Chapter 169 - 147: One More Dream

Jiang Xian paused, then said:

"Things in dreams don’t just happen as you wish. If I could control my dreams, I’d be dreaming of a promotion every day."

’The reason I didn’t continue the Emperor’s dream was that I was afraid his suspicious nature would lead him to see me and the baby as some kind of bewitching spirits. If I suggested the baby in his dream was real, he’d eventually find it strange. But if I acted like I didn’t believe him and even questioned him, it would trigger his need to prove himself right.’

"That’s because you haven’t dreamed of our son. If you had, you’d know it was real. It’s completely different from any other dream I’ve ever had."

As expected, Xie Che began to argue. But since only he had seen the dream, he felt his argument was weak. He pursed his lips, his attention shifting to something else. "You dream of promotions, but not of me? Isn’t my favor better than a promotion? The life of a concubine with a high rank might not be as comfortable as the one you have now."

Xie Che knew all too well the power an Emperor’s favor held in the harem.

Wherever the Emperor’s gaze fell, prosperity was sure to follow.

He narrowed his eyes dangerously. That face, which struck fear and awe into everyone else, somehow made Jiang Xian laugh. Seeing her smile, he felt a mix of annoyance and tenderness. He cupped the back of her head and pressed his lips to hers.

It was a pity his beloved concubine lacked a certain romantic sensibility. ’He’s like a big cat with its fur standing on end,’ she thought, obediently tilting her head back to let him kiss her to his heart’s content.

Jiang Xian had learned her kissing technique from Daji, and the sly flick of her tongue sent a tingling jolt straight to Xie Che’s heart.

He gazed down at her face. Her eyes were closed, and her long, curled lashes brushed against his cheek, tickling him like the kiss of a butterfly.

Xie Che pulled back slightly. "You must dream of me."

Jiang Xian furrowed her brow. He thought she was reluctant, which only made him feel more aggrieved. "What’s so bad about dreaming of me?"

"Since the Emperor has commanded it, I dare not refuse, but..." Jiang Xian sighed. "I almost never dream. I don’t even know what it feels like. I’m afraid your request is falling on deaf ears."

’As a King Juan, I fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow, trying to get as much rest as possible in the shortest amount of time.’

’The few dreams I’ve had were all nightmares—finding myself unprepared the night before my university entrance exams, having my college acceptance stolen, being owed back pay, or getting sick. I’ve never dreamed of having children, much less a perfect husband.’

"...You really are something else."

Xie Che hadn’t expected such a reply.

He wanted to be in her dreams, but he never imagined she didn’t dream at all. "Forget it. If you can’t see me while you’re asleep, you’ll see me when you wake up. I truly believe the child from my dream is our son."

"Alright, alright."

"Are you just humoring me?"

"I wouldn’t dare. How about this: if you dream of him again tonight, I’ll believe it’s really him."

Xie Che agreed instantly.

The little cherub in his dream had been so eager to cling to him. ’He likes me so much, he’ll definitely come into my dream again.’ "By the way, I need to give him a name. He didn’t like me calling him the Eldest Prince. He said anyone born first could be their father’s Eldest Prince, and he didn’t want to be a ’replaceable baby.’ He certainly knows how to look out for himself. He gets that from you."

According to the customs of the Yan Chichao, after a Prince was born, the Ministry of Rites would draft a list of auspicious and respectable names. This list was then presented to the Emperor for the final decision. For a less favored Prince or Princess, their name might be decided directly by the Ministry of Rites. In any case, most people would address them by their title, "Prince So-and-so"; only the Emperor and their own mother would typically use their given name.

For the Emperor to personally choose a name, therefore, was a sign of great importance.

"How is that like me? Are you saying you don’t fight for what you want?"

"There’s something you don’t know. The late Emperor favored me for that very reason."

Xie Che snorted, making no secret of the fact that he’d essentially lucked into the throne.

"Didn’t you have your own plans back then, Your Majesty?" Jiang Xian asked.

