The Empress’ Livestream

“Master Wei has recognized the difficulties but hopes his daughters can marry happily, so he decided to seek sons-in-law elsewhere. He has always appreciated your talents, and has thought about letting you take one of the ladies. He then became more certain after the incident occurred… See? I’m correct in calling you my soon-to-be brother-in-law.”

Qiguan Rang fell into silence. In his opinion, Liu Xi’s analysis was right, but it could not answer the questions troubling him.

Jiang Pengji got closer and suggested mischievously, “It’s the eldest lady, right?”

He glimpsed at the teen, feeling himself ever more confused, then walked away quickly to escape from Jiang Pengji’s curious inquiry.

All he needed was peace at the moment.

Shilian Zhenxian Lianmeng: “Poor… what’s he called? Something-guan Rang? I guess he feels creepier and creepier as the host digs out his secrets. I don’t know if @Dali Buyaoting is glad that the host is in another dimension, but I myself am relieved.”

The audience loved watching the host showcase her abilities only when they watched as outsiders. If they had encountered her in their dimension, they would most likely feel weird having someone reveal all their secrets in an instant. Secrets were supposed to be kept between the few people one trusted. Jiang Pengji’s breach of the convention naturally roused others’ fear, prompting them to avoid the scary being.

Lianai Baifenbai: “I looked it up. His surname should be Qiguan. Qi-guan.”

Baigui Yexing: “Whatever. We get it anyway.”

Toudu Feiqiu: “I agree. It’s no use thinking too much about it.”

Zhubo Zhengmian Shangwo: “I love watching from the perspective of the host and experiencing her life. Can’t imagine what would happen if we followed a dumb host.”

Zhubo Cemian Shangwo: “Lol. Now I feel smarter myself.”

Zhubo Beimian Shangwo: “Get your wit in Court Intrigue!”

“…” She could never respond to her strange audience with strange IDs.

While Feng Jin could not hear her dialogue with Qiguan Rang, he could guess from his reaction that she was threatening Qiguan Rang the way she had done to him before. Out of compassion for the fellow, Feng Jin complained to Jiang Pengji. “You scared him.”

“Really?” she asked mysteriously. “Then he’s going to scream every day in the future.”

Laosiji Lianmeng: “‘Who screams me?’ asks Every Day.”

Jiang Pengji: “…”

Feng Jin: “…” He had an ominous feeling again.

Wei Yuan unwillingly gathered the female masters in the house to the other side of a thin folding screen. Jiang Pengji shook her head and he was further displeased, so he ordered close attendants to lead them back.

It then came to the female servants. Unlike the ladies, they could be examined face-to-face by other men, so Wei Yuan assembled them in a wide corridor. Male servants holding fire torches surrounded them and lit up every corner of the yard.

Feng Jin kept quiet to avoid disturbing Jiang Pengji’s observation.

Qiguan Rang, on the other hand, was looking at Jiang Pengji closely for clues of her conclusions, but he was surprised. Jiang Pengji was different from peers her age, who would carelessly show hints of their thoughts however hard they tried to hide them. Qiguan Rang could spot no peculiarity in her reaction, but was further affirmed that she was full of secrets.

As a result, he was astonished and intrigued.

There were two legendary figures in Dongqing now: Master Yuanjing from Langye, who recovered three cities in the northern border; and Liu She from Hejian, who developed the dying county Xu into a booming area, demonstrating his competence which surpassed the greatest officials in the former Xia Dynasty.

Liu Xi was Liu She’s son, and he had obviously inherited his father’s qualities. One could hardly explore the depth of their abilities.

“Lanting, have you got something?” Qiguan Rang faked an unnatural smile. It must have been a long time since he last smiled, for the curve was stiff and odd.

“Certainly. Master, I hope this compensates for our wrong today.” As soon as she said it, Jiang Pengji stood up and walked into the crowd. Her eyes turned to no one but a woman about thirty with brown complexion. Her forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet in the corners of her eyes made her appear older than she really was. With her shoulders bent slightly inwards, the woman stood there like any honest servant would.

Her red fingertips indicated that she had been busy washing clothes with well water before she came to the corridor.

The only thing special about her was her amiableness despite her ordinary features. Since that was not uncommon among people, however, it could not be Jiang Pengji’s evidence.

Qiguan Rang examined the woman, wondering why Jiang Pengji was approaching her.

But… hold on.

A thought flashed in his mind, widening his eyes with shock.

How could that be?

And he immediately ordered, “Catch her!”

When the woman first noticed Jiang Pengji walking towards her, she kept her head low, pretending to be a common servant who washed garments. Still, Jiang Pengji’s treads seemed to be stepping on her nerves, and she was most alarmed when Jiang Pengji came within her reach. Qiguan Rang’s command was like a firecracker exploding at her ears… or, his ears, and he knew he could disguise no more.

“Don’t let her escape!”

The man lost his directions and pushed a girl to Jiang Pengji to block her way. The others were stunned by the sudden change.

It was nothing for Jiang Pengji, however, whose one hand held the waist of the screaming attendant as she turned with her and stood steadily on the ground, and her other hand flung her fan at the target.

“Ow!” cried the man.