Ajiao lay in the carriage, drifting in and out of sleep, while Yunhe rested on the roof, enjoying the pleasant breeze.
It was now autumn, and the sky seemed higher and the clouds paler than usual. It reminded her of the beautiful autumn day years ago when she had been moved from the Northern Palace to Changmen Palace.
Though the estate was outside the capital, it wasn't particularly far. After an hour of slow travel, they had covered nearly two-thirds of the distance.
Looking at the scenery outside the window, Ajiao estimated they were nearing Shanglin Park. She was surprised to find that the Chen family owned fields and an estate right next to the imperial grounds.
Ajiao called out to Yunhe, "Lord Yunhe, Shanglin Park should be about two kilometers ahead. It’s vast and full of things to do. I used to be quite fond of it. When we have time, let’s sneak away from the estate and go have a look."
Yunhe suddenly scrambled down from the roof. "Yes, let's! That sounds wonderful."
Ajiao smiled. "Since I’ve been sent to the estate and can’t return to the capital, we’ll have to gather news from the palace in secret. Oh? How about we find a City God later and ask? I wonder if there is one here. Being so close to Chang'an, there ought to be."
"Deal!" Yunhe seemed very excited.
"By the way, while I was unconscious for those few days, where were you and what were you doing?" Ajiao asked.
Yunhe sat down properly. "I was guarding you, of course. I also took a quick trip to the palace to check things out—still no pregnancies!" He sounded a bit discouraged.
Ajiao wanted to pat him in consolation, but seeing Madam Guo sitting beside her with eyes closed in rest, she didn't dare move. She spoke in her mind instead: *Don't be in such a hurry; take it slow. This batch of palace candidates still has to learn the court etiquette; it won't happen that fast. I actually want to discuss my plans with you. Originally, we intended for me to follow you into the palace to look after you, but as things stand, I can't go in. It might be better if I do something useful out here while you stay in the palace and let Liu Run look after you.*
Liu Run had always been strict with Liu Bo and seemed to be a man of some ambition. In that case, looking after Yunhe would be far more beneficial for him than looking after Liu Bo.
Yunhe nodded. "That works. But what do you plan to do?"
"I haven't decided yet. Let me think it over." Yunhe’s reincarnation was different from theirs; according to the Ghost Emperor, his memories were supposed to be sealed. Although Lord Yunhe currently insisted on becoming the wealthiest and most powerful person, there was no guarantee he would feel the same once he grew up in his next life. "Whether you’ll want to strive for the position of Crown Prince or settle for being a peaceful vassal king, no one knows yet. I don't have experience with this either, so let me give it more thought."
Leaning against the carriage, Yunhe said, "Fine, take your time. I haven't been reborn yet, so there's no rush."
"Also, this body... did the original girl really die of poisoning?" Ajiao asked.
"She did. Sigh, if she hadn't been poisoned, we might already be in the palace by now," Yunhe sighed.
"Indeed," Ajiao echoed his sigh.
The carriage swayed for a good while longer before finally arriving at the Chen family estate. It wasn't large—a two-entrance courtyard house where Steward Yao, his wife, and their children lived.
It was only about four or five li from Shanglin Park, and the surrounding lands were all manorial estates belonging to the nobility...
Ajiao turned to ask Madam Guo, "Mother, when did our family acquire land in this area?"
Madam Guo held a handkerchief to her nose against the dust. Hearing the question, she looked back. "Have you forgotten? When the late Lady Huikang passed away, His Majesty bestowed ten qing of fertile land upon our family. This is it."
"Oh!" A strange sensation rose in Ajiao's heart. So, Liu Che had granted this land because of her own death. No wonder! Ten qing was five hundred mu—he was certainly generous.
An elderly woman, Mother Yao, led two girls around eleven or twelve years old to welcome them. "Second Madam, Sixth Miss, please come inside! It's very dusty out here." There was only one stone-paved path in the courtyard; the rest was bare earth.
Madam Guo pulled Ajiao toward the house. The Yao children and the accompanying maids all helped unload the luggage.
The interior was very clean, and the floor mats were all new.
Mother Yao smiled and said, "Word came yesterday afternoon that the Sixth Miss was coming here to recover from an illness. We hurried to tidy everything up, though it can't compare to the city."
Ajiao smiled back. "Recovery requires peace and quiet; everything else is secondary."
Mother Yao replied, "It is certainly quiet here. The neighboring properties are all estates of great houses, and no one usually visits. I only fear the young miss will be bored."
