Chapter 370

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

Why did the Imperial Seal appear in the temple's Scripture Pavilion?!

Shen Yao didn't understand, and she couldn't fathom that in such an absurd world, an Imperial Seal actually existed?

'Host, in dynastic times, why would you think there was no Imperial Seal?' The system thought that the core of a centralized system was nothing more than one person above ten thousand, with all under heaven belonging to one.

The Imperial Seal symbolized absolute authority; it was a necessary tool.

'This isn't an ordinary dynasty,' who could have imagined there would be a plot involving an Imperial Seal.

After all, they had taken the Cultivation System route, only to end up as a mainstream feudal society after all that trouble.

Shen Yao was powerless to complain, but finding the Imperial Seal was better than losing it; at least during the Coronation Ceremony, Liu Jingsheng's status could be more legitimate.

'When a new regime is established, there will always be remnants of the old regime unwilling to accept it and trying to take it back. The timing of the Imperial Seal's appearance is very opportune. Is this the fortune of a Child of Fortune?'

Yet on a routine outing, she happened to encounter the Imperial Seal of the State that a group of people had searched frantically for without finding.

Shen Yao touched her chin, deciding that if she had the chance, she should still try not to go out; her small frame couldn't withstand great fortune, so she'd let the children bear it themselves.

…………

The appearance of the Imperial Seal put Liu Jingsheng in a good mood, and Liu Mingxuan and the others also received rewards.

Liu Jingsheng had even granted them official positions according to their preferences, waiting only for the Coronation Ceremony to end and the new state to be established.

One month later, Liu Jingyan returned to Luojing, dusty and travel-worn from outside.

Shen Yao had been waiting at the doorway since early morning for Liu Jingyan; the two hadn't seen each other in years, so naturally there was much to say upon meeting.

"You've darkened, you've thinned," Shen Yao touched Liu Jingyan's face; seeing was believing, and the impact was enough to shock.

"So have you. While I wasn't by your side, did the children anger you?" Liu Jingyan only had time to change clothes and tidy himself up simply; the weariness and loneliness of years of wandering couldn't be dispelled easily.

Shen Yao shook her head. "They're all well-behaved," occasionally a bit out of tune, but full of filial devotion to her.

Liu Jingyan grabbed Shen Yao's wrist and quietly spoke of his affairs outside.

Aside from daily busyness, he also gathered information, not forgetting that Shen Yao liked going out to play; in earlier years they would go out from time to time, but in recent years they had been busy with the great undertaking, and Shen Yao mostly stayed in the Back Courtyard.

Now that the Human Race's territory was peaceful, they had the opportunity to go out, and Liu Jingyan naturally wouldn't let it pass.

"No rush. Once the palace matters are settled, we'll leave Luojing."

Shen Yao soothed Liu Jingyan; this man had returned this time for the matter of the ascension to the throne. Only if the Liu Family was legitimate would their years of effort not be wasted.

After finally returning, Liu Jingyan could still distinguish the importance of matters.

Smiling and nodding, he then told his wife about the bits and pieces of his time outside, until the sky gradually darkened, and only then did the two stop to dine.

Liu Jingyan returned that day and went nowhere except Shen Yao's place; he didn't even meet the four children.

It wasn't until the next morning, after Liu Jingyan finished breakfast, that he rose to enter the palace.

Liu Jingsheng had always lived in the palace, and Liu Xiuwen spent most of his time here, conveniently serving as a bodyguard to protect Liu Jingsheng.

They also feared remnants of Wei State might come to assassinate and cause trouble; the closer the ascension time, the livelier Luojing became, and the more unfamiliar faces there were.

"Jingyan, now that you're back, you needn't run so far in the future."

Liu Jingsheng planned to arrange a high-ranking yet easy position for his own younger brother; his own kin couldn't be shortchanged.

"Imperial Brother understands me, Subject Brother. I don't want to suffer hardship; I only wish to live leisurely."

Liu Jingyan had a frivolous smile, lacking his serious demeanor, and directly gave up, lying flat.

Liu Jingsheng:...

Liu Jingsheng glared at Liu Jingyan. "Nonsense," you were doing very well before.

Liu Jingyan spread his hands. "That was for the Liu Family." Now that the Liu Family had won a great victory, he didn't need to continue sacrificing himself; surely he deserved some personal time.

Liu Jingyan neither wanted to damage his relationship with Liu Jingsheng nor let his own family gain more power. The Royal Family was different from ordinary clans; just like the Wei Family, they hadn't been so corrupt and absurd at the beginning.

Power was both the antidote and the poison. Liu Jingyan didn't think he could control them, so it was better to stay away as early as possible.

Facing Liu Jingyan's clear self-awareness, Liu Jingsheng was speechless.

After all, the bottom line was that their relationship changed as their respective statuses rose. Even if Liu Jingsheng didn't care about these things, what about the court officials and hangers-on?

People are sometimes strange—helpless, saying one thing and meaning another.

Liu Jingsheng ultimately didn't persuade Liu Jingyan, but waved his hand, letting him do as he wished.

