Guo Tun carried A-Jiao back to Qingliang Hall, where a stream of visitors soon arrived with gifts and congratulations. From Wei Zifu to Consort Yin and Beauty Xing, and even noble ladies she did not recognize, everyone showed great respect to this newly minted County Lady of eight hundred households. Wei Yuan bustled about, greeting and seeing off guests with a self-satisfied smile, but A-Jiao was in no mood for it.
To A-Jiao’s surprise, even Grand Princess Liu Qing, though residing outside the palace, sent a messenger specifically to deliver a gift to Qingliang Hall.
For the entire afternoon, the clamor in Qingliang Hall was enough to make one’s head spin.
By evening, Yang Deyi arrived from Xuanshi Hall to relay an imperial decree. He explained that Liu Che had instructed him to bring several manor designs so A-Jiao could choose one for herself.
A-Jiao sifted through them but found none to her liking. Wei Yuan, on the other hand, was picking through them with great enthusiasm, selecting three or four in a row.
"Does the Young Lady dislike all of these?" Yang Deyi inquired softly. Before coming, the Emperor had instructed him that if the County Lady liked none of these, he should show her the ones the Emperor had personally selected. If she had chosen from the first batch, he was to leave it at that.
This first batch consisted of manors that met the standard regulations for her rank. Yang Deyi had initially thought they would be more than sufficient for a family of the Chen's standing. One had to understand that the manors the Emperor had personally selected afterward were all estates previously granted to princesses upon their marriage. Bestowing such a residence upon a County Lady of only eight hundred households was, in truth, a breach of protocol.
A-Jiao forced a smile. "They are fine, I just don't like them."
Seeing this, Yang Deyi produced another stack of architectural drawings. "His Majesty commanded that if the Young Lady disliked those, she should look at these."
Wei Yuan took them and opened the stack. "This... Master Yang, surely you haven't brought the wrong ones?" Wei Yuan gasped as she took in the size and prime locations of these estates.
A-Jiao leaned in as well, her eyes widening in astonishment.
"This..." A-Jiao hesitated. Was Liu Che truly being this kind?
Yang Deyi smiled. "Naturally, there is no mistake. These were personally selected by His Majesty. Please, Young Lady, take a look."
This batch contained only five manors, but the drawings were far more detailed. As A-Jiao took them, she noticed one page had a folded corner—a specific habit of Liu Che’s when he intended to revisit something he was reading.
A-Jiao flipped directly to that page.
*The Manor of Grand Princess Guantao.*
A-Jiao closed her eyes, falling back as a sudden warmth flooded her gaze.
Wei Yuan was startled and rushed to support her. "A-Jiao, what’s wrong? Are you unwell? I noticed your complexion was poor all afternoon. Master Yang, perhaps the matter of choosing a manor should wait until A-Jiao feels better. Oh, A-Jiao, why are you crying?"
"I’ll take this one," A-Jiao whispered, clutching the drawing of Grand Princess Guantao’s manor and handing it to Yang Deyi.
Wei Yuan dazed, pried A-Jiao’s fingers open, took the drawing, and handed it to Yang Deyi. "Since A-Jiao likes this one, then this is the one. We trouble you, Master."
Yang Deyi saw that A-Jiao’s choice was exactly as the Emperor had predicted. Seeing the child’s pale face, he took his leave to report back.
*Chen A-Jiao, the Manor of Grand Princess Guantao.*
Yang Deyi shook the stray thoughts from his head. Perhaps the Emperor only treated her with such distinction because she so closely resembled the late Empress Chen of years past—similar in name, similar in looks.
As for matters of the dead returning to life, such things were always nonsense. If she truly were Empress Chen, how could the Emperor be so calm and close with her? Back then, when Empress Chen practiced witchcraft, the Emperor had remained tight-lipped and deeply resentful.
Yet, remembering how the Emperor had acted abnormally for days following Empress Chen’s passing... *Tsk, tsk.* He told himself not to overthink it. Such matters were not for officials or servants to ponder; his only duty was to follow the Emperor’s commands.
Just as he reached Xuanshi Hall, he saw Wei Qing leading the brothers Chen Yang and Chen Chuo out.
"Is the Marquis leading the Chen family to offer thanks?" Yang Deyi greeted them with a smile.
