The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 55 | The Old Immortal's Gift | Novela.app

Xia Zhu turned to leave as instructed, but was called back once more. "Wait, wait, wait. Come back. Xia Zhu, did you bring your bundle when you entered the palace?" "I did! I brought my clothes, but Sister Yuli said that once I’m in the palace, I have to wear palace maid attire and can't wear my own. She said she already sent someone to fetch them for me, so I haven't had a chance to change yet." Ah Jiao nodded and handed her the small white bottle. "Go change your clothes now, then move your things into this room. From now on, you’ll sleep by my bed. After that, go call Yuli and Guo Dun inside. I need to go to Xuan-shi Hall." Xia Zhu nodded, assuming the child was simply afraid to sleep alone after leaving home—after all, back at the manor, she always had her wet nurse and maids sleeping nearby. As Xia Zhu stepped out, she saw several attendants carrying a cabinet inside. Yuli and Guo Dun were supervising the work, surrounded by a few young palace maids. "Sister Yuli, Lord Guo!" Xia Zhu ran over. Yuli smiled. "You’ve come at just the right time. I’ve had someone fetch your clothes; remember to change into them." Xia Zhu thanked her quickly. "I was just telling the Lady; she also told me to go get them. Thank you, Sister. Oh, and the Lady wants you and Lord Guo to go inside!" Guo Dun stroked his chin. "Does the Lady have some business?" "The Lady said she wants to go to Xuan-shi Hall. Where is that?" Guo Dun’s expression turned solemn. "Xuan-shi Hall is His Majesty’s residence." "I see. Then you two should hurry in!" Xia Zhu thanked them again, took the clothes from a young maid, and headed toward her originally assigned quarters. Guo Dun and Yuli hurried into the hall, where they found the young Lady staring at the golden crane atop the cabinet with a look of profound distaste. "My Lady," the two of them greeted her. Ah Jiao turned around and gave her orders. "I need to go to Xuan-shi Hall. Guo Dun, go arrange a palanquin for me. Then, find a piece of red cloth to wrap this golden crane in. Have the attendants carry it and follow me to Xuan-shi Hall!" "The golden crane? Why are you moving it, My Lady?" Guo Dun asked, puzzled. Ah Jiao gave a faint smile. "When you are by His Majesty’s side, do you question his decrees like this as well?" "I would not dare!" Guo Dun replied with a respectful bow. It wasn't that he was merely curious; he truly felt that this Lady Huikang was quite strange, as was her relationship with the Emperor. However, remembering the previous physiognomy reading, he did not dare offend the little girl. Guo Dun departed to carry out his orders. Ah Jiao then turned to Yuli. "Sister Yuli, I heard noise outside. Has the cabinet been brought in?" "Yes!" Yuli did not dare say much more. "Have them bring it in. Then prepare water for me; I wish to wash my hands." "As you command." Yuli went to prepare the water obediently. The hand that had touched the tears felt slightly astringent. Ah Jiao didn't know if this was normal, but since the talismans on her person hadn't reacted, she assumed it was fine. Yuli led a group of young maids in, carrying water, towels, mung bean powder, scented balms, and other items. They meticulously cleansed Ah Jiao’s hands, applied the balm, and massaged it in gently. Ah Jiao didn't want to look at that eyeball anymore, so she simply closed her eyes. Yuli stole a glance at her. Although palace affairs were complex, this little girl seemed entirely unfazed. If she was like this at home, it was no wonder her maid seemed so prone to making a fuss over nothing. Yuli thought for a moment and dismissed it, assuming the child simply didn't understand enough to be overwhelmed. With her eyes closed, Ah Jiao considered how she should explain things to Liu Che. The leaf was a minor issue; the major problem was this golden crane. How could she have suddenly discovered something wrong with it? It wasn't as if it were a fragile object that had shattered to reveal its contents. If she just hauled the whole thing over, Liu Che might think she was playing a prank on him. Should she say she saw it in a dream? No, why wouldn't she have mentioned it earlier? Should she say it was a sudden flash of inspiration? What if Liu Che thought she had some treasure hidden inside her and decided to dissect her! Should she say she saw it with her own eyes? Ah Jiao touched her eyelids and decided that was definitely out—eyeballs were far too easy to gouge out! Ah Jiao sighed, then suddenly remembered someone. Perhaps she should call that suspicious Chu Haiguang over. He could see her pearl, so he should be able to see this ghostly thing too! Ah Jiao clenched her fist. No, what if he realized the pearl had returned to her? "How annoying!" Ah Jiao grumbled under her breath. "My Lady, the palanquin is ready," Guo Dun entered to report. Ah Jiao opened