Because Chen Yang had warned her that the Emperor would soon arrive at Shanglin Park, A’Jiao no longer ventured out recklessly. Xiao Miao and Xiao Sui spent their time coming up with new ways to prepare delicious treats for her using the autumn harvest.
Though most of it ended up in Yun He’s stomach.
Over the past two days, the two of them had discussed many plans. They had even taken advantage of the night to pay their respects to the Tutelary Deity and the City God. Furthermore, Yun He was truly losing his patience, unable to bear being cooped up in the small courtyard with her any longer, and his constant pestering was giving A’Jiao a headache.
"Aiya, aren't you bored staying in this tiny yard day after day?" Yun He hopped around like a restless monkey.
"I’m used to it." A’Jiao took a small bite of the salt-roasted chestnuts Xiao Sui had brought. They were delicious, though eating too many made her feel a bit bloated. The cotton roses in the courtyard were blooming playfully, their forms elegant, with three colors appearing on a single tree.
"So, what do you think of my plan?" Yun He stealthily snatched a chestnut when no one was looking.
Yun He’s plan? It was to have her "accidentally" stumble into Shanglin Park while Liu Che was hunting, creating a chance encounter so that Yun He could take the opportunity to be reincarnated into her womb.
A’Jiao sighed. "While your method is somewhat feasible, the autumn hunt is a major event. Most places Liu Che visits will be cleared in advance and cordoned off. It won't be that easy to run into him." Shanglin Park was vast, filled with rolling hills and crisscrossed by eight rivers. While it was easy enough to sneak into the peripheral areas, getting close to the Emperor was difficult in the extreme. If things went wrong, she might be cut down as an assassin.
"How is it not easy? I can come and go as I please! Look at how easily we got into Weiyang Palace before!" Yun He said dismissively.
"But even if we get in, I’d have to explain how I got there!" A’Jiao fretted.
"That..." Yun He thought for a moment. "Tsk, just make up a lie. Didn't you say Liu Che is easy to fool?"
"That’s for *fangshi*..." A’Jiao paused. "*Fangshi*!"
"What about *fangshi*?" Yun He was puzzled.
A’Jiao smiled inwardly. "Liu Che is a man who loves nothing more than immortals. Why don't we give him a story like the Goddess of Mount Wu awaiting a tryst?"
Yun He leaned in. "Go on."
A’Jiao smiled. "In short, we first find a way to get close to Liu Che, then use a bit of magic to make him believe we are immortals descended to the mortal realm. If we are 'immortals,' there’s naturally no need for explanations."
Yun He’s eyes lit up, and he nodded in agreement.
Thus, that night, while everyone at the manor was asleep, the two of them snuck into Shanglin Park to scout a route.
"This pond right here. You stand by the edge, and I’ll cast a spell to make a flock of birds fly around you."
"No, no. There will definitely be guards by this pond. How would I suddenly appear?"
"Then how about that jasmine tree on the hill over there? You stand there, and I’ll have butterflies surround you."
"What if they take me for a demon?"
...
By the time Liu Che arrived at Shanglin Park with his grand entourage, the two of them still hadn't settled on a definitive plan.
***
"Your Majesty, it is late. It is time to rest," Yang Deyi reminded from the side.
"Mhm." Liu Che responded but did not put down the bamboo slips in his hand. He asked, "Is everywhere settled?"
Yang Deyi replied, "All is settled. The Marquis of Pingyang and the three sons of the Marquis of Changping invite Your Majesty to rest at the Pingyang estate tomorrow. It happens that Excellency Huo is also there."
"Then let us go take a look. How old is Cao Zong this year? He hasn't married yet, has he? Wei Buyi isn't young anymore, either." Liu Che finished reading the slips, adjusted his sleeves, and stood up.
"Not yet," Yang Deyi said with a smile.
For this trip to Shanglin Park, aside from the Empress and the various consorts, the newly selected Palace Ladies had also come along.
