I would like to be a Mary Sue. Perfect in every way. Relatively free of all flaws. Loved by everyone. And could talk my way out of trouble. With a national holiday. How cool would that be? Unfortunately, something beyond our control draws the card and I am no Mary Sue.
Just plain f**king stew which Zaixing made.
And something stirred the pot.
There, he was, Ji Feng's second brother. In front of me. Safely, ten meters away.
My brother, Ji Liang.
Visiting me out of the blue under the pretence of brotherly concern about the terrible mo beasts.
Handsome and suave as always. Both of us smiled warmly at each other.
An act perfected to preserve the image of the royal household in a unified pose. No paparazzi here. Just a lot of commoner eyes on us.
Beneath our smiling facade, the sizing up had begun the moment, from which we laid sight on each other. To him, I am the threat to power and wealth. He is a threat to my health.
Hugs and physical contact were not allowed between brothers - in fact, Ji Feng was trained from young never to hug or touch his brothers. Like his two older brothers.
A prince should never pick up his brother, even if he falls flat on his face beside him. That's a job of the fallen prince's accompanying eunuch or bodyguard.
Poison could be delivered anywhere through any means. Sleeves, ring, even fingers. Never get yourself blamed for someone else's failed attempt. Use the servants as the scapegoats.
That's how screwed up and paranoid the royals were.
Poison is a known weapon of choice within the royal and aristocratic houses. Cleaner and sneakier. Usage was as common as changing one's royal underwear daily.
Better than going all out in front of others and shedding blood with grand displays of ling qi use. Dirty laundry had to be kept within the house.
"Brother dear," he spoke with outstretched arms, amidst the fanfare, similar to mine, thrown to greet him. Air hug. No touching.
Flashing the biggest insincere smile I ever could force on, in my present and previous life, "Oh it is such a long time."
Long time. As in for the past three years, not a single visit from him long.
We glanced at the usual - hands. To quickly check how many rings were worn on the fingers and the types. Standard precaution. To others, it looked like we were reminiscing.
"I heard our dear cousin has returned…as an immortal."
The urge to burst out laughing was a mental struggle under insurmountable pressure.
Especially with his guarded tone. There is a story behind Yingwen's insanity. Yingwen was normal until Ji Liang found out that Yingwen was engaged to the girl he fancied. Then put one plus one together and mix his brain with slow poison.
Easy to conclude that Ji Liang was the culprit responsible.
The emergent result after a few months, had Yingwen climbing to the top of the capital billboards - yes, I kid you not. Real billboard, not the top 100 pop songs type on earth - yelling at the top of the voice that deities were going to take him.
A year later, he was absolutely psychotic with his brain chewed out by the poison. And then the sudden disappearance. His corpse was never found. Probably to hide the traces of poison. Heavens bless the memory tidbit from the piece of Ji Feng within this body. That kid really knew his brothers were out to get him.
"Yes. He saved me and two others. He will meet you after his daily meditation is over. You must be tired."
Actually, Zaixing had disappeared on me with instructions on what to verbally regurgitate to Ji Liang. As usual, unceremoniously dumping me into a situation again. He was up to something but I really don't want to know how deities think.
"Did he really…"
"Oh yes, he did. Looks quite the same as before. In fact, very sane now," I eyed Ji Liang for an unusual reaction. None.
Ji Liang is an expert at shielding his true thoughts. Like mother, like son. His mother was the best schemer at convoluted plots in the harem. Nothing traced back to her. With only suspicion and no solid evidence - father won't touch her, just because he favoured her.
"Second prince, my honor to meet you, third prince," Wenyi appeared out of nowhere to curtsey to him. Accompanied by Chen Xiu.
Give me a break. First, Yingwen because he was the Great O immortal.
Now, my second brother?
At 23 years, he already has one primary consort and a secondary consort. Plus a few concubines to boot. And three kids to boot.
Whether they will survive to adulthood in his harem was a different story. The sudden premature death of a young one was a common (man-made) affliction that ran in our family.
"What a pretty look you have, but unfortunately , I have matters to discuss with my brother here. Perhaps we can have a chat…later."
Later. In the night, he means. If Wenyi is lucky, Ji Liang will forget about her.
He could use princely right and easily order her into concubinage. Forget being primary consort of a prince, sweetie - that is reserved for ladies from the aristocratic circles especially those families who hold military power.
Wenyi giggled like a moron and led a disappointed Chen Xiu away.
"I heard that there are only three girls in this sect. I feel sorry for you, brother, after seeing two. The standards…," he motioned towards Wenyi's back. "…are really lacking."
An actual genuine remark coming from Ji Liang - I am not sure if I should laugh or cry again.
Still, Wenyi got off lucky. From concubinage alone.
Meeting him later was a different story. Ji Liang enjoyed flings - virgins were his thing. Pump and dump. Wenyi was dangerously in that category.
