Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

The most precious gift that the continent of Teyvat bestowed upon her.

—This child is absolutely wonderful.

Raiden couldn't help but recall the scene many years ago when she found this child in the landing pod—almost the most incredible and beautiful memory of her life. A savior from another world, yet also from prophecy; the second god of limitless potential from the same country; the scepter, hope, and dawn symbolizing the future of Inazuma… But none of that mattered. What mattered was that he was her child.

Before finding him, Raiden had never had such thoughts. She was a god transformed from a ray of lightning, born with values ​​different from those of mortals. But even after countless millennia, she never imagined she would fall into the hands of such an infant. When Aponia handed the child to her, she wasn't thinking of a savior or anything like that, but rather... she had no other thoughts at all.

At that moment, she even became wary of the Geo Archon beside her, fearing that Morax, who had also seen the child, would suggest taking him back to Liyue. She couldn't help but think that the child had to stay in Inazuma, and that only Inazuma could allow the child to grow up smoothly.

In that instant, she realized she had been blinded by greed, and that if she picked up the child, similar moments of folly would happen many more times in the future. She would have another weakness, and would no longer be the cunning and shrewd Thor, Baal.

—This child is absolutely wonderful.

Chapter Sixteen: Raiden's Educational Plan

Lei Dian's affection for Shen Liang was not simply due to doting.

Shen Liang grew up very quickly. It was almost as if he grew as soon as he got enough nutrition and was exposed to the wind. By the time he was just over three years old, he had already developed into a teenager and was about 1.2 to 1.3 meters tall. You should know that for the next few decades, he only remained at about 1.5 meters tall without any change.

So, not long after she started raising Shen Liang, she recognized that the child looked so much like the child from her precognitive dream.

As a god who wields power close to time, Raiden could vaguely sense the red thread of fate binding Shen Liang. She knew that time was irreversible, and if Shen Liang came from the future, then the ending of his era was inevitable.

What does "inevitable" mean? The War of Kanria was bound to break out, and it was bound to end in defeat. That is inevitability.

Moreover, more and more evidence points to Shen Liang as coming from the future. For example, he instantly grasped the telegraph technology that Raiden had learned. Furthermore, Shen Liang had no teacher; he possessed countless pieces of knowledge clearly far beyond his own era, solely through the memory of the so-called "Feather Rabbit Sister."

Raiden Shin once deceived Shen Liang, saying that a person can actually have incredibly realistic dreams, and that the human brain is so amazing and magical that you can't even imagine it. You might just be subconsciously hoping that the girl in that coffin is alive, and that the so-called Yu Tu sister might just be your imaginary friend... But in fact, Raiden Shin herself didn't believe what she said. She knew very well that Shen Liang came from an era that she couldn't fathom, so Shen Liang's imaginary friend was most likely a being so powerful that even Raiden Shin couldn't observe it.

Raiden Shin did try to figure out Shen Liang's "imaginary friend." She once hypnotized young Shen Liang after putting him to sleep and asked him how he and Misteline met and got along.

So, little Shen Liang, half asleep in her arms, mumbled a bunch of silly things that made her a little jealous. It turned out that he had actually fallen asleep more often in Mistelin's arms than in hers since he was little, because Mistelin would tell him a new bedtime story each time, while she could only tell one storybook of Inazuma stories; how beautiful and fragrant Yu Tu was, but she was always a little impatient and would often quarrel and then sulk like a little girl; when Raiden Zhen weaned him, he was only one year old, and he was fed rice porridge and dried fish when his teeth hadn't even grown in yet. Little Shen Liang was so hungry that he could only grab Mistelin as a substitute for food, but he was still so hungry that he couldn't stand it because that woman was virtual and could not possibly fill his stomach... Although Raiden Zhen could not actually fill his stomach either.

There were so many details that even Lei Dianzhen couldn't believe it was fake. Shen Liang possessed absolute memory, and the details he remembered would never be wrong. Therefore, Lei Dianzhen firmly believed that he really had such a friend. As a result, every time Lei Dianzhen slept with Shen Liang, he felt that there was a woman on Shen Liang's other side holding his other arm, staring at her, his mother, with a proud and defiant look.

But all of this proves that the Shen Liang she saw in her dream was indeed the Shen Liang of the future.

She will die; it's inevitable.

Raiden had long been prepared for death; fate was irresistible. In any case, Inazuma's future seemed bright, and Inazuma in the Shenliang era was still her sister's kingdom. Perhaps her death had value—but she soon realized she was wrong.

And that's completely wrong.

When Shen Liang first broke free from her embrace and began to wonder about the world outside the castle tower, Raiden panicked.

She didn't want Shen Liang to be exposed to too many things, but there were too many people coming and going at Tian Shou Ge, and she couldn't stop him. She then realized that she was wary of anyone who got too close to Shen Liang, so she only let Shen Liang follow Lei Yingdian and let her sister teach him martial arts.

