Chapter 48 – Sleep with Civil Officials and Military Generals
“Alright, getting stuck on this issue is pointless.”
Jiang Pengji rested her chin on her hand, staring intently at the old monk, waiting for him to speak.
“Little benefactor, this is what your mother meant,” the old monk said while twisting his prayer beads. “Years ago, your mother tragically lost two sons and entrusted me to look at the fortunes of all the children in the household. None had the destiny of an emperor, but your mother was quite certain that Liu Zhi’s daughter was destined to be the emperor.”
Jiang Pengji’s eyelids drooped slightly… Such conviction… Could it be that her stepmother really understood the historical timeline?
“My skills are lacking, so I specifically asked a friend for help and finally managed to deduce that indeed Liu Zhi has the fate of an emperor’s father, but the daughter destined for the emperor hasn’t appeared yet. It seems before your mother passed, she realized something and, to protect you, asked me for a favor…”
The old monk smiled as he continued, “Your mother, ignoring the risk of being burned as a monster, revealed her background to your father and made it clear that she has two souls residing in one body, one of which had met its demise during a calamity. As her daughter, it’s highly likely you are involved in this…”
Jiang Pengji’s hand trembled, nearly spilling her tea, “Two souls in one body?”
So, her stepmother and Liu Zhi both mistakenly believed the real Liu Lanting was the soul that perished?
“Otherwise, you and your father would surely have grown estranged and might have even turned against each other,” the old monk maintained his kind smile, “Moreover, your mother recognized you as her daughter from the very beginning, that much is certain.”
“But why was she so sure the calamity would strike at twelve?”
At this point, Jiang Pengji was shocked yet felt she already had the answer, just needed confirmation.
“After your mother gave birth to you and your brother, seeing both kids bright and normal, she secretly asked me if the baby girl had been possessed by a thief. She specified that the baby girl’s fate was supposed to be dull and soulless, only to suddenly awaken at twelve…”
Jiang Pengji crossed her arms, her mind racing with various clues.
Based on the information gathered, that stepmother really might be a transmigrator—or at least, historically speaking, this empress was rather famous, with records indicating she was “dim-witted as a child, lacking human understanding”?
Perhaps there were also records about the empress not getting along with her biological father, even turning against him?
However, time and space issues are always complex.
That stepmother had memories of the future, and her every action influenced “history.”
According to the old monk, although that mother knew “history,” she was also constrained by it, living not entirely on her own terms.
“Can fate be relied upon? If the future truly involves conquering the world, that’s what I would want to do, not a path dictated by fate. So-called future possibilities are just one of many, not the only one.”
It’s always the process that determines the outcome; how could the result dictate the process?
Jiang Pengji shook her head, mildly bored, and said, “This is meaningless, but I still thank the master for helping me a great deal.”
The reasoning of two souls in one body might sound absurd, but it was a concept easier for ancient people to accept, reducing a lot of troubles.
“The old monk can’t accept such thanks from little benefactor,” he shook his head, greedily adding, “Still, little benefactor is insightful. Fate is inherently mysterious and not fixed. However, perhaps because you know these things, you might falter in the future, losing the imperial throne…”
Jiang Pengji scoffed defiantly, “If I want it in the future, it will belong to me, and anyone who tries to take it will meet their end.”
Her dramatic declaration sparked a flurry of donations and gifts on the live stream.
[Farmer Spring Water Suspicious]: Hahaha, I just love how the host is in full-blown chuunibyou mode and has given up on treatment 2333
[Your Yi Da]: Right, a late-stage chuunibyou patient who’s given up treatment, yet somehow feels refreshing (/ω╲)
[Cola Laughs]: Bring me my forty-meter great sword! The baby is more excited about the host’s version of palace struggles, where she can take down the emperor, act as a martial emperor, and sleep with men, even their wives; the ways of the ancient empress are glorious.
Despite the barrage of lewd comments, some seasoned viewers still wanted to jump in.
[Empress of the Mountain Spirit is Great]: What’s so great about sleeping with the emperor? Palace struggles can’t compare to raising a dog; using a cucumber is just disgusting.
[Sleep with All Three Kingdoms’ Heartthrobs]: Climbing the ranks to become an empress is so lacking in challenge; which empress can withstand a slap from the host? It’s better to conquer the world, sleep with civil officials and military generals, and leave fragments of romantic escapades in history (/ω╲)
[Word Spirit Master]: Hahaha, sleep with civil officials and military generals +1
[That One Jiji]: Sleep with civil officials and military generals +2
Seeing a line of replicated comments, Jiang Pengji’s expression changed slightly, then she began teasing the audience with good humor.
[Host V]: Ugh, if I’m going to sleep with anyone, it has to be the wives of civil officials and military generals; I love the ladies!
[Sleep with All Three Kingdoms’ Heartthrobs]: Ugh, this kind of lord is doomed!
[Word Spirit Master]: Ugh, this kind of lord is doomed +1
…
Jiang Pengji nearly laughed out loud; it was just a joke! While she liked girls, her sexual orientation was still normal.
With a hint of good spirit, Jiang Pengji left the meditation room, heading to the side hall, only to discover Liu Zhi was kneeling on the mat, praying devoutly.
Casting a glance at the memorial tablets, aside from Gu Min and the two early-deceased legitimate sons, there was a newer but blank tablet nearby.
Jiang Pengji’s heart moved; she already knew who the tablet was for and why it couldn’t bear a name—best not to disturb the living, right?
Though she didn’t believe in gods or Buddhas, belief and attitude are two different things.
She also lit incense and came forward to offer a few sticks.
Jiang Pengji tried to ask, “How about I change the name?”
The blank memorial tablet must have made Liu Zhi feel heavy inside.
“That’s fine; choose a new one,” Liu Zhi sighed, placing his incense into the holder, his expression complex and nostalgic as he gazed, “Back then, I thought I could have many children with Gu Min, so I prepared over ten names a few years in advance—both boys and girls.”
Unfortunately, in the end, only two names were truly used, which were actually the same name for the pair of twins.
“Actually, I’ve always been curious why my father made me take on my brother’s identity?”
If this were a cliché ancient drama, she could understand how a stepmother would educate her daughter as a son to preserve her position.
But looking at Liu Residence’s situation, this really seemed unnecessary, as it appeared the various owners of Liu Residence all knew she was a girl.
Liu Zhi pondered quizzically, “What kind of daughter could live carefreely like a son? Your mother struggled from a young age to learn those customs and etiquette; when did she not suffer hardships? She was right—letting you live freely, happily, is more important than anything.”
If Liu Xi weren’t the surviving “legitimate second son,” she wouldn’t have made it this far.
Liu Zhi sighed internally, a flicker of dark thoughts crossing her mind.
As for descendants, once she grew up, there were plenty of ways to navigate under the radar.
Family prospects didn’t require her to scheme; even as a carefree wanderer, the wealth her parents had amassed was enough for her expenditures.
Truly the ideas of a transmigrated mother, finely tuned by years of education—the mindset was quite progressive and remarkably accepting.
