Ah Jiao looked at the water in the basin. Though it appeared clear, it had already been used, and she couldn't help but frown. The two maids, however, noticed nothing. They excitedly wrung out a cloth and came over to wipe her body.
"Your Majesty, there are no spare clothes here. Please endure it for a moment and wear your previous ones," Guo Dun said, standing at the door with his head bowed.
The moment Ah Jiao had sat up, he had discreetly lowered the bed curtains and walked to the door. At times like this, it was always the palace maids who served; even a eunuch was not permitted to look upon the body of the Emperor’s woman.
Ah Jiao saw that Liu Che showed no sign of modesty despite being unclothed. Seeing her two maids blushing furiously as they crowded beside her, she had no choice but to hurriedly pull on her clean undergarments and move to help Liu Che dress.
Liu Che made no move to stand. Ah Jiao held his trousers and crouched before him, wondering how to ask him to lift his feet without being impolite.
Suddenly, Liu Che gripped her chin with his right hand and pulled her forward. His left hand moved to her face, tracing the skin behind her ears and along her hairline with meticulous care, as if searching for some hidden flaw or clue.
Ah Jiao only felt a ticklish sensation and tried to pull away, but Liu Che tightened his grip instead. A shiver ran through her, and her chin was pinched until it turned bright red.
*If he dares to do anything more, I’ll make sure he ends his bloodline right here!* Ah Jiao thought viciously.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, the man suddenly released her. Ah Jiao scrambled backward in a hurry.
Liu Che watched her with leisurely composure as he slowly stood up. "Hurry and finish dressing me."
Ah Jiao approached him with the trousers.
"What were you thinking just now?" Liu Che lowered his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Huh?" Ah Jiao looked up, her face a mask of feigned confusion.
"I clearly saw you looking," Liu Che said, his eyes full of teasing as he glanced toward a certain part of himself.
Ah Jiao followed his gaze, and her face instantly flushed a deep crimson.
Liu Che burst into laughter.
A moment later, outside the room, the young man in brown clothes smiled at the Chen brothers. "I must congratulate you both. It seems His Majesty is quite fond of the young lady of your house."
The others joined in with their congratulations. The two brothers felt a mix of trepidation and relief, returning the bows of the crowd with smiles.
Cao Zong let out a cold snort and turned his face away.
The door creaked open, and everyone rose quickly. They saw the Emperor emerge, his arm around a beauty whose face was flushed with the glow of spring.
"Tsk, I nearly forgot. We rode here on horseback, and you cannot ride now." Liu Che patted Ah Jiao’s hand.
"I shall return to Shanglin Park to fetch a carriage," Chen Chuo offered, stepping forward.
Ah Jiao thought for a moment and said, "Our manor has a carriage." Taking the opportunity, she repeatedly called out to Yun He in her mind, but there was no response. She couldn't help but touch her stomach. *Did the reincarnation happen that quickly?*
Later, sitting in the cramped and crude carriage from her own manor, Ah Jiao regretted not letting Chen Yang return to Shanglin Park to fetch Liu Che’s imperial carriage.
Even though Mianfu and Nanke had laid two layers of quilts inside, the jolting of the carriage made Ah Jiao feel like vomiting.
Liu Che sat with his eyes closed, resting. This carriage was extremely small, and he was clearly unaccustomed to it. As they sat together, Ah Jiao was forced to huddle in his arms.
She spent the entire journey clinging to the carriage window.
"What is it?" Liu Che asked, offering a rare word of concern.
"This carriage is too bumpy." Ah Jiao used one hand to soothe her chest and the other to pinch the bridge of her nose.
Seeing this, Liu Che leaned over to help rub her back. Ah Jiao took the chance to study his expression, but his face remained unreadable.
The journey took barely fifteen minutes, yet to Ah Jiao, it felt like an eternity.
Finally, the swaying carriage came to a halt. Guo Dun’s voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, we have arrived."
Liu Che was the first to lift the curtain and step down.
