Lord Shen to treat your injuries here. My surname is Qi—Qi Wuyi." "Thank you, Lord Qi." Ajiao nodded as best she could to show her gratitude. Though she didn't know his exact rank, addressing him as 'Lord' was never a mistake. "Does your head still hurt? Can you see and hear clearly?" Qi Wuyi reached out to feel Ajiao’s forehead. The cracks on her body caused by the soul-shaking impact were slowly fading, though the ones on her face still looked rather frightening without any covering. "It doesn't hurt. I can see and hear clearly," Ajiao answered obediently. Qi Wuyi nodded. "It seems the Soul-Nourishing Pills the Boss fed you weren't wasted." Those were three high-grade Soul-Nourishing Pills bestowed by the Yanjun himself; even a ghost doctor like him couldn't bear to eat them. Yet the Boss had fed her three at once. Was it really necessary? She wasn't even his own flesh and blood. At most, he’d be her stepfather in the future—to invest such a fortune! Hmph! "Then I must thank Lord Shen!" Ajiao felt a jolt of surprise. This Lord Qi’s tone sounded a bit disgruntled; she guessed those Soul-Nourishing Pills must be very precious. She hadn't expected Lord Shen to be so generous—and she hadn't had the chance to ask her mother just how far her relationship with Lord Shen had progressed! If Lord Shen was sincere, she hoped her mother would give him serious consideration. In life, her mother hadn't been able to marry the one she loved; in death, she should at least find someone who satisfied her. "Lord Qi, I'm sorry to trouble you, but I wanted to ask about my status in the Reincarnation Terrace trial..." "Don't worry. Your situation is special. Lord Shen has already removed you from the first batch. Just focus on recovering! You'll likely be moved to a later trial group." "Thank you for clarifying, Lord." Only then did Ajiao lie back down with a peaceful mind. "Continue resting. I’ll be in the next room brewing your medicine. Call me if you need anything." "I am grateful for your trouble, Lord." Qi Wuyi turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, he saw Shen Zhi walking back. He hurried forward and asked, "Boss, how did it go? What did the higher-ups say?" "Hong Sang is to go to the Pure Chamber to reflect for a hundred years." "That’s fair enough." "Indeed. Hong Sang has managed the Office of Destinations well, and her spirit artifact has been a great help to the Judgment Department. This time, the Yanjun gave me face. However, locking her away for a hundred years should serve as a lesson." "Tell me about it. I heard Wen Shu really likes that little 'Zhi Zhi' and tried to ask for it several times, even offering many treasures in exchange, but Hong Sang couldn't bear to part with it. Tsk, I wouldn't either; that’s a fine treasure." "Enough, let’s not worry about that. Now that the Office of Destinations has been handed to Ji Jiang—who has always been upright and straightforward—things will be easier to handle in the future." "True! Oh, by the way, the girl is awake. Boss, do you want to see her? I’m going to brew the medicine now!" "Alright." Shen Zhi nodded and entered the room where Ajiao was resting. "Are you feeling better?" As soon as Shen Zhi entered, he saw Ajiao’s eyes darting around curiously. "Lord Shen, you’re back! I heard from Lord Qi that you went to great lengths for me and even gave me many precious medicines. I have truly burdened you and caused you great expense!" "It is no matter. This incident was related to me in the first place." "?" "I still have matters to attend to today. I will send someone to notify your mother to come see you shortly. I must take my leave now." "Please attend to your business, Lord. I am fine!" "Good. If you need anything, call Qi Wuyi. He is right next door." "Understood." After giving a few more instructions and arranging for someone to notify Princess Guantao, Shen Zhi headed toward the Reincarnation Terrace. Ajiao watched Shen Zhi leave and let out a long sigh of relief. Feeling her head grow heavy and groggy again, she simply drifted back to sleep. *** Ever since he had that dream about Ajiao again, Liu Che felt the memories of her becoming clearer in his mind. He even recalled many things from their childhood, one by one. Liu Che pressed a hand to his forehead, looking somewhat dazed. Suddenly remembering so many past events made him feel uneasy. His head throbbed painfully. "Your Majesty?" Wei Qing noticed that the Emperor’s complexion had been poor all day, and he was frequently touching his forehead. "Hmm?" Liu Che blinked, startled. "What is it?" "I see Your Majesty frequently holding your head. Is your health perhaps declining?" "Sigh, I can't say for sure. It’s just that lately, ever since Ajiao passed away, I keep dreaming of her!" Liu Che sighed, leaning back against the soft couch. "During all those years she was in Longmen Palace, I didn't think of her much. Now, I don't know what’s come over me. Sigh!" Liu Che couldn't help but sigh again. "Perhaps it is because of the Grand Funeral for Lady Chen that Your Majesty feels particularly sentimental. After all, she was Your Majesty’s first wife." "Yes... after all, she was my first wife." *First wife.* Why did that term sound so uncomfortable now? "Zhongqing, tell me, where did I wrong her? I told her that as long as she behaved herself, I would keep her position as Empress. Why did she insist on opposing me? Making trouble was one thing, but she actually dared to use sorcery against me!" Liu Che closed his eyes, his headache worsening the more he thought. After Ajiao had fallen into the lake, she had spent a long time recovering her health. Liu Che had composed himself then; if the Empress had no sons, then so be it, as long as someone in the harem could produce an heir. A son by a concubine wasn't as good as a legitimate one, but it was better than no son at all. Moreover, he wasn't like his late father, who had possessed no marital affection whatsoever for Empress Bo. Before he was even ready to face Ajiao, she had taken the initiative to see him. At that time, her complexion was still poor. Though it was hidden under powder, her eyes were bloodshot. Furthermore, she had displayed a gentle submissiveness entirely different from her usual self—she was even fearful and cautious. He assumed Ajiao knew she had no hope of bearing a child in the future, so she had reined in her temper. That day, Ajiao had coaxed him into a very good mood. Even when he had drunk a little wine and wished for intimacy, she hadn't gotten angry. Despite her illness, she had yielded to him with a shy reluctance. At the time, Liu Che felt this was very good. Such a submissive Ajiao felt both novel and comforting to him. *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 祁无衣 | Qi Wuyi | The ghost doctor, subordinate to Shen Zhi. 养魂丹 | Soul-Nourishing Pill | A high-grade pill used to heal and stabilize spirits. 净室 | Pure Chamber | A place of solitary confinement/reflection in the underworld. 去处去 | Office of Destinations | A department in the underworld (literally "Where to Go Office"). 寄江 | Ji Jiang | An official who takes over the Office of Destinations. 温殊 | Wen Shu | An official mentioned in the underworld. 纸纸 | Zhi Zhi | The name of Hong Sang's spirit artifact/soul. 卫青 | Wei Qing | A famous general and brother-in-law to Emperor Wu of Han. 仲卿 | Zhongqing | The courtesy name of Wei Qing. 长门宫 | Longmen Palace | The palace where Chen Ajiao was exiled. 薄娘娘 | Empress Bo | The first empress of Emperor Jing of Han (Liu Che's father).