Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1757: Chapter 1653: That’s a Pretty Good Suggestion! (2)

[Maybe I need to think ahead, to avoid being unprepared when the time comes.] Cai Yan thought silently, [But if it really comes to that, I suppose I’ll have the opportunity to choose my own husband, which might not be so bad. I should really think about it carefully.]

Lady Tang watched the two individuals who were engrossed in their work but seemed somewhat distracted. She could more or less guess what was going on, and she thought that Cai Yan might not have many peaceful days left.

While Liu Bei was dealing with unexpected situations behind him, Cao Cao’s civil and military officials had finally arrived in Youzhou, whereas Liu Bei himself had already crossed the Great Wall, continuing his march northward.

”Liu Xuande seems to be getting anxious. We should speed up as well; we can’t let him look down on us!” Cao Cao said with a smile, and a group of civil and military officials behind him all agreed.

”Changwen, still not feeling better?” Cao Cao noticed Chen Qun’s gloomy mood and consoled him.

Recently, news had arrived that Chen Qun’s wife had suddenly succumbed to a severe illness and died abruptly. Although Chen Qun and his wife had been matched by their families, they only treated each other with respect. In such a tragedy, it’s impossible for him to feel good.

”Thank you for your concern, my lord.” Chen Qun said, his expression somewhat wooden. While he used to find having a wife annoying, he started to remember her goodness after she was gone.

Cao Cao, seeing Chen Qun like this, said nothing more. When something’s gone, one thinks about it, but when it’s there, it can feel bothersome—simply vexing. But usually, these things get better over time.

Xun Yu, Sima Lang, and Chen Qun had quite a good relationship, so they offered some comfort too, but it didn’t have any obvious effect. In the end, it was old Cheng Yu who boldly stated that he had lost his wife several times, and such unavoidable life events should be accustomed to.

Later, that old fox Cheng Yu started introducing potential matches to Chen Qun, making Chen Qun chuckle helplessly. Yet, after Cheng Yu’s antics, Chen Qun’s mood noticeably improved.

Cheng Yu, who seemed to have a mysterious way of gathering information, pulled out a little book and started introducing people. Later, under Sima Lang’s voice transmission, Chen Qun realized that Cheng Yu’s son was also at the age for marriage, and perhaps all these potential matches were selected by Cheng Yu for his own purposes.

Xun Yu also listened in discreetly with interest, and finally couldn’t help interjecting, ”Zhongde, this isn’t right. None of these matches are suitable for Changwen. The Chen family is exemplary among the millennia-old aristocratic families. Can the ones you found manage to hold their position as the Matriarch of the Chen family?”

Cheng Yu was taken aback, and thought for a moment. Indeed, in his eagerness to introduce beautiful and knowledgeable women, he had forgotten that the Chen family and his own were substantially different.

”Now that you mention it, there really aren’t many suitable matches,” Cheng Yu said, stroking his beard and flipping through the book, aided by the fact that paper was now widely used by this group; otherwise, the sheer amount of writing would have been enough to give Cheng Yu headaches.

Chen Qun, meanwhile, had developed a bit of interest. After all, his wife hadn’t even left behind a son or daughter. Remarrying was only a matter of time, so listening wasn’t a bad thing.

”Found it, Xun Zhen, this one is suitable!” Cheng Yu quickly found a suitable candidate in his book. Xun Yu, who was watching the scene unfold, was dumbfounded—wasn’t that his daughter? The cheeky old devil Cheng Yu!

”Why does this name sound familiar to me?” Chen Qun, hearing the surname Xun and the mention of suitability, instinctively thought that this woman was probably Xun Yu’s sister, born of whichever wife of another old rogue.

Still, thinking of the word ’suitable,’ Chen Qun’s first reaction was that it must be Xun Shuang’s daughter, so he turned to ask Xun Yu, who awkwardly confirmed it was his eldest daughter.

