Chapter 17: Outing

At that time, Shi Nian slept restlessly. Perhaps it was because she had been reading some materials before bed that she dreamt of Wei Zifu. But the Wei Zifu in her dream did not resemble the woman she knew; instead, she had the face of a Taiwanese actress. In Shi Nian’s dream, she played out a melodramatic Mary Sue tale of a singing girl rising to become empress, featuring plots of rivalry for favor, poisoning, abortion, and illicit affairs—full of twists and turns and utterly over-the-top, much like the popular palace intrigue novels and dramas.

When Shi Nian finally struggled awake, she sat stunned for three seconds before falling into deep reflection—why hadn’t she joined Zhou Xiaohui in writing novels? Maybe that path held a brighter future for her!

A palace maid, noticing she had awoken, brought her breakfast. Shi Nian glanced at it and instantly wished she were in that exaggerated, dog-eared Han dynasty of her dream. Despite being the emperor’s favored consort, and thus receiving superior food compared to ordinary people, her daily meals still seemed pitiful. The staple was millet, which was not very appetizing, and the side dishes were even less promising. Shi Nian had hoped to savor the grand delicacies of the Han dynasty, but on the very first day, she was greatly disappointed. Su Geng regretfully explained that most of the vegetables they enjoyed in modern times didn’t exist back then, and cooking techniques like stir-frying had yet to be invented!

The snacks Su Geng had brought were long gone, and Shi Nian cupped her face, sighing over breakfast for the thirty-eighth time.

Nearly two months had passed since her arrival here, and she had no idea what was happening in the modern world. Zhou Xiaohui must have noticed her disappearance. What about her parents? Unable to find her, would they think something terrible had happened?

It was all Niè Chéng’s fault, for bringing her here so abruptly without giving her a chance to make arrangements.

Shi Nian leaned on the table silently, gazing at the begonia tree in the courtyard.

She hated to admit such weakness, but she truly longed to go home.

When Liu Che entered, he saw a downcast girl. His dark eyes flickered as he asked, “What’s wrong?”

Shi Nian said nothing. He looked at the table; none of the dishes had been touched. “Why aren’t you eating? Is it not to your taste?”

Shi Nian rested her cheek on her hand. “Not to my taste. I can’t eat.”

Because of his orders, her meals were the best in the palace, with many delicacies unavailable to others. Hearing this, Liu Che asked, “Then what would you like to eat?”

“I want ice,” she said.

“What?”

Shi Nian brightened with excitement. “Snow ice! Soft, fluffy, pure white layers with lots of jam and a little mango on top. That texture… oh, it’s the best thing to eat in summer!”

She spoke with delight, but Liu Che’s expression changed.

He had never heard of such things—eating ice? Mangoes and jam? Could such things be considered food?

He had only read in Daoist texts how immortals absorbed the wind and drank the dew…

Looking again at the food on the table, he suddenly found it offensive. They had made her eat this all this time!

Clearing his throat, Liu Che smiled. “I have a gift for you.”

A gift? Shi Nian’s eyes lit up.

Yang Deyi presented a box. Opening it, Shi Nian saw a robe of pure, bright goose yellow. The collar was embroidered with intricate silver thread patterns that shimmered in the sunlight. What was even more wondrous was that the outermost layer was covered by a thin veil of gauze. When Shi Nian lifted it, she immediately felt the gauze’s chill, cool and flowing like water in her palm.

Liu Che also looked at the garment. It was a gift he had prepared long ago, crafted with great care by dozens of skilled artisans. The brocade inside was already precious, but the outer gauze layer was extraordinary. When he first saw it, he was amazed that such fabric could now be woven—clear as mist, delicate as cicada wings.

He had thought then that she would look stunning wearing it.

Several palace maids stood in the room. Even before the emperor, they could scarcely hide their admiration for the garment. Carefully lifting it, they realized that even Her Majesty the Empress did not possess such splendid clothing, and they were instantly envious to tears.

Shi Nian, however, was oblivious to their thoughts. Too lazy to change her inner clothes, she draped the gauze over herself and spun before the mirror, laughing. As a child, she had often draped scarves like this, pretending to be a fairy!

