The Empress’ Livestream

“Help me lie down.” The stepmother coughed with a bitter smile and rested with the attendant’s aid.

The girl showed her discontent. “My lord should have stayed longer here! You, my lady, have been most devoted to the family and are always attentive to our Second Langjun.”

“His strong attachment to my sister never died. Our marriage is the most I can ask of him… I must not expect too much.” She had accepted her fate. Her brother-in-law had agreed to marry her just to save her from difficulty and to give her peace.

Yet sometimes she could not help but feel agitated by the difference in his attitude toward her compared to his attitude toward her deceased sister. She had told herself a thousand times that she should be thankful, not jealous. But still… was it so hard to give her his love, even just a little, after all those years of treating Liu Lanting as her own child?

The attendant did not understand what the stepmother meant because she had only worked in the house for a few years.

“The one in western yard… Does she know about the Master’s arrival?”

The stepmother was very ill. Although she had regained her hope in life, she needed great care in order to recover.

After thinking for a moment, the attendant replied, “I suppose so, my lady. I wonder if my lord will stay over at Madam Hu’s tonight…”

That would be a blow to her. He was usually rational enough to prevent such misdeeds, but maybe he had lost self-control this time. And what could the sick lady do to change his mind?

The stepmother shared the same concern, yet she was dismayed by her attendant. She scolded, “Have I spoiled you so that you have forgotten the rules? The master is never the subject of your gossips!”

Frightened, the girl kneeled to beg for forgiveness. The sight seemed to suffocate the stepmother, so she gestured for her to leave.

She rubbed her forehead and closed her eyes, and then she turned to lay on her side. “Go kneel outside and think about what you have said. The master is far stricter than me. If he knew about your words, the lightest punishment you could hope for is to be sold to the slave market.”

As Liu She returned to the main yard, he felt much more comfortable. He had changed into clean clothes and had taken a medicine that would prevent sickness. He then moved about in the living room, unable to read a word from the bamboo slips that were in his hand.

Nighttime approached slowly, and he glanced at the entrance more and more frequently like an impulsive young man. He was no longer the Master Liu whom others perceived as calm and shrewd.

He waited for so long that he began to wonder if his daughter had lost her way home like his deceased wife often did.

Finally, when he turned his gaze for the thirty-third time, a servant brought in a notice. “My lord, Second Langjun is waiting in the adjoining room.”

“Go! Go lead him in!” Liu She’s heart skipped a beat, and he hid the roll of bamboo slips. He must not make his child think that he was going to test her learning progress.

This was what Jiang Pengji saw as she reached the living room: a man sitting straight in the master’s position, dressed in a white, elegant costume with silver embroidery. On his shoulders was a black coat, which appeared to be slightly too large for him. His pallid hands were in good shape and were resting at ease on his knees. The moment she entered, his eyes brightened.

Jiang Pengji bowed near him. Meanwhile, she was making conclusions from her observations. The wet hair and neat clothing showed that he had taken a bath soon after arriving home. When his eyes met hers, there were unnatural muscle movements in his face, and he moved his hands nervously without noticing. It seemed as though he was anxious about their first meeting…

His clothing, though it was not worn out, was obviously made a long time ago. That kind of textile was no longer fashionable, and some of its parts had pilled. The size did not fit him as well.

The wealthy family could surely afford to make new costumes for the master. He must have kept this outfit for other reasons; it most likely had special meaning for him.

Additionally, the man’s nails were cut tidily and were healthily pink, so he was hygienic and maintained a healthy lifestyle. On his left hand he wore a wedding ring that did not belong to this era, which proved that Liu Lanting’s mother had come from the future. He always kept the ring with him, and he took good care of it and habitually rubbed its surface. That explained why the carved patterns on the ring’s shiny, smooth surface were slightly faded and why he had a mark on his finger.

Moreover, he had kept his distance from females, for his scent was not mingled with others. His back was straight and stiff, his cheeks were overly red, and his breath was abnormal. Was he sick?

After making these conjectures, Jiang Pengji looked down without any intention of starting a conversation. Liu She also didn’t know what to say.

The silence persisted for a while until he abruptly said, “Lanting, come and sit beside me. You have grown much over these years…”

She could sense the uneasiness in his voice. He was undoubtedly eager to talk with her. This surprised Jiang Pengji. So her “dad” was really nervous about seeing her!

She ignored the drooling faces from her livestream audience and sat down next to Liu She, though she kept a distance of about three steps.

She felt obliged to start conversation now after seeing Liu She’s eagerness to speak with her.

“Father, it appears you have a high temperature. Is it because of the long journey? Have you sent for a physician?”

Liu She nodded. The fever had caused his dry lips to peel and crack. His mouth trembled for a while, and he was unable to utter a word. He looked at her without turning his gaze and wished time could pass slower. At last, when he could no longer contain himself, he placed his hand on her head and gently touched her hair.

“I am fine. I have just taken the medicine that was prescribed by the physician,” he answered.

At the same time, the System interface filled with even more drooling faces.

“…”

Dazhuangzu Furen: “Oh my god! Host, can I be your stepmom? I graduated from college, and I can do laundry, cook dinner, and play computer games with my feet!”

Shitang Dafan Ayi: “I am desperate. I thought ancient people are all ugly and coarse, but all I can see is a house full of beauties. The weak father is definitely my favorite!”

Zhiai Meinan: “That is too much for me. My heartbeat is still abnormally quick after that touch on the head!”

Yisheng Fangdangbuji Zhiailian: “Host, I wonder if your daddy has an eight-pack.”

Being good-looking was of great importance in all eras.

Host V: “I regret to say it, but his shape is probably not much better than a skeleton’s.”