But after all, they were real brothers; the benefits due wouldn't be lacking for Liu Jingyan.

"Subject Brother thanks Imperial Brother."

Although calling him that felt awkward, Liu Jingyan said identities had to be handled properly; they couldn't interact as before. Being distant was better than becoming enemies.

Turning around to find Liu Xiuwen in the back, Liu Jingyan told him about his affairs outside. Confirming there was nothing more to say, he slowly left the Imperial Palace and returned to his Prefecture residence.

Liu Mingxuan and the four others waited in the Small Courtyard. Seeing their Qin Zi arrive, they hurried forward to express their longing.

Liu Jingyan waved his hand. "To the Study."

The five father and sons chatted in the Study until dawn; even dinner was brought by Shen Yao's servant.

"I don't know why you insist on talking at night. You're all grown up; how can your bodies withstand staying up?"

Shen Yao glared at Liu Jingyan. This man really left her speechless; he wasn't young, yet his actions weren't steady.

Liu Jingyan gave an embarrassed laugh and pinched his nose. "Just wanted to finish quickly and free up time to spend more time with you." The couple hadn't seen each other for a long time; normally they should communicate more when there was nothing else to do.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao was left speechless, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "You're the head of the family, so you're right. Hurry and sit down to rest, and sleep a while while there's time."

Shen Yao felt heartache for Liu Jingyan's body, brought over the prepared Qi Nourishing Soup, and urged him with words to drink it down quickly.

Liu Jingyan held the bowl and drank it all in one go. "The taste hasn't changed after all these years," still just as hard to swallow as ever.

"I put some Calming Pill in the nourishing soup. I heard from the little servant you haven't been sleeping well," Shen Yao reached out to help Liu Jingyan up toward the bedside. The bedding had already been prepared by someone. Liu Jingyan lay down directly, pulled the quilt over himself, and fell asleep.

Shen Yao sat by the bedside for a while. Seeing Liu Jingyan's breathing gradually stabilize, she then turned and left.

"Qing Shui, have someone send the medicinal herbs from the storehouse to the kitchen. Stew one bowl of Qi Nourishing Soup and send it over every day from now on."

Liu Jingyan's body is frail, with faint signs of heart-blood depletion. Shen Yao thought that during this period both sides happen to have free time, so she should properly nurse him back to health, trying to replenish what was lost.

Qing Shui nodded in agreement, mentioning that the manor's physician still had some good tonics. They could take the opportunity to mix some into the meals, repairing the master's body by adjusting the nourishing prescriptions.

"Mm, this small matter I'll leave to your judgment," Shen Yao's daily meals were all handled by Qing Shui. "If there's anything in the manor, inform me promptly. You may go."

Waving her hand to dismiss Qing Shui, Shen Yao thought of the time she had mentioned setting the other party free but was refused.

But Qing Shui now has her own silver money and fields. Even when she grows old in the future, with the Liu Family there, there's no worry about no one caring for her. This already counts as a pretty good ending.

"Host, when do you plan to go out?" The System jumped out from inside her brain.

"Wait until Luojing's matters are done," Shen Yao closed the door and went to the bedchamber to sit down.

"Will you go to the Demon Race domain? Right now it's much more lively there than the Human Race."

The System had just finished watching the show and returned. The whole System was in an excited state.

Shen Yao's expression didn't change. "The Demon Race is dangerous. With my abilities I can't handle it."

"Eh? What a pity. A Demon Treasure has appeared in the Demon Race," the System smacked its lips, its words full of lingering regret.

"A Demon Treasure — only one with great Fortune can obtain it," Shen Yao poured herself a cup of fragrant tea. "Could it be Mingchen's fortuitous encounter?"

System:......

The System lagged for a long while, finally nodded. "The Heavenly Dao Consciousness acted as matchmaker."

As if reacting, the System's fur stood on end, cursing the Heavenly Dao Consciousness for deceiving it.

Shen Yao:......

Shen Yao looked speechlessly at the little cloud cluster in her mind, thinking to herself this System is really easy to dismiss. Just a couple of sentences can lead it astray.

"Alright, you still have to interact with the Heavenly Dao Consciousness. Control your emotions a bit yourself." That is their biggest financial backer in this Shijie, the key determining how much Reward they can take away.

Letting the System vent, Shen Yao began casually pumping it for information. "The Demon Race's liveliness is related to the Treasure. Could it be they're having internal strife?"

The System picked up the thread. "Not just internal strife — there are external enemies too. Right now they're no different from the Human Race back then." The situation between them has simply flipped completely.

And the reason the Demon Race became like this is directly related to the Liu Family.

Because in this long-term war with the Human Race, the Demon Race lost in the end.

Although the Demon Race gained quite a few benefits during the period, the Demon Race isn't the Human Race. They don't understand the principle of not draining the pond to catch the fish. The plundering nature engraved in their bones makes them unable to learn the Human Race's ways. They can only be driven by their nature.

The simplest example: when the Liu Family captures a city, they choose to recuperate and let the people settle and thrive before harvesting.

