A'jiao led Chen Xuan toward the Jade Hall. She had heard that ever since his elder brother’s suicide and Chen Yun’s drowning in the palace, Sister-in-law Longlü had doted on Chen Xuan to the point of indulgence, granting his every whim.
How could a child be raised well like that? It was no wonder Chen Xuan had grown up to be so reckless and lacking in ambition.
A'jiao sighed again. In truth, she herself was not entirely blameless in this matter.
After they had walked a considerable distance, the Emperor’s carriage suddenly approached from the direction of the Jade Hall. A'jiao quickly pulled Chen Xuan aside to perform a formal salutation.
The carriage came to a halt beside them.
Liu Che pushed open the carriage window. The two were kneeling in the grass beside the stone-paved path.
"You, come up," Liu Che said to A'jiao.
A'jiao complied. She whispered to Chen Xuan, telling him he must remain kneeling until the Emperor sent someone for him, before she climbed into the carriage.
A'jiao’s skirt was stained with mud. Liu Che frowned at the sight, but there were no spare clothes on the carriage for her to change into.
After a moment of deliberation, A'jiao smiled and said, "I heard Lord Zhaoping say he wished to kneel before the Jade Hall to beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness, so I accompanied him to lead the way."
Liu Che looked at her and asked, "Why did you and Wei Zhang get into a quarrel out of nowhere?"
A'jiao’s smile faded, and she said solemnly, "I had no intention of arguing with Princess Wei Zhang, but her words were truly unpleasant." She paused. "I have always heard that the Emperor and Empress are in perfect harmony. After today, I see the rumors are indeed true."
Liu Che’s voice sank. "Do not speak to me with such sarcasm."
A'jiao laughed. "When have I ever been sarcastic? I am merely speaking the truth. Or is it that Your Majesty would rather hear that the Emperor and Empress are at odds?"
Liu Che closed his eyes. "I did not intend to reprimand you. It is only that the Wei clan... I personally established her as Empress. For you to speak such things in public—does that not reflect poorly on my judgment? Where does that leave my dignity?"
A'jiao was stunned for a moment, thinking to herself, *What does your lack of dignity have to do with me?* But aloud, she said, "Does Your Majesty think I am... resentful because of your reprimand? I simply feel wronged."
Liu Che sighed, rubbing his brow. "You must not be so sensitive to every stern word. You are always throwing these tantrums, feeling wronged by this and that. What has become of you?"
A'jiao fell silent. It had only been two days, and he already thought she was constantly throwing tantrums. This wouldn't do. After a moment’s thought, she let two tears escape. "But Your Majesty said in front of everyone that I specifically changed into these clothes to solicit your favor. Does that not make others think I am a woman who uses flattery and charms to beguile the sovereign?"
Liu Che frowned. "The phrase 'beguile the sovereign' is a bit much."
A'jiao gave a small huff. "But I did not do it on purpose. Your Majesty might as well ask the girl Yu Li outside. Let her tell you why I had to wear such an outfit to the banquet."
Liu Che glanced out the carriage window and asked, "Tell me yourself. What happened?"
"Since I arrived at Shanglin Park, the Empress has only sent two sets of clothes in total. I wore one yesterday, and Your Majesty soiled the other at noon today. What clothes was I supposed to change into for the evening? Lord Zhaoping merely spoke up for me out of a sense of injustice, yet Your Majesty immediately claimed I did it on purpose. Did that not make everyone present think I was slandering the Empress?"
Liu Che wanted to say that Wei Zifu never handled things so poorly, but then he realized there was no reason for A'jiao to lie to his face. After all, he could simply ask Yu Li outside to confirm it.
"How could this be?" Liu Che asked. "Even if new clothes weren't ready in time, the Weaving Chamber always has stock prepared. How could they only send two sets?"
A'jiao shook her head and spread her hands. "Your Majesty asks me, but I would like to ask Your Majesty and the Empress the same thing."
Liu Che took A'jiao’s hand. "No wonder you looked so aggrieved this evening. I will go and question the Empress."
*Just a moment ago you said I was trying to solicit favor, and now I'm 'aggrieved'!* A'jiao smiled. "Where is Your Majesty taking me?"
A genuine smile appeared on Liu Che’s face. "A female censor reported that a palace maid in the Yichun Garden is pregnant."
A'jiao: "..." *Weren't all the palace maids in this batch selected only half a month ago? Your Majesty, are you really that happy?*
Liu Che raised a hand and tapped A'jiao’s head. "It is a palace maid from a previous group. I favored her two months ago, though I cannot quite remember which one she was."
A'jiao smiled. "Then I must congratulate Your Majesty." She wondered if it would be a boy or a girl; if only Master Yunhe were still here. If it was a boy, wouldn't her non-existent "succession struggle" plan need to be completely re-evaluated?
Liu Che patted A'jiao’s hand. "I, for one, hope that you can have a child. In the future, I would choose a wealthy fief for him and select a virtuous consort."
A'jiao lowered her head and smiled. It seemed Liu Ju’s position was very secure; she had heard that the task of choosing study companions for Liu Bo had also been entrusted to Liu Ju.
"I, however, hope..." A'jiao suddenly snapped back to her senses, swallowing the words *'that if I could have a child, he could serve by Your Majesty's side forever.'* After all, who besides the Crown Prince could remain in Chang'an to serve the sovereign father? Saying that would have made her intentions far too obvious.
"Hope for what?" Liu Che was in a very good mood.
"Hope to have a child," A'jiao said with a smile.
Liu Che laughed and pulled her into his arms. He wasn't blind to the flash of ambition in the woman's eyes. In truth, she often left small cracks in her performance—after all, she had never needed to put on an act in front of others before.