Liu Che saw the garment fluttering like a celestial robe but before he could fully appreciate it, she took it off again.

He was stunned. “You’re not going to wear it?”

Shi Nian replied, “Ah? Not today. It’s a bit thick and too hot…”

There was more she did not dare say—that Liu Che’s masculine taste meant yellow did not suit him at all! Su Geng’s choice of a red robe, though less fine, was far more flattering!

The girl smiled faintly. Such a treasure lay before her, yet she reacted indifferently, as if she were already used to such things.

Liu Che suddenly laughed. “True, you must be accustomed to this kind of thing.”

Shi Nian blinked. Should she be? She replied modestly, “Not really, not really…”

Liu Che’s heart sank. Just as he thought.

Suddenly standing, he looked down at her. “Such a fine day—would you like to go out?”

“Go out? Where?”

“Of course, out of the palace.”

Shi Nian was stunned. She had grown tired of roaming Weiyang Palace and longed to visit Chang’an City, but she had not expected the emperor himself to accompany her!

Liu Che changed into casual clothes, took only a few attendants, and led Shi Nian out of the palace. Chang’an City was unchanged from a month ago—pavilions, bustling markets, and lively streets full of people. At first, Shi Nian rode in a carriage, but soon grew restless and wanted to get out. Yang Deyi nervously warned, “Madam, your status is noble. If commoners jostle you…”

Shi Nian immediately looked at Liu Che. She knew she was a consort now and should not expose herself to the public, and that it was a great favor he was showing by bringing her out. Yet, what was the point of merely riding in a carriage?

Liu Che, originally sitting upright on horseback, met her gaze, thought for a moment, then dismounted and extended his hand with a smile, “Shall I carry you, or do you want to jump down yourself?”

Shi Nian blushed and avoided his hand, jumping down on her own.

The two walked through the streets. Shi Nian eagerly looked around, touching this and that, taking whatever she liked. Liu Che paid her no mind, instead ordering Yang Deyi to follow behind and pay—a scene that left him utterly embarrassed. Such treatment was usually reserved for spoiled daughters in dramas, and it revitalized Shi Nian, washing away her recent gloom.

“See over there?” Liu Che suddenly pointed.

Shi Nian looked—a two-story building with blue bricks and white walls, eaves curved upwards, standing on the left side of the street. She was puzzled, but Liu Che slowly explained, “That’s where we first met.”

Shi Nian was stunned and suddenly understood.

That night, she had landed on that building’s roof. Under the high, bright moon, she saw Chang’an City as it was two thousand years ago and witnessed him being chased.

That was their first encounter.

Liu Che also gazed at that place, his voice low as if afraid to disturb anything. “I remember thinking I was doomed. That person even stabbed his sword at me, but it stopped right in front of my eyes. Something fell from the sky and knocked him unconscious. As he fell, I looked up and saw you.

“I had never seen a woman like you. You sat in the moonlight, as if ready to fly away anytime, your whole being unreal. At that moment, I truly believed I had seen the legendary Gusha Immortal, the heavenly goddess…”

Shi Nian was speechless. Liu Che’s eyes grew distant, as if recalling that night. After a moment, he turned to her. “Even now, I feel you might disappear at any moment. Just vanish so I can never find you again… Little fairy, would you do that?”

His voice softened, darkness in his eyes flickering with light. Shi Nian suddenly felt uneasy and awkwardly changed the subject. “Um… I still don’t know who was chasing you that night…”

The light in Liu Che’s eyes died out. After a long silence, he said faintly, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“The man killed himself when caught, and we couldn’t find any accomplices. I had people investigate for a long time, but there were no clues.”

Such a thing was possible? Shi Nian frowned deeply. Liu Che studied her expression and said, “Why be surprised? Many want me dead. He was neither the first nor the last. Perhaps one day, they will succeed.”

His words were unsettling. Shi Nian saw the self-mockery on his face, as if only now realizing that though he ruled the world, he faced daily threats of assassination. Countless people lurked in shadows, craving his life.

She grasped his hand. “They won’t. You will live long and have many descendants. Trust me.”

