Chapter 1: The Initial Encounter with the Turmoil of the Han Family
It is impossible for there to be no news at all. Princess Guantao, no longer possessing her former grace, paced back and forth in the room in a fit of anger, the rustling of her garments revealing her current fury
For Chen Jiao, who comes from a Chinese language background, examining the clerical script is somewhat painful, yet still falls within an acceptable range
I have returned to the palace. You should serve the Empress well, and I will naturally not treat you poorly. Liu Che commanded, glancing once more at the distant shadow before resolutely turning away
At this moment, Chen Jiao had just emerged from the pool. A palace maid dressed her in a light yellow silk robe adorned with floral embroidery. Chen Jiao carefully observed the way the maid tied the sash, eager to learn how to dress herself as soon as possible. After finishing her dinner, during her "free time," she lifted her skirt and walked up to the orchid platform, leaning against the railing as she sat down. Under the setting sun, a beautiful scene was instantly created, with her slender figure leaning gracefully, her dark hair cascading over the railing, fluttering in the evening breeze. Chen Jiao gazed at her still damp long hair, finally able to appreciate the ancient saying, "After grooming, leaning alone against the river-view tower," and the kind of charm it conveyed.
Chen Jiao carefully studied the situation; there were no passages in the bathhouse that resembled those outside. Could it be that all this hot water was transported by human effort? Although she was curious about this, she found it difficult to obtain an answer, as no one in the Longmen Palace dared to speak to her. Whenever she asked something, the responses she received were only the fearful expressions of the people.
Chen Jiao, with the surname Chen, is named Jiao. Naturally, she is aware of the historical figure, Empress Chen Jiao, who shares her name. After all, ever since she learned of Empress Jiao's existence, she has been teased by a group of friends around her.
"Come here, help the Empress pack her things. Also, all the personnel from Ganquan Palace are to be taken to the Court of Judicial Review to be dealt with by Lord Zhang Tang." The eunuch delivering the edict noticed that Chen Jiao seemed to have completely lost her ability to respond to the situation, assuming that the blow had been too great for her, and thus took the initiative to give orders. After all, the Emperor was still waiting for his report.
No, it is nothing." Liu Che turned his head, his face becoming as cold as frost, and said, "You have served well.
In the fifth year of the Yuan Guang era of Emperor Wu, on the day of Yisi in July, the thunderstorm kept everyone awake throughout the night, except for A Jiao. The joys and sorrows of several families were equally observed by the cold moon hanging over Chang'an.
However, if she does not find a way to leave, will she have to wait to die in this small world? To spend her prime years waiting for someone who will never come? To completely inherit the fate of that Chen Ajiao and live out her life? But what difference does it make to say "no"? Can she escape from this most magnificent cage in the world? That is impossible; without the emperor's permission, how could a former empress of a cold palace leave here?
I was struck! Recalling this, Chen Jiao immediately sat up. Oh my God, I was hit by lightning! She looked around at her hands, feet, and body, and found no burns. Touching her face, she noted that her skin was quite good.
Outside the palace, the setting sun was a deep red. Liu Che stepped onto the carriage, gazing at the shimmering Changmen Palace bathed in the blood-red sunset and the afterglow. In his heart, he silently murmured: A Jiao, farewell.
She immediately jumped down from the object she was lying on and stood on the ground, carefully observing the place she was in for the first time. Tall pillars towered in the grand hall where she was located, with magnificent golden dragons perched atop them. The object she had been reclining on, resembling a couch, was also intricately carved with beautiful patterns. Coupled with the light gauze fluttering in the wind and the well-arranged bronze utensils in the room, everything indicated that she was in a very classical and ancient place. If she were willing to admit it, she was indeed in a splendid ancient palace.
"No, no, don't touch me. Your Highness, Your Highness, save me." The palace maid, who had been holding onto Chen Jiao's hand, struggled in vain. In the end, the soldiers forcibly pried her fingers apart and dragged her away, her piercing cries echoing endlessly in the vast Ganquan Palace. As for Chen Jiao, she could only watch in terror at the chaos unfolding before her, unable to react in any way. It was not until she was taken to Changmen Palace that she finally fell into a deep sleep on the soft couch of Changmen Palace.
