Chapter 12: Family Matters and State Affairs? Jia Yu is Sent as Envoy!

  Lü Rui and Man Chong returned to Xudu with their troops, at the same time, a stranger scholar came to the gate of Cao's mansion in Xudu.

  "Halt! Who are you? How dare you come here?"

  "I am a relative of Mrs. Zou, and I have come to Xudu especially today to pay my respects to her. Please, sir, help me get in touch with her!" With that, Wen Shi handed over a jade pendant and a silver ingot to the doorman.

  Looking at the white flowers and silver, the gatekeeper smiled and said: "It turns out to be a relative of the madam's family. Please wait for a moment, I'll go and inform them."

  "Madam, there's a relative of yours outside looking for you. They also gave me this jade pendant to give to you!" The doorman handed the jade pendant over to Mrs. Zou.

  Zou's eyes widened in shock, what is this? This is her late husband Zhang Ji's jade pendant!

  "Madam...? Shall I invite him in?" The gatekeeper asked cautiously, seeing Mrs. Zou's expression.

  "Ask him in! He is my distant cousin, ask him to come and meet us. All of you go down, I want to have a chat with my brother!"

  "Yes, madam!" Then the gatekeeper led Wen Shi into the house and led the servant out.

  "Jia Yuanchun pays her respects to the lady!"

  "Hmph!" Zou's anger flared up as she saw Jia Xian. "Jia Wenhe, you still have the nerve to see me? On that day in Wan City, didn't you want to send me to my death?"

  "Madam, you're joking. General Zhang and I didn't think of harming you at all, we were just dealing with Cao, please forgive us."

  "Hum, Yin Xiongdu, Governor Zhang often boasts in front of his wife about Wen He's ruthlessness and cunning. If it weren't for Wen He's idea, would Embroidered Clothes have sent troops to pursue and kill me?"

  "Madam is joking, I dare not!"

  "Jia Yu, you came alone? Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Zou Shi asked Jia Yu coldly.

  Jia Yu didn't dare, because Madam Wang had feelings for Director Zhang in her heart!

  Jia Xu's one sentence made Zou Shi settle there! The lady has feelings for Zhang Gong in her heart! Yes, she and Zhang Ji have been husband and wife for many years, sharing weal and woe. In the past, when Dong Zhuo wanted to humiliate her, Zhang Ji was willing to fall out with Dong Zhuo just to protect her. Such a bond is truly rare! Perhaps even Cao Cao can't compare to it.

  As she thought about it, tears began to well up in Zou's eyes.

  "Ma'am?"

  "Hum, Jia Yu, don't think I dare not kill you. If it weren't for my late husband's words that Jia Wen and can protect the Zhang family, I would have made you die on the spot today!" Zou Shi wiped away her tears and scolded Jia Yu.

  "Jia Yu knows, so he came today for the sake of his wife and the future of the Zhang family. Please listen to Jia Yu's words, madam!" Jia Yu bowed deeply and kowtowed.

  "Is that...?" Although Zou Shi and Jia Yu didn't interact much, from Zhang Ji's words, he also knew that Jia Yu was a man of integrity who protected himself and repaid kindness!

  "Alright! Listen up, madam! If what you say doesn't meet with my approval, I'll kill you!"

  "Yes, ma'am!"

  "Madam, as the situation is today with various lords vying for power and each governing their own territory, in order to preserve the wealth and nobility of the Zhang family, Jia Yu suggested that General Zhang surrender to Duke Cao. What does madam think about this?"

  "Let Embroidered Girl join Cao?"

  "Not bad, madam. In my humble opinion, among the people of today, only Cao Gong can bring peace to the world. The master of the Central Plains must be Cao Gong. Jia Xu is seeking wealth and honor for the Zhang family!"

  "What nonsense are you talking about? Although I have not left the house for a long time, I still know a thing or two about the overall situation in the world. Yuan Shao of Hebei, Sun Ce of Jiangdong, and Liu Biao of Jingzhou are all heroes. Can Cao Mengde easily conquer the world?"

  "A bunch of mediocre people! Not worth worrying about!" said Jia Yu indifferently.

  "What?" Zou saw Jia Xian's expression, and his mind was filled with thoughts. Although he didn't like Jia Xian, his insight was still very unique, it could be said that he had a plan for everything. Without Jia Xian, Zhang Ji and Zhang Huai would not have been able to occupy one side.

  "Hmph, Wen He, even if Cao Gong can unify the world, what does it have to do with me? I'm just a discarded wife, and I won't be able to enter the Cao manor again. What's the point of you coming to see me?"

