Chen Yang and Madam Yan supported Old Madam Chen as they hurried to the Wei residence.
The Wei household had suddenly sent word that their precious Jiaojiao had been taken into the palace by the Emperor, and the Great General urgently requested their presence to discuss the matter. Chen Yang, fearing that Ruan Qing might be startled during her postpartum recovery month, did not dare tell her.
"Cousin, sister-in-law, what on earth happened? Why would His Majesty take Jiaojiao away?" Chen Yang began firing off questions the moment he saw Wei Kang and Wei Yuan.
"Who knows? His Majesty was only here for a short while before he took her," Wei Kang replied, his father still deep in confusion as well. "Quickly, come inside. Father is waiting." Wei Kang and Wei Yuan supported Old Madam Chen as they walked toward the inner hall.
Wei Qing walked to the door to meet them. Old Madam Chen grabbed his hand and asked, "Marquis, what exactly is going on?"
Wei Qing shook his head and said candidly, "I do not know either. When His Majesty arrived today, he first brought a character for 'auspiciousness' and asked me to find out who wrote it. Later, he said the ruyi knots hanging on the trees were tied incorrectly. Kang’er and Yuan’er brought Jiaojiao over and said she was the one who wrote the character. Who could have known... it is my fault as well. I failed to remember that Jiaojiao’s name violates the naming taboo of a certain noble in the palace..."
"What?! Which... which consort is it? Or which Princess?" Old Madam Chen was shocked. Surely Jiaojiao’s name couldn't clash with His Majesty or any of the Princes!
Wei Qing sighed. "It is the name of His Majesty’s late Empress Chen."
Old Madam Chen did not immediately recall who that was.
Wei Kang explained, "The Chen clan lady was His Majesty’s first Empress. She was deposed due to witchcraft and lived in Longmen Palace for many years before passing away six years ago. Sigh, why would His Majesty suddenly remember this?"
Wei Qing added, "Because Empress Chen was deposed and had been away from the palace for so long, few people know her personal name. I simply didn't pay attention..." He truly hadn't expected the Emperor to still remember.
"This... we can change Jiaojiao’s name in the future," Old Madam Chen said hurriedly.
"Secondly," Wei Qing continued, "I feel that His Majesty might be slightly dissatisfied with the Wei family..."
"Oh, you people! You bring disaster to our house the moment you arrive..." Old Madam Wei walked in unsteadily, pointing at the Chen family and cursing.
"Mother, how can you say such a thing..."
"In-law, this is something none of us could have anticipated..." Old Madam Chen managed to restrain her temper.
"What do you mean 'couldn't have anticipated'? There are plenty of things one can't anticipate, so why is it that trouble only starts when your family shows up? His Majesty has been so good to our Wei family; we haven't had a cross word in all these years. But the moment you arrive, His Majesty gets angry. If it’s not your fault, whose is it?" Old Madam Wei’s finger was nearly poking Old Madam Chen in the face.
Chen Yang stepped forward to shield his grandmother.
"Old Madam, those words are misplaced. His Majesty took my Jiaojiao into the palace; perhaps it’s because he took a liking to her."
"Yes, yes, Grandmother," Wei Yuan chimed in. "I saw it with my own eyes. When His Majesty left, he personally carried Jiaojiao into the carriage. Besides, His Majesty saw the characters Jiaojiao wrote. It’s quite extraordinary for her to write like that at such a young age." Moreover, Jiaojiao had smeared ink all over the Emperor, and he hadn't even been angry.
Old Madam Wei remained relentless, her mouth still full of grumbling curses.
Wei Qing only wished he could faint on the spot.
***
After finishing a bowl of egg custard, A'Jiao finally felt she had regained the strength she’d spent crying and shouting.
Guo Dun had sent someone to borrow clothes for Princess Run from Consort Xing. The round-faced palace maid wiped A'Jiao’s mouth and carried her off to change.
"Your Majesty, the people from the Pavilion of Seeking Immortals have arrived. They are waiting outside the hall," Yang Deyi reported.
"Have them wait in the main hall. Guo Dun, tell them to hurry with the clothes."
