Mythical Three Kingdoms

Liu Bei cared for Lady Gan at home, and by now, Liu Bei’s courtyard had also been graced with numerous concubines. However, the only one who could truly catch Liu Bei’s eye was Lady Gan, who had been with him since before the establishment of Mount Tai, even when he was not yet an overlord. As for the Zhang Clan, besides their shared language, there were other factors involved.

Chen Xi cared for Chen Lan at home. All the maids from Mi Zhen had been taken away by Cai Yan. Speaking of which, this was the first time Chen Xi saw Cai Yan in his own home. Her aloof and indifferent demeanor mixed with a hint of loneliness sparked an unusual thought in Chen Xi – indeed, only such a figure and talent could be celebrated for her name and beauty through the ages.

It was clear, however, that Cai Yan had little interest in Chen Xi, and Chen Xi had no deep thoughts about her. They merely exchanged greetings, and Cai Yan stated that she would strictly discipline Mi Zhen before leaving with a group of girls. Her coldness made Chen Xi’s entire inner courtyard seem dull and colorless.

”It feels somewhat unusual without those girls around,” Chen Xi glanced at the chilly courtyard and said somewhat awkwardly, before sighing. He realized that he too suffered from the common male weakness – although he knew he would hardly interact with them in the future, he still found beauty universally appealing to men.

”Why fuss over this, husband? Although Sister Zhen’er can be brash, she has been more cautious in the courtyard since I became pregnant,” Chen Lan said with a smile, ”She may be impulsive, but she hasn’t done anything bad.” Worried about something, Chen Lan quickly added another sentence.

”I would prefer to invite Zhen Mi over than her. Last time, I let it go because of her youth, without pursuing the matter of my study being burnt down,” Chen Xi thought about Mi Zhen’s situation and decisively refused. Although his study wasn’t like those of other families, storing precious books, it was still not a place for just anyone to enter. The last time he allowed them to go there, there were other factors involved.

”Thank you, husband,” Chen Lan covered her mouth and chuckled, ”Sister Zhen’er did indeed go too far that time, but I’m thankful you did not inform the Mi Family.”

”Only this once, it won’t happen again,” Chen Xi tapped Chen Lan’s forehead and said, ”Mainly because if I had mentioned it, it would have been difficult to deal with. Other families are not like ours. Although I inherited one-third of the Chen Family assets, for the transplanted Chen Family, I still live independently, only offering them the necessary conveniences.”

Chen Lan nodded without saying anything, quietly hugging her blanket and listening to Chen Xi’s words.

”The reason I live alone is that when there are many people, rules are needed. These rules are not only for the Chen Family but also for me. Even as the head of the family, I must adhere to certain rules,” Chen Xi sighed, ”Now, as the head of the Chen Family of Mount Tai, if I lived together with the Chen Family, there would be many, many rules. The rules in big families are too numerous.”

Chen Lan nodded, well aware of these matters. After all, compared to Fan Jian, she had lived with Chen Xi for over a decade and was extremely familiar with the Chen Family rules. Living together with the Chen Clan’s people would have its advantages, but also many troubles. Chen Xi, to protect Chen Lan and the others, eventually chose to live independently.

”Here, I can be arbitrary. Many things can be overlooked, but when the entire family gathers, many issues become complicated,” Chen Xi sighed, ”It’s good to belong to a noble family, but it also restricts too many things.”

Chen Lan nodded seemingly understanding. Chen Xi patted her, ”If you’re tired, go to sleep. Don’t force yourself; it’s not good for your health.”

”Mhm,” Chen Lan responded with a soft nasal sound, then obediently lay on her side.

Chen Xi had many unspoken words. If he had originally chosen to live with the Chen Family, Mi Zhen, Zhen Mi, and the others would likely not have come, and even if they did under those circumstances, they would have to maintain the demeanor of noble maidens. Every move would be governed by rules.

This was also why Mi Zhen and the others often lingered at Chen Xi’s Family, Jia Xu Family, and Cai Yan Family, as only in these households could they relax without restraint. Although Cai Yan was meticulous about etiquette, during the leisure period, she would turn a blind eye to the disrespectful behavior of Mi Zhen and the others, after all, she herself had been adversely affected.

As for Jia Xu Family, it was the same as Chen Xi’s Family, with few rules, and there was also a peer named Jia Yun.

If it were under the circumstances where Chen Xi lived together with the Chen Family, probably only the illiterate maid who cleaned the study, the now pregnant Chen Lan, and esteemed guests invited by Chen Xi could enter his study. Anyone else who tried would likely face the family’s disciplinary measures!

The ancestral hall and the study are two places that are off-limits in any family. The legitimate daughters and the matriarch are allowed to enter only at certain times. At all other times, it’s forbidden territory, not to mention women from outside the family.

In such a situation, even if Chen Xi’s study contained nothing of importance, if Mi Zhen entered, the Mi Family would still owe the Chen Family an explanation.

As for a scenario like the study being burnt down, the Mi Family would not only have to hand over Mi Zhen to the Chen Family for punishment, but also provide a response. No matter how close the personal relationship between Chen Xi and Mi Zhu might be, the face of the family absolutely could not be disgraced!

This is why Chen Xi never mentioned the incident of Mi Zhen burning the study and forbade anyone else from speaking of it. Mi Zhen’s ignorance did not imply that Mi Zhu was unaware. Had this issue become public, even if Mi Zhu doted on Mi Zhen, he would have to hand her over to Chen Xi for discipline. If things escalated to that extent, Chen Xi would have had to make a tough decision. Better to act as if nothing had happened.

Seeing that Chen Lan had fallen asleep, Chen Xi quietly left the room. After instructing the maid, he walked towards the door.

Glancing at Fan Jian, who was embroidering baby clothes, Chen Xi shook his head. Since Chen Lan became pregnant, Fan Jian had changed a lot. She no longer went to study with Cai Yan, nor did she invite other girls to the Chen Family home. She spent more time reading books and embroidering baby clothes.

”Jian’er, I’m planning to go to Linyi. Stay at home and take good care of Ran’er,” Chen Xi said with a sigh. He always wanted to tell Chen Lan about this, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. In the end, he still told Fan Jian, hoping she would convey the message to Chen Lan.

”...” Fan Jian was stunned, and the lively robe she was sewing fell into the basket unnoticed.

”Are you going to campaign again?” Fan Jian asked.

”Yes, a campaign,” Chen Xi said calmly. Ever since he rose to power in Mount Tai, the times he and Chen Lan as well as Fan Jian were together had been few and far between.

”Can you not go?” Fan Jian asked, her eyes slightly reddened.

”Probably not,” Chen Xi sighed, ”Having chosen this path, I must continue onward. I’m just sorry to you and Ran’er, truly sorry.”

”Can you return before the new year?” asked Fan Jian hesitantly after a long pause.

”I’ll do my best,” Chen Xi sighed. In the end, he still accepted the call to duty; after all, among those in Mount Tai, only he was qualified. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian ) with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)