Chapter 63: Diao Chan

  The next day at dawn, before it was light, all officials lined up and entered the palace, ready for court.

  The gate of the palace was guarded by Dong Zhuo's personal troops, each with a fierce expression and an aura of murder.

  All officials saw these fierce Western Liang soldiers and felt a chill run down their spines.

  Unless it was Luo Zheng, a renowned general of the Western Liang army who had made great contributions and had a good reputation, these Western Liang soldiers would not have stood up straight with their heads held high to show respect. Other officials, even if they were Wang Yun, a high-ranking official in the imperial court, did not receive such treatment.

  Even if one's heart is not satisfied, they can only endure and not express it.

  Luo Zhen arrived at the palace gate and bumped into Lü Bu.

  Lü Bu swept him with a glance, a flash of divine light in his eyes, and then let out a cold snort, striding forward.

  Lu Zheng smiled faintly and did not rush into the palace. He asked a Xiliang soldier guarding the gate, "Has Sir Situ arrived?"

  The Western Liang soldiers replied: "General Cao, Wang, the Imperial Tutor, has not yet arrived."

  Luo Zheng nodded and stood aside waiting.

  One after another, officials arrived and entered the palace, seeing Luo Zhengguo on one side, they were all somewhat surprised.

  However, these bureaucrats were already seasoned and astute individuals who didn't say much, and with a sideways glance, they entered the palace.

  Before long, Situ Wang Yun's horse carriage finally arrived.

  Under the gaze of the Western Liang soldiers' murderous intent, the horse carriage slowly came to a stop.

  Wang Yun got off his carriage and adjusted his court attire before walking into the palace with his head held high.

  Luo Zheng stepped forward and bowed his hands, saying: "Your subordinate has seen Minister Sito."

  Wang Yun saw Luo Zheng, his face turned somewhat gloomy, and he forced himself to say: "General Luo needn't be too polite."

  Luo Zheng walked alongside him and asked: "I wonder if Your Excellency has thought it over, the request I made yesterday?"

  Wang Yunqiang smiled and said, "Yesterday, I asked my daughter, and she is willing to follow my decision. Since General Luo Zhen has affection for my daughter, I naturally agree to this matter. Is the general satisfied?"

  "Satisfied, satisfied!"

  Luo Zheng nodded repeatedly and smiled: "Don't worry, Your Excellency Sir Situ, I will keep your secret."

  Wang Yun's face changed again, and he was really frightened, not daring to say anything more to Luo Zheng, and hastily quickened his pace.

  Luo Zheng's mouth corner revealed a sly smile, but soon retracted, also tidied up his court attire, and quickened his pace.

  The morning meeting is dull and uninteresting, basically just going through the motions, nothing important to discuss.

  Dong Zhuo's prestige and power reached an all-time high after he defeated the rebels from Guandong.

  Formerly, the officials who dared to question Dong Zhuo in the imperial court were either accused of a crime and punished or demoted. Now, those who can still stand in the imperial court are all some sycophants, clinging to Dong Zhuo like wall grass.

  Even if it were Wang Yun, in the eyes of the world, he would still be one of Dong Zhuo's dogs.

  If it weren't for relying on Dong Zhuo, how could Wang Yun become a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

  In this case, who would dare bring up something that would displease Dong Zhuo during the morning court session.

  Of course, Wang Yun's secret plan to kill Dong Zhuo was known only to Wang Yun and Huang Wan, as well as Luo Zhen. Even Dong Zhuo himself had no idea that the seemingly obedient Wang Yun was secretly plotting to kill him.

  The morning meeting ended quickly.

  Just as the officials were about to withdraw from court, Dong Zhuo suddenly asked Wang Yun: "Sir, I've heard that you have a virtuous daughter and want to betroth her to Lü Bu. Is this true?"

  Lu Zheng's face turned pale as soon as he heard this, and his heart was filled with a sense of relief.

  Fortunately, I brought up Wang Yun's secret plan yesterday, forcing Wang Yun to confess.

  If not, presenting it to Dong Zhuo in front of the full court and the emperor would be a good idea. If Wang Yun refused to acknowledge this matter, his own tricks would be exposed on the spot, and the consequences would be unthinkable.

  Lu Bu thought to himself, it seems that Dong Zhuo is not an easy man to deceive either.

  It's also expected, being able to get to this position today, how could Dong Zhuo be a good person.

  If it weren't for having an ace up his sleeve, Wang Yun would have been forced into a corner and Lü Bu would have gained the upper hand.

  Wang Yun was taken aback, wondering how Dong Zhuo knew about this matter. After a moment's thought, he realized that it must have been Luo Zhen who had already reported to Dong Zhuo; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to come and propose the marriage. Without thinking further, he hastily replied: "Yes, there is such a thing."

  Dong Zhuo asked again, "Why does the Minister of Works want to marry off his adopted daughter to Lü Bu?"

