The bright sun blazed in the sky, obscured by a canopy of clouds.
Before a dilapidated mansion in Chenliu Commandery, Lu Yu blinked, shielding his eyes with a pale hand. Through his fingers, he gazed at the plaque on the gate – the Xiahou Residence!
This was Xiahou Dun's residence…
The last time he visited was at night, and Lu Yu hadn't had such a clear impression. But this time, Lu Yu truly grasped how impoverished the Xiahou Residence was. It was simply too poor.
Lu Yu could hardly believe that Xiahou Dun, who commanded tens of thousands of Qingzhou soldiers and would one day become a great general second only to the Emperor in Great Wei, lived in such a ruined dwelling…
"Alas…" Lu Yu sighed helplessly, pondering that Xiahou Dun might not have been exceptional in battle, but his ability to treat his soldiers as brothers, distribute his entire fortune, and live a life of poverty was truly unique.
Last time, Lu Yu remembered bringing back half a chest of gold. After all, nominally, Xiahou Dun should have been preparing for his son's wedding. Couldn't he have spent a little money on renovations?
Thinking this, Lu Yu spread his hands in exasperation.
Without a doubt, Xiahou Dun had given this money to his subordinates or the families of his fallen comrades.
He was truly a noble person, a pure person, a person detached from low-level interests.
Lu Yu instinctively gave a thumbs-up…
"This is…"
Just then, Cao Mu spoke, appearing quite surprised. Although she had repeatedly spoken of breaking the engagement, she had never actually come here. The main reason was… she dared not come without Lu Yu accompanying her!
This uncle, Xiahou Dun… she heard he had a rather bad temper.
"This is the Xiahou family you were originally betrothed to," Lu Yu reminded her. "Surprised? Unexpected?"
Ah… Cao Mu was slightly startled. Looking at the dilapidated gate and walls, this was no longer a matter of surprise or unexpectedness.
It was a feeling of relief and dread in her heart. How could she live in the future if she married into such a family?
"This is too shabby?" Cao Mu pouted. "I thought the blacksmith shop was dirty and messy, but compared to this… the blacksmith shop is perfectly livable."
"Let's go…" Lu Yu called out. Lu Yu, Cao Mu, and Dian Wei… the three of them slowly entered the Xiahou Residence.
Before entering, Lu Yu did not forget to retrieve the spear from the carriage.
Originally, it wasn't a big deal, but taking out the spear now gave it the air of stirring up trouble!
Cao Mu was stunned, muttering to herself… Lu Yu, with his seemingly frail and weak build, dared to carry a spear into the Xiahou Residence. Such courage!
…
Xiahou Dun could not afford gatekeepers…
Therefore, the main gate was open to anyone.
But… there were still some guards inside.
Seeing people approach, a group of guards immediately rushed over.
"This is General Xiahou's residence! Who are you, trespassing without invitation? Surround them and capture them for Young Master Mao to deal with!"
Lu Yu was no stranger to guards.
He had a large number of them at his own home. If anyone dared to trespass into the Cai residence, they would likely… receive similar treatment to these guards.
The leading guard appeared imposing, his sabre already drawn. The seven or eight guards behind him also had their sabres sheathed, ready to draw them at any moment.
But… as they approached and surrounded Lu Yu and the other two, and clearly saw Lu Yu's appearance, the leading guard looked somewhat stunned.
The young man before him looked familiar. He seemed to have seen him somewhere before, but couldn't quite place it. It seemed to be in the military camp.
And judging by his attire, a scholarly robe, he looked like a frail scholar. Yet, he held a spear in his hand, his entire aura being neither scholarly nor martial, a complete mismatch!
After all… who in Chenliu Commandery dared to enter the Xiahou Residence carrying a spear? This fellow was the first…
Wait…
The guard captain's eyes fixed. He seemed to recall something. The spear held by this frail young man… it seemed to be… General Xiahou's Flying Dragon Spear!