Not without safeguards against carrying his child. Lingyu birth control methods were brutal even in this magical kingdom. Forget the pill - usually poison is added to the mix. What gentle douche or feminine wash outs? Think harsh hollow bamboo stuffed in the hoo-haas with a terrible mix of whatever chemical they can mix up. Usually poison again. And abortion is inevitable if those archaic methods failed.
"So I heard that you want to recuperate here for a year. I heard this area is good for restoring ling qi," he glanced around the natural bamboo grove behind the neat garden as we walked along the corridor.
Was that a hint of something he knows, or was he fishing for information? Answering Ji Liang was like tiptoeing through a minefield.
"Good for fresh air. My body is still wrecked. So brother, are you sick of a vegetable like me?"
"Oh no, what are you talking about ? Father wants to divide territories. I think that this is a good place for you. Aside from that, plenty of nature and tranquility. Aside from the occasional beasts. Horrifying creatures but nothing this sect here can't deal with. No need to worry about borders or military budgets. Peasants here look simple. Perfect for you, don't you think?" He grinned.
Yes, the smooth diplomatic words for poorly developed region of no consequence in terms of strategic position. No threat at all. Was that a subtle truce for now?
Any hint that I wanted more will be asking to be assassinated again and again until I am really dead. He is not the only brother whom I have to be guarded against.
"I like this place. Now if you can convince father…"
"Of course, what are brothers for?" He smiled so coldly that it sent shivers through my back.
Maybe to kill each other over fiefdom ownership.
No telling what Ji Liang may do in the future. Perhaps opt to take it by force, when father was no longer around.
Ji Liang rubbed his chin thoughtfully then added, "And you are nearing the age of betrothal…"
Uh oh. I don't want to be engaged. I may be in your brother's body but leave me out of that.
It is bad enough thinking like the woman who was me in the previous life. Frankly getting it up and going in the marital bed disgusted me to the high heavens and back.
"Anyone you fancy yet…around this area? If not, there's Chancellor's Guangyi's daughter, Qiulian, a real beauty now."
Yeah. Who is he trying to kid? Guangyi is his man in court. If Ji Liang says jump, Guangyi will lick his boots and ask how high. Ji Liang is either trying to plant a spy on me , or get me on his side when Ji Lang , our oldest brother, grapple for Crown Prince position.
Or maybe both.
"If Qiulian is a real beauty," I said slowly while watching his face light up instantly. "Why don't you take her as concubine?"
His expression froze instantaneously. Got him there. Real good.
"Hehe surely you jest, I already have two wives and nine concubines. Any more, your poor brother here will be broke. But you, my dear brother, have none yet. It would be unfair of me to keep taking beauties away. Aside from that, she is too young for me. Around your age."
Real beauty , my arse. That's a hard sell of lies. Old Chinese saying on Earth, stated that a girl undergoes 18 changes before she blossoms.
So beautiful now at 13 or 14, could turn out awful later with puberty. Awful looking now, could turn out nice later.
Just like me in my previous life - ugliest little shit and *boom* boys were telling me how nice I looked at 16.
"Brother dearest…"
"Heyyyy cousins," Zaixing, in Yingwen's body, interrupted thankfully in time from behind.
Appearing with a soft glow around for special effects purposes aka impress as a newly minted immortal. Dressed up in finery which Zaixing probably conjured from thin air. Ji Liang narrowed his eyes. Yes, not the sight he hoped to see.
Before me, that's personified calamity. Before Ji Liang, that's a piñata.
"Heard you want to get our third prince here a wife!"
Ji Liang stared at him blankly for a moment. His brain was calculating something very fast.
"Yingwen, So do you know if he fancies any girl here? " Ji Liang quickly asked.
"Uh…no. But…he likes guys," Zaixing winked as Ji Liang stared at me speechless.
Great. I facepalmed. Perhaps it is unbelievable but I went through my life on Earth, refusing to be attached to anyone. Refuse to date. Refuse to marry.
"That's okay. His health is not very good. After all, I want my dear youngest brother to be very very very happy," Ji Liang broke into a sly grin.
"It is unusual but not rare if you need a male companion. Happened in our family. Royal Uncle. Except he took a wife to produce children. Still has his male lover. Don't worry, father would not bear to pressure you for grandchildren if it is a detriment to your health."
Uh huh. Ji Liang meant that he won't be pressured if I remain childless. Less claimants, less trouble, less challenges.
Being gay is okay in Lingyu. No laws against that. Only needed to be discreet to stop the wild gossip. It was the gossip which ruins.
Even I didn't know that royal uncle batted on the same team.
"So are you top or bottom?" Ji Liang asked with his eyes gleaming.
Zaixing was chuckling away right in front of me. Maybe I would have a little fun at his expense.
"Ask Yingwen and you will know," I winked as Zaixing choked in Yingwen's form. Even for a deity, he didn't see that coming.