Inside the Xudu City's School Affairs Office, a wide desk was laden with scrolls as several officials bustled back and forth.
One scroll depicted Zhuge "Kongming" and He Yan carousing in the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion, He Yan dressed in a white skirt, reminiscent of rain hitting banana leaves.
Another scroll showed Cao Mu escaping the Prime Minister's mansion late at night, entering the White Horse Marquis's estate, conversing and plotting with Xiahou Juan and a cadre of trusted Dragon Soaring Camp warriors.
A further scroll illustrated a Southern Xiongnu envoy, privy to certain whispers circulating in the capital, overjoyed and dispatching swift riders back to the Xiongnu that very night.
It was evident…
This night was far from peaceful.
Lu Yu and Guo Jia stood by the window, their backs to the desk.
Their gaze was fixed on the blooming flowers and chirping insects in the courtyard; even at night, it was a vibrant summer scene.
"Fengxiao, what are your thoughts?"
Lu Yu asked Guo Jia, a furrow in his brow.
Guo Jia offered no immediate opinion. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke clearly, "Zhuge Kongming and He Pingshu are one thing, and the Southern Xiongnu envoy is another. However… Miss Mu came specifically for you, Ziyu. Do you not intend to offer an explanation?"
"Explanation?" Lu Yu shook his head. "What good would my explanation do? Cao Mu has too strong a personality. She simply cannot enter the White Horse Marquis's mansion!"
"Then…"
Guo Jia raised his eyes, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Heh heh…" Lu Yu smiled faintly. "People say it's the young man's affection for the maiden, but whether the maiden reciprocates, I don't know. At least, the young man is devoted… In this day and age, finding such a 'devoted soul' is not easy!"
While he called her a devoted soul, Lu Yu's mind was actually on "simps."
The saying goes that a simp, in the end, gains nothing. Of course… it could also be the opposite extreme: a simp who, in the end, obtains everything!
"Hahaha…" Guo Jia laughed. He turned, his eyes falling upon the scroll on the desk depicting "Zhuge Kongming" and "He Pingshu" drinking in the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion.
"Ziyu, I only fear you are matchmaking haphazardly. Furthermore, can Zhuge Kongming win over Cao Mu? After all, their social standings are vastly different, aren't they?"
*Hoo…*
Hearing this, Lu Yu let out a sigh.
"This is as far as we can help 'Kongming'!"
"A master guides one to the door; cultivation ultimately depends on the individual. It's just that…"
At this point, Lu Yu paused. "In terms of status, Kongming might be a bit lacking. But in terms of merit and talent, my disciple becoming Cao's son-in-law… It's perfect! As steady as a rock!"
*Heh heh…*
With that, Lu Yu laughed heartily. He mused that Cao Mengde and Zhuge Kongming joining forces would be a picture too beautiful to behold, almost unbearable to witness.
Of course, this life's Zhuge Kongming, under his tutelage, had somewhat veered off course. But his talent in "all crafts" might be ten, even a hundred times more important to Cao's regime than governing, mastering arcane arts, or strategizing.
He was shining brightly in another domain!
Naturally…
Given the considerable contributions Zhuge Jun had made previously without much reward, this could be considered… his due, couldn't it?
*Hoo…*
With this thought, Lu Yu sighed again.
Just then.
A school official hurried in and approached Lu Yu, cupping his hands to report, "Young Master… Madam Xiahou Juan has sent word! She says Miss Cao's plan…"
Upon hearing this…
Lu Yu waved his hand, signaling him to stop.
Guo Jia's eyes, however, darted around, and he immediately turned back to meet Lu Yu's gaze.
"Ziyu, you are truly enviable!"
"What?" Lu Yu countered.
Guo Jia sighed with a sound of "Ai…" "Ziyu, your disciple is a good disciple, and Ziyu, your wife is an even better wife!"
Hahahaha…
Immediately, hearty laughter filled the School Affairs Office, shared between the two.
…
…
Inside the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion, a clean boot, black with white trim and embroidered, landed heavily on the wooden floor.
