A’jiao had the sparrow kept inside the hall, while Liu Che dismissed everyone else. Chu Haiguang, arriving from outside the palace, found himself preceded by the Emperor.
Liu Che picked up a brush and flipped the sparrow over several times. "You discovered this today?" he asked in a low voice.
A’jiao coughed slightly. "Of course not. It’s been following me for days. I only had someone strike it down now because I’m injured and feeling irritable."
"You suspect Chu Haiguang did this?"
"Not necessarily, but I have to see it with my own eyes to clear him of suspicion." A’jiao poked her small feet out from under the quilt to let them breathe.
"Fair enough." Liu Che’s voice sounded utterly exhausted. He leaned back, resting his neck against A’jiao’s feet.
A’jiao jerked her legs back, alert. "What are you doing?"
Liu Che, displeased, pulled her feet back to his neck. "Don’t move, A’jiao. Let me rest for a moment." He gently closed his eyes.
A’jiao was forced to lie there stiffly. "You... your wound hasn't healed yet. Why don't you leave these matters to others? I heard you're questioning the Minister of Justice and the Inner Court every day. You have a head injury; you could leave it to Wei Qing. He has always been loyal, and you trust him."
Liu Che raised his head. "Do you know that Chen Yang trespassed into the palace? The Commandant of Public Carriages didn't report to me, but to the Marquis of Changping’s manor instead."
"My father? Is he alright?" A’jiao grew tense.
"He’s fine... Wei Qing had him taken away from the Sima Gate immediately."
A’jiao fell silent. After a long while, she said, "Wei Qing... perhaps it is because you usually indulge him, so he has grown accustomed to it."
Liu Che said nothing. A high official of the Son of Heaven, the uncle of the Heir Apparent—after years of the bond between sovereign and subject, he did not wish to doubt him. It was simply that too many things had happened lately.
He was frustrated!
When Chu Haiguang reached Qingliang Hall, he could only hear a profound silence within the bedchamber. Yang Deyi tapped lightly on the door to announce him: "Your Majesty, Master Chu has arrived."
"Enter," came Liu Che’s voice, sounding somewhat muffled to Chu Haiguang. Wiping away his sweat, the mystic bowed and walked inside.
"Your Majesty, My Lady," Chu Haiguang greeted them with extreme deference.
The Emperor was propped up by several pillows, half-reclining on the couch. He pointed toward a lacquer tray on the nearby side table.
Chu Haiguang understood and walked over. Upon seeing the sparrow wrapped in the talisman, his face drained of color. "Your Majesty, this was not my doing!"
A’jiao slowly turned her head. "Whether it was or wasn't, why don't you draw a talisman for us to see?"
Chu Haiguang froze for a moment before hurriedly agreeing.
Yang Deyi quickly brought in brush and ink.
Chu Haiguang took the brush, performed the ritualistic "Steps of Yu," and began chanting under his breath. A’jiao did not understand the different schools of talisman drawing, but she could see faint traces of magical power drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy, sealing it into the paper.
It was different from the power on the sparrow and the golden statue, but identical to the power found on the voodoo dolls and the leaves.
A’jiao asked, "What talisman is this?"
Chu Haiguang presented it with a fawning smile. "This is the Heart-Calming Divine Incantation Talisman."
A’jiao gave a dry chuckle. She sat up, took the talisman, and slapped it directly onto Liu Che’s forehead. Startled, Liu Che bolted upright and ripped the paper off.
"Chen A’jiao, what are you doing?" he roared.
A’jiao arched an eyebrow. "Didn't you hear him? It’s a Heart-Calming Talisman. Naturally, it’s to calm your heart!"
"Hmph!" Liu Che leaned back against the bedside, falling silent.
A’jiao turned her gaze back to Chu Haiguang. "How do you know of the Underworld?" This was what she was most curious about.
Chu Haiguang looked ready to cry as he prostrated himself on the floor. Seeing this, Liu Che also looked over.
"This servant was an orphan, rescued by my master who raised me and taught me the arts..."
"And where is your master?" Liu Che’s eyes lit up as he asked.
"My master is no longer of this world. When I was twelve, a yellow-clad Ghost Messenger suddenly arrived at our sect’s cultivation grounds. He claimed to be from the Underworld’s Department of Rewarding Good and Punishing Evil, sent to arrest my master and take him back to the Underworld for punishment." Chu Haiguang’s body began to shake, as if he were trapped in a terrifying memory.
A’jiao thought for a moment. A yellow-clad Ghost Messenger—indeed, someone from the Court of Judgment.
"What wrong did your master commit to be arrested?" Liu Che asked again.
"I do not know. I only know that after that man claiming to be an Underworld messenger arrived, he gave a light wave of his weapon, and the mountain-protecting array my master had set up shattered." Chu Haiguang suddenly began to weep. "Then, Master threw all of us disciples out to block the messenger. All my fellow disciples died; I am the only one left." He had always revered his master as a father!
"And then?" Liu Che pressed.
"That messenger... I saw him... with a single light palm strike, my master... he was gone." Chu Haiguang looked up, his face masked in pure terror. His master had been so powerful, yet against that man’s casual strike, his soul had been utterly dissipated.
Liu Che sighed, feeling a sense of pity in his heart.
A’jiao sighed as well. Although she had never personally witnessed a Ghost Messenger apprehending a ghost, based on what she knew from Lord Shen, Yunhe, and Lord Yuandeng, their methods were indeed consistently simple and brutal. This Chu Haiguang had likely lived under the shadow of the Underworld since childhood.
However, for a Ghost Messenger to be dispatched... A’jiao smiled. "Then what manner of creature was your master? To actually warrant the dispatch of a Ghost Messenger."
