Chapter 31

The Great Exorcism ceremony ended, and next was the ceremony of sacrificing to the ancestors. Different from the last sacrifice, the process this time was relatively simple, and there was no need to leave the Weiyang Palace.

For most of the morning, the entire Weiyang Palace was busy with the sacrifice. By the time it ended, Liu Li estimated it should be around one o'clock in the afternoon. In the moment she was distracted, Liu Che didn't know where he had gone.

Did he really go to find those witches?

The palace maids who came to participate in the sacrifice left in an orderly manner, returning to their respective posts to prepare for the reunion banquet in the evening. Led by two palace maids by her side, Liu Li found A Jiao, who had just finished sacrificing to the ancestors.

"Father." In front of many palace servants, Liu Li called out.

A Jiao had changed out of her heavy clothes, and the crown on her head had also been taken off, combed back into her daily hair accessories. She caught sight of Liu Li, and the corners of her lips slowly lifted: "A Li."

The palace maids also bowed one after another: "Princess."

A Jiao said: "Wait and return to the Xuanshi Hall with me."

Liu Li waited obediently on the side: "Okay."

Afterward, the mother and daughter sat on the Imperial Chariot. Only then did Liu Li tell A Jiao: "Father has disappeared; I guess he might have gone to find the witches."

Regarding this, A Jiao was not worried at all. Those witches surrounded her, singing and dancing, and even helped her drive away evil and avoid disasters, yet they didn't discover her abnormality. Would Liu Che have any gains by going to find the witches alone?

"It's fine, let him go." A Jiao smiled: "Ignore him."

Looking at A Jiao's indifferent smile, Liu Li couldn't help but think a little more.

Historical records about Emperor Wu of Han's first Empress were very few, and the record about A Jiao being deposed was only a short sentence. Liu Li felt this was really too abnormal.

Clearly, such a big matter as witchcraft, the "Han Shu" only had this sentence: "In the fifth year of Yuanguang, the Emperor thoroughly investigated it. The woman Chu Fu and others were guilty of performing witchcraft and cursing for the Empress, which was rebellious and against the Dao. More than three hundred people were implicated and executed, and Chu Fu was beheaded in the market. The officials were ordered to give the Empress a decree saying: The Empress has lost her order, is deluded by witchcraft, and cannot bear the mandate of Heaven. Hand over the seal and ribbon, and retire to live in the Changmen Palace."

All the truth of that year, perhaps only the parties involved could explain it clearly.

Today was New Year's Eve; Liu Li certainly wouldn't be so lacking in awareness as to ask A Jiao about the fifth year of Yuanguang. So she put this matter aside for now and would ask when the time came.

Sitting on the Imperial Chariot was a bit boring. Liu Li lifted the curtain and looked outside the carriage. The majestic palace looked white as far as the eye could see, but this did not affect the beauty of these buildings.

These ancient buildings, in Liu Li's eyes, seemed to carry some invisible missions, standing majestically here, witnessing the people and things from thousands of years ago. Finally, with the end of each story, these buildings also gradually disintegrated, waiting for people's discovery in the future.

Liu Li suddenly spoke: "Mother, I want to get off the carriage and walk."

"Everything is fine, why do you want to get off the carriage and walk?"

"Hmm, I just want to walk." Liu Li didn't know how to tell A Jiao her mood; after all, she was a person from thousands of years later, and there was still a generation gap of more than two thousand years between them.

A Jiao didn't ask much, just let the driver outside stop, and then smiled at Liu Li: "Let's go, I'll walk with you." She reached out and gently held Liu Li's little hand.

The mother and daughter walked off the Imperial Chariot together. A Jiao instructed the following guards not to follow too closely. She held her daughter's hand, her footsteps deep and shallow as she stepped on the snow, leaving a row of two footprints, one big and one small.

The driver drove the carriage slowly behind the Son of Heaven and the Princess. His gaze fell on the two rows of footprints in the snow, and then looked at the backs of the Son of Heaven and the Princess. Those two figures, one black and one red, one big and one small, made people feel very warm just looking at them.

The driver had been driving the carriage for the Son of Heaven in the Weiyang Palace for many years, and it was the first time he had seen this scene. It felt as if the people in front of him were not the Son of Heaven and the Princess, but just a father and daughter from an ordinary family.

