Chapter Two, The Pet's Favor Reigns Over the Six Palaces as Time Increases

Women like Chen Jiao, gazing at their departure with such sparkling eyes, caught the attention of many. This evoked a sense of absurdity in the hearts of several travelers who were already feeling melancholic. However, upon seeing Chen Jiao's stunningly beautiful face, they found themselves at a loss for words, and everyone could only look up at the sky, pretending not to notice.

"It's nothing, just some unpleasant thoughts came to mind." Liu Che gently patted Wei Zifu's back, unwilling to answer her question

"There will be bread, there will be milk, everything will be available..." Chen Jiao, carrying a small cloth bundle, said as she walked. She followed the long waterway, walking against the current, and soon saw a bridge. The area by the bridge was quite lively, with many people, like her, carrying bundles, all looking as if they were about to embark on a long journey.

The woman residing in the imperial palace south of Chang'an today was once the most esteemed woman of the Han Empire. She is the granddaughter of Emperor Xiaowen, the niece of Emperor Xiaojing, and the current Empress of His Majesty the Emperor. Wei Zifu can never forget the moment she first met Empress Chen, feeling a sense of inferiority due to her beauty and nobility. She can also never forget the moment she joyfully left the residence of the Marquis of Pingyang, believing that she could change her fate by relying on the handsome current emperor, only to be cast into the cold palace by the emperor due to a single word from this woman. Wei Zifu can never forget the moment she first met Empress Chen, feeling a sense of inferiority due to her beauty and nobility. She can also never forget the moment she joyfully left the residence of the Marquis of Pingyang, believing that she could change her fate by relying on the handsome current emperor, only to be cast into the cold palace by the emperor due to a single word from this woman

I cannot swim.

As she stepped forward to take a look, she noticed a monument standing by the bridge, which surprisingly bore the inscription "Ba Bridge." Suppressing the urge to scream, Chen Jiao took a few deep breaths to prevent anyone from noticing her unease

Wait a moment, I will take off my clothes first

Having searched thoroughly, Shouqi thought to himself, if it were not for the fact that he could not find that master no matter what, he would not have come to report this

Wei Zifu obediently led her daughters away, but in that fleeting moment of departure, she glanced back at Liu Che's silhouette, her expression filled with endless complexity

Fresh air, the fragrance of flowers, the sound of flowing water, it is truly a beautiful day

The Tangyi Marquisate

What can we do?" the young man in blue said irritably, "We are in a hurry to continue our journey, so we can only take this big trouble with us for now and deal with it once she wakes up.

"Not yet, I just coaxed her for quite a while, but she is very energetic and just won't sleep." Upon mentioning his daughter, Wei Zifu was also very happy

Having packed the bundle for her escape, Chen Jiao hid it in the tunnel, waiting to steal some food from dinner, planning to leave early the next morning with her books. However, she gazed longingly at the bath beside her chamber, thinking that after she left, she might not find such a large bath again, nor be able to enjoy such a comfortable bath.

Is that so? My little princess is waiting for Father Emperor to come see her, isn't she?" Liu Che happily teased as he took his daughter from the maid.

Have you searched the palace thoroughly

Soon, various dishes were brought up, and Liu Che handed the little princess Zhu Yi over to the palace maid, inviting Wei Zifu to take a seat. The other two princesses, the 7-year-old Princess Liu Xin and the 5-year-old Princess Liu Ying, looked happily at their father, whom they had not seen for some time. Although Wei Zifu was favored, as the ruler of a vast empire, Liu Che truly had little time to spend with his daughters. The children were quickly captivated by the delicious food before them, while Wei Zifu continued to serve Liu Che during the meal. Although Wei Zifu was favored, as the ruler of a vast empire, Liu Che truly had little time to spend with his daughters. The children were quickly captivated by the delicious food before them, while Wei Zifu continued to serve Liu Che during the meal

In the Pepper Room, only Liu Che remained. He once again opened the long poem in his hand, his gaze flickering uncertainly. After a long while, he let out a soft sigh and rose to leave

Luggage should be light, small, thin, and valuable, so all the jade and gold ornaments in the room have been swept away by Chen Jiao. As for the clothes, forget it. A young woman dressed in such luxurious attire would be too conspicuous

"Master, what should we do?" the young man asked cautiously

The woman was shouting incessantly in the water, clearly unable to swim, yet everyone stood helplessly on the shore. Chen Jiao was anxious and exclaimed, "Why aren't you going in to save her?"

