Ah Jiao was happily enjoying her lunch with Wei Yuan when an attendant suddenly announced that the Emperor had bestowed a dish upon them.
It was millet and red date porridge. Ah Jiao loved it, but because she was currently young and her teeth hadn't fully developed, Nurse Ruan Qing wouldn't let her eat too many sweets. Seizing this opportunity, Ah Jiao set aside her rice and finished the bowl of porridge in no time.
"Don't eat too much. Your sister-in-law told you not to have too many sweets," Wei Yuan said, reaching for the bowl, but Ah Jiao dodged her.
"Shh, don't tell Mother! This was bestowed by His Majesty; I couldn't possibly refuse!" Ah Jiao’s eyes crinkled into crescent moons of delight.
Wei Yuan sighed helplessly. "Only this once!"
As they were chatting and laughing, Guo Dun suddenly entered to report, "My Lady, Lady Yin has come to see you!"
"Lady Yin? Have I met her?" Ah Jiao held her small spoon, wondering what this woman wanted with her.
"The Lady says she has come to check on you," Guo Dun replied, equally unsure of her intentions.
"I won't see her!" Ah Jiao refused flatly. She had no desire to get involved with Liu Che’s harem. *Note to self: I should probably visit Consort Xing less often too.*
"Jiaojiao, you can't do that. Lady Yin is currently at the height of her favor in the palace. Never mind, you're just a child and don't understand these things, but we cannot simply turn her away. Master Guo, I will go with you to welcome her." Wei Yuan stood up.
Ah Jiao pouted but could only let them have their way. After all, in this life, she truly didn't stand high enough yet.
Wei Yuan and Lady Yin entered, smiling.
Ah Jiao looked at the slender beauty and wondered if Liu Che ever grew tired of looking at the same type of woman for so many years.
The palace servants bowed in succession. Yu Li followed Lady Yin’s gaze and explained, "Lady Huikang has injured her leg and cannot properly greet you. We hope you will not take offense."
"So her leg is injured. I was wondering how a child of the Wei family could be so impolite." Lady Yin walked over and scrutinized Ah Jiao. "She is a tidy-looking child. No wonder His Majesty and the Empress are so fond of her."
Ah Jiao brushed Lady Yin’s hand away. *Please don't just tug on people's hair, okay? It hurts.*
Lady Yin’s expression soured, but Yu Li quickly smoothed things over with a smile.
After a moment, Lady Yin spoke. "This is stewed beef made by my personal kitchen. I brought it specifically for Lady Huikang to try!" Her eyes suddenly flickered to the lacquer bowl by Ah Jiao’s hand. If she remembered correctly, that seemed to be a unique set of tableware made specifically for the Emperor. Even if he had bestowed a dish, why was she using the bowl itself? Her personal maid, Rui’er, presented a food box, and Wei Yuan thanked her with a smile.
Ah Jiao looked at the thick layer of spices on the beef and smelled the pungent heat as soon as the lid was opened. She knew this wasn't meant for her—Lady Yin had likely been rebuffed by Liu Che and had come here to fish for information.
Wei Yuan was taken aback. "Oh, why is there so much spice? Jiaojiao is recovering from an injury; she can't eat anything pungent!"
*Liu Che has a head injury, so he definitely can't eat it either!* Ah Jiao sighed inwardly for this lady.
Lady Yin froze. If the Emperor wouldn't see her and hadn't even accepted her food, his injuries must be significant. No wonder he had even canceled the morning court sessions. Yu Li, sensing Lady Yin’s displeasure, tried to mediate. "The Lady is of noble status and naturally wouldn't know such details, but we appreciate the sentiment. My Lady accepts the gesture, and this dish..."
"Then I shall bestow it upon all of you!" Lady Yin smiled at Wei Yuan. "I heard that although Lady Huikang only entered the palace yesterday, she is greatly favored by His Majesty. Look at this bowl—His Majesty has never let anyone else use it."
"Is there something special about this bowl?" Ah Jiao asked.
"This was made from a piece of divine wood that Mystic Ruan brought back from across the sea two years ago."
"Divine wood? To make a bowl?" Ah Jiao was puzzled. This wasn't Liu Che’s style. Even if he didn't enshrine it, he could have at least made a coffin out of it.
"Mystic Ruan used the divine wood to carve a statue of a goddess. This bowl was made from the leftover scraps. Mystic Ruan said it can prolong one's life!"
Ah Jiao picked up the bowl and looked at it, feeling that Liu Che had been swindled again. She asked, "Is that Mystic Ruan still with His Majesty?"
