Ah-jiao sat up and wiped away her tears. She splashed some water from the edge of the bath to clean herself, then looked around. Finding not a single garment in sight, she had no choice but to wrap herself in a blanket before calling for the attendants.
Mian Fu and Nan Ke, already dressed in the attire and hairstyles of palace maids, hurried in ahead of the others.
"Miss, what happened? Why did His Majesty leave in such a fury?" Mian Fu asked cautiously.
"It doesn't matter. Summon a physician for me, and find me some clothes," Ah-jiao commanded.
Mian Fu said quickly, "I'll go get the clothes right away."
Yu Li added with a smile, "I shall go request a physician for the Lady."
Ah-jiao sat back on the bed, breathing shallowly. *Tsk, tsk.* She was likely the only person to ever offend the Emperor on her very first day of service. She could only imagine how the rumors would spread outside.
Mian Fu returned carrying a set of robes. The fabric and embroidery were exquisite, but the colors—a lake blue and a pine green—seemed rather somber and old-fashioned.
Ah-jiao turned them over and asked, "Who sent these?" They clearly hadn't been made for her.
Mian Fu replied, "They were sent by Her Majesty the Empress. She said that since it would take a few days to tailor new clothes for you, she sent these new everyday robes of her own that she hasn't worn yet to help you in the meantime."
Ah-jiao withdrew her gaze. "Did I not bring any of my own clothes?"
Mian Fu shook her head. "No, there wasn't time to pack them."
Ah-jiao sighed. "Fine, I'll wear these."
As the two girls helped her dress, Nan Ke looked as if she were biting back words. Ah-jiao knew the girl was usually quiet, and seeing her like this, she couldn't help but smile. "Nan Ke, what is it? Why the long face?"
Nan Ke said, "Miss, why did His Majesty leave in anger? He seemed so happy when he arrived."
Ah-jiao patted the young girl’s cheek. "It’s nothing major. His Majesty simply remembered some official business he’d forgotten to handle and left in a hurry."
Though Nan Ke didn't quite believe her, the worry on her face faded slightly.
Mian Fu used a cloth to dry Ah-jiao’s hair, smiling. "It’s a good thing this room is kept so warm, otherwise I’d fear you’d catch a cold like this."
Ah-jiao smiled. "Indeed. The Imperial household is truly different from elsewhere."
Yu Li returned with a female physician. Only then did Ah-jiao allow her to perform a careful examination and provide some ointment.
***
Liu Che turned a red pearl over and over in his hand; the bead still held a faint warmth.
"Go and press them—is Huan Jun’s item finished yet?" Liu Che’s expression showed a hint of impatience.
Yang De-yi replied, "Your Majesty, it has only been an hour. It cannot be done so quickly."
Liu Che sighed, placed the red pearl back into its silk pouch, and picked up a bamboo slip from the desk to read.
The news that the Emperor had brought a woman back to Shanglin Park and settled her directly in the Jade Hall had already spread. By dinner time, the news that the Emperor had stormed out of her quarters in a rage had also reached many ears.
Liu Che felt it was necessary to properly break that woman’s spirit. When he favored a woman, he could tolerate her provoking his other consorts, but he could not tolerate her defying him.
Years ago, he had the patience to spend years grinding down Chen Ah-jiao’s temper; he could still use the same method today.
After dinner, Liu Che summoned several ministers to accompany him for a stroll through Shanglin Park.
"Why is Your Majesty not accompanied by a fair lady for a lake excursion today, but instead called upon a group of rough men like us?" Wei Qing joked.
The group sat upon a boat, the lanterns reflecting off the water like a pool of shattered gold.
Liu Che took a sip of wine, kicked Chen Yang playfully, and laughed. "What 'fair lady'? Her looks are merely average." He watched the varying expressions of the men with interest. The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered with disdain.
Chen Yang spoke up: "I heard my younger sister has offended Your Majesty..."
Liu Che waved a hand. "It hardly counts as an offense. I simply find that she doesn't know how to appreciate a favor."
The ministers: "..." *Does that not count as an offense?*
Liu Che then asked, "That woman is your family's sister?"
Chen Yang replied, "To answer Your Majesty, she is the daughter of my paternal uncle, my cousin. She is only sixteen this year, just at the age of..."
Liu Che frowned and interrupted, "Sixteen and not yet married? For what reason?"