What should I do? Chen Jiao asked herself, I must, I must find a way, I cannot spend my entire life in such a place, serving as a burial companion for this body
The Hall of the Marquis of Tangyi
With the eunuchs came soldiers who shouted in unison, showing no mercy for the delicate women. They rudely dragged away the palace maids and eunuchs from the Ganquan Palace, who had already become frightened birds. The sounds of wailing and crying rose and fell, and some lost their sanity and resisted. However, this only forced the soldiers to act violently within the Ganquan Palace. After spilling a bit more blood, those who were meant to leave still had to go.
The queen has lost her order, being confused by the shaman, and cannot accept the mandate of heaven. Therefore, the imperial seal and ribbons are to be revoked, and she is to retreat to the Changmen Palace. After regaining her senses, Chen Jiao heard this sentence. What? The Changmen Palace?
According to history, she, Chen Ajiao, should have lived in this Changmen Palace for another twenty years, and then died in a state of desolation amidst her family's decline. If she did nothing, there would still be 20 years of such mornings and evenings waiting for her to endure slowly. In such loneliness, perhaps she would die even earlier than the historical Ajiao. Chen Jiao thought to herself with self-mockery. If she did nothing, there would still be 20 years of such mornings and evenings waiting for her to endure slowly. In such loneliness, perhaps she would die even earlier than the historical Ajiao. Chen Jiao thought to herself with self-mockery.
So, am I now that Ah Jiao, Empress Chen of Changmen Palace? Chen Jiao clearly found this speculation hard to accept, and her face immediately turned pale. This expression was quite in line with her current identity. The eunuch delivering the message looked at her deathly pale face with understanding, sighed, and said: "Your Highness, please follow me to Changmen Palace. His Majesty has assured that you will not be wronged."
"This old servant does not dare to accept Your Majesty's praise." Shouqi displayed a timely flattering smile on his face. When he was ordered to be transferred to serve Empress Chen at Changmen Palace, he initially thought his career was doomed. Unexpectedly, the Emperor seemed to care quite a bit for the deposed Empress, which immediately sparked in him the intention to provide timely assistance, planning to ingratiate himself with the Empress in anticipation of her return to the palace.
Fortunately, I am a diligent student; otherwise, I would have immediately become illiterate upon reaching the Han Dynasty. As Chen Jiao read the letter, she felt a sense of relief in her heart
Oh, so that's how it is. Chen Jiao learned for the first time that this Changmen Palace originally belonged to Princess Guantao. However, it is now being used to imprison her own daughter, which is truly ironic for Princess Guantao
"No matter how splendid the cold palace becomes, it remains a cold palace." Princess Pingyang scoffed at the news added by the eunuch.
I... Chen Jiao stared blankly at the eunuch, unable to say anything; her thoughts were in complete disarray
"Queen Chen, please accept the decree." A sharp and somewhat piercing voice called out. Before Chen Jiao could express her curiosity about the owner of that voice, she was forcefully pulled down to kneel by the woman beside her. The woman's excessive strength resulted in a sudden pain in Chen Jiao's knee.
Then there is ... ...
A faint yet powerful voice sounded in her ear, causing Chen Jiao to be momentarily stunned. Since entering the Changmen Palace, although there were numerous attendants and palace maids around her, the voices of the eunuchs were always somewhat sharp, and the palace maids spoke in soft tones. Now, suddenly hearing such a voice, Chen Jiao was truly taken aback.
She continuously splashed the water surface with her feet, sending up white droplets, as the warm waves rose higher and higher, eventually splattering onto her face, gradually clarifying her thoughts
The Changmen Palace is located in the southeast of Chang'an City, surrounded by neither large rivers nor great streams, making it impossible to see any sails on the horizon. However, with a slight turn to the west, one can catch a distant glimpse of the rising and falling towers and palaces within Chang'an, which must be the center of this empire, the place where the original owner of this body loved someone. "After passing countless sails, none are the same" and the phrase "a world apart within arm's reach," which is ultimately more sorrowful?
