The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 5 | Burial Riches | Novela.app

The ghost guard led A Jiao through a small side door and into an adjacent hall. Inside, several red-robed ghost officials sat at individual desks, each with a long queue forming before them. The room was quite boisterous; A Jiao could hear the voices of other ghosts counting their assets and belongings. "Go wait in line," the guard instructed before turning to leave. "Oh," A Jiao replied softly, obediently finding a shorter queue to join. *This Underworld is so different from what I imagined!* A Jiao thought, idly twirling a strand of her hair. She had expected ghosts to simply drift above their own tombs. Instead, the Netherworld functioned much like a mortal government office. "Why doesn't the goose I raised count as mine?" A Jiao heard someone shouting ahead. Curious, she leaned out of line to look. Having spent so many years in the desolate silence of Longmen Palace, she found this sudden bustle quite novel. "What are you shouting for?" the red-robed official snapped, tapping his brush impatiently against the desk. "I’ve told you already: only items buried with you at the time of interment count. Funerary goods! Only burial items are recognized as your property here in the Netherworld." "But I raised that goose! It died before me, so why isn't it mine?" the ghost persisted stubbornly. *Tsk!* A ghost behind A Jiao scoffed in disdain. A Jiao quickly realized this wasn't a spectacle worth watching. The ghost ahead continued to rant, reaching out to snatch the brush from the official’s hand. The moment his fingers brushed the tool, the official let out a cold snort, not even bothering to look up. *Shattered!* A Jiao heard herself gasp. She hadn't seen the official move at all, yet the rowdy ghost had simply disintegrated. He broke apart into tiny, swirling clusters of grey light. It was terrifying. The surrounding ghosts in the queue stood frozen in shock. "Next," the official said, as if nothing had happened. To him, indeed, nothing had. He had merely dispersed a troublemaker—a trivial task. At the next desk, another official was prodding the ghost before him. Just moments ago, that ghost—an elderly woman—had been demanding to know why her burial goods were so meager. She insisted her son was filial and suspected the Underworld of embezzling her property. "Do you still wish to audit your burial goods? It’s quite a tedious process," the official asked with surprising patience. He had only recently been promoted to his post and was filled with boundless joy and diligence, determined to meet every request of the newly deceased. "No... no need!" The old woman swallowed a mouthful of non-existent saliva. A few items less was fine—better even! It wouldn't... wouldn't attract thieves! A Jiao immediately looked down, not daring to let her eyes wander any further. *** Liu Che jolted awake from his sleep. *Why did I dream of Imperial Father and Aunt?* Moreover, he had dreamed of them discussing the wealth his aunt had left behind. Liu Che was an Emperor. An Emperor with grand ideals. An Emperor whose greatest ambition was to crush the Xiongnu. But war required vast amounts of gold. Consequently, he was also an Emperor who loved wealth. In his youth, he had learned many "legitimate" ways to amass riches from his aunt, Princess Guantao. This time, following old precedents, he had confiscated a portion of the Chen family’s assets—perhaps a very large portion. "Your Majesty?" a cautious voice whispered from outside the bed curtains. Yang Deyi had been dozing by the door when he heard movement within the room. "Enter!" Liu Che exhaled sharply and sat up. Yang Deyi hurried in, leading a night-watch attendant. He found the Emperor sitting on the edge of the bed. "Why has Your Majesty awakened so early? The hour is still young," Yang Deyi said, drawing back the silk canopies. Supported by Yang Deyi, Liu Che stood up. His head felt heavy, still clouded by the remnants of the dream. The young attendant was clever; he had already prepared a cup of warm water and offered it respectfully. Yang Deyi took it, discreetly testing the temperature before handing it to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, please have some water." Liu Che drained the cup in one go. "The Manor of the Marquis of Tangyi... the Manor of the Marquis of Longlü... the Chen family... has anything happened with the Chens lately?" The Marquis of Tangyi? The Marquis of Longlü? The Chen family! Yang Deyi was startled. He wondered why the Emperor had suddenly remembered those two households. Ever since the two Marquises had committed suicide and their titles were stripped, they had been very quiet. He hadn't heard of any trouble. "In response to Your Majesty, your servant has heard nothing," Yang Deyi answered carefully. *Nothing?* Liu Che wondered if he was overthinking things. Or perhaps it was because his sister, Princess Longlü, had come to him recently to "buy off" her son’s crimes? Liu Che felt stifled and found himself unable to return to sleep. Outside the window, the sky was still dark. Even the chirping of the cicadas was faint. Liu Che was the type of person who could not rest until he had puzzled out the truth of a matter. Yet, it was the middle of the night, and it wasn't appropriate to summon officials for discussion. He dismissed Yang Deyi and brooded alone. A cool breeze drifted through the room, but Yang Deyi felt uneasy outside. *What is wrong with His Majesty? Why bring up the Chen family out of the blue?