At about four o'clock in the afternoon, the reunion banquet prepared in the Weiyang Palace had already begun. The participants of this banquet included not only the masters in the Weiyang Palace but also the Three Excellencies, Nine Ministers, and scholar-officials in the court; it could be said to be very lively.

The Emperor and Empress sat in the middle of the main seat in the center of the hall. The Wang Taihou sat on A Jiao's right, followed by the seating order of the princes, but because the current Son of Heaven did not yet have any princes, it was the positions of the three princesses.

As the legitimate princess and the Chang Princess established by the Son of Heaven, Liu Li's seat was next to the Wang Taihou. Next to her seat was Liu Yue, and behind was the Third Princess Liu Ling.

Those beauties in Liu Che's harem were scattered and seated behind the Wang Taihou and Liu Li. And opposite the Wang Taihou, that is, on the Empress's left hand, was the Eldest Princess Liu Piao.

Although Liu Piao was a Marquis's wife, she was still the Empress's biological mother and the Son of Heaven's biological aunt. Her seat was arranged close to the Empress, which was also reasonable.

Next to Liu Piao's seat were the Pingyang Marquis Cao Shou and the Pingyang Princess. The Pingyang Princess was Liu Che's eldest sister. Not long after Liu Che ascended the throne as Emperor, he established his sister, the Pingyang Princess, as the Chang Princess.

The position behind the Pingyang Princess was the Pingyang Princess's eldest son, Cao Xiang. Liu Li stretched her head slightly and glanced at Cao Xiang, but she didn't expect Cao Xiang to make a face directly at her.

Liu Li: "..." Tch, what a brat.

On the right side of the Pingyang Princess was Emperor Wu of Han's second sister, the Nangong Princess, and the Nangong Marquis. Further to the right was Emperor Wu of Han's third sister, the Longlu Princess, and her husband Chen Rong.

And this Chen Rong was actually A Jiao's elder brother. Liu Li rested her chin on her hand and thought that she should call him Uncle.

Historically, the ending of A Jiao's two brothers was really sigh-worthy. Now, looking at Chen Rong's face that was a bit "excessive in indulgence," Liu Li couldn't help but worry about this nominal uncle.

Looking further to the side, Liu Li couldn't identify who was who, but one thing she could be sure of was that there must be many famous historical figures among them.

Should she take advantage of this rare opportunity today to touch everyone's hand and unlock everyone's favorability?

A Jiao sat upright in her seat, her eyes also examining everyone present. Liu Che, who was sitting on the side, looked listless; clearly, the effect of secretly meeting the witches was not ideal, and he was in a very bad mood.

"Today is New Year's Eve; who are you showing this sad face to?" A Jiao whispered to remind Liu Che to pay attention to expression management.

Liu Che hummed unhappily, took a deep breath, and forcibly revealed a smile on his face.

The palace maids filed in, walking in front of everyone's tables to serve dishes. The first dish served was the mashed potatoes personally guided by Liu Li and made by the palace imperial chefs.

The ministers who had never eaten this thing stared curiously at the things in the small bowls. Prime Minister Tian Fen asked: "Your Majesty, what is this? I have never seen it before."

A Jiao said: "This dish is called mashed potatoes; you ministers can taste it."

Hearing the three words "mashed potatoes," Sang Hongyang subconsciously looked at Liu Li, then lowered his head to look carefully at the mashed potatoes in the bowl, and finally used chopsticks to pick up a piece and taste it.

The texture was soft and glutinous, very delicious. He picked up another piece and sent it to his wife's mouth: "Wife, you taste it."

Others also picked up chopsticks one after another to taste the mashed potatoes. After eating, they all felt that this was a texture they had never tasted before. The ministers discussed one after another how this dish of mashed potatoes was made.

"Your Majesty, could it be that this mashed potato is the crop bestowed by the Heavenly God to the Jianling Chang Princess?" Some clever ministers thought of the rumors about the Jianling Princess recently.

A Jiao nodded slightly: "Yes."

Having received the Son of Heaven's answer, everyone's gaze looking at the mashed potatoes instantly became pious, and even when they ate, they carried an inexplicable sense of awe.

Liu Li noticed everyone's expression and inexplicably wanted to laugh. Ancient people were too easy to fool, and among them were many thinkers and politicians who left their names in history.

A Jiao turned her head and said two words to Su Wen, who was serving by her side. Su Wen hurriedly left from the back, and before long, the sound of silk and bamboo music rang out in the entire hall.

