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

Chapter 55 Zhao Yun Comes to Join Us

At this time, Yuan Tan, who was far away in Qingzhou, was unaware of the scheme in Yecheng.

He has now returned to Linzi and is eager to find Wuyu.

The curtains were drawn low, and the fragrance of incense wafted through the air.

Wu Yu wore only a light silk undergarment, her hair was slightly disheveled, and her skin glowed with a warm luster in the dim candlelight.

She was holding a charcoal pencil, carefully sketching on a piece of plain silk, occasionally glancing at Yuan Tan, who was leaning against the couch, her eyes filled with a hint of shyness.

Yuan Tan cooperated, adopting the posture she requested, half-opening his robe and striking a pose of commanding authority. However, his eyes were already drawn to Wu Yu's smooth skin.

The atmosphere was incredibly ambiguous for a moment, with only the soft scratching of charcoal pencils across the silk and the sound of their increasingly heavy breathing.

"Young Master... do not move."

Wu Yu gave a slight reproach, her cheeks flushing.

She is painting a picture of "Prefect Yuan reading at night".

Teaching courtesans is not as easy as one might imagine. As a woman from the frontier, she was forced to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Fortunately, she is quite perceptive and has a good foundation.

After practicing for over a month, I've actually gotten quite good at it.

However, given the circumstances, the atmosphere inevitably changed.

Yuan Tan's Adam's apple bobbed, and he was about to say something when...

But my fingertips had already touched that smooth shoulder.

Wu Yu's body trembled, and the paintbrush almost slipped from her hand, but she did not dodge. Instead, she lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

Just as their clothes were about to be removed and their breaths mingled,

"Report—!"

The urgent voice of Cen Bi, the commander of the personal guards, rang out from outside the pavilion, shattering the idyllic atmosphere inside.

"Reporting to my lord! A young general in white robes has arrived outside the manor, claiming to be Zhao Yun of Changshan, Zhao Zilong, requesting an audience!"

"You bastard!"

Yuan Tan's good deed was interrupted, and a surge of anger rose to his head. Without thinking, he rebuked...

"What Zhao Yun or Ma Yun! Can't you see I'm busy? This mere brute is nonetheless a servant!"

"promise!"

The sound echoed from the cliff, and the footsteps faded into the distance.

Yuan Tan took a deep breath and put his arm around Wu Yu's soft, boneless waist again, trying to regain the atmosphere from before.

Wu Yu breathed a slight sigh of relief, but also felt a strange sense of loss.

However, just as Yuan Tan leaned down to kiss him, it was as if a bolt of lightning struck his mind!

Zhao Yun? Zhao Zilong?! Zhao Zilong of Changshan?!

Zhao Zilong of Changshan, who charged in and out of Changbanpo seven times and was known as "the one with the most courage in the world"?

That peerless warrior whom he sent Peng An to search for months without success?!

"etc!"

Yuan Tan shoved Wu Yu aside and stood up abruptly.

His face had lost all lust, replaced by an expression of ecstasy and shock.

"You just said... what was the name of the person who came? Zhao Yun? Zhao Zilong?!"

Wu Yu was startled and nodded blankly:

"General Cen did indeed report this..."

"Quick! Change your clothes! No, no need!"

Yuan Tan hurriedly tied his belt, then realized it wasn't right and urgently said to Wu Yu,

"Yu'er, quick, help me tidy myself up! Hurry!"

Although Wu Yu didn't understand why, seeing Yuan Tan's loss of composure, she knew that the person who came must be extremely important. She quickly got up, and, despite her embarrassment, smoothed out the wrinkles in his robes and tied up his hair ornament.

Yuan Tan took a few deep breaths, barely managing to calm his wildly beating heart, and shouted towards the door:

"Cen Bi! Where the hell is Cen Bi? Come back!"

Cenbi left and returned:

"My lord?"

"Quickly! Open the main gate! No, I'll go greet him myself! No, no, you go first, with the highest honors, invite... no, welcome! Welcome General Zhao to the main hall! Serve him my finest tea! I'll be there immediately!"