Chancellor Shi Qing frowned, thinking that if the Emperor wanted to discuss beauties and romance, he should have stuck to young men like the Chen brothers. Why summon the Crown Prince, himself, the Marquis of Changping, the Marquis of An-dao, and the Grand Minister of Agriculture—all these old ministers?
Chen Yang was stunned by the question. If he said it wasn't for the Emperor's sake, what if the Emperor got angry? If he said it *was* for the Emperor, what if the Emperor thought the Chen family had ulterior motives?
Seeing his elder brother dazed, Chen Chuo quickly stepped in: "To answer Your Majesty, the family wanted to find a good match for her years ago, but due to the matter of the late Lady Huikang, her marriage was delayed."
Liu Che gave a cold laugh and looked at those around him. "So that’s how it is. She was waiting for me."
The ministers were left bewildered by the Emperor's tone. Did he like this beauty or not?
The Emperor asked again, "Then has your sister... in these past two years, shown any change from her past self?"
Chen Chuo replied, "She has become a bit quieter." When her marriage prospects first vanished, Wan-er had spent her time crying alone in her room. Over time, she was no longer as lively as she once was.
The Emperor felt he had the measure of the situation. He nodded, straightened his posture, and sat upright. "I summoned you all today to discuss the winter imperial tour."
The ministers immediately composed themselves and became solemn.
...
Once state affairs were concluded, Liu Che invited everyone to drink again. He stood up and patted the Crown Prince’s shoulder. "You have passed the age of manhood. When I was your age, I was already personally attending to the affairs of state. You, however..." He sighed and took a drink.
Wei Qing smiled. "The Crown Prince has improved much in these past two years. Moreover, it is the Prince's blessing to still have Your Majesty’s guidance."
Han Shuo laughed along. "Indeed. Who wouldn't envy such a blessing? If the Crown Prince could still have his father's guidance at the age of seventy, that would be a true blessing."
Liu Che laughed as well. "Bo-er is still young. Prince, you should spend more time with your younger brother."
Liu Ju’s brow furrowed slightly. He glanced secretly at Wei Qing, but seeing no reaction from his uncle, he could only say, "But I have been busy lately, and with Your Majesty’s winter tour, I will have to manage the state affairs..."
Liu Che’s brow tightened. "You are the eldest brother. An eldest brother is like a father. In the future, which of your younger siblings will not require your care? And yet you speak of being busy now!"
Liu Ju was startled. Realizing his mistake, he quickly smiled. "Father is right. It was my momentary laziness. I will certainly visit my fifth brother more often. It so happens that Jin-er is of a similar age; they can begin their studies together. I was planning to find some study companions for Jin-er recently; why don't I vet the companions for my fifth brother as well?"
Liu Che nodded. "Then handle it together."
Liu Ju accepted the command with a smile. For a moment, father and son were in harmony, and sovereign and subjects shared in the joy.
Ever since the palace consorts had used forbidden drugs to harm the Emperor's health two years ago, Empress Wei and the Crown Prince had been treated coldly. These words today were a signal to everyone that the matter was finally behind them. The ministers on the boat had various thoughts, but all maintained a look of delight.
Wei Qing smiled again. "Consort Xing is also several months pregnant. In the future, Your Majesty will provide the Crown Prince with even more brothers, so the Prince will be quite busy." As he spoke, he coughed several times.
The Crown Prince didn't like hearing this, but he had loved and respected his uncle since childhood and didn't dare show his dissatisfaction before the Emperor. He could only smile along.
Seeing Wei Qing cough, Liu Che thought of his suspicions toward him over the last two years, then of their many years of friendship as sovereign and subject. He couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. "I see Zhongqing has been coughing constantly these days. Have you seen the imperial physicians?"
Wei Qing replied, "The weather turned suddenly cold recently and I caught a bit of a chill. It’s no matter, so I didn't trouble the physicians. Just now, the wine made my throat itch, causing a few coughs. It’s nothing serious."
Liu Che then scolded the Crown Prince, "Your uncle is ill, and yet I see no concern from you? Did you not think to bring the Chief Imperial Physician to see him?"
Feeling wronged, Liu Ju still replied, "I did go to see him, but Uncle refused to see a physician, saying it would be too much of a commotion. He was treated by the doctor kept at the Marquis's manor."
Wei Qing added, "The doctor in my manor has been a senior physician for many years and even followed me to the battlefield. I hope Your Majesty won't be displeased, but I feel his skills are no worse than those in the Imperial Medical Department."