"Indeed. And where is Master Yang returning from?"
"I was delivering manor blueprints to County Lady Huikang."
"Which one did His Majesty bestow?"
"When His Majesty asked this afternoon if the County Lady had been given a name, I replied that she had. His Majesty laughed and, in a playful mood, said that since that was the case, he would grant her the former residence of the Grand Aunt, Dou." Yang Deyi smiled.
Wei Qing froze. "Would that not be disrespectful to the late Empress?"
Yang Deyi chuckled. "His Majesty was in a playful mood; how could we dissuade him? If one must say, it is simply that your son-in-law’s family gave the child a very good name."
Chen Yang and Chen Chuo, listening from behind, felt their hearts tremble. Chen Yang, in particular, knew he had only named his daughter A-Jiao out of habit; he never expected the Emperor to take such notice of it.
"The Marquis is busy, so I shall go report to His Majesty now."
"Safe travels," Wei Qing nodded.
"You two," Wei Qing turned to the brothers, "make sure everyone at home is sharp these next few days. First, since the Emperor has granted a manor, the palace will surely send people to your house for inquiries. Your etiquette must be flawless. Prepare plenty of gifts for those who need to be handled. Also, in a few days, when the Emperor allows A-Jiao to return home, you must clarify whether she is returning to the Chen residence or the new manor. It will likely be the Chen residence, as the new manor will take time to clean."
"Second, A-Jiao has been titled a County Lady and received many rewards. Many nobles will likely use your son's one-month celebration as an excuse to see her. There aren't many days left; ensure everything that needs supplementing is taken care of. I have already sent the list of precautions to the Old Matriarch. Whether other families attend in person or send gifts, you must handle them with care."
The two juniors, feeling the weight of the task, hurriedly agreed.
Wei Qing smiled at their tension. "No need to be too nervous. Just handle things one by one according to protocol. I will have your cousin go to your manor to help keep an eye on things. I will also be there that day to lead you through the social obligations."
"We thank our Uncle/Father-in-law for his concern," the two replied respectfully.
***
Early on the morning of the twelfth day of the fourth month, the Chen brothers went to the palace to request the formal decree. At noon, Liu Che had A-Jiao and the Chen brothers join him for lunch before granting them leave to depart the palace.
Wei Yuan went to the Hall of Pepper Fragrance to accompany Wei Zifu for a meal, eventually leaving with large bundles of gifts.
Song Zhen examined A-Jiao’s leg once more and permitted the removal of the splints, allowing her to walk. However, he cautioned her not to walk for too long or run fast. A-Jiao agreed to everything. Knowing Song Zhen was Cunmo’s son, she felt a deep sense of joy and personally selected a twin-handled jade cup from her palace gifts to bestow upon him—it felt wonderful to be wealthy! A-Jiao beamed with satisfaction.
Song Zhen did not dare accept it, but he was eventually chased out by a shouting Wei Yuan, who was in a hurry to leave the palace. A-Jiao doubled over with laughter inside the room.
Once the room was packed, Guo Tun arranged for the inner attendants to carry the bundles out first, then sent a palanquin to take A-Jiao to the palace gates, where the Chen brothers were waiting with horses and carriages.
As soon as Wei Yuan stepped off her palanquin, she threw herself into Chen Chuo’s arms, only to be given a warning look by him. She pouted and climbed into the carriage.
A-Jiao now had a carriage provided according to her imperial rank. Chen Yang, having not seen his daughter for a long time, pulled her into his arms and looked her over several times, fussing over her before placing her into the carriage. Xiazhu and Yuli also boarded A-Jiao’s carriage, carrying a small bundle.
A-Jiao wondered what Liu Che was up to, giving Yuli to her as well. Was she meant to take over Guo Tun’s job of keeping an eye on her?
The procession arrived at the Chen Manor, where Old Matriarch Chen stood waiting at the gate with Chen Ao and Chen Hui.
A-Jiao lifted the curtain to look at the people waiting before the manor and couldn't help but smile.
The moment she stepped down, Old Matriarch Chen pulled her into a hug. "My child, have you been well in the palace these days?"
The crowd swarmed around them as they moved inside.
A-Jiao laughed. "I’m used to it! Grandfather Emperor even sent Yuli and Guo Tun to serve me. Yuli, come quickly and meet my Great-grandmother."
