Chapter 537 Princess Chang Le
So busy! Working during the day and studying at night, all the officials of the Han Dynasty, even those over fifty, couldn't put down their books to keep up with the times. Although most were only nominal disciples of the Jixia Academy, nominal disciples were still disciples, and they were subject to examinations!
So, everyone was so busy that it wasn't particularly noteworthy that Chen Ajiao, the daughter of Princess Guantao who had been living in Changmen Palace for a long time, was released after being deposed.
So what if the deposed empress was released? So what if she was made Princess Chang Le? So what if she became a disciple of the Yin Yang School? No, why?
How did she become a disciple of the Yin-Yang School? Didn't she just come out? Does she still have connections inside the pass?
After making inquiries, it turned out that it was recommended by the Crown Prince. Oh, hmm? Recommended by the Crown Prince?!
No wonder everyone couldn't resist prickling up their ears to gossip. The Crown Prince recommended the former Empress to enter the palace, and it's said that he was the one who advised His Majesty to release Princess Chang Le. This... the Empress has no objection?
Empress Wei Zifu really had no objections.
Unlike Liu Che, who had some suspicions but avoided asking, Wei Zifu knew about Ju'er and Chen Ajiao's relationship long ago.
To say how early, it was probably when Liu Ju first met Chen Ajiao.
"So early?!"
Emperor Wu of Han, who had issued an edict to release Empress Chen Ajiao and rushed over to comfort his empress Wei Zifu for fear of upsetting her, was astonished and widened his eyes in surprise.
Wei Zifu gently curved her lips into a smile, as warm as the gentlest spring breeze, softly touching the heart. She spoke softly, her tone full of maternal love and firmness: "Your Majesty, I am a mother."
A child who has been "lost and found" will carefully observe every slight change in him.
My thoughts involuntarily drifted back to that day—
Liu Ju finally returned after his disappearance. Wei Zifu hugged her son tightly, and the huge weight in her heart had just been lifted when she caught a familiar scent on him. That fragrance evoked a long-forgotten memory—it was the incense that Empress Chen used to frequently use.
Even though she didn't mention it at the time, when it was just the two of them together that evening, Wei Zifu gently patted Liu Ju's back, her voice tinged with hesitation, and couldn't help but ask, "Ju'er, where did you go?"
Liu Ju looked up and met his mother's concerned gaze. He suddenly sniffed himself and smiled, "So that's what smells like. Mother, you're amazing."
She didn't say anything, but her son guessed what she meant and realized his own mistake. Wei Zifu once again deeply appreciated her son's intelligence.
She smiled and patted his head, asking gently, "So, you went to Changmen Palace while you were gone?"
Liu Ju nodded frankly: "Yes, I chased after the mechanical bird. I didn't know it was Changmen Palace before I went in."
Wei Zifu immediately seized on the key point: "So how did you get in?"
Seeing this, Liu Ju immediately hugged her and acted coquettishly, "Mother—"
That soft, sweet voice softened Wei Zifu's heart. She sighed helplessly, stroking his head as she reminded him, "Be careful, your mother will worry."
"I know." Liu Ju nodded earnestly in her arms, then looked up and asked, "Mother, will you be angry if I talk to Chen Ajiao?"
Wei Zifu gently patted his head: "Even if she is not the empress, you should still call her aunt."
Liu Ju pressed on, "Mother, so you're not angry?"
Wei Zifu smiled and asked in return, "What will you do if I get angry?"
Liu Ju counted on his fingers, thinking seriously: "Then I won't go the next time, because I promised her I would. So if Mother gets angry, there won't be a next time. I really keep my word!"
Watching her son start boasting as he talked, Wei Zifu couldn't shake off the smile on her face.
"It seems Ju'er likes her quite a bit?" Wei Zifu asked with a smile. Liu Ju said seriously, "I just think she looks a bit leisurely and a bit lonely. I can't allow anyone in the palace to be more leisurely than me, nor can I allow her to be lonely."
These bold words initially surprised Wei Zifu, but she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
After a long while, her smile faded, and a trace of melancholy flashed in her eyes: "Your aunt... used to be a very proud woman. She regarded everything as her possession, but forgot that people can change..."
She gently shook her head. "She's not a bad person... If you want to go, then go. Just make sure you're safe. Don't worry your mother anymore, and don't disappear."
"Yes, I understand." Liu Ju nodded seriously, extended his little finger and made a pinky promise with Wei Zifu, his young face full of solemnity.
"So..." After hearing Wei Zifu's account, Liu Che's expression was indescribable, "So I was kept in the dark?"
Wei Zifu smiled gently and innocently, "I believe that Your Majesty is unwilling to mention the matter of Princess Chang Le."
Liu Che was speechless. Seeing Wei Zifu's unusually bold teasing of him, he couldn't help but laugh, "You, I think Ju'er is just like you."
"If I were to act entirely like you, Your Majesty, wouldn't you be unhappy?"
"Hahaha..." Liu Che laughed loudly, frankly admitting, "There will still be a little bit."
The couple laughed heartily, creating a warm atmosphere in the Jiaofang Palace. The palace servants couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief; indeed, the Empress's position was unshakeable.
...
The heavy gates of Nagato Palace slowly opened, the creaking sound particularly jarring in the silence.
Chen Ajiao stood inside the doorway, gazing at the long-unseen world outside, her feet seemingly nailed to the spot, unable to move. The arrogance and willfulness of her past had long been worn away by time; now, a sense of trepidation, like a longing for home, arose within her.