Lady Yin thought for a moment. "No. I heard that back when Luan Da was married to the Princess of Dangli..." She glanced at Wei Yuan and her smile faded. "Not long after, Mystic Ruan took his leave of His Majesty, saying he wished to travel the mountains and seas. His Majesty even gave him several thousand pieces of gold for his travels!"
"I see!" *Smart,* Ah Jiao thought. If these occultists wanted to keep their lives, they should learn from this Ruan fellow—don't be too greedy and leave while the going is good.
Lady Yin chatted with them for a few more minutes, but after failing to glean any useful information, she claimed she was tired and took her leave.
Once Lady Yin was gone, Wei Yuan picked up the bowl. "Heavens, can this bowl really prolong life?"
"It can!"
Ah Jiao looked up in surprise at Yun He, who had suddenly appeared.
***
Having finished his lunch in a hurry, Liu Che sent Yang Deyi to summon Chen Ah Jiao and Chu Haiguang.
Word came back quickly from the Qingliang Palace: Chen Ah Jiao had been frightened yesterday and was now too ill to get out of bed.
Liu Che was furious and sent another messenger to urge her, but she still claimed illness.
The news from Chu Haiguang arrived a bit later, but he too claimed to be sick and unable to face the Emperor.
Liu Che smashed a set of tea-ware in his rage and decided to go see for himself what Chen Ah Jiao was up to.
Yang Deyi carefully assisted the Emperor onto the imperial palanquin and cautioned the attendants to walk steadily.
When they arrived at the Qingliang Palace, a trembling Wei Yuan led the household out to greet him.
"Where is Chen Ah Jiao?"
Wei Yuan hesitated for a moment before realizing he meant Jiaojiao. "Replying to Your Majesty, the Young Lady is resting in her room. She just finished her meal."
"I thought she was sick?" Liu Che was ushered inside.
"She was eating just fine, but then she suddenly said she felt unwell. Not long after, Your Majesty’s messenger arrived." Wei Yuan didn't dare to lie.
"I'll go see her."
Wei Yuan led the way, though Liu Che was more familiar with this place than anyone else.
Upon reaching the bedchamber, Liu Che pushed the door open and walked in. He saw Ah Jiao leaning over the table, turning his bowl over and over in her hands.
"That bowl?" Liu Che frowned.
"Oh dear, the servants must have forgotten to swap it out." Yang Deyi realized something was wrong the moment he saw it.
Startled, Ah Jiao let the bowl slip, and it hit the floor with a *clack*. Seeing this, Guo Dun hurried forward to pick it up and carefully placed it back on the table.
Yun He sat brazenly on the bed, laughing. "Oho, your old flame is here to see you again." Of course, no one else could see him.
Ah Jiao glared at him, then turned to Liu Che with a smile. "Grandpa Emperor, why are you here?"
Liu Che was quite satisfied by Ah Jiao’s guilty look. He dismissed the others and sat down on the bed.
Yun He jumped toward the inner side of the bed in shock, shouting, "What's wrong with this guy? Sitting right on top of people!"
Liu Che picked up the bowl, looked at it, and set it down in front of Ah Jiao. "Didn't you say you were unwell? You look perfectly fine to me!"
Ah Jiao smirked. "I'm not unwell *now*. I only feel unwell when I have to go to the Xuanshi Hall!"
"Hmm?" Liu Che knitted his brows.
"It's not directed at you, it's just..." Ah Jiao pulled a leaf from under the bedding and handed it to Liu Che. "These things make me uncomfortable."
Yun He leaned in to look. "This talisman is for controlling minds! For a human, this is a pretty well-drawn charm."
Liu Che took it and saw a sigil drawn in cinnabar on the leaf. He was shocked. "Where did you get this?"
"Yesterday, your Commandant of Justice, Master Du, stopped my carriage saying he wanted to question me. I found this on him! Not only that, he took the opportunity to grab my hand, though I don't know what he intended. Fortunately, Wei Qing appeared in time, and he let go."
Yun He sat cross-legged on the bed. "What are you afraid of? This tiny charm can't hurt you at all. Even if it were a hundred times stronger, it wouldn't work. Do you think the protective talisman Shen Zhi made for you is just for show?"
Ah Jiao replied in her mind, *I know it can't hurt me, otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here right now!*
Liu Che examined it repeatedly. "Is this... from the same hand as the previous witchcraft incident?"
"How should I know!" Ah Jiao shook her head.
Yun He leaned closer. "I know! If you agree to one request, I'll tell you!"
"What request?" Ah Jiao felt a surge of excitement but maintained her composure in front of Liu Che.