  "Madam, Jia Yu is here to clear your name! And also to ask General Zhang for a life of wealth and honor!" Jia Yu said with confidence, looking at Zou Shi.

  "What did Wen and Suo say?" At this point, Zou Shi began to listen to Jia Xun's advice. Since Jia Xun said so, he must have had a foolproof plan.

  "Congratulations, Mrs., you've given birth to a son!" Jia Yu said, handing over a package to Zou Shi.

  "What...?" Zou took the bamboo slips and looked at them, instantly stunned as if struck by lightning. After a while, he finally spoke up with a sentence "Xiu'er...?"

  "Madam, General Zhang has already obtained the permission of his elders in the clan and been adopted by General Zhang Ji. He is now the son of General Zhang Ji, your son!" Jia Yu bowed slightly and explained to Zou Shi.

  "Son......? Zhang Huan......?" Zou Shi fell into deep thought. Originally, Zhang Huan was just her nephew, a mere relative, but now he had actually entered the lineage of Zhang Ji! She was still Zhang Ji's widow, and the name had not been removed, so Zhang Huan was now her son. In Eastern Han, Zou Shi was well aware of what this meant - she and Zhang Huan were now tied together in fortune and misfortune? At least, that's how it would seem to outsiders!

  "Go on, Zhang Hua!" As for Zhang Hua, this nephew had been following Zhang Ji since childhood, and Zou Shi still had some feelings for him. Since Zhang Hua had made such a decision now, Jia Yu's suggestion should be listened to.

  "Madam, since General Zhang has become your son, General Zhang leads his troops to surrender, hoping that you will speak to Duke Cao on his behalf..."

  "What does Jia Wen want? Why should I listen to you?" Zou Shi glanced at Jia Yu, interrupting his words with an arrogant expression.

  "What...?" The poisoner was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted. Women are vengeful and bear grudges!

  "Madam? Madam... in such a situation as this, can you not listen to my words?" Jia Yu narrowed his eyes and gazed at Zou Shi.

  "Jia... Jia Yu, how dare you!"

  "Madam, please forgive my impertinence. If you follow Sir Cao to Xudu, will you have a legitimate status? Can a humble estate accommodate your noble presence and national beauty? If you don't enter the Cao residence, how can you preserve your wealth and glory for the rest of your life? Do you think Lord Cao won't add new beauties?" Jia Yu spoke in one breath, uttering a string of words!

  Zou was stunned, staring at Jia Xun, and after a long while, he sighed faintly: "Jia Wenhe, this lady has been deceived!" What Jia Xun said was right. Zou Shi is now alone in Xu Du, Cao Cao is infatuated with beauty and favors her, but if she loses her beauty, Cao Cao will not be loyal to her alone. Without children or external support, how can she stand firm? Zhang Yi, isn't this an opportunity for herself?!

  "Thank you for your trust, madam!"

  "But? Sir Cao dislikes women interfering in politics. If it's Madame who is seeking an official position for Xiu Er, I'm afraid that won't do!"

  "Madam is wise, Jia Yu is not asking Madam to ask for an official position for General Zhang. This matter will be taken care of by Jia Yu himself. Jia Yu only hopes that Madam will inform Cao Gong that Zhang Yi is indeed Madam's son!"

  "Is that all?" Zou asked in puzzlement, was it really that simple?

  "That's all!" Jia Yu revealed a confident expression.

  "Alright, madam is aware of it now, let's go down first, madam will find an opportunity to explain to Sir Sikuang."

  "Thank you, madam, Wen and farewell!"

  At night, in the Cao's mansion, Cao listened to Huqu, looking at Zou's slender figure, his heart itched, and he fell down. Zou slipped and fell into Cao's arms.

  The woman's husband Cao's hands began to be unscrupulous, "Sir......don't do this, I have something to say to you."

  "Milady, what is it? I'll definitely do my best for you!" Cao couldn't bear it anymore!

  "Alas, sir, I am but Zhang Ji's widow, and I fear I may not be allowed to enter the Cai Gong mansion..."

  "Madam, don't worry, don't worry, Cao is making arrangements for this matter, it will be fine soon, very soon..."

  "Alas, sir has such a kind intention, I thank you very much. However, I don't know when I can enter the mansion. Lately, I've been thinking of my family day and night, especially my child..."

  "What...? Does Lady and Zhang Ji have children?" Cao was greatly shocked, this seemed to be something he had never heard of.

  "Sir, you are mistaken. Zhang Ji has no heir. Zhang Xiang was adopted by Zhang Ji with the consent of his elders in the clan and grew up under the care of a concubine, as her son!"

  "Oh? So that's how it is! In that case, Cao will definitely fulfill the lady's wishes!"

