Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Zhen Ji paid no mind to the whispers swirling beyond the carriage walls when she heard of it. She spent the days in silence, her fingers tracing the pages of a book without truly reading. The landscape rolled by, verdant fields giving way to rugged mountains, the air growing crisper as they climbed toward Xiapi. At night, when the camp was quiet, she would step outside and gaze at the stars, her breath fogging in the chill.

One evening, as she stood thus, the captain of the escort approached, his helmet tucked under his arm.

”My lady,” he said, bowing. ”We’ll reach Xiapi in three days, estimated we arrive there in the evening.”

Zhen Ji didn’t turn. ”Good.”

The man hesitated, then ventured, ”Are you... unwell, my lady? You’ve barely eaten these past days.”

A faint smile touched her lips. ”I’m preparing myself, Captain. A different kind of battlefield awaits me, and I would not face it with a sluggish mind or heavy stomach.”

Heeadung that the Captain blinked, uncertain how to respond to such words.

Zhen Ji finally looked at him, her eyes reflecting the cold moonlight. ”Tell me, Captain, have you ever met Lie Fan?”

The captain stiffened at hearing the question. ”No, my lady. But I’ve heard stories about Lord Lie Fan.”

”Ah.” Her smile deepened, though it didn’t reach her eyes. ”Then we are both stepping into the unknown.”

Meanwhile, back in Xiapi, Lie Fan was having dinner with his family. He sat at the head of the round table, while his four wives, Ying Yue, Diao Chan, Cai Wenji, and Lu Lingqi, were seated to his left and right. Beside them were their children, Chenchen, Yaoyao, Yanyan, Nuonuo, and the youngest, Xuanxuan, who rested in Diao Chan’s arms as she slowly ate.

The atmosphere was warm and filled with laughter, the occasional clatter of dishes, and the soft murmurs of conversation.

Lie Fan allowed his children to be children. Despite their rigorous education in ethics and social norms, he did not expect them to sit in stiff silence at the table. He enjoyed these moments, watching them giggle, joke, and play with their food, knowing that such innocence would not last forever.

But tonight, he was quieter than usual.

He ate in silence, deep in thought, his chopsticks moving mechanically from plate to mouth. Normally, he would share stories or gently correct his children’s etiquette with a laugh, but this evening, he barely acknowledged their chatter.

His four wives exchanged glances, silently communicating using their eyes. They knew their husband well, and his silence spoke volumes. After a few moments of silent communication, a consensus was reached. Lu Lingqi, the most direct of the four, would be the one to break the silence.

Being picked by her sisters, Lu Lijgqi smiled wryly before she picked up a tender piece of black pepper beef and placed it in Lie Fan’s bowl. ”Husband,” she said gently, ”do you have something on your mind? It’s unlike you to be so quiet. The children were calling for you, but seeing how serious you look, they decided not to disturb you.”

Lie Fan blinked as if waking from a trance. He glanced at the children, then at his wives, realizing that his silence had not gone unnoticed. With a small smile, he picked up the beef and ate it.

”Yes,” he admitted. ”Sorry, Qi’er. I do have something on my mind. It concerns all of you, which is why I wish to speak with you privately after dinner. The children will be taken care of by the handmaidens and servants.”

His wives exchanged glances again, their curiosity piqued. What could possibly involve all four of them so seriously? Still, they nodded in agreement, sensing the gravity of the matter from how their husband acted and spoke just now.

Once dinner ended, the children were led away, giggling as the handmaidens ushered them toward their quarters. Meanwhile, Lie Fan brought his wives to the main living room. He took his usual seat, and his wives settled into their accustomed places.

Ying Yue, as the first wife, sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, her sharp eyes already assessing her husband’s expression. Diao Chan cradled the sleeping Xuanxuan gently, though her usual playful demeanor was subdued, replaced by a rare solemnity.

Cai Wenji, as the scholar among them, absently traced the rim of her teacup, her mind no doubt already dissecting possibilities. And Lu Lingqi, bold, straightforward Lu Lingqi, leaned forward slightly, her hand gently holding her pregnant stomach.

Lie Fan took a deep breath before speaking. ”I’ve been thinking about this for some time now, around a week, in fact. The Zhen Clan has offered me a political marriage alliance with their youngest daughter Zhen Ji.”

The statement hung in the air like an unsheathed blade.

His wives remained silent, absorbing the weight of his words. Political marriages were common among nobility and warlords, but that did not make the reality any easier for them to hear.

It was Diao Chan who spoke first. ”The Zhen Clan’s daughter... Zhen Ji,” she murmured, her delicate eyebrows knit together, ”she was married to Yuan Xi, wasn’t she?”

Lie Fan nodded. ”A widow now. Officially, she ’perished’ in the fire that consumed Yuan Xi’s residence. But the truth is, she’s been hidden away all this time. Zhen Yi staged her death to sever ties with the Yuan Clan.”

Cai Wenji’s fingers tapped against her knee. ”Clever. And now that the Yuan is no more, he wishes to tie her to you instead.”