The Demon Race only knows how to break through a place and slaughter wildly, leaving no retreat for either side.

Right now the Demon Race is defeated, internal contradictions are surging. The Treasure incident provokes Demon Race coveting. Strange Phenomena keep appearing, eroding and occupying Demon Race territory... what good can the Demon Race get?

The System muttered and grumbled, telling its host what it had seen. Mainly still in the form of complaints, not guaranteeing there isn't exaggeration.

Shen Yao listened to the System's words, thoughtfully standing together with the System, thereby prompting the System to say a lot about the Demon Race's situation.

System:......

After reacting, the System ignored Shen Yao. No matter how Shen Yao called, it wouldn't respond.

Shen Yao didn't bother with the System throwing a little tantrum. Instead she turned to look at Liu Jingyan, still sleeping.

"It's time for lunch."

Liu Jingyan's body needs recuperation. Three meals a day are especially important.

Shen Yao woke Liu Jingyan and ordered the servants to bring the meal to the table.

The light stir-fried dishes looked appetizing. Shen Yao picked up two chopsticks' worth and put them in Liu Jingyan's bowl and plate. "Taste it first. See if it suits your appetite."

Liu Jingyan picked up his chopsticks and tasted a mouthful. "Not bad. I really am a bit hungry."

At first his belly didn't feel anything. Now it started gurgling and rumbling.

Liu Jingyan touched his belly, buried his head and ate fiercely. After a bout of wolfing it down, he put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hand. "Still, the taste of home suits me best."

When he was outside, he was alone. Most of the time Liu Jingyan was just making do.

Returning home is different. Wife and child by his side. Even if the food is simple, it still lets him wear a face full of satisfaction.

Eating and drinking their fill, the two sat together and started chatting idly. They spoke of their respective experiences.

Liu Jingyan spoke the most. Inside the city, outside the city... "... the common people, not one in ten survives.

When I left, the town population was slowly recovering. Who knows how many years it will take."

Shen Yao pillowed on Liu Jingyan's chest. "As long as the political power is stable and the Court peaceful, there will come a day when the Human Race recovers the prosperity of earlier years."

The Human Race is a race that can endure great hardship. As long as there is hope, the Human Race will not give up.

This war has been fought for decades. Counting from the appearance of Strange Phenomena, it's even more ancient.

But now? Strange Phenomena exist within Human Race territory, yet their quantity is not large.

On the contrary, the Demon Race side has erupted in a frenzy. Strange Phenomena are harvesting Demon Race lives, just like they harvested the Human Race back then.

"You want to leave Luojing? Where to?" Shen Yao was dressed in glittering gold, just come out of the palace. She hadn't even caught her breath before she heard about Liu Mingchen wanting to leave.

Liu Mingchen spoke the truth. "Mother, this time your son's return date is uncertain. Destination uncertain."

He didn't have a definite place he had to go. Just a voice in his heart guiding him.

He was born different, unlike others. Liu Mingchen accepts this well.

Hearing this, Shen Yao raised her head and looked fixedly at Liu Mingchen for a good while before speaking. "Be careful on the road. Go bid farewell to your father and the others."

Liu Mingchen nodded, turned and went to the study to confront Liu Jingyan, then entered the palace to see Liu Jingsheng and Liu Xiuwen.

Now the new dynasty is established, named Qian. Liu Jingsheng is the Founding Monarch.

The rest of the Liu Family had all received formal appointments, including the authority assigned to them.

Liu Mingchen was the most unusual of the Liu Family's direct line, high in martial force but low in actual power.

This also meant Liu Mingchen's departure from Luojing attracted no one's attention at all.

After two months apart from Liu Mingchen, Liu Jingyan and Shen Yao left, while Liu Jingsheng arranged guards for protection and city guards to clear the road.

Liu Mingxuan and the other two also ran over to see them off; all three held positions, and apart from Liu Mingxuan, Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingjin got what they wished for.

"Go back," Shen Yao left with nonchalance, not caring at all whether the children were happy or not.

Liu Mingxuan had finally managed to get a yamen close to his mother where he could work normal hours every day, but he did not want his birth mother and birth father to both leave Luojing.

"Eldest Young Master, take it easy; Father and Mother can't stay put, they'll definitely come back."

Liu Mingfei patted Liu Mingxuan's shoulder with old talk, while Liu Mingjin stood to one side adding a couple of sentences meant to wound.

Liu Mingxuan pushed away his annoying younger siblings, turned around, and returned to the yamen to continue handling affairs.

Life would not always revolve around one person; everyone was the main character of their own life.

After Shen Yao and Liu Jingyan came out, they headed south all the way, not only planning to visit every town to the south, but also hoping to take the opportunity to investigate Liu Mingchen's whereabouts and see if they could run into him.

"This child left just like that, with no word at all," Liu Jingyan said angrily, more worried about the child's safety.

Shen Yao could often see Liu Mingchen through the system's positioning, certain that heading south all the way they would run into him, "Maybe we're in sync—Mingchen might be waiting in the town ahead."