Opportunity?
To seize the chance and escape Xu Du city?
Following Xu Shu's reminder, for a fleeting moment, Liu Bei's heart flashed with such a thought.
But... it was only an instant.
As the saying goes, no one understood Cao Cao better than Liu Bei. Cao Cao... would have relished him showing his true colors. To escape tomorrow? Wouldn't that only solidify his alliance with the imperial uncle Dong Cheng?
In this Central Plains region? Without troops? Where else could Liu Bei flee?
With a flash of sharp light in his eyes, Xu Shu was a talented man, but in discerning people's hearts, he couldn't compare to Liu Bei.
*Hoo...*
With a soft sigh.
Liu Bei, calm and composed, refilled Xu Shu's wine cup. "Yuanzhi is drunk!"
"Drunk?" Xu Shu retorted.
Liu Bei stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Otherwise, under the current circumstances, why would you suggest I actively become the prey!"
*Hmm...*
As these words left his lips, Xu Shu suddenly understood.
"Brother Xuande, if you don't take a risk and escape tomorrow? Then... there might not be such an opportunity again."
As these words left his lips...
Liu Bei smiled faintly, but did not answer. He picked up his wine cup.
"Come, let's drink, drink!"
With that said, the plum wine in his cup was drained in one go.
At this moment, a faint, hidden smile curved the corners of his lips. Of course, he had to leave, but... before he left, he had to take something with him!
Otherwise, this trip to Xu Du would have been in vain.
...
...
A gentle breeze blew from the blooming mountain forest, carrying a distant, faint fragrance and a wisp of moist air, caressing Lu Yu's cheeks.
Stretching, he had slept through the night in the carriage, and upon waking, they had arrived at Xu Du city.
"Young Master, the West City Gate of Xu Du is just ahead. The Yue Dan Ping is near the West City Gate. As soon as we enter the city... we will be able to reach it quickly!"
Cao Xiu reminded him from outside the carriage, implying that they had finally made it to the grand event of the Yue Dan Ping after traveling day and night.
"Which city gate did Commander Cao leave from last night?" Lu Yu asked with interest.
"It seems to be the East City Gate!" Cao Xiu hesitated slightly, then replied with certainty.
"Then we'll take the East City Gate too!" Lu Yu smiled slightly...
*Ah...*
Cao Xiu was stunned. He repeatedly reminded him, "But the East City Gate is the farthest from the Yue Dan Ping. I'm afraid... we won't make it in time."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Lu Yu pulled aside the carriage curtain. "Wen Lie? Who said we were going to the Yue Dan Ping..."
"Then..."
"To the Imperial Palace!" Lu Yu immediately ordered...
Cao Xiu hadn't even reacted.
He then heard several Long Xiao Cavalry report, "Young Master Lu, Commander Cheng, Uncle Liu, and General Zhang are waiting about a hundred meters ahead. It seems they have been waiting for Young Master for a long time."
The Commander Cheng mentioned by the Long Xiao Camp was Cheng Yu;
As for Uncle Liu... it was the newly enfeoffed General of the Left, Marquis of Yicheng, Liu Ye;
As for General Zhang, there was only one general surnamed Zhang in the Long Xiao Camp - Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan.
Upon hearing the names of these three, Lu Yu immediately jumped out of the carriage and walked towards them.
The three also dismounted and quickly strode to meet him!
As they reached Lu Yu's side, all three cupped their fists in salute. "Greetings, Young Master Lu!"
"We are all one family, no need for so many formalities!" Lu Yu waved his hand and, without further delay, got straight to the point. "What is the situation in the Imperial Palace?"
"It is as Young Master Lu predicted." Cheng Yu replied, "Whether it is the Azure Dragon Gate or the Vermilion Bird Gate, along the covered corridors leading to Noble Consort Dong's palace, unidentified armored soldiers have appeared."
"Good!" Lu Yu nodded. It was as he expected. Not only was the Yue Dan Ping dangerous, but the Imperial Palace was also extremely perilous.
"Uncle Liu, General Zhang? Have the arrangements been made?" Lu Yu's tone became serious.
"Everything is as Young Master Lu instructed." Zhang Liao and Liu Ye exchanged a look and then replied!
"Good, then let's go to the Imperial Palace!" Lu Yu's gaze fixed...
Even if it were a dragon's pool or a tiger's den, they had to venture in!
...
...
In Xu Du city, almost everyone was gathered in the west.
Carriages and horses of all kinds were seen continuously on the streets and alleys, accompanied by the occasional laughter of young women, and the subtle fragrance of beautiful women exchanging glances with renowned scholars, filling the streets with the spring breeze.
Faint whispers of conversation could be heard from the mouths of many beautiful women.
"The Yue Dan Ping of our Xu Du city will begin in an hour. This is a grand gathering of scholars from all over the world, such a rare opportunity!"
"Yes, so many handsome and talented young gentlemen gathered together, perhaps one can meet a destined match! Speaking of which? Aren't you looking for a destined match?"
"I'm not! That's not how you choose a husband. Outsiders will think it's like a market!"
"Stop daydreaming. Don't you see? Many carriages have come from outside. If we don't go quickly, all the good husbands will be snatched up. You stand here and daydream, I'm going ahead."
"Will Young Master Lu of the Situ Mansion also be participating? Isn't his sister the one presiding this time?"
"You're not concerned about Young Master Lu participating, you're clearly smitten and hoping to catch Young Master Lu's eye! However... the Situ Mansion alone has two concubines who are the two Qiaos from Lujiang. You likely have no chance!"
Countless words were spoken, and countless women squeezed their way towards the west of the city. They were not going to watch the Yue Dan Ping, but clearly to seek out handsome young gentlemen and feast their eyes.
They could not reach the status of the young Situ, so they could only... settle for the next best thing.
At this moment, in front of the newly risen Zhen family's shop in Xu Du city.
Zhen Rong, the fourth daughter of the Zhen family, and Zhen Mi, the youngest daughter of the Zhen family, also walked out gracefully. Looking at the crowded scene, Zhen Rong sighed, "Fifth sister, Xu Du city is so magnificent today!"
Zhen Mi nodded. "Yes, why don't we... Fourth sister, join in the fun?"
Zhen Rong turned her head towards Zhen Mi. "Fifth sister? Could it be that you are also smitten and want to see those handsome young gentlemen excel and be brilliant?"
"Not at all!" Zhen Mi blinked her big eyes repeatedly. "Mother sent us to Xu Du city to get closer to the Situ Mansion and establish relations with the Cao camp. But... with our status as merchants, and being women, how can we get close? How about..."
Zhen Mi spoke halfway... Zhen Rong was greatly alarmed.
"Fifth sister, you don't mean you want to participate in this Yue Dan Ping, do you?"
Zhen Rong repeatedly shook her head. Her fifth sister enjoyed reading and was quite talented, a fact all the Zhen sisters knew. However, regarding the judgment of the Yue Dan Ping, she might not be qualified enough.
"You are a woman!"
"So what if I'm a woman?" Zhen Mi blinked her big eyes. A hint of confidence and defiance appeared on her clear and pure cheeks. "Isn't Miss Cai Yan, who is presiding over the Yue Dan Ping here, also a woman? Who says women are inferior to men? Moreover, if our Zhen family wants to get close to the Situ Mansion, is there any easier way than gaining Miss Cai Yan's favor?"
This...
Before Zhen Rong could agree.
"Go..."
Second sister Zhen Tuo and third sister Zhen Dao slowly emerged from the shop.
"Since Sister Luo wants to go, then go and try. Let her know that it's not that easy to gain Miss Cai Yan's favor at the Yue Dan Ping."
Zhen Luo was Zhen Mi's nickname, and her sisters habitually called her "Sister Luo"!
Furthermore, these two sisters had doted on their little sister Zhen Mi since childhood...
If she wanted to witness the grandeur of the Yue Dan Ping, it was fine to agree. As for gaining Miss Cai Yan's favor through this, they did not hold much hope.
"Go, Third sister, Fourth sister, accompany Sister Luo. However, there are many people here, so be sure to be safe."
As soon as these words were spoken...
Zhen Mi was overjoyed. She bowed gracefully to her second sister and then, pulling third sister Zhen Dao and fourth sister Zhen Rong, got into the carriage and headed towards the west of the city!
Just as they were on their way... two young gentlemen passed by!
For some unknown reason... the Zhen family's horse was startled, reared up and neighed, and then... was about to charge into the crowd.
As they were about to trample into the crowd, the already chaotic street became even more chaotic, a mess.
In a moment of urgency, a young gentleman nearby leaped onto the maddened horse and tightened the reins. The carriage spun a few circles in place, and only then was the horse pacified and calmed down.
"Are the ladies alright?"
The one on horseback was Cao Ang...
Zhen Tuo, the third daughter of the Zhen family, was bolder. She patted her chest and said, "Thank you, Young Master, for saving us!"
When she lifted the carriage curtain, Zhen Tuo saw Cao Ang's face. Such noble and refined aura made her blush suddenly.
"It's nothing!" Cao Ang dismounted. "We Taixue students are duty-bound!"
Speaking of which, the Head of Taixue, Lu Yu, had taught every Taixue student that it was permissible to do good deeds without leaving a name, but one must always proclaim the name of Taixue. Therefore, Cao Ang directly proclaimed his identity as a "Taixue student," thus adhering to his teacher's instructions!
Who would have thought that this name would be uttered.
Zhen Mi, inside the carriage, her eyes darted. Her mind began to wander.
The Head of Taixue was Situ Lu, so... through this Taixue student, perhaps the Zhen family could quickly approach the Situ Mansion?
With this thought, Zhen Mi poked her head out.
Immediately, she took the initiative to ask, "Is Young Master a Taixue student?"
Cao Ang respectfully cupped his fists in a salute. "Indeed!"
"Then... do you know why my horse was startled?" Zhen Mi continued to ask, sounding a bit chatty.
Third sister Zhen Dao did not want to trouble this young gentleman, so she immediately said, "Fifth sister, this is... our benefactor! How can you!"
"It's alright!" Cao Ang waved his hand. "Ladies, please say whatever you wish?"
Zhen Mi's eyes blinked slightly. "Because Young Master's scent is too strong... my Zhen family's horses have always been sensitive to such fragrances!"
"It is precisely as stated in 'Li Sao': 'Wearing colorful adornments, their fragrance profusely emanates, their fragrance is indeed evident.' Young Master's clothes exude a strong fragrance, startling my horse!"
*Hoo...* As these words left her lips, the honest boy Cao Ang was stunned, and then he bowed.
"Then I should apologize to the ladies."
Indeed...
Scholars, Confucian scholars, and civil officials of the Han Dynasty all liked to wear sachets.
Xun Yu was a representative of this trend, known as "Liu Xiang Xun Ling" (Lingering Fragrance, Lord Xun).
Influenced by this trend, there were also those who wore sachets among the Taixue students, such as Xun Yu's son, Taixue student Xun Yun, who was one of them. And Cao Ang, being close to Xun Yun, had also tried wearing a sachet.
He never expected it to cause such trouble...
Upon hearing Cao Ang's apology, before Zhen Mi could speak, third sister Zhen Dao preempted her.
"No need... no..."
Who would have thought that before she could finish speaking, Zhen Mi had a bit of a stubborn tone. "Why not? People say that a father's fault is when he doesn't teach, and a teacher's laziness is when they don't discipline. If a Taixue student makes a mistake, then naturally... the Head of Taixue should come forward to apologize!"