The guard captain remembered. He had previously served in Xiahou Dun's military camp and was promoted to guard the residence due to his excellent performance.
And this Flying Dragon Spear, he was all too familiar with it. It was a spear General Xiahou had used for over ten years. On the night of the fall of Puyang City, in gratitude for saving his life, General Xiahou had gifted this spear to his benefactor, Lu Yu!
Thinking of this…
The guard captain remembered. This delicate and frail young man before him was none other than…
Before he could speak.
Lu Yu glanced at him as if nothing had happened.
"My name is Lu Yu! My spear is called the Flying Dragon Spear!"
"The woman beside me is Miss Cao Mu!"
"And the strong, burly man by my side is surnamed Dian, with the given name Wei! Oh, right, what's your name?"
…
The first sentence – My name is Lu Yu, my spear is called the Flying Dragon Spear!
This immediately made the guard captain's legs feel a little weak, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions. It turned out to be General Xiahou's benefactor. That aside, the key point was that… he, a mere guard, had dared to draw his sabre against the general's benefactor!
And the second sentence, the woman beside me is Miss Cao Mu…
As this sentence left his lips, the guard captain felt he could no longer stand. With a "thump," he half-knelt…
Who was Cao Mu?
In the entire Cao army, who didn't know that Duke Cao's legitimate eldest daughter was named Cao Mu? Moreover… wasn't she the wife that their Young Master Mao was about to marry? In other words, Cao Mu was the future mistress of their Xiahou family!
Instantly, the guard trembled all over.
And the third name was even more astonishing, Dian Wei…
Who in the entire Cao army didn't know that this was the legendary Dian Wei, a figure who could go toe-to-toe with Lu Bu! Judging by his robust build and powerful physique, he could clearly take on a hundred of them!
He knelt, both knees on the ground…
The guard knelt instinctively. At this moment, he feared that Dian Wei's fist, as large as a bowl, would shatter him with a single blow.
And… the most, most, most, most terrifying was the fourth sentence – What is your name?
The guard was bewildered. He was just a minor residence guard, but how could he afford to offend any of these three people? He had dared to draw his sabre against them…
It was no exaggeration to say that at this moment, if this young master named Lu Yu were to pierce him ten thousand times with the Flying Dragon Spear, he wouldn't dare to move.
At once… the guard's face seemed to flush with blood. With great difficulty, he managed to say, "I… I am Xiahou Gui! A native of Qiao County, Pei Kingdom…"
"Oh, Xiahou Gui?" Lu Yu didn't speak, but Dian Wei nodded carelessly, his eyes narrowed into slits. "How many people are in your family?"
"…" Xiahou Gui felt like he was about to cry. "On high, I have an eighty-year-old mother, and below… below…"
"Alright, Commander Dian, stop teasing him," Lu Yu said with a slight smile, helping Xiahou Gui up with both hands.
After all, the man was just doing his duty; there was no need to quibble.
"No need to kneel, you may rise… Where is General Xiahou? Where is Young Master Mao?"
Xiahou Gui cautiously raised his head and glanced around at Dian Wei again. Seeing that he had no intention of hitting him, he then replied, "The master's concubine is ill, so the master took her to Juancheng for treatment. My young master is practicing his spear in the backyard."
"Lead the way to the front!" Lu Yu waved his hand. "Since General Xiahou is not here, I'll have to discuss some matters with your young master…"
"Yes… yes…" Xiahou Gui dared not delay and quickly led the way.
Lu Yu lightly touched the Flying Dragon Spear, murmuring to himself, indeed, this spear was quite effective!
…
Entering the backyard, indeed, Xiahou Mao was practicing his spear. Lu Yu could tell that his spear techniques were not bad.
However… they lacked a certain spirit and structure, which was a pity.
Lu Yu, Cao Mu, and Dian Wei did not disturb him. After Xiahou Mao finished practicing the set of spear techniques, Lu Yu clapped his hands to signal him – Excuse me, we who are not here with good intentions have arrived.
"Young Master, this is Officer Lu Gongcao."