* For the past two years, without Grand Princess Dou or the two Marquises to lean on, the Chen family had been exceptionally well-behaved. Yang Deyi stood in the courtyard, trying to divine his master's thoughts. As the sky began to pale with the first light of dawn, the Emperor’s voice finally called out from within. His Majesty’s complexion was poor. Yang Deyi took a deep breath and walked in with his head bowed. The Emperor ate very little breakfast before the morning court session. Once court was dismissed, Yang Deyi hurried to have fresh refreshments served. Liu Che was hungry, but his mood remained foul, and the pastries didn't suit his palate. Yang Deyi stole a glance at the Emperor; he was clearly displeased. Suddenly, an announcement came from outside: the Empress requested an audience. "Grant her entry." Wei Zifu was not one to come to Xuanshi Hall without cause. Liu Che set down his chopsticks, suppressing his lingering irritation. Wei Zifu had heard on her way that the Emperor was in a bad mood, but this news could not be delayed. "This concubine pays her respects to Your Majesty. May you enjoy great peace," Wei Zifu performed a formal salutation. "Rise." Liu Che took a silk cloth from an attendant, wiped the corners of his mouth, and tossed it back onto the tray. "What does the Empress have to report?" "Your Majesty, word came from Longmen Palace this morning. The Lady Chen... has passed away," Wei Zifu stated directly, not daring to embellish. *Lady Chen? A Jiao!* Liu Che was struck by a sudden realization. No wonder he had dreamed of his aunt last night! "When did it happen?" Liu Che asked, frowning. "Yesterday afternoon. Lady Chen said she wished to take a nap. When the female official went to check on her later, she had already..." Wei Zifu trailed off, peeking at the Emperor’s expression. "I see." For a moment, Liu Che didn't know what to say. He merely gave a soft acknowledgment. Chen A Jiao was his first Empress, his wife of the first knot—but that was a long time ago. She had been deposed because of her own ignorance, practicing witchcraft within the palace. In his memory, she was willful and hot-tempered, but her health had always been robust. To think she was gone already. *Was the dream because Aunt and Imperial Father were rebuking me for not taking care of her? But I did! I gave orders long ago that her provisions should match those of an Empress!* Seeing the Emperor remain silent and expressionless, Wei Zifu couldn't gauge his thoughts. She asked tentatively, "This concubine has come to ask for Your Majesty’s instructions. How should the funeral rites for Lady Chen be handled?" *How?* "Handle it according to precedent," Liu Che said, his irritation returning. Wei Zifu saw his darkening expression and braced herself. "Lady Chen is a deposed Empress. There is only the precedent of the Lady Bo. However, Lady Bo resided within the palace, whereas Lady Chen lived long in Longmen Palace, therefore..." "Then hold it at Longmen Palace. Match the rites of Lady Bo..." He suddenly remembered the dream. "No, match the rites of a Queen Mother of a vassal state. Simply cancel the court ceremonies." "As you command." Having received a definitive answer, Wei Zifu felt relieved. "You may withdraw." Liu Che felt the problem that had plagued him all morning was resolved, and his appetite returned. "..." Wei Zifu wanted to offer a few words of comfort, but seeing his dismissal, she could only retreat. "Wait!" She had reached the doors of Xuanshi Hall when the Emperor called her back. "Does Your Majesty have further instructions?" Liu Che rose and retrieved a brocade box from a nearby cabinet. He pulled out a bundle of bamboo slips. "In addition to the standard rites, add these to her burial goods. Furthermore, everything within Longmen Palace is to be buried with her. You shall oversee it and add more as you see fit." He had almost forgotten his father and aunt discussing the wealth his aunt had amassed. Perhaps his aunt’s spirit was watching, knowing he hadn't given A Jiao the money she had left for her? That was only because he needed to train the army; military funds were tight, so he had "borrowed" it temporarily. Besides, A Jiao’s lifestyle was already lavish; she didn't need that extra gold then. See? Now he was giving it all back to her! Liu Che felt his conscience was clear. Wei Zifu hurriedly accepted the command and withdrew. *Heavens!* *So much wealth and treasure? All for Chen’s burial?* Wei Zifu was stunned as she looked at the list of gold, silver, and jewels recorded on the bamboo slips. *** *Even a ghost like me knows my burial goods won't be anything special,* A Jiao thought gloomily. She was a deposed Empress, and one who lived outside the main palace at that. Still, if her burial goods could commute forty years of her sentence, they must be significant. She figured she should give them to her mother first, then find a way to help the innocent people who were implicated because of her in the witchcraft scandal—though she didn't know if money mattered much in the Underworld. Finally, it was her turn. The ghost official spread a bundle of bamboo slips across the desk. "See for yourself." *So much? Did Liu Che suddenly become kind to me after I died?* A Jiao marveled as she scanned the list of treasures. She knew the precedent set by Empress Bo; there shouldn't have been this much. If she didn't know better, she would have thought her mother had provided it all. "Sir, I have reviewed it." The official hummed in acknowledgment. He detached the first slip from the bundle and handed it to her. "Keep this. You can use it to check your burial goods—your future property in the Netherworld—at any time. However," the official glanced at the large character for "Punishment" branded on A Jiao’s forehead, "you must serve your sentence first. Take this slip to the third desk on the left. They will keep it in custody. Once your sentence is served, you may reclaim it." "Thank you, Sir." A Jiao bowed and followed the directions toward the third desk. ***