Chapter 61: Slogans and the Transformation of the Commander's Barracks

The young girl tilted her head, blinking as she gazed at Liu Chan, her long and curling eyelashes fluttering with each movement of her eyelids. Then, she leaned close to Liu Chan's ear, her breath fragrant as orchids, and whispered, "Brother Emperor, have you forgotten? I can tell which people harbor kindness or ill will toward you!"

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

"I mean, I can read what others are thinking," the girl said earnestly.

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

Astonished, Liu Chan was also intensely curious. Mind reading belonged to the realm of supernatural abilities, rarer than rare, even in his previous world of billions. If she truly possessed such a skill, wouldn't all his secrets be laid bare before her? A hint of nervousness crept into his heart. Scratching his nose, he tested her, "Then, tell me, what am I thinking right now?"

The girl pursed her lips 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 once said it's because you are the Son of Heaven, supreme above all, so I can't probe your mind. Also, to sense others' thoughts, I need you to lend me your authority."

"And how do I do that?" he asked.

She hesitated.

At this moment, Liu Chan was like a curious child, peppering her with questions. Soon, he understood the true extent of her so-called mind reading. It was, in fact, quite limited. She could only sense some specific thoughts, and only when the emperor himself was present. Liu Chan speculated that his presence wasn't strictly necessary; rather, any sovereign could trigger her ability. If she served a different emperor—say, Cao Rui of Wei—the effect would likely be the same.

The second limitation was status: she could only read the minds of those ranked below her. If someone’s rank exceeded hers, she was powerless.

Liu Chan had already devised a workaround for this: by holding her in his arms or letting her ride on his shoulders, their physical closeness allowed her to borrow his imperial authority. Then, even the likes of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang could be probed.

Though this was not true mind reading, it was still a formidable skill.

No wonder Liu Chan cherished his sister-in-law so much; this was the reason. Yet, he was almost certain that Liu Chan also coveted the girl’s beauty. To possess her was to carry a living lie detector, and with her looks, Liu Chan believed no emperor could refuse. Even he, Liu Chan, resolved in his heart to win her for himself.

He was about to ask more, but footsteps sounded outside. He stopped, instead gathering the girl into his arms and whispered, "Let’s see what’s on the mind of the one approaching."

She nodded softly, wrapping her arms around the emperor’s neck.

Turning, he saw Eunuch Wang Li enter, bowing low as he approached. When he neared Liu Chan, he bowed even deeper and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please proceed to the side hall. The meal is prepared!"

Liu Chan nodded. "You may go. I’ll be there shortly."

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

Afterwards, Liu Chan quietly asked the girl, "Tell me, what is he thinking?"

"Brother Emperor, his mind is troubled. I can only sense that he’s deciding what kind of message to send his master."

"His master?" Liu Chan echoed. "It must be the Prime Minister!"

"Wrong, Brother Emperor. He’s not thinking of the Prime Minister, but of Zhuge Dan," the girl replied, shaking her head.

"Zhuge Dan?" Liu Chan frowned, growing irritated. "It was bad enough that Zhuge Liang placed spies at my side, but Zhuge Dan? Who does he think he is?"

He nodded, making a mental note of it.

The entire day, Liu Chan lingered with his little sister-in-law, dining with her at noon. The palace seamstresses took her measurements, and by his order, the empress was to have corsets and trousers specially made for the girl.

He insisted, "She’s still growing—she needs proper support."

The three women, though secretly grumbling about the emperor’s intentions, didn’t dare voice their doubts and simply complied.

Though they said nothing, their thoughts were soon sensed by the girl, Zhang Sirou, who whispered them to Liu Chan as if seeking credit.

"Brother Emperor, my sister is wondering if she should ask for me to be sent home, to make sure I don’t spend the night in the palace!"

"Sister Li is cursing me, calling me a little vixen, saying that even at my age I can so easily bewitch Brother Emperor. I know that’s an insult—Brother Emperor, you must stand up for me!"

"In the future, you’ll only read the minds of those I ask you to, understood?" Liu Chan merely smiled at her complaints. Jealousy was universal, and as long as no one crossed the line, there was no need to pursue it. Who didn’t have a bit of pettiness in their heart?

The girl nodded, but then added, "Sister Wang is thinking that sooner or later, you’ll claim me as your own!"

She looked at Liu Chan with innocent eyes.

"Er..." Liu Chan was speechless.

Though he now knew everyone’s thoughts, he finally proposed, "Empress, your sister is clever beyond her years. I think she should remain in the palace with you, so I can personally teach her both knowledge and martial skills. Fine jade must be carefully carved!"

The three women exchanged glances, once more muttering inwardly, "A fox will always show its tail—so soon, too..."

"Your Majesty, this..." The empress was at a loss, unable to refute the emperor’s noble-sounding reasoning.

After some thought, she found a solution and said, "Your Majesty, you know my father is gone, and both my brothers are long at war, leaving only my mother and little sister at home. If my sister stays in the palace, my mother will be left alone. I beg you, let my sister return home for now!"

Liu Chan nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, the three women breathed a sigh of relief. If Zhang Sirou remained in the palace, their hard-won chance to be close to the emperor would vanish.

But in the next moment, the emperor’s words unsettled them again.

"That’s easily solved. I grant both you and your sister the right to visit your family at any time. Whenever you wish, you may leave the palace." Then, Liu Chan called out loudly for Wang Li and instructed, "Go to the workshops and have a carriage made for the empress, ready at her command. It needn’t be grand—just convenient."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Li withdrew again.

"Your Majesty, my sister is still young. I beg you..." the empress tried to resist, hoping her sister would refuse, but seeing her so happy and excited, she knew it was hopeless.

"Smack!" At her words, Liu Chan stood and struck the little table in front of him. With his newfound strength, the table shattered, scattering tea everywhere.

The four in the room all jumped in fright, not daring to rise.

Liu Chan wiped the spilled tea from his sleeve and declared, "I know what you’re thinking. But in your hearts, do you truly think so little of me? Now, little sister, do you wish to stay in the palace?"

He had said so much and even lost his temper for the first time since arriving—but had not yet asked the person herself.

"Brother Emperor, of course I do! At worst, I’ll just visit home more often to see Mother," the girl replied happily.

The empress gazed at the emperor in astonishment. The timid man she once knew was gone; now she sensed a forcefulness in him that brooked no opposition. She dared no longer treat him as before, tugging his ear to make him give in. She could tell that if she tried now, he would truly be angry.

And her sister had already agreed.

If she could not resist, she had no choice but to yield.

Yet there was one thing she must say, even at the risk of her life—for this was her own sister.

She gritted her teeth and said, "If Your Majesty will promise me one thing, I will speak to our mother."

"Name it," Liu Chan replied.

"I hope that, until my sister comes of age, Your Majesty will not touch her," the empress said, both pleading and resolute.

Liu Chan was left speechless. He did wish to claim his sister-in-law, but it was her extraordinary ability that he valued most, for he desperately needed someone to discern loyalty from treachery. To keep her close was the only way. As for touching her, of course he would wait until she came of age. As someone from another world, he knew better than to harm a young girl.

"You’ll see, Empress, I truly care for your sister and would never harm her."

"That is good," the empress replied, resigned.