Chapter 165: If I Had a Choice, I Hope I Didn't

Upon hearing this, Hensheng felt all his strength drain away, and he only managed to avoid collapsing thanks to Su Zhenzhen's support.

Therefore, his biological father not only schemed against women and rulers, but even his biological mother was schemed against by his father.

So what about his existence? Was it also part of a scheme?

"Is there any way for a woman to conceive a son in one go?" Hensheng asked weakly.

Li Xuanji did not answer directly, but looked at Su Zhenzhen with an ambiguous expression.

"Tell him what method can help a woman conceive a son in one go."

Su Zhenzhen broke out in a cold sweat. Everything has its destiny; you have to give up something to gain something. If she had to find a foolproof method, then it would be...

"Offering longevity? Using one's lifespan as a bargaining chip to pray to Heaven for a child."

Hensheng's face was deathly pale. "So my birth mother didn't die in childbirth, but my birth took away her lifespan."

Li Xuanji suddenly became compassionate. "Child, I know you resent it, but some things are not something we can choose. If I had a choice, I would rather have never been born into this world, so that I wouldn't have so many sins on my body."

“No.” Hensheng shook his head firmly. “If I had a choice, I would rather not have one.”

Li Xuanji didn't understand at first, but then he realized what she meant and chuckled to himself.

If a person can live their entire life driven by fate, then all right and wrong, honor and disgrace, will be attributed to the way of heaven, and will have nothing to do with themselves.

Why do we always hesitate at every crossroads in life?

It's like hating someone now—do you hate them or not? Should you stop halfway or continue?

Su Zhenzhen didn't understand Hensheng's meaning, nor did she bother to guess the subtle misunderstandings between the two. She simply took out the scroll from the storage compartment, determined not to waste a single bit of her labor.

As the scroll unfurled from top to bottom, Su Zhenzhen asked, "Do you know what this painting is about?"

Li Xuanji glanced at it indifferently, "It's just the same old tricks Jiang Yichun used to win the heart of a beauty back then. A noblewoman isn't a real puppet. If she falls for another man, wouldn't all her efforts be wasted?"

"Then why is it in the hands of the magistrate of Chuanbei County?" This was the part that Su Zhenzhen couldn't understand the most.

Of course, there are other doubts, but we can't think about them now.

“You just need to know that not everyone in this world is a fool. There are always some elderly people who occasionally receive guidance from the Heavenly Dao.” Li Xuanji seemed unwilling to say more and abruptly changed the subject. “What are your plans now?”

Su Zhenzhen took a deep look at the man's handsome features, but couldn't detect any other unusual emotions, so she forced a smile.

"Why don't you tell us what you need us to do for you, senior?"

Li Xuanji was originally afraid that Su Zhenzhen would continue to question the magistrate of Chuanbei City and would not care about Hensheng's choice afterward. Upon seeing this, he immediately made his own request.

"I want to leave here and be reincarnated at the right time."

Su Zhenzhen understood; a soul cannot linger in the mortal world for too long. Li Xuanji only managed to keep his soul completely intact by possessing a corpse, but…

Why do you think I can do it?

“Little girl, I have no talent, so why would the High Priest meddle in my affairs? Remember, everyone in the world is driven by self-interest, and no one is kind to you for no reason.”

Li Xuanji smiled smugly, "I could tell at a glance that you are no ordinary person."

Su Zhenzhen was speechless. People who like to talk in circles and go around in circles are the most annoying.

"One last question: why is the Zodiac Fortune-Turning Array in this county jail?"

Li Xuanji looked at him as if he were a fool. "Jiang Yichun has achieved his goal, so why keep me alive, someone who knows his secret? It's the nature of royalty to discard someone after they've served their purpose."

Su Zhenzhen was surprised, her eyes widening in astonishment. "You can't even handle Jiang Yichun?"

“Little girl, you are too shallow. The imperial lineage is protected by the Heavenly Dao. How can outsiders compete with it?” Li Xuanji glanced at Su Zhenzhen meaningfully. “Your cultivation is too shallow. You need to observe and listen more in all things.”

At this moment, Su Zhenzhen felt that Li Xuanji was being extremely pretentious. He could have simply explained in a few words how he avoided Jiang Yichun's betrayal, but instead he had to come up with such a mysterious and profound set of principles, making him seem like some kind of hermit.

It wasn't until the near future, when her fate was in someone else's hands, that Su Zhenzhen realized that Li Xuanji was risking his life to give her a subtle yet direct hint.

Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention at the time and ultimately missed this profound meaning.

Su Zhenzhen looked at Hensheng, "Is there anything else you want to ask him?"

Hensheng shook his head helplessly.

Su Zhenzhen immediately put Li Xuanji into her storage compartment.

Great, I can finally think things through again.

As for what Li Xuanji said about being reincarnated at the right time.

Hehe, the right time is whenever I'm in the mood.

After all, this person can read minds, so he must know a lot, but he seems unwilling to reveal it.

There's plenty of time; maybe they'll be willing to speak up in the future.

As Su Zhenzhen was feeling smug, a sudden headache struck, as if something was growing and expanding, eventually stretching her entire scalp.

It felt a lot like an overcooked, over-fried watermelon.

For a moment, Su Zhenzhen wondered if she was about to explode because she had too much on her mind.

[Ugh, the screen's black again. Organizers, have some decency!]

Su Zhenzhen's last consciousness was amidst a barrage of insults and curses in the live chat.

And the whispers in my ear that sounded like a lover's.

"Zhenzhen."

When Su Zhenzhen regained consciousness, she found herself surrounded by a deep blue starlight, a scene that looked quite familiar.

In just a moment, Su Zhenzhen understood why the face looked familiar.

Above the starry sky is a line of text: 【Progress bar for official appointment: 52/100】

There are also icons for settings, main menu, and backpack next to it.

None of my family members understand; it all ran into my own head.

Su Zhenzhen was stunned. What was going on? Was she going to have to stay in this godforsaken place forever?

Then Su Zhenzhen noticed that the string of words directly above had changed.

It became 48.

Su Zhenzhen: ?

No, have we started the countdown yet?

Then, the sky began to play in front of me.

Family members, does anyone understand? I'm watching a movie in my head.

However, the screen was completely black, and now Su Zhenzhen finally understood why the comments on the bullet screen were criticizing the organizers for being inhumane.

Su Zhenzhen also wanted to ask the person who brought her here what they wanted to do.

If you want her to know something, the way you dreamed before will suffice.

Why go through all this trouble? What's the point?

The screen is still black. Is it because you haven't paid the electricity bill?

As Su Zhenzhen muttered her complaints, light finally appeared in the sky.