Zhuge Jun sprang to his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief as he looked ahead.
Just moments ago, a Dragon Soaring Camp warrior had revealed Cao Mu's entire plan to him. In that instant, he felt the world spin; he felt his heart being squeezed.
"Hoo… Hoo…"
His heavy gasps of breath seemed to overshadow his shock at "He Yan," the newly appointed Xiongnu queen. *Tap, tap.* He took steps, running madly towards the exit of the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion.
Cao Mu… Cao Mu!
That name filled his mind.
However…
*"Crash!"*
A heavy club had been waiting outside the door and struck the back of Zhuge Jun's head. He collapsed to the ground like a pile of mud.
Immediately after, he was stuffed into a sack by several Dragon Soaring Camp warriors.
In ancient nights, people were not permitted to roam freely.
The night was deep!
…
…
At the White Horse Marquis's estate, Cao Mu paced back and forth, her brows tightly knit.
"It's so late? Has the wine at the School Affairs Office… not ended yet?"
She appeared somewhat anxious.
For Cao Mu, this was a matter of self-rescue. Every passing hour was incredibly precious, and she dared not delay for a single moment!
"Someone just reported that my husband has already headed back."
Xiahou Juan, while comforting Cao Mu, handed her a cup of tea. "Drink some tea to moisten your throat… You'll be busy tonight!"
Clearly, Xiahou Juan's words had a double meaning.
"Ai…" Cao Mu sighed. In truth, her feelings were complex.
Once upon a time, she too had been like a young woman awakening to love, filled with curiosity for a dashing young gentleman. Lu Yu, in particular, fascinated her immensely. The more intrigued she was, the more she desired to interact with him and be by his side.
But… but for some reason, her father strongly opposed this burgeoning affection, as if she had committed some unforgivable sin.
Cao Mu couldn't understand…
People say, "A pretty girl is sought by a gentleman," but… if it were a dashing gentleman? Would a maiden seek him out like this, always "unobtainable"?
Fortunately…
Such emotions didn't last long.
For compared to romantic love, Cao Mu cared more about her father's gaze, the opinions of her uncles and elders. She poured all her energy into the forging workshop, crafting one divine weapon after another!
These efforts also helped the Dragon Soaring Camp's reputation to resonate throughout the land, echoing across the Nine Provinces… invincible in every battle!
Her life should have continued peacefully. Even if she couldn't marry Lu Yu, at least she could see him often and help him, which could be considered a unique way of "forgetting each other in the rivers and lakes."
But… but marrying into the frontier, becoming the consort of the Southern Xiongnu's Left Worthy King, had completely disrupted her life. She had to save herself; she was unwilling, and unable, to leave the forging workshop, to leave Xudu City!
"Sister Juan'er, why… why is it so difficult for me?"
Cao Mu lamented, downing the tea Xiahou Juan offered.
*"Gulp…"*
As the tea went down, whether due to emotional turmoil or something else… Cao Mu felt a wave of dizziness. Perhaps she was just too tired?
In a daze, she squinted and asked Xiahou Juan, "Sister Juan'er… why… why are you so… so fortunate?"
Just then…
A strong wave of dizziness washed over her.
*"Thump!"*
*"Thump!"*
Cao Mu collapsed to the ground.
She fainted. Even in her unconsciousness, her lips remained slightly parted, as if her heart held countless unanswered questions.
*Hoo…*
Xiahou Juan let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes slightly.
"Sister Mu, I'm sorry…"
"Juan'er wants to help you, but… but I absolutely cannot hide it from my husband."
…
…
North of the Yellow River, in Nanpi City.
At this late hour, within the yamen.
"It infuriates me… it infuriates me!" Yuan Tan frantically swept the entire desk over.
Guo Tu and Xin Pi, two strategists, were still present. This was the first time they had witnessed such an intense side of the "eldest son."
His eyes were filled with deep humiliation and hatred, all stemming from a barrage of news.