  "Madam? It's getting late too? Rest......?" Cao carried Zou Shi towards the backyard.

  Early in the morning, Cao got up and was about to go to court. Before leaving, Cao called the doorman and told him about Jia Yu's visit. After that, Cao let the doorman go.

  Cao stroked his beard and chuckled to himself, saying: "A son? Zhang Chao? Jia Xu? How interesting, really interesting!"

  "Master Hou, we're almost at Xudu!" Meiniang opened the curtain and gently woke up Lü Rui in the carriage.

  "Have we arrived?" Lü Rui rubbed his eyes, then looked out of the carriage window, and the two words "Permit Entry" on the city gate caught his eye.

  "Hehe, it's finally here, after months of running around outside, I didn't know coming home would feel so good?"

  "Return to the Si Kong Mansion? There are many things to do, the gifts prepared for the Cao family's young ones are already on another carriage, and there are also gifts prepared for the ladies of each house. And what about my own daughter, Ling'er? Although she is a big girl now, she still needs gifts! Family matters? National affairs? Matters that make one anxious!"

  Lü Rui's carriage entered Xudu and headed straight to the residence of the Minister of Works, returning home was important, official business would usually be reported to Cao Cao the next day!

  "Hush...!" The coachman reined in the carriage, stopping it in front of the Sima Mansion gate. Lü Rui got out of the carriage, and the doorman hurried over to greet him.

  "Master Xiao Hou, you're back!"

  "Ah Cai? You've grown taller since I last saw you!" This was the new gatekeeper of the Cao Manor, who had just been replaced when Lü Rui left Xudu.

  "Your Excellency is too kind, this time you've returned, you must have achieved great merit for the Duke again, and promotion to a higher rank is certainly not out of the question!"

  "Not bad, can talk!"

  "Thank you, Your Excellency!"

  "Hurry up and move these into the mansion!" A group of people were seen moving things into the Prime Minister's mansion through a side door.

  "Ah Chai? Who are those people?"

  "What's this?... Hou Ye, I don't know, you know that the Si Kong Fu has too many people, this is a matter for the steward, Ah Cai doesn't know!"

  "Brother Rui?" A cute kid rushed out.

  "Brother Chong?" It was indeed Cao's most intelligent child, Cao Chong!

  "Brother Rui, I know who those people are. Something big is going to happen at the Cao residence!" Cao Chong said mysteriously.

  "Oh? Chongdi, can you tell your brother what's going on?" Lü Rui asked jokingly, seeing Cao Chong's expression.

  "Brother Rui, come here, little brother has something to tell you!" Cao Zhong beckoned to Lü Rui and motioned for him to crouch down.

  Lü Rui shook his head and squatted down, saying: "Chongdi?"

  "Rui Ge, don't tell others, I overheard it all!"

  "Alright, I won't tell, Brother Rui!"

  "Rui Ge, I just overheard that those people are Zhang Xiu's men. They've sent an envoy to pay respects to Father!"

  Is Zhang Xiu surrendering? What big event will happen?

  "It's actually like this, brother. As for diplomatic matters, you and I should not speak carelessly. Also, the Cao residence is going to have a big event, don't spread such rumors."

  "Rui Ge? Don't talk nonsense. I just overheard Father and the envoy's conversation, one of Zhang Heng's conditions for surrender is that Father takes in a wife from the Zou family!"

  "What......?" Lü Rui was shocked, is this also a condition? How strange!

  "Brother Rui? You're really stupid! The Na Zou family is a must for Father, how could the Eldest Madam agree to that? Something big is going to happen in the Cao Manor!" With that, Cao Chong disappeared in a flash.

  "Master Hou? Gongzi has left!" Ah Cai called out tentatively, seeing Lü Rui crouched on the ground in a daze.

  "Oh? Alright, let's go in!" Lü Rui only reacted now and walked into the mansion, heading towards his own courtyard.

  Just now? Cao Chong's news was too shocking, marrying Zou Shi? This is unprecedented in history! However, what made Lü Rui feel terrified was one sentence from Cao Chong: "Marrying Zou Shi is a must for Father!"

  Cao Chong is only three years old! How can he see so far? Originally, Lü Rui thought Cao Chong was just good at memorization, after all, he's only three years old. But now it seems that this person is against the heavens! Liu Dajie said before his death that Piggy had ten times the talent of Xiao Pippi, what if Cao Chong were here?

  Haha, will Liu Da'er be able to speak ten times more eloquently than Zhu Ge, Zhu Ge? Don't resist anymore?

  Forget it, I was just daydreaming again, let's go back home first!