Mythical Three Kingdoms

”There’s nothing that can be done; I can see it clearly.” Zhen Mi’s cheeks, which had been slightly flushed, abruptly returned to normal as she spoke coldly.

”Which is why I say you’re a fool.” Zhang Clan tapped Zhen Mi’s head lightly. ”The way he looks at you clearly indicates he does have feelings for you. Regardless of your position, at the very least, you bring color into his world!”

”But...” Zhen Mi opened her mouth helplessly, ”He’s doing it intentionally, deliberately avoiding any further steps!”

”Which is why you’re a fool. He isn’t cold to you nor is he resistant to your presence. Whatever you want to do, he never stops you. There are even times when conflicts arise between your requests and those of his wife, and he sometimes leans toward you!” Zhang Clan stared at Zhen Mi helplessly and spoke. Sure, she’s smart, but how can she be so blind!

”It’s completely useless.” Zhen Mi sighed deeply. She could sense Chen Xi’s accommodation, but it felt entirely different from the feelings he showed for his wife.

”I’m calling you foolish, yet you refuse to believe it. A woman’s pity for a man can never blossom into love, but a man’s pity for a woman can easily transform into something more. If you cling to him, he’ll continue to accommodate you. Besides, you have a kind heart, you’re beautiful, and if you frequently appear before him, change will inevitably occur.” Zhang Clan spoke helplessly, realizing suddenly that her daughter truly might be a fool.

”When men make choices, they always consider both inner qualities and appearance. If both match, as long as he doesn’t find you annoying, you will have a chance. Do you think he finds you annoying?” Zhang Clan asked with a knowing smile.

As for the relationship between Zhen Mi and Chen Xi, Zhang Clan’s original idea was to let it gradually fade away. After all, given Zhen Mi’s status, marrying anyone as a concubine would be unthinkable—unless the person’s position was so esteemed that they ruled as emperors, at which point a concubine would become a consort, and the meaning would be entirely different.

Although Chen Xi had exhibited remarkable brilliance, even steering the tides of the world step by step without making a single miscalculation thus far, Zhang Clan considered that even if Marquis Liu himself were reborn, he wouldn’t compare.

But Chen Xi wasn’t just talented; he also had a wife—and even worse, two wives—and Zhang Clan knew both of them held official Lady’s Writs. Under such circumstances, would the Zhen Family still have face if Zhen Mi were to marry into his household? Certainly not.

Thus, Zhang Clan gradually distanced Zhen Mi from Chen Xi, brushing aside Liu Bei’s proposal with casual indifference. After all, Zhen Mi was her daughter, and having her become someone’s concubine was not an acceptable solution.

Take a good look at Cai Yan near Chen Xi’s household—she and Chen Xi are indeed well-matched in status. But for what reason? Could Cai Yan ever be someone’s concubine? What kind of absurd joke is that? Even after being captured by the Hu People, she returned and became Dong Si’s wife! That’s the strength of status!

The same principle applied to Zhen Mi. Her elder sisters and brothers were only half-siblings, while Zhen Mi was Zhang Clan’s sole legitimate child, born to her as the Lady of the family. The others were merely concubines’ children, which is why it was said that the Zhen Family lacked true heirs. Concubine’s children, in this era, were sometimes indistinguishable from servants.

Looking at it this way, it becomes clear why Yuan Shao demanded his descendant marry Zhen Mi as a legitimate wife, and it also explains why, in history, Cao Pi forcefully wed Zhen Mi: because Zhen Mi was the Zhen Family’s lone legitimate daughter!

Under these circumstances, if Zhen Mi married as a concubine, where would the Zhen Family’s face be? Zhang Clan herself had no solution to this predicament, which was why she looked indifferently upon the relationship between Chen Xi and Zhen Mi—not because she had doubts about Chen Xi’s wisdom, but because she had to consider the family, and Zhen Mi herself.

But then time dragged on. The longer it stretched, the more Zhen Mi displayed emotional sentiment, until Zhang Clan realized the matter was unsolvable. Let her go, then. Keeping Zhen Mi tethered like this would only make her increasingly resentful, eventually leading to riddled unhappiness and an untimely death. Marry her off to Chen Xi—if it doesn’t work out later, they can separate, and she can remarry again. At least her health would remain intact.

This was the very reason Zhang Clan had now begun teaching Zhen Mi how to handle Chen Xi. Losing face for the Zhen Family was better than losing their only legitimate daughter to death. Marry, then—losing face was a small matter. Anyway, wasn’t it better to have her mother standing in front, shielding her? By then, they’d involve the highest powers in the land, and who would dare utter gossip?

Zhen Yi may have criticized Zhang Clan for prioritizing family interests, but could such a person not love her daughter deeply? Since the matter was irreversible, and calamity was inevitable, why not uphold her daughter’s happiness instead? Let her go. If Chen Xi had the ability to obtain second Lady’s Writs, then let him fetch a third!

Meanwhile, at the Xin Family’s estate, Xin Xianying had also returned home. Had it been in past days, sneaking out irresponsibly at such an hour would have earned her punishment—kneeling before the family shrine would have been the least of it. Yet today, no one pursued the matter.

Looking at the cluelessly innocent Xin Xianying, Chen Clan simply stroked her little head without saying anything. Compared to the uneasy trepidation of before, at least now Chen Clan felt more secure inside. Regardless of whether Xin Pi chose surrender, the Xin Family’s eighty-odd members were now safe and sound, their lives no longer threatened.

Reflecting on this, Chen Clan felt frustration toward Xin Pi. Why persist to such extremes? Yuan Shao was dead—who was he still serving with unwavering loyalty?

Watching Xin Xianying eating with a small bowl while secretly peeking at her, Chen Clan began to inquire about the day’s events.

With cautious precision, Xin Xianying recounted the entire day’s happenings, and for the first time, Chen Clan realized her daughter possessed a photographic memory and a remarkably complete thought process, her intelligence almost unbefitting a child.

”You said Marquis Chen gave you a gold medal?” Chen Clan frowned and asked, and Xin Xianying retrieved the medal from her clothing—a ”Chen” character in calligraphy, with barely any additional patterns.

”The Family Head…” Chen Clan gasped in disbelief.

These items were ordinarily never to be given away. Chen Family Elders could be granted one, the Matriarch could hold one, but others would only belong to the Family Head himself. Issuing them recklessly would create chaos. And now, seeing her daughter wearing the medal stunned Chen Clan.

In the Yingchuan region, even unrelated Chen surnames had been subtly assimilated over four centuries—a kinship loosely borne even with the Chen Family’s main lineage. Calling someone kin wouldn’t even be a stretch. Xin Pi’s wife would never mistake such an item.

”Keep this item carefully and don’t let anyone see it.” Chen Clan’s mind whirred with worry, but she maintained her composure, carefully tucking the medal back away.

”Did he say anything more?” Chen Clan asked with concern.

Xin Xianying tilted her head and thought for a long time before suddenly recalling Chen Xi’s words: ”He said with this, I can visit him often. It seems he plans to teach me something.”

A lie woven with nine truths and one falsehood remains nearly impossible to unravel—particularly when spoken by Xin Xianying, catching others completely unguarded.

”Then, study diligently with him...” Chen Clan said with a hint of tenderness. ”When you visit him, remember to go with your Sister Zhen.” (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)