Liu Che stayed at Yutang Hall, Wei Zifu at Chengguang Palace, and the pregnant Lady Xing, along with several high-ranking consorts, stayed at Chuyuan Palace. The rest were housed in Zhaotai Palace, Yunlin Pavilion, and other locations, while the new Palace Ladies stayed in Yichun Court.
A’Jiao took the opportunity to slip into Yichun Court to catch a glimpse of that Wei Jine. She was slender, beautiful, and enchanting, possessing quite a bit of the charm Wei Zifu had in her younger years.
A’Jiao crouched on a roof beam, watching her, wondering if Chen Wan’s death really had anything to do with her.
"Should I give her a scare? See if she lets anything slip?" Yun He held a fruit the size of a fist, picking out jewel-like pieces of pulp to eat, spitting out the seeds as he spoke.
"Where did you get that? Are there more? What is it?" A’Jiao didn't recognize the object in Yun He’s hand.
"Picked it at Fuli Palace. I think it’s called an Anshiliu," Yun He handed it over. "I only picked one."
A’Jiao took a few seeds to eat. They were sweet and tart, quite pleasant. She took out a handkerchief to wrap the seeds. "The taste is quite good. Spit the seeds into the handkerchief; we’ll take them back and try to plant them."
Yun He thought about it and obediently spat into the handkerchief.
The two were eating happily when it was suddenly announced that the Empress had arrived. Wei Jine went out to greet her with a face full of joy.
Seeing this, A’Jiao pulled Yun He and said, "There probably won't be a chance to question her now. Let’s go back."
With a flash, the two reappeared at the Chen family manor.
***
Early the next morning, A’Jiao lied, saying she had found a packet of unknown seeds in a corner of the wall, and had Xiao Miao and Xiao Sui plant them in the courtyard.
The two didn't recognize them either, but they obediently planted them.
After lunch, while A’Jiao was walking in the courtyard to aid digestion, she picked up a watering pot to water the slightly raised mound of earth.
Yun He walked over and stepped on it. "Can this actually grow?"
"I don't know." A’Jiao also reached out and patted the mound. "I’ve never seen this Anshiliu before, so it must be rare. If it grows, it would surely be worth a lot of money."
Because of her mother, the palace had never cut her supplies, yet she had heard that Fuli Palace only grew exotic fruits and melons. It was clear this thing was still a great rarity.
Yun He nodded, only half-understanding.
"Miss, Miss! Someone is coming! They want to enter our courtyard!" Old Lady Yao suddenly ran in, looking flustered.
"Who is it?" Mianfu poured a basin of water for A’Jiao to wash her hands.
Old Lady Yao shook her head like a rattle. "I don't know, but they are dressed magnificently. Perhaps they are nobles following the Emperor for the autumn hunt."
A’Jiao pondered for a moment. "Just say the master of the house isn't in. Invite them to sit in the main hall. I’ll go hide in the left side-room."
Old Lady Yao complied. In this era, social customs were open, and it wasn't forbidden for men and women to meet. Although Old Lady Yao didn't understand why her young mistress wanted to avoid them so strictly at the manor, she followed the order.
A’Jiao turned to walk toward the side-room when she heard a young man’s voice behind her: "Host, please stay! Quickly, bring some tea!"
A’Jiao looked at Liu Che, who was surrounded by a group of young men as he walked in, and she nearly tripped, stumbling to the ground.
What a coincidence!
*Do you know I could report you for trespassing on private property?* A’Jiao thought indignantly. She did recognize two of them: one was Wei Buyi, and the other was Guo Tun.
The young men burst into laughter seeing A’Jiao fall. Liu Che waved his hand and instructed the youth in brown on his left, "Zi Meng, go apologize. Guo Tun, help her up."
A’Jiao nimbly stood up on her own and asked with a frown, "Who are you people? Why have you intruded into my home?"