The intention is not in the wine...
To see the mysterious Situ Lu, Zhen Mi had gone to great lengths. Even with these words, she might earn a reputation for being sharp-tongued!
But... to see Situ Lu, none of this mattered!
It's just that...
Cao Ang paused slightly, he was a bit confused!
On the other hand, Guo Jia, a Taixue instructor who had come to observe the Yue Dan Ping with him, smiled knowingly.
"Miss has a sharp tongue!"
"Zi Xiu, what this young lady says is right. If the teaching is not strict and the teacher is lazy, you startled the three young ladies' horses. How can Head Lu not come to apologize personally?"
This...
Guo Jia's words made Cao Ang tremble.
Would the Head be alerted for such a minor matter? Also... wasn't he being "ripped off" here?
Cao Ang was about to speak, but Guo Jia interrupted him again.
"Three young ladies, allow me to introduce myself. I am Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao, a Taixue instructor. This young gentleman is Cao Ang, Cao Zi Xiu, a Taixue student. May I know the names of the three young ladies? We will definitely invite Head Lu to apologize in person another day!"
*Huo...*
So, he was a Taixue instructor.
This time, third sister Zhen Dao and fourth sister Zhen Rong were both startled, while Zhen Mi remained calm.
She introduced, "This is my third sister Zhen Dao, this is my fourth sister Zhen Rong, and I am Zhen Luo. Greetings, Instructor Guo... Apology is not to be expected, but I, Zhen Luo, have long admired the reputation of Situ Lu. I have been in Xu Du city for a long time but have never had the chance to meet him, so... I can only make this unreasonable request. I hope Instructor Guo will forgive me!"
"Hahaha..." Hearing this, Guo Jia burst into laughter. How could he not guess the intentions of this Zhen family girl?
Fortunately, it was him, who always liked to help others achieve their desires. Seeing that the youngest girl was also beautiful and delicate, he decided... to fulfill her wish to meet Lu Yu.
"Young ladies, rest assured, I, Guo, will fulfill this wish for you!"
Generous and courteous!
Guo Jia bowed slightly and then quickly left with Cao Ang.
On the other hand...
Fourth sister Zhen Rong was instantly captivated by Guo Jia's conversation and demeanor.
Indeed... the Yue Dan Ping was a grand occasion. Beautiful women and renowned scholars should indeed exchange glances like this, filling the streets with the spring breeze!
...
However, Cao Ang at this moment was still a bit confused.
"Master Guo? Clearly, this matter..." Cao Ang wanted to explain...
"I know this matter is not your fault, nor is it necessary to alert Head Lu." Guo Jia explained with a smile. "But, you only saw the event itself, did you not see the hidden aspects?"
Hidden aspects?
This...
Cao Ang blinked his eyes, he didn't understand.
Guo Jia patted his shoulder. "People say that a man chasing a woman is like crossing a mountain, and a woman chasing a man is like crossing a veil, haha. You only saw the young lady of the Zhen family making unreasonable demands, but you didn't see her sister developing feelings for you, nor did you see her long-standing admiration for our Head Lu!"
"Therefore, studying and reading cannot be done rigidly. One must see the underlying meaning through the surface. Only after achieving this can you be considered to have entered the door. Think about what I've said today, and you will benefit greatly throughout your life!"
That's right, just as Guo Jia said...
Zhen Tuo, the third daughter of the Zhen family, had hidden feelings for Cao Ang;
Zhen Mi, the youngest daughter of the Zhen family, was full of curiosity and longing for Lu Yu. This was all true!
Precisely...
What Guo Jia did not see was that Zhen Rong, the fourth daughter of the Zhen family, also harbored feelings for him, Guo Fengxiao!
This is what is called clarity from the bystander, while the person involved is confused!
...
...
West of the city, Yue Dan Ping...
This "place of reputation" was personally chosen by Cai Yan. Originally, the west of Xu Du city was an open space. When Cao Cao moved the capital to Xu Du, he focused on extensive construction in the east city. This west city remained barren!