Liu Li pricked up her ears and listened for a while, feeling that ancient music was very different from modern music, but she couldn't say exactly where it was different. In short, this music was still quite good to listen to.

Not long after the music sounded, a group of dancing girls also entered gracefully, dancing to the melody of the accompaniment, performing for everyone present.

This was a proper classical dance.

Liu Li stared straight at these beautiful dancing sisters, as if by looking like this, she could remember their movements.

When Liu Li was in college, she participated in the school's dance club and followed the senior sisters in the club to learn dancing for three years. At that time, it was purely out of interest. After graduating and becoming a corporate slave, she never danced again.

Now seeing these beautiful dancing girls, Liu Li subconsciously thought of the senior sisters in the dance club.

After one dance performance ended, the palace maids served the second dish one after another: Braised Lion's Head.

This was another dish the ministers had never seen before, but this time they didn't ask; they directly used their chopsticks to eat first.

Before they even ate this dish, they felt the fragrance was pungent. When they took the first bite, they only felt the meat fragrance overflowing, and it was swallowed into their stomachs before they had even chewed much.

This is too delicious!

"Your Majesty, this, this, this, what is this dish called? How can it be so complete in color, fragrance, and taste!" It was so delicious that they couldn't even speak completely.

Liu Li didn't recognize the person who spoke. A Jiao smiled and said: "You ask the Empress; all the dishes for today's reunion banquet were decided by the Empress." Saying this gave Liu Che plenty of face.

Liu Che lazily lifted his eyelids and glanced at the person, then said: "This dish is called Braised Lion's Head."

"May I ask the Lady, what kind of meat is it made of? I don't seem to have eaten it before." The person asked again.

"Pork, I suppose. If you want to know, go to the kitchen and ask the cook yourself." Liu Che said unhappily: "Zhu Fu Yan, why didn't I notice you were so gluttonous before?"

Liu Li was stunned for a moment. This man who looked to be in his thirties was actually Zhu Fu Yan. She recorded it in the little notebook in her heart, remembering to go and touch him when the banquet dispersed later.

Zhu Fu Yan was inexplicably scolded by the Empress and looked puzzled.

The sky outside gradually darkened, and it was time to light the lamps. A group of palace maids holding lanterns made of bamboo and red gauze hung them one by one under the eaves of the palace. Afterward, the sound of drums rang out again, echoing in the Han Palace.

The entire banquet lasted for a long time, and the dishes of the reunion banquet really surprised everyone. Even the Wang Taihou, who usually had bad teeth and couldn't eat meat dishes, ate a lot.

The reunion banquet had one last segment, which was the Son of Heaven giving Pressing Money to the younger generation present.

In the Western Han Dynasty, "Pressing Money" was also called Suppressing Evil Money, which was related to a folk legend. It is said that in ancient times, there was a monster named "Sui" who would sneak out on the night of New Year's Eve, run into people's houses, and touch the heads of the children in the family. The children would be frightened and cry loudly, then develop a fever, and finally become crazy, or even die.

So every night on New Year's Eve, every household would hang two lanterns at their door; if they didn't have lanterns, they would light candles. This was called "Guarding against Sui."

There was another legend that "Sui" would be scared away when it heard the sound of copper coins colliding. So gradually, the behavior of elders giving children some money on New Year's Eve to protect the children was called Suppressing Evil Money.

Finally, this tradition became New Year's money thousands of years later.

A Jiao sat upright in her seat, and Su Wen by her side held something in his hand, covered with a red cloth; no one knew what it was. Afterward, A Jiao said: "This New Year's Eve, I will personally distribute Suppressing Evil Money to the children."

The Suppressing Evil Money given to the children was all the savings in Liu Che's personal treasury.

A eunuch handed a bamboo slip to A Jiao. After A Jiao unfolded the bamboo slip, she read: "Wei Princess Liu Yue, bestowed Suppressing Evil Money of half a string (can be understood as half a string of money, which is 500 copper coins, about 20 jin)."

Hearing her name, Liu Yue slowly stood up and walked out from behind, kneeling before A Jiao: "Thank you, Father, for the reward."

"Pingyang Marquis's son Cao Xiang, bestowed Suppressing Evil Money of half a string."

Cao Xiang stood up happily and also knelt before A Jiao: "Thank you, Uncle, for the reward."