Though her promise was intangible, she spoke with such sincerity as if she truly knew the future. Liu Che met her gaze, a flash in his dark eyes. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand. “Come with me to one more place.”

This time, he took her up to the city wall of Chang’an.

It was a bright day, clear and warm with gentle breezes. Standing atop the wall, looking both ways, to one side was Chang’an’s bustling streets and prosperity; to the other, lush green mountains and a rushing river. The wall seemed like a natural barrier separating two worlds.

Shi Nian and Liu Che stood at the edge, looking out to see a long caravan leaving the city. The travelers were dressed as foreigners, with carts, horses, and supplies moving slowly. Leading them was none other than Geshu Tu, whom Shi Nian had seen not long ago!

Liu Che said, “Today is the day the Xiongnu leave Chang’an.”

Watching the procession, Shi Nian suddenly felt a profound truth—they had won.

The Xiongnu had come with great might, and now left in defeat, but they had preserved what they wished to keep.

This was only the beginning. Within a few years, Liu Che would truly march against the Xiongnu. Heroes like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing would rise, stepping onto the stage of history to open the most legendary and passionate chapter of the Han dynasty.

Alas, she would not live to see that day.

She recalled that night when he had resolutely told the Empress Dowager that history and future generations would witness what Han men truly were.

And he fulfilled that promise.

Shi Nian had learned from her studies that opinions on Emperor Wu of Han were mixed. Some praised his great talents and achievements in founding the Western Han’s golden age; others criticized his endless wars that drained the nation.

Yet in Shi Nian’s heart, she held respect and admiration for him.

Because he showed the world the spirit and dignity of a people.

Thousands of years later, their people took the name “Han” after this dynasty. When future generations looked back, they would see an era full of vitality and ambition, and the blood their ancestors had shed.

That was the greatest meaning of this war.

“What are you thinking?” Liu Che asked.

Shi Nian smiled and turned to him. “I was thinking, Your Majesty truly keeps your word. The women of our great Han will never have to go to the Xiongnu.”

Liu Che paused, then said, “It is you who gave me courage.” Without her, without that fight at the training ground that night, he didn’t know when he would have taken this step.

Shi Nian stuck out her tongue. “Actually, those Xiongnu were pretty lucky. Though they suffered a great disaster, they could still take our grain back to the steppe, so they wouldn’t starve.” She laughed, then remembered how Liu Che had stolen their grain once. Taking others’ goods and then using it to curry favor—he was shameless!

“The steppe… have you been there?”

Shi Nian hesitated. She had traveled to Inner Mongolia with her college roommates, but this seemed an inappropriate topic.

“I have not been,” Liu Che smiled. “The farthest I have been is Lishan outside Chang’an—there lies the Ganquan Palace. Sometimes when I read about famous mountains, rivers, and seas, I wish I could see them myself. I have owned this vast realm for so long, yet I still do not know what it truly looks like…”

He looked at Shi Nian. “Will you come with me?”

Shi Nian was stunned. Liu Che opened his arms and drew her into his embrace. His voice came from above, carried by the wind, distant and unreal. “I have decided—you will no longer live in the Yeting Palace. There are too many people there, and it is inconvenient for me to visit you. You will move to the Zhaoyang Hall. It is quiet and close to the Xuanshi Hall, so I can come see you anytime. Then in a few years, when I take full power, I will take you traveling. You like the outside of the palace, right? So do I. Wherever you want to go, we will go together. Ah, I will build a palace for you, outside the palace walls. It may not be better than where you live now, but I will do my best to make it a place you like. Every year, we can move there for a few months, or even half a year. Then there will be no one else in the entire palace—only us…”

They stood atop the high city wall, their robes fluttering in the wind, feet near the abyss. The young emperor held her close, speaking of a future he envisioned—with her by his side.

For a moment, Shi Nian thought she was dreaming.

The next second, she came to herself. “Your Majesty…”

Noticing her hesitation, Liu Che’s temple twitched slightly. Suddenly, he gripped her shoulders. “I married Wei Zifu and made her Empress. If that is so, can you stay?”