Chapter Thirty-Two

In the Empress's palace, Xiao Liunian sat in a chair, seemingly silent, but actually answering the cat's questions.

"You're just going to talk to the Empress like this? Don't you even lay any groundwork?" The system was truly shocked; its host was so reckless!

“We didn’t talk about it directly. We waited for her to react before we started talking.” Xiao Liunian felt that she was being very considerate.

The system within the space was speechless. Aren't these kinds of things usually done with careful planning, cautious probing, and step-by-step steps? Who would just send a letter and lay their cards on the table like their host did!

However, this system is indeed excellent; it helps the host deliver messages without anyone being able to detect it.

“After this show ends, we’ll go to the next one tonight and have a chat with Liu Zhengye,” Xiao Liunian said.

"There's another match! Are we going straight there too?" The little cat's head was filled with a big question mark.

"Otherwise what?" Xiao Liunian retorted.

"Aren't you afraid these people will betray us and we won't be able to complete the mission?" The system tried to struggle, hoping that Xiao Liunian would use some tricks.

"Betrayal? The system monitoring function is already activated. Their movements can be checked anytime, anywhere. If they want to make any unusual moves, we'll make sure they can't!" Xiao Liunian was fearless.

This is a villain, isn't it? I'm not going to become a villain system, am I? What kind of host is always thinking about killing?

"Mumu, were you always this decisive and efficient before?" the system asked curiously.

“At first, it was about seeking stability, but later, it turned out like this,” Xiao Liunian said.

"Thirteen, the best strategy for the weak is to gradually develop, while for the strong, as someone once said, in the face of strength, all schemes and plots are just paper tigers."

"Anyway, I don't mind starting a new account!" Xiao Liunian, or rather Lin Mu, had been trapped here for too long, so dying once more or once less made no difference to her.

The system thought, "The host is repeating the same instance multiple times. He could pass it with his eyes closed. Should I say the system is lucky or just lucky? He encountered a master as soon as he started the mission."

"I mind. What if I start a new account and Mumu doesn't meet this excellent system? I really like Mumu, and I was hoping to go on vacation with my host after this mission." The system doesn't want to start over!

"Alright, then be more careful from today onwards!" Xiao Liunian really wanted to touch the system's little brain. This kind of time that had to be wasted was still just as boring, so she decided to give Empress Liu Furan some more external stimulation.

"Your Majesty, I've come to discuss a collaboration with you. I'll protect the Liu family and send you out of the palace. Please consider it carefully and give me your answer when I come to pay my respects next time. I'll take my leave now!" Xiao Liunian decided to change her strategy of waiting and go back to Chang Le Palace to play with the cats. As for the princess's lessons, she would ask for leave.

"Mumu, is Liu Zheng easy to persuade?" the system asked.

"The Empress's father, Liu Zheng, was a very clever man. He didn't want Liu Furan to marry Xiao Jin at all, so he chose a family that was very suitable for Liu Furan. Just when he was about to arrange the marriage, Liu Furan became obsessed with love and Xiao Jin made a deliberate scheming. Liu Zheng had to put the engagement for Liu Furan on hold."

"Even after Liu Furan and Xiao Jin got married, Liu Zheng did not intend to get involved in the struggle between the princes. Xiao Jin did not plan to use the Liu family as an asset at first. He was saving it for the final crucial step. After all, he had established a reputation for being a devoted lover. If he had used the Liu family's influence right after getting married, wouldn't that have shown others that he had ulterior motives and was using a woman to climb the social ladder? In a way, Xiao Jin is indeed a talented person!"

"Later, as the battle for the throne reached its climax, the Liu family had no choice but to get involved, officially becoming a key member of Xiao Jin's team, and making great contributions in the decisive battle!"

"After Xiao Jin successfully ascended the throne, the Liu family was unparalleled in the court. Liu Zheng was appointed as Grand Tutor, holding a position second only to the emperor. Later, Liu Zheng was injured in an accident and resigned under the pretext of recuperating. He gradually eroded his power. At present, the highest official position held by the Liu family in the court is that of Liu Fuyuan, the eldest son of the Liu family, who is the Minister of Rites. Although he is the head of one of the six ministries, it is not considered a high position for relatives of the emperor."

"Liu Zheng, you want to stabilize the situation even before the emperor has ascended the throne. With the Liu family's status, no matter who succeeds to the throne, it will not affect the Liu family."

"Later, after Xiao Jin succeeded to the throne, Xiao Liuchen was born. If the Liu family stepped down at this time, they would still be able to maintain their position when Xiao Liuchen succeeded to the throne."

"But can he escape the emperor's targeting?"

"If the Liu family can't disappear overnight and move to another place, then they have no choice but to side with me, otherwise they'll be buried in the yellow earth!" Xiao Liunian analyzed logically, while the cat purred peacefully in its sleep.

Listening to the gurgling sound, Xiao Liunian once again felt that the saying "furry creatures save the world" was true. Then she lay down and went to sleep. The identity of a princess was not bad. At least she would not have to worry about food and clothing. And as long as the persona was set up well, no one could stop her from sleeping and lying down!

At dinner time, a person and a cat woke up on time. A gluttonous person had a gluttonous furry friend.

After dinner, Xiao Liunian activated his teleportation ability and went to Nanqiao Town where Liu Zheng was recuperating.

The study in Hansong Courtyard where Liu is recuperating from his injuries.

"Mumu, Liu Zheng is indeed a smart man. It's true that if you're stupid, you should read more books!"

"You're right!"

Xiao Liunian picked up a book from the bookshelf. It was a military treatise with some personal annotations. Judging from these annotations, the person might have some military talent.

"Mumu, is it Liu Zheng who wrote the annotations?" the system asked curiously.

