Leaving the Changmen Palace - LTCP 10: Virtuous

Naturally, Liu Che took Jia Ji as a gift.

He was only sixteen years old when he was still the crown prince. Despite his own indulgence in women and revelry, the late emperor valued Liu Che’s education highly in the hopes that he would grow up to be a capable and hardworking sovereign who wouldn’t waste too much time on women.

However, now that he’s an emperor, the imperial harem’s emptiness is completely absurd and completely out of place. Not to mention the pressure of parenthood, which has unavoidably increased since he took over as the imperial palace’s head.

What emperor wouldn’t have access to stunning women who use their charms to soothe him and give him their undivided attention?

The grand princess still considers Chen Jiao’s efforts to be insufficient for a mere Jia Ji.

“If you really want to send someone, I can naturally prepare someone for you.” She casually discussed the beauty surrounding the former emperors with Chen Jiao, “Do you really think a couple of gorgeous young girls would make a difference when so many have already been sent in? Simply put, it’s assuming without even speaking to your family.”

With a simple smile, Chen Jiao said, “Mother, I know what I’m doing.”

She was forced to speak softly once more after a pause, observing that the grand princess was still not entirely convinced, “You are the emperor’s aunt and mother-in-law, it is inappropriate to repeat such actions. Furthermore, it was almost a decade ago that people were sent to the inner palace. Old issues don’t need to be brought up right now.”

The grand princess was still not entirely convinced, but she froze once more when she looked at the jade pendant at her daughter’s waist.

Chen Jiao presented the Princess of Pingyang with a pair of perfect jade pendants for her birthday. This exquisitely carved jade fish pendant was the return gift on Chen Jiao’s birthday.

For an instant, she remembered the serious advice given to herself by the young Chen Jiao almost ten years ago, “From now on, don’t send anyone to the imperial harem anymore.”

Suddenly, the grand princess’ eyes became blurry, and she felt compelled to stroke Chen Jiao’s cheek.

She finally sighed slowly after a long time.

“With every step a person takes, it’s truly hard to know whether it’s a blessing or a curse.” She continued slowly, “What appears to be a blessing today could turn out to be a curse ten years from now, and then another ten years from now, or it could be a combination of the two. It is impossible to foresee luck and bad luck.”

Isn’t the empress’ path identical? Who knows the amount of work, resentment, and cunning it takes to become the grand empress dowager and experience everlasting glory?

…

Only a few times did Jia Ji serve Liu Che, and she never again won his favor.

Rather, she was purposefully elevated by Chen Jiao, who made arrangements for her to live in the Yongxiang Palace and regularly invited her to the Jiaofang Hall for conversation.

In rare instances, even the empress dowager expressed genuine admiration for her, “What is most commendable is that Jiaojiao is virtuous and magnanimous, not a jealous person.”

There was no room for criticism because Chen Jiao knew how to proactively allocate affection for herself and set up a place for her son.

But Liu Che was secretly quite uneasy, and occasionally his gaze grew a little deeper as he looked at her.

He would occasionally lose his train of thought while engaging in informal conversation with the princes and ministers, turning to face her behind the curtain.

Chen Jiao has always exhibited a rare and endearing innocence and has been unusually unconcerned with affairs of the court. Out of ten questions, nine of them leave her speechless, particularly when Liu Che asks her about state affairs.

It’s not that she doesn’t understand, but rather that she appears genuinely unwilling to participate.

Liu Che’s actions have consistently angered his two ministers, Zhao Wan and Wang Zang.

In front of him, they once gave him advice, “The emperor should not keep the empress by his side—politics, after all, is a matter of gender distinction.”

Since they were a Confucian scholars, they naturally had a strong and obvious ambition in contrast to the old courtiers surrounding the grand empress dowager who promoted inaction and were all about leading a pure and desire-free life.

Even though they were still a teacher to the emperor, astute observers could see their partiality. The grand empress dowager was subtly criticized through the use of Chen Jiao as a covert way to convey disapproval towards her.

She really doesn’t deserve to be an empress if she can’t even comprehend this.

Liu Che listened while focusing on her.

Still leaning against the screen, Chen Jiao gazed languidly at the incense pouch in her hand as though she hadn’t heard anything.

She lifted her hand and looked at the dazzling golden thread patterns in the sunlight that was dancing freely.

Even though she was sitting directly next to him, she didn’t even raise an eyelid. It seemed as though there was a layer of rippling water between them, glistening with light, making it impossible for him to understand what she was thinking.

The majority of the political activities at the court were coordinated by Changle Palace.

Even Liu Che felt that he lacked the confidence to take on important issues without the grand empress dowager’s approval, even though he gradually developed his own ideas and voice and Changle Palace had no intention of competing with him for power.

But ultimately, his ambitions and ideas were too numerous.

He had a lot of ideas about the empire and was eager to put them into action. But in Changle Palace, the grand empress dowager was like a massive stone, and he didn’t even have the right to speak loudly without physically moving it.

The grand empress dowager repeatedly questioned about his interactions with the ministers, but Chen Jiao consistently denied any knowledge of the matter, neither defending nor disparaging him in front of her.

There will always be plots and machinations within the so-called imperial family, even among the closest relatives.

The idea of retiring once one has achieved success is just a lovely story. To wear the blood-stained crown, the new ruler must tread on the old rulers’ corpses.

Although grandparents and grandchildren have a close relationship, they both understand that unless the elders are prepared to step down and the younger ones are willing to wait, this conflict will eventually break out.

Chen Jiao was, of course, also given a position by Liu Che, but he was unsure if she would follow through on his intentions.

Even the most attractive women couldn’t influence the young emperor, who was too preoccupied with his lofty goals to be influenced.

