Mythical Three Kingdoms

"Oh, you have nowhere to celebrate the New Year!" Chen Xi teased.

Wu Yuan shot an annoyed glance at Chen Xi. She most dreaded anyone saying she was homeless. However, Wu Yuan was still professional; despite the glare, she wore a professional smile, though her displeasure could be seen in her expression.

"Alright, no more jokes. Do you have no relatives or friends from your hometown in Jizhou?" Chen Xi asked seriously.

"My family is in Chenliu. In Chang'an, I do have friends and even some old ties with Cao Mengde, and if you trace back a generation, we're technically old friends. But in Mount Tai and Ye City, I truly have no acquaintances," Wu Yuan said seriously, sweeping away her previous smile.

Regarding the connections between the great aristocratic families, Jia Xu had informed Chen Xi of the important nodes to be concerned about. The Wu family's relationship with Cao Cao was actually quite good. It was just that Wu Yi's father had such a good relationship with Liu Yan that the Wu family moved with Liu Yan to Yizhou.

Of course, if it weren't for this, when Cao Cao raised his army, it might not have been only Weii Zi supporting Cao Cao. If they had been in Chenliu, the Wu family might not have fully supported him, but at least they would have lent a hand, as Cao Cao was considered a mighty lord.

"Here, the only ones you can likely talk things over with are Zhen Mi and Mi Zhen. I don't believe they didn't invite you over," Chen Xi shook his head, feeling Wu Yuan was intentionally scheming against him.

"Actually, you don't need to think too much; I am indeed scheming against you," Wu Yuan stretched lazily, the languid expression breaking the smile she put on before.

Her charming demeanor even made Chen Xi pause slightly. Although Zhen Mi, Cai Yan, and Mi Zhen were all beauties, they were mindful of their image and wouldn't act this way in front of Chen Xi.

Wu Yuan pulled a scroll from her sleeve and tossed it on the counter, signaling Chen Xi to open it. Just from the part that was visible through the rolled scroll, Chen Xi understood what it was.

"When only Yizhou remains, it just takes one dispatch to bring peace to the world. This is useless." Although it was finely and meticulously drawn, Chen Xi found no use for it. There was no need for a map of Yizhou.

"Could it be, Marquis Chen wants little old me~" Wu Yuan feigned a fearful expression, shrinking back, appearing fragile and easy to bully. Yet the hint of dislike in her eyes was caught by Chen Xi.

"Alright, alright, give me a reason why you want to stay with me?" Chen Xi, seeing Wu Yuan's expression, became intrigued.

"I need someone for protection," Wu Yuan said calmly.

She didn't explain further; Chen Xi basically understood the situation, "With your family, are you and your brother the only sensible ones?"

Wu Yuan remained silent, but her helpless expression explained everything. Indeed, there were families with bizarre mindsets, or perhaps it was the natural barriers of Sichuan and Shu that inflated their confidence.

"But are you sure I can protect you, and aren't you worried?" Chen Xi, curious now, asked, "What if I'm unreliable?"

"At least if you're unreliable, it's still within my acceptable range," Wu Yuan yawned.

"Oh, very wise," Chen Xi suddenly felt Wu Yuan was quite smart, so he took away the two pairs of bracelets without paying, and casually pocketed the map.

"Wait a while, my family's carriage will come by, just get on then," Chen Xi said, holding the scroll, waving his hand as he walked away. He knew how to arrange things for Wu Yuan now.

Wu Yuan wasn't worried about Chen Xi going back on his word. After all, even if he did, recognizing a person's true nature with just two pairs of bracelets wouldn't feel like a loss.

Chen Xi left with the two pairs of bracelets along with Chen Yun. Chen Yun, touching the bracelets on her wrist, hesitated for a moment before asking, "Family Head, are you really letting Miss Wu stay at our home?"

This was actually a bit overstepping, but Chen Xi didn't mind, smiling as he replied, "Of course not. If she wants protection, besides my place, there's actually another place that can also serve as a refuge, but she and I have a certain affinity."

Chen Yun was visibly relieved; she always felt Wu Yuan had some scheming ways. People like Chen Lan were utterly naive and straightforward, and Fan Jian would speak her mind straightforwardly too. Zhen Mi, although willing to hide things, would eventually spill them out, but Wu Yuan gave Chen Yun a completely different feeling.

Chen Yun definitely didn't want an additional scheming matriarch. Even though she didn't have much interest in Chen Xi, the gap between them was too great.

Even Chen Xi knew that if the differences in status and identity were too vast, from the ordinary person's perspective, unless they were the protagonist, what would be born is definitely not love, but likely a sense of gratitude and reciprocity.

If they really had an additional scheming matriarch, Chen Yun felt the good days would end, and as a close maid of such danger, even unwilling to fight, she would have no choice. Being the fifteenth in the world, Chen Yun suddenly felt Xuu Zijiang had tricked her…

"Ahchoo!" Xuu Zijiang, who was drinking in Liu Yu's residence in Chang'an, sneezed, [Could it be I'm being cursed behind my back for not having issued the Civil Official List due to lack of investigation?]

"Zijiang, you should see a doctor and take some medicine, lest you die before even issuing the Civil Official List," Liu Yu, already at an age where he was aware of fate, said these words without taboo.

"Becoming a unique echo is also fine," Xuu Shao replied casually, not taking it seriously at all. Before meeting Xun Yu, Xun You, and others, he wouldn't pen the Civil Official List. He needed to confirm each one.

The previous official announcements were somewhat casually made, but the Civil Official List definitely couldn't be like that. It had to be convincing!

"You scoundrel!" Liu Yu put down his chopsticks, laughing heartily at Xuu Shao, "Gongsun Family and Lu Family, how are they now?"

"Liu Xuande, whatever else can be said, truly treats his people well. Lu Zijia has been accepted as a student by Jia Wenhe, and the Gongsun Family has been properly settled," Xuu Shao said gravely, understanding the implication of Liu Yu's question.

"That's good." Liu Yu stroked his beard, smiling as he said, and then suddenly widened his eyes, "Now that I think about it, I outlived that Gongsun Bogui fellow. Haha! As Lao Dan said, to conquer the strong with gentleness—Gongsun Bogui was too rigid. He didn't need to die like that."

Xuu Shao rolled his eyes, knowing that the conflict between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan was beyond resolution. Now that Gongsun Zan was dead, there was no way he could jump out to defend himself.

"What a pity that the Great Han Dynasty lost a renowned general for guarding the frontier. Despite his heavy-handedness, he did well in the North. His descendants should enjoy those rights," Liu Yu suddenly changed the topic.

To be honest, Liu Yu valued his reputation greatly, so he didn't mind saying a few good words about Gongsun Zan. Say a few nice words about Gongsun Zan, and Gongsun Zan can't jump out of his grave to disagree, plus it leaves a generous reputation. Surely, bringing up Gongsun Bogui from time to time seems to improve the mood. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to visit Qidian [qidian.com], cast a recommendation vote, a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)