"I am the humble Dong Yan, paying my respects to Your Majesty." The man, who identified himself as Dong Yan, performed a deep bow before her
Ah Jiao, my son, I have heard that you have retreated to the Changmen Palace, and that those capable individuals by your side have all been executed in the marketplace, which causes me great concern. It is regrettable that in this time of crisis, your father is also ill, leaving us with one less ally. You must understand that in the inner palace, the emperor's favor is the most unpredictable; even with your noble status, you cannot escape this reality. Moreover, you have not borne a child for many years, while those in the Weiyang Palace have already welcomed three daughters, which is a significant worry for you. However, our family, the Chen family, has contributed greatly to the current emperor's rise to power, and during the time of the Empress Dowager's regency, I have also provided various forms of support. You have been married to the emperor for ten years; this bond cannot be easily forgotten. As for the current situation, we can only reason with him through the merits of supporting him and appeal to his emotions through our marital ties. I have spent a fortune to obtain a great poem from the talented Sima Xiangru of Xishu, and I will choose an appropriate time to present it to His Majesty, which may temporarily win his favor. However, my son, after you return to the palace, you must absolutely not revert to your old spoiled temperament.
I behold the lush greenery lifting the emerald flowers, attempting to open the golden chamber to sweep the courtyard flowers. In a moment, a palace maid conveys a message, stating that it is fortunate to be at the home of Princess Pingyang. Unknowingly, I recall Liu Yuxi's "A Jiao's Lament." Chen Jiao now somewhat understands why there are so many grievances among the women in the harem. The imperial palace is a vast net, and the only way to escape it is through the emperor's ethereal and utterly unreliable favor. Unfortunately, the current Chen A Jiao has even had her only escape route blocked.
This night is destined to be a sleepless one
You may go back. I understand now. After realizing the answer she sought, Chen Jiao no longer wished to engage in empty talk with Dong Yanxu. After all, she was not the true Empress Chen, and many words would only lead to further misunderstandings.
The garment lacked buttons, and her gaze traveled from the upper body down to the feet. Although she did not want to admit it, the sight before her led to a terrifying conjecture. This was clearly an ancient piece of clothing
She showed no reaction? the man asked in a low voice. His face flickered in the candlelight, revealing a handsome yet gloomy countenance.
The weather was not very good, so she did not go out and played Tetris at home. As the New Year was approaching, her parents were busy running around outside for year-end accounting matters at the factory, leaving her to entertain herself at home. Later, Jingjing called her to accompany her to buy clothes. While she was leaning against the window to answer the call, she reached out to turn off the computer that was still on. At that moment, there was a thunderstorm, and it seemed as if the lightning struck her. Later, Jingjing called her again to accompany her to buy clothes. While she was leaning against the window to answer the call, she reached out to turn off the computer that was still on. At that moment, there was a thunderstorm, and it seemed as if the lightning struck her.
Your Highness, Your Highness, something is wrong. A voice came closer, awakening her from her bewilderment. It was a face filled with panic, and the already unremarkable features were now severely distorted. She tightly grasped Chen Jiao's hand, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty he..."
She gently pushed the letter back to Dong Yan, looked at him, and said: "There is no need to trouble yourself; even if you present the 'Changmen Fu', it will not change anything. If the cold moon at Changmen is truly the final resting place His Majesty wishes for me, then no matter what is done, it is all in vain. If he could easily change his mind, then he would not be Liu Che."
The palace maid, Chen Jiao, who had not been able to reveal her name, did not have the opportunity to finish her words. A sudden commotion of footsteps followed, and a group of people entered. They were all dressed in ancient attire, and one of them was holding a roll of brown silk fabric.
In fact, on the day her soul entered the body of Empress Chen, this body underwent a transformation. The longer she remained in this body, the closer its physical age became to the actual age of her soul. In other words, Chen Jiao's body has now reverted to the appearance it had when Empress Chen was 20 years old
"Your Highness, turn the phoenix beak to the left and then to the right." After a moment of hesitation, Chen Jiao complied.
Is that so? The man fell silent for a moment, unconsciously rubbing the beads on his hand with his thumb, and said, "You have done well in this matter. I shall remember your merit. You may leave now"
Yes. However, it seems that the Empress has been quite severely frightened, remaining in a state of extreme panic. Upon arriving at the Changmen Palace, she immediately fainted. The eunuch who had just delivered the imperial edict answered cautiously, his eyes discreetly observing the expression of the man in the higher position.