Emerging from the tunnel, Chen Jiao felt an impulse to embrace nature, although what met her eyes was the cobwebs and dust of a long-abandoned temple. Nevertheless, this did not dampen the spirit of the bird that had just been released.

While fantasizing about the happy life after leaving, Chen Jiao sat on the bed, grinning foolishly, which startled the maid who came to attend to her, leading the maid to think that this mistress had gone mad from staying in the cold palace.

Liu Che spread out the white silk, and on it was written, "What a beautiful lady, wandering freely in her own thoughts... She waits quietly for dawn, in a desolate pavilion that regains its brightness. I, a humble servant, secretly mourn, as the years pass and I dare not forget."

The Empress said last night that she wanted to have a good rest and forbade us from disturbing her. Therefore, no one entered the inner chamber to attend to her. Later, when delivering her lunch, we discovered... Shouqi was inwardly lamenting and, without daring to conceal anything, recounted the events that had transpired.

If it were not for that encounter during the request for her to leave the palace at hetushu.com, would the emperor have forever forgotten her? For years, this question has gnawed at Wei Zifu's heart like a venomous snake, leaving her restless day and night. The emperor's increasing affection only intensified her desire for confirmation. However, the solitude of that year made her deeply understand how easy it is for an emperor to abandon a woman. Therefore, there were many things she could only constantly warn herself not to think about, not to ask. Yet, the solitude of that year made her deeply understand how easy it is for an emperor to abandon a woman. Thus, there were many things she could only constantly warn herself not to think about, not to ask.

The first thing to do after going out is to change this outfit. Chen Jiao silently made a decision in her heart

Upon hearing this, the young man in the green attire furrowed his brows even tighter

Fortunately, Princess Guantao has left such a hand, truly benefiting all of humanity! Chen Jiao shook off the gloom of the past few days and energetically expressed her gratitude to her now unseen royal mother.

Since arriving in the Han Dynasty, the matter of becoming Empress Chen can no longer be changed, so it is time to think carefully about future life. After several days of deep reflection and contemplation in Changmen Palace, Chen Jiao has reached the above conclusion

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." The voice of Wei Zifu pulled Liu Che out of his own reverie. He was surprised to find that the beautiful and gentle woman beside him had a hint of fear in her expression. "Your Majesty, what happened to you just now?" Wei Zifu asked.

"In other words, the queen has mysteriously disappeared from the palace?" Liu Che asked with a cold expression.

No, no. Chen Jiao shook her head, reminding herself that while a bathhouse is valuable, freedom is even more precious. She cannot compromise her worth for a bathhouse; that would be too degrading. After going out, she will strive on her own, finding ways to become wealthy. At that time, she will build two bathhouses: one for herself and one for the pigs. Yes, that’s the plan. One must believe in oneself.

As he looked at the emperor's calm and unperturbed expression, a fleeting glimpse of disappointment crossed Nie Sheng's eyes, but it was only for an instant, unnoticed by anyone, and he retreated with composure

Your Majesty, propriety must not be neglected. I cannot allow others to say that I am favored and spoiled. " The soft tone of Wei Zifu was indescribably pleasing to Liu Che's ears. Having grown accustomed to Wei Zifu's cautious words and actions, Liu Che did not argue with her, but simply half-supported her as they entered the main hall.

***

Chen Jiao Lian hurriedly forgot to leave, her eyes fixed intently on the people coming and going to bid farewell. Summer was the season when the willows were lush and green, and as Chen Jiao watched the people passing by, many of them were holding willow branches as gifts for parting, with quite a few reciting poetry in farewell.

