Leaving the Changmen Palace - LTCP 09: Empress

Liu Che’s rise naturally elevated Chen Jiao’s standing.

She was formally acknowledged as the Head of the Imperial Harem three days after Liu Che took the throne. She then took her proper position in the Jiaofang Hall and became the empress of the country.

Observing Emperor Jing’s mourning is the first step.

According to the “Rites of Zhou,” people who grieve for their parents should construct a hut outside of their tomb and live there for three years, not eating meat or fish and even not grooming themselves. They should also look unkempt and concentrate on their grief.

The imperial family’s affairs, however, differ greatly from those of common people.

Since Emperor Wen, the mourning period only lasted from days to months, and Liu Che and the imperial harem had to share in this mourning.

It was already February after the mourning period, and the temperature was dropping.

Liu Che was hesitant to go to court sessions and frequently loitered in the Jiaofang Hall, “You are still sitting there even if you sit there,” Chen Jiao told him. “How is it possible for a sovereign to skip court? You’re inviting the world to criticize you.”

High-ranking officials agreed that the grand empress dowager should handle state affairs prior to Emperor Jing’s death, since the current emperor is young and the nation is uncertain.

Liu Che was only a symbol, even if he was seated in the court.

Additionally, the grand empress dowager promoted a laissez-faire attitude toward government, which left the young emperor feeling as though neither the court nor the populace were moving forward.

The Han Dynasty possessed a vast territory, but was helpless against the Xiongnu, which made Liu Che even more concerned.

“Grandmother is just one step away from ruling the court herself…” he sneered.

Chen Jiao gave him a chilly look before he could even finish his words softly.

“Your Majesty, many things cannot be casually spoken of even within the Jiaofang Hall.”

For more than two decades, the grand empress dowager has been the imperial harem’s top official. It is difficult for a recently crowned emperor to quickly overthrow her authority after years of managing it.

In addition to the pressure of filial piety, he would face great embarrassment if he were to question his grandmother’s authority without good reason.

After Liu Che bore her stare, he was taken aback.

His home is the imperial palace, and he has grown used to seeing this opulent and magnificent complex as his cozy and secure haven.

At one time, he had his mother and father, a devoted grandmother, a wife and a mother-in-law who were both fierce and wise, and all of them were his family. He was also protected, and he was free to do as he pleased.

However, the imperial palace had always been Chen Jiao’s most dangerous battleground.

She had prepared much more thoroughly than him for the upcoming cold rains and harsh winds. She was aware that caution was necessary, even in a single sentence.

All of a sudden, Liu Che felt like a child in comparison to her.

He couldn’t even understand such a basic issue: the grand empress dowager’s granddaughter was the Mistress of Jiaofang Hall. How could she not have the grand empress dowager’s eyes and ears on her as she depended on her to keep her steadfast in the imperial harem?

He sat cross-legged in front of the couch, went into a trance, and fell silent.

Seldom had he thought so gravely.

For him, life had always been straightforward and easy. All he had to do was hover high above, selecting from the many options set out for him. He wouldn’t look at anything that wasn’t sufficiently lovely. How could he have predicted that the moment would arrive so rapidly when he would have to get down on his knees and serve others?

As Chen Jiao observed him pondering, she couldn’t resist following him and lowering her gaze to the silk fragment that was visible through his sleeve.

In reality, power was not the primary source of contention between the grand empress dowager and the emperor. Having already lost two sons, the grand empress dowager had confided in the grand princess on several occasions: “I am a person with the yellow earth up to my neck, and I am just waiting to see when I will breathe my last.”

Additionally, it was all about the word “Tao.”

The nation’s imperial way was a competition between Legalism, Confucianism, and Huang-Lao.

The two teachers that Emperor Jing had chosen for Liu Che were the cornerstones of Confucianism, but the grand empress dowager and Emperor Gaozu shared a common ancestry and followed Huang-Lao’s quiet, non-actionist path.

Being youthful, Liu Che was unable to control his acerbic nature. He was eager to get his hands dirty and perform admirably because he had only been an emperor for a month or two. The grand empress dowager was an eyesore, and he thought that was normal.

“Don’t forget that this is a good opportunity to buy people’s hearts,” the voice repeatedly reminded.

Chen Jiao would never comprehend that a man, especially a proud emperor like Liu Che, who would prefer to favor others over waiting for favors to come his way, might respect his benefactor but truly love her.

She, however, said little more.

As if by accident, she simply lowered her head and uttered, “Plan before you move, and know when to stop to gain. These words are from Sun Tzu’s Art of War. My understanding of their meaning has never been very clear. I believe that Your Majesty can explain them to me because you are far more knowledgeable than I am.”

The sudden awakening from his slumber caused Liu Che to break out in a cold sweat.

The following day, he attended the morning court session truthfully, and Changle Palace had to receive any decrees first.

His dependence on Chen Jiao grew, and occasionally he disregarded the rules and allowed her to accompany him into the front hall. With pen and ink by her side, she would assist him in his political dealings and meetings with ministers and elders.

As time passed, the rigid division between men and women became less rigid.

Liu Che would occasionally run into Han Yan, despite his best efforts to stay clear of him.

In reality, Han Yan was surrounded by a number of favorites; he was especially well-known due to his exceptional beauty, intelligence, and favorability.

Despite Chen Jiao’s lack of knowledge, Liu Che has always been very interested in military matters.