She and Shen Liang made a pact: until he had mastered his apprenticeship, he shouldn't go out and flirt with other women, and he shouldn't be discovered by outsiders. She protected Shen Liang extremely well, so well that even her younger sister was a little jealous, feeling that Shen Liang had never cared about her this much before.

Gradually, Raiden realized that what she was doing seemed to be a strong possessiveness, a possessiveness towards her child. This was an instinct unique to mothers; she instinctively didn't want to let go.

She grew increasingly afraid of death, and she couldn't help but wonder what Shen Liang would do without her. Such a young child, who couldn't even use her powers, what would become of Shen Liang if she submitted to her fate and died?

So she forced herself to endure the pain of separation and sent Shen Liang away, suppressing her maternal instincts. She had to see Shen Liang learn more and grow up.

Now we've actually seen lightning.

Not only does he have Inazuma, but he also has the nations of Liyue and Sumeru behind him; he has new, beautiful girls to keep him company; he is loved by all, second only to himself in popularity. Everything is perfect, and he still loves his mother so much, his eyes always shining as he gazes at her, like a gentle and expectant little wolf.

Lei Dian felt a burning sensation under the boy's gaze. She brought her legs together in the pool, tidied her hair which she had wrapped in a towel to avoid getting wet, turned around and lay on the edge of the pool, refusing to look at him.

"What topic were we just talking about?" Raiden asked, feigning ignorance.

Just now, she and Shen Liang had been having a aimless discussion. After so many years apart, they had endless things to talk about. But Shen Liang was the one who was talking non-stop, and Lei Dian was so engrossed in looking at his delicate face that she had no idea what her darling was saying.

Shen Liang didn't know why his mother had turned away, but he habitually swam to Lei Dianzhen's side, lay down on her right side, and maintained the same position as his mother on the shore.

Although it was a shallow area, Lei Dianzhen was tall enough to kneel in the water and lie on the edge of the pool, but Shen Liang was too short to lie on the edge. He choked on several mouthfuls of water before turning around dejectedly, sitting down against the edge of the pool, and nudging Lei Dianzhen's slender waist with his elbow. "Speaking of... um, Sister Gan Yu. Let me tell you how Sister Gan Yu started breaking her vegetarian vows."

"Little Gan Yu?" Lei Dianzhen recalled the gentle and lovely girl and chuckled, "Is she also the girl Liang'er has taken a liking to?"

Shen Liang nodded shyly.

"Hmph." Raiden was truly dissatisfied, then fell into deep thought.

Now, it's time for Shen Liang to talk about marriage. Leaving aside the philanderers on Inazuma's side, it feels like things have gone beyond just cheating; they've basically taken everything.

She couldn't live in the castle tower forever, and she... couldn't stay by Ryo'er's side forever either; a new guardian was needed. So...

Raiden gritted her teeth, repeatedly emphasizing her responsibility to herself... As a mother, her responsibility meant considering her child's future, not only the future of the family business but also their emotional well-being...

Although free love is the orthodox way, Raiden Shin... Raiden Shin doesn't want to do that! He insists on interfering! He absolutely has to interfere! Arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers are the natural order!

Raiden felt really wronged, but she didn't know why she was wronged. She just bit her lip so hard it almost bled.

—I have to get involved in Liang'er's marriage! I have to... at least leave my mark on this important event in Liang'er's life!

The lightning truly calmed my emotions.

—So… on Liyue's side, the first one is Gan Yu?

—It should at least be Inazuma's!

Lei Dian was truly conflicted. For the past two days, the court and the public had been subtly discussing Liang'er's engagement. On Dao Qi's side, anyone worthy of Liang'er would have to be at least a powerful demon. Powerful demons were nearly extinct, and those still alive had to be female, meaning they were almost all already married. Although with Liang'er's abilities, eighty-nine out of ten married female demons in and out of the court would already be his possessions, as the first woman of Emperor Ruori's dynasty, it would be better to marry a pure and virtuous type through proper channels.

But if one wishes to remain pure and virtuous in her boudoir, Inazuma truly cannot find a powerful demon.

If we continue counting...

There really aren't any outstanding young talents among the younger generation.

Tengu clan? Shadow of Mitsuyo? Her status is a bit low. Her older sister, Aokokubo, is a suitable candidate as the next Great Tengu, but Aokokubo is the daughter of Reizenbo.

Choosing from among the shrine maidens? The shrine maidens kept by the Fox Palace are mostly without complaint, but their status isn't quite there yet. The most talented exorcist shrine maiden right now is probably Asase Hibiki? But she's already over thirty; waiting twenty years for Ryoji is a bit too mature, isn't it? Humans can't control their appearance at will… tsk, she can be ranked lower, but not first.

Bai Chen's bloodline? That one...

Raiden hesitated for a moment, feeling that handing over his cute little fox was a little... too naive?

