"Brother Yu, come back with me!"
Cai Zhaoji let out a cry, grabbed Lu Yu's arm, and intended to walk back across the narrow wooden bridge.
"Ah... Sister Zhaoji, aren't we going back to class?"
Lu Yu quickly asked...
"What class are we still going to," Cai Zhaoji bit her lip slightly. "If I can't even teach one younger brother properly, how can I teach others?"
Anger...
This time, Cai Zhaoji was truly angry.
Indeed...
She did not object to Brother Yu taking Diao Chan as a concubine. After all, in this era, taking another man's wife was not looked down upon, and it was even considered a glorious matter.
Moreover...
Brother Cao Cao's concubines were almost all other men's wives, and many even had children, yet the world did not criticize him.
The Han Dynasty did not have many requirements for whom one could take as a concubine.
In fact... from the perspective of aristocratic families, a man's wife who had already given birth was even better, as it at least proved that this concubine was fertile and would be of great benefit to the family's continuation.
But...
It was not enough for Brother Yu to take Diao Chan; he also wanted to take Lu Lingqi, and then Ling Ju?
Was he not afraid of Lü Bu's vengeful spirit?
Brother Yu might not be afraid, but Cai Zhaoji was extremely frightened!
Furthermore...
Brother Yu's actions were against human decency and propriety!
Regardless of anything else, she had to go back today and properly teach Brother Yu a lesson, to make up for this lesson from the "Book of Rites."
From Sister Zhaoji's expression, how could Lu Yu not see that she had misunderstood?
"It's not what you think!"
"Sister Zhaoji, listen to my explanation, you've misunderstood..." Lu Yu stopped in his tracks. "Didn't you just promise me? Don't misunderstand me?"
"Misunderstand?" Cai Zhaoji turned her head, her beautiful eyes now holding a sharp glint. She asked earnestly, "Then tell me, are Diao Chan, Lu Lingqi, and Ling Ju going to live in the Ministry of Agriculture?"
"Essentially, yes..." Lu Yu answered truthfully.
"Then this is too much..." Cai Zhaoji frowned. "I truly regret letting you go on campaign with my brother. You haven't learned anything good, but you've learned a whole basketful of things that go against human decency!"
Uh...
Lu Yu was even more bewildered. He didn't know how to explain.
It was truly as Old Cao said, do not underestimate Sister Zhaoji's imagination!
...Her imagination is too rich!
Diao Chan, Ling Ju, Lu Lingqi... judging by their ages, it's impossible!
Besides, he, Lu Yu, was a noble person. How could he be so beastly?
"Sister Zhaoji, it's really not what you think. Diao Chan, Ling Ju, and Lu Lingqi... none of them are going to be taken into the Ministry of Agriculture!"
Hmm...
This...
Hearing this, Cai Zhaoji blinked her beautiful eyes repeatedly. "Not going into the Ministry of Agriculture? Then... why are they going to live in the Ministry of Agriculture? Have you learned to deceive your elder sister now, Brother Yu?"
Uh...
Lu Yu paused again. He, who was usually eloquent, was actually speechless in front of Sister Zhaoji.
Sister Zhaoji's imagination was truly terrifying. If he didn't explain things clearly beforehand, tonight... if she met Diao Chan, wouldn't she explode!
"Sister Zhaoji, to be precise, whether they are to be taken into the Ministry of Agriculture still depends on your decision, Sister!" Lu Yu spoke at an extremely rapid pace, not giving Cai Zhaoji any chance to interrupt. "When Lü Bu was about to 'die,' I promised him that I would marry his daughter, Lu Lingqi. As for... Diao Chan and Ling Ju..."
"Oh..." Hearing this, Cai Zhaoji's eyes flickered, and she interrupted repeatedly, "Are you going to say that Lü Bu also betrothed them to you before he died? Lü Bu is truly generous, giving away concubines and a daughter like this!"
Sour...
Cai Zhaoji's words were sour!
Suddenly... Lu Yu felt that Sister Zhaoji was a bit sour today, as if she had eaten lemons, and her face could squeeze out lemon juice.
"Sister Zhaoji... please let me finish speaking," Lu Yu continued earnestly. "Lü Bu entrusted Diao Chan and Ling Ju to me, but... it's that kind of entrustment, not what you think!"
"That kind?" Cai Zhaoji's eyes darted around, and she deliberately raised her hand to tap her forehead, feigning confusion. "That kind? Not as concubines? Like a replacement maid?"
Gulp...
Lu Yu swallowed his saliva. He decided not to beat around the bush anymore.