The Pingyang Princess scolded: "Cao Xiang, do not be rude." Although she was scolding, there was no blame in her words.

A Jiao glanced at the Pingyang Princess and said: "Forget it, this is a reunion banquet; A Xiang's address is not wrong."

Next, A Jiao read a few more

names, and the corresponding children all stood up from behind and knelt before the Son of Heaven to receive the reward.

"Huo Qubing, bestowed Suppressing Evil Money of half a string." When reading Huo Qubing's name, A Jiao's voice paused.

Huo Qubing, who came to participate in this banquet with Wei Qing, stood up from the very back of the hall, and then, under everyone's gaze, walked to the middle of the hall, knelt down and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

The ministers all knew that the Emperor liked this Huo Xiaolang extremely much, and every year when the Emperor distributed Suppressing Evil Money, he would also give Huo Qubing a share.

The last person A Jiao read was Liu Li: "Jianling Chang Princess, bestowed Suppressing Evil Money of one hu (one shi, approximately equal to 120 jin of copper coins)."

Everyone: "??"

Liu Che was also shocked; this seemed different from what he had written before.

No, why did others only get half a string of money, while the Chang Princess got a basket? The Emperor's heart is biased to the corner of the Great Wall!

Liu Li didn't notice everyone's astonished expression at first. She learned from others, stood up, walked to the middle of the hall, and knelt to A Jiao: "Thank you, Father, for the reward."

A Jiao seemed not to realize her biased behavior at all. She very calmly put away the bamboo slip: "Later, eunuchs will send your Suppressing Evil Money; you can go and collect it together then." Anyway, it was all Liu Che's money; shouldn't she give more to her own legitimate daughter?

The children thanked the Son of Heaven for the reward again.

A Jiao waved her hand to let the children rise. Everyone looked at the door one after another, saw the eunuchs bringing their Suppressing Evil Money, and ran over happily, preparing to collect the Suppressing Evil Money.

Their Suppressing Evil Money was packed in small boxes, while Liu Li's Suppressing Evil Money was sent by two eunuchs carrying it together.

Liu Yue looked at the box she was holding in her arms, then looked at the Suppressing Evil Money Father bestowed on Liu Li, and lowered her head a bit sadly.

Cao Xiang, who was older than them on the side, saw this and handed the box he was holding to Liu Yue: "Cousin Yue, I will give you my Suppressing Evil Money too."

Liu Yue looked up slightly at Cao Xiang, her eyelashes seeming to be stained with water droplets: "Thank you, Cousin, but this is the Suppressing Evil Money Father rewarded you; I cannot take it."

Cao Xiang was just being polite to Liu Yue. Seeing Liu Yue didn't accept his Suppressing Evil Money, he didn't force it. It was just that when passing by Liu Li, he deliberately bumped into Liu Li.

【Drop, unlocked Cao Xiang favorability: -5.】

Liu Li turned to look at him. Cao Xiang hummed and said: "Uncle is really biased."

Liu Li: "..."

Cao Xiang dared to say this to the Son of Heaven because Liu Che loved this nephew very much; after all, Cao Xiang was the only son of his eldest sister.

Liu Li was very puzzled. In her memory, neither the original owner nor herself had much contact with Cao Xiang. Why was his initial favorability value toward her negative?

What's more, Cao Xiang at this time was only six or seven years old.

Liu Li also saw that her box was bigger than everyone else's, and only then did she know that her Suppressing Evil Money was the most. She raised her eyebrows and said with an arrogant face: "That's right, Father is just biased toward me. What can you do about it?"

Cao Xiang: "Humph."

Liu Li shrugged her nose and pointed at Cao Xiang and Liu Yue's boxes: "My Suppressing Evil Money is more than the two of yours combined."

She loved A Jiao's blatant favoritism toward her to death.

Because the music in the hall was still continuing, no one noticed the children's quarrel here. When Liu Li was pointing and gesturing, she touched Liu Yue calmly, but didn't hear the system's prompt sound.

"System, why is there no favorability for Liu Yue?" Liu Li was a bit puzzled, starting to multitask, responding to the situation in front of her while talking to the system.

【She is no longer the Wei Chang Princess in history, so her favorability cannot be unlocked.】

Hearing the system say this, Liu Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With her current relationship with Liu Yue, if she really unlocked Liu Yue's favorability toward her, it would probably be a negative 50 from the start.

