Chapter 8 007 You have triggered “Governance by the Ge Clan, Sacrifice by the Lonely One…

Chapter 8 007 You Have Triggered "Politics by Ge, Sacrifices by Me...

"What do I do?"

"Never mind the 'royal health,' system, stop with the nonsense. If I can't write this, you'll find my dead body soon."

In the quiet, cold corner of the late-night study room, Song Tianyang cupped her cheeks and muttered to herself.

A moment later, she pulled out her phone: "Forget it, let's play a round of Honor of Kings first."

Six minutes later, their crystal exploded, and her teammates told her to go back and write her thesis.

She was only playing the game because she couldn't write!

Why were her teammates telling her to go back to her thesis?

Emperor System: "Please do not mention this system's existence to anyone, Your Majesty, to avoid others thinking you have gone mad or suffer from delusions."

"You don't get it. It's thesis season in college. Anything a college student says about their thesis is forgivable. I'm more subtle about my craziness."

The library and study room should be quiet.

But late at night, with few people around, you could occasionally hear a few neurotic laughs, like a concubine gone mad in the cold palace. Those who came to write their theses wearing manicures were the ones who would maintain dignity even in exile.

"And why do you immediately call me crazy? Just like my advisor."

"I don't think I should be a college student at all. I should be an emperor! In fact, I am an emperor! Why should I write a thesis!"

Song Tianyang muttered all of the above in low tones.

If she got kicked out of the study room for being too noisy, she'd have to go back to her dorm. Her bunkmate, Xu Yuning, was gaming 24/7, and Song Tianyang was easily tempted—she'd inevitably duo-queue with her till dawn, ending up with the double bad ending: a blank thesis and a losing streak.

Just as she was feeling dejected, her phone vibrated.

The caller ID said "Brother."

She got up and walked to the hallway outside the study room.

It was raining heavily outside, the night sky dark, heavy clouds, with occasional flashes of lightning.

No one was around, so Song Tianyang put the call on speakerphone and leaned against the railing in the night rain as she answered.

"What's up, Yuanji?"

"...It's He Jianshen. Did you even save my number?"

He Jianshen questioned, holding back his anger as he said, "Your birthday is next week. Grandfather is planning a birthday party for you and will also announce your identity... There's something I want to ask you."

"I refuse."

"You haven't even heard what it is!"

"I don't need to smell it to know it stinks."

Whether siblings can get along is iffy even for those raised under the same roof, let alone those who meet as adults.

There wasn't a shred of blood kinship, only pure hostility.

Ever since the He family acknowledged her, Song Tianyang had never read another sibling romance novel. She even permanently stopped updating the sibling fanfiction she occasionally wrote.

He Jianshen gritted his teeth: "I only said one wrong thing the first time we met, and you hit me back for it! Do you have to be so hostile toward your own brother?"

"You don't understand,"

Song Tianyang scolded. "You've set Chinese literature back thirty years, you criminal!"

"..."

A huge burden of blame had been placed on He Jianshen, leaving him at a loss.

He paused, took three deep breaths to compose himself, and said, "That day is also Yuan Yuan's birthday. I hope you'll offer to celebrate it together."

As he finished speaking, a clap of thunder illuminated the hallway.

Song Tianyang looked ahead, a slight smile curling her lips.

She found it funny.

Song Tianyang: "Did He Yuan ask for this, or did you come up with it yourself?"

"It was me. Don't blame her."

"I'm not blaming her. I just think you're a real 'idea guy,' and a harmful one at that."

Song Tianyang raised her voice slightly, cutting him off.

Supporting one more person was nothing to the He family. If He Yuan had any sense, she would know now was the time to keep her head down and keep a low profile, not jump around and offend Song Tianyang.

What good would that do He Yuan?

"You know in your heart whether you're trying to suppress me or fight for He Yuan's interests."

Her cold, firm tone cut through the thick, sticky summer night.

There was a long silence on the phone.

After a moment, He Jianshen spoke through gritted teeth: "Grandfather wants to announce the engagement between you and Gu Shangyang at the same time."

Ding!

A virtual light screen appeared before her.

"By the mandate of heaven, His Grand Imperial Majesty decrees: I, who hold the mandate and govern all realms, work tirelessly with the sole intention of promoting harmony and fulfilling the wishes of others. Now there is Gu Shangyang, son of the Gu family, handsome in appearance and virtuous in talent; and my beloved granddaughter, the Emperor Tianyang, gifted with wisdom and a kind heart, of marriageable age. The two are well-matched in years and character, truly a match made in heaven."

Song Tianyang: ...

She massaged her temples.

Why does this rich old geezer love arranging marriages for the younger generation so much?

He has no sense of boundaries. If this kept up, she suspected he'd even try to push them into the bridal chamber on their wedding night.

Song Tianyang took stock of herself and found she really couldn't accept a life with so much being pushed around.

She really needed to have another talk with her grandfather.