Yang and Guo took their orders and departed.
Princess Run was the daughter of the late Lady Li, who had passed away two years ago. Only three years old, she was exceptionally bright and lovely. Liu Che was quite fond of this youngest daughter. The child could speak before she was a year old and could recite poetry and write by age two—far more intelligent than her older brothers and sisters!
After Lady Li’s death, Princess Run and the Fifth Prince were both given to Lady Li’s close friend, Consort Xing, to be raised. Consort Xing was gentle and wise, treating the two royal children as her own. For this, Liu Che favored Consort Xing a bit more.
Once A'Jiao finished changing, she came running out with a *deng-deng-deng* sound.
Liu Che didn't know why he was so certain the little girl before him was the A'Jiao of old. Although every movement of this "Little A'Jiao" seemed to desperately deny it, he remained convinced. He even suspected that this A'Jiao possessed her past memories. It wasn't just the resemblance in features or the identical handwriting; it was as if every memory in his mind was telling him they were the same person.
*If I could discover how A'Jiao returned to life and became a child...* Liu Che thought, feeling his heart grow warm with excitement!
He walked over, took A'Jiao’s hand, and spun her around. "So beautiful. Jiaojiao is just as beautiful as ever." The hand was soft and tender, exactly the way a child’s should be.
Liu Che stared at her like a starving man staring at a piece of meat. A'Jiao began to discern his motives: even in his youth, Liu Che had pursued the path of immortality, never wavering even after being deceived by occultists time and again. Since Liu Che was convinced she was A'Jiao, he likely had other designs in mind.
"Let’s go." Liu Che had someone carry A'Jiao as they headed toward the main hall of Xuanshi Palace.
A'Jiao leaned against Guo Dun’s shoulder, sighing inwardly at how the palace still treated children as fragile treasures. A two- or three-year-old child couldn't go anywhere without being carried by servants. It was like this in her past life, and it was the same after her reincarnation.
Back at the Chen residence, she would run around on the ground herself, with only Xia Zhu holding her hand.
Entering the main hall, A'Jiao saw quite a few people inside. They were all dressed in green robes and simple shoes; their appearance alone was enough to intimidate.
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise." Liu Che took his seat and pointed at A'Jiao. "Place her in the center. Each of you shall examine her one by one."
*Who is this? What are we looking at?* The occultists were utterly baffled, but the Emperor said nothing more.
A servant brought a cushion, and Guo Dun placed A'Jiao upon it. Liu Che busied himself flipping through the bamboo slips on his desk, intending to reveal nothing more to these men.
The occultists had no choice but to surround A'Jiao and observe her closely.
One man spoke up tentatively, "This young girl has a broad Property Palace, a high nose bridge, and bright eyes. Her earlobes are thick and soft—a sign of great fortune. Furthermore, there is a small mole on her right cheek, indicating she is destined to meet noble benefactors. Her marriage will surely be into a prominent and wealthy family."
Liu Che snorted coldly in his heart. *As if you need to tell me that!* With the Grand Princess as her mother and having married the Crown Prince to become Empress, she couldn't have been more prominent.
"Ah, no, no. Look at her thin lips and the slight upward tilt of her eyes. Her eyebrows are sharp and her forehead is high. Her future temperament may not be good; she will be prone to heavy emotions and extreme character."
*Hmph, she even dared to strike me, the Emperor. Her temper is certainly grand.*
A'Jiao felt a twinge of guilt.
With the conversation started, several occultists began to debate A'Jiao’s physiognomy.
Liu Che grew weary of the talk and smashed his cup onto the floor. The room fell instantly silent. The occultists looked at one another, not daring to speak.
Seeing that these people only knew how to read faces, A'Jiao felt a bit more at ease. She didn't care much for physiognomy; let them babble whatever they wanted.
After a long silence, one occultist stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I have observed this girl’s features and aura. Her destiny is noble beyond words." He performed a deep prostration. "I am so bold as to say this girl possesses the destiny of an Empress."
Before an Emperor, one could say a person would be wealthy in the future without much issue. But mentioning the word "Empress" was no simple matter.
The other occultists were shocked.
