Ajiao ended up sleeping soundly until noon.
By the time she woke, Wei Yuan was already chatting and laughing with several young maids.
"Xia Zhu..." Ajiao called out from the bed, her voice thick with the lingering sleepiness of a pampered child.
Xia Zhu immediately dropped her work and rushed to Ajiao’s side, scooping her up. "The young lady is awake. Let me help you wash and dress."
Ajiao grabbed Xia Zhu’s sleeve and rubbed her face against it. "Xia Zhu, I missed you so much. I thought I’d never see you again."
Wei Yuan walked over and leaned against the table. "How could that be? Don't let your little head fill with such nonsense."
"It could! Why couldn't it? That Emperor is so scary." *He even wanted to cut my stomach open!*
Wei Yuan could only laugh as she took the girl into her arms. "Fine, fine. But there’s nothing to fear now. Your aunt is here, alright? Be good, let me help you get ready."
Yu Li entered, leading several palace maids carrying basins and jars, and knelt beside Ajiao.
Xia Zhu soaked a cloth in water and gently patted Ajiao’s face to dampen it. Then, Yu Li stepped forward holding a box of mung bean powder to wash Ajiao’s face. Feeling the texture, Xia Zhu sighed in admiration. "This feels much finer than what we use at home. It’s almost like what the Second Young Mistress uses."
Wei Yuan covered her mouth and laughed. "I don't usually use this myself; it’s only available when the palace grants it as a gift. This mung bean powder is specially prepared by the palace, blended with other fragrances. It’s much more comfortable than what you find outside."
Once Ajiao’s face was clean, Yu Li beckoned another maid forward who held a spittoon and tea. After Ajiao rinsed her mouth, the maids filed out in an orderly fashion.
Once they had left, Xia Zhu pressed a hand to her chest. "Sister Yu Li, those maids didn't say a single word. It made me so nervous! I was terrified I’d do something wrong."
Yu Li gave a gentle smile. "Don't be afraid, little sister. That is simply the etiquette of serving in the palace. Since you are now serving a master here, you must eventually learn these rules. I will teach you one by one."
Another palace maid entered carrying a small chest. "Greetings to the Lady."
Ajiao gave a casual "mm," and the young maid turned to Yu Li. "Sister Yu Li, these are the clothes Lady Xing sent over yesterday. Currently, the wardrobes in the hall are filled with His Majesty’s garments, so Official Guo specifically sent us to ask where these should be placed."
"Go to the Internal Manor and request another wardrobe to set up inside. Why didn't you ask this yesterday instead of waiting until now?" Yu Li was decisive. Judging by the Emperor's behavior, it seemed he intended for the Lady of Huikang to stay in the palace long-term. Keeping her clothes in a chest was simply improper.
"Leave the chest here for now. I will change the Lady’s clothes." Yu Li opened the chest and spread several sets of dresses across the bed, asking Ajiao, "Which set would the Lady like to wear today?"
Cradled in Wei Yuan’s arms, Ajiao looked them over for a moment before pointing to a set with a yellow base embroidered with pink chrysanthemums. "That one! And I want the pale yellow skirt—the soft, tender-looking one."
Yu Li picked up the two pieces, and the other maids cleared away the rest.
Speaking of which, Ajiao hadn't brought any clothes into the palace yesterday, and the garments from the Weaving House weren't ready yet. Empress Wei should have sent a few sets in advance, even if they were made for someone else—yet, whether the Empress had forgotten or had other reasons, it was Lady Xing who had sent clothes instead.
As Yu Li helped Ajiao dress, she listened to Xia Zhu excitedly recount everything she had seen and heard at Jiaofang Hall that morning.
Yu Li heard many things that were improper, but she didn't want to rebuke the girl directly in front of Ajiao. She planned to teach her slowly when they had a moment alone.
Ajiao listened and smiled. It seemed Liu Che’s harem was far from peaceful. The various consorts were likely fighting ruthlessly behind the scenes. However, Lady Xing surprised her. She seemed gentle, meticulous, and polite; could she really be the same person who once had such a fierce argument that she caused another woman to miscarry from rage?
Given that she had managed to regain the Emperor's favor after such an incident, it seemed Liu Che truly did fondle her!
"Why doesn't Lady Yin like Lady Xing? I like pretty sisters," Ajiao asked Yu Li.
Yu Li had no choice but to explain the old grievances between the two. Ajiao sighed as she listened. It all boiled down to that bastard Liu Che stirring up trouble between them. Indeed, she had always felt Liu Che was no good, constantly fanning the flames of conflict.