"My plan was to not get involved and just be a wealthy, carefree Prince. I only seized the opportunity when it landed in my lap. The truth is, the late Emperor tested me several times, and my elder brother’s men tried to lure me into making a mistake. But I’ve never lacked for money, status, or recognition. The bait they dangled wasn’t tempting enough, and they weren’t willing to risk anything substantial. Their intentions were all too clear to me."

’So, it’s true what they say. You have to raise your children with wealth, whether they’re boys or girls.’

’Look at that confidence, built on a mountain of gold, silver, and power.’

’That damned trust fund baby!’

The fight for the throne hadn’t been a pleasant memory. The subject reminded Xie Che of his two deceased half-brothers and the look on the late Emperor’s face before he drew his last breath. "Weren’t we picking a name? I’ll think of a few, and you can choose one, Xian’er."

"Xie Yi, Xie Rui, Xie Zhao, Xie Yao..." He listed off several names, all of which sounded good. Finally, he added, "I also considered the character ’De,’ but praising a Prince for his virtue is a bit too generic. It would be better saved for a title later on."

Jiang Xian repeated the names to herself, pausing when she got to Xie De. "The others are all quite nice," she said, "but I don’t care for ’De’."

’The way it sounds is a huge minus.’

"If you don’t like it, then pick a different one. Choose one you like. In the end, it’ll mostly just be you and I who call him by it anyway."

The meanings were all good, which put Jiang Xian in a difficult position.

’There was something almost superstitious about names. She remembered people from her hometown saying that her father had originally wanted to name her Jiang Xian, using a character that meant ’leisure.’ But her name was written with a different character in the end, and true to the irony, she’d never known a day of rest in her life.’

Xie Che told her to take her time thinking about it. He called for their meal and had Zhenqiu brew a pot of tea. One sip was enough to surprise him. "This tea is quite good. It tastes like the Longjing I gifted to the Noble Consort."

"Your Majesty is very perceptive. It was a gift to me from the Noble Consort."

Xie Che was speechless.

’So, she turned right around and gave it away.’

He wasn’t surprised. He knew the Noble Consort’s vicious temper all too well. For her, it was all or nothing: if she loved you, she’d wish you eternal life; if she hated you, she’d wish you dead. If she liked someone, she would share all the best things with them. If she held a grudge, the weeds on their grave would already be growing taller than a person.

After their meal, the two went for a walk to aid their digestion. Jiang Xian was ready to turn in for the night when Liang Yuyin arrived with eight new, exquisite dishes. "What is Your Majesty doing? I can’t eat another bite. If you have a late-night snack now, you’ll surely have indigestion in the morning."

But Xie Che said it wasn’t for people to eat.

Jiang Xian was about to point out that they didn’t have any cats or dogs in Bihua Palace, but then she remembered the person living in the side hall. "Even if you dislike Chen Changzai, you shouldn’t insult her like this." ’If the other palace attendants hear this, they’ll start looking down on her too.’

"You’ve misunderstood, Xian’er. These are offerings."

Liang Yuyin then set out some fresh fruits, also as offerings, and lit several sticks of incense.

The Emperor went through the superstitious ritual of praying to the gods and Buddha with practiced ease. He asked Buddha, in consideration of his diligent efforts to govern for the people, to please let the Eldest Prince visit his dreams again tonight.

Jiang Xian watched, stunned by his superstitious display.

Only after completing the whole ritual did he pull her over to the bed to sleep.

Once she saw he had successfully fallen asleep, Jiang Xian used one of her skills on him.

※

「At the same time.」

’So hungry... It smells so good...’

Chen Changzai sniffed the air and crept stealthily toward the main hall, only to be caught red-handed by Zhenqiu, the palace maid on night watch. Zhenqiu was utterly baffled. ’If she’s trying to crawl into the Emperor’s bed while the master is unavailable, shouldn’t she at least have dressed up for it?’

"Miss Zhenqiu," Chen Changzai whispered, "is no one going to eat that table of fine food and wine?"

Zhenqiu replied, "...Chen Changzai, those are offerings."

"Buddha can’t possibly eat all of that."

Zhenqiu said, "Even so, you can’t have them... Mian Xia, come here. Go to the small kitchen and make a late-night snack for Chen Changzai. Your Ladyship, please stop thinking about the offerings."