The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 16 A Marriage Alliance in Zhongshan

Yuan Tan's military camp in the western suburbs of Ye City.

The imperial carriage arrived unexpectedly, and under the pretext of "inspecting the troops on behalf of the emperor," it strolled into the camp.

Dressed in a purple robe, surrounded by his subordinates, he surveyed the drill ground with his gaze.

Although the soldiers were barely able to stand in formation, their eyes were unfocused and their posture was sloppy.

It seems that Yuan Tan really didn't have much ability to command an army.

A cold smile flickered across Shen Pei's lips; he was clearly quite satisfied with the scene.

Upon hearing the report, Yuan Tan hurriedly came out of the main tent to greet him, his robes even slightly disheveled, and his face showing a hint of impatience at being disturbed.

Behind him, the sisters Wu Yu and Wu Lian followed obediently, their hair slightly disheveled and their cheeks flushed.

The two sisters have been with them ever since they returned from Changshan, and they haven't had time to go back to their residence yet.

"I was unaware of your presence, Prefect Shen. I apologize for not welcoming you properly!"

Yuan Tan bowed.

Shen Pei's smile was warm and gentle, like a spring breeze, but his words were sharp and insidious.

"Why do you say such things, young master? Our lord is concerned about the military affairs of Qingzhou and has specially sent you here to reward the soldiers. He hopes that you will soon train a mighty army and share the burden of the country."

His gaze swept over the Wu sisters behind Yuan Tan, and his smile deepened.

"However... judging from your complexion, young master, you seem to be overworked. You should take care of your health."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for the nearby officers and soldiers who were listening intently to hear it, causing a suppressed chuckle.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Yuan Tan's face, then he raised his voice, tinged with annoyance:

"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency! Tan has been diligently training the troops recently! However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, reaching out to pull Wu Yu's slender waist close, his tone becoming flirtatious.

"Springtime is in full bloom, and my two beauties have been feeling rather stifled in the camp for too long. I'd like to take them out of the city for a hunting trip to cheer them up!"

Wu Yu let out a soft cry in agreement, lowered her head shyly, and leaned even closer to Yuan Tan.

Shen Pei's contempt for him deepened.

This young master is even worse than the rumors suggest.

I really made a brilliant move by gifting two dancers back then!

He slowly patted Yuan Tan on the shoulder and deliberately raised his voice:

"Young Master is truly a man who knows how to cherish women! Since you're in the mood for a trip, why not set off as soon as possible?"

Yuan Tan naturally understood that Shen Pei was trying to diminish his prestige in front of the generals and soldiers.

At the same time, it was a further test of himself to see if he was truly addicted to women.

He sneered inwardly, but on his face he wore an expression of as if he had found a kindred spirit:

"You're absolutely right, sir! I'll set off immediately!"

With that, he swaggered onto the carriage and headed north.

Shen Pei gazed in the direction Yuan Tan had gone and smiled disdainfully.

"I initially thought he was someone important because he dared to go to Qingzhou on his own initiative. I never imagined he'd end up like this because of two women! It's truly laughable!"

……

As soon as Yuan Tan's convoy drove out of the gate, the carriages began to shake violently.

Occasionally, sounds that made people blush could be heard.

After traveling north for about an hour, the caravan slowly came to a stop.

The sound of rushing water could be heard in the distance.

Wu Yu got out of the carriage first, then helped Yuan Tan down, pointing ahead and saying:

"Young Master, the cave in the front row is more secluded. Why don't we go there?"

Yuan Tan was taken aback when he heard this. He had already taken her younger brother Lou Ban under his command, so why was she still so eager to flatter his tastes?

Is she trying to please herself, or is she trying to complete the task assigned by the examiner?

Thinking of this, Yuan Tan felt that it was necessary to conceal his whereabouts from Wu Yu when he went to the Zhen family.

Otherwise, if she told Shen Pei about her trip to the Zhen family to beg for grain,

This will likely cause a huge uproar.

We must find an excuse to make her leave!

Thinking of this, he changed his usual tone and said:

"I'm a grown man, how could I do this sneakily?"

He pointed to the stream ahead.

"Let's go into the water! It would be so interesting to become one with the mountains and rivers."

Wu Yu was also taken aback upon hearing this, and glanced at the guards around him:

"Young Master, with so many people here, isn't this incredibly embarrassing?"

Yuan Tan said nonchalantly:

"Just let them leave a little way. They are all my loyal guards; who would dare to disobey them?"

Wu Yu assumed Yuan Tan was blinded by lust, and although he hesitated, he gritted his teeth and said, thinking of his younger brother:

"This servant is willing to follow the young master's arrangements."

A short while later,

The sound of waves crashing and rolling could be heard from the stream.

Even the guards who were a little further away felt their faces turn red.

"Today's test was quite a challenge! It made me want to look back."

"Don't watch! Absolutely don't watch! You'll lose your head if you do!"

About 15 minutes later,

The sound of the waves gradually subsided.

Yuan Tan waded ashore and, with the help of Wu Yu and Wu Lian, put on his clothes. He then remarked with emotion:

"This place is really unsuitable; the water is so cold that you can't even see anything when you look down."

Wu Yu chuckled softly:

"She's still quite cute."

To everyone's surprise, Yuan Tan's expression immediately changed:

I really don't like what you said!

As he spoke, he immediately gave instructions to his subordinates:

"Send these two sisters back to Ye City. I don't want to see them right now!"

Wu Yu realized he had gotten himself into serious trouble and hurriedly stepped forward to explain, but Yuan Tan pushed him away.

"Go back and think carefully about what you want to say to me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Tan got back into his carriage and headed straight north.

Only the astonished Wu Yu and Wu Lian, along with a guarding knight, remained.

"Miss, why is the young master like this!"

Wu Lian's eyes were brimming with tears, clearly terrified by Yuan Tan's earlier performance.

Wu Yu, however, was carefully pondering Yuan Tan's last words.

"Go back and think carefully about what you want to say to me."

Could it be that the young master sensed that I had come with a mission and specifically came to seduce him?

Was he doing this to force himself to take sides?

Then I thought of the eldest son taking in his younger brother Lou Ban, having Lou Ban help him train cavalry, and the matter of searching for Zhao Yun.

Wu Yu increasingly felt that this was very likely.

The eldest son is not as bad as he appears on the surface!

"Madam, please return to Ye City with me."

At that moment, a soft call from the knight beside him pulled Wu Yu back to reality.

"No, I'll wait for him to return by the roadside!"

Wu Yu said stubbornly.

……

Zhongshan State, Wuji County.

The Zhen family mansion was a grand and imposing residence, exuding an air of solemnity.

The head of the family, Zhen Yi, has passed away, and his son, Zhen Yao, is now in charge.

Upon hearing that Yuan Shao's eldest son, the newly appointed governor of Qingzhou, had come to visit, Zhen Yao was surprised but still treated him with courtesy.

After dismissing his attendants, Yuan Tan got straight to the point:

"Mr. Zhen, Tan Fengfu is in charge of Qingzhou. He has come to visit me before his departure because there is something I want to discuss."

I have long admired Miss Mi of your esteemed family for her virtuous character. If you are willing to accept her as your wife, I would like to be united in marriage forever.

At that time, the Yuan and Zhen families, bound by blood, will advance and retreat together, jointly safeguarding the peace of Hebei. What do you think, sir?