"Master, this young lady who saved the lady has fainted. What should we do?" The handsome young man dressed in servant's clothing, who had just jumped into the water with the young man in blue, surfaced with Chen Jiao in his arms. The young man in blue glanced at Chen Jiao, suddenly furrowing his brows. He turned to the crowd of onlookers and asked, "Does anyone know this young lady?"

The Emperor has arrived! With this shout echoing from afar, the eunuchs and palace maids in the Jiao Fang Hall knelt in succession along the path taken by Liu Che, welcoming him. Wei Zifu, who was in the Jiao Fang Hall, also set aside her young daughter and went out to greet him. This woman, later known in history as the "Weiyang Myth," was still very young at this moment, her flower-like face adorned with a smile of happiness

Nie Sheng, known as Lord Nie, entered the Pepper Room Palace. He was not wearing the official robes of a Han official, but rather a simple black garment. After bowing to Liu Che, he explained his purpose for coming.

Therefore, today, she still does not ask, does not speak, and simply leaves quietly

When was it discovered? Liu Che looked at Shou Qi, who was trembling with fear, and gradually calmed down.

At the most harmonious moment, Yang Deyi's sharp voice interjected, "Your Majesty, Lord Nie requests an audience."

The gentle breeze blows, just like every tranquil afternoon. This scene of harmony and joy within the Weiyang Palace has also been observed and remembered by those discerning individuals hidden in the shadows.

"The Queen is missing? How are you handling this?" Liu Che's roar echoed in the Qingliang Hall, while Changmen Palace eunuch Cheng Shouqi lay prostrate on the ground, completely motionless and utterly afraid to speak.

This tunnel leads to Changshui, although I do not know what kind of place Changshui is, it is certainly beyond Changmen Palace. In other words, she can leave this cursed place through the tunnel.

Ah! Help! Suddenly, a voice startled Chen Jiao from her trance. As she regained her senses, she discovered the source of the scream: a woman in a yellow dress had fallen into the water and was now calling for help

"It's nothing, it's nothing," the young man in the blue robe comforted his wife while patting her shoulder

Liu Che felt somewhat displeased and furrowed his brows as he said, "Did you not see that I am speaking with Lady Wei?"

"Husband." After the young woman in the yellow dress was rescued, she lay trembling on the body of the young man in blue who had saved her, her body shaking either from weakness or fear

Liu Che looked at the scene before him, and a rare warmth surged in his heart. The books and illustrations were all his children. After more than a decade, he finally had his own children, no longer subject to ridicule for being "childless." Thinking of the absurd succession controversy during the Jianyuan era, Liu Che's expression involuntarily darkened.

Liu Che's brows furrowed even more tightly, while Wei Zifu, who had just been laughing and chatting, also showed a somewhat unnatural expression

Duke Tai sent someone to the western Shu to request a lengthy poem from the great talent Sima Xiangru, seemingly hoping to use Mr. Sima's exquisite writing to salvage something for that individual. Nie Sheng was not an official within the court's establishment; he was a shadow directly under Emperor Wu Liu Che, tasked with monitoring the actions of the feudal lords and nobles, possessing the right to present himself at any time. This time, he was the first to discover the movements of Princess Guantao, and due to Liu Che's previous orders, he immediately came to report.

Your Majesty, will you be dining in the Pepper Chamber again today? The favored eunuch Yang Deyi, who enjoyed the greatest favor from Liu Che, followed closely behind him and immediately stepped forward to inquire upon seeing the situation before him

Although she could swim, her body could not, and she suffered from cramps, which were very painful. If only she had learned to swim in the bathhouse at Nagato Palace first. After feeling someone support her, the woman was taken away, and Chen Jiao breathed a sigh of relief before fainting in a rather ungraceful manner. Before losing consciousness, she thought to herself that it was a huge embarrassment; not only had she failed to save someone, but she had also put herself in danger.

"Your Majesty, where are you going?" Yang Deyi cast a look at Shouqi that suggested he was lucky and quickly followed up to ask.