Liu Che narrowed his eyes, staring at the man—he remembered his name was Chu Haiguang.
"Could Your Majesty please dismiss the others?"
Liu Che waved his hand. Yang Deyi ushered the crowd out, leaving only the three of them in the room.
Chu Haiguang bowed again and continued, "Furthermore, I see a magical treasure hidden within this girl’s body, situated between her chest and abdomen. It is contained within her, invisible to mortal eyes. Your Majesty may extract it for your own use."
A'Jiao was truly startled now. She carried the protective talisman given to her by Lord Shen; after her reincarnation, it was hidden inside her body, invisible to mortals.
*This man actually has some skill.* A'Jiao’s heart trembled. As the saying goes, "An ordinary man is guiltless, but carrying a jade makes him a criminal." Her protective talisman was a priceless treasure to mortals. If word got out and she was targeted, she would be finished.
Furthermore, Liu Che had never harbored good intentions. Now that he knew, her days of peace were over. Lord Shen had specifically warned her that this talisman must not fall into the hands of others.
From his seat, Liu Che watched A'Jiao’s surprise and panic. He suddenly wanted to laugh but forced himself to remain composed. *A'Jiao, oh A'Jiao, I really don't know what to say about her!*
Liu Che stood up and walked step by step toward A'Jiao. He placed his hand on her stomach and asked, "Where exactly?"
Chu Haiguang replied, "My magic is meager; I can only vaguely see it between the chest and abdomen. I cannot provide details. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
A'Jiao took a deep breath. Liu Che’s hand was large, and his grip on her stomach was painful. She felt as if Liu Che was considering exactly where to make an incision.
"Your Majesty Grandpa, you’re hurting Jiaojiao!" A'Jiao grabbed Liu Che’s hand to pull it away, but he held her firm.
"Don't move! Be a good girl, Jiaojiao," Liu Che coaxed half-heartedly.
The sunlight was blocked by heavy curtains, and for a moment, A'Jiao couldn't see Liu Che’s expression clearly.
Suddenly, the pressure on her stomach vanished. Liu Che withdrew his hand and returned to his seat, his voice cold. "In that case, Minister Chu shall return and diligently improve his cultivation. The rest shall be left to me."
Liu Che did not often use the imperial "We" or "Zhen" in daily life. The last time A'Jiao had heard him speak this way was when he deposed the Empress.
Chu Haiguang prostrated himself, thanking the Emperor for his grace.
*Heh, once this man named Chu improves his cultivation, won't I be the one getting cut open?* A'Jiao sneered in her heart.
"Yang Deyi, come in. Appoint Minister Chu as General of Heavenly Communication and bestow the seal." He then glanced at the stiff A'Jiao and smiled. "Chen Jiaojiao is hereby titled Lady Huikang and shall serve as a study companion to Princess Run."
*Good heavens, he’s putting me under house arrest!*
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 讳 | Naming Taboo | The practice of avoiding the names of emperors, ancestors, or elders. |
| 巫蛊 | Witchcraft/Sorcery | Specifically referring to the "Witchcraft Persecution" (Wugu) incidents. |
| 长门宫 | Longmen Palace | The palace where Empress Chen was confined after being deposed. |
| 寻仙阁 | Pavilion of Seeking Immortals | A fictional or specific palace building for occultists. |
| 李婕妤 | Lady Li (Jieyu) | A high-ranking concubine (Jieyu is a rank). |
| 润公主 | Princess Run | Daughter of Liu Che and Lady Li. |
| 刑美人 | Consort Xing (Meiren) | A concubine (Meiren is a rank). |
| 田宅宫 | Property Palace | A term in physiognomy (face reading) relating to the area between the eye and eyebrow. |
| 隆准 | High nose bridge | A physical trait often associated with nobility or emperors. |
| 褚海光 | Chu Haiguang | Name of a fangshi (occultist). |
| 天通将军 | General of Heavenly Communication | A title bestowed upon the occultist. |
| 惠康君 | Lady Huikang | A noble title (Jun) bestowed upon A'Jiao. |
| 伴读 | Study companion | A person appointed to study alongside a royal. |
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