Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1411: Chapter 1361: Still Can’t Understand

”Why do I feel like she’s your daughter? Should I bring Tang Consort back? If you can keep her in check, I can do it,” Chen Xi joked.

”...” Jia Xu didn’t say a word, directly rode away on his horse, completely ignoring Chen Xi.

”Jia Wenhe, you really...” Chen Xi watched Jia Xu ride away without giving him any face, which was quite overboard. ”Forget about him, I have to make a trip to the Zhen Family.”

After leaving Cai Yan’s place, he took a few turns and arrived at the Zhen Family. This was their new residence in Ye City. It was rather rude for Chen Xi to arrive empty-handed, but the sharp-eyed escort at the door quickly approached upon seeing Chen Xi, while another hurried to inform the family head.

”Marquis Chen, please come in, the family head will be here shortly,” the Zhen Family’s escort respectfully said.

”Has Mi’er moved back recently?” Chen Xi inquired while walking inside.

”The eldest daughter moved back not long ago.” The escort led Chen Xi inside and then returned to his post, as there was already someone to welcome Chen Xi further in.

Soon, Zhen Yan appeared wearing the family head’s attire to greet Chen Xi. Zhen Yan had now fully taken over the Zhen Family, with the Zhang Clan and Zhen Family still maintaining their bonds. So when Zhen Yan took over, Liu Bei helped a lot, allowing the family head transition to proceed without issue.

However, Chen Xi noticed that Zhen Yan, as the family head, still lacked a lot of knowledge. Simply put, he was forced into the role; the Zhen Family was using their financial power to forcibly nurture him as the family head. Fortunately, Zhen Yan was diligent; while he might not become a genius, he could still manage the family well.

”Greetings, Marquis Chen.” Zhen Yan courteously saluted, showing some of the aristocratic family head’s dignity compared to before. However, the wry smile as he stood up betrayed his feelings.

”Not happy being the family head?” Chen Xi reciprocated the gesture and then said with a smile, ”Pardon my intrusion, Boyao.”

”No need for pardon, Marquis Chen. As for me, to be honest, I really don’t want to be the family head now. I used to envy how easily Auntie managed as the family head, but now I realize I was ignorant back then,” Zhen Yan said with a wry smile.

”Many people want to be the family head but can’t; just work at it, you’ll get used to it,” Chen Xi could see that Zhen Yan’s words were half-hearted. It’s indeed exhausting to manage a large family when you’re used to just spending money without earning it.

”I appreciate your kind words. Please, my sister has been informed and will be here shortly,” Zhen Yan gestured invitingly and personally led Chen Xi to the main hall.

”Zichuan~” After downing a cup of tea and chatting some random topics with Zhen Yan, Zhen Mi finally arrived.

”Sister, you came too quickly. When you arrive, brother has to go to the study to continue learning with the elders how to handle family affairs,” Zhen Yan said with a mournful face, yet the amusement in his eyebrows betrayed his mood.

After speaking, Zhen Yan bowed to Chen Xi, ”Marquis Chen, Yan must attend to mundane matters, please excuse me.”

How could Chen Xi not understand Zhen Yan’s meaning? He smiled, and then Zhen Yan left.

”Big brother is really something,” Zhen Mi pouted and said discontentedly as she watched Zhen Yan leave.

”It’s quite good,” Chen Xi said with a smile. ”I’m planning to return to our old home in Yingchuan, Jian’er and Ran’er will both go, will you?”

”Old home in Yingchuan.” Zhen Mi’s eyes lit up, ”I’ll go.”

”Then hurry and pack up, we might leave in a bit,” Chen Xi said with a smile, instantly causing Zhen Mi’s expression to fall.

”Why did you tell me so late, notifying me only when we’re about to leave? Did you forget?” Zhen Mi asked two consecutive questions.

”No way.” Chen Xi said with a serious face, ”I couldn’t possibly forget you; the decision was made this afternoon, I came to look for you right away, and the family has just started packing.”

”Oh,” Zhen Mi replied indifferently, ”Do we need to bring things for the sacrifice?”

Chen Xi was taken aback, then looked at Zhen Mi with a laugh-and-cry expression, ”You don’t think I’m specifically going to Yingchuan, do you?”

”Isn’t it to pay respects to Uncle and Aunt?” Zhen Mi retorted.

”Well, I’m just passing by, and since home is there, it’s good to take a look,” Chen Xi nodded in response. ”The main reason is to guard against Cao Cao in Wancheng.”

”Hmm...” Zhen Mi seemed a bit disappointed but still spoke up, ”Zichuan, come pack with me. I have prepared clothes and stuff over here, and we’ll go pick up Sister Jian’er later.”

Chen Xi helplessly declined the proposal regarding clothes and things. If Zhen Mi wanted to bring them, it wasn’t a big deal.

Zhen Mi gave Chen Xi a sideways glance without saying more, ”Then come pick me up later.”

That wasn’t a question this time but an order, and Chen Xi nodded. Even if Zhen Mi hadn’t said so, Chen Xi would have done it anyway.

Not long after Chen Xi returned home, Hua Xiong arrived at Chen Xi’s house with a troop. Hua Xiong had been neighbors with Chen Xi’s family while at Mount Tai and now in Ye City too, though the large courtyards on both sides made the distance seem far.

”Zijian, you came so quickly,” Chen Xi asked with surprise.

”I’ve already reported to our lord and handed over the military affairs to Zhongming, but when I went there, Minister Jia and the military adviser were with our lord, seemed like something big happened,” Hua Xiong didn’t hide anything from what he saw earlier.

”Hmm, Sheni Pei let the Xianbei in,” Chen Xi sighed and said a bit helplessly. ”It seems that the civil servants sometimes lack a bit of courage; Zijian, what would you do?”

”Kill!” Hua Xiong didn’t speak any more. For men living in the Border Commandery, there’s only one word for invaders.

”And if they outnumber you ten to one?” Chen Xi continued to ask.

”Kill!” Hua Xiong said without changing his expression. ”In the first year of Zhongping, Bian Zhang revolted with over a hundred thousand troops, ten times the soldiers of Minister Dong. We defeated him head-on and pursued him to Jincheng!”

”The military adviser once told us not to think too much before the battle; if we didn’t lose before, we won’t lose in the future either!” Hua Xiong rarely showed such contemptuous pride; the record of the Xiliang Army was awe-inspiring, with very few documented defeats.

”Alright, you certainly are admirable,” Chen Xi nodded.

”From this, I truly don’t understand. Sheni Pei letting the Xianbei enter the pass is problematic from any angle. Sheni Zheng Nan isn’t a simple character,” Chen Xi seemed to be thinking aloud as if affirming his suspicions.

”But still can’t figure it out, forget it, let Wen He and the others worry about it,” Chen Xi said with a headache. ”Zijian, come with me; I’ve kept you standing outside, sorry for being impolite.”