Just moments ago…
Within Nanpi Commandery, several counties that had originally pledged allegiance to Yuan Tan had suddenly announced their rebellion against him, openly betraying him and siding with Yuan Shang.
Of course…
This was easily understandable. Yuan Shang was Yuan Shao's appointed successor. Regardless of any conflicts between the Yuan brothers, Yuan Shang remained the nominal authority, the master of the four northern provinces. If Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang had been on good terms, these officials might have felt pity for Yuan Tan and inclined towards him.
But… the battle at Liyang City, where Yuan Tan had launched a surprise attack on Yuan Shang, changed everything!
Yuan Shang had become the sympathetic party.
Yuan Tan's subordinates were defecting one after another…
What was even more terrifying was… Yuan Shang, having also suffered a major defeat, instead of retaking Liyang to prevent Cao's army from advancing north, led his army to attack Nanpi.
Indeed, from ancient times to the present… the Yuan family had consistently adhered to the grand strategy of "to ward off foreign aggression, one must first pacify domestic strife."
Cao Cao, who held a grudge of paternal revenge, could be temporarily set aside, but the internal strife among brothers and the struggle for succession could not be treated lightly!
*Hoo… hoo…*
Yuan Tan was furious!
"Mr. Guo, Mr. Xin… now that Cao's army has been pacified, that brat Yuan Shang is leading his troops to attack me? I… what should I do?"
This…
Guo Tu and Xin Pi exchanged glances, followed by a long silence.
It wasn't that there were no solutions, but rather…
"At this juncture, gentlemen, please speak your minds directly!"
Yuan Tan grew impatient. "Could it be that you gentlemen wish to wait until Lu Ziyu has pacified the northern territories with his psychological warfare before… before offering advice?"
*Hoo…*
Xin Pi let out a sigh. After much deliberation, he finally spoke.
"My lord, allow me to ask boldly, do you believe yourself to be a match for the Hidden Dragon?"
This…
Yuan Tan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "My father was outmaneuvered by him and passed away. I… I am inferior to my father, so how… how could I be a match for the Hidden Dragon?"
"Then…" Xin Pi continued, "Is Young Master Shang a match for the Hidden Dragon?"
"Far from it!" As soon as Yuan Shang was mentioned, Yuan Tan became agitated. "That brat, even ten of him tied together wouldn't compare to a single nostril hair of the Hidden Dragon!"
Having reached this point in the conversation…
Guo Tu caught a hint of the implication.
"Are you suggesting, Zuo Zhi, that…"
"Precisely!" Before Guo Tu could finish his sentence, Xin Pi directly explained, "Since neither of you young lords are a match for the Hidden Dragon, and the current situation favors Cao's forces, why should we resist?"
"Instead of offering futile resistance and being isolated, why not… why not send envoys to Cao Cao for aid? At the very least, we can ally with Cao Cao to defeat Yuan Shang! At the most, my lord can let Cao Cao and Yuan Shang exhaust each other, allowing the young master to reap the benefits!"
*Hey…*
It must be said, Xin Pi's words resonated with Yuan Tan, making some sense.
Yuan Tan knew best that in the current situation, seeking help from others at the last minute, with a supplicating face, was unlikely to be successful. Without reinforcements, Yuan Tan could neither defeat Cao Cao nor Yuan Shang; he was surely doomed.
It was no exaggeration to say he had been pushed to a dead end.
And when people are pushed to a dead end, they often resort to extremes.
Yuan Tan hardened his heart and gritted his teeth.
"Let… let us proceed as Mr. Xin suggested. I have heard that Cao Cao has an eldest son named Cao Ang who is not yet married. Why not marry my daughter to him? I shall become in-laws with Cao Cao, what do you say?"
"My lord is wise!"
"I have always heard that Mr. Xin is also a talented scholar from Yingchuan, and you have many fellow townsmen in Cao's camp. This mission will trouble you!"
Yuan Tan clasped Xin Pi's hand.
