NOVPUBChen Xi and Liu Bei were eating and drinking when Fan Jian already returned with a group of girls. However, because Liu Bei was present, she merely came forward to exchange a few greetings before leading the others into the inner courtyard. 𝚗ovp𝚞b.𝚌om
"Zichuan, I won’t bother you any longer," said Liu Bei as he patted Chen Xi’s shoulder. "Remember to come to my residence tonight."
"Certainly, I won’t forget," Chen Xi replied with a smile. Then he escorted Liu Bei out of his own courtyard. Watching Liu Bei’s carriage travel no more than a few hundred meters before reaching his mansion.
When he turned back, a group of women had already appeared behind him, led by Fan Jian. Seeing Chen Xi turn around, Fan Jian and Chen Lan bowed their heads in a demure gesture, "Your concubines welcome the return of their lord."
"Spare me that," Chen Xi pulled a face. "We don’t go in for that sort of thing at home. You and Ran’er both look fine, and so do I—that’s good enough. As for these few..."
Chen Xi’s demeanor chilled from the previous warmth he had shown when speaking to Fan Jian and Chen Lan. "Mi Zhen, Zhen Mi, speak up. What’s going on with my study room? Burning down my study when you have nothing else to do? Do you have a grudge against me?"
"Who holds a grudge against you!" Mi Zhen leaped out like a cat whose fur had been ruffled, shouting, "It was an accident, and besides, I only burned a little bit."
Zhen Mi reached out to tug at Mi Zhen’s sleeve, only to be slapped on the hand by Mi Zhen, who then looked at Zhen Mi with displeasure.
"I am Jia Yun, daughter of Jia Xu, and I have met Marquis Chen. This matter also concerns me. Both sisters were looking for books at that time, and I was present without being able to stop them. I hope Marquis Chen will not take offense," said Jia Xu’s daughter as she stepped forward.
"The daughter of Jia Wenhe?" Chen Xi said helplessly. Normally, he and Jia Xu would be of the same generation, but now he was meeting Jia Xu’s daughter, leaving Chen Xi somewhat at a loss for words—she seemed a bit older than Fan Jian.
"Indeed, I am my father’s daughter," Jia Yun bowed her head in acknowledgment.
Compared to the other women, Jia Yun was not particularly outstanding. There was no need to speak of Mi Zhen and Zhen Mi. Although they were young, both were exceptional in terms of demeanor and appearance.
As for Second Miss Cai, even though she didn’t possess her sister’s knowledgeable and learned air, she was not an empty-headed beauty either, having a certain spirit about her.
Fan Jian’s slowly cultivated noble grace, as well as Chen Lan’s delicate beauty, each had their own merits. Only Jia Yun seemed exceedingly ordinary.
"Never mind, I didn’t intend to quarrel with this girl. She was very well-behaved when she served as a female officer, but after Zizhong released her, hmpf, hmpf." Chen Xi glared at Mi Zhen and huffed twice.
"Hmph, I don’t need your forgiveness. It’s just some books that I burned. I’ll compensate you," Mi Zhen pouted, not wanting to owe anyone favors. It was just that her habitual resistance had been stirred by Chen Xi’s previous teasing.
"Miss Mi, some words should not be said carelessly. If it weren’t for Zizhong’s sake, you playing with fire in my study, I would have dealt with you already. Go away and find someone to marry off quickly—you’re such a bother," Chen Xi said, pushing aside Mi Zhen who had been blocking his path. He quite liked the little girl’s cheekiness but found her behavior trying at times.
"Marry whom?" Just as Chen Xi sidestepped Mi Zhen, she bounced back in front of him with enthusiasm, lacking any demureness that a young girl should have. On the contrary, she was brimming with excitement as if she was about to receive a new toy.
Miss Mi Zhen’s retort almost choked Chen Xi to death. In the past, she would at least turn red and sneak away, but now, she had become like this.
Before Chen Xi could respond, Mi Zhen had already begun counting on her fingers, "If we talk about marriage, the only suitable bachelors on Mount Tai right now are the son of Strategist Jia, General Guan’s son, and you~"
"You’re going to be the death of me with this nonsense," Chen Xi said speechlessly. "Jian’er, who taught her all this? I remember last year when she was serving as a female official for Lord Xuande, she was still quite well-behaved, right? How did she end up like this?"
"Little sister Zhen’er is just a bit..." Fan Jian pinched her fingers, looking somewhat at a loss for words.
It was only after spending a lot of time with Mi Zhen that Fan Jian understood that Mi Zhen was naturally such a character. The difficulties at home had masked it, but now, the root was deep and ingrained. Mi Zhen no longer needed to pretend to be a good girl. Before she still cared about appearances in front of others, but now, the bunch in front of her knew her true nature, so there was no longer any need for pretense.
While Chen Xi was still sighing, Mi Zhen had already calculated through all the young men on Mount Tai who were a good match for her. "What do you think about me marrying Zhuge Kongming?"
"I already have a wife," came a distant reply from Zhuge Liang’s courtyard, extinguishing any possibility that Mi Zhen had of pursuing that thought further.
"Fa Xiaozhi is also quite good," Mi Zhen said reluctantly.
"He also has a legal wife," Zhuge Liang interjected, not seeking to fall out with Fa Zheng but also not wanting Fa Zheng to be unlucky, thus speaking out once more.
"Hmph, can’t you just keep quiet? You really think I don’t know?!" Mi Zhen said annoyed, then, as if smitten, she added dreamily, "Actually, I think General Zhao is quite nice." After saying this, her eyes curved into crescent moons, and she beamed at Chen Xi.
Chen Xi shot a look at Fan Jian, who gave back a wry smile, making it clear to Chen Xi what the situation was with Mi Zhen. "Fine, fine, General Zhao is indeed not bad. Handsome, skilled in martial arts, proficient in administration, and brilliant both in literary and military strategy. I’ll tell him when I get back."
"That would really elevate my status," giggled Mi Zhen, who seemed troubled by another thought, "What should I call my elder brother when I meet him then?"
"If I were your brother Zizhong, I’d never acknowledge a sister like you, teasing your own brother before you’re even married," said Chen Xi, unable to help himself, "Miss Mi, what on earth do you want?"
"Elder Sister Cai said that if a woman has a chance, she should seize control of her own marital fate, and she is the smartest among us. So, I think what she said is very sensible, which is why I want to secure my own marriage," said Mi Zhen, suddenly serious, with her previous excitement or infatuation completely gone.
"I’m starting to regret having entrusted you all to Cai Zhaoji. Second Miss Cai, do you think your sister is right?" Chen Xi asked, turning to consult the second Miss Cai.
"My sister has only now understood this truth," chuckled Second Miss Cai, covering her mouth with her hand, "At first, I told her to elope with me, but she refused, saying she wanted to be like Ban Ji, reading the Women’s Precepts over and over again, but in the end, it proved to be of no use."
Chen Xi gazed into Second Miss Cai’s eyes, which although sharp, could not conceal the hint of sadness within them. Cai Yan, a woman of matchless beauty and talent, now paradoxically couldn’t find anyone to marry her – the more her identity, learning, and status were considered, the harder it became for her to find a match. Sometimes, Second Miss Cai felt like telling her sister just to marry someone decent who liked her.
Unfortunately, Cai Yan was after all Cai Yan, and the younger sister was just the younger sister. Had it not been for the death of their father and the downfall of their house, Cai Yan would never have indulged her rebellious younger sister as she did now, let alone listen to her advice.
(To be continued. If you enjoy this story, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it and support us with your monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