"Go ask your stepfather to talk to Lord Yama and King Yanluo. Tell them to transfer me to the Department of Reincarnation!"
"What? Isn't it better to work under your father? No one would dare mess with you!"
"So, you suspect Chu Haiguang?" Liu Che looked up.
"But my dad is the one who messes with me! The Department of Reincarnation is great; I’d be happy to stay there my whole life!" Yun He cried out.
"I can ask, but it might not work. I'm not actually that close to Master Shen! You could ask him yourself!" After answering Yun He in her mind, Ah Jiao spoke to Liu Che: "I do have that suspicion."
"If I go to Shen Zhi, he'll definitely tell my dad, and then it'll never happen. It's different if you go. Shen Zhi definitely won't tell my dad, because he wouldn't want you to offend him, right?" Yun He said with a grin.
Ah Jiao glared at Yun He.
Liu Che looked toward the inner part of the bed, seeing nothing. "What are you doing?"
Ah Jiao made up an excuse on the spot. "I'm angry! Last time you investigated me, it only took three days to settle everything. This time, you still have no clue. Are you holding a grudge against me?"
"How is that the same? Last time, you were caught red-handed with the evidence!"
Ah Jiao answered Yun He in her mind: *I can try, but I can't guarantee I can persuade Master Shen!*
Yun He leaned in to massage Ah Jiao’s shoulders. "Just go and ask. It doesn't matter if it succeeds!"
Ah Jiao nodded mentally. *It'll probably be decades before I return to the Underworld, though.*
"No rush, no rush. Take your time!" Yun He was in a wonderful mood. "Tell you what, I'll not only tell you about this witchcraft case, I'll give you something else too." He pulled a small vial from his robes. "This is a real treasure for mortals."
"Chen Ah Jiao, stop being unreasonable. How long has it been since those old events?" Liu Che leaned back against the bedpost.
Ah Jiao looked Liu Che up and down. "I'm not being unreasonable. I just don't trust you letting Chu Haiguang investigate this. He's a suspect too; how can he be the one to investigate? Aren't you afraid he's just putting on a show to keep the treasure for himself?"
Liu Che sighed. "I know that, of course. That's why I've also had Wei Qing investigating in secret. Why do you think I let Lady Wei into the palace? It's to make things easier for Wei Qing!"
"...You should have said so earlier!" Ah Jiao gave a heavy "hmpf," then asked Yun He in her mind, *What treasure? What does it do?*
Yun He shook the small vial. "These are Yama's Tears. They allow a mortal eye to see ghosts and gods."
"!!!" Ah Jiao was stunned. *That's incredible!*
Liu Che: "Why should I have told you?"
"I—I'm the victim! I have a right to know!"
"Victim? For all I know, you're a disgruntled thief who stole from your own house."
Yun He held the vial up to Ah Jiao’s face. "What do you think?"
"But I can already see you now?" Ah Jiao clapped her hands, startling Liu Che.
"Chen Ah Jiao, what are you doing?" Liu Che stood up and tapped her on the head.
Ah Jiao clutched her head and whimpered.
Yun He laughed. "You can see me because I have business with you and *let* you see me. Normally, you can't!" As he spoke, Yun He’s figure vanished. Ah Jiao could only hear his voice. "You can't see me now, can you?" Then he reappeared.
Liu Che continued, "Speaking of which, I summoned Chu Haiguang today and he also claimed to be ill. Tsk, it seems there really is a problem. I'll give this leaf to Wei Qing!" He moved to stand up.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Ah Jiao called out to him. "Che'er, can't you just give me a small fief? Or maybe another title? I don't want to have to bow and pay respects to all those women!"
Yun He: "So, is it a deal?"
*Deal! Deal!* Ah Jiao shouted in her mind.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 尹婕妤 | Lady Yin | A high-ranking imperial concubine (Jieyu). |
| 惠康君 | Lady Huikang | Ah Jiao's current title. |
| 阮神君 | Mystic Ruan | A Taoist practitioner or alchemist favored by the Emperor. |
| 栾大 | Luan Da | A historical figure, an occultist during the reign of Emperor Wu. |
| 当利公主 | Princess of Dangli | Daughter of Emperor Wu and Empress Wei Zifu. |
| 轮回司 | Department of Reincarnation | A division in the Underworld. |
| 阎君的眼泪 | Yama's Tears | A mythical item allowing mortals to see spirits. |
| 彻儿 | Che'er | An intimate/diminutive name for Liu Che. |
| 食邑 | Fief / Appanage | Income from a designated number of households. |
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The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 53 | A Deal with the Divine | Novela.app | Novela.app
