Mythical Three Kingdoms

According to the customs of aristocratic families, when it comes to strengthening ties, marriage alliances are most suitable. Depending on the situation, one might engage in marriage alliances, usually by sending a female from the main family. A higher tier would involve sending a member from the direct lineage, and the highest tier would involve sending a legitimate daughter. This essentially means that our family is prepared to board your family’s boat.

The situation with the Xun Family seems like they’re getting ready to board the Chen Family’s boat. Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that Xun Yu’s wife in historical records supposedly passed away around this time and both the Chen Family and Xun Family have a high sense of propriety, Chen Xi would suspect that it was a joint strong move by both families.

Thus, when the legal wife’s position of Chen Qun became vacant, Chen Xi initially didn’t react. After pondering for some time, he realized that whether Chen Qun was willing or not, Chen Ji would most likely go to the Xun Family to propose marriage, and Xun Shuang would definitely agree with Chen Ji.

At that time, Xun Yu wouldn’t need to persuade him—the daughter of Xun Yu would become the Chen Family’s matriarch. This was already destined. Reflecting on it, Chen Xi also understood what Chen Qun meant by the fortune-telling event back then.

The son would surely be Chen Tai, given Chen Tai’s ability, claiming glory for the ancestors is no problem. Although Chen Tai’s propriety is somewhat poor, it’s not an issue. In this lifetime, Chen Ji might live another twenty years. Such a person of moral integrity would never allow someone to ruin the family reputation.

”I heard your eldest and second sons are not in good health?” Chen Xi curiously asked. In his memory, Xun Yu had six sons and a daughter. Five sons died young, and three out of the remaining six sons reached the position of Three Dukes and Nine Ministers before dying.

From this perspective, the quality of Xun Yu’s sons is quite commendable; dying at thirty but still achieving the position of Nine Ministers could hardly be attributed solely to the shade of their ancestors.

”Indeed, especially the eldest son, it’s quite severe; I’m afraid he won’t live past twenty. If the two divine doctors happen to go to Chang’an, they must treat my son’s descendants,” Xun Yu was quite worried about this matter. His son was only seventeen and was about to awaken his Spiritual Talent. This potential was terrifyingly promising; however, his health was particularly poor.

”I remember sister-in-law came from the Yingchuan Tang Family.” Chen Xi looked up at the sky, realizing that if one didn’t observe carefully, it seemed fine, but upon closer thought, there were issues. The Yingchuan Tang aristocratic family was the only one.

”Indeed, Zichuan, what do you mean by this?” Xun Yu asked, puzzled.

”I suddenly realize the world is small,” Chen Xi glanced at the civil officials present. There were indeed many bloodline and kinship connections among them. No wonder the later Jin Dynasty was known as a family enterprise; once the Nine-Rank System emerged, it was definitely a family business.

”What do you mean by the world is small?” Xun Yu asked Chen Xi through voice transmission, puzzled.

”Haha, I just think if the class were to solidify with the upper levels all being blood and kinship ties, suddenly this method seems very dull. If you want my opinion, we still need to absorb quality genes everywhere. Though postnatal education is extremely important, innate qualities are just as vital,” Chen Xi diverted the topic with a laugh, and Xun Yu didn’t delve deeper.

”By the way, you should have understood the nature of class by now, what are your intentions?” Chen Xi asked through voice transmission, curious about Xun Yu’s view on class, given Liu Xie’s misuse of Xun Yu’s theory of the Emperor.

”We’re not much different from him; perhaps our power and resources are less than theirs. Regarding class, the difference isn’t heredity but resources; the one that appears the largest on the surface might not really be the largest,” Xun Yu sighed. ”The Xun Family intends to continue as its millennia-old family, what about yours?”

”As for the Chen Family, some want to remain a millennia-old family, some strive for greatness, some venture to find new paths—every type is represented,” Chen Xi sighed. The Chen Family itself is a pitfall with too many routes, each of which it wants to pursue.

Honestly speaking, not to belittle the Chen Family, but if it plays in this way, trouble is bound to occur. With so many routes needing support, each requires a person in charge, and obviously, only Chen Xi, Chen Qun, and seventy-year-old Chen Ji can bear responsibility.

Spreading too thin is destined for trouble. Although Chen Xi understands that the Chen family is fully taking advantage of the current favorable conditions and abundant resources, betting everywhere, in case the neglected paths also bear some fruit, wouldn’t that be valuable?

”Indeed?” Xun Yu transmitted to Chen Xi, somewhat wistfully.

”Actually, your family is suited to this. Unlike the Chen Family, our generation is barely usable, whereas your Xun Family still has six or seven people left with Spiritual Talent,” Chen Xi transmitted to Xun Yu. ”Rather than confining them within the main lineage, it’s better to set them free. Even if they fall short compared to you, they’re still unrivaled in this age.”

Xun Yu smiled bitterly. If they released everyone, including the previous generation, their family, accounting only for those still living, would have six individuals with Spiritual Talent. Excluding Xun Shuang, who ruined his Spiritual Talent, the other five were not to be underestimated.

”They’ve already been let loose to seek suitable paths, leaving only one who hasn’t emerged,” Xun Yu shook his head and transmitted to Chen Xi, ”Every family has its difficult matters, being Patriarch of the Xun family is no easy job.”

Chen Xi coldly laughed inwardly; your family hasn’t yet reached its second pinnacle period. Given historical performance, your family will surely enter an era of eight Spiritual Talents again. Such a family indeed makes whoever sits in the patriarch’s position uneasy.

A serpent needs a head, but having eight heads, each as intelligent as the other, your family’s survival is quite fortunate. To say something outrageous, if not for your wise members knowing the gravity and having profound wisdom, one short-sighted member would have ruined everything long ago.

”Oh, the Xun Family is great.” Chen Xi jestingly remarked. In the past, two sages with Spiritual Talent were sent to teach; ask if you admire that.

”But a generation birthing more at a slightly lower tier cannot compare to a single family birthing one that suppresses the era,” Xun Yu similarly quipped, appearing to have lightened considerably.

”It seems you’ve genuinely come around, ready to live for yourself rather than living for the Emperor?” Chen Xi, recognizing Xun Yu’s jest, understood that he had moved on.

”Well, not really, living for my ambition perhaps,” Xun Yu observed serenely, clearly showing he has recovered. These sages, when truly entering a dead end, can’t be dragged out, yet once they understand, it seems all so trivial.

”Haha, let me share some wisdom in dealing with life.” Chen Xi transmitted jokingly to Xun Yu, raising his teacup to conceal his expression.

”Listening attentively.” Xun Yu acknowledged Chen Xi’s wisdom.

”Firmly support the Son of Heaven of Han,” Chen Xi transmitted to Xun Yu, which puzzled Xun Yu as this hardly seemed like wisdom. But at that moment, the latter part of Chen Xi’s message slowly came across, saying, ”Support whoever is the Emperor.”

Xun Yu presented a contemplative expression, but before he could respond, Chen Xi added, ”Nevertheless, remember who is ours, who is worth inviting, and who is our enemy.”

Xun Yu nodded silently, yet he heard Chen Xi continuing, ”So-called ours are those whom we can mutually harm, but if others harm them, we must deal with those others. So-called enemies are those who, regardless of reasons, ultimately need to be dealt with.”

Xun Yu’s mouth twitched; only Chen Xi could speak so bluntly, yet Chen Xi’s intentions were exceedingly clear.

”So, does this mean, essentially, we present are indeed ours?” Xun Yu, after a pause, inquired.

”Correct,” Chen Xi replied, looking at Xun Yu with a serene smile.