The efforts of Princess Guantao seem to have been in vain. The role of "The Ode to Changmen" is quite limited; the story of a lengthy poem winning back the emperor's favor, which is celebrated by the world, is merely a beautiful fantasy of literati. In reality, Emperor Wu of Han never looked back.
To her surprise, after she completed this action, the floor directly in front of her began to quietly sink, revealing the shape of a tunnel. Due to the creator's ingenuity, the exit of this tunnel, which is approximately one square meter in size, is difficult to detect. From the tunnel emerged a remarkably handsome young man, indeed, a boy of about seventeen or eighteen years old
Fortunately
Ah, this is a dilapidated temple located by the banks of the Longshui River outside the palace. Dong Yan was distracted by Chen Jiao, "Because the Changmen Palace was originally offered to His Majesty by the princess, so..."
"Even if one spends a fortune to buy the 'Ode to Xiangru', who can express this lingering affection..." Unknowingly, she recited lines from Xin Qiji's "Mo Yu Er", and Chen Jiao couldn't help but sneer inwardly
"Is it true? Your Majesty has really issued a decree?" The eldest princess Liu Piao, residing in the residence of the Marquis of Tangyi, roared in disbelief, "Impossible, Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao, why was I not informed?"
He never expected that this departure would lead to two years of separation
Your Majesty, the Empress has been deposed?" While Liu Piao was filled with anger, Princess Pingyang, the elder sister of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, looked at the eunuch delivering the news with a face full of joy
It is unlike her. Logically, when Empress Chen was deposed, she should have been around 30 years old. Why does she look almost the same as before? Could this be what is referred to as the royal secret to maintenance? This was the only answer that came to Chen Jiao's mind
"You, how are you?" Chen Jiao asked foolishly
Chen Jiao leaned against the edge of the pool, washing her long hair and the intricate designs of her attire. Being fond of cleanliness, she bathed and washed her hair almost daily since arriving in this ancient time. However, the length of her hair often frustrated her to the point of wanting to cut it off immediately, but each time she picked up the scissors, someone nearby would stop her. As others took care of her hair, she gradually became too lazy to cut it. In this simple act of washing, she also experienced what could be called royal elegance. Each time she wanted to bathe, it was not like in ancient costume dramas where a wooden tub was brought in for her to climb into. Instead, there was a large bathing pool filled with comfortably warm water, allowing her to swim leisurely within it.
Clutching the last glimmer of hope, she trembled as she picked up the only carved bronze mirror in the entire palace, gazing at her own face. What did she see? The mirror, though not very clear, faithfully reflected everything it illuminated. The shimmering autumn waters were picturesque, her two ruby lips slightly parted, and her willow-like brows slightly furrowed. The beautifully shaped tip of her nose gently quivered with her hurried breath. This face was no less striking than that of any modern film star. Yet, this was not her face; for the past 20 years, the face she had seen in the mirror every day was not this one.
Dong Yan did not expect that risking his life to come here would yield such an answer. However, seeing Chen Jiao's demeanor, it seemed she no longer wished to speak with him. Considering his own status, it was inappropriate to say anything too intimate, so he could only bow and withdraw. Yet, he was contemplating how to report back to the princess. It appeared necessary for the princess to write a letter to properly persuade this lady before him, as the future wealth and glory of the Tangyi Marquisate depended solely on her.
The phrase "Jinwu Cangjiao" (金屋藏娇) refers to a heartless emperor, leaving behind an idiom that evokes the imagination of men throughout the ages
A sense of drowsiness lingered in her mind, persistent and unyielding. Chen Jiao struggled to shake her head, trying hard to awaken herself. After a laborious effort to open her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of a vividly carved crimson phoenix. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was an intricate design carved into a beam directly above her head. The structure was exceedingly classical, so much so that it made her feel uneasy; she could only see such ceilings when visiting a Buddhist temple. Although she knew this could not be called a ceiling, within her limited vocabulary, she could not find another term to describe it. The overwhelming visual impact left her lying still in the position of awakening.
