Chapter Sixty-One: Stay by My Side

The young girl tilted her head, blinking at Liu Chan, her long, curled lashes fluttering with each movement of her eyelids.

Then, leaning close to Liu Chan's ear, her breath as fragrant as orchids, she whispered, "Brother Emperor, have you forgotten? I can tell which people harbor goodwill or malice toward you!"

"What do you mean?" Liu Chan asked, puzzled.

"It means I can read other people's thoughts," the little girl replied, utterly serious.

What? His sister-in-law could read minds?

Startled and intrigued, Liu Chan found himself very curious. Mind reading was a supernatural ability, rare even in the crowded world of his previous life. If his sister-in-law truly possessed such a skill, would all his hidden thoughts be laid bare before her?

This made him anxious, and he scratched his nose, testing, "Then tell me, what am I thinking now?"

The girl pouted and shook her head, "Brother Emperor, haven't we tried this before? I can't read your thoughts. Even with others, I can only sense thoughts related to you. You told me before, because you're the Son of Heaven, supreme above all, I can't probe your mind. Besides, to read others' thoughts, you must lend me your imperial aura."

"How do I lend you my aura?"

"..."

At that moment, Liu Chan was like a curious child, asking endless questions. Soon, he understood the limits of his sister-in-law's mind-reading ability.

Though called mind reading, it was far from true omniscience. She could only sense specific thoughts from certain people, and two crucial factors governed her ability. First, the emperor himself had to be present; only then could she discern others' thoughts. Liu Chan guessed he wasn't the sole trigger—more accurately, his sister-in-law could help any emperor distinguish those harboring ill intent. If she were at the side of the current Wei Emperor, Cao Rui, the ability would likely function just as well.

The second condition was status: she could only read the thoughts of those whose rank was lower than hers. If someone outranked her, she was powerless.

Liu Chan had already devised a solution: he could hold her in his arms or let her sit on his shoulders. Such intimate contact allowed her to borrow his imperial influence, making it possible even to sense the thoughts of powerful figures like Prime Minister Zhuge Liang.

It might not match true mind reading, but it was formidable nonetheless.

No wonder Liu Chan doted on his sister-in-law so much—it was for this reason.

Still, he was certain Liu Chan also coveted her beauty. To possess her would mean carrying a super lie detector everywhere, and with her looks, Liu Chan believed no emperor could resist. Even he secretly resolved to claim this sister-in-law for himself.

He had more questions, but footsteps sounded outside. He stopped, bent down, and gently cradled her, whispering, "See if you can sense what the newcomer is thinking."

She answered softly, wrapping her arms around the emperor's neck.

Turning, they saw Eunuch Wang Li enter, bent at the waist. Approaching Liu Chan, he bowed even lower and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please move to the side hall; the meal is ready!"

Liu Chan nodded, "You may go. I will come shortly."

---

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Li retreated from the hall.

Liu Chan leaned close to the girl and asked quietly, "Tell me, what was he thinking?"

"Brother Emperor, his mind is chaotic. I could only sense that he was deciding what information to report to his master."

"His master?" Liu Chan murmured. "Surely the Prime Minister!"

"No, Brother Emperor, the Prime Minister didn't appear in his thoughts. Instead, it was Zhuge Dan," the girl replied, shaking her head.

"Zhuge Dan?" Liu Chan frowned, angered. "It's one thing for Zhuge Liang to plant spies at my side, but Zhuge Dan? What is he, anyway?"

He nodded, making a mental note of the matter.

For the entire day, Liu Chan lingered beside his sister-in-law, sharing lunch with her. The palace seamstresses took her measurements, and the Empress, following Liu Chan's orders, prepared to have special undergarments and trousers made for her.

He insisted that as the girl was growing, she needed proper support.

The three consorts muttered to themselves, suspecting the emperor's motives were less than pure, but dared not voice their thoughts and obeyed.

Though they said nothing, their inner feelings were not hidden from the ever-present Zhang Sirou, who gleefully reported them to Liu Chan.

"Brother Emperor, my sister is thinking she should request I be sent out of the palace, so I won't stay overnight!"

"Sister Li is scolding me, calling me a little temptress, saying at such a young age I can already bewitch Brother Emperor's heart. I know 'little temptress' is an insult. Brother Emperor, you must defend me!"

"In the future, you must only probe others' thoughts when I ask you," Liu Chan replied with a smile to her complaints. Jealousy was natural; as long as nothing was excessive, he wouldn't pursue it. Who didn't have a bit of petty resentment?

The girl nodded obediently but soon added, "Sister Wang is thinking Brother Emperor will claim me sooner or later."

She looked at Liu Chan with innocent eyes.

"Uh..." Liu Chan was speechless.

Though he now knew everyone's thoughts, he finally made a suggestion.

"Empress, my little sister is exceptionally clever. I think she should stay with you in the palace, and I will personally teach her knowledge and martial arts. What do you think? A fine jade must be carefully polished!"

The three consorts exchanged glances, inwardly remarking, "A fox always reveals its tail! So quickly..."

"Your Majesty, this—" The Empress was at a loss, unable to refute the emperor's lofty, righteous words.

After some thought, she found a solution, "Your Majesty, you know my father has passed, and my brothers are away at war. Only my mother and little sister remain at home. If my sister stays in the palace, my mother will be left alone. I beg Your Majesty to let my sister return home for now!"

Liu Chan nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, the three consorts breathed a sigh of relief. If Zhang Sirou stayed in the palace, their hard-won closeness with the emperor would surely be lost.

---

But the emperor's next words caused new unease.

"That can be arranged. I grant the Empress and little sister the right to visit their family at any time. Whenever you wish, you may leave the palace!" He called Wang Li in and ordered, "Go to the manufacturing bureau and have a carriage made, ready for the Empress's use at any time! Make it modest, nothing too grand."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Li obeyed and left.

"Your Majesty, my sister is still young. I beg you..." The Empress tried to argue, signaling her sister to speak up and refuse, hoping the emperor might relent.

But her sister was already delighted and excited, so hoping for her to object was futile.

"Bang!" Liu Chan rose and slammed the small table before him. His strength now far surpassed before, and the table shattered, sending tea splashing everywhere.

The four in the room were startled, unable to rise.

Liu Chan shook off the tea that splashed onto him, declaring solemnly, "I know your thoughts, but am I so contemptible in your eyes? Well then, little sister, do you wish to stay in the palace?"

He had spoken so much, even displayed the first anger since arriving in this world, yet hadn't asked the girl's opinion.

"Brother Emperor, of course I wish to stay! I can visit Mother more often if needed," the girl replied, delighted.

The Empress gazed at the emperor in astonishment. The timid man she once knew was gone. Now, he radiated a commanding presence, allowing no dissent. She dared not try to browbeat him as before.

She sensed that if she acted as she once did, the emperor would surely grow angry.

Moreover, her sister agreed.

With resistance futile, she could only yield.

But for her sister's sake, she had to speak, even if it risked her life.

She bit her lip and said, "If Your Majesty can promise me one thing, I will discuss it with Mother."

"Speak," Liu Chan said.

"I wish Your Majesty not to lay a hand on my sister until she comes of age," the Empress pleaded, her tone both earnest and resolute.

Liu Chan was silent. He did intend to claim his sister-in-law, but more so for her extraordinary ability, as he urgently needed someone to distinguish loyalty and treachery for him. Keeping her close was the only way. If the butterfly's wings caused some unforeseen change, what then? As for touching her, that could wait until she was grown. As a man from another time, he understood how not to harm a young girl.

"Empress, rest assured—I truly cherish my little sister and will never do her harm!"

"That is best," the Empress replied, resigned.