When Liu Che stepped down from his carriage, he could see numerous vehicles moving in an orderly fashion along the grand street in front of the Wei Mansion, entering the gates one after another.
"Your Majesty, allow your servant to announce your arrival first," Yang De-yi said, carefully supporting Liu Che.
"No need. We shall go straight in."
The guards at the gates of the Wei Mansion naturally recognized the Emperor. They hurriedly threw the gates wide to welcome him.
The mansion was festooned with lanterns and colored banners. Red cloths, cut into intricate patterns and auspicious characters, hung from the trees. Liu Che reached out and picked up a cutout of the characters "阖家同心"—*Family United in One Heart*—to examine it closely.
The calligraphy was familiar. Over the past two years, it had become hauntingly familiar. Ever since Chen Ajiao passed away, he found himself inexplicably recalling their past together. These memories were exceptionally clear, every detail as vivid as if it had happened only yesterday.
At the time, he had been quite startled by this and had specifically consulted the Grand Diviner and the Grand Invoker. Their only conclusion was that it was a result of his deep melancholy and grief.
Liu Che himself had been surprised. Was his affection for Ajiao truly that deep?
Fortunately, aside from these recurring memories, there were no other ill effects, so he had stopped dwelling on the matter.
However, these four characters, "Family United in One Heart," were almost identical to the handwriting in his memories of Ajiao, though the brushwork seemed somewhat lacking in strength.
"Go and ask who wrote this," Liu Che commanded.
"Understood." Yang De-yi took the paper and was about to give the order when he saw Wei Qing approaching with his three sons.
"Your Majesty!" Wei Qing performed his salutations with practiced rectitude.
Liu Che took the calligraphy back from Yang De-yi and handed it to Wei Qing. "Zhongqing, who wrote this?"
"Your servant does not know. However, these characters and patterns were all prepared by my daughter and her attendants. I shall send someone to inquire immediately." He dispatched his eldest son, Wei Kang, to investigate.
"Very well." Liu Che nodded. While people might look alike, it was almost impossible for handwriting to be this identical unless someone had spent years tracing and copying it.
"I saw many carriages coming and going on my way here. You have worked hard these past few days."
"To marry a Princess is an honor for the Wei family. Moreover, my daughter is helping to manage the household affairs now, so your servant does not find it taxing."
"That is good. And how are the beauties I bestowed upon you?" Liu Che suddenly turned back with a teasing smile.
"I thank Your Majesty for the gift. They are very well."
"I specifically had the Empress select them for you from the palace candidates. I know that Sister Pingyang... is a bit older, so I chose them for you as a special favor."
...
"Zhongqing, why have you been so silent along the way?"
"Your servant... was merely reflecting on the wedding arrangements." Wei Qing started, realizing he had actually drifted off in the Emperor's presence.
Liu Che glanced back at Wei Qing, smiled, but said nothing more. He continued walking in silence, the others following cautiously behind.
On a small tree not far away, several Ruyi knots hung askew, nestled among the red banners. Liu Che walked over and took one down, then took another from beside it.
Seeing the Emperor's expression turn solemn, Wei Qing felt a flicker of confusion and looked at the two knots in Liu Che's hands.
The two appeared no different at first glance, except that the bottom of one was finished with a flat knot, while the other was finished with a ball knot. Looking at the tree, both types of knots were present.
"Your Majesty, is there something wrong with these Ruyi knots?" Wei Qing asked.
"Oh, this ball knot... it's tied incorrectly." Liu Che pinched the ball knot and gave it a gentle twist; the knot unraveled instantly. He picked up another one from the tree and twisted it firmly; it held fast. In the past, Ajiao loved to use ball knots when making Ruyi knots, but she got them wrong every single time. Even up until the day she left the palace, she had never managed to correct it.
Wei Qing: "..."
Yang De-yi: "..."
Liu Che thought privately: *What is happening? Why am I constantly thinking of Ajiao today? Why are there so many coincidences here?*
"Your Majesty's observation is as sharp as a needle. Your servants are ashamed," Wei Deng chimed in with a cheerful bit of flattery.
Wei Qing, however, was feeling increasingly perplexed. He hadn't expected the Emperor to visit today. Was this trip merely to clear his head, or had he come specifically to gauge the Wei family's reaction?
"It was my negligence. I will certainly warn the servants to ensure this does not happen again," Wei Qing said, deciding that admitting fault was the safest course of action.
"It is nothing. A small oversight like this is expected when one is busy." Liu Che waved his hand and handed the Ruyi knots back to Wei Qing.
Wei Qing led Liu Che to the main hall, where servants had already laid out tea and fruit.
Liu Che had just sat down and taken a sip of honey water when Wei Kang entered, leading Wei Yuan and Ajiao.
Ajiao was nervous. Although logically Liu Che shouldn't remember her or be able to recognize her, what if he did? Even if the worst happened and she was killed as a demon, returning to the Underworld wasn't a grave tragedy—it would just be a failed reincarnation. However, mortals were traditionally superstitious about ghosts and gods, fearing them more than they revered them. Meeting a "demon" usually resulted in being burned alive.
Ajiao felt that such a painful death was unacceptable.
Wiping the sweat from her palms onto her skirt, Ajiao followed Wei Yuan and the others in performing their salutations.
Wei Kang spoke up: "Your Majesty, the 'Family United in One Heart' calligraphy you saw in the garden was written by this child."
Liu Che looked down toward the center of the hall and felt another wave of dizziness. It was a young girl, barely three years old, but she was exceptionally lovely. Her face was like a spring peach, her eyes like polished obsidian, and her round, chubby frame was quite adorable. Furthermore... she looked remarkably like Ajiao!