"They are my 'xiao niang.' In short... inexplicably, I promised Lü Bu to marry Lu Lingqi. Thus, he entrusted Diao Chan and Ling Ju to me together. Diao Chan is my 'xiao niang,' and Ling Ju can be considered my half-sister. Therefore... they are all going to live in the Ministry of Agriculture. However... the current Lu Lingqi is still missing, so I only brought back Diao Chan and her daughter, Ling Ju!"
Lu Yu finished this speech in one breath.
He found... talking to Sister Zhaoji today was quite tiring!
Old Cao's teachings by example were not wrong. When it came to bringing women back to the mansion, any woman would be jealous, even the understanding Sister Zhaoji.
Pity my sister...
Hoo...
After Lu Yu said a lot, Cai Zhaoji finally understood, and she let out a sigh.
She muttered to herself, fortunately!
She could accept Brother Yu taking concubines. Whether it was Lu Lingqi or Diao Chan, she could accept it gladly, but accepting both at once was something she couldn't get past herself.
Now that she heard it, although the term "xiao niang" was a bit awkward, Brother Yu's actions did not disrupt the order of human relations.
Cai Zhaoji was just about to speak, to express her stance.
But the words had just reached her lips...
No...
Cai Zhaoji recalled a sentence in Brother Yu's words. Brother Yu mentioned promising Lü Bu to "marry" Lu Lingqi, and it was "marry"!
In ancient times, especially in large families, among scholars and literati, concubines were not valued highly, but wives were highly valued.
According to the imperial court's classification of rebels, Lü Bu was a traitor. How could Brother Yu marry the daughter of a "traitor"? This was even more absurd and unacceptable than marrying a commoner's daughter.
Immediately, Cai Zhaoji's eyes narrowed. "Brother Yu, what did you just say? You want to marry Lu Lingqi?"
When she mentioned the word "marry," Cai Zhaoji's tone deliberately rose.
This...
Lu Yu paused slightly. "Whether it's 'marry' or 'take as a concubine,' my promise to Lü Bu is meaningless. It depends on the decree of parents and the words of a matchmaker. I have no parents, so I naturally have to listen to Sister Zhaoji..."
He smoothly pushed this difficult problem onto Sister Zhaoji...
Based on Lu Yu's understanding of Sister Zhaoji, how could she possibly agree?
As expected.
"No," Cai Zhaoji said with an extremely firm tone, shaking her head. "How can your principal wife be the daughter of a criminal, the daughter of a rebel? Do you know how many people come to propose marriage to you every day? The doorstep has been trampled countless times, not to mention officials and nobles, even princes and nobles are numerous. Moreover, His Majesty also intends..."
Mentioning His Majesty, Cai Zhaoji retracted her words...
It seemed she felt it was a bit sensitive.
"In short, if Lu Lingqi is to be the principal wife, I, as your elder sister, cannot agree. Of course, if it's to take her as a concubine, then I have no objections."
As expected...
Lu Yu's lips curled into a smile. He wished Lü Bu could hear Sister Zhaoji's words!
...Lü Bu, oh Lü Bu, it's not that I'm breaking my promise, it's just that Sister Zhaoji's word is more important than my parents'. Since she doesn't agree, even if it were the emperor's daughter, I wouldn't marry her!"
Lu Yu placed his hand on Cai Zhaoji's shoulder, looking like siblings with deep affection...
This topic was considered closed.
Just then, Cao Ren's voice could be heard from the adjacent classroom.
"Listen carefully, everyone. Don't think that the course of 'City Construction' is far from you. Do you know that five years ago... when Cao Sikong was the Prefect of Dong Commandery, he began building the city walls of Dong Commandery? Without solid city walls, how could we resist the attacks of the Black Mountain Army?"
"Then, this year, Cao Sikong began to repair the banks of the Yellow River, welcome the Son of Heaven, and rebuild Xu City. Afterward, we will also restore the 'Eastern and Western' Capitals. In the future... the task of city construction will likely be ten times more arduous than military tasks! What you learn today will surely be useful in the future!"
Still a deep and resonant voice!
Simple and profound, yet captivating.
Hearing this...
Cai Zhaoji seemed to have thought of something and asked with interest, "Brother Yu, is General Zixiao really someone you invited?"
"Of course! Sister has worked so hard teaching at the Imperial Academy, so I must also help in any way I can!"
Lu Yu replied truthfully; he was a very honest person.
Indeed.
Hearing this, Cai Zhaoji's heart warmed. Women are like this; as long as the people they care about care for them, even the slightest, bit by bit of care is enough.
Her heart felt warm...
Her eyes narrowed slightly!
It seemed that Brother Yu was not so disobedient after all!
She could forgive his earlier unreasonable tantrum.
Just as she thought this...
Wait...
Suddenly... Cai Zhaoji thought of something again, and she grabbed Lu Yu's arm once more.
