Chapter 8: The Wedding Crasher

  "It's finally here." Qin Xue thought to himself after listening to Sima Mou's report. Although he vaguely remembered that it was supposed to be around April, this sudden news still made Qin Xue anxious.

  "Li Jue and Guo Si are not clever and have few plans, they are not heroes. Moreover, Dong Zhuo has just died, and people's hearts are scattered. Choosing to attack Chang'an at this time, I'm afraid there is a powerful person behind them." Cai Yan said in a low voice.

  "Bingo!" Cai Yan's judgment made Qin Xu secretly admire her. She was indeed the number one talented woman in Luoyang back then. The historical reason for Li Jue and Guo Si's attack on Chang'an was their dissatisfaction with the court's appeasement policy.

  "Wang Situ's grudges and favors are clear-cut, indeed he is straightforward and impartial." Qin Xu's mouth corner revealed a hint of a smile as he said with a tone that seemed to imply something.

  Although Wang Yun was a noble as the Minister of Works, he had no experience in court politics. However, if this matter were to be put two thousand years later, anyone with even a little social experience would consider the aftermath from this perspective. But old Wang thought that after killing Dong Zhuo, the Han imperial court would completely fall into his own hands, and those ambitious people who had long been eager to move would bow their heads and obey.

  Just after Dong Zhuo was killed, he was busy cleaning up the imperial court and retaliating against political enemies, completely ignoring the massive military power left behind by Dong Zhuo. Even when trying to win over Lü Bu, it was only a matter of putting this mighty general on a pedestal.

  Han system, the title of General Wu is a high-ranking general title at any time, but in fact it's just a supervisor; The false festival is different from the false festival, which can be brought to the emperor for conquest, and can only be executed without asking for military orders. Now, under the city of Chang'an, the original Pingzhou army and a part of the Xiliang army under Lü Bu's command already occupy the vast majority of the total number of troops in the city of Chang'an, so it is just a name. As for the ceremony of the three departments, it was only given to Lü Bu as a treatment.

  It can be said that although Wang Yun is marrying off his daughter and granting high official positions, in reality he is gradually stripping away Lü Bu's power, the only strong support old Wang has left.

  The wily hare is not dead yet and the flying bird has not been exhausted. Wang Yun has already begun to hide his bow and kill the dog with great impatience. As a member of a wealthy and influential family, with an official career that had always been smooth sailing, old Wang indeed proved the saying "One cannot become a man without having experienced poverty, nor can one be enlightened by heaven without having suffered setbacks."

  "Order Gao Shun to lead the vanguard and wait outside the general's headquarters, order Zhang Liao to pass on the command to gather the Youlin riders including Cheng Lian and Song Xian. I will go see Wang, the Minister of Works."

  "Ah!"

  Lü Bu stood up, walked a few steps slowly, and issued a series of military orders. A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He coldly sneered: "Li Jue, Guo Si, and the like are nothing but pigs and dogs. Even with hundreds of thousands of troops, what's there to worry about?"

  "Madam, you stay here and rest, I'll be back soon!" Lü Bu said to Yan's wife, seemingly as carefree as if he were just going out for a drink.

  It was only at this time that the majestic and powerful aura of Lü Bu, the king of the battlefield, burst out violently. Even before the battle began, he had already shown people an invincible confidence. This is Lü Bu's unique charm. Although Qin Xu had seen many good and bad comments about Lü Bu and was already aware of the final outcome of this Chang'an riot, at this moment, he couldn't help but be infected by Lü Bu's heroic spirit.

  As expected, it was not just Mrs. Yan's confident smile, but also Lü Linggui's big starry eyes, which showed an almost fanatical admiration for her father Lü Bu. Only Cai Yan, although a smile appeared on his face, but in his eyes, a deep worry flashed by, which could not be concealed.

  "Feng Xian, the Qin master's clerk was accidentally injured by Ling'er and is not feeling well. Perhaps it would be better if you didn't go this time?" Just as Lü Bu was about to step out of the door, Yan Shi suddenly spoke up, seemingly having thought of something.

  "Hmm?" Lü Bu's face revealed a mysterious smile, and he glanced at Qin Xu before saying meaningfully: "Well, the women in our household do indeed need protection. Qin Xu, I've heard you've been wanting to join the Trapping Array Camp?"