Yuan Tan, rambling incoherently, stumbled and staggered towards the door, then turned back and quickly gave instructions to the still bewildered Wu Yu:

"Yu'er, quickly change your clothes and go invite Mother Zhao to the governor's mansion! This man is a Wei Qing and Huo Qubing bestowed upon us by Heaven!"

Having said that, he dashed away like a gust of wind, leaving Wu Yu standing there dumbfounded, muttering to himself:

"Wei Qing? Huo Qubing?"

……

The main hall of the governor's mansion.

Yuan Tan practically ran to the main hall, still catching his breath, when he saw a man standing proudly in the hall.

This man was about eight feet tall, with a majestic appearance. Although he was covered in dust, his handsome and dashing figure was still evident.

He was not wearing armor, only a faded white battle robe, with an ordinary cloth belt around his waist, but he stood tall and straight, with clear eyes, and his demeanor was as dignified and imposing as a mountain.

His mere presence commanded a sense of solemnity throughout the hall.

It is Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong!

Yuan Tan inwardly praised him greatly, but on the surface he quickly composed himself, puffing out his face with utmost enthusiasm and apology. He strode forward and, disregarding his status, bowed deeply with his hands clasped.

"General Zilong! I have long admired your reputation and yearn to meet you! I have been preoccupied with worldly affairs and have failed to greet you properly. I hope you will forgive me!"

Zhao Yun, who had been on high alert and even prepared to fight, was taken aback by the governor's humility and courteous manner. He quickly stepped aside to avoid the greeting, returned the salute with clasped hands, and spoke in a clear but slightly angry voice:

"Zhao Yun of Changshan greets Lord Yuan. I am unworthy of such courtesy. I have come here with only one matter to ask: why has my mother been detained in Qingzhou without cause? If I have offended you in any way, I will take full responsibility. You may kill or punish me as you see fit! But please spare my mother; she is old and cannot withstand any more trouble!"

Hey!

So that's exactly what they came for!

Although the Han Dynasty was not as powerful as later dynasties, it governed the world with filial piety.

But if you cause trouble for your mother, you'll be the target of gossip and criticism.

Yuan Tan felt reassured, but his face showed a look of surprise:

"General, what makes you say that? Detain? What makes you think that?"

He stepped forward, his expression sincere and earnest.

"General, you are wise! I have long admired your noble character. When I heard that you were traveling around the country, and that your aunt was living alone in the countryside amidst the chaos of war, I was truly worried about her safety and could not eat or sleep!"

Only then did they send someone with generous gifts to invite their aunt to Qingzhou to be cared for. She was provided with fine clothes and sumptuous food, and had numerous servants to attend to her needs. How could there be any talk of "detention"? Heaven and earth can bear witness to their sincerity!

He spoke these words quickly and urgently, with an extremely sincere expression, which surprised Zhao Yun.

Could it be... a misunderstanding?

"But……"

Zhao Yun frowned. Although Peng An's letter was polite, he could not help but hear the coercive implication in the villagers' words that he had practically "invited" his mother to come.

"Alas! It must be that the servants below are incompetent, disturbing your mother and causing the general to misunderstand!"

Yuan Tan beat his chest and stamped his feet, putting on a full-blown acting performance.

"It's Tan's fault! It's Tan's fault! General, please wait a moment, I will immediately invite your aunt out, and you will understand once you see her!"

Having said that, before Zhao Yun could react, he immediately shouted to his men:

"Quickly! Go to the backyard and invite Old Madam Zhao to the front hall! Serve her carefully!"

Before long, Wu Yu helped an elderly woman with gray hair but a vigorous spirit slowly into the main hall.

The old woman was dressed smartly and had a rosy complexion. When she saw Zhao Yun, she was first taken aback, and then her eyes reddened.

"My son!"

"Mother!"

Zhao Yun rushed forward, knelt on one knee, and tightly grasped his mother's hands, his voice choked with emotion.

"Mother! You...you've suffered so much!"

"Silly child, when has your mother ever suffered?"

Zhao's mother patted Zhao Yun's hand.

"Lord Yuan treats his mother exceptionally well. She lives in a spacious house, eats fine food, and everything she wears and uses is of the highest quality. He inquires about her well-being every three days and visits her every five days, which is even more considerate than you, her child who is away from home all year round!"

