Vol 8 Chapter 65 (2/2)

“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 shouldn’t you give it to your firstborn?”

“It’s because of that, that I’m still hesitating.” Liu Biao looked a bit lost as he said so, and I was puzzled until he gave his next words.

“– Qi’er 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. I’d completely forgotten that Liu Qi was his daughter and a.s.sumed 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 era’s societal views? Have I been ingrained with the notion of gender equality?

But if I think about it, it’s a little weird. The Sun clan doesn’t 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? I’m completely confused.

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

“Ah… Won’t it do to pa.s.s it to your firstborn daughter then?”

“It’s not that it can’t be done, it’s just that– I hope that the one who can be my heir is male.”

“Do you have a son?”

“… Unfortunately no.”

“Then that doesn’t work then. You’ll 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 I’m just a weirdo. It’s clearly the same whether it’s 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. It’s not a good thing but it’s definitely normal. When I saw the guilty expression on Liu Biao’s 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.

“It’s 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, we’re in the era of the Great Han now and I know what is right and what is wrong.”

Can’t believe I got berated instead…

“Alright, since blood brother has recommended Qi’er, I’ll think about it on the way back.” Liu Biao nodded, though I’m not sure if it’s because he’s accepted it or he’s 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, you’re 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 it’s too difficult for me to guess what it is.

I guess it’s fine anyway. Establis.h.i.+ng an heir early isn’t 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. It’s never too early to think about making a will.

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