Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1315: Chapter 1268: Look at the Trouble You’ve Caused...

Just when Chen Xi was pondering whether he had missed something, he suddenly spotted a sneaky figure outside his door.

”Who’s outside?” Chen Xi said unhappily, feeling that he might have been too lenient with the maids, as someone was eavesdropping outside.

”Ahem, Yun Niang, you should step out.” Liu Bei coughed twice and leaned out from behind the door. Seeing Chen Yun behind Chen Xi, he gestured for her to leave.

Chen Xi felt slightly embarrassed, not expecting it to be Liu Bei. He stood up to greet him, ”Lord Xuande, please sit down. Yun’er, go to the back room to prepare the meal and make sure we’re not disturbed.”

Chen Yun nodded and then left, closing the door behind her.

Liu Bei sat in the chair opposite him, unsure what to say, which amused Chen Xi, who sighed and said, ”Lord Xuande, you look a bit off today. What’s the problem that requires this kind of approach?”

Liu Bei did not answer, only looking awkward, unable to speak.

”It’s just the two of us here, no one’s eavesdropping. Besides, who do we have to fear right now? What can’t we handle?” Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said. Given their strength in the Central Plains, what could they not sort out?

”Ahem, it’s a tricky matter.” Liu Bei said, looking embarrassed and a bit reluctant to speak.

”My lips are tight, and since you’ve come to me, why not share?” Chen Xi raised his eyebrows, unsure of what else to say.

”Ahem, my wife is pregnant.” Liu Bei said awkwardly.

”That’s good news!” Chen Xi began, then paused, looking puzzled at Liu Bei, ”Ahem, are you saying it’s Madame Zhang?”

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick. If any other concubine were pregnant, he would be joyous rather than awkward; only with the legal wife, Madame Zhang would he react this way.

Before Lady Gan arrived, Madame Zhang had been taking care of Liu Bei in Ye City. His marrying her was intended to appease the entire Northern Aristocratic Family. Plus, they had mutual affection, so Madame Zhang managing affairs in Ye hadn’t attracted much attention.

As for the Zhen family, Madame Zhang had passed the family head position to Zhen Mi before returning to the Zhang Family of Qinghe. As a daughter of the Zhang Family, the Zhen Family had no intention of stopping her. She could return to her family to change attire for remarriage.

The Han Dynasty didn’t pay much attention to remarriage. Typically, if the woman had offspring and the original husband’s family didn’t mind, they would take the children with them.

In the case of the Zhen Family, Madame Zhang was Zhen Yi’s legitimate wife, usually improbable to remarry, but as Zhen Yi was deceased and Madame Zhang gave birth only to Zhen Mi, while Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, and Zhen Rong were all commoner women, Zhen Mi, being the only legitimate daughter, couldn’t be taken away.

Madame Zhang didn’t feel comfortable living at the Zhen Family and returned to her own family, leaving Zhen Mi behind. While Zhang Clan of Qinghe was distinguished, it wasn’t as grand as future aristocratic families, but no one underestimated them. They knew Madame Zhang intended to marry Liu Bei, hence treated her well.

The Zhang Family was quite reserved, not making many moves, partly because another branch was leading the Zhang Family now.

Before, during the last generation, Madame Zhang’s father Zhang Jin led the family, but his branch’s sons were not promising, so the family head position went to the Zhang Chen’s branch after Zhang Jin died. During the Zhang Family’s calculation against the Zhen Family, they didn’t show mercy, thus their relationship had faded.

Therefore, Madame Zhang didn’t feel comfortable at the Zhang Family and moved to Liu Bei’s place. Chen Xi recalled seeing Madame Zhang at Liu Bei’s place one early morning, so it was quite natural for things to happen, as Madame Zhang wasn’t a naive girl, and unlikely nothing would happen with close companionship.

Chen Xi quietly gave Liu Bei a thumbs up, genuinely admiring him for being so impressive.

”Stop with the thumbs up, hurry and tell me what to do,” Liu Bei knocked Chen Xi’s hand with the raised thumb aside.

”What to do? Just go ahead and get married, speed up the betrothal process, claim it was arranged two years ago. Anyway, my strategy is now known, so no one will doubt,” Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said, what else was there to say?

”Will this work? Won’t others see through it? Even accelerating the betrothal process takes one or two months.” Liu Bei said with a bitter smile.

”What month are we in?” Chen Xi thought for a moment and asked.

”It’s been two months.” Liu Bei said, somewhat embarrassed.

”Then hurry up, go propose tomorrow, solve everything while on the way. Madame Zhang surely knows the weight, who else knows about this?” Chen Xi said with a helpless look.

”Besides you and me, only Madame Zhang’s maid and Lady Gan know.” Liu Bei said with a bitter smile, grateful Madame Zhang discovered and approached Liu Bei quickly, or else it would be hard to conceal after another month.

”Alright, I’ll go propose today, what’s the auspicious day?” Chen Xi started calculating dates, ”February 17, that’s a good date, let’s go with that.”

”Isn’t this a bit rushed?” Liu Bei said, feeling awkward.

”Rushed is better than being exposed.” Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said, ”Lord Xuande, go find Wen Ru, have him arrange everything and send out invitations, I’ll send someone to Chang’an to settle the approved marriage decree today.”

”Thank you, thank you.” Liu Bei cupped his hands in gratitude, simply lost for words, yet feeling awkward enough to switch topics, ”Zichuan, how are things with Mi’er, any progress?”

Chen Xi looked Liu Bei up and down, making Liu Bei somewhat irritated. Truthfully, Liu Bei intended to jest with Chen Xi, though not making much of a jest.

”Still early, the third document is impossible to obtain, I need another plan.” Seeing Liu Bei acknowledged, Chen Xi was uninterested in pursuing further inquiries on those details.

”That’s true, it’s not easy to arrange something for a third time.” Liu Bei nodded, indicating he understood.

”So I’m strategizing.” Chen Xi said with complete calm, ”Luckily, she just wants confirmation, so there’s no rush.”

”But are you sure others won’t figure it out?” Liu Bei asked again, returning to the previous matter.

”They won’t figure it out, and even if they do, what’s the difference? As long as Lord Xuande and Madame Zhang agree, it’s fine.” Chen Xi said impatiently. Thankfully, part of the procedure with Madame Zhang and Liu Bei was already completed, or else they’d be a laughingstock.

”I did indulge myself.” Liu Bei said with a grimace, ”Zichuan, you should be careful too, lest you cause trouble for others.”