It's good that it can't be unlocked.

As for Cao Xiang, he wasn't even as famous as his mother, the Pingyang Princess, in history. A mere negative 5 is not worth mentioning.

After distributing the Suppressing Evil

Money, this reunion banquet was considered over. The ministers stood up one after another to bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress, and then some familiar ministers planned to leave together.

The Empress Dowager Dou, Liu Piao, drank a bit too much today and walked over with the support of her son and daughter-in-law. Seeing Liu Piao, Cao Xiang had to raise his hand and bow: "Grand Aunt."

Liu Piao didn't pay attention to Cao Xiang at all, looking at her precious granddaughter with a smile: "A Li, come to Grandmother's side."

Liu Li walked obediently toward Liu Piao: "Grandmother."

Liu Piao reached out and touched Liu Li's head, then pointed to her son and asked: "Does A Li recognize who he is?"

Chen Rong supported his mother with one hand while looking at his little niece. Liu Li nodded, looked up at Chen Rong, and called out crisply: "Hello, Uncle."

Chen Rong smiled: "I didn't expect our little Princess to have grown so big. The last time Uncle saw you, you were still being held in your mother's arms."

Saying this, Chen Rong felt around on his body, and finally took out a jade pendant and handed it to Liu Li: "Uncle doesn't have anything else on him; take this to play with, just as your Suppressing Evil Money."

Liu Li took the jade pendant with both hands: "Thank you, Uncle." This jade pendant was emerald green all over; one look and one could tell it was a top-quality product, worth a lot.

Liu Piao was a bit unable to hold her liquor. Chen Rong hurriedly supported his mother steadily: "Your Grandmother is drunk; Uncle will take her back first. Another day, A Li can return to the Marquis Mansion with your mother, and Uncle will treat you well."

Liu Li nodded and couldn't help but care: "Uncle, after going back, you can give Grandmother some honey water to sober up."

"Okay."

Liu Li lowered her head and played with the jade pendant in her hand. Just now she touched this uncle, but unfortunately, there was no system prompt sound either. The explanation given by the system was that although Chen Rong was a historical figure, his fame was negligible, so it could not be unlocked.

At this time, Wei Qing also walked over, preparing to call Huo Qubing to go home together. He first greeted the two nieces: "Princess Yue, Princess Ling."

Liu Yue and Liu Ling were quite happy to see Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing also walked over from behind: "Uncle."

Wei Qing nodded and said: "Qubing, go and greet your aunt."

Huo Qubing nodded: "Nuo."

Liu Ling held Huo Qubing's hand: "Cousin, I will take you to find Mother." Afterward, Liu Ling pulled Liu Yue: "Sister, and Cousin Cao, let's go together."

It was as if they were a small group.

When they walked to Liu Li's side, Liu Ling even gave Liu Li a proud look.

Liu Li didn't care about Liu Ling's provocation. She turned and ordered Chen Fei, who was by her side: "You go find two people to carry my Suppressing Evil Money back to the Jiaofang Hall. Father is really something, bestowing me so much Suppressing Evil Money; I can't move it by myself."

The "small group" who heard her words: "..." So angry!

The beauties in the harem also came one after another to bid farewell to the Son of Heaven. A Jiao looked at Yin Meiren in the crowd, as if thinking of something, and suddenly said: "Yin Meiren is bestowed the Zengcheng Hall."

Su Wen on the side took a step forward and said: "Yin Meiren, you can move from the Yongxiang to live in the Zengcheng Hall."

Yin Meiren was stunned, and it was only under the reminder of the sisters by her side that she reacted, knelt down and thanked: "This servant thanks the Emperor for the grace."

Her reaction was indeed a bit cute. A Jiao smiled: "Rise, I will go see you another day."

Liu Che on the side: "??" His gaze slowly fell on Yin Meiren. Honestly, he didn't quite remember who she was, but now looking at this Yin Meiren, no matter how he looked at her, he felt she was an eyesore.

Yin Meiren only felt a scorching gaze staring at herself. She looked up slightly and met the Empress's gaze, and her heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, it is said that when the Emperor favored Wei Zifu before, the Empress often targeted Wei Zifu and even kidnapped Wei Zifu's brother. Now that the Emperor favors herself so much, the Empress wouldn't want to... Hmm, fortunately, I don't have a brother.