She looked at Yuan Tan, her eyes filled with gratitude:

"My lord is so kind! Hearing that you were wandering aimlessly with nowhere to turn, he took me in, saying it would ease your worries and give you a safe haven. My child, Lord Yuan truly values ​​you; you must not betray his kindness!"

As Zhao Yun listened to his mother's rambling complaints, looking at her face, which was noticeably fuller than when she was in Changshan, and at her brand-new silk clothes, and feeling the skin on her hands that showed no signs of toil, the doubts and anger in his heart melted away like ice and snow meeting the sun.

Instead, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and a touch of shame.

Not only was her mother unharmed, but she was also taken very well in.

Although Yuan Tan's actions were suspected of "using his mother as a hostage," the methods he employed were undoubtedly "open and aboveboard," and the treatment he received was beyond reproach.

If he were to add further criticism, he would appear heartless and betray his mother's praise.

Yuan Tan, observing the expressions on Zhao's face, knew the time was right. He stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zhao's mother.

"Auntie, you flatter me. This is simply what I should do."

Then he turned to Zhao Yun, his gaze honest:

"General Zilong, I know you are loyal and righteous, and you have already chosen a wise ruler in your heart. I have no intention of forcing you to stay. Now that you have come, mother and son are reunited, and I am content."

Travel provisions and carriages are prepared outside the manor; the General may depart with his aunt at any time. The gates of Qingzhou will always be open to the General. If the General wishes to return one day, Tan will surely welcome him with open arms!

Retreat to advance!

Moreover, she handed over the choice entirely to Zhao Yun in front of his mother, displaying an extremely high level of humility.

Zhao Yun's body trembled slightly as he looked up at Yuan Tan. The other man's eyes held only sincerity and appreciation, utterly genuine.

He turned back to look at his mother, whose eyes were full of expectation and relief.

Thinking of his own unfulfilled ambitions, yet having no way to serve his country, drifting aimlessly, causing his elderly mother worry.

Although this Prefect Yuan before us is suspected of being scheming, he is extremely filial to his mother, eager to find talented people, and has heard that there are capable individuals among his subordinates. Perhaps…

But as soon as this thought popped into his head, he remembered Liu Bei, with whom he had slept side by side that day.

Lord Xuande had shown him great kindness, but so had Governor Yuan.

He took a deep breath, broke free from his mother's hand, took three steps back, straightened his clothes, and knelt on one knee before Yuan Tan, his voice resounding:

"I, Zhao Yun, am but a humble warrior, adrift in the world, yet I have been fortunate enough to be spared by Your Excellency and treated with such kindness towards my mother, a kindness akin to being reborn! Though I am dull-witted, I know loyalty and righteousness. Your Excellency treats me as a national hero, and I will repay you with the same devotion! I, Zhao Yun, am willing to serve Your Excellency, to serve you with utmost loyalty, even unto death! I only hope that Your Excellency will not fail in keeping your word!"

It's done! Yuan Tan was overjoyed and almost burst out laughing.

But he forced himself to hold back, strode forward, and forcefully helped Zhao Yun up with both hands, a few tears of emotion welling up in his eyes at that moment:

"Having Zilong is like Emperor Gaozu having Han Xin, or Emperor Guangwu having Ma Yuan! What great things cannot be accomplished! Rise, rise!"

He gripped Zhao Yun's hand tightly, then turned to Guo Jia, Xin Pi, and others who had rushed to the hall upon hearing the news, and said loudly:

"Today, Heaven has bestowed upon me Zilong! We shall hold a grand banquet to welcome General Zilong and celebrate the birthday of Madam Zhao!"

Everyone offered their congratulations.

Guo Jia stroked his beard and smiled, a look of approval flashing in his eyes.

Xinpi and the others also showed joy on their faces.

With such a fierce general, Qingzhou is like a tiger with wings.

Zhao Yun felt the warmth and strength of Yuan Tan's hand, and saw everyone's sincere congratulations. The last trace of resentment in his heart vanished, leaving only a heavy sense of gratitude for Yuan Tan's recognition.

He clenched his fist inwardly: Liu Bei, Zilong has failed to live up to your expectations. But Lord Yuan entrusted me with the debt of gratitude due to my mother's kindness and treated me as a national hero. I can only repay this debt with my own life!