Xin Pi cupped his hands, accepting the command, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Indeed, this was his strategy, but in reality, Xin Pi had no intention of following the Yuan family to the bitter end. He was preparing to defect.
At this point, why continue fighting?
Cao Cao and Lu Ziyu, in alliance, could not be stopped, let alone the internally strife-ridden Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang… even if they were united in brotherly love, they might not be able to withstand them!
A good bird chooses a tree to roost in… choosing a tree to perch on! To perch! To perch!
…
…
In a side chamber of the White Horse Marquis's estate.
When Cao Mu awoke, Zhuge Jun was by her side.
"What are you doing?"
Cao Mu suddenly clutched herself, instinctively curling up. However, upon realizing she was still clothed and that the person before her, Zhuge Jun, was even less formidable than Lu Yu, she let out a long sigh.
She looked around.
"Where is this? How did I… end up here?"
Cao Mu suddenly thought of something. She got out of bed, looked around, and rushed towards the door. To her dismay, the doors were all sealed, covered with wooden planks from the outside, and completely unopenable.
Cao Mu then quickly moved to the window and tried to push it open. Tonight was too crucial for her; she didn't even have time to consider other things.
However… the window was also sealed, completely unopenable.
This…
"Where is this? Kongming! Why are you here?" Cao Mu asked loudly.
*Hoo…*
Zhuge Jun let out a soft sigh. Compared to Cao Mu's impulsiveness, he appeared very calm.
"You ask me what I'm doing? I should be asking… what are *you* doing?"
The lighting in this side chamber was dim. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of the wine, or perhaps a blow to the head had emboldened him.
Zhuge Jun paused and blurted out Cao Mu's plan.
"...These… these are your plans? To avoid… to avoid marrying into the frontier, you're willing to… to debase yourself in such a way to…"
"I…" Cao Mu was momentarily speechless. She didn't know how her plan had been leaked.
Of course… that wasn't the most important thing.
What Cao Mu wanted to know most was whether Lu Yu also knew about this plan. If so… then… then it would be over!
Biting her lips…
Their eyes met!
Yet, their gazes were filled with evasion.
Being so close to the person she yearned for, and knowing her… her intentions, filled Zhuge Jun with heartache and immense nervousness.
He nervously fiddled with his front garment, crumpling it. At this moment, Zhuge Jun realized that all his concern for Cao Mu had turned into fantasy.
After a long, awkward silence…
Cao Mu and Zhuge Jun spoke at the same time.
"Do you really have to do this?"
After another brief silence, it was Cao Mu's turn to speak. "Kongming, I thank you over these years, both for the forging workshop and for myself. I thank you. You are a good person… but… but what I seek can only be found with your master! Only he can help me… help me avoid that fate and belonging in the frontier!"
"The frontier?" Zhuge Jun shook his head and gave a bitter smile. "Heh heh, there was never a frontier from the beginning…"
"You simply… truly like the master. The master is so outstanding, so exceptional. Let alone you, even if I were a woman, I imagine I would be involuntarily drawn to him. There's nothing wrong with that…"
He paused, then gritted his teeth and continued, "But, but I cannot bear to see you debasing yourself in this manner to…"
"You, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Cao? Without a proper marriage, with no matchmaker and betrothal gifts? What is this? Will you be a humble concubine in the Marquis's estate?"
"Kongming, I understand what you mean, but… but…"
Cao Mu spoke haltingly.
She looked at Zhuge Jun again, finally pouring out all the words in her heart. "But liking someone isn't like buying things in a market, it's not a carefully calculated exchange of favors. I want to give myself to Lu Yu because I love him. Because of him, I have gained dreams, happiness, and satisfaction over the years. My youth has been filled with fond memories because of him. Therefore… even if I were to be a humble concubine, I… I still…"
*"Gulp."* With that thought, Cao Mu pursed her lips. She pondered for a moment, then opened her mouth. "Kongming, there's something I've always wanted to tell you. I know your feelings, but… I cannot betray my heart. The feelings in my heart now will fade with time. Kongming… you have achieved so many merits. You have your pick of countless maidens. Why are you so persistent?"