It is only Han Yan who really gets it. In an instant, Han Yan has a long, word-long discourse of thousands of words ready for him whenever he has a question.

He is merely a male concubine; he would even consider the world’s greatest man to be one.

Chen Jiao would sit cross-legged to one side during these moments, eyes watching the nose, nose watching the heart, without expressing annoyance and without readily interacting with Han Yan.

The two were seated in the same room, but their statuses were obviously different— he was in the hall below, and she was with Liu Che in the palace above.

Liu Che witnessed it firsthand, and after seven or eight viewings, he eventually calmed down.

But that doesn’t mean he was indifferent, “You don’t show kindness to anyone, not even to trusted ministers like Dou Ying.”

He asked her abruptly, “It’s difficult for anyone to make you smile. Why did you give Han Yan two smiles?”

Even though he didn’t mention it, he secretly cared about the special treatment she gave Han Yan, and he eventually harbored resentment.

Chen Jiao had to say, “Seeing him, I thought of you, and I couldn’t help but laugh.” Because she was a little powerless.

Immediately rendered speechless, he stared at her, unable to find the right words to express his feelings.

Even though he was already the Son of Heaven, she didn’t respect him much.

With just one word, she could pierce his heart if he wanted to exert a little more pressure on her. She seemed incomprehensible all the time.

Chen Jiao pursed her lips and tilted her head to suppress a laugh as she saw his infrequently silly expression.

She misjudged him this time, though.

Pulling her into an embrace and whispering in her ear, “Since you see him as so kind, then do me a favor… Tell the empress dowager not to bother him anymore.”

One could only characterize the empress dowager’s treatment of Han Yan as contemptuous in contrast to the grand princess’ almost indulgent tolerance. The empress dowager’s face toward him was always very striking when they met.

Chen Jiao scowled, her face rarely displaying her annoyance, “You handle this kind of thing yourself. Don’t drag me into everything.”

Where did he truly want her to represent him in this way?

He bit her earlobe with a slightly patronizing smile and muttered, “Just kidding with you—”

She softened as well, prodding his chest with an oddly bitter undertone, “Don’t say I’m jealous…”

She yelled to Chu Fu, “Bring Jia Ji in!”

Chu Fu turned around and left after responding

Shortly thereafter she entered and introduced a young palace servant, barely older than a young girl, with plum-blossom cheeks and willow-leaf eyes.

This year, she was only fourteen, two years younger than Liu Che and Chen Jiao. She appeared a little younger. She had an indescribable vitality and grace, despite the fact that her hips and round waist swayed as she walked.

In addition to her wild appearance, she even had some Hun characteristics, such as a high nose and deep eyes.

However, her skin was extremely white, making her a medium-to-high quality beauty.

For a moment, Liu Che was stunned when his gaze landed on her waist.

He was casual, but he was smart, and his memory was photographic.

This girl was the palace servant who had been cleaning the window lattice behind him, and he knew instantly that she was.

His arm was around Chen Jiao at the time, and his gaze briefly lingered on the girl before turning away, clearly not meaning much.

Did Chen Jiao pick her to showcase her beauty on purpose or accidentally? Was it possible that she had already caught his accidental glance at that moment?

He couldn’t help but look at Chen Jiao again, he didn’t look at Jia Ji.

Even though he had known her appearance for two years, Liu Che was still in a state of shock every time he laid eyes on her.

It appeared to be more amazing, but at the same time it wasn’t.

Although she wasn’t the most attractive woman, the countless tales that were told through her eyes were far more thought-provoking than those told by the others. Even after two years of sharing a bed, Liu Che had no idea how deep she was, just like the water in Lianzhu Pond.

His wife did not mind his preference for men and took the initiative to offer him beauties. She was not without jealousy, but she had a very good and giving attitude.

He ought to feel pleased and proud of himself for being able to manage his wife and maintain control over this priceless and golden Chen Jiao.

However, for some reason, he felt uneasy as well as a lack of triumph when he looked at Jia Ji. He couldn’t stop wondering if she was intentionally doing this.

In her heart, what was she thinking?

Actually, he wasn’t the only one who felt a little down; the grand empress dowager was also a little down.

“You are really too virtuous.” She spoke in a soft voice, but there was a hint of rebuke in it, “Even though it is the imperial harem women’s natural responsibility to bear children and carry on the family line, Emperor Jing’s death was not three years ago. Once this opening is created, you will send one and I will send one. The emperor will not have the energy to learn how to run the country if he indulges in women.”

The grand empress dowager was cautious of the innumerable beauties that Princess of Pingyang and Princess of Nangong had discovered, and ultimately she remained steadfastly by Chen Jiao’s side.

“You should have ignored everything and quietly given birth to a son in the last few years!” Even the voice was full of disappointment, “Your life’s foundation is solely a son.”

Chen Jiao was aware that she was benefiting from these remarks.

However, she was Chen Jiao, and she had always had strong opinions.
…

T/N
“Huang-Lao thought”— a belief that flourished during the late Warring States and the Han.
“Xiongnu”— a nomadic confederation that existed in Central Asia and Siberia, often clashing with the Han Dynasty in China.
“Huns”— believed to be the descendants of the Xiongnu who migrated westward after conflicts with the Han Dynasty.
“The eyes watch the nose, and the nose watches the heart”— a metaphor to indicate that your attention (eyes), breath(nose), and emotions (heart) are deeply connected.