Xiahou Gui introduced Lu Yu to Xiahou Mao.
Hmm… Lu Yu?
Xiahou Mao had heard this name many times.
Recently, there were legends of Lu Yu all over the common folk. Initially, they were somewhat believable, but by the end, they had become almost mythical.
For example, some said that during Lu Bu's surprise attack, he drew a dragon with one hand and a rainbow with the other on the city wall, and then… divine soldiers descended, driving Lu Bu's army into disarray and causing them to flee in disgrace, thus preserving Chenliu Commandery!
Another example, some said that when the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry launched a surprise attack on the commanderies of Yanzhou, Lu Yu plucked a single hair, blew on it, and conjured countless celestial soldiers and generals, causing the Bingzhou troops to fear and retreat…
In short, there were too many legends about Lu Yu. Of course, with Xiahou Mao's intelligence, he could still judge that these were all false, mere exaggerations born from the people's admiration for heroes.
However… Xiahou Mao was a rather petty person, and his age was similar to Lu Yu's. He always heard people praising Lu Yu, and it was inevitable that he felt some resentment towards him…
It was like parents constantly praising another child in front of their own child. When that child finally met the other child, the seed of hatred was already sown, wasn't it?
"My father is not here, why has Young Master Lu come here?" Xiahou Mao asked coldly, still showing his resentment. "I am not like my father. I will not look upon you favorably just because of your little money or a few accomplishments, nor do I wish to associate with you!"
Xiahou Mao's meaning was clear. He felt Lu Yu was trying to fool his father with money.
And his current attitude… was practically asking them to leave.
Heh…
Lu Yu was a little confused. He felt as if he had eaten Xiahou Mao's family's rice, to speak so sarcastically?
Since… you're acting like this?
In that case… Lu Yu's guilt was somewhat lessened. The gentle words he had prepared were instantly cast to the nine heavens.
"Ahem…"
Lu Yu coughed lightly and immediately pointed to Cao Mu beside him, asking, "Young Master Xiahou, do you know her?"
"Her?" Xiahou Mao shook his head. His personality was characterized by an extreme self-imposed isolation. Therefore, he rarely went out and certainly had never met Cao Mu.
Day in and day out, he lived entirely in his own world, a complete opposite of so-called social butterflies!
"Forgive my poor eyesight, I don't recognize her! Nor am I interested in recognizing her."
Oh… Lu Yu nodded and simply said, "Alright, Miss Cao Mu, since they are not interested in you, this matter will be easier to handle…"
Hmm… Cao Mu?
Xiahou Mao was startled. He hadn't expected her to be Cao Mu?
So… she was… the wife his father and Uncle Cao had discussed, the one he was about to marry?
He heard that Lady Ding had accepted the betrothal gifts, and they were just waiting for the Cao family to choose an auspicious date.
Despite his social phobia, Xiahou Mao wanted to show some difference towards Cao Mu, after all… she would spend her life with him in the future.
"So it is Miss Mu. My apologies… I live in seclusion and focus entirely on martial arts, rarely going out. Please do not blame my poor eyesight, Miss Mu!"
Xiahou Mao's sudden remark surprised everyone slightly. Lu Yu and Cao Mu exchanged glances…
Their brows furrowed involuntarily.
This gentle attitude… was not good news.
Lu Yu had originally surmised that if Xiahou Mao was just a blockhead, solely focused on martial arts and unconcerned with romance, then… breaking the engagement would be no big deal. Perhaps he wouldn't even want to marry her? Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?
But… the problem was precisely this, his attitude had softened! This meant that Xiahou Mao was still interested in Cao Mu!
This was somewhat awkward!
Cao Mu remained silent. Although she dared to say anything in front of Lu Yu usually, when it came to the matter of breaking the engagement, knowing she was in the wrong, she fell silent… as if leaving it to Lu Yu to handle.
After all… her father had mentioned this matter, asking Lu Yu to find a way!
Just then, Lu Yu spoke.