One usually heard of Emperors wishing for harmony in the harem, not one who actively sowed discord. And in all likelihood, Liu Che didn't even think he was the problem; he probably just thought the two women were overly jealous.
"Sister Yu Li, what’s for lunch?" Ajiao couldn't be bothered with the affairs of Liu Che’s harem anymore.
"I heard the kitchens specially stewed pigeon soup for the Lady. Since you are hungry, I shall call for the meal."
Ajiao nodded.
***
Yang Deyi watched as the Imperial Physician carefully changed the Emperor's bandages before he dared to step forward. "Your Majesty, shall I call for the meal? You barely ate anything this morning."
"Call for it." Liu Che looked up from his documents. "Has the Wei family entered the palace?"
"The Wei family's young lady entered early this morning and has already paid her respects to the Empress."
"And Wei Qing?" The Emperor had skipped the morning court today, ordering all documents to be delivered to him instead.
"The Great General has not submitted any missives."
Liu Che tapped the table. "What about the Commandant of Justice? I heard Du Zhou interrogated Lady Xing yesterday?"
"Indeed, but nothing unusual was found."
Liu Che glanced at the dishes being brought in. "Why is everything so bland and watery?"
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Physician said that because of your injury, you cannot eat spicy food or drink alcohol. The kitchens specially stewed fish, shrimp, beef, and mutton. Please endure it for now, Your Majesty. Once your wound is healed, the kitchens will prepare whatever you like!"
"Sigh! Fine." He was naturally fond of heavy, bold flavors. Ajiao, on the other hand, had been forced to eat bland food since childhood due to her delicate stomach. In the past, Liu Che always felt that he and Ajiao were truly incompatible in every way. Ajiao had once tried to accompany him in eating spicy food, but she ended up vomiting and suffering from diarrhea, which led to him getting a scolding from the Grand Empress Dowager.
As expected, it never ended well! To think he had spent so many years eating bland dishes just to keep her company!
"Your Majesty, please have a few bites of this millet and red date porridge. It replenishes the blood."
Liu Che took two sips and found it cloyingly sweet. "Send this to Chen Ajiao."
Yang Deyi complied and took the porridge away.
Liu Che picked at a few pieces of fish. The mutton was lightly seasoned and had a bit of a gamey smell.
"Send this mutton to the Crown Prince. Take a bowl of this beef bone soup to Run'er and Bo'er. And this..."
Cold sweat broke out on Yang Deyi’s forehead. "Your Majesty, even if these aren't to your taste, you should at least eat a little."
"Aren't I keeping the fish and shrimp? Just go when I tell you." Liu Che set his bowl down with a clatter.
Yang Deyi didn't dare cross him at such a time and could only obey.
After arranging for young eunuchs to deliver the items to the various palaces, Yang Deyi returned to continue serving the Emperor. He saw the Emperor had scooped half a bowl of soup over his rice to eat.
Usually, the Emperor had several spicy dishes at every meal to balance the lighter ones. Today, there wasn't a hint of spice to be seen; no wonder he had no appetite.
Yang Deyi felt that the Emperor, eating his rice soaked in soup, looked a little bit pitiful.
"Your Majesty, Lady Yin requests an audience!" a young eunuch reported.
"I won't see her. Didn't I say no visitors? Did the Empress not pass down the order?" Liu Che was annoyed.
"In reply to Your Majesty, Her Highness did pass down the order. However, as you know, the ladies of the various palaces are all worried about you."
"Then tell them to remember the rules." Liu Che shoveled a mouthful of rice. "This afternoon, have Zhu Haiguang and Chen Ajiao come here."
"Understood." Yang Deyi withdrew, tasked with giving the reply to Lady Yin.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 绿豆粉 | Mung bean powder | A traditional Chinese beauty product used for washing the face. |
| 刑美人 | Lady Xing | A consort rank (Meiren). |
| 尹婕妤 | Lady Yin | A consort rank (Jieyu). |
| 织室 | Weaving House | The imperial workshop responsible for making clothes. |
| 椒房殿 | Jiaofang Hall | The "Pepper Chamber," the traditional residence of the Empress. |
| 润儿 | Run'er | Likely a nickname for one of Liu Che's sons. |
| 髆儿 | Bo'er | Refers to Liu Bo, one of Liu Che's sons. |
| 廷尉 | Commandant of Justice | The high official in charge of the legal system (Tingwei). |
| 内府 | Internal Manor | The office managing palace supplies and logistics. |