  "What? This..." Qin Xu couldn't believe that Lü Bu also knew about the former Qin Zhong's "ambition", and for a moment, he couldn't understand what Lü Bu meant by saying these words.

  "I'll assign ten soldiers from the Trap Array Camp to be under your command. If you can ensure Lü's family is safe tonight, I'll grant you a special permit to train in the Trap Array Camp for one day. What do you say?" A smile spread across Lü Bu's handsome face, and he couldn't hide his delight.

  "You? Want to join the trap camp?" Haha... Before Qin Xu could respond, Lü Linggui had already fallen into her mother Yan Shi's arms, laughing so hard she couldn't straighten up.

  "Ah... yeah!"

  Qin Xu's face was full of embarrassment.

  Who would have thought that Lü Bu's army would fall into the trap! Although Wei Xu fled at night, it is estimated that he will bid farewell to the position of commander-in-chief of the trapped camp forever. The combat effectiveness of the trapped camp was preserved under Gao Shun's leadership. However, if Lü Bu's army still follows the course of history, even with the trapped camp in place, its downfall would only be slightly delayed. After all, whether it is Yuan Shao, Cao Cao or Liu Bei, they are all masters of great fate, and Lü Bu's army is still worried about its future prospects.

  But Lü Bu's unreadable gaze made Qin Xu feel somewhat uneasy deep down. Being appointed as the main bookkeeper at such a young age? Appearing in his daughter's room and still being so affable? Being rudely patted on the shoulder by a young man who was much younger and lower in rank, yet not taking offense, and even making excuses for him?

  Does Lord Lü's personal charm have to be so great? Now Qin Xu understands why Chen Gong, a man with such strong opinions, did not abandon him even when Lü Bu was down on his luck. Apart from Chen Gong's dislike of Cao Cao, he must also have been moved by Lü Bu's attitude. However, Lord Lü, even if you are willing to lower yourself to recruit talented individuals, do you have to be so serious about a minor clerk like Qin Xu? It makes Qin Xu feel guilty whenever he thinks about going over to Cao Cao's side. He doesn't know whether it is the lingering conscience of his past life as Director Qin or the residual memories of Clerk Qin that are haunting him, but in any case, it makes Qin Xu very uncomfortable.

  "Madam..."

  Lü Bu ordered Sima Meng to select ten soldiers from the ambush camp and bring them here, then went to the front hall to respond to Wang Yun's invitation.

  After Lü Bu left, the atmosphere in Lü Lingqi's room suddenly became awkward. Especially under Yan Shi's scrutinizing gaze, Qin Xu felt uncomfortable all over. Even Lü Lingqi, who had a very casual personality, felt that something was off and sat up straight from Yan Shi's embrace, lowering her head and not daring to meet Yan Shi's gaze directly.

  Yan didn't say a word, his face was stern as he swept his gaze across Qin Xiang's three faces, the corners of his mouth curled up in a faint, imperceptible cold smile, making the three people feel a chill run down their spines.

  "Nine fake and one real? Ling'er, you've learned to deceive your mother?" As expected, Mrs. Yan spoke up first after a brief silence.

  "Mother, I..." Lü Linggui's eyes turned red as soon as she heard Mrs. Yan's words. She wanted to explain but didn't know how to start, her small face flushing bright red.

  Although Yan was targeting Lü Linggui, Qin Xu and Cai Yan's faces didn't look too good either.

  The speaker has a motive, and the listener also has an intention. Lü Linggui is still young and simple-minded. Mrs. Yan's words are meant for both of them to hear. Qin Xu is relatively fine, but can only be considered a victim; however, due to his long-held desire to surrender to Cao Cao, combined with Lü Bu's recent attitude, Qin Xu feels uneasy in his heart, which also makes him feel subtly guilty towards Yan and Lü Linggui.

  Cai Yan was the first to be affected, having just finished a speech that convinced Mrs. Yan, only to be refuted by Lü Linggui, leaving Cai Yan speechless in response to Mrs. Yan's words.

  Mrs. Yan is indeed a figure who has been in the official residence of Pingzhou for a long time, mediating interpersonal relationships among the ladies, with an impressive aura. This skill of scolding bald donkeys while pretending to be a monk is something that Qin Xu feels inferior to.