But now, due to the allocation of a large amount of financial resources, the area was full of trees, pines and cypresses, and flourishing cold plum blossoms. Moreover, a living water from the Ying River flowed through it, giving it a taste of being nestled against mountains and water.
In the center of this area, there was a high platform with "Yue Dan Ping" hanging on it. At this time, the platform was still empty, but there were already hundreds of onlookers gathered below in groups of three and five!
The gathering of scholars from all over the world in Xu Du city was a rare occasion in many years. Today, the participants of the "wind review" were mainly literati. Acquaintances shook hands and smiled, and laughter could be heard from time to time.
Countless young girls whispered...
Constantly discussing.
"Which young master is the one wearing blue? I like him so much, can I go and inquire?"
"Don't be in a hurry to inquire. The Yue Dan Ping has not yet begun. Currently... we can only see their faces. Who knows if they have true talent?"
"I heard that Miss Cai Yan, who is presiding today, is a talented woman of the current era, and she has cultivated such a young, learned, and high-ranking handsome gentleman like Situ Lu. She is truly remarkable!"
"I wonder if Situ Lu will come? And... will the sons of Commander Cao come?"
Below the Yue Dan Ping platform, next to countless carriages...
Many scholars and young ladies had already found their matches. The young ladies sent out handkerchiefs from their carriages, and the scholars happily received them.
It seemed that the Yue Dan Ping was about to become a serious platform for making friends with the purpose of marriage.
More and more people gathered below the platform, with thousands of carriages and horses, a mighty procession.
In the crowd, Cao Cao appeared in casual attire. Besides him, there were more than a dozen Tiger Guards also hidden in plain clothes among the crowd, as well as the second son Cao Pi and the third son Cao Zhi... Each of them held a red bamboo slip. It was heard that this time, the two sons were going on stage to seek review for the Yue Dan Ya Ping.
Similarly, there were hundreds of assassins dressed in plain clothes mixed in the crowd...
They casually glanced around, as if searching for "Cao Cao" as their target!
At the reviewing platform, a giant hourglass slowly flowed...
It seemed that every applicant for review had a strict time limit.
And in the expectant gazes of countless people, Cai Zhao Ji and Xun Yu gracefully ascended the stage...
The sunlight shone on Cai Zhao Ji's cheeks. From below the stage, her elegant and ethereal temperament was like a blooming purple lotus, pure, serene, beautiful, and untainted by dust!
Her exceptionally beautiful face, her autumn-water-like eyes, there was no part of her that did not stir the hearts of those who saw her. This was an elegant beauty, an ethereal beauty, and a different kind of beauty that emanated from within due to her extensive knowledge and cultivation!
Xun Yu beside her appeared somewhat fatigued...
His eyes constantly scanned the crowd below, as if he had something on his mind.
Fortunately, today's protagonists were not him, but Miss Cai Yan and the scholars being reviewed.
Xun Yu played the role of a special scribe. He tried his best to put on a faint smile, looking at the brushes, ink, scrolls, incense burners placed on the desk, and... the strips of white cloth hanging on the colorful curtains!
Today's reviews would be given by Cai Yan, and he, Xun Yu, would be responsible for writing them on these white cloths and hanging them at the top of the colorful curtains!
Not long after...
Cai Zhao Ji walked to the center of the stage. She bowed to Xun Yu and said, "Lord Ling Xun, may we begin?"
Even though she was the protagonist... she still maintained her usual courtesy!
"Chief Director Cai, please!"
Xun Yu stood up again and raised his hand slightly.
Instantly...
The drums sounded, suppressing the idle chatter and laughter of the people. Today's Yue Dan Ping had begun.
And a clerk from the Situ Mansion shouted: "Please, the eight gentlemen who received red slips, enter in order! To be reviewed by Chief Director Cai!"
...
...