"Hahaha…" Zhuge Jun laughed. Suddenly, he could understand Cao Mu's actions.
Over the years, Cao Mu managed the forging workshop, and he managed the workshop…
Wasn't that an unusual gain of dreams, happiness, and satisfaction?
If it weren't for his master, if he hadn't knocked out his elder brother, "True Kongming," back then, what would his life have become?
"I understand… but… but I still want to say it!"
Zhuge Jun was determined to finish speaking today.
"Cao Mu, open your eyes and look. If your eyes were not solely focused on the master, you would see that there are others in this world who care about you!"
"To avoid marrying into the Xiongnu, I… I can help you too! The master… he will also help me, you know!"
*Hoo…*
Zhuge Jun spoke up to this point.
Cao Mu suddenly clenched her fist. "Kongming, if you continue to say this, I'll have to hit you!"
"Hit me, and I will accept it!" Zhuge Jun straightened his chest!
*Hoo…*
Cao Mu gritted her teeth. "If I marry you, I will abuse you. I won't give you food to eat!"
"Hahaha…" Zhuge Jun laughed. "Seeing you every day is enough to fill my stomach. What need do I have for food?"
"I…" Cao Mu's heart hardened. "I… I am already pregnant with your master's child!"
"Then…" Zhuge Jun hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, "Then I will take the child's surname!"
Drunkenness surged, and fueled by the wine, Zhuge Jun poured out everything he had wanted to say but couldn't.
"I…" Cao Mu was almost speechless. "You don't know, my feet stink terribly!"
"Haha, what a coincidence!" Zhuge Jun spread his hands. "My nose has a congenital problem; I can't smell anything!"
"Then… then I'm a man!" Cao Mu blurted out…
Zhuge Jun hardened his heart, pulled down his trousers, and said, "I'll cut it off right now!"
Cao Mu directly drew a dagger from her waist and threw it in front of Zhuge Jun!
"You damn… cut it for me to see!"
The night deepened,
The extreme tug-of-war between an ultimate simp and an extremely strong, tomboyish woman intensified, reaching its peak, its climax!
…
…
At the same time.
In Jingzhou, outside Xiangyang City, a newlywed couple was being escorted to the bridal chamber.
The bride was Huang Yueying, the daughter of Huang Chengyan.
The groom was the disciple of Mr. Water Mirror, Sima Hui – "True Zhuge Kongming"!
At this moment… inside the bridal chamber, a basin of water was placed before Zhuge Liang.
The maidservant beside Huang Yueying spoke eloquently.
"This basin of water is the third question posed by my lady. Please answer it, Master Zhuge!"
*Hoo…*
Zhuge Liang paused.
Standing with his hands behind his back, he spoke fluently. "Mencius said, 'Nothing is more visible than water, nothing is a better mirror than still water, but one can only see oneself in still water. Only stillness can quell all unrest!'"
"'My beloved wife's basin of clear water is like straight water! Clear as a mirror! My lady uses clear water as a mirror to reflect my sincere heart, this is the first point! My beloved wife also uses clear water as a warning, reminding me not to abandon my own integrity to accommodate the filth around me, this is the second point!"
"'Today, I am intoxicated not by the wine, but by myself. It is not because of this water, nor because of this wine, but because seeing the water evokes feelings and enlightenment! My beloved wife's heart is like pure water, also admonishing me that our marital relationship should be as clear as this spring water, supporting each other, mutually open and honest!'"
At this point…
Huang Yueying lightly waved her delicate hand, and the maidservants understood and left one by one.
In this bridal chamber, only Zhuge Liang and Huang Yueying remained.
As the footsteps outside faded away, Zhuge Liang's expression turned serious.
"Since my wife and I are to be married, and she tested me with 'still water,' then I should not keep anything from my wife."
"In fact… I have deceived my wife. I am not Zhuge Jia, the third son of the Zhuge family of Langya, but the second son, Zhuge Kongming! And this… is a long story!"
…
…