  "Sister, are you here? Let me come over to accompany you and Ling'er." A woman's voice that was as sweet as music to Qin Xu's ears came from outside the door, instantly making him let out a sigh of relief. If he wasn't afraid of Lü Bu getting angry, Qin Xu would have hugged Diao Chan tightly and kissed her several times. If things continued like this, Qin Xu would be fine, but Cai Yan was probably about to faint.

  Qin Xu escaped and seemed to have entered Lv Linggui's boudoir, with a sense of surviving a disaster. At this time, calming down and thinking about the experiences of the past half day, from the confusion of just arriving in this era to seeing Gao Shun, Lü Bu, Cai Yan and other famous historical figures, either fierce warriors or beautiful women; from planning to find opportunities to join Cao Cao to being infected with Lü Bu's charm, until he was about to experience war on horseback, the rapid changes in his mood made Qin Xu feel a sense of unreality that did not belong to this era.

  "It's all the same, can't go back anyway! Good or bad, brothers are also successful people in their careers, just think of it as a trip that can't be returned! Just think of it as playing RPG! Just think... QTNND!" Qin Xu thought for a long time, still couldn't find any clue to calm down, so he stomped his foot fiercely and muttered curses under his breath.

  "Huh?"

  Qin Xu vented his negative emotions and suddenly found a white figure of a woman in front of him, not far away, seemingly patting his shoulder under the moonlight.

  "What a noble lady!" After going through the experience with Cai Yan and Wei Zhuo, Qin Xu had another unconventional understanding of Cai Yan beyond her historical evaluation. Beautiful and talented, with a famous father and a wealthy husband who could rival a country! No matter when, she was always the epitome of a high-end rich beauty. But unfortunately, she was born in the wrong era, her father was imprisoned, and her husband became a mound of earth soon after their wedding! In history, she also had to endure being kidnapped by the Xiongnu and the hardships of marrying someone beneath her after returning to the Han Dynasty.

  She is beautiful, calm, intelligent, and adaptable, with a hint of ruthlessness. She is a flesh-and-blood woman who has experienced too much suffering that ordinary people have not endured, rather than just a few lines of cold words.

  Qin Xu didn't startle Cai Yan, and slowly walked to her side. Under the moonlight, a few faint tear marks fell on Cai Yan's delicate face.

  "Qin Zhubu!? Just got scared silly by Mrs. Yan? Didn't run off somewhere to cry?"

  Cai Yan's faint sorrow that had been lingering on her body instantly disappeared after seeing Qin Xu, she tidied up the fallen hair and wiped away the tear stains without leaving any trace. Her tone was slightly urgent as she spoke to Qin Xu. The speed of the change almost made Qin Xu think he had just seen things wrongly.

  "Are you okay?" Qin Xu asked uncertainly.

  "What can I do?" Cai Yan looked at Qin Xu faintly and said, "Chang'an is going to be in chaos, why doesn't the chief of Qin follow General Lü's orders and go to arrange for soldiers to guard his family? Instead, he comes to see me, a weak woman, cry, what kind of reason is this?"

  His face changed quickly! Qin Xu secretly smiled, walked to Cai Yan's side, and inexplicably stretched out his hand to wipe away the tears that Cai Yan had not wiped clean. His mouth was smiling: "Chang'an is in chaos, and there are officials and soldiers to guard it; General Lv's orders, Qin Xu will naturally follow, but under the moonlight, there must be more beautiful scenery."

  "Does the Lord of Qin think that Wei Xiu's turtle-like head is impressive?" Cai Yan gazed calmly at Qin Xu's movements, unmoving, a flash of disappointment in her eyes, but a hint of disdainful cold smile on the corner of her mouth.

  "What Wei Xun can't do, Qin Xu might be able to." Qin Xu knew that Cai Yun had a sharp cow ear knife behind her back. At such a close distance, he was sure that with just one poke, there would be a hole in him. However, Qin Xu's expression didn't change at all. Slowly, under Cai Yun's gaze, he leaned closer to Cai Yun's ear and whispered: "Sister Yun, do you want to save Old Master Cai? I have an idea! Do you want to hear it?"