  Wang Yun, with the power in his hands, dared not refuse to speak a few good words for Luo Zhen. He replied: "Luo Shengping is able to conquer and fight well, with both wisdom and bravery, he is indeed a talented pillar of the imperial court. It's just as they say, 'a beauty matches a hero', our humble official's daughter can get such a husband, it's also a harmonious match."

  Dong Zhuo burst out laughing and said: "Excellent! Congratulations are in order for Minister Cai to have such a wonderful son-in-law!"

  "Thank you, Prime Minister."

  Wang Yun hastily expressed his gratitude, completely unlike a dignitary of the Three Lords.

  The rest of the officials and the Western Liang generals all looked at each other in dismay, somewhat bewildered.

  I don't know what Wang Yun is up to, but he actually married his adopted daughter off to that nobody Luo Zheng.

  What made the Western Liang generals even more puzzled was that it seemed that their lord also knew about this and appeared to be quite pleased.

  Only Li Ru knew what was going on, and unintentionally, his eyes turned cold when he glanced at Luo Zheng.

  His intuition told him that something fishy was going on.

  As for where the cat is hiding, it's unknown.

  Out of the imperial city, Luo Zheng immediately went to the residence of the Minister of Works to propose a marriage.

  Wang Yun almost pinched his nose and agreed to the marriage, and had to flatter Luo Zhen a few words against his will. In the end, he even provided an opportunity for Luo Zhen and Diao Chan to be alone in a room under Luo Zhen's inch-by-inch demands.

  As for Diao Chan, Luo Zhen had long been famous.

  Since arriving in this era, if I had to say who the woman I most want to meet is, Diao Chan would be number one.

  This clever woman is not only beautiful enough to overthrow a city, but also has extraordinary intelligence.

  When the wind blows, the willow is elegant and refined. In those clear eyes, a deep sadness is hidden, as if it were a helpless and sorrowful lament for this world, making one want to melt into them at first glance.

  Luo Zheng casually sat cross-legged on the soft couch, his naked eyes scanning up and down the standing Diao Chan beside him.

  Diao Chan's head was slightly lowered, her pretty face faintly flushed, as calm as a young maiden.

  Lu Zheng indulged in a moment of admiration before asking: "May I ask how old is the young lady?"

  Diao Chan replied in a soft voice: "Crossing the river twice under the ninth moon!"

  "That's seventeen years old!"

  Lu Zheng nodded, ancient people's age is virtual, generally refers to virtual years.

  Eighteen by Chinese age, which is seventeen years old.

  Luo Zheng asked again, "Little girl, what is your ancestral home, can you tell me your original name?"

  Diao Chan is a title of an official in the Han court's female bureaucracy, rather than a personal name.

  Diao Chan replied: "I am a humble woman from Bianzhou Yanmen, my humble name is Ren Yan, and my nickname is Hong Chang."

  Luo Zheng nodded continuously, and after Diao Chan finished speaking, he asked, "General is about to welcome the young lady into his home, does the young lady have any unfulfilled wishes or concerns that she can share with me? Perhaps General can fulfill your desires."

  Diaochan hesitated for a moment and slowly shook her head.

  Luo Zheng stopped asking and patted his side, "Come over to General Ben's side!"

  Diao Chan's face turned even redder, she hesitated for a moment, then walked over with lotus steps and knelt down beside Luo Zheng.

  Lu Zheng lifted up Diao Chan's chin, examining her closely. Diao Chan's pretty face was completely red, and her beautiful eyes were half-closed.

  "It is truly a beauty that can entice fish to sink and geese to fall, and a countenance that can put the moon to shame and make flowers blush!"

  Luo Zheng couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, releasing his grip and withdrawing his gaze.

  Such a peerless beauty with excellent temperament, this classical beauty is something that later generations will never get to see.

  No wonder Lü Bu killed Dong Zhuo for this woman, she is indeed a beauty who brings disaster.

  Lu Bu came out of the inner court and found Wang Yun again, discussing the matter of welcoming Diao Chan.

  Wang Yun put on a serious face, stroking his beard and saying: "In the ninth month we'll inspect the person, in the tenth month we'll go through the formalities, next month we'll exchange betrothal gifts, and the following month we'll present the betrothal presents. I've already checked the almanac, and next year on June 16th is a lucky day for marriage, so my son-in-law can come to take my daughter home."

  Lu Zheng almost cursed his mother, this old thing actually wanted to drag it until next year, obviously wanting to play tricks.

  It will be next year before it's true, and by then, Huanghuacai will have cooled down too.

  "No way, engaged today and married tomorrow."

  Lü Bu was as ruthless as a nail clipper, and at some point he would give Diao Chan to Dong Zhuo.

  "This..."

  Wang Yun furrowed his brow and said discontentedly: "A marriage is a major event, how can it be treated so lightly!"

  Lu Zheng said in a cold voice: "If Lord Situ wants to drag it on until next year, I will go and ask the Prime Minister to take charge."

  This is a naked threat, and the implication is very clear: if you dare to drag your feet, I'll immediately go and report you to Dong Zhuo.

  Wang Yun's face changed color, and he fell silent.

  Luo Zheng didn't say much more, he simply flung his sleeve and strode away.