Goodness, Liang'er is already a little wildcat who never grows up, and now she's going to find a little fox? What will people think if half the dowry is given to her? Will our two silly little girls be paired up? The two little ones are the same height, who's the husband and who's the wife?

The big ones are no good, and the small ones are also unfit for the task.

Raiden realized that Fox Palace and Torachiyo Reisenbo were the most reliable people back then. All three of them were the type whose beauty, status, and prestige were beyond reproach. Moreover, entrusting Ryo to them would at least give them peace of mind regarding her regency... After all, they had been best friends for thousands of years, and their character was trustworthy. Those few scoundrels might covet Ryo's body and pleasure, but they would never covet her power and status.

Now, such a large rice-producing region... is so short-lived that there isn't a single person with the experience to compare with Gan Yu!

Lei Dian was so angry he gritted his teeth.

Then, as if guided by some strange force, she thought of a wonderful person—someone she could trust, someone with whom she had a thousand-year-old friendship! This person, like her best friend, was absolutely top-tier in terms of beauty, status, and prestige, even surpassing the Fox Palace and the others! The most wonderful thing was that, even as Liang'er's wife, she didn't even... didn't even covet Liang'er's body!

Anyway, Lei Dian really thinks she has no interest in Shen Liang!

"No, no, no, no!" Raiden quickly shook his head, removing the unrealistic fantasy from his mind!

"What's wrong with Mother?" Shen Liang was still talking about Gan Yu's vegetarian diet.

"Mother didn't do anything..." Lei Dianzhen blushed with embarrassment and anger, her face turning red to the roots of her ears. She lay on the edge of the pond, burying her face in her arms. "Liang'er, please continue..."

"Sister Gan Yu's resistance was broken by my few vegetarian dishes that made her feel like meat. Although they were still vegetarian, once the craving for meat is aroused, it's impossible to let go. In fact, no one has strong self-control. Most people can control themselves by staying away from temptation. Once they've tasted the forbidden food, the difficulty of stopping and controlling themselves increases many times over," Shen Liang said with a smile.

Lei Dian had a vague feeling that her darling was implying something... but she also knew she was probably overthinking it.

"So when did she finally break her celibacy?" Raiden asked perfunctorily, his mind not on the matter at all.

Shen Liang was taken aback, scratched his head, and said, "That's hard to say."

"What's so hard to say?"

Shen Liang hesitated for a few seconds, then climbed onto Raiden's back. Raiden shivered slightly, then felt the little guy whisper in her ear, as if he was very embarrassed.

"I let Sister Ganyu get used to swallowing first..."

"Then one day I suddenly had a thought and told her about this hypothesis..."

"Then she realized..."

"In that case, she no longer resisted eating meat..."

After Shen Liang finished speaking, he hugged Lei Dianzhen's waist from behind as if trying to appease her, crossing his hands in her arms as if afraid that the woman would be angry, and whispered, "Mother, don't you think Liang'er is being too unreasonable?"

"Isn't this going too far!" Lei Dian's pretty face flushed red and then turned pale, unsure of what expression to make. Sensing the child's coquettishness, she could only grit her teeth and smile. "Why did you have to tell your mother about this... You really are audacious! It's only because Gan Yu has such a gentle nature that she tolerates you doing this... this... Ugh! I don't want to use those dirty words!"

Shen Liang leaned against the woman's soft back and pouted.

He had originally intended to be more honest with Lei Dianzhen, but then he decided against it. If Lei Dianzhen knew, it wouldn't just be Gan Yu... Everyone was already used to this level of sentimentality, and she would probably go crazy.

It's best not to let the innocent Inazuma Supreme hear these things.

"So, Liang'er, is it that you most want to marry Gan Yu?" Lei Dianzhen turned around, supporting the white-haired wildcat under his ribs with both hands, and lifted him up before placing him in her arms. Shen Liang nestled comfortably in the woman's arms, his arms wrapped around Lei Dianzhen's neck to keep himself from drowning. Underwater, Lei Dianzhen wrapped her arms around the boy's waist to keep him afloat, and played with his long white hair. The two embraced in the warm pool, finding warmth in each other that they hadn't felt in many years.

"Not really."

"Who is that? Miss Fanan?"

"Your Majesty will never guess."

"Your sister Yu Tu won't do. Even though you like her a lot, she still needs to attend the wedding ceremony, right?" Raiden patted the boy on the back and smiled helplessly.

Shen Liang stopped answering, perhaps because he was too lazy to answer. He simply kissed her collarbone affectionately, then looked up and gave her a sweet smile.

"Anyway, you have to tell me who you've chosen, and I'll decide!" Even Lei Dianzhen couldn't figure it out in the end, so he could only stubbornly stare at Shen Liang, poking his forehead with his finger. "Did you hear me!"

"Yes, yes, I will obey Mother's decree."

"Stop it! What kind of sarcastic talk did you learn from Liyue? Get down here!"