But in front of He Jianshen, she only said, "That's great. As a daughter of the He family, I'll form a strong alliance with the Gu family. Once I'm in charge, I'll sell you off to the Iceland branch of Qidian Group and send you to Iceland to learn how to respect women."

There is no branch of Qidian Group in Iceland.

Song Tianyang let out a scoffing laugh. "There will be one once I'm in power."

Every legitimate son and secondary son—all sold off!

He Jianshen was silent for three seconds, then said, "This circle of ours isn't as simple as you think. Kids from A9 to A10 families have grown up together, everyone knows each other. As an outsider barging in, no one will play with you. Have you skied in Switzerland, played with watches, or played polo? Do you know how we rich folks have fun? If you don't listen to me, as long as you're still in this circle, we have plenty of ways to deal with you."

"Gu Shangyang doesn't like you. No one in our family likes you. Can you stay by Grandfather's side 24/7?"

"Don't think Grandfather is so fond of you now. Once he realizes you're nothing but a worthless hick, he'll be disappointed in you too—"

Ha, the mask is off.

Song Tianyang sneered inwardly.

She'd never been to Switzerland, but lately, her neighbors had suspected her of being a Swiss spy.

As her words fell, a weight lifted from her hand.

She had been so engrossed in the call that she hadn't noticed someone approaching. A man nearly 1.9 meters tall blocked out most of the corridor light like a towering tree, taking her phone.

"Don't trouble yourself."

The man's voice was cold and crisp. "Your circle may not welcome her, but she couldn't care less. I've experienced everything you mentioned. I'll take her to experience them and help her cultivate her own interests. The only reason you can look down on her today is because she came to your family with nothing."

"Song Tianyang is not a worthless hick."

"She is my Lord."

Bullets leave the muzzle at 900 meters per second.

But at that moment, Song Tianyang tapped into the limits of human potential, snatching back her phone and ending the call.

More embarrassing than a public confession was being publicly hailed as emperor.

Then the man said, "I don't know you personally yet. I can only understand you through the system's description. I was going to say you are the Emperor Taizong in my heart..."

"Stop! That's enough!"

Song Tianyang's piercing shriek was drowned out by a crack of thunder.

She could boast wildly when no one was around.

But she couldn't handle a stranger seriously calling her Emperor Taizong! One such statement, and she'd lose ten years off her life!

"As you command."

The man chuckled.

He had followed her out of the study room, intending to introduce himself after she finished her call, but hearing such slander against his Lord was unbearable.

When the ruler worries, the minister toils; when the ruler is humiliated, the minister would rather die.

If that man had been in front of him, they'd already be fighting.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Chi Zhiqing, likely your first subject."

Rain blew in with the wind, wetting the corridor floor.

Not caring at all, he knelt on one knee. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"You have completed your first summoned audience with Emperor Tianyang."

"The Loyal Minister System will unlock more functions for you. Devote yourself wholeheartedly, work your heart out, and serve your lord with utter loyalty!"

Chi Zhiqing's mind was clear.

He didn't find this ridiculous. A second life from heaven came with a price for certain.

Song Tianyang was his savior.

His honor, life, and death were now tied to this fragile young woman before him.

His life belonged to her, so what was a single kneel?

At the same time, Song Tianyang received a notification—

"Your Majesty, please claim your mysterious beginner gift pack—"

"Loyal Minister Chi Zhiqing"

"Throughout history, there have been beautiful stories of rulers and ministers—Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, Duke Huan of Qi and Guan Zhong, Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji, to name a few. A wise ruler needs loyal, wise, and advisory ministers to achieve a golden age. The Emperor System's beginner pack takes this into account and has sent you an absolutely devoted and solitary minister. He has no relatives, friends, or descendants in this world—only you."

Uh...

Song Tianyang couldn't help but ask inwardly: "No descendants? Did you castrate him before sending him over?"

That can't be right!

Has the job market gotten so tough that people have to put self-castration on their resumes?

The system paused for two seconds. "It means he has no descendants yet."

Song Tianyang let out an "oh." "That example you gave with ruler and minister is pretty suggestive too. If any shippers come after me, I'm running first."

She had no time to banter with the system. She quickly helped the towering man before her to his feet. "I haven't even met you yet. How did you become my subject?"

A subject should have no secrets before the sovereign, so Chi Zhiqing truthfully told her about dying and being bound to the Loyal Minister System.

"I dare not boast, but I am a useful person. Whatever troubles Your Majesty, please instruct me freely."

Chi Zhiqing was being modest. He had once helped his fellow townsman build a vast business empire.

"Anything?" She confirmed.

"Anything."

Song Tianyang's face lit up. "Please, I'm begging you—write my thesis!"

Ding!

Loyal Minister System:

"You have triggered the achievement 'Governance by Ge's Clan, Sacrifices by the Lonely One.'"

"The skill of Zhuge Liang has been acquired: With the sovereign's consent, he may briefly take control of her body for one hour. In exchange, during that hour, your sovereign will use your body to enjoy herself."

Author's note:

Tianyang: "You've told me the benefits, now what about the drawbacks?"

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