"Let's go home first!"
"Ah... is it that urgent?" Lu Yu asked in return...
"There's an urgent matter at home!" Cai Zhaoji said urgently.
An urgent matter?
Lu Yu was slightly taken aback. "What is it? That makes Sister Zhaoji so flustered?"
"Xiao Qiao has caused trouble..." Cai Zhaoji explained truthfully as she walked. "She offended Noble Consort Dong of the current court. It seems... she didn't sleep well all night, and she caught a cold today. Hearing that you were returning today, she knelt in the main hall early in the morning, waiting for you to deal with her?"
What?
Lu Yu was stunned?
Xiao Qiao offended Noble Consort Dong?
This... this is considered an urgent matter? And she has to kneel and wait for him to deal with it?
Lu Yu was a little confused. He felt that Sister Zhaoji seemed to have made a mistake, and Xiao Qiao also made a mistake... Who offended whom?
Noble Consort Dong... isn't she just a concubine of the Emperor? Her backing is the Quốc舅 Dong Cheng, who is about to be overthrown. How dare she offend Xiao Qiao?
Good heavens...
It should be Noble Consort Dong who is kneeling in the main hall, waiting for him, Lu Yu, to deal with her, right?
With this thought, Lu Yu's eyes turned cold, and a fierce glint flashed out!
Suddenly, his pace quickened.
...
...
Xu Du City, Imperial Palace.
Because the officials were out to welcome Cao Cao today, the Son of Heaven, the Empress, and the officials were not in the Imperial Palace... The entire Imperial Palace seemed exceptionally deserted.
Not far from Jiaofang Hall, there was Hanzhang Hall, the residence of noble consorts. The one residing here was Noble Consort Dong, who had recently gained the Emperor's favor.
At this moment, she was resting with her eyes closed, and many maids behind her were serving her cautiously, fearing that this "capricious" noble consort would be displeased and reprimand them.
Because of her pregnancy with the imperial heir, Noble Consort Dong was being pampered.
"My Lady, we have found out..."
A eunuch bowed and slowly walked up to Noble Consort Dong.
"Which family's girl is it?" Noble Consort Dong did not open her eyes, seeming... disdainful of the woman who dared to talk back to her that day.
"It's the daughter of the Qiao family from Lujiang Commandery, named Xiao Qiao. She is also the concubine that our Lu Sinong took this year..." the eunuch reported truthfully.
The Qiao family? Lu Sinong?
Hearing the Qiao family, Noble Consort Dong was quite indifferent, but upon hearing Lu Sinong, her eyes suddenly opened.
Even while residing in the harem, how could she not know that before... it was this Lu Sinong who made outstanding contributions in the campaign against the traitor Yuan Shao of Shouchun and the subsequent campaign against Lü Bu of Xuzhou?
He was not just a Grand Minister of Agriculture...
He also held the Dragon Cavalry Camp, a world-renowned legion. Besides that... he was also the head of the Imperial Academy, and his sister Cai Yan was a talented woman of the era and the leader of the northern gentry...
His junior disciple Zhang Zhongjing was in charge of the Medical Department, and most imperial physicians also came from Lu Yu's junior disciples!
With this thought...
Noble Consort Dong's brows furrowed.
"Who else could it be but a concubine of the Lu family?"
If it were anyone else, let alone an unimportant concubine, even a wife from any family who dared to offend her, Noble Consort Dong would have a million ways to kill her!
Whether it was by telling the Emperor or telling her brother Dong Cheng... that family would surely not fare well. But... it was precisely the Lu family.
Her teeth pressed against her lips...
Noble Consort Dong slowly stood up, her brows furrowed as she paced back and forth...
The eunuch seemed to notice the noble consort's worry and repeatedly reminded her.
"Noble Consort, this Lu Sinong is... not to be crossed! Not to mention that the title of Grand Minister of Agriculture manages the finances of our Han Dynasty, but even the monthly expenses of the Noble Consort are allocated by the Ministry of Agriculture to the harem. Even... the medical officials in the Medical Department, do they not have a relationship with Lu Sinong? The Noble Consort is carrying the imperial heir, and she cannot do without the diagnoses of these medical officials!"
What this eunuch said was true...
They absolutely must not let this Noble Consort of theirs act impulsively and foolishly go to find trouble with Lu Sinong. To put it nicely, the final outcome would be mutually destructive, but more likely, the final outcome would be humiliating.
And... Noble Consort Dong...
Clearly, she was not a villainous female supporting character in a story that lacked intelligence.
Or, to be more precise, upon hearing the name "Lu Yu," Noble Consort Dong's intelligence was completely online. Who would want to offend someone with such vast influence!