Liu Che finally smiled. "Very well. Prince, go to the storehouse and pick out some fine tonics for your uncle."
Wei Qing thanked him. "The Prince has already sent things, and Her Majesty the Empress has bestowed many gifts..."
Liu Che interrupted, "Ah, those are their sentiments. This is my sentiment. It is different. Just accept it."
Wei Qing had no choice but to accept and give thanks.
Silence fell in the cabin for a moment.
Though the two Chen brothers had been highly regarded by the Emperor in recent years, they were still young and did not dare speak before the senior officials.
Seeing this, Han Shuo smiled and said, "All of us have felt some aches and pains in recent years, yet Your Majesty seems to grow younger as the years pass."
Liu Che felt that he had indeed been healthier in the last two years than in the years prior. Hearing this naturally made him feel gratified. "I wouldn't say younger, just fewer illnesses." Beneath his wide sleeve, his hand gently grasped the pouch he carried.
The group offered flatteries for a while. When Liu Che saw that everyone was tiring, he ordered the boat to shore.
The Chen brothers and the Crown Prince were ordered by Liu Che to escort Wei Qing back.
Wei Qing spoke first to the Chen brothers: "I already know what Bu-yi did today. I have already scolded him. Once the autumn hunt is over, I will punish him properly."
Liu Ju didn't think it was a big deal and pleaded for his cousin: "Uncle, Bu-yi is still young and doesn't know the weight of things. A scolding is enough."
Wei Qing’s expression turned stern. "He is not young. He should have settled his mind and done something proper long ago. It’s just that your grandmother’s health has been poor these past two years and she protects him blindly. I don't dare say much to her for fear of making her ill with anger." He sighed.
The Chen brothers could only join in the pleading. After all, if Old Lady Wei were to fall ill from anger, the Chen family truly couldn't bear the responsibility.
Wei Qing moved past the matter and said to the Crown Prince, "Today His Majesty entrusted the regency during the winter tour to you. You must handle it well. Start preparing now so you aren't caught in a flurry when the time comes."
Liu Ju signaled his assent.
Wei Qing coughed a few more times and added, "And regarding your brothers—as His Majesty said, you are the eldest and should naturally be kind. The King of Yan and the King of Guangling are not in the capital, so you must show more care for the Fifth Prince. Do you understand? His Majesty is getting older and naturally hopes for his children to be around him. If more princes are born in the palace, it is a good thing!"
"But Uncle..."
"Have you been the Crown Prince for so many years only to fear you cannot handle a few small children?" Wei Qing stood still and looked at Liu Ju. "Furthermore, if you are kind to these brothers, would they still cause trouble for you?"
Liu Ju could only say, "I understand."
Wei Qing looked back at the lanterns on the Emperor’s carriage in the distance, flickering in and out of sight. "I am old and ill. You are the Crown Prince; you cannot always rely on others." With that, he turned and walked forward.
Liu Ju hurried to follow. The Chen brothers exchanged a glance and followed as well.
The Emperor's attitude toward Chen Wan today made the brothers uneasy, but they didn't dare ask more. In the eyes of outsiders, and even the Crown Prince, the Chen family was related to the Wei family by marriage and was naturally part of the Crown Prince’s faction. A Chen daughter gaining favor would benefit the Empress and the Prince. They only hoped the Empress would help their sister more.
However, the fact that the Wei family had sent Wei Jin’e into the palace half a month ago made the Chen family feel a chill in their hearts.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 湖蓝 | Lake blue | A specific shade of blue. |
| 松绿 | Pine green | A specific shade of green. |
| 桓君 | Huan Jun | A name or title, likely referring to a deity or high-ranking figure. |
| 舞象之年 | Age of manhood | Literally "the year of dancing with ivory," referring to a youth aged 15-20. |
| 髆儿 | Bo-er | Referring to Liu Bo, the Fifth Prince. |
| 进儿 | Jin-er | Referring to Liu Jin, the Crown Prince's son (the Emperor's grandson). |
| 刑容华 | Consort Xing | A palace consort with the rank of Ronghua. |
| 仲卿 | Zhongqing | Wei Qing's courtesy name. |
| 不疑 | Bu-yi | Referring to Cao Buyi, Wei Qing's son (the Marquis of Pingyang). |
| 燕王 | King of Yan | Liu Dan. |
| 广陵王 | King of Guangling | Liu Xu. |
| 卫妗娥 | Wei Jin’e | A woman from the Wei family sent into the palace. |