“It’s his youngest son, Liu Fubu, or Fu Chou, you should have heard of him.” Xiao Liunian judged based on the handwriting in his previous memory. He thought that if he could return to China, he could set up a handwriting identification studio.

"That Fu Chou, Cen Mo's top general, is skilled in both literature and martial arts! He's also a peerless master!" The system was shocked. How could the script only describe the protagonist, and not just gloss over the others!

"Back then, the main branch of the Liu family had two sons and one daughter. The daughter committed suicide by self-immolation in the palace, the eldest son and his family of five were killed by bandits, the youngest son disappeared and his whereabouts are unknown, Liu Zheng committed suicide in prison, and Liu Zheng's wife also committed suicide after hearing a series of bad news. The Liu family, a once illustrious family, is now just a pile of yellow earth."

"Didn't you say Liu Zheng is a smart person?" The system thought Liu Zheng wasn't smart at all.

"Because he didn't know that his daughter was using some means to help the Sixth Prince seize the throne!" Xiao Liunian said.

"Then why didn't the Empress tell Liu Zheng? With the Liu family's power, slowly causing Emperor Xiao Jin's unnatural death and putting the Sixth Prince on the throne, this kind of operation was quite common in a certain dynasty in Chinese history, right?" The system quoted classical texts.

"Perhaps she lacks a clever strategist like Maomao!" Xiao Liunian secretly patted Maomao's butt.

"That's true." The system cat said smugly.

Xiao Liunian thought that the reason Liu Furan didn't tell Liu Zheng was because she was young and disregarded her parents' and family's advice, resolutely choosing Xiao Jin and love. Later, she found out that it was a complete deception. She felt ashamed to tell her family, and she only wanted to complete her revenge against Xiao Jin herself.

"Sigh! The script is so fake!" Cat sighed.

"The script said that the maternal relatives were very powerful, but in reality, the Liu family only has one Minister of Rites in the court, and the other members of the Liu clan don't hold very important positions. That can't be considered powerful," the system complained.

“It doesn’t seem strong at the moment,” Xiao Liunian said.

"You mean there's a future!" The system's eyes widened.

"Hmm." Xiao Liunian put the military treatise back on the bookshelf.

"Someone's coming." Xiao Liunian sent the system back into the space.

Liu Zhengxiang disliked having anyone around when he came to the study, which also made it convenient for Xiao Liunian to not have to worry about how to have a private chat with Liu Zhengxiang.

Xiao Liunian lit the candles in the study only when Liu Zheng was about to enter the room.

"Long time no see, Grandpa!" This is a common opening line Xiao Liunian uses when discussing cooperation: using family ties to get closer.

The cats in the space are here again, telling stories with expressionless faces and trying to establish family ties.

"Your Highness?" Liu Zheng asked, his tone questioning.

"I heard that my grandfather was injured in his early years and is recuperating in Nanqiao, so I came to visit him." Xiao Liunian continued to try to get closer to him with a blank expression, giving off a feeling that was hard to describe.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. What brings you here so late at night?" Liu Zheng thought to himself that this was the first time he had ever seen someone sneak in to visit relatives so late at night.

"I have some things I'd like to show you!" Xiao Liunian handed Liu Zheng a stack of materials.

When Liu Zheng took it, he was shocked by two things: first, the handwriting was exactly the same as the handwriting in the letter he sent to the Sixth Prince six months ago; second, the material contained evidence of Empress Liu Furan's rebellion.

Xiao Liunian picked up another book from the bookshelf and started reading. Xiao Liunian had two impressions while reading: First, the luminous pearl was useful, better than candlelight; second, Liu Fubu truly lived up to his name, which contained the character "Bu" (布).

After Xiao Liunian finished reading the book, Liu Zheng also finished reading the materials and calmed down.

"What does Your Highness desire?" Liu Zheng asked.

"The Liu family's rebellion has been exposed, and all nine generations of the Liu family have no way to survive. It is I who should ask you what this is about?" Xiao Liunian asked instead of answering.

"Does Your Highness also aspire to the throne?" Liu Zheng looked at the ten-year-old princess before him. Although he had guessed the path Xiao Liunian was going to take, he still wanted to confirm it.

“You used the wrong word. It’s not ‘plan,’ it’s ‘inherit’!” Xiao Liunian said.

The cat in the space: That is indeed inheritance, but the thing inherited is a bit special.

"What does Your Highness want the Liu family to do?" Liu Zheng asked.

"Lord Liu is an official, and you know exactly how to conduct yourself."

“However, I still have a suggestion. Nanqiao is a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. If an academy were built here, many students would surely come to study. It would be even better if the academy recruited more students from poor families!” Xiao Liunian said.

"I am unable to meet my two uncles today. I would like to trouble you, my grandfather, to pass on these two gifts on the table. I take my leave now!"

Xiao Liunian came and went without a sound.

Liu Zheng opened the two boxes. One box contained a spear technique manual and an internal energy cultivation manual for Liu Fubu, along with a suggestion: join the army in Wuzhou. The other box contained a unique copy, considered priceless by those who knew its value.

"Mumu, I thought you wanted Liu Zheng to come out of seclusion again and expand your influence in the court. Why did you open an academy?" Maomao asked, puzzled.

“Firstly, to discover, accumulate, and cultivate talent; secondly, Liu Fuyuan is a seasoned veteran, and having him in the court is enough; thirdly…” Xiao Liunian listed the reasons one by one.

"Three times?" the cat asked, puzzled. Why did it stop talking?

"I haven't decided yet, these are the only two points for now," Xiao Liunian said.

She was also very worried; these things were too complicated. Fortunately, there was still force to suppress them. If there were no force and she had to rely solely on scheming, she would be finished!

"I'm sleepy, I'm going back to sleep."