The youth in fine clothes who had shouted first barked, "You little girl, why so many words? When you're told to prepare tea, just prepare tea."
Seeing A’Jiao’s expression darken further, the youth in brown stepped forward. "We were traveling nearby and grew thirsty. We wished to ask for a cup of tea. We apologize for disturbing the household; please forgive us."
A’Jiao estimated that she probably couldn't afford to offend a single person in this group. Hearing the brown-clad youth’s words, her expression softened slightly. "In that case, you may sit here for a moment. Nan Ke, go prepare the tea." A’Jiao pointed to the wooden couch in the courtyard. It was where she sat to enjoy the cool air at night; it could fit five or six people if they squeezed.
"This shabby—" the youth in fine clothes started to complain.
"Enough, Zong-er. We shall sit for a moment!" Liu Che waved him off and stepped forward to sit.
*Cao Zong.* A’Jiao glanced at the youth in fine clothes.
Seeing the others still standing, Liu Che smiled and beckoned them. "Come, sit. Don't be formal."
Cao Zong went over to sit, and Wei Buyi sat beside him. A rather robust-looking young man sat on the other side, while the youth in brown stood beside Liu Che.
A’Jiao gave them a quick scan, then leaned on Mianfu, excused herself, and went inside to change her clothes.
Liu Che nodded in permission, feeling that this young girl seemed somewhat familiar.
Nan Ke led several young maids from the Chen manor to serve the tea.
Cao Zong took a sip of water and laughed. "Your Majesty’s horsemanship is as great as ever; we couldn't keep up."
Liu Che knew these youngsters were just holding back for him. "You lot are just too restrained." He then looked at the youth in brown. "If your brother were here, he would surely be riding ahead of me."
The youth in brown smiled slightly. "My brother’s riding and archery were personally taught by Your Majesty and the Great General. Naturally, we cannot compare."
Liu Che then looked at the robust youth. "Zhao Ponu, later you’d better run with all your might. If you still can't outrun me, I’ll throw you into the stables to live when we get back."
Zhao Ponu smiled and answered in the affirmative. The young men soon began laughing and joking again.
As Liu Che listened to their banter, he gazed toward the main house—only after sitting down did he realize that the pouch he was wearing was growing slightly hot.
Liu Che looked around and instructed Guo Tun, "Go ask if we might borrow their room for a moment." Liu Che gripped the pouch with one hand.
Guo Tun was puzzled but obediently asked Nan Ke. Nan Ke didn't dare decide and went to ask A’Jiao.
A’Jiao thought for a moment and had Nan Ke lead him to the left side-room.
A’Jiao had just finished changing when Yun He appeared in the room. "Great opportunity, great opportunity! Hurry over there!" He started pulling A’Jiao.
"Wait, wait, wait! What am I supposed to do right now?" A’Jiao stopped him.
"Go seduce—" Seeing A’Jiao’s sour face, Yun He quickly corrected himself. "Pah! Go find a way to get pregnant!"
A’Jiao forced a smile as she was dragged out by Yun He. Mianfu watched A’Jiao’s strange posture in astonishment.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
安石榴 | Anshiliu | Pomegranate; historically brought to China from the West (Central Asia) during the Han Dynasty.
子孟 | Zi Meng | The courtesy name of Huo Guang, the younger half-brother of Huo Qubing.
曹宗 | Cao Zong | The son of Princess Pingyang and Cao Xiang; he inherited the title of Marquis of Pingyang.
卫不疑 | Wei Buyi | The second son of the Great General Wei Qing.
赵破奴 | Zhao Ponu | A prominent general who served under Huo Qubing.
郭旽 | Guo Tun | A minor historical figure/associate of the Han court.
巫山神女 | Goddess of Mount Wu | A divine figure from Chinese mythology, often associated with clouds, rain, and romantic/mystical encounters with kings.
方士 | Fangshi | Alchemists, sorcerers, or occultists who sought immortality and performed magic.