Madam Guo had little patience for such chatter and asked directly, "We'll learn all that in time. Tell me, how many people are on this estate?"
Steward Yao stepped forward to answer. "To answer the Second Madam, only this old servant, my wife, our three sons, and two daughters live here. Additionally, there are ten long-term laborers recruited from our own tenant farmers. They are honest folk."
Madam Guo frowned upon hearing this. *All outsiders, and mostly men!*
She turned to Ajiao. "You should settle in for now. It's a good thing you brought your own courtyard staff, otherwise, there wouldn't be enough people to serve you."
Ajiao had just finished surveying the courtyard and was wondering if there was even enough room for everyone to stay.
Madam Guo stood up. "Is the young miss's room ready?"
Steward Yao replied, "It is. Would the Madam like to see it first?"
"Lead the way." Madam Guo pulled Ajiao up. Ajiao coughed twice.
As Steward Yao led them, he explained, "The laborers live in the outer courtyard. This old servant, my wife, and our sons live in the rooms of the east wing. The maids will stay in the west wing. The main chambers have been prepared for the young miss."
Ajiao nodded and said to Madam Guo, "Mother, I feel a bit stifled. I'd like to lie down for a while."
Madam Guo nodded, and Steward Yao hurriedly bowed and led the way. The courtyard wasn't large; the east and west wings had only three rooms each, and there were two small side-rooms flanking the main chambers.
Mianfu and Nanke supported Ajiao into the main room. New curtains of coarse gauze hung there, which Ajiao found rather suffocating. Madam Guo sighed inwardly but gently told the maids to help Ajiao lie down.
The bedding had been brought from the Chen manor. Before long, Ajiao began to drift off.
Yunhe grew anxious. "What about me? What about me?"
Ajiao thought to him, *Go wander around the estate!* and then fell fast asleep.
While Ajiao slept, Madam Guo took the steward outside to inquire further about the estate's affairs. The Chen family's ten qing of land supported thirty-eight tenant households. Though not a vast number, it was, after all, an imperial gift.
Ajiao didn't wake until the sun was low in the west.
The room was dim, the details becoming hard to see. Mianfu lit a lamp, and Nanke poured water for Ajiao to wash.
After Ajiao wiped her face, Madam Guo entered with servants to set the table for dinner. As soon as she sat down, she sighed. "This place is truly bleak. Wan'er, how can you bear it? Especially when the residual poison hasn't been fully cleared from your body..." As she spoke, her tears began to fall again.
Ajiao had no choice but to offer words of comfort. After dinner, the two went out for a short walk. Ajiao looked around but saw no sign of Yunhe. She felt a brief flash of worry, but then realized that no one here could possibly harm him, and she calmed down.
That night, Ajiao shared the main chamber with Madam Guo. In the middle of her slumber, she was shaken awake.
"Lord Yunhe, do you know that in the mortal realm, one cannot simply enter a young lady's bedroom?" Ajiao muttered, biting the edge of her quilt.
Yunhe grinned. "Not important, not important. Look at this! I found something fun."
He held out a hand. On it sat an insect the size of a fingernail, its tail emitting a soft, shimmering glow.
Ajiao smiled. "It's a firefly. It has many common names—'Night-Shine' or 'Dusk-Candle.' Tell me, does the Underworld have anything like this? I don't recall seeing any."
Yunhe shook his head. "No."
Ajiao propped herself up. "You've visited the mortal realm many times over the centuries. Did you never notice them? They are quite common here."
"I never paid attention." Yunhe toyed with the little insect in his hand.
"It's autumn now, so you'll only see a few scattered here and there. But in the summer, they sometimes fill the tall grass in clusters, looking like fallen stars. It's quite beautiful." Ajiao reached out a finger to poke the little bug.
Yunhe turned his body to shield it. "Then I'll hide it away and take it back to the Underworld in the future."
"Alright." Ajiao suddenly remembered. "Where are you resting now?"
Yunhe showed his bright white teeth in an innocent smile. "I sleep on the roof. I like watching the stars. The Underworld has no stars."
Ajiao smiled as well. "Very well. Once the Second Madam leaves, we'll take the opportunity to pay our respects to the local Earth God and the City God."
Yunhe nodded. "Sure, whatever you arrange. I'm going out to play!" With that, his figure vanished.
Ajiao let out a yawn and lay back down under the covers.
***
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