The previous dynasty influenced the harem, and the harem also influenced the previous dynasty.

Under such circumstances, if Liu Jue wanted to eliminate the powerful families, he couldn't allow them to take advantage of the situation.

Not taking concubines or marrying an empress was merely one of his strategies.

However, this strategy only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause.

If someone were truly audacious enough to drug him and force him to have sex with a palace maid, causing her to become pregnant, then things would not be so simple.

In order to solve the problem once and for all, Liu Jue did not hesitate to drug himself.

He will never have his own bloodline in his lifetime.

Liu Jue looked down at Jiang Tian and said, "I was prepared to be a lonely man for the rest of my life, but I never expected that I would meet you. Heaven has been kind to me."

Jiang Tian smiled and said, "Then tell me everything else. You always have other secrets you're hiding from me. No man would be willing to push away the woman he loves."

"But you are the exception."

Liu Jue laughed and sighed at the same time: "You are too clever. I don't know how to restrain you anymore."

This time, his tone conveyed a calm and composed quality.

"If my policies can be implemented, those people will not let me go. Having no descendants is also a way for me to protect myself."

"However—have you ever heard the stories of my childhood?"

Jiang Tian blinked: "Is it the one about the Taoist priest?"

Liu Jue nodded: "Yes."

Liu Jue, who was exceptionally handsome from a young age, was disliked by the late emperor. The emperor believed that having a son with feminine features was a sign of misfortune.

Liu Jue was unable to fight in battles during his childhood and suffered years of neglect.

It was under these circumstances that a highly accomplished Taoist priest appeared.

He told the late emperor that Liu Jue would be the one to eventually ascend the throne.

The late emperor already disliked Liu Jue and thought the Taoist priest was just faking it. Even though Liu Jue predicted everything correctly, the late emperor still didn't take him seriously and ordered him to be dragged out and beheaded.

After the Taoist priest died, the late emperor sent Liu Jue to the border to fend for himself.

Later, he gradually built up his strength, eventually rising from a prince despised by the emperor to become the ruler of a country.

This story has spread widely among the people.

Many people thought it was just a rumor, because Liu Jue showed no signs of becoming an emperor at the time. Even the most skilled diviners shook their heads at him.

But he still won.

This rumor was a good thing for Liu Jue, who had already ascended the throne. It would only increase his prestige among the people and make others think that he was the chosen one.

"That Taoist priest only made one prophecy, but there was another one—he said that I would not live past the age of thirty unless I entered the Taoist path. I did not believe him at first, but he entrusted a young eunuch to write down my life trajectory on paper, and every word came true."

"I am twenty-five this year, and I have five more years. By then, the new policies will probably be completed. After the follow-up matters are handled properly, I will enter the Daoist path without any regrets."

Jiang Tian remained silent for a long time, then suddenly asked him, "Do you believe everything he says?"

Liu Jue touched her cheek: "Believe it or not, I have to do what I can first. If you are taken into the palace by me, you might have to risk your life for me. It's better for everyone if we do it secretly."

He did not mention any more serious consequences.

The most terrifying type of person in the world is someone who has no weaknesses.