The moment Ah Jiao stepped out, her legs gave way, and she fell straight into the arms of Mianfu and Nanke. Liu Che looked back at her, pondered for a moment, and ordered, "Bring a sedan chair."
Ah Jiao surveyed her surroundings. The carriage had been driven directly to the entrance of the Jade Hall, where Liu Che usually stayed. The Jade Hall was built upon a high terrace; its roof featured a golden phoenix and was equipped with a rotating pivot that allowed it to turn with the wind.
Liu Che walked over and pinched Ah Jiao’s cheek, chuckling. "Delicate, aren't you?"
Ah Jiao felt uneasy seeing Liu Che act with such natural familiarity.
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty," she said, carefully performing a bow.
Before long, Yang Deyi arrived leading two sedan chairs. He showed a flicker of surprise upon seeing Ah Jiao.
Once Liu Che had boarded the imperial sedan, he waved a hand for the attendants to help Ah Jiao onto the other one.
Even as she was carried, Ah Jiao still felt the world spinning. When the sedan stopped at the door and Mianfu came to assist her, Ah Jiao took a few deep breaths, but then doubled over and vomited. Tears were forced from her eyes by the strain.
"Miss! Miss, what’s wrong?" Nanke cried out in alarm.
Liu Che, who was walking ahead, turned back. Seeing her state, he immediately commanded, "Summon the Imperial Physician-in-Chief!"
***
The Chen brothers, along with the others, had escorted the carriage back to Shanglin Park.
Cao Zong looked at Chen Chuo and sneered, "I used to think the second son of the Chen family was a man of noble character. It turns out you are nothing more than this." With that, he spurred his horse and galloped away.
Seeing this, Wei Buyi followed him.
Chen Chuo watched Cao Zong leave, suppressing the disgust in his heart and showing no sign of displeasure.
Zhao Ponu laughed and said, "I thought I’d be able to have a good race with you two this afternoon. Since things have turned out like this, I’ll head back first."
Chen Yang smiled. "Safe travels, Marquis."
After the others had excused themselves and dispersed, Chen Yang spurred his horse to catch up with the young man in brown. "Commandant Huo, please wait."
Huo Guang reined in his horse and looked back at Chen Yang.
Chen Yang smiled sheepishly. "I know that what happened today was irregular. Unfortunately, my brother and I were not by His Majesty’s side at the time. I wanted to ask—how did His Majesty end up at our family’s manor?" The Chen manor was small and should not have been conspicuous.
Huo Guang gave a light laugh. "Originally, His Majesty intended to wait for you two. However, the Third Young Master rode out for a while and returned saying there was a manor ahead, leading us there."
"Buyi?" Chen Yang’s brow furrowed.
Huo Guang nodded.
Chen Yang sighed deeply in his heart but still smiled at Huo Guang. "Thank you, Commandant. I shall certainly repay this favor another day."
Huo Guang waved it off. "It was nothing important. I have duties to attend to, so I shall take my leave."
"Safe travels, Commandant."
Chen Yang dismounted, and the two brothers walked together.
"I heard from Commandant Huo that it was Wei Buyi who led His Majesty there," Chen Yang said with a hint of anger.
Chen Chuo, however, appeared calm. "The Grand Lady Wei has always disliked the Chen family. Third Young Master Wei was raised by her and is close with the Marquis of Pingyang. It is no surprise he dislikes us."
"But to act so recklessly... we are lucky His Majesty did not take offense today. Otherwise..." Chen Yang trailed off. Once the Emperor suspected ulterior motives, the Chen family would have no future left.
They both knew that under the Emperor’s suspicion, even someone like their uncle-in-law had to live in constant trepidation.
Chen Yang continued indignantly, "And then there is Princess Eldest Wei. Why can't she stay put? Why does she always come looking for you? Your wife is her own cousin!"
An expression of annoyance crossed Chen Chuo’s face. "It’s a pity Wei Yuan was such a fool back then, inviting her to our home again and again."
Chen Yang glanced at his brother’s expression and couldn't help but chuckle. "That was years ago. Didn't your wife have a row with the Princess when she returned to her natal home during the New Year? And she won, didn't she!"
