World's First Traitor System (389)

Chapter 389 - Not Your Biological Daughter

With the Great Zhou’s ascension, the Southern Ridge Mountains were safe once more. Lu Chunqiu prepared to depart.

“I will leave my disciples here, to assist you in governing the kingdom.”

“Thank you, Father-in-Law.” Fan Li expressed his gratitude, still slightly bewildered by the shift in their dynamic. He'd never imagined he would one day tread so carefully around Lu Chunqiu. But he deserved it. Lu Fubao, after all, was the Empress of Great Jin.

“I’m taking Chan’er with me,” Lu Chunqiu said sternly. “You don’t like her, do you?”

Fan Li, his thoughts laid bare, was embarrassed. “It’s not that I dislike her, it’s just that she’s…”

“Just what?!” Lu Chunqiu’s voice dropped to a low growl. “You despise her because she isn't your biological daughter? Because she’s the reincarnation of a Pure Land Sage Ruler? Have you forgotten how Yan Yuan died?! Do you think my hatred for the Great Ci Dynasty is any less than yours? If you remain so narrow-minded, you’ll never be more than a petty regional lord! To unify all under heaven, you must embrace all, regardless of their origins!”

Fan Li stared, speechless. He was experiencing firsthand the fierce protectiveness of a grandparent. Lu Chunqiu’s love for little Diao Chan was undeniable.

Fan Li harbored no ill will towards Diao Chan. Yan Yuan’s death had been a consequence of Lu Bu’s betrayal, a betrayal motivated by his love for Diao Chan. But Diao Chan, the Sage Ruler of Fate, had been a mere tool in Empress Yao Guang’s hands. He couldn't blame the knife for the wound. His anger was directed at the one who wielded it.

“Father-in-Law,” Fan Li said sincerely, “I was wrong. I neglected Chan’er. I won’t do so again.”

“Prove it.” Lu Chunqiu’s expression remained stern, but his tone softened slightly.

Fan Li thought for a moment, then summoned Qin Shun. “Issue my decree. From this day forward, my eldest daughter, Diao Chan, is granted the title of Princess Ping’an. Director Yu Shenzi will select three Azure Cloud Sect elders to accompany the princess to Lu City. These elders will be responsible for providing all necessary pills for the princess’s cultivation. The Imperial Hospital will supply the ingredients. Grand Marshal Hu Zongxian will select one thousand Ming Wolf Troops to serve as the princess’s personal guard. They will instruct her in the Dragon Scale Technique and formation combat. They will accompany her to Lu City. Chancellor Wang Ban will oversee the construction of Princess Ping’an’s residence in Jin City.”

Fan Li’s series of decrees brought a smile to Lu Chunqiu’s face. “Excellent! Rest assured, Your Majesty, when Great Jin conquers the world, I will return your daughter, a skilled warrior and scholar, worthy of both the title of Princess Ping’an and the mantle of Marquis Wenxin!”

Fan Li was stunned. Such blatant favoritism! The old man was even willing to bestow his hereditary title! Lu Chunqiu’s generosity was truly boundless.

“Father-in-Law,” Fan Li whispered, “when Fubao has children, what about the title of Marquis Wenxin?”

“Isn’t there also the throne of Great Jin?” Lu Chunqiu retorted.

Fan Li was speechless. Was his father-in-law truly this presumptuous? Had he just claimed the position of future Emperor for his granddaughter? This was practically treason! As Fan Li inwardly fumed, Lu Chunqiu chuckled.

“Do not worry, I was jesting. Chan’er possesses a natural affinity for scholarship. She is a worthy successor. As for the throne of Great Jin, I expect you to occupy it for a very long time. Do not pass it on to anyone else. Understand?”

Understand? Fan Li blinked, then realized Lu Chunqiu’s true ambition for him. He expected Fan Li to ascend with his entire kingdom, to rule in the immortal realm!

Lu Chunqiu clapped Fan Li on the shoulder. “I depart tomorrow. Spend the day with Chan’er.”

…

In the Imperial Garden, Fan Li found Diao Chan… playing in the mud. Despite her young age, her beauty was already evident, reminding him of their first, brief encounter in Chang’an. Time had passed. She was still her, yet she was not the same.

“Chan’er.”

The child looked up, startled.

“Daddy!” She scrambled to her feet, barely reaching his knees.

“Are you playing in the mud?” Fan Li asked, a wry smile on his face. She was a princess, yet her fine clothes were covered in dirt, her hands caked in mud.

“I’m not playing, Daddy! I’m making you a present!”

Fan Li was intrigued. “What kind of present?”

He saw a patch of bare earth where Diao Chan had uprooted the flowers. The exposed mud had been shaped into several small figures.

“This is Mommy,” Diao Chan explained, pointing to her creations. “This is Auntie Qing Qiu. This is Grandfather.”

The figures were crude, barely recognizable, yet Fan Li smiled. “They’re wonderful, Chan’er! You’re very talented.”

He thought she was finished, but several figures remained. “Who are these?” he asked.

“Daddy, don’t you recognize them?” She tilted her head, frowning, as if surprised by his ignorance. “This is Auntie Han Yue, Auntie Chang Le, and… Concubine Xiang Ning!”

Fan Li’s face burned. Why would Lu Fubao tell a child such things?! What would Diao Chan think of him when she was older? Where was his paternal authority? He had no dignity left!

He forced a smile. “These are all presents for me? I love them.”

“There’s more!” Diao Chan shook her head. “I’m not finished yet, Daddy!”

Fan Li’s heart sank. Surely, there were no more “Aunties”? He braced himself for further humiliation. But he had worried needlessly.

“This is Daddy!” Diao Chan presented him with the final figure.

Fan Li was surprised. All the figures were crudely made, but this one… it had a face. A stern, serious face. “Is this how she sees me? As a strict and unapproachable father?” A pang of guilt touched his heart. He looked at Diao Chan’s face, her excitement tinged with a hint of nervousness. Lu Chunqiu’s words echoed in his mind: You don’t like her, do you?