her eyes. "Is Xia Zhu back yet?" "I'm here, I'm here!" Footsteps echoed outside as Xia Zhu ran in clutching her bundle. Yuli felt such behavior was unseemly. Ah Jiao beckoned her over, and Xia Zhu leaned down. "Xia Zhu, stay here and watch them tidy up," Ah Jiao said, stuffing the small bottle into Xia Zhu’s hands. "Keep this safe. Don't let anyone see it. Wait for me to return." Xia Zhu nodded emphatically. Ah Jiao waved a hand. "Let’s go!" Yuli stepped forward, picked Ah Jiao up, and carried her out of the hall. After placing Ah Jiao onto the palanquin, Yuli walked alongside it at the front. Guo Dun remained at the rear, watching the attendants carry the golden crane. "Sister Yuli, do you know where this golden crane came from? It’s quite beautiful!" Yuli thought for a moment. "It was a gift from an old immortal during one of His Majesty’s inspection tours. I believe his surname was Sheng. They say Old Immortal Sheng could make withered wood bloom and turn old eagles back into fledglings. His Majesty originally wanted to invite him back to the capital, but the old immortal said he was enamored with the mountains and rivers and had no desire to enter the court. He left His Majesty a golden crane, a golden elephant, and a golden tiger, then vanished into the wind!" "He just disappeared?" Ah Jiao remembered that Yun He had indeed pointed toward the golden elephant last night. Unfortunately, she hadn't understood then. If that was the case, the golden elephant was likely problematic as well. "He did. His Majesty sent men to search for him, but no trace was found. After returning to the palace, His Majesty had the three golden statues placed in the Xuan-shi, Wen-shi, and Qing-liang Halls respectively." *...Liu Che, you big dummy.* Ah Jiao sighed inwardly. Then again, she wouldn't have expected the statues to be cursed either. "Then..." Ah Jiao hesitated slightly. "Does Lord Chu Haiguang have any connection to that old immortal?" "The General of Heavenly Communication? I’ve never heard of any. Lord Chu was recommended to the Immortal-Seeking Pavilion by the Crown Prince. Last year, when the Crown Princess fell ill, it was Lord Chu who dispelled the evil spirits for her. The Crown Princess recovered immediately, and not only that, it was discovered she was five months pregnant!" "Five months?" Shouldn't she have been showing by then? How was it only just discovered? "Indeed. It was said to be the work of Lady Qin, a consort in the Crown Prince’s palace. She caused the Crown Princess to be pregnant without showing. Fortunately, the Imperial Physicians had been cautious with their medicine; otherwise, I fear that child wouldn't have been saved." Unfortunately, that child turned out to be a daughter. At the time, the Crown Prince felt his excessive favor for Lady Qin had given her treacherous ideas, so he ordered her death. Since then, he has been much closer to the Crown Princess. Just last month, she was found to be three months pregnant again. "How perilous," Ah Jiao remarked with a click of her tongue. In the inner palace, one truly had to be on high alert when pregnant. Someone like her, who had never been pregnant before—never mind, that was a sad thought! "However, after Lord Chu entered the Immortal-Seeking Pavilion, he didn't often show his face before His Majesty. Not until he read your fortune yesterday, My Lady..." Yuli looked into the palanquin, only to see a look of blank confusion on the three-year-old’s face. Yuli figured the child just liked to ask questions without really understanding the answers. Princess Run was the same way; she always pestered His Majesty with questions but never understood his explanations. "My Lady, we have arrived!" Yuli walked to the front and lifted the curtain for Ah Jiao. Ah Jiao peered out. Xuan-shi Hall was heavily guarded, with imperial guards patrolling more frequently than they had the previous night. Seeing Huang Yu, Guo Dun quickly called out, "Brother, go report to His Majesty at once. Lady Huikang has urgent business and requests an audience." Ah Jiao glanced at Guo Dun and let out a small, internal laugh. *** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 晟老仙君 | Old Immortal Sheng | A mysterious figure who gave the Emperor three golden statues. 宣室殿 | Xuan-shi Hall | The main residence/office of the Emperor. 温室殿 | Wen-shi Hall | "Warm Room Hall," one of the palace buildings. 清凉殿 | Qing-liang Hall | "Cool and Refreshing Hall," one of the palace buildings. 寻仙阁 | Immortal-Seeking Pavilion | A department or building dedicated to seeking immortality/occult matters. 天通将军 | General of Heavenly Communication | Chu Haiguang's official title. 良娣 | Liangdi | A high-ranking title for a Crown Prince's consort. 覃良娣 | Lady Qin | A deceased consort of the Crown Prince who cursed the Crown Princess. 润公主 | Princess Run | A young princess mentioned by Yuli. 黄余 | Huang Yu | An official or eunuch stationed at Xuan-shi Hall.