Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Xu Mao was momentarily stunned before collecting herself to ask, Why do you say that?

Xu Heng replied, Grandfather and Father often spoke like this. Mother said it’s called ‘plotting to rule the world.’ Isn’t that exactly what Elder Sister is doing?

After checking her status panel and confirming her health points remained intact, Xu Mao set her mind at ease and nodded. Exactly. When our lives were at stake, Father abandoned us to save himself. That was when I saw his true heartless nature and resolved to sever our father-daughter bond.

During our escape, I kept thinking – if such a faithless, unrighteous man could possess the fortune to ascend the throne, then why couldn’t I? The officials of Huaining are foolish and incompetent, the common people are seething with discontent – this is the perfect place to start our uprising!

Xu Heng pondered for a long moment, realizing this indeed made sense.

How could someone like their father – cold-hearted, selfish, repeatedly bringing trouble upon their family, even abandoning his own flesh and blood during escape – have supporters willing to enthrone him as emperor? Why shouldn’t her elder sister, who genuinely cared for the nation and its people, be qualified to claim the throne!

Xu Heng clenched her fists with determination. Elder Sister is right, I support you. What should we do now?

Seeing she had successfully convinced her sister, Xu Mao quietly exhaled in relief before continuing, There’s no hurry. After we’ve distributed all the millet, when the people’s survival is secured and they’ve completely placed their trust in me – that will be the time to rise up.

Xu Heng lowered her head, lost in thought.

At dusk, Xu Mao went out to take inventory of their grain supplies while Xu Heng remained at Zhao Apo’s house.

Zhang Liuniang, the future Empress Zhang Guishang, was merely eight years old at this time – still an innocent child unaware of concepts like motherly model for the realm or people’s livelihood. Her world revolved around earthworms wriggling in the soil and edible wild plants, with food being her foremost concern.

The old woman pulled her aside, admonishing her to remember Xu Mao’s kindness – were it not for her, their family would have no grain and wouldn’t survive.

Zhang Guishang took her grandmother’s words to heart. Carrying a bowl in both hands, she stepped over the threshold and approached Xu Heng, offering her the small bowl filled with clear water.

Sister Heng, please have some water. Grandfather and Grandmother sent me to thank you. Being young, Zhang Guishang couldn’t conceal her thoughts. She gazed at Xu Heng with admiration and praised, Sister Mao is truly amazing.

Xu Heng accepted the bowl, noticing the envious expression on Zhang Guishang’s face. A small sense of vanity swelled within her.

That’s right, her elder sister was the most remarkable.

Xu Heng proudly lifted her chin, declaring as if stating the obvious, Naturally! My elder sister is the reincarnation of a celestial being, bearing the countenance of the True Dragon Emperor with purple aura swirling about her. She was born to become emperor and ensure everyone has enough to eat!

Zhang Guishang’s jaw dropped in astonishment. Sister Mao is a celestial being from heaven?

Indeed, but I’m only telling you this secretly – don’t share it with others. Xu Heng’s eyes flickered as she glanced around, deliberately lowering her voice. Everyone knows our grandfather’s face-reading skills are extraordinary. With just one meeting, he can determine a person’s life, death, glory, or disgrace. Those words just now all came from our grandfather.

Moreover, Mother told me that before Elder Sister was born, she dreamed of a divine dragon speaking human words, saying it came to save all living beings in the world. Then Elder Sister was born, and the city glowed with golden light. When it comes to this golden radiance, everyone in Lucheng knows about it. They all say my elder sister bears the fate of nobility.

Xu Heng began recounting – with a mixture of truth and fabrication – some miraculous experiences from Xu Mao’s childhood: how heavy downpours would come when she was sad, only for clear skies to immediately return when she became happy; how ripe apricots would fall on her head while walking when she felt thirsty.

Zhang Guishang listened with rapt attention, especially toward the end, where she couldn’t help but swallow hard.

After showing off, Xu Heng remembered to cover her tracks and sighed, It’s a pity the mortal world is thick with impurities. As Elder Sister grows older, the immortal aura about her grows fainter. Grandfather said she was born to save the world, and now she must face her tribulation. She ought to accumulate virtue and perform good deeds, doing what ordinary people cannot, to stand up for the common people.

So that’s how it is. So Mao Sister came specifically to save us? Zhang Guishang’s heart pounded wildly. Excited, she abruptly jumped to her feet, feeling incredibly fortunate.

Xu Heng shushed her, Don’t spread it around, or it might attract monsters’ attention.

Zhang Guishang hurriedly covered her mouth, squatted back down, and leaned close to Xu Heng’s ear, whispering, Since you’re not an outsider, can I tell my sisters? Mao Sister is our family’s great benefactor. They would never go around gossiping!

Xu Heng hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing, reminding her, Just make sure no bad people overhear.

Sister Heng, don’t worry. My sisters and I know what’s important.

Zhang Guishang’s eyes curved into smiles, joy spreading across her brows as she skipped lightly into the house.

Once she was gone, Xu Heng could no longer hold back and suddenly bent over, vomiting a mouthful of blood. She hastily scooped some nearby soil to cover the bloodstain.

Fortunately, none had gotten on her clothes.

Xu Heng wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth.

Meanwhile, Zhang Guishang quietly revealed Xu Mao’s identity to her sisters, leaving them all in awe.

No wonder Xu Mao possessed extraordinary martial skills, unlike any ordinary woman—even strong men were no match for her. So she was a heavenly maiden descended to the mortal world.

Recalling her appearance carefully, her round face like a silver basin, her brows carrying an air of compassion—clearly, she bore the noble countenance of someone of great origins. They only regretted not having observed her properly earlier; otherwise, they would have noticed sooner.

