A-Jiao felt a bone-chilling cold seep from the slender legs of the Nether Butterfly. A thin layer of frost rapidly spread, covering her entire body.
Liu Che could not help but stand and draw closer. Huan Jiujun stopped him, saying, "Your Majesty, do not get too close. The City God said that this butterfly from the Underworld can form ice crystals, and upon that ice, the person’s true soul will be revealed."
A figure appeared upon the frost, growing clearer by the second.
"It’s A-Jiao!" Liu Che cried out in pleasant surprise. Today, Huan Jun had brought back this butterfly and told him that if they took an object A-Jiao had once worn close to her person, the butterfly could follow her scent and find its way to her side.
A-Jiao felt herself shivering uncontrollably. She had only asked them to make up a story; she hadn't expected them to go so far as to use something like a Nether Butterfly.
As the frost vanished, A-Jiao felt her strength fail her. She began to fall backward. Liu Che took a few steps forward to catch her, but remembering Huan Jun’s warning—that those who return from the dead are often shrouded in malevolent energy—he pulled his hands back.
Seeing this, Huan Jiujun kept his face wooden but feigned astonishment. "Your Majesty, there is something strange about this person."
"What is it?" Liu Che turned back.
Huan Jun followed the pre-arranged script. "Though this person is a soul returned, her entire aura is clean and devoid of any malevolence. This... this should not be!"
Liu Che asked urgently, "What does that mean?"
Huan Jun pretended ignorance. "I do not know. To be safe, I should go to the City God Temple and consult the celestial officials."
Without waiting for the Emperor’s leave, he turned and walked out. According to the story he had concocted, he would stay at the City God Temple for a few days and then return with a look of wonder to tell the Emperor: *This woman’s devotion moved Heaven and Earth, so the City God specifically sent her soul back to give her another chance to continue her fate with the Emperor. Because it is a divine grace, she will not harm others.*
Liu Che pondered for a moment before finally letting Yu Li and the others help A-Jiao lie down. He sat beside her and offered comfort. "Are you alright? I misunderstood you these past two days. I shall sit with you for a while now."
A-Jiao: "..."
Her head throbbed painfully and her mind was in a whirl. The "thud" when she hit the floor just now had been quite loud; she was certain a bump was forming. Tears began to stream down her face.
"Eh? A-Jiao!" Liu Che couldn't help but call out. "Don't cry. I didn't mean to neglect you; I’ve just been busy these last few days."
A-Jiao had a grand temper, but she was usually easy to coax. However, even if she was easy to coax, it didn't change the fact that her temper was formidable.
A-Jiao’s vision was blurred with tears and she could hardly speak. She thought to herself: *Go call the Imperial Physician, you idiot!* Her head pulsed with dizziness. After crying for a moment, she finally managed a single word: "Hurts..."
Only then did Liu Che snap out of it and order someone to fetch the physician.
***
Imperial Physician Qin reported that Lady Chen’s head had suffered a heavy impact because she "lay down too quickly." She would need to be observed for several days for symptoms like persistent dizziness or nausea.
A towel was used for a cold compress, and medicine was applied to reduce the swelling and pain. Still uneasy, Liu Che ordered Yu Li and the other two maids, along with two medical waitresses each, to take turns guarding A-Jiao. He even arranged for a junior physician to rest in the side chamber of A-Jiao’s bedroom to ensure she could be attended to at any moment.
A-Jiao felt that if she ended up becoming a fool from the fall, it would definitely be Liu Che’s fault.
By the third day, A-Jiao was back to her lively self, but Huan Jiujun had still not returned. Instead, Liu Che sent word to pack up and prepare for the return to Chang'an.
The Emperor had visited her every day, but he was so afraid of death that he kept his distance whenever they spoke. A-Jiao thought to herself that given how lustful he had been just a few days ago, if she really could suck away a man’s *yang* energy, his lifespan would have been cut short long ago.
It was the month of winter, the end of the year when the stars returned to their positions and *yin* and *yang* intersected—the time for the people to rest and celebrate the La Festival.