Chu Haiguang snapped out of his daze, looking bewildered. "I do not know. That messenger did not say, but the moment he appeared, Master looked terrified and prepared to flee for his life."
Liu Che pondered for a moment. "Then how did you know A’jiao was... from the Underworld?"
Chu Haiguang bowed low. "When I saw that messenger years ago, his weapon bore the same character for 'Punishment' that is on My Lady’s forehead."
A’jiao choked for a second, then broke into a fit of giggles. The "Punishment" mark on her brow was indeed branded there by the Department of Rewarding Good and Punishing Evil.
Though it differed from the mark on a messenger’s weapon, both served as proof of identity—one marked an official, the other a convict.
Seeing Liu Che staring at her thoughtfully, A’jiao waved her hand and smiled at Chu Haiguang. "In that case, you had better be obedient from now on. If I find out you are committing any villainy, I will naturally report it and have your life taken."
Chu Haiguang shook like a sieve. "This servant wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."
"Also, do you have any clues regarding the golden statue?" Liu Che asked again.
"In response to Your Majesty, my skills are shallow and my magical power is meager. I cannot discern the oddity within the golden statue."
Liu Che sighed. "Then you may withdraw."
As if granted a great reprieve, Chu Haiguang hurriedly retreated.
Seeing that Liu Che was about to question her again, A’jiao quickly said, "Don't look at me. I know nothing." *And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you.*
Liu Che suddenly lunged forward and pulled A’jiao into an embrace. "A’jiao, are you truly a treasure? Do you know the immortals? Can you..."
"I cannot." A’jiao closed her eyes tight.
Liu Che stared fixedly at A’jiao, his heart filled with irritation. He began to cough again, hurriedly covering his mouth with a handkerchief. He felt a faint, metallic sweetness in his throat.
Then, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Yang Deyi, go fetch the Imperial Physician!" A’jiao shouted, her voice hoarse. She turned back to Liu Che. "What is the rush? Physician Qin said you must not lose your temper. If you get angry like this and your Qi and blood fail to return to their channels, do you intend to die right now? Do you want the history books to record that a certain Emperor of our Great Han was killed by the effects of aphrodisiacs?" A’jiao frowned as she wiped the corner of his mouth.
As a result, Liu Che grew even angrier and vomited another mouthful of blood.
A’jiao: "..." She simply slapped the Heart-Calming Talisman back onto his forehead.
Yang Deyi rushed in, saw the scene, and immediately sent people to call for the Head of the Imperial Physicians.
Seeing the situation, Ruan Qing came in and carried A’jiao to a small couch nearby, letting the Emperor lie on the bed.
When Physician Qin arrived and saw him, he couldn't stop lamenting. "Your Majesty, oh Your Majesty! You must listen to me! You cannot lose your temper!" He began taking Liu Che’s pulse and applying acupuncture needles.
Held by Ruan Qing, A’jiao wondered if Liu Che actually died, whether she could spread the word that he died because of bedchamber medicine.
*Tsk, tsk, tsk.* If that got out, Liu Che would lose all face in both life and death. The thought was quite satisfying. But if her grandmother and uncles found out, she would surely be given a beating. The face of the Great Han would be gone too!
A’jiao was very conflicted ≡￣﹏￣≡!
Everyone in the hall was crowded around the Emperor. A shadow slowly appeared at the doorway.
Palace attendants hurried in and out, yet not a single person saw him.
He stepped inside a little further. Seeing the Emperor lying there looking as if he were at death's door, he almost wanted to let out a long, triumphant laugh.
But this was not enough. This dog of an Emperor—he could not rest easy until he saw him draw his last breath with his own eyes.
The shadow raised a hand, manifesting a bow and arrow. He drew the string.
A’jiao glanced toward Liu Che but couldn't understand what was happening with the medical treatment. She decided to look around instead, and suddenly noticed a massive shadow appearing at the door.
"Protect the Emperor!" A’jiao let out a sharp scream.
The entire hall was startled. People looked around in all directions but saw nothing.
The arrow was released.
In her desperation, A’jiao felt a surge of strength throughout her body. She ran forward. The surrounding palace attendants watched blankly as Lady Huikang suddenly ran like a madwoman, trying to catch her.
*Crash!*
A palace maid screamed.
Liu Che also sat up in shock.
A’jiao stared blankly at her own hand.
With a mere wave of her hand just now, a large flower vase nearby had actually flown up exactly as she had imagined, blocking the arrow before shattering into pieces on the floor.
A’jiao breathed a sigh of relief, only to see the shadow drawing the bow once more. A’jiao gasped. Yang Deyi was already directing the guards to rush in and shield Liu Che in the innermost circle.
"Who is there?" Liu Che roared.
A’jiao focused her mind again. Then, the large folding screen slowly began to lift off the ground.
An arrow swept in with the force of piercing the clouds.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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公车司令 | Commandant of Public Carriages | A Han dynasty official title responsible for palace gates and receiving petitions.
司马门 | Sima Gate | One of the main gates of the imperial palace.
罡步 | Steps of Yu | A ritualistic dance/walk used in Taoist magic (also known as Bugang).
静心神咒符 | Heart-Calming Divine Incantation Talisman | A fictional talisman used to soothe the mind and spirit.
赏善罚恶处 | Department of Rewarding Good and Punishing Evil | A specific division within the Underworld bureaucracy.
黄衣鬼差 | Yellow-clad Ghost Messenger | A specific rank or type of Underworld emissary.
罚 | Punishment / Penalty | The character branded on A'jiao's forehead.
气血不归 | Qi and blood not returning to channels | A Traditional Chinese Medicine term for internal physiological disorder caused by extreme emotion.