Just as she stood there stunned, a cheerful figure came running over, "Auntie!" The clear voice broke the silence.
Liu Ju's rosy cheeks were full of smiles as he ran up to her, brimming with energy.
Chen Ajiao's tense nerves relaxed instantly, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up. She reached out and pinched his little face without any politeness, "You little rascal, is this the first time you've called me aunt?"
Liu Ju chuckled, his eyes crinkling into crescents: "It wasn't convenient before, was it?"
Chen Ajiao raised an eyebrow, deliberately putting on a stern face: "So you admit you were deliberately acting with me before, right?"
“It’s not important, it’s not important,” Liu Ju hurriedly grabbed her hand, like a happy little deer, “Let’s go, Auntie, let’s go out.” His small hand was warm and strong, and he led Chen Ajiao step by step out of the gate of Changmen Palace.
Chen Ajiao looked up and immediately saw Liu Che guarding the door.
Once childhood sweethearts, now separated by an insurmountable chasm, her expression instantly became complex. She slowly stepped forward, her posture no longer as unrestrained and arrogant as before, and respectfully bowed, her voice calm and composed: "Your Majesty."
Looking at the woman before him, who had shed her arrogance, Liu Che felt a mix of emotions. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke: "Cousin."
Chen Ajiao calmly stood up, showing no surprise at the form of address.
Liu Che continued, "I hereby bestow upon you the title of Princess Chang Le. The Princess's residence has been completed. Cousin, you..."
“I know, being a princess isn’t bad,” Chen Ajiao interrupted him, her tone indifferent, as if she had already seen through everything. “I will not enter the palace again unless necessary. Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The two looked at each other in silence, the atmosphere momentarily tense. Liu Ju stepped forward and tugged at Chen Ajiao's sleeve, "Come on, Aunt, I'll take you to the Jixia Academy. Let me tell you, the Yin-Yang School is incredibly powerful; I guarantee you'll love it once you see it..."
The boy's clear, cheerful chatter instantly broke the silence, and Chen Ajiao subconsciously raised the corners of her mouth, bidding farewell to the past completely, "Let's go."
Although she saw through everything, she was still somewhat unhappy with Liu Che for breaking his promise. So... halfway there, Chen Ajiao suddenly turned around and said to Liu Che, "By the way, when did Your Majesty change your name to Liu Zhuzhu? I think it's quite fitting."
"Auntie!" Liu Ju couldn't help but call out.
Liu Che, who had been somewhat confused, suddenly realized what was happening and shouted, "Liu Ju!"
“Father, it was Xiao Ji who said it—”
Liu Ju grabbed Chen Ajiao and ran away quickly, leaving Liu Che angrily calling out the system's name: "Xiao Ji!"
[Xiao Ji isn't online, darling. I'm Da Han Yishi :)]
"Come out here!"
[Disconnected...]
"Don't let me catch you!"
...
In the spring of the second year of Yuanshou, Liu Che had his second son, Liu Hong.
Although it couldn't compare to Liu Ju's status in his heart, Liu Che was still overjoyed to finally have a second son after many years, and his joy was evident in his expression.
Lady Wang, Liu Hong's birth mother, was quite pleased with this, and her words inevitably became somewhat inappropriate. As a result, rumors spread like wildfire in the inner palace that His Majesty favored his two sons and that the Crown Prince was merely the eldest.
Upon receiving the message, Wei Zifu gazed at the white doves flying past the window and whispered to her maid, "In spring, one's heart is easily agitated. Send Lady Wang some lily and mung bean soup to cool her down."
"promise."
The maid responded and took the food box to convey the Empress's decree. She returned shortly after, flustered, shouting, "Your Majesty! Princess! Princess Chang Le has smashed up Lady Wang's room!"
Wei Zifu was surprised and rushed over. When she arrived, she saw Chen Ajiao's flaming whip flying everywhere, with fire snakes swirling around, and the room was in a mess.
As expected of a disciple chosen by the Yin-Yang School's Grand Master of Fate, he has made rapid progress in just half a year. Ju'er has a good eye for talent.
Lost in thought, Wei Zifu rushed over and noticed Lady Wang huddled in the corner, trembling. She quickly said, "Princess, please calm down!"
Seeing Wei Zifu arrive, Chen Ajiao sneered, and the long whip in her hand swept across Wang Furen's head, landing at her feet and exploding into a string of sparks, which frightened Wang Furen into shrinking further into the corner.
"You can't covet the Crown Prince's position. If this happens again, it won't be as simple as just smashing up your house."
Madam Wang trembled violently, "Yes, yes, yes..."
Chen Ajiao shook her numb wrist, turned around and caught sight of Wei Zifu, then suddenly stopped in her tracks.
She frowned and approached, her phoenix eyes reflecting the other's gentle face: "Wei Zifu, you are the Empress, show your Empress's composure! Blind kindness will not protect your position and your son."
Having said that, he lashed the long whip, which was crackling with sparks, down the corridor, causing the entire palace to tremble slightly.
Wei Zifu watched Chen Ajiao's departing figure and sighed softly. She had indeed asked Chen Ajiao to help protect her son. Perhaps, even a novice could defeat a master with a flurry of punches; maybe, things weren't so bad for her.
As she turned, her robes swept across the mess on the ground, and her voice was as cold as morning dew: "Wang Shi is disrespectful to her superiors, so she is confined to her quarters. The Second Prince will be cared for by the palace servants."
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