With the autumn hunt in the ninth month concluded, the Emperor had to rush back to the capital to prepare for the New Year rites. In the tenth month, the start of the new year, every commandery would send audit officials to the capital to submit their accounts—records of the population, cultivated land, and grain and tax revenue for the year.
Afterward, Liu Che would have to tour the commanderies and principalities, then return to prepare for the Nuo exorcism rites and the La sacrifices. It was a very tight schedule.
A-Jiao decided she had to reveal her "pregnancy" before Liu Che left the capital; otherwise, delays might breed trouble.
By her calculations, it would be exactly one month by the tenth month. Though it was a bit early, a pregnancy pulse should be detectable by then, especially since Lord Yunhe had cast a spell on her to make the "joyful pulse" appear earlier and more distinct. A-Jiao took the opportunity to summon Zhong Yu to reinforce the spell on her body.
The road back to Chang'an was not long, but the imperial procession was vast and moved slowly. Having risen early, A-Jiao felt drowsy in the carriage. Liu Che wanted to support her but was still wary, so he simply placed two large, soft pillows behind her to prevent her from toppling over.
During this autumn hunt, both A-Jiao and the child in Lady Yan’s womb were unexpected joys for Liu Che. Regarding A-Jiao, he felt as though he had regained something he thought was lost forever, which naturally added to his happiness.
However, he was troubled about where A-Jiao should stay upon returning to the palace. It was impossible to make Wei Zifu move out of the Pepper Court, and A-Jiao might not look kindly upon other locations. He couldn't very well put her in Changle Palace; without an Empress Dowager to serve, it would be improper.
"Hmm? Why are you staring at me?" A-Jiao suddenly opened her eyes. She felt a tightness in her chest and a wave of nausea.
Seeing her looking dazed from sleep, Liu Che couldn't help but smile. "I was thinking about where you should live once we return to the palace."
A-Jiao curled her lip and muttered, "Anywhere I can stay is fine. I’m not picky—the Xuanshi Hall or the Pepper Court would do."
"Nonsense!" Liu Che leaned back against a pillow. "How about Yilan Hall?"
A-Jiao arched an eyebrow. When Wang Zhi was still a Lady, she had lived in Yilan Hall and given birth to Liu Che there. Later, after A-Jiao was deposed, Wei Zifu had been moved to Yilan Hall by Wang Zhi and gave birth to Liu Ju there. After Wei Zifu moved to the Pepper Court, Lady Wang moved in and gave birth to Liu Hong. Then there was Lady Li, who gave birth to Liu Bo in Yilan Hall a few years ago...
Since Lady Li’s death, Yilan Hall had stood empty, but in the eyes of the harem, it was a blessed land of good fortune. Liu Che had given it much thought; back then, his mother had said that people claimed the *feng shui* there was excellent for bearing sons!
A-Jiao was young again; if she could conceive another child, it would be a joyous occasion!
To his surprise, A-Jiao leaned against the soft pillow and laughed. "I won't live there. People I dislike have lived there; looking at it would just annoy me." One was Wang Zhi, the other was Wei Zifu. She didn't like either of them. Hmph!
Liu Che wasn't surprised. "There are other chambers in Weiyang Palace. You can take your pick: Yunguang Hall, Jiuhua Hall, Mingluan Hall, or Yuanluan Hall—all of these have been renovated in recent years. Any of them would be a fine choice." In truth, he planned to build several new halls in the coming years; it would be easy enough to build one specifically for A-Jiao then.
A-Jiao hummed noncommittally. She couldn't even remember where those halls were located, so she simply waved a hand. "I don't remember any of those. We’ll talk about it when we get back." Having said that, she popped a dried apricot into her mouth. Only after the sourness filled her mouth did she close her eyes again.
Liu Che figured she was right and dropped the subject.
The Emperor’s carriage traveled along the main imperial road of Chang'an and entered Weiyang Palace. The commoners lined the streets to welcome them. Hearing the cheers outside, A-Jiao could no longer sleep even if she wanted to.
