Chapter 1791 – Dust Settles
In the realm of Dried Fish, changing one’s name or surname only requires bringing along identification, household registration, and an application report to the registration authority. In Jiang Pengji’s world, it’s even simpler—just log into the Heavenly Brain account and apply.
However, the current era isn’t so convenient.
It involves not only cumbersome processes but also numerous obstacles and public condemnation.
People often say, “A name shouldn’t be changed, nor a surname altered,” casually altering one’s name is seen as a matter of character.
Names are bestowed by one’s family, and changing them privately can lead to being labeled as “forgetting one’s roots and unfilial”; thus, people rarely change their names or surnames.
Of course, looking through history, many have changed their names or surnames, but they were often in special circumstances.
For instance, to escape disasters or evade vengeful foes, adopting a false identity was unavoidable; or receiving a name from an authority, which usually happens to low-status slaves, bestowing a name was a mark of honor rather than severing ties; or when avoiding a royal taboo, which generally involves changing names rather than surnames; or when a man moves into his wife’s family to continue her lineage.
Aside from these common examples, there are rarer cases, like the Northern Border tribes defeated by Jiang Pengji. To accelerate their integration into the Central Plains culture, and to diffuse their customs, the wise elder Sun Wen has implemented various targeted policies over the years in Northern Border, enticing with benefits, misleading with sweet words, and intimidating with power. Gradually, many of the Northern Border tribes began to Sinicize their surnames, and after reaping benefits, even more began to do so.
For them, surnames aren’t that significant; changing one’s name for a better life is worth it.
This thought was shared among the Northern Border tribes, leaving some observant learners of Central Plains culture pained yet helpless.
With the overwhelming tide, when Jiang Pengji completely wiped out the Northern Border Royal Court and its thousands of noble families, the Northern Border was finished.
Unless Jiang Pengji falls, and the Central Plains is divided again, the Northern Border’s fate is sealed.
Considering these instances of name changes, which category does Jiang Pengji fall into?
She doesn’t fit into any of them. Just because her stepmother poisoned her and her family conspired against her assets, she resolutely chose to sever ties with the Liu Clan. Even if the one granting her a name was an old celestial being, a name bestowed by heaven doesn’t change her cold-hearted resolve in this matter.
Her birth father Liu Zhi is still around; did Jiang Pengji ever consult Liu Zhi or Liu Zhao about her decision to change her name?
“I truly have no objection; I’ve been prepared for this for a long time.”
Liu Zhi spoke while wearing a brownish scholar’s robe, the wide sleeves tied, holding a watering can in hand, leisurely tending to flowers under the window. Outside, the fence surrounded many precious flowers, and the fragrant aroma filled the courtyard.
Liu Zhao followed behind with a pair of tweezers, the father and son enjoying a relaxed afternoon.
“However, elder sister’s situation has gotten too big; I’ve heard the clan elders have visited father these past few days…”
Liu Zhao smiled faintly; over the years, his youthful naivety had completely faded, transforming into a strikingly handsome young man.
“Yes, these past few days they’ve blocked us so thoroughly we can’t even visit friends and relatives.”
Liu Zhi pinched off a small bug resting on the flower leaf, cherishing these plants too much, feeling pained if even a tiny hole was nibbled away.
Liu Zhao said, “They’re desperately trying to find a cure for their panic.”
Knowing Liu Zhi’s indifference, Liu Zhao realized he shouldn’t delve too deeply.
Before their true intentions were revealed, Liu Zhi could still persuade Jiang Pengji using his fatherly status. Now that it was out in the open, who could say who was on top? Liu Zhao wasn’t very clear about the details, but he knew that the relationship between Liu Zhi and Jiang Pengji wasn’t the “affectionate father, dutiful daughter” that society assumed. If there weren’t unavoidable occasions, this pair of plastic flower father-daughter duo would probably aim for “never meet in life, never cross paths in death, and only maintain appearances during critical moments.” Liu Zhi was fine with it; Jiang Pengji certainly didn’t want to address anyone as father every day.
In terms of actual age, they were roughly the same; why should she lower herself in their encounters?
Thus, the frequent nuisances from the Liu clan’s elders were useless.
Liu Zhi chuckled, “Your elder sister strikes a pose like this; could they not be anxious? Desperate measures call for desperate actions.”
Liu Zhao pursed his lips, worriedly asking his father, “Elder sister wouldn’t really go as far as to cut ties with the Liu Clan and her stepmother, would she?”
Liu Zhi asked Liu Zhao to hand him the scissors, carefully trimming unnecessary branches so the flowers could bloom better.
While snipping, he replied, “If you were a gardener, gazing at a disordered garden full of branches, would you pull out the roots of these plants?”
“Naturally not; if they’ve grown wild, just trim them accordingly; why pull them out by the roots?” As soon as he said this, Liu Zhao understood Liu Zhi’s point, “You mean elder sister just wants to give a warning, similar to how one prunes messy branches, not to annihilate the entirety?”
Liu Zhi straightened up, staring blankly at the flower patch encircled by the fence for a moment.
“Annihilate? She might have that thought, but not right now,” Liu Zhi smiled. “First, the timing isn’t ripe, and second, those bushes are deeply rooted and leafy; your elder sister only has a small pair of scissors in hand and cannot remove them all at once… it’s better to prune them carefully. If she’s able to shape them as she desires, that’s ideal. If not, she can pull them out once she’s stronger.”
Liu Zhao felt a chill after hearing this, once again realizing how several levels separated him from these two performers.
“One shouldn’t seek quick success; the right way is to take it slow. Your elder sister is very well-versed in this. Those foolish outsiders are definitely not her match. You should learn this as well; don’t let others sell you and give away their change.” Liu Zhi sighed, “Outsiders all say your elder sister excels in martial arts, sweeping through armies, yet they don’t know that besieging a city is just a minor tactic; winning hearts is the true strategy. Having mere brute strength is not terrifying; at most, it’s a useful killing tool. The frightening part is your elder sister, who possesses immense power and excels at decimating hearts, someone you cannot provoke.”
Liu Zhao nodded, “Is this true for the stepmother and Liu clan as well?”
“Not to mention just the Liu Clan and your stepmother; those other families are also her targets.”
Hearing this, Liu Zhao felt puzzled, causing Liu Zhi to feel slightly irritated.
This son, originally quite intelligent, was just too good at hiding his brilliance, now he’s truly become a fool, making his brain work overtime.
Liu Zhi meticulously analyzed the situation, and only then did Liu Zhao finally comprehend the entire scheme Jiang Pengji had laid out.
At the same time, he saw who had betrayed—was it the stepmother and Liu Zhi who did so first, or Jiang Pengji who killed hearts first.
Liu Zhi sighed, “You’re among the rare ones she keeps in mind; remain true to yourself, and she won’t harm you.”
“What if I falter?”
“Then you’ll be the next target of heart-killing.”
Even so, Liu Zhao still felt somewhat chilled.
“Your elder sister won’t eradicate Liu Zhi and the other families, so what will happen to the stepmother?”
Liu Zhi calmly responded, “The stepmother you mention is for your father’s second wife. Your elder sister changing her name or surname doesn’t mean she’ll murder the stepmother. Most likely, they’ll have a falling out, allowing your stepmother to remain as Liu Zhi’s wife. If she remains uncooperative, your elder sister might just force your father to divorce her, stripping her of the title of Mrs. Liu Zhi. Without that identity, killing or punishing her would be simple.”
Undeniably, Liu Zhi’s judgment of Jiang Pengji was quite sharp.
No matter how the outside world protested or ridiculed, Jiang Pengji stubbornly changed her name and surname.
No amount of external opposition mattered; her birth father, Liu Zhi, didn’t stand against his daughter’s actions. What could outsiders possibly do?
Not long after she announced her decision, the temporarily detained Gu Zhen couldn’t stand it any longer and insisted on seeing Jiang Pengji in person.
Gu Zhen did not come to apologize; she came to justify herself.
Amid her busy schedule, Jiang Pengji took a moment to meet her, planning to deliver a warning or two, lest Gu Zhen trip over her bottom line.
Considering Nie Xun and Meng Heng, Jiang Pengji wasn’t keen on truly hurting Gu Zhen.
“Back then, we made a promise; why have you now broken it?”
During the days of confinement, Gu Zhen had shed her silks and satins, and lost her hairpins and jewels, appearing quite plain and haggard.
Jiang Pengji didn’t even bother to raise her eyelids. “The one who broke our promise isn’t me.”
Gu Zhen’s face turned livid with anger. “If it’s not you, then who locked me up? I’m still your stepmother, your own aunt!”
“We both know the truth—you’re nothing!” Jiang Pengji sneered. “I previously promised you the world’s wealth if you kept my secret. Tell me, have I ever denied you anything over the years? You’ve squandered tens of thousands each year. My military funds were short, but I didn’t cut your allowance. I’ve been exceptionally benevolent to you! How have you repaid me? What position exactly do those Liu Clan cubs hold?”
Gu Zhen remained unfazed, countering with a sneer, “Heng’er and Xun’er were separated from me since childhood; now they have their own wives and children, and they aren’t close to me as a mother. Your father has also lived in isolation for years; I just felt the house was too empty, and when I saw those kids I felt a connection, so I took them in to raise. Is that such a small matter that would raise your suspicion?”
Jiang Pengji coldly questioned, “Your two cousins don’t get along with you, but their children are all still young. If you genuinely felt lonely, why not raise your own grandchildren instead of those from the Liu family? You married my father as his second wife, but besides that connection, what relationship do you have with those other relatives’ direct descendants?”
Not raising her own grandchildren and instead caring for children with no blood relation—that’s how you alleviate loneliness?
Gu Zhen wanted to argue further, but Jiang Pengji’s patience had worn thin.
“I can give you nothing but wealth and glory.”
Aside from that, don’t harbor other dreams, much less think of controlling Jiang Pengji in return.
Seeing Jiang Pengji serious, Gu Zhen dropped her act and sneered more frequently.
“Is the ‘wealth and glory’ you speak of just some pitiful money?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Also the future position of Empress Dowager.”
“A powerless Empress Dowager is simply a noble old lady who still has to bow to your whims for all her decisions.”
Jiang Pengji laughed, “You seemed rather satisfied with being Empress Dowager back then; why are you not satisfied now?”
Once she sought to be above everyone, and now she sought to be above everyone again.
Jiang Pengji was indeed calculating, but Gu Zhen’s bid for power with poison was equally true.
Did she truly believe that if she poisoned Jiang Pengji and supported the Liu family’s young cubs, she could pull the strings as the powerful Empress Dowager?
Did she truly think Liu Zhi and Liu Zhao were dead?
Or did she have an entire other scheme up her sleeve?
Jiang Pengji felt disappointed, “I expected you to be a smart woman; I didn’t expect you to just be self-deluded. Compared to Gu Min, you fall short by several levels. She knows how to fight for the greatest benefit within the allowable range, while you only know how to ruin a good hand of cards.”
She hadn’t laid a hand on Liu Zhi nor treated Liu Zhao poorly; a significant part of that was for Gu Min’s sake.
“Did you truly think your true self remained unknown?” Jiang Pengji didn’t even look at Gu Zhen’s ashen face, mocking, “From the first time I met you, I already knew. When I implied I would provide you with the honor and position Liu Xi couldn’t give, you accepted me just for that. I no longer pursued your relationship with Liu Xi. Did you wrongly think your being treated as my mother, receiving respect from me, led you to think I sincerely saw you as a mother?”
Jiang Pengji’s unkind words darkened Gu Zhen’s face again, nearly black enough to drip ink.
“Stop making excuses. I can say this confidently because I have all the hard evidence.”
Gu Zhen stopped pretending, laughing viciously, “What, are you going to kill me to keep me quiet?”
“Not at all! You’re still my father’s wife—why would I kill my elders? If I truly wanted to kill you, I’d first have my father divorce you, then consider doing so.” Jiang Pengji looked down at Gu Zhen, her cold voice devoid of any emotion, “In this life, we won’t meet again until we reach the Yellow Springs!”
This incident spread, slapping the faces of those who believed Jiang Pengji would storm forth against her mother.
A stepmother is not a biological mother; one statement of “we won’t meet again until we reach the Yellow Springs” suffices.
Jiang Pengji handed Gu Zhen over to Liu Zhi, imprisoning her in his side courtyard, ensuring she couldn’t step out without orders, nor meet outsiders.
Her resources and needs no longer came from Jiang Pengji’s personal treasury but from Liu Zhi’s. All previous privileges were completely revoked.
Every servant attending to Gu Zhen was replaced with Jiang Pengji’s confidants.
Liu Zhi was more or less retired; his pension was sufficient, but he couldn’t afford extravagance.
Having dealt with Gu Zhen, next up was dealing with the Liu family.
More and more people, eagerly seeking Liu Zhi’s help, turned up.
Liu Zhi flatly rejected all with “the child has grown; he won’t hinder his children’s choices.”
If anyone claimed Jiang Pengji was unfilial for changing her name or for not recognizing her ancestors, he answered more bluntly.
“This name is a gift from heaven; a name granted by heaven isn’t tainted! Isn’t that more glorious than anyone in the mortal realm granting a name?”
Just as Liu Zhi had anticipated, Jiang Pengji didn’t eradicate the Liu Clan entirely but retained certain leeways.
Even so, the strikes were comprehensive.
Those deserving of death were executed, those needing capture were caught, those who deserved exile were exiled… not only were people cut, but their industries were also looted on a grand scale, the Liu clan members serving in positions demoted and blacklisted. If things were that dire for the Liu family, other families certainly were much worse off, each severely depleted.
What added insult to injury was that under Jiang Pengji’s subtle pressure, some were even driven to kick them while they were down!
With such overwhelming suppression, they were outmatched, and Jiang Pengji’s revenge was devastating.
After this event, anyone daring to reach for the Golden Scales Academy would have to think twice.
