Chapter 128 – The Stepmother’s Hatred
Dying in battle might bring peace, yet who would have thought there’s an absurd second life awaiting?
Jiang Pengji felt no sense of belonging in this world; this life was forcibly shoved upon her by the System, without her consent.
However, since she was alive, she had no intention of seeking death.
A Federation soldier could die any way they pleased, but self-harm or losing the will to survive was an act of cowardice.
Thus, she chose to live well, treating it as if she had simply retreated from the battlefield to enjoy a leisurely vacation.
Who goes on vacation not to seek joy, anyway?
If there’s something she disliked, it would either be thoroughly destroyed or transformed to her liking—why force herself to adapt?
“This world should change for me, not the other way around. Don’t you think so, System?” Jiang Pengji asked with a smile.
The System fell silent for a moment before retorting, “You think heaven isn’t enough, and you want to break through it too?”
With all your boasting, why don’t you step down and prove it?
“Heaven isn’t paper, how could it possibly be punctured?”
Jiang Pengji pretended not to know, countering the System.
She just adored watching the System get flustered by her antics, disapproving yet utterly helpless—how cute!
The System grumbled, “If I say two more words to you, this baby will have a heart attack and need to be rebooted.”
With a faint smile on her lips, Jiang Pengji gazed at the pavilion in the courtyard, lost in her thoughts.
As night fell, the daytime chaos settled, leaving the quiet night enveloping the earth.
The Stepmother had been recovering peacefully for several days, her complexion slightly revitalized.
But, after years of being bedridden, even with the best medicines, her lost vitality was nowhere close to being replenished.
During the day, when she gritted her teeth and faced her nominal “son,” her emotions fluctuated greatly, her eyes dark with malice.
The emotional turbulence worsened her condition, and upon returning to her chamber, she fell ill even more severely; the Maidservant quickly summoned the physician.
“Still not fond of taking medicine? Here, have some candied fruits.”
As Liu Zhi entered, he saw her retching in disgust, making him speechless as he accepted the box of candied fruits from the Maidservant.
The Stepmother silently took it and murmured, “Only my brother-in-law knows me best, aware of my aversion to bitter medicine.”
“Knowing too much isn’t enough; you still have to drink it. How else will you recover?” Liu Zhi smiled, “Don’t eat too many, or you’ll get sore teeth.”
“My brother-in-law usually doesn’t come here without a reason. Today, I assume there’s something you’d like to tell me.” The Stepmother ignored his advice and started shoving candied fruits into her mouth, trying to mask the bitterness, “Just say it plainly.”
Seeing this, Liu Zhi couldn’t help but sigh.
Though they were nominally husband and wife, there was no real relationship—calling them spouses would be more fitting to say they were like siblings. Every time he saw the Stepmother, he couldn’t help but recall her as the innocent, clingy girl who loved to dote on Gu Min all those years ago.
Yet, things were different now.
Thinking about the culprit who had turned her into this, the usually calm and composed Liu Zhi felt his hands itch with the urge to strike.
“Something’s happened at the Meng Residence; Meng Zhan’s governor’s office was burned down. The Meng District is now filled with rioters, and the Meng family’s troops are trying to hide the news, brutally suppressing the people and stirring up even more resentment… If you’re willing to step in, now is the perfect opportunity.”
Upon hearing this news, the Stepmother was momentarily stunned but then burst into laughter, tears of joy forming at the corners of her eyes.
“I wondered if that family couldn’t stand me living well, coming to insult me on purpose. Who knew it would turn out like this?” The Stepmother laughed until tears flowed, a sight that made Liu Zhi’s heart feel heavy, overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
“Didn’t you say before that you’d rather destroy a temple than ruin a marriage?”
Liu Zhi shook his head, “That was long ago! Before she left, the person she felt worst about was you. I’ve wronged you much too. You’re my sister-in-law, and now my nominal wife. If I can’t protect you, should I protect Meng Zhan instead?”
Marrying someone but being unable to fulfill the duties of a husband, leaving her in a living widowhood—that was his fault.
Liu Zhi always remembered his mistakes.
The Stepmother smiled modestly, “Hearing my brother-in-law say that makes me feel ashamed. If it weren’t for you, where would I be as the honored Lady of the Liu Residence? If anyone owes anything, it’s me—I owe it to you and my sister.”
Even if Liu Zhi hadn’t taken her in, no one would dare speak against him. Didn’t he owe her anything?
Marrying her only added heaps of trouble.
His wife had died, and marrying her deceased wife’s younger sister—a woman already cast aside, with a damaged reputation—who would think anything of it?
Rumors from the Meng Residence sullied her name, accusing her of having an affair with Liu Zhi—a time she dared not recall.
Liu Zhi bitterly smiled, did he really carry no responsibility?
Meng Zhan was his close friend, a loyal descendant from a noble line, with a legendary ancestor, the war god Meng Jing. He truly belonged to a prestigious family. Compared to others, Liu Zhi naturally favored his friend, convinced that Meng Zhan would make a worthy husband.
But the outcome slapped him in the face.
Hadn’t he been blind, nitpicking at the sister’s choice, countless troubles wouldn’t have arisen?
As if sensing Liu Zhi’s thoughts, the Stepmother sighed, “If it weren’t for my sister’s compassion, I would have perished at the hands of those treacherous servants long ago. Though I have a birth father, it feels as if I don’t. With a deceased mother and a lowly status, who among the Gu family ever respected me? Only my sister, so kind-hearted.”
Gu Min was just a few years older than her, but she always felt like her sister had raised her.
“If it weren’t for my sister rescuing me from the well, there wouldn’t even be a Gu Zhen today.”
The First Lady didn’t care for her marriage matters, while her married sister secretly helped her find a good husband. Those wise and virtuous suitors were carefully selected by her sister, yet she ended up choosing the worst one.
If only she hadn’t acted out of rebellion back then and married someone her sister had carefully chosen, surely life would be comfortable enough to make those noble ladies envious.
But even her current life wasn’t bad. The Stepmother lowered her eyes, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.
Being content brings happiness, taking care of the only bloodline her sister left behind, enjoying the blessings her sister couldn’t.
Now, she could healthily recuperate; the real good days lay ahead.
As for Meng Zhan?
As her sister said, repay hatred with hatred, grievances with grievances. Life is but a fleeting few decades—why not live freely instead of suppressing herself?
The wheel of fortune turns; one day, Meng Zhan will kneel before her like a stray dog, lowly as an ant!
The Stepmother snorted coldly, memories of the past flooding her mind. The more she thought, the more waves stirred in her tranquil heart.
