Chapter Fifty-Nine: Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law

Liu Tan’s eyes narrowed slightly. He recalled from the chronicles that his convenient brother-in-law, Zhang Bao, met his end during the second northern expedition. If he did not intervene, Zhang Bao had only one or two years left to live.

A tiger father breeds no dog son; Zhang Bao, it was said, inherited Zhang Fei’s valor, unsurpassed in courage. Otherwise, after his death, Zhuge Liang would not have wailed aloud, coughed up blood, and collapsed in grief.

According to historical records, Zhang Bao’s death was caused by a fall—yes, a fall! No matter how heroic or mighty one might be, tumbling from a cliff can be fatal.

His lack of fame compared to his father was largely due to his untimely death.

“Your Majesty, what is it?” The Empress, seeing the Emperor lost in thought, was puzzled. Why did he mention her brother? What was he thinking?

“Oh, nothing.” Liu Tan brushed it off casually. He had not yet decided how to save his brother-in-law’s life.

It was not only his brother-in-law; the Empress herself, according to later accounts, died in the year 237, seemingly only eleven or twelve years from now. Liu Tan surmised she succumbed to grief after losing her father and brother in quick succession, and, neglected by the original Liu Shan, fell ill and passed away.

The Empress was now only twenty; to die at thirty-one was early, even by ancient standards.

If he could prolong his brother-in-law’s life a little, and show greater care to the Empress, perhaps she too might live longer.

“Empress, let me ask you: if I wished your brother to serve me, do you think he would be willing?” Liu Tan considered, then asked.

“This…” The Empress looked embarrassed, hesitating.

“Speak your mind. I am not so petty as to punish you for a single word.” Liu Tan rolled his eyes, having already guessed somewhat: no capable man would forsake the chance for military glory to serve a feeble emperor, least of all Zhang Bao, as fierce as his father.

Indeed, the Empress shook her head, saying, “I dare not deceive Your Majesty. I fear my brother would not be willing.”

“Of course.” Liu Tan sighed. “Everyone knows me as Ah Dou, hopeless and weak—who would devote themselves to me?”

The Empress shook her head. “I know Your Majesty. You are diligent and determined, intent on restoring the Central Plains. I see your ambition clearly, but the time has been short and the world knows nothing of your grand designs!”

Liu Tan sighed again; his current prestige was not enough to attract talented men to his cause.

In this era, if one wished to be renowned for wisdom, it was no easy matter. The best shortcut was perhaps to win battles.

Yet, he commanded only five thousand palace guards—not even proper troops. Enough to protect the palace, perhaps, but for war?

Not to mention that with Zhuge Liang around, he had no place in military affairs.

Besides, the palace guards had only just begun training. Warfare? Better to forget it.

He decided not to dwell on it. One must eat meal by meal, tackle matters one by one. It was not urgent to win over Zhang Bao yet; seeing the Empress merely reminded him of Zhang Bao’s fate.

He must change Zhang Bao’s destiny, but there was no hurry. The fatal fall occurred during Zhuge Liang’s second northern expedition, so there was time. At worst, he could issue an imperial edict and find a reason to prevent Zhang Bao from marching north.

Thinking of Zhang Bao, Liu Tan’s thoughts turned to the Empress’s younger sister. After the Empress died, Liu Shan married her sister and made her Empress Zhang, as recorded in history.

When the Empress passed, her brother Zhang Bao was already dead, her mother’s family, the Xiahou clan, in decline, with no need for political alliance. Most importantly, Zhuge Liang, who could influence Liu Shan’s decisions, was dead. Yet Liu Shan still married his sister-in-law and made her Empress.

Liu Tan guessed that his little sister-in-law was likely extraordinarily beautiful—perhaps even more so than her elder sister.

Ever since he arrived in this world, Liu Tan had taken a keen interest in his young sister-in-law, but out of propriety, had never dared mention it.

Now, having asked about his brother-in-law, he thought he could inquire about his sister-in-law without arousing suspicion.

Thus, Liu Tan picked his words carefully and asked, “How has my young sister-in-law been lately?”

As expected, the Empress saw nothing amiss and replied, “These days I’ve asked the family to hire a tutor to teach my younger sister reading and arithmetic. Your Majesty was right: it’s good for women to know a little. Also, my second brother is teaching her martial arts.”

“Excellent.” Liu Tan nodded, then asked, “By the way, how old is your sister now?”

“She is ten years old,” the Empress replied.

“Ten, is she?” Liu Tan scratched his forehead. Oh, still just a girl.

Having run out of questions, he let the matter rest, though he was already thinking of meeting his sister-in-law some time.

Even if he did not follow Liu Shan’s example and take liberties with her, his curiosity could not be suppressed. What was it about these two sisters that both became Empresses in succession?

Seeing Liu Tan fall silent, the Empress frowned and spoke again, “Your Majesty, my sister seems rather unhappy these days.”

“Why?” Liu Tan asked absentmindedly.

“Sigh, I forgot that you injured yourself recently, and your memory has been poor,” the Empress said, patting her forehead. “Do you know, before your injury, you doted on my sister exceedingly—so much that I and my two sisters were even… jealous!”

“What?” Liu Tan was startled.

The Empress nodded, her expression exaggerated, and continued, “Yes, Your Majesty used to indulge my sister; every few days you’d have me bring her to the palace to play, promising that as long as you reigned, she would live carefree as a little princess. Rewards flowed continually. She was probably the only person in the realm who dared ride on the emperor’s shoulders; even if she messed up your hair, you never got angry!

If she were not so young, and you had not loved her so long, and her conduct not been proper, I would have suspected Your Majesty of harboring improper intentions toward her.”

The Empress spoke with a wistful sigh.

“No way!” Liu Tan’s mouth dropped open.

The Empress affirmed, “Would I deceive Your Majesty? Ask any elder in the palace, they all know about your fondness for my sister. But since your recovery, you’ve never mentioned her. When I visited my family a few days ago, I saw her sitting alone in the courtyard, looking unhappy. She even asked me why Your Majesty no longer summoned her to the palace to play.”

At once shocked and thoughtful, Liu Tan wondered if Liu Shan had any peculiar tastes.

“Very well. Tomorrow, since I have nothing pressing, Empress, go and bring your sister to the palace to play. Later, tell me more about how much I used to dote on her—I simply cannot recall.” Seeing the night had grown late, Liu Tan took the Empress’s hand and led her toward the bed…