Chen Chuo sighed. "Fortunately, that was at the Marquis of Changping’s manor, so not many people know. It’s just that the Marquis of Pingyang has been looking for trouble ever since."
Chen Yang suddenly turned serious. "Brother, let me ask you truly. In your heart, have you ever thought of divorcing your wife to marry Princess Eldest Wei?" Marrying the Princess would surely guarantee a marquisate.
Chen Chuo remained silent. He had been handsome since childhood. Though he wasn't as scholarly as his elder brother, he was better at charming people, and he had always been well-liked. Even the Emperor had remarked that of the two brothers, the elder had a touch of innocent dullness, while the younger was quick-witted and eloquent.
Years ago, he had looked down on Wei Yuan, thinking that despite her noble birth, her behavior was frivolous and her mind dull. Yet, for the sake of the Chen family, he had to charm her. Now, they had been married for five years.
But ever since he followed the army on the expedition to Loulan two years ago, he felt that his path could be much more fulfilling.
He knew he lacked the genius of his uncle-in-law or the late Huo the Swift, but if he fought hard enough to earn a marquisate—even if not a full Marquis, a Marquis of Guannei would suffice—how free and easy life would be.
"Brother?" Chen Yang looked at Chen Chuo in confusion, wondering why he had dazed off.
"Hmm?" Chen Chuo snapped back to reality.
"Are you alright?" Chen Yang asked with concern.
Chen Chuo shook his head. In truth, he was sometimes jealous of his elder brother. The Emperor called him dull, yet liked his innocence and loyalty. In the past two years, his brother’s official rank had become almost equal to his own.
His brother had a virtuous and clever wife, sons and daughters, and beautiful concubines. Yet Chen Chuo had been married for five years without an heir. Out of fear of the Wei family, he didn't even dare take a concubine—and that woman Wei Yuan had even secretly summoned a doctor to examine his body... Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with him.
Chen Chuo gave a faint smile. "I’m fine. I just find this matter with Princess Eldest Wei a headache. The Princess may not truly love me, and I have no heart for her. Has something happened?"
Chen Yang sighed. "Indeed!" He lowered his voice. "Yesterday, Ruan Qing told me she accidentally saw Princess Eldest Wei, and it seemed she was arguing with your wife again." Because of the Emperor’s autumn hunt, the accompanying nobles were allowed to bring their families. The Chen family shouldn't have had such an honor, but the Emperor had made a special exception, so Ruan Qing had come along with Chen Yan and Wei Yuan.
Chen Chuo: "...What has the Princess done now?" Yesterday? He hadn't known, and Wei Yuan hadn't told him.
Chen Yang said, "It seems that yesterday, while paying respects to the Empress, Princess Eldest Wei claimed your wife was overbearing and jealous, and since she has no children, the Princess wanted to find you a beautiful concubine. Your wife got angry, and they started arguing the moment they stepped out... Now even Her Majesty the Empress knows about you and the Princess."
Chen Chuo felt a surge of frustration stifle his chest.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
上林苑 | Shanglin Park | A vast imperial park and hunting ground used by Han emperors.
玉堂 | Jade Hall | An imperial residence within Shanglin Park.
步辇 | Sedan chair | A wheelless vehicle carried on the shoulders of attendants.
太医令 | Imperial Physician-in-Chief | The head of the imperial medical bureau.
都尉 | Commandant | A high-ranking military official.
长平侯 | Marquis of Changping | The title of the famous general Wei Qing.
平阳侯 | Marquis of Pingyang | The title held by Cao Xiang, son of Princess Pingyang.
霍嫖姚 | Huo the Swift | A reference to the legendary general Huo Qubing.
卫长公主 | Princess Eldest Wei | The eldest daughter of Emperor Wu and Empress Wei Zifu.
关内侯 | Marquis of Guannei | A noble rank slightly below a full Marquis (Liehou).
阮晴 | Ruan Qing | The wife of Chen Yang.
卫媛 | Wei Yuan | The wife of Chen Chuo and a member of the Wei clan.
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