Upon reaching the palace gates, Wei Zifu led the female members of the household into the inner palace, while Liu Che had matters to discuss with his ministers. A-Jiao stood with a faint smile between the two groups.
Liu Che turned and instructed Wei Zifu, "You take the others back first."
Wei Zifu lowered her head in assent and led the concubines away. A-Jiao had no choice but to follow Liu Che to the Wenshi Hall.
Guo Tun led the way to the side pavilion. A-Jiao raised an eyebrow at the three large characters reading "Hehuan Pavilion." She thought Liu Che was quite bold—was he not afraid she would smash the place to pieces?
Guo Tun smiled and said, "My Lady, you may not know, but there are two silk trees in this courtyard. When they bloom, the entire yard is filled with falling blossoms. It is quite beautiful. Thus, His Majesty bestowed the name 'Hehuan Pavilion' upon this side hall."
*Oh... so I misunderstood.* A-Jiao looked at the two trees in the corner. Most of their leaves had already fallen, giving them a somewhat desolate appearance. She stepped inside the hall; it was bright and clean, clearly having just been tidied.
Mian Fu helped A-Jiao sit down, while Nan Ke set their bundles aside and sat on the floor to massage A-Jiao’s legs. Yu Li led a group of young palace maids inside. "My Lady, these are the servants His Majesty has sent to attend to you."
A-Jiao nodded slightly. "In that case, I’ll leave their placement to you. You are from the palace, after all, and know the rules better. I am tired. Prepare the bed; I want to sleep for a while. Wake me when it is time for the midday meal."
The servants voiced their obedience.
By the time Liu Che finished his official business and hurried to the Hehuan Pavilion, A-Jiao was already fast asleep. He could only return to his own bedchamber in disappointment. He was also exhausted, and there was a small banquet in the palace tonight. Though it was only for the harem concubines and his sisters, he still had to attend.
At the midday meal, the two ate separately. A-Jiao wondered why Huan Jiujun hadn't returned yet. She then remembered Chu Haiguang, whom she hadn't seen in two years, and decided to have Mian Fu go out and ask around—she hoped Liu Che hadn't had him executed.
She took a walk around the Wenshi Hall. The walls of the "Warm Room" were plastered with pepper, covered in embroidered silks, with pillars of fragrant cinnamon wood. It featured screens of fire-red stone, curtains of swan down, and the floors were covered with fine wool carpets from Jibin. Even as a side hall, it was warm and magnificent.
Liu Che was very busy having just returned to the capital and couldn't look after her, so he simply had Guo Tun lead her around to see if there were any other palaces she liked.
It was now the ninth month. When the sun was out, there was still a hint of warmth, but if it rained a few times, it would be time to bring out the heavy clothing. A-Jiao looked at the Ye Ting, then headed toward Yuanluan Hall and the others.
Many members of Liu Che’s harem had not been able to accompany him to the Shanglin Park. Seeing her boldly leading a group of people around Weiyang Palace as if she were strolling through a back garden, they couldn't help but be shocked and suspicious.
Thus, even before the evening banquet began, the news that the Emperor had found a new favorite at Shanglin Park had already spread everywhere.
Ever since the Emperor had been fallen ill for several months two years ago because of a bowl of soup from Lady Yin, he had become much colder toward the harem, only summoning concubines once or twice a month. Yet word was that this "Lady Chen" had been favored two or three times in just two days at Shanglin. It was only because she had accidentally hit her head that the Emperor had slept separately from her, and even then, he hadn't summoned anyone else.
Though those who couldn't go to Shanglin were mostly unfavored, it didn't stop resentment from brewing in some hearts. Some said this Lady Chen’s beauty wasn't even that outstanding—how had she enchanted the Emperor? Others said she had been favored but received no title yet, so perhaps the Emperor was just playing around—after all, two of the newly entered "Family Members" had already been granted ranks.
Regardless, by the time of the evening banquet, everyone was waiting with bated breath.