What happened? She thought to herself, remembering that she was playing on the computer at home. That's right, she was playing on the computer
Indeed. The Empress has already moved to Changmen Palace. However, His Majesty has also instructed that the Empress must not be wronged in any way, so all the daily necessities and expenses at Changmen Palace are to be on par with those of the Jiaofang Hall
***
How could this happen? She stood there in a daze, not knowing what to think.
Gazing quietly at the calm surface of the water, Chen Jiao reached out to touch her own face. The bronze mirror, of course, could not reflect what it illuminated as faithfully as the glass mirrors of later generations, so many times Chen Jiao could only see her current self through the gentle ripples of the water.
"Hoo---" Chen Jiao sat by the pond, let out a long sigh, and comforted herself, "Forget it, if I can't figure it out, then there's no need to think about it."
Following the direction from which the sound emanated, Chen Jiao was astonished to discover that the voice was actually coming from a decorative phoenix incense burner in her chamber. She gently tapped the outer wall of the vase, and immediately heard the voice speak again
To this day, Chen Jiao still does not understand why she has so unfortunately arrived in this world, nor why she has entered the body of Empress Chen. Indeed, the beauty of this empress surpasses her original self by countless times, and her status is incomparably higher, not to mention the material comforts that are far superior to those she experienced in the twenty-first century, even though the boiled food of the Han Dynasty does not quite meet her taste. However, for her, this empty, silent Changmen Palace feels like a tomb. As the eunuch delivering the imperial edict said, there is nothing lacking in terms of food, clothing, or necessities in the Changmen Palace, and the servants are quite diligent in their duties. The eunuch Shouqi, in particular, often approaches her with a flattering smile to consult her on various matters, a kind of carefulness that makes her uncomfortable with this life of servitude. Yet, as time goes by, she, accustomed to freedom, realizes that the Changmen Palace is merely a finely crafted cage.
If he had not come, what would the poor Empress Chen feel every time she gazed at the Weiyang Palace? Chen Jiao ran her fingers through her long, dark hair, pondering in her heart. The great and ambitious Emperor Wu of Han, after all, was merely a man burdened by unrequited feelings.
All the people in the Queen's Palace have been taken to the Court of Justice, so..." The eunuch delivering the news innocently endured the anger of Guantao while reporting.
Upon hearing this name, Chen Jiao felt a moment of dizziness. Dong Yan is not just the consort of Princess Guantao, how is he here?
What is going on with this tunnel?" Chen Jiao ignored what he wanted to say and asked the question that concerned her the most.
The lady... ... was so taken aback by the verses of Xin Qiji that Dong Yan wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Chen Jiao's gesture.
Liu Che gazed through the layers of curtains at the indistinct yet familiar figure frolicking in the pool, his expression turning quite somber. At that moment, Changmen Palace attendant Cheng Shouqi, feeling somewhat anxious, asked, "Your Majesty, is something amiss?"
Thank you, Your Majesty
The Pingyang Marquisate
After everyone had left, Liu Che murmured to the bead in his hand, "If I could have A Jiao as my wife, I would keep her in a golden house..."
Although she once considered whether to invite Emperor Wu of Han for a meeting to tell him that she was not his empress, the thought of the consequences of such a confession made her heart race with fear. On the positive side, if Emperor Wu believed her, she would still likely be permanently confined within the palace, dedicating herself to the future of the Han Dynasty until her death. If he did not believe her, then she would be forever labeled as the deposed empress, and it was likely that she would be scrutinized even more harshly by others.
Chen Jiao, who arrived in this world in a state of confusion, was unaware of this fact, and without the presence of any of Empress Chen's former maidservants by her side, she came to believe that Empress Chen had always been this way
After taking a long, deep breath, she sluggishly realized that something seemed off. Her head felt a bit heavy, and when she reached up to touch it, she found it was hollow. Also, when did her hair become this long? ... The clothes she was wearing, with their flowing long sleeves, what is this fabric ...
After reading the entire letter, Chen Jiao couldn't help but exclaim in her heart, "How pitiful are the hearts of parents everywhere!"
"You, who are you?" Chen Jiao looked at him with uncertainty.
"This is a command from the princess, and here is the letter she has given you." Dong Yan obediently presented the letter. At this time, paper had just been invented and was still quite rough; the common writing tools were bamboo slips, while wealthy families would also use silk. What Dong Yan presented was fine white silk.