Though she was a bit chubbier than Ajiao had been as a child.
Liu Che suddenly felt a sense of profound unease. *People can look alike. It's just a coincidence,* he told himself.
"Which child of your house is this?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this is my mother's grand-niece." Seeing Wei Yuan standing there in a daze, Wei Kang answered hurriedly. The moment the words left his mouth, a cold sweat broke out on his back. He instantly regretted it—how could he have said such a thing in front of the Emperor?
Wei Qing was forced to explain: "She is the child of the eldest brother in Yuan'er's marital family."
"What is her name?" Liu Che drained the honey water in his cup.
"Jiaojiao," Wei Qing answered truthfully, though he was confused.
"...Cough, cough, cough!" Liu Che choked, coughing uncontrollably.
Yang De-yi rushed forward, gently patting Liu Che's back. The others were surprised but remained relatively composed.
It took a while for Liu Che to clear his throat. After a moment's pause, he asked, "What is her surname?"
"Her surname is Chen."
*Chen Jiaojiao.* Liu Che felt a sharp pain in his throat.
Yang De-yi was also bewildered. He repeated the name in his mind, and a realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. He looked closely at the child in the hall; those features were indeed very familiar now that he thought about it.
He stole a glance at the Emperor and saw that his expression was grim. People often said Yang De-yi had a good head for remembering things, but one couldn't serve by the Emperor's side for long without a sharp mind.
"Ahem, Great General, this name... it violates the naming taboo of the late Lady Chen of Longmen Palace," Yang De-yi whispered.
Liu Che coughed again and raised a hand to stop Wei Qing, who was about to beg for forgiveness. He beckoned to Ajiao. "You, come forward. Bring brush and ink."
Ajiao had been observing Liu Che's expression. She wondered if he had somehow recognized her. But he couldn't be certain.
Attendants quickly prepared the brush, ink, and bamboo slips.
Ajiao clutched Wei Yuan's skirt and whispered, "Auntie, I'm scared."
"Do not be afraid. Come here," Liu Che interrupted Wei Yuan just as she was about to speak.
Wei Yuan had no choice but to half-push, half-carry Ajiao to stand before Liu Che. Ajiao clung to Wei Yuan's leg, her face scrunched up, refusing to let go.
*If you ask, I'm just scared!*
"Write the three characters for 'Chen Ajiao'," Liu Che said, pulling out a bamboo slip and placing it before her.
Ajiao felt her heart tremble.
Wei Buyi, standing nearby, was baffled by the situation. Only now did he dare to speak: "Your Majesty, she is so small, how could she know how to write?"
Wei Yuan, having regained her composure, saw this as an opportunity. Although she didn't know why the Emperor wanted Jiaojiao to write a name so similar to her own, the fact that a three-year-old could write so many characters was a rare talent. Perhaps the Emperor would look more favorably upon her husband's family because of it!
She knelt down and coaxed Ajiao gently, "Jiaojiao, write it nicely. You know these characters. Once you're finished, Auntie will buy you lots of delicious treats, toys, and new clothes! Be good!" She dipped the brush in ink and handed it to Ajiao.
"..." Ajiao desperately wanted to gag Wei Yuan.
Liu Che observed everyone's expressions before finally fixing his gaze on Ajiao. At that moment, his dizziness seemed to intensify, his mind flooded with scenes from the past.
*To write or not to write—both are trouble!*
Ajiao steeled her heart. She grabbed the brush, jabbed it haphazardly at the bamboo slip, and suddenly burst into loud wails. "Waaaah! Jiaojiao wants Mama! Waaaah! Auntie is bullying me! (ó﹏ò) Waaaah..."
She cried as if her very heart were breaking.
"Your Majesty, the child is frightened. As for the calligraphy, it likely wasn't her work. How could such a small child know how to write? Most likely, when Wei Kang went to ask, the servants made up a story to please their masters. They didn't realize it was Your Majesty asking, and Kang'er took it for the truth," Wei Qing said, trying to diffuse the situation. He guessed that Wei Kang and Wei Yuan, seeing the Emperor's interest in the calligraphy, had been too eager to claim credit for their maternal relatives and claimed the child wrote it. He hadn't expected the Emperor to take it seriously, nor for the child to be so terrified.
Liu Che stood up. "Yang De-yi, we are returning to the palace."
"Understood," Yang De-yi replied respectfully.
The entire Wei household was filled with trepidation. Since the Emperor hadn't actually lashed out, they didn't know what to say.
"Bring her along." Liu Che suddenly turned back, pointing at Ajiao.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 阖家同心 | Family United in One Heart | An auspicious phrase often used in decorations. |
| 太卜令 | Grand Diviner | Official in charge of divination and omens. |
| 太祝令 | Grand Invoker | Official in charge of religious ceremonies and prayers. |
| 仲卿 | Zhongqing | The courtesy name of Wei Qing. |
| 尚公主 | Marry a Princess | A specific term used when a man marries into the imperial family. |
| 如意结 | Ruyi Knot | A traditional decorative Chinese knot symbolizing good fortune. |
| 球结 | Ball Knot | A specific type of round decorative knot. |
| 平结 | Flat Knot | A basic square or reef knot. |
| 陈娇娇 | Chen Jiaojiao | The child's name; "Jiaojiao" was also the childhood nickname of Empress Chen Ajiao. |
| 讳 | Taboo / Naming Taboo | The practice of avoiding the names of emperors or respected elders. |
| 长门宫 | Longmen Palace | The palace where Chen Ajiao was confined after being deposed. |
| 卫不疑 | Wei Buyi | One of Wei Qing's sons. |
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