However, as of now, he truly had no intention of changing the Crown Prince for the sake of a woman. He had neither the heart nor the energy to abandon the eldest son he had spent over twenty years educating, only to gamble everything on an infant whose temperament was unknown—and who might not even exist yet.
Liu Che stroked the woman’s back, feeling that he had been good enough to her.
***
Yichun Garden.
Wei Zifu watched as the Emperor entered, leading "Chen Wan" by the hand. Though surprised, her face was full of joy as she stepped forward to offer a dignified greeting. "I congratulate Your Majesty."
Liu Che raised a hand to excuse her and walked straight into the room. A clear-featured beauty of about seventeen or eighteen was leaning against the headboard of the bed. The Director of Imperial Physicians, the Lady Qin from years ago, and several female physicians were standing nearby.
Liu Che sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. "Has the Empress verified it?"
Wei Zifu smiled. "In response to Your Majesty, I have carefully checked the Palace Records. The dates of Lady Yan’s favor all align."
Liu Che was so pleased he said "Good" three times in a row. Taking Lady Yan’s hand, he said, "You have been neglected these past few months. It is decreed: Lady Yan is promoted to the rank of Meiren and shall move to the Chuyuan Palace."
Yan Zheng sat up slightly and bowed in thanks. She was modest, polite, and neither humble nor arrogant. Liu Che was quite satisfied.
He turned back to Wei Zifu and smiled. "See to it that Lady Yan’s provisions are arranged quickly. You have been busy lately and may have overlooked some matters. Let Lady Jiang discuss and manage these things with you."
Wei Zifu froze. She didn't know what had happened to make the Emperor suddenly allow Lady Jiang to share her authority over the inner palace. She forced a smile. "I..."
"And her clothes—why haven't they been sent to the Jade Hall yet?" Liu Che took A'jiao’s hand and brought her before Wei Zifu. "I went to see her today and found she only has two sets of clothes to change into. If I remember correctly, even the palace servants receive four sets per season!" A'jiao was pulled forward with a look of bewilderment. *Liu Che, you old rogue, aren't you intentionally making Wei Zifu resent me?*
"The garments for Lady Chen... I have already instructed the Weaving Chamber to prepare them. Perhaps the Master of the Weaving Chamber forgot in the rush... I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness." Wei Zifu lowered her head.
Liu Che smiled. "I know, which is why I am having Lady Jiang assist you, to prevent things from being forgotten again. Also, for Lady Chen’s clothing, what rank are you using as a standard?" Liu Che looked at A'jiao with a smile.
Wei Zifu replied, "In response to Your Majesty, I intended to follow the regulations for a Meiren." Neither too high nor too low. Liu Che nodded.
"Increase it." Liu Che took the opportunity to pat Lady Yan’s stomach. Thinking that he was fifty and could still add two more children to the palace made him happy. If they were both boys, it would be even better!
Wei Zifu said hesitantly, "Since Lady Chen’s rank has not yet been decided, perhaps Your Majesty should settle it now. It would make future arrangements more convenient."
Liu Che thought for a moment. It wasn't that he didn't want to grant her a title, but... since ancient times, one might discard a wife, but one did not demote a wife to a concubine. Liu Che felt uneasy at the thought. Moreover, if he easily named her a consort, how could he face his Imperial Grandmother, his Aunt, or his Father in the afterlife?
After a moment of internal conflict, Liu Che said, "There is no rush for that."
Wei Zifu did not understand why this "Chen Wan’s" rank remained undecided, but she still smiled and said, "Then I shall provide her with the stipend of a Jieyu. As for Lady Chen’s quarters, it is not a long-term solution for her to keep living in the bathhouse suite of the Jade Hall. Why not have her move to the Chuyuan Palace along with Lady Yan?" The highest standard—surely nothing could go wrong this time.
A'jiao thought to herself that she indeed did not want to live in the bathhouse suite forever, though she would have preferred to live alone.
Liu Che waved his hand. "Just have Yang Deyi clear out a side hall in the Jade Hall. There is no need for further trouble."
Wei Zifu lowered her eyes and complied.
Liu Che gave a few more instructions before dismissing Wei Zifu. He then had Huang Yu escort A'jiao back to the Jade Hall, while Yang Deyi led the party to move Lady Yan to the Chuyuan Palace.
Tonight, the Emperor would certainly stay by Lady Yan’s side to accompany her and bond with the child in her womb.
A'jiao was not surprised. She bid him a smiling farewell and returned to the Jade Hall. Liu Che’s affection for "Chen Wan" made her feel a bit uneasy. Taking advantage of his absence tonight, A'jiao planned to investigate the bedchamber that Liu Che had always forbidden her from entering.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
昭平君 | Lord Zhaoping | Title of Chen Xuan, son of Princess Longlü.
家人子 | Palace Maid | Specifically "Jiarenzi," candidates for the Emperor's favor.
美人 | Meiren | "Lady," a rank for imperial concubines.
婕妤 | Jieyu | "Lady of Handsome Fairness," a high rank for imperial concubines.
彤史 | Palace Records | Official logs of the Emperor's intimate visits (Red Records).
织室 | Weaving Chamber | The imperial workshop for textiles and garments.
宜春苑 | Yichun Garden | An imperial garden residence.
储元宫 | Chuyuan Palace | An imperial residence for concubines.
蒋婕妤 | Lady Jiang | A high-ranking concubine (Jieyu rank).
颜徵 | Yan Zheng | The name of the pregnant Lady Yan.
湢室 | Bathhouse suite | A side room or suite originally intended for bathing/service.