What was the value of Jia Ji? Liu Che didn’t even bother to look at her after only a few nights together. He couldn’t bring himself to touch the beauties that the empress dowager had arranged for him. When he had free time, he would often visit the Jiaofang Hall and frequently accompanied Chen Jiao.

Despite her generosity, her exclusive favor in the Jiaofang Hall remained unwavering.

The empress dowager gave Liu Che a more loving glance and grinned as she complimented, “You are focused, and your wife is virtuous. Both the son and the daughter-in-law are excellent.”

Liu Che’s demeanor is superior to Chen Jiao’s, but this is still a wonderful demonstration of respect for one another.

As the empress dowager put it, “Jiaojiao has been married for over two years now, and there’s still no sign of a baby…” She was a little bitter and unhappy.

Two years is a good amount of time—not too long, not too short—and having children is a topic.

Naturally, Chu Fu brought these words to Chen Jiao’s attention, and when Jia Ji arrived to pay her respects, she also mentioned the empress dowager’s remarks as though nothing had occurred.

She was, after all, the second concubine to win the emperor’s favor. She also had the favor of the empress, but she was not particularly favored. Naturally, she would receive a little more courtesy from those who were interested in the palace. On occasion, her news was even more accurate than Chu Fu’s.

After hearing this, Chen Jiao pretended nothing had occurred.

She merely stated, “Having children is a significant life event. My mother-in-law is naturally particularly nervous because my husband is the emperor.”

Then she addressed Jia Ji, “It appears that your family has been located. In Bashang, they are still engaged in farming. I’ll allow your mother to visit you in the palace if there’s a chance.”

With a sudden flush, Jia Ji said, “Your Majesty’s great kindness, Jia Ji has no words to thank you.”

It is challenging for a less intelligent person to win Chen Jiao’s favor and advance in her career. However, this small trick isn’t even worth discussing.

Having a few more mouthfuls of honey is better.

When Jia Ji had gone, she asked Chu Fu, “You have been in the palace since you were a child.” She paused for a moment, grinning and lowering her head before taking a sip of water, “Are there any relatives of yours in Chang’an?”

Naturally, Chu Fu knew how to behave when Jia Ji’s pearls and jade were on display.

The palace servants exchanged glances and only served Chen Jiao with greater attention after that.

The Jiaofang Hall was serene and quiet. She did not monopolize the emperor’s favor, despite being the only one favored among the other concubines in the imperial harem.

Naturally, she gave the grand empress dowager her best effort, who never spoke negatively about her granddaughter, only complimented her.

She seldom left the empress dowager side. At least once every three or four days, she would go to pay her respects.

She was already the empress of the state, but she was still accustomed to serving the empress dowager and did not express any displeasure.

Perhaps she herself was not as filial to the grand empress dowager, Empress Dowager Wang reflected.

It’s difficult to point the finger at Chen Jiao’s shortcomings.

The empress dowager actually didn’t think Chen Jiao was all that bad because a person who knows when to move forward and backward always makes a good impression.

She would occasionally gripe to her, “It is only natural for you to have exclusive favor in the palace. Whatever the case, we haven’t heard the cries of a baby in the harem for nearly a year since you took the throne. This is not a promising omen.”

“We also invited a famous physician to come to the palace for diagnosis and treatment,” Chen Jiao said tactfully, believing she was criticizing her own belly. “They all said there was nothing wrong.”

Anger and sarcasm laced a cold laugh that escaped the voice without hesitation. “Hmph, a bunch of frauds!”

Not thinking about it, the empress dowager waved her hand, “Che’er has thought too much about men… Although it’s not a huge deal in and of itself, a male concubine is unable to have children and carry on the family tradition. Besides, the court’s order would be disrupted if a sycophant like Deng Tong were to gain favor. You must understand this.”

So, after all that conversation, Han Yan was the target.

It was impossible for Chen Jiao to suppress a small smile.

The emperor is surrounded by a lot of young, gifted people, but none of them are as popular as Han Yan.

Less than a year has passed since the late emperor’s death, and Liu Che hasn’t even officially started his first year in power yet, but Han Yan has already been bestowed with remarkable honors.

Everyone is aware that he will undoubtedly rise to prominence as soon as the emperor assumes power.

Even the emperor’s uncles are reportedly envious of the strong favor.

With considerable effort, the empress dowager did in fact propose Han Yan as a decoy. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law ought to harbor resentment toward him and wish they could get rid of him right away, based on common sense.

As she told the empress dowager, “What people outside are saying doesn’t sound very good.” She pretended to be suddenly aware and grinned, “Actually, whenever Han Sheren has an audience, I have been there with His Majesty. Given His Majesty’s consideration, how could he have permitted our meeting if Han Sheren and His Majesty had such a relationship?”

A hundred careful plans will inevitably have some flaws. How could they not have met? The emperor is close to both of these people. How could he be so meticulous, anyway?

Chen Jiao is undoubtedly acting foolishly on purpose.

The empress dowager narrowed her eyes in complete perplexity but did not investigate further. Rather, she closed her eyes in a disinterested manner and reclined against the pillow.

The mother-in-law cannot simply coerce the daughter-in-law into cooperating, can she?

“I know you don’t want to be her pawn, but with your skills, it’s not difficult to turn the situation around at will and use her as a decoy.” At least the voice seemed to wonder, “In addition, are you willing to do Han Yan such a large favor?”

Chen Jiao had a distinct idea in her head, but the words were ambiguous and did not specifically identify the person.

Without saying a word, she simply grinned and went back to the Jiaofang Hall and told Chu Fu after leaving Changle Palace, “This conversation should be known by those who need to know.”
…

T/N
“Deng Tong”— was an official of the early Former Han period, famous for Emperor Wen’s favor.