Having such an esteemed person staying in their home, the women were overjoyed, occasionally breaking into dazed, silly grins.

That very day, Zhao Apo noticed her granddaughters acting strangely—constantly giggling inexplicably to themselves as if possessed.

Zhao Apo couldn’t help but mutter to herself, Could it be that they’re lovesick?

But with several of them acting this way at once, it didn’t quite fit.

When Zhang Wuniang giggled for the twentieth time, Zhao Apo couldn’t hold back any longer and asked, The millet hasn’t even been distributed yet. What good news has you grinning like a fool all day?

…It’s nothing. Zhang Wuniang remembered her younger sister’s warning not to tell too many people and hurriedly covered up.

There was definitely something going on.

Zhao Apo, with her sharp eyes, saw right through Zhang Wuniang.

Knowing her granddaughter’s temperament, Zhao Apo changed tactics and sighed mournfully, Wuniang has grown up and become distant from her grandmother. You used to tell me everything.

No sooner had she spoken than Zhang Wuniang indeed showed a guilty expression, twisting the hem of her clothes nervously. She wanted to tell her grandmother but remembered her promise to her younger sister not to reveal it casually.

After struggling for a long time, she couldn’t bear to see Zhao Apo sad and said, Grandmother, I’ll tell you… but you must never tell outsiders. If Younger Sister asks, don’t say it was me who told you.

Zhao Apo agreed immediately, mentally preparing herself for the secret Zhang Wuniang was about to divulge.

A short while later, Zhao Apo stumbled out of the door, trembling.

Xu Mao had just finished taking stock of the grain supplies when she suddenly heard crying. As she turned around, a dark figure darted past, and two arms immediately wrapped around her legs, giving her a fright.

Heavenly Maiden, please save my grandmother…

Xu Mao looked down and saw it was a young girl, who appeared to be about the same age as Zhang Guishang, tightly clutching her leg while weeping uncontrollably.

What happened? What’s wrong?

Temporarily ignoring the strange form of address, Xu Mao bent down to comfort the girl, softening her voice as she inquired.

The girl was crying so hard she could barely catch her breath, unable to speak. After being gently soothed by Xu Mao, she managed to calm down slightly and choked out: Grandma is hanging from the tree! Mother says Grandma is dead!

Xu Mao was shocked, but before she could ask for details, the System suddenly popped up with a notification.

[Healing item Miraculous Benevolence Hasty Departures from the Netherworld has been equipped. Please note: this item has special properties. After use, the player’s own health points will significantly decrease. Use with caution.]

What? Something this beneficial exists?

A sudden inspiration struck Xu Mao.

Where’s your grandmother? Take me there! Xu Mao’s expression changed instantly as she picked up the girl and hurried along.

The girl pointed the way for Xu Mao. It wasn’t far – just around the corner and only a dozen steps away. Xu Mao quickly reached the scene.

The area under the tree was crowded with people. Someone with sharp eyes spotted Xu Mao and immediately shouted: The heavenly maiden has arrived!

Though confused by the address, Xu Mao knew saving lives took priority. She had no time to ask questions and pushed through the crowd to check the patient’s condition.

[Healing item Miraculous Benevolence Hasty Departures from the Netherworld takes effect.]

The old woman had hanged herself. Passersby had discovered her shortly after her feet left the ground and called for help to bring her down. The rescue time was still within the System’s acceptable range.

Xu Mao asked the surrounding spectators to step back, assessed the old woman’s consciousness, checked her carotid pulse, and examined her breathing. With the System item’s enhancement, she began performing CPR.

Artificial respiration had existed since ancient times, though it was called by a different name – the blowing air therapy. With the System item providing explanation, the player didn’t need to avoid doing it in public.

After working for some time, sweat beaded on Xu Mao’s forehead.

The surrounding spectators all held their breath, watching Xu Mao’s every move intently, awaiting the final outcome.

She moved! Her hand moved! someone suddenly exclaimed.

Simultaneously, the System panel displayed a red warning about decreasing health points. Xu Mao showed a relieved expression and, using her last bit of strength before the countdown ended, said: She’s saved…

Xu Mao collapsed, her vision darkening. Urgent calls reached her ears, fragmented and indistinct like wind blowing from afar.

[Warning: Player’s current health points are too low.]

[Player’s various stats are too low. Conversion failed. Entering coma state. Returning to System space. If player’s stats don’t meet standards within three days or relevant items aren’t used, the System will initiate conclusion. Player may view the ending before logging out of the game world.]

Popular support points were hard to gain, especially since Huaining had a small population, being just a minor county. Even if everyone in Huaining was completely devoted to her, it wouldn’t meet the health recovery standard.

This was the System’s indirect way of reminding her that she was about to jump to the ending page.

Familiar with the process, Xu Mao let out a long sigh.

If she had known this item was so effective, why had she bothered with all those other methods? She had accidentally taken the wrong path again.

Preparing to log out, Xu Mao resolved that her first task after leaving would be to check walkthroughs. She realized that relying solely on her own stubborn determination simply wasn’t enough to push through!

Outside the System space, the old woman slowly regained consciousness, but Xu Mao, who had saved her, had fainted. The onlookers were both relieved and worried, hastily carrying Xu Mao into the house.

Just then, the barefoot doctor arrived. He checked the old woman’s pulse, observed her complexion, and confirmed that her breathing was steady, her body temperature normal, with no unusual signs. He then turned his attention to Xu Mao.

Taking his pulse, the doctor inquired about the circumstances of the patient’s collapse.

His brow furrowed tightly—the situation seemed far from promising.

The bystanders craned their necks, growing anxious for Xu Mao as they saw the doctor’s grave expression.