Chen Qun was momentarily speechless. Marrying Xun Yu’s daughter felt embarrassing, so he decided to look elsewhere, turning to Sima Lang, ”Boda, do you have any sisters?”

”Didn’t you visit our house before? This generation’s direct lineage is all boys. There are still many in the collateral line, but their status wouldn’t be fitting for a wife. If you need a concubine, there are suitable candidates,” Sima Lang waved his hand, dismissing Chen Qun’s idea.

However, Xun Yu had some thoughts of his own. His daughter really should get married, and Chen Qun seemed like a decent choice. Age-wise, he’s not too old either, and marrying into the Yingchuan Chen family as the Matriarch wouldn’t be a loss, so this seemed like a good option.

Previously, Xun Yu hadn’t given much thought to this matter and was worried about whom his daughter should marry. Now, with Chen Qun’s position vacant, marrying him would also be to his advantage.

When Sima Lang saw Xun Yu’s unconcealed expression, he knew Xun Yu had an interest. In retrospect, if talking about suitable family ties, the Xun family seemed most fitting, and an alliance between the Chen and Xun families looked like a highly favorable choice.

As he observed Chen Qun rolling his eyes, Sima Lang silently shook his head. Chen Qun might end up as Xun Yu’s convenient son-in-law, and Xun Yu might gain a substantial advantage.

Even though Chen Qun, who hadn’t thought deeply about it yet, just considered the idea nonsensical, once he truly reflected on it, he’d realize that it’s actually quite logical.

This was indeed a real and strong alliance, the best choice for a father-in-law and son-in-law union. Yes, for now, Chen Qun felt it was nonsense, but soon he wouldn’t think it was nonsense at all.

Cao Cao, hearing the ramblings of his civil officers, couldn’t help but stroke his bristly beard. Chen Qun becoming Xun Yu’s son-in-law, as long as he wouldn’t rebel, was very advantageous to him. It could significantly expand his core strength.

Hmm, Cheng Yu’s suggestion wasn’t bad. They should proceed with it, and later find a way to have Chen Qun marry Xun Yu’s eldest daughter. This would be tremendously helpful in suppressing internal factions, in consolidating his own ranks into one faction, thus facing the reorganization. With Liu Bei as a fellow official in the court, at least this would concentrate their strength like a fist.

However, speaking of which, his civil servants and Liu Bei’s civil servants seemed to have countless ties—indeed, the aristocratic families were a complex mess.

Unaware that Cheng Yu, the cheeky old fox, started teasing him, Cao Cao, too, had entertained the idea. Meanwhile, the elders of the Chen family, regarding marriage with the Xun family’s legitimate daughter, at any time, would unanimously agree, so eventually, Chen Qun was sacrificed.

Half a year later, Chen Qun had never expected that he would indeed end up marrying Xun Yu’s daughter, becoming Xun Yu’s convenient son-in-law, his seniority instantly elevating him to the same level as Xun Youi.

On another front, already beginning preparations to head south to join forces with Jia Xu, Chen Xi suddenly heard a loud shout, followed by Xu Chu riding Claw Yellow Flying Lightning descending from the sky.

”Advisor,” Xu Chu saluted Chen Xi upon landing. Chen Xi blinked, then felt a warmth in his heart. No need to guess; this must be Liu Bei’s command.

”Lord Xuande asked you to come help?” Chen Xi said with a smile.

Xu Chu grinned widely, ”Our lord ordered me to rush ahead to assist the advisor. I raced here, but didn’t encounter the advisor. I proceeded directly to the Northern Huns’ gathering place as indicated by the advisor.”

”Oh, that’s my fault,” Chen Xi nodded, acknowledging that Xu Chu’s actions were understandable given his level of intelligence.

”Then I saw many charred military camps. I searched for directions, noticed clear traces of movement north, and chased that way. All the way, I dared not fly and followed the route northward. Unfortunately, a winter rain turned into snow up north, