Chapter 1802 – Gossip and Suspicions
“Father, you should remind Eldest Sister…”
Liu Zhao couldn’t help but stammer under Liu Zhi’s profound gaze, his voice dwindling away.
Even he, despite his usual dullness, realized he had said something he shouldn’t have. Not to mention, Liu Zhao was far from a fool.
Liu Zhi’s heavy gaze lingered on his son, as casually as one might inquire about the weather, he asked, “Remind her of what?”
“Remind her… that Eldest Sister might be in danger… After all, Eldest Sister has treated us father and son exceptionally over the years…”
Before he could finish his thought, Liu Zhao noticed the terrifying change in his father’s expression, the pressure emanating from him was chilling.
Liu Zhao hadn’t expected his father to possess such a dangerous side.
Then again, it made sense; if Liu Zhi were merely an ordinary scholar, he wouldn’t have been able to suppress the local bullies in Hujun, let alone earn a reputation in Dongqing. Liu Zhi was inherently ruthless, but after years of self-cultivation, he had hidden it well, causing outsiders to forget that he once was a figure everyone feared. Faced with such an overwhelming aura, Liu Zhao’s eyes reflected an unreadable complexity.
“Being neutral might allow one to navigate through, but once one takes a side, victory’s sweet, but defeat leads to utter despair.”
Liu Zhi retracted his imposing aura, returning to normal, as if the terrifying force just now was merely a figment of Liu Zhao’s imagination.
“Won’t Eldest Sister place blame?”
Liu Zhi thought of Jiang Pengji and scoffed, “She knows all too well.”
The System itself was a gloomy fellow, plotting before acting; other than moments of stupidity, it had its wits about it.
Even if Liu Zhi harbored a deep hatred for the System, he understood its cunning nature—it wouldn’t be easily defeated.
As long as the System remained intact, it would rise again, and the next time, vengeance would be even harsher.
Jiang Pengji was not afraid of the System, but those she cared for might not share that same courage.
Years ago, Wei Ci had almost knelt in despair when the System possessed him, didn’t he?
Now, with both Wei Ci and the unborn child involved, the infant was even more vulnerable. Jiang Pengji had to ensure their safety.
“The worst decision Eldest Sister ever made was probably becoming pregnant at this time. The more weaknesses she has, the easier she is for her enemies to target,” Liu Zhi sighed. “If Wei Ci or the child were to fall into enemy hands… how do you think she would choose?”
Perhaps they should never have targeted Wei Ci from the start; it had only revealed Jiang Pengji’s vulnerabilities to the System.
Liu Zhao was left speechless.
“Father, wasn’t it you who initially encouraged me to help her conceive…?”
Now he was criticizing her for getting pregnant too quickly and at the wrong time. Talk about double standards.
Liu Zhi sneered, “You really think your encouragement pushed her to decide to have a child? She had made that decision long before your meddling.”
What was this kid thinking—did he really believe he had that much influence over Jiang Pengji?
Liu Zhao: “…”
This must be what a real father is like.
“However,” Liu Zhi shifted the conversation, “we cannot rule out the possibility that this is her tactic to draw out the snake.”
It was such a simple statement, yet Liu Zhao felt a chill run down his spine.
If she were indeed trying to draw out a snake, there must be bait to attract it—if Eldest Sister intended this, then she was essentially using her vulnerabilities as bait.
Liu Zhi sneered, “You’re not completely clueless; she does care for you. But no amount of kindness can mask the deceitful nature of this woman. Didn’t you see how Gu Zhen crossed her bottom line? Jiang Pengji ruthlessly tore apart years of feigned affection without a second thought. To outsiders, she looks like a devoted daughter to Gu Zhen… and in truth, she has been. She’s been so good that Gu Zhen forgot her own identity and Jiang Pengji’s, genuinely believing in a mother-daughter bond between them.”
Did Gu Zhen never consider the consequences of failure?
She might have, but her confidence led her to believe that even if caught, nothing serious would happen.
Even if her actions came to light, she still had the title of the future Empress Dowager, and Jiang Pengji would never truly target her.
Built on that confidence, Gu Zhen repeatedly took risks, ultimately falling into Jiang Pengji’s well-laid trap.
Liu Zhi continued, “Remember this—she’s Jiang Pengji, not Liu Xi. She can treat you like a brother, but there is no true sibling affection.”
From this perspective, Liu Zhi and Jiang Pengji were cut from the same cloth.
No matter how they may seem like a caring family, their interactions might sway outsiders, but deep down, they both remained clear-headed, never letting emotion lead them astray. The only time Liu Zhi had been truly fooled was willingly, and it was only with Gu Min.
Liu Zhi understood Jiang Pengji’s essence, which is why he would remind his foolish son.
Keep this rule firmly in mind at all times.
Liu Zhi flashed a malicious smile, “Do you believe that if you were to become the bait, she wouldn’t push you out there?”
Liu Zhao: “…”
Of course she would!
But—
“Eldest Sister isn’t heartless; she must have her calculations in place and wouldn’t genuinely let the bait fall into the snake’s belly!”
Liu Zhi sighed, “That’s natural; otherwise, wouldn’t she be the loser?”
Rationally, it made sense, yet emotionally, it was hard to accept—this was the situation they were in.
No matter who was pushed out as bait by Jiang Pengji, when the truth emerged, that person would inevitably struggle with their feelings.
Liu Zhao muttered, “Perhaps… we’re overthinking this?”
Liu Zhi scoffed, choosing not to respond.
Overthink?
No, he’d only berate himself for underthinking.
Jiang Pengji had gone toe-to-toe with the System so many times and still held the upper hand; one should know this woman wasn’t to be trifled with.
Regarding this pregnancy, Liu Zhi had no faith that there weren’t ulterior motives involved.
“Just wait, when they finally settle their score, we’ll have some peace,” Liu Zhi laughed coldly, “And don’t worry about Eldest Sister; she won’t suffer any life-threatening danger. The only person I’m worried about now is you. If anything were to happen, I wouldn’t be able to rest in peace.”
Whether the System triumphed or Jiang Pengji emerged victorious, Liu Zhi would not survive either way.
Regardless of how disdainful the System felt towards him, it still needed to absorb him for strength.
As for Jiang Pengji, he sensed the terrifying blade resting at her waist even now.
Whoever won or lost between the two of them didn’t matter to Liu Zhi.
“Sigh, when immortals fight, mortals suffer.”
Liu Zhi felt there might still be a chance for salvation…
Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji sneezed multiple times in quick succession.
Rubbing her nose, she muttered, “Who’s that bastard talking behind my back?”
Look at her—one sneeze after another, and it just wouldn’t stop.
At this rate, she might burst!
Wei Ci, in a soft tone, remarked, “With all this commotion going on, how could the rumors not spread about you, my Lord?”
If it weren’t for the era’s slow communication, Jiang Pengji would undoubtedly be trending, with the first fifty topics revolving entirely around her.
The first person to hear the good news wasn’t even him!
:з