"Young Master Mao… we are not here without reason. Today's matter concerns Miss Mu, but it is somewhat difficult to speak of."
As these words left his mouth, Lu Yu chuckled lightly. Forget it, speaking like this was too tiring.
No more pretense. Pretending to be a gentleman was too troublesome. He would say whatever he wanted, let loose, and be whoever he wanted to be. Lu Yu decided to get straight to the point.
"If you have something to say, do not hesitate to speak directly," Xiahou Mao said, his eyes narrowing. Instantly, an ominous premonition arose in his heart.
"Ahem…" Lu Yu coughed lightly. I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table. "I have come here today for no other reason than to have the manager of my blacksmith shop, Miss Mu, annul this engagement with you!"
"Crack…" As these words were spoken, Xiahou Mao clenched both his fists simultaneously. Instantly, the bones in his fists collided, producing continuous cracking sounds.
At the same time, the atmosphere in the entire place became unusually quiet.
Looking at Xiahou Mao's restrained expression, Lu Yu felt both sympathy and helplessness. He, a transmigrator, had not been dumped by someone, and now he was actively helping someone else to break off an engagement!
Even a novel couldn't write such a ridiculous plot, could it? Da Feng Novels
However, there was no alternative. He was truly playing the villain today, and there was no excuse for it. Of course, Xiahou Mao's personality was indeed unlikable.
"Ahem…"
With another light cough, Lu Yu continued, "Young Master Mao, I know this request is somewhat unreasonable. After all, Lady Ding has already received the betrothal gifts, and everyone in Chenliu Commandery knows… you are about to be married!"
"But… Miss Mu is of great importance to my blacksmith shop. She does not belong to you, but to the forge, to all the artisans, and to the myriad soldiers of Cao's army… Her mind, her meticulous thinking, concerns the entire Cao army's hegemony. For now, there can be no personal romance… Therefore, I will play the villain today. I hope you will agree to annul this engagement! As for your father, I will find him separately to discuss it."
"Officer Lu!" Xiahou Mao clenched his fists, the hand holding the spear involuntarily emitting a rustling sound.
Cao Mu belongs to the forge?
Pah… This excuse was too perfunctory! How could a woman be related to forging?
"Do not push your luck too far! Officer Lu!"
"Uh…" Lu Yu paused slightly. He wondered, "I am pushing my luck, so what? What are you going to do about it?"
If you have the ability, bite me?
With this thought, Lu Yu glanced at Dian Wei beside him. With Dian Wei present, there was always a sense of security!
Lu Yu had no doubt that if Xiahou Mao dared to make a move, Dian Wei would definitely throw him out like a hawk catching a chick.
"Of course, breaking off an engagement is somewhat immoral from any perspective. However, for the sake of the blacksmith shop and Duke Cao's hegemony, this marriage must be annulled. Thus, you can only be sacrificed. Therefore… I have specially prepared two items as compensation?"
Lu Yu's tone was not at all accommodating…
It was as if he was saying, "I know you're unhappy, but you have to accept it!
To give you some face, I've brought you two things. Consider it an acknowledgment. Be sensible.
Saying this, Lu Yu took out two bamboo slips from his embrace and placed them horizontally before Xiahou Mao…
One of the bamboo slips was very thick, likely containing several thousand words. The outer layer was inscribed with three characters – Jin Ping Mei!
Lu Yu recalled and wrote this book, staying up all night.
This was Lu Yu's apology to Xiahou Mao. Although he didn't have a woman, Jin Ping Mei, which was very erotic and violent, and toilet paper, ah… to be precise, Jin Ping Mei and silk handkerchiefs were plentiful, to prevent him from releasing his primal urge and suffering internal injuries.
As for the other bamboo slip, it was slightly thinner, but in terms of content, it was even more remarkable.
The three characters inscribed on this bamboo slip were also different from the essence of the three characters on "Jin Ping Mei," yet upon careful consideration, they led to the same destination.
These three characters were precisely – Yang…
…
…