VOLUME 8 CHAPTER 65: DONT TELL ME THIS IS A SECRET LATE NIGHT RENDEZVOUS(13)

Liu Bei POV

Liao Hua, get Guan Ping, were leaving.

Yes.

I gave the order to Liao Hua, whod already made her way to Guan Ping before I told her and carried her up, not forgetting the blanket.

Elder brother, the blanket

Ah, its fine, its fine. What is one small blanket when my blood brother has rendered to me such great assistance?

Thank you very much.

Its fine, its fine.

I saluted him but Liu Biao continued to push me out. When we made our way to the door, he turned back and yelled, My lady, Ill be sending him out and will be back soon.

When he finished, he pushed me out with even greater zest. Only after we left the room and entered the courtyard did our pace lighten up.

Elder brother, what was the rush for? I asked, and found that Liu Biaos expression was much more serious than before.

No, its nothing. Liu Biao turned around before sighing, There are some things I mean to discuss with you at length.

When Liu Biao said this, he looked at Liao Hua who was carrying Guan Ping some ways behind. When Liao Hua saw this, she understood and stopped some distance away from us.

Liu Biao looked relieved and pulled me close, I believe you understand Qier pretty well after the Jiangxia expedition right?

Ah, un. I nodded as an ominous premonition sprouted in my heart.

Then what about Conger? Do you understand her?

Ive met her a few times before but I havent really spoken to her much so I cant say I really understand her.

Then, if I were to pass on, should I hand over Jing state to Qier or Conger?

Its here, its here, its here!

I was still wondering what all those questions were about. I knew that he wanted to discuss this with me today but I didnt think the climax would come at the very end.

Ahem Umm, what do you think you should do?

Hai, if I knew, I wouldnt be asking you. Liu Biao shook his head, By right, it should go to my firstborn, which means that Qier is undeniably my heir. But over the past 2 years, Cai Mao and my Lady have been persuading me to make Conger my heir. Conger has always been a smart girl and her studies are excellent. If she were to be my heir, she would undoubtedly be an excellent ruler.

Then you think Liu Qi wouldnt be a good ruler?

Un Thats not what I meant. But shes so rigid usually that I feel like its hard to get close to her as a father.

Eh? You wish to be closer with her?

Liu Biaos words greatly confused me. Based on what Liu Qi said, and from their interactions, it was clear that Liu Biao was every inch the strict patriarch.

Well of course I do, which father doesnt want to get along with his children? When he said this, Liu Biaos expression wavered and a helpless smile floated up, Of course, I have to admit that the impression Ive given her isnt too good. Sometimes, I cant help myself and there are proprieties to adhere to.

You place too much emphasis on those and are too strict on yourself and her.

I cant help it, Im royalty after all. Liu Biao gave his usual reply. Unlike before though, his words did not have the strength behind it. It seems like even for someone like him, he finds it vexing and feels helpless when hes trapped between his principles and his personal feelings.

So What do you think?

Un I pretended to consider it for a moment before giving my reply, I think Liu Qi will make a good heir. And if you truly think that the proprieties are important, then shouldnt you give it to your firstborn?

Its because of that, that Im still hesitating. Liu Biao looked a bit lost as he said so, and I was puzzled until he gave his next words.

Qier is after all, only my firstborn daughter, and not my firstborn son.

Un, I suppose.

Right!

I was calm on the surface but frantic inside. Id completely forgotten that Liu Qi was his daughter and assumed that there was no difference between making a son and daughter an heir. How do I put it? Have I been completely brainwashed by this eras societal views? Have I been ingrained with the notion of gender equality?

But if I think about it, its a little weird. The Sun clan doesnt have a problem handing things to their daughter. And surely there must be other powerful families who face the same issue of having no sons.

Aiya, what do I do now? Im completely confused.

Ahem, I cleared my throat and did my best to calm myself down.

Ah Wont it do to pass it to your firstborn daughter then?

Its not that it cant be done, its just that I hope that the one who can be my heir is male.

Do you have a son?

Unfortunately no.

Then that doesnt work then. Youll have to go with your firstborn daughter.

Un

I did my best to act as normal as I could despite how strange this situation was becoming.

Alright. I guess Im just a weirdo. Its clearly the same whether its male or female. After sinking into thought for a long while, Liu Biao said these words as he chuckled self-deprecatingly.

No, your thinking is what is more normal even for me. Its not a good thing but its definitely normal. When I saw the guilty expression on Liu Biaos face, I felt my guilt rising as well.

I was the one who acted nonchalant as though he was the one who was weird when he raised the issue of making his daughter his heir.

Ah, perhaps I really have changed.

Its not too weird Boys are a little more dependable, I guess. I said, trying to recall my 21st century societal norms.

No need to console me, were in the era of the Great Han now and I know what is right and what is wrong.

Cant believe I got berated instead

Alright, since blood brother has recommended Qier, Ill think about it on the way back. Liu Biao nodded, though Im not sure if its because hes accepted it or hes given up for now.

Un, that will be the best course of action.

Good luck. I hope you can reach a suitable decision. Ah, by the way

By the way, youre only 30 over years of age, why have you begun considering this problem?

Before I could finish, Liu Biao seemed to realise what I meant and smiled as he lowered his head, No, it was just something that popped up. Look, I could probably die anytime after all.

When he raised his head, he revealed a toothy smile that made me feel profoundly lonely. It seems like he has more to say but its too difficult for me to guess what it is.

I guess its fine anyway. Establishing an heir early isnt a bad decision. No matter the era, inheritance issues are always messy. Here in this era, we have territory and official positions; back in the present, we have houses, land and insurance payouts. Its never too early to think about making a will.