CHAPTER 1000: CHAPTER 957: THE CRUX OF THE MATTER

The Zhang Clan appeared together with Zhen Mi, showing no signs of surprise to see someone with Liu Bei. After all, understanding Liu Bei as she does, if there weren’t a sage present, Liu Bei definitely wouldn’t treat her this way.

A man who prioritizes his career makes the Zhang Clan, born from an aristocratic family, feel slightly helpless, but compared to the narrow-mindedness of ordinary people, the Zhang Clan certainly wouldn’t dwell on such things.

However, upon seeing Liu Liang on the other side, she couldn’t help but be shocked. Unsure if it was an illusion, Liu Liang seemed almost unchanged from when she saw him a decade ago. She immediately bowed, "I was presumptuous, unaware of your presence, sir."

"Lady, there’s no need for this." Liu Liang gestured with a hand to support Zhang who rose naturally. As for Zhen Mi, though she followed Zhang in saluting, her demeanor showed no reverence. To put it accurately, she was entirely in a daze.

"Lord Xuande and the lady wouldn’t mind if I have a brief chat with the young lady, would they?" Liu Liang looked at the dazed Zhen Mi, sighed internally, and turned apologetically to the two. Even though she remains incomparably noble, some matters still need one’s grasp, not leaving everything to fate.

Noting Liu Liang’s calm gaze, Zhang nodded, as Zhen Mi’s current condition was indeed worrisome.

"What’s wrong with Mi’er?" Liu Liang took Zhen Mi aside before Liu Bei snapped back, noticing how all of Zhen Mi’s youthful spirit seemed to have vanished.

"Isn’t it all your Chen Zichuan’s fault!" Zhang angrily exclaimed. Her love for her daughter completely overshadowed any reverence for Chen Xi.

"Zichuan?" Liu Bei incredulously gazed at the departing Zhen Mi, "How is that possible? Isn’t Zichuan genuine toward Mi’er? His eyes when looking at Mi’er were no different from yours, weren’t they?"

"But he outright declared there’s no possibility between him and Mi’er, leaving her heartbroken!" Zhang’s eyes flared as she recounted to Liu Bei what Zhen Mi told her.

"That shouldn’t be! Is Zichuan out of his mind? What’s wrong with Mi’er?" Liu Bei was dumbfounded. He hadn’t paid attention to Chen Xi recently. Originally planning to arrange a marriage for Chen Xi to take advantage, and now this major issue arises when he was merely out to understand Jizhou’s local affairs.

"You’re asking me? Who am I to ask? Who can fathom Chen Zichuan’s thoughts?" Zhang was about to explode with anger. Her Legitimate Daughter from the Zhen Family marrying anyone wouldn’t be considered marrying up. Her talents, needlework, and beauty are all unmistakably remarkable, yet it seems like a curse from Chen Xi!

"I’ll talk to him, talk to him," Liu Bei wiped his forehead full of cold sweat, hastily making promises to Zhang, visibly aware of her grievances.

Although Liu Bei despised using such strategies, he knew well that marrying Zhen Mi to Chen Xi was the best way to strengthen ties. However, Liu Bei never took active steps to push for this matter.

Liu Bei hoped not to rely on such methods. With his years of understanding Chen Xi, a person like him can only be reached heart-to-heart. If you attempt manipulation, it’s only a matter of time before you suffer the consequences.

Thus, regarding Zhen Mi, Liu Bei always adopted a wait-and-see approach, waiting for the right moment rather than actively facilitating. He planned to marry the Zhang Clan himself, to gain a huge advantage over Chen Xi.

On the other side, Liu Liang observed Zhen Mi. Her appearance remained stunningly beautiful, her temperament as elegant and graceful as ever, but the only difference lay in her eyes, empty and lifeless.

"I have a way for you to achieve your wishes. The unparalleled destiny I foretold back then wasn’t about gaining prestige through a mother’s status but as a husband bringing honor to his wife. The man grasping the power over the realms will be both your stepfather and your husband, that’s what makes it unparalleled." Liu Liang’s unperturbed words slowly brought light back into Zhen Mi’s eyes.

In fact, Liu Liang came this time to see Zhen Mi, as the grand fate he predicted in the past shifted due to changes in the celestial phenomenon and Vitality Number, compelling him to reassess his once-proclaimed destiny. Zhen Mi was integral to that exalted destiny.

The results left Liu Liang conflicted. Though her beauty remains the same, and indeed noble beyond words, certain aspects underwent bizarre changes. For instance, gaining prestige through maternal status, something he eventually understood, and the previously straightforward husband bringing honor to his wife, now seemed broader, even hinting at the status of a Grand Princess...

Liu Liang held supreme confidence in his facial analysis skills. Liu Bei did not possess the face of an emperor, evident even if he were posthumously honored, but he wasn’t. Not an Imperial Princess, but a Grand Princess. Fortunately, it wasn’t entirely clear-cut, or Liu Liang might have wanted to gauge his own eyes out!

Liu Liang’s words stirred Zhen Mi’s deepest frustrations. Her once lifeless eyes slowly regained depth, fixing an investigative gaze upon Liu Liang without a word but with enough pressure to make Liu Liang feel the intensity slightly.

Some people, as they grow, become increasingly difficult to look at directly. Zhen Mi belonged to such a category. Initially closed-off at heart, she didn’t possess such an overwhelmingly noble aura, but when her spirit revived, her demeanor underwent massive transformation.

"Sir, feel free to speak frankly; since you came for this purpose, I presume you won’t mind Mi’s disregard," Zhen Mi spoke slowly, her voice as clear as wind chimes compelled Liu Liang to lower his guard completely.

"I assume you’ve noticed how Marquis Chen looks at you and compared it to how he looks at his wives and concubines. Reflect on any differences?" Liu Liang spoke as calmly as possible, understanding some insights could only be hinted, action rests with oneself, and Zhen Mi was intelligent enough to understand.

"There doesn’t seem to be any difference," Zhen Mi gradually responded, noticing no disparity in Chen Xi’s indulgence toward her and his wives.

"Then consider how Madame Zhang looks at you versus how Marquis Chen does; have you noticed anything?" Liu Liang sighed, "Haven’t you realized that the way Madame Zhang and Marquis Chen look at you is actually the same?"

"Though similar, love comes in many forms, familial affection, and romantic love. Marquis Chen sees Lady Fan and Lady Chen with familial love—a little odd but understandable. Madame Zhang’s familial gaze toward you is also natural." Liu Liang didn’t say further, but Zhen Mi grasped everything clearly.

Zhen Mi covered her mouth, looking at Liu Liang, unsure of what to say. Although finding it hard to believe, Liu Liang’s words made too much sense considering everything she’d observed; she overlooked an extremely crucial problem.

That Chen Xi looked at Zhen Mi as he did Fan Jian and Chen Lan—that was exactly the main issue, wasn’t it? Between Chen Xi and Fan Jian, Chen Lan, there wasn’t much romance, only plain yet incredibly profound familial love transformed from responsibility and affection. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) and cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)