”Yes.” Lie Fan leaned back, studying their faces. ”Her clan seeks further protection and prosperity under my rule. In return, they offer eternal loyalty and all of their connections in the north, and they would receive trade rights.”

Cai Wenji, who already looked at it from a logical point of view, frowned in thought. ”From an economic standpoint, aligning with the Zhen Clan could be beneficial. They have deep mercantile roots. Their connections alone would strengthen our control over trade in the north.”

”And politically?” Ying Yue asked, her voice steady.

Lie Fan sighed. ”It could stabilize and suppress the lingering Yuan Clan loyalists in Ji Province, as they were still contacting the Zhen Clan to help them. A marriage between myself and Zhen Ji could serve as a declaration that the Yuan Clan era is truly over. It would be a symbol of new strength in the north.”

Lu Lingqi crossed her arms. ”And your personal thoughts?”

Lie Fan exhaled slowly. ”I have four wives I love and respect. This isn’t a decision I take lightly. If I were acting purely on personal desire, I wouldn’t even consider it. But as a ruler... I must weigh the long term benefits.”

His wives sat in thoughtful silence.

”And Zhen Ji herself?” Ying Yue finally asked. ”Does she have a choice in this?”

Lie Fan nodded. ”I’ve made it clear to Zhen Yi, that she will decide for herself. If she refuses, the matter ends there and the Zhen Clan still receive what they requested for.”

That seemed to ease some of the tension in the room.

Diao Chan, rocking Xuanxuan in her arms, smiled slightly. ”Then let us meet her first. If this is to be our reality, we should at least know the woman who might join our family.”

Lie Fan chuckled, some of the weight lifting from his shoulders. ”That is a reasonable request. I will arrange for that to happen naturally.”

Ying Yue placed a hand over his. ”We trust you, Husband. Just remember, politics may demand sacrifice, but our family is your greatest kingdom.”

Lie Fan’s heart swelled at her words. He squeezed her hand in return. ”I will not forget.”

After their conversation, Lie Fan remained with his wives, engaging them in lighter conversation and affectionate gestures to soothe the unspoken sorrow in their hearts. Though they had agreed to his decision, he knew that the thought of another wife entering their family left lingering unease.

He made an effort to reassure them, holding their hands, sharing soft words, and embracing them with warmth. Eventually, the night stretched on, and they retired to their chambers, though sleep came only slowly.

The following morning, Lie Fan was already in his office at the Governor’s Castle, spending the early hours reviewing reports, when a messenger entered, bowing deeply before delivering his report. ”My Lord, Advisors Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong have returned. They have brought with them the captured Goguryeo generals, Yeon Gaesomun and Kang Saeng. They await you in the main hall.”

Lie Fan set aside the scroll he had been reviewing and immediately rose from his seat. ”Prepare the hall. I will see them at once.”

The hall was already alive with murmured conversation when Lie Fan entered. His advisors, Xu Shu, Jia Xu, Xun You, Chen Qun, and Chen Gong, stood in a loose circle, deep in discussion with Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong. The two strategists, after their long ride from Xiangping, looked weary but satisfied, their robes still bearing traces of travel dust.

In the center of the hall, two bound men knelt, their hands tied behind their backs, their clothes dirtied from travel. Yeon Gaesomun, frame tense with suppressed fury. Beside him, Kang Saeng was quieter, his expression resigned. Two soldiers flanked them, ensuring they did not attempt any defiance.

As Lie Fan entered, his advisors cupped their hands and bowed respectfully, while the soldiers dropped to one knee in salute. ”Rise,” he commanded, his voice steady. The men obeyed, resuming their positions as he moved to take his seat at the head of the hall.

His gaze flickered to Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, and a genuine smile touched his lips. ”Kongming, Shiyuan. It’s been too long.”

Zhuge Liang stepped forward, his fan fluttering lightly. ”My lord. It is good to return to Xiapi.”

Pang Tong, ever the less formal of the two, grinned. ”And even better to return victorious. Though, admittedly, the credit lies more with Sima Yi’s scheming than our own efforts.”

Lie Fan chuckled. ”Modesty doesn’t suit you, Shiyuan. Reports say your strategies minimized casualties at Xiangping. That is no small feat.”

Pang Tong shrugged, though his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Lie Fan’s lips then curled into a small smile. ”Your efforts in Xiangping have been commendable. Because of the two of you, Gongsun Gong and his forces suffered minimal losses in the defense. Even though Yeon Gaesomun’s assault was orchestrated by Sima Yi to force Goguryeo into submission, it is always preferable to achieve victory with fewer casualties.”

Pang Tong chuckled. ”We could not have done it without your foresight, my Lord. It was an honor to ensure that our forces remained strong.”

The conversation between Lie Fan and his advisors, tinged with camaraderie and triumph, did not sit well with one of their captives.

Yeon Gaesomun, who had been glaring at them with barely restrained fury, finally snapped. His voice rang out through the hall, laced with venom as he hurled insults in his native tongue, his words sharp and filled with hatred. Kang Saeng, though quieter, bore an expression of silent defiance, his gaze never leaving Lie Fan.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 33 (200 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0