The current master of the Jiao Fang Hall in Weiyang Palace is the new favorite of Emperor Wu of Han, and the only concubine who has borne him a child, Wei Zifu. Wei Zifu was born into servitude and became well-versed in the ways of the world at an early age, adept at handling affairs with meticulous care, embodying both gentleness and hidden strength. Within the depths of the palace, her submissiveness is her key to survival and also her means of attracting Liu Che. Although she has not yet been elevated to the rank of empress, her favored status with Emperor Wu indeed grants her the right to reside in this Jiao Fang Hall. In this deep palace, her submissiveness is her key to survival and also her means of attracting Liu Che. Although she has not yet been elevated to the rank of empress, her favored status with Emperor Wu indeed grants her the right to reside in this Jiao Fang Hall

"Your servant pays her respects to Your Majesty." Wei Zifu gracefully knelt, her beautiful curves from neck to back captivating the onlooker's heart. Liu Che quickly stepped forward to assist her up, saying, "I have told you that you need not come out to greet me in the future."

Liu Che took a deep breath, set down the white scroll in his hand, raised his eyes to look at Nie Sheng, and said without changing his expression: "Sima Xiangru truly lives up to the title of a talented scholar; this poem is indeed well written. You may leave now."

Baqiao! I can actually see the Baqiao from a thousand years ago, rather than the later reinforced concrete version that was newly cast. Oh my, this is such happiness. "Year after year, the willow catkins; Baqiao mourns parting," the Baqiao of farewell, cherished in the hearts of countless literati throughout the ages, has astonishingly reappeared before her.

Yang Deyi, go tell Zhang Tang to search the Changmen Palace once more. Also, prepare for my departure. I am going to leave the palace. In just a few moments, Liu Che had already made his decision; he stood up with a swish and walked outside

On the other hand, Chen Jiao in the Nagato Palace is now almost mad with joy. She hums a cheerful tune while packing her luggage

Thus, Chen Jiao took her seat in the carriage prepared by the young man in blue for his wife. At that time, everyone at the Baqiao was there to bid farewell, and naturally, it did not take long for them to disperse. Remarkably, no one knew about Chen Jiao being taken away.

As she watched the woman about to sink, Chen Jiao secretly cursed the man who was about to undress for being foolish, and then jumped into the water herself. After a struggle, she finally grasped the woman's hand and was about to lead her towards the shore when Chen Jiao clumsily realized something very unfortunate.

Sima Xiangru's compositions are consistently characterized by exquisite diction and beautiful phrasing, displaying a grand and majestic style. In the entire "Changmen Fu," while inheriting his usual literary style, he transforms the grandeur into a tone of sorrow and elegance. This lengthy poem vividly depicts the suffering of the imperial harem, causing even Liu Che to be deeply moved.

"Is Little Zhu Yi asleep?" Emperor Wu of Han walked into the inner hall with ease, smiling as he inquired, his brows and eyes filled with joy, clearly showing great affection for this little daughter

Yes

A rustling sound arose from the crowd, yet no one stepped forward to speak. Just as the young man in blue was about to show signs of impatience, an earnest old man finally spoke up: "This young lady must also be preparing for a long journey; this is the bundle she left on the shore just now. However, it seems she came here alone."

This is a placeholder text.

"What are you asking for?" Liu Che remained still, leaning casually as he asked with indifference. Nie Sheng presented the "Changmen Fu" that he had obtained.

Your Majesty, please do not be angry; I am but a humble servant. However, Your Majesty had previously instructed that any news regarding the individual from Changmen Palace should be reported immediately, so..." Yang De Yi quickly bowed and apologized, softly explaining the reason.

"Please have him come in." Liu Che had always been a decisive person; he gave a glance to Wei Zifu beside him, signaling her to step back first

"Let us dine here. Zifu, please summon Xin'er and Ying'er as well; it has been some time since I last saw them." Liu Che looked at the gentle-faced Wei Zifu and spoke softly.