Chen Yang explained from the side, "Miss Yuli originally served by His Majesty’s side. Now that His Majesty has granted A-Jiao sixty servants, he included Miss Yuli among them."
Old Matriarch Chen looked at Yuli and praised her repeatedly.
Xiazhu and Yuli were led away to settle in, while the Old Matriarch led A-Jiao’s group to the ancestral hall.
By custom, women did not enter the ancestral hall. However, considering A-Jiao had been titled a County Lady, the Old Matriarch decided—regardless of what the nephews or collateral branches might think—that A-Jiao would be allowed to participate in the annual sacrifices alongside the boys.
A-Jiao was initially happy, until she was placed on a cushion in the hall and saw the Chen family had placed the imperial decree of her title in the very center of the altar. The Old Matriarch then patiently coaxed her to kowtow to the decree.
A-Jiao: "..."
Yet, seeing the expressions of shared glory on the faces of the Chen family, she couldn't bring herself to say a word of refusal.
After kowtowing and paying respects to the ancestors, the large group made their way to the Old Matriarch’s courtyard.
Madam Yan and Madam Guo, the two sisters-in-law, were already waiting in the room with Ruan Qing and Wei Yuan, who had changed her clothes.
A-Jiao first threw herself into Ruan Qing’s arms to act spoiled for a while, then in a milky voice, told Xiazhu to bring out the pouches she had made in the palace. There were eight in total, embroidered with various auspicious clouds and stuffed with gold "fruits."
Old Matriarch Chen was overjoyed and had Madam Yan distribute them to the children of the manor. Currently, the eldest branch’s first son, Chen Yang, had two children, A-Jiao and Chen Yan. The second son, Chen Chuo, had no children yet. From the second branch, the elder cousin-uncle Chen Mian had a son, Chen Xiao, and two daughters, Chen Bi and Chen Yu. The younger cousin-uncle Chen Qiao had a son, Chen Feng, and a daughter, Chen Qu.
A-Jiao was the eldest among them.
A-Jiao brought out the gifts she had prepared for everyone. "This is for Great-grandmother, this is for Grandmother, this is for Grandfather, for Father, for Mother, for Second Uncle... for Cousin-Uncle..."
The family laughed as they listened to A-Jiao count out the names one by one.
After some joking around, Ruan Qing led A-Jiao and the others back to their quarters, while Chen Chuo took Wei Yuan back. The others remained to perform one last check for the next day’s one-month banquet.
As A-Jiao was carried back to the Tongjing Courtyard, she watched with a cold gaze as a sparrow followed her the entire way, finally landing on a tree outside her window.
*Tsk, tsk.* She wondered if this was Chu Haiguang’s doing, or the work of that vanished Old Immortal Sheng.
A-Jiao told Qiuju to close the window, then turned her attention to playing with her baby brother, Chen Yan.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 馆陶公主府 | Manor of Grand Princess Guantao | The former residence of A-Jiao's mother in her past life. |
| 窦太主 | Grand Aunt Dou | Refers to Grand Princess Guantao (Liu Piao), whose mother was Empress Dowager Dou. |
| 满月宴 | One-month banquet | A traditional celebration for a baby reaching one month of age. |
| 金果子 | Gold fruits | Small pieces of gold cast in the shape of fruits, used as rewards or gifts. |
| 同景院 | Tongjing Courtyard | A-Jiao's residence within the Chen family manor. |
| 陈衍 | Chen Yan | A-Jiao's younger brother. |
| 陈翱 | Chen Ao | A member of the Chen family (likely A-Jiao's grandfather). |
| 陈翓 | Chen Hui | A member of the Chen family. |
| 陈勉 | Chen Mian | A-Jiao's cousin-uncle (second branch). |
| 陈乔 | Chen Qiao | A-Jiao's cousin-uncle (second branch). |
| 陈逍 | Chen Xiao | A-Jiao's cousin. |
| 陈璧 | Chen Bi | A-Jiao's cousin. |
| 陈钰 | Chen Yu | A-Jiao's cousin. |
| 陈峯 | Chen Feng | A-Jiao's cousin. |
| 陈璩 | Chen Qu | A-Jiao's cousin. |
| 晟老仙君 | Old Immortal Sheng | A mysterious figure/cultivator mentioned in the text. |