To create such a formidable opponent.
Moreover...
Noble Consort Dong was so close to the Emperor, and so close to her brother Dong Cheng. How could she not know that these two people closest to her both intended to win over this Lu Sinong?
"This is problematic!"
Noble Consort Dong's eyes narrowed, and she paced back and forth, trying to figure out how to deal with it.
But...
The current situation was not as simple as whether she wanted to retaliate against Xiao Qiao!
What if... what if Xiao Qiao told Lu Sinong about this matter, then... what would Lu Sinong do? Would he avenge his concubine Xiao Qiao, or even retaliate against her brother Dong Cheng, and thus... would it ruin the Emperor's and her brother's plan to win him over?
These were all problems!
With this in mind, Noble Consort Dong gritted her teeth. No, she could not just wait to die... She had to take some action!
"Quick, help me change..."
Noble Consort Dong immediately ordered... and the maids immediately got busy.
"My Lady, are you going to..." The eunuch's face turned pale with fright.
"You accompany me. We are going to the Ministry of Agriculture!"
"My Lady, no!" The eunuch repeatedly advised. Clearly, the one with online intelligence in this palace was not only Noble Consort Dong, but the eunuch's intelligence was also online.
"It's not what you think!" Noble Consort Dong waved her hand. "Take... the luminous pearl that His Majesty bestowed upon me a few days ago, and also... take Zhang Zhi's calligraphy!"
The luminous pearl was a tribute from India via the Silk Road... extremely precious!
Zhang Zhi's calligraphy was even more precious...
After all, Zhang Zhi was the most famous calligrapher in the Han Dynasty, known as the "Ancestor of Cursive Script." In later generations, he was counted among the "Four Sages of Calligraphy" along with Zhong Yao, Wang Xizhi, and Wang Xianzhi!
Furthermore, on the day Cao Cao welcomed the Son of Heaven, this ancestor of cursive script died, making his calligraphy exceptionally precious at that time.
Even the favored Noble Consort Dong today only had one piece in Hanzhang Hall!
Hearing this...
The eunuch seemed to understand something, yet not fully.
"My Lady is taking such treasures to the Ministry of Agriculture, is this to...?"
The eunuch quickly asked...
"To visit and apologize!" Noble Consort Dong raised her eyebrows, not hiding anything...
When it's time to show weakness, show weakness. When it's time to apologize, apologize!
She raised her eyes and looked at the sky through the window.
She murmured to herself, Your Majesty... Brother, even though... even though I suffer some grievances, but... but I cannot delay your important matters!
That's right, her brother Dong Cheng and His Majesty met frequently recently. Noble Consort Dong vaguely felt that something big was about to happen.
And she, usually arrogant and domineering, was fine, but... if she couldn't help His Majesty and her brother, at the very least, she shouldn't cause them trouble with her arrogance!
"Quick, bring that golden jade robe that His Majesty bestowed upon me as well..."
This...
Luminous Pearl!
Zhang Zhi's calligraphy!
Golden Jade Robe!
The eunuch's eyes rolled repeatedly. This time, the noble consort's apology would cost a lot!
...
...
Xu Du City, Ministry of Agriculture, outside the main hall.
Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao were both kneeling.
They were kneeling towards the entrance of the Ministry of Agriculture...
It was not cold today, but after kneeling for several hours, their knees were already cold.
"Sister... It was my mistake, you don't have to kneel with me?"
Xiao Qiao bit her lip slightly, her expression very resolute.
Hoo...
Da Qiao let out a light sigh... "Do we sisters need to say this? Besides, you and I are kneeling to our husband, not to someone else. What are you afraid of?"
The Han Dynasty had many rules for women.
For example... "Everyone's Great Scholar" Ban Zhao set rules in "Lessons for Women"!
Concubines should indeed kneel to greet their husband and wife!
However... in some families, because concubines were highly favored by the male master, the rule of "kneeling" was just a formality, rarely enforced.
Hearing Da Qiao say this now, Xiao Qiao's mood eased considerably.
It was at this moment...
"Bang, bang, bang..."
A sound of knocking on the door, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao's hearts immediately rose to their throats, thinking their husband had returned.
And the gatekeeper glanced through the crack in the door...
He exclaimed.
"Two Madams, this is bad... this is bad... that... that woman has arrived!"
That woman?
It was clear from the gatekeeper's panicked expression how Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao could not guess who "that woman" was?
Is it... Noble Consort Dong?
Her? She personally came to demand an explanation?
This time, Da Qiao's heart sank. Xiao Qiao, however, suddenly stood up. "Since she has come to the door, there's no avoiding it. Then... I... I did it alone, I'll take responsibility... I'll go open the door."
...
...