As they neared the door, Ajiao wrenched herself free from Yun He’s grasp and peeked through the crack. Nanke was leading Liu Che toward the left side-room.
Yun He straightened Ajiao’s shoulders and said, "Come, come. To ensure nothing goes wrong, I’ll add a charm to you." As he spoke, he struck a seal onto Ajiao’s body.
"What kind of charm?" Ajiao’s eyes widened.
"A Conception Charm. When the spell activates, I will project myself directly into your womb, so I won't be able to answer you anymore. Furthermore, I’ve added a little extra—it will allow a 'joyful pulse' to be detected even before the pregnancy would normally show," Yun He said proudly.
"Huh?" Ajiao was stunned. What happened to 'bravely paving the way for Lord Yun He'? Why did all her previous plans feel so utterly wrong the moment she saw Liu Che!
Ajiao looked down at her rose-red dress and took a deep breath. It was just seduction, after all. Back in the palace, she had seen those women do it plenty of times. It was always some casual remark about flowers blooming or fish swimming to lure Liu Che over, followed by standing gracefully amidst the scenery and 'accidentally' falling into his arms. Regardless, the important part was the sleeping, not the talking.
Though Ajiao had never done such a thing herself, she had seen it enough to think it shouldn't be too difficult.
However, when she pushed the door open and saw the bare little courtyard where every wall was visible at a single glance, she realized this might be harder than she thought.
The only thing in the yard was a single cluster of cotton roses. And it was right next to the wooden couch.
Liu Che checked the contents of his pouch and stepped back outside. He saw the young girl standing at the door of the main house, her face a mask of conflicted emotions.
The girl was quite lovely, and there was something familiar about her face.
As Liu Che walked toward the wooden couch, the pouch at his waist grew several degrees warmer.
"I remember now! Aren't you the sixth miss of the Chen family? Chen Wan, was it?" Wei Buyi suddenly snapped his fingers and pointed at Ajiao as he walked over.
Liu Che looked over, puzzled.
"Majesty... My Lord, she is the cousin of the brothers Chen Yang and Chen Chuo." Wei Buyi’s face twisted into a look of disdain. "Uncle, she’s the one you saw at our house a while back and took a dislike to. I heard she even coughed up blood from anger afterward."
*You brat!* Ajiao gnashed her teeth inwardly, but her face took on an expression of profound shock.
Hearing this, Liu Che remembered. He turned back to look at Ajiao. With her almond eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, her face was flushed with the radiance of spring. No wonder he had found her somewhat pleasing that day. It was just a pity...
Seeing Liu Che’s brow furrow, Ajiao immediately dropped into a graceful bow. Her brows knitted in sorrow, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Your Majesty..."
Fortunately, her old skill at crying on command was still intact!
The others quickly stood up. Cao Zong stepped forward. "Buyi, is this the woman you said tried to seduce my Imperial Grandfather at your house?"
Liu Che shot Cao Zong a displeased look; he did not want anyone mentioning the events of that day again.
Seeing this, the youth in brown quickly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we have rested enough. Why don't we head back?"
This suited Liu Che’s mood perfectly. He gave a grunt of assent and prepared to leave.
Seeing the situation turning dire, Yun He grew anxious. He gave Ajiao a hard shove from behind. Ajiao stumbled, lurching forward several steps until she grabbed Liu Che’s arm directly.
The young men were all startled and moved forward to pull Ajiao away.
Liu Che was also startled. The moment this woman lunged at him, the object inside his pouch grew so hot it nearly burned his hand through the fabric. He hurriedly unclipped the pouch from his belt, then looked at the woman who had been hoisted up by Zhao Ponu and tossed aside.
Ajiao was equally stunned. Why was the red pearl she had lost inside Liu Che’s pouch? Could it be that Liu Che really had her body from two years ago cut open to retrieve it?
"Presumptuous!" Zhao Ponu barked.
"Your Majesty, what has happened?" Chen Yang and Chen Chuo ran in, panting heavily.
They had originally set out with Liu Che today, but the Emperor had said he was tired from riding and sent the brothers to find a place to rest. They had carefully avoided their own villa and found a farmhouse instead, only to return and find the Emperor’s party gone. Then, they spotted the group's horses at the entrance of their own estate.
The two brothers saw Ajiao being kept apart from the group, the wary gazes of the crowd, and heard Zhao Ponu’s shout of "Presumptuous." Their hearts skipped a beat.
Wei Buyi shouted at them, "Cousins, why is this woman here?" The youth wore a look of malicious glee.
Liu Che gave the Chen brothers a cold look.
Seeing this, Cao Zong smirked. "Could it be that you intentionally had your sister wait here?"
Chen Yang replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this is an accident. My sister fell ill some time ago and came to the villa to recover. Meeting Your Majesty today is purely a coincidence."
Cao Zong laughed again. "That remains to be seen." He looked with delight at the panicked yet forced composure on Chen Chuo’s face. *He’s just a bit better looking than others; why hasn't Mother been able to let him go even after two years?*
"Is that so?" Liu Che’s tone was icy.
Ajiao knew Liu Che was becoming suspicious. She quickly said, "Your Majesty, I have indeed been recovering at the villa for a long time. I had no idea Your Majesty would come here today. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."
Liu Che beckoned to Ajiao. "Come here."
The others were surprised, but Ajiao obediently stepped forward.
Liu Che gripped the pouch, noting silently that the closer the woman came, the hotter the pouch grew. How strange!
Ajiao looked on in confusion as Liu Che took her hand. His brow furrowed tighter and tighter.
"Your Majesty?" Guo Tun whispered a reminder.
Liu Che looked up at the woman before him. After a moment, a smile finally touched his lips. "You were ill before and could not enter the palace. I have been concerned. Is your health better now?"
Inwardly, Ajiao cursed, *Concerned, my foot!* On the surface, however, she looked overwhelmed by the favor, her eyes brimming with tears. "Has Your Majesty truly been concerned for me all this time? I am much better now!" As she spoke, she pressed a handkerchief to the corners of her eyes.
Liu Che felt the pouch gradually cool down after he took the woman’s hand. For a moment, his heart was a tempest of emotions, yet he surprisingly felt no fear. He chuckled softly. "There, there, don't cry. I’ll accompany you to wash your face; your makeup is about to ruin."
Ajiao put on a bashful front and led Liu Che into the main room.
"Chen Ajiao, Chen Ajiao! You're inside, you're inside! Hurry up!" Yun He was spinning circles around her.
Ajiao was fuming. *Does this look like an opportunity to you? Go play somewhere else and stop making trouble. I’ll try, I’ll try!*
Yun He reluctantly left.
Ajiao was served by Mianfu and Nanke as she washed her face. This was the first time the two girls had ever seen the Emperor, and they were practically frozen stiff.
Liu Che felt the pouch grow hot again the moment he let go of the woman’s hand.
Once Ajiao finished washing, the two maids scrambled out as if terrified to stay with them for a moment longer.
Ajiao looked at the closed door, her lip twitching.
*Do I really have to offer myself up?* Ajiao felt a knot of frustration in her chest that she couldn't vent.
Liu Che moved over and pulled Ajiao into his arms, asking warmly, "This is your family's villa? When did you arrive?"
Ajiao smiled. "Your Majesty has forgotten? This was bestowed upon the Chen family by Your Majesty after the great misfortune of the Marquis of Huikang." She noted Liu Che’s look of realization and leaned into his chest. "I have been at the villa for over ten days, thinking of Your Majesty every day." This was exactly how she had heard those women speak to Liu Che in the past, and he always seemed to be in a good mood after hearing it.
*So affected!* Ajiao spat at herself mentally.
Liu Che didn't respond. Ajiao looked up and saw him staring at her, lost in thought.
Ajiao took a deep breath, chanting to herself several times: *What does Liu Che matter? The Underworld mission is most important. It’s not my own body anyway.* Then, she leaned in and kissed Liu Che’s earlobe. Having been husband and wife for over a decade, she still had some understanding of Liu Che’s body—even if it was an understanding from twenty years ago.
The man had been riding all morning and it was now noon; he smelled of sweat, which made Ajiao very uncomfortable.
Liu Che’s body trembled slightly. Then, ignoring Ajiao’s wide-eyed stare, he pressed her down and kissed her.
"Chen Ajiao! Remember, the charm I gave you will make you show a joyful pulse! Be careful! Also, this Conception Charm guarantees pregnancy in one go! Good luck! I’m only helping you this once! I’m not looking!" Yun He shouted from outside.
Ajiao was so startled she tried to sit up, only to be pinned back down by Liu Che.
***
Liu Che lay on the bed, his hand idly stroking the smooth back of the woman in his arms.
The room was stuffy to begin with, and now the air was thick with the scent of sweat and other things. Ajiao felt a bit nauseous. Her skin felt sticky and uncomfortable.
She bit her finger to keep herself from showing it, lest Liu Che misunderstand and lose his temper again. And that little brat Yun He—she didn't know what spell he had cast on Liu Che. She had wanted to take things slow, but Liu Che had suddenly pinned her down.
"Your Majesty, shall we have them bring in some water?" She wondered if Mianfu and the others knew to boil water. Looking up, she saw Liu Che’s expressionless face. He didn't look at all like a man who had just enjoyed himself. Ajiao felt a chill in her heart.
"Mm." Liu Che’s tone was equally cold. He didn't know why he, who had been perfectly fine before, had suddenly been unable to restrain himself from entangling with this woman.
Liu Che couldn't help but suspect the woman had used drugs or some other means, which soured his mood. Furthermore, while they were intimate, he had still been clutching the pouch. For some reason, images of Chen Ajiao’s face had flashed through his mind, overlapping with the face of the woman before him. In his shock, he had flung the pouch away.
Liu Che pushed Ajiao aside and got out of bed to look for his pouch.
Ajiao breathed a long sigh of relief and turned to lie facing the wall, feeling as though all her strength had left her. Liu Che frowned as he watched the woman lying on the bed, her slender curves exposed. Did she not know she was supposed to serve him by wiping him down and helping him dress after receiving his favor?
Liu Che found the pouch under the table, picked up an outer robe from the floor, and called out, "Guo Tun, come in."
With a creak, the door opened. Guo Tun bowed and led Mianfu and Nanke inside, the two maids carrying basins of water.
The two young girls had never experienced such a thing and were stiff with nerves. Guo Tun had no choice but to step forward and serve the Emperor himself. He noted with surprise that Ajiao was lying alone on the bed, clutching the quilt. He had heard that the Grand Princess had wanted to send this girl into the palace long ago—had she never been taught the rules?
Belatedly, Ajiao pulled the quilt around her and sat up. Liu Che had already finished wiping himself and sat naked on the bed.
The two maids knelt on the floor, not daring to lift their heads.
Ajiao’s mind raced. "Your Majesty was so vigorous that I somehow fell asleep from exhaustion. I have been negligent; I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
Liu Che’s eyes widened as he stared at the woman. He had never seen a young girl newly graced by the Emperor speak so bluntly. He was speechless for a moment before finally laughing. "This is only the second time you have received favor; it is natural for you to be weak. It is fine. Clean yourself up, change your clothes, and return with me."
Ajiao bowed while sitting to show her gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 招子咒 | Conception Charm | A spell to ensure pregnancy (lit. "Beckoning a Child Charm"). |
| 喜脉 | Joyful pulse | A traditional term for a pregnancy pulse in Chinese medicine. |
| 陈莞 | Chen Wan | Ajiao's current identity/name in her reincarnated body. |
| 惠康君 | Marquis of Huikang | A title mentioned in relation to the Chen family's estate. |
| 承幸 | Receiving favor | A formal term for having sexual relations with the Emperor. |
| 木芙蓉 | Cotton rose | Hibiscus mutabilis, a flowering shrub. |
| 子孟 | Zimeng | The courtesy name of Huo Guang. |
| 赵破奴 | Zhao Ponu | A historical general and associate of Huo Qubing. |
| 曹宗 | Cao Zong | Son of Princess Yangxin and Cao Xiang. |
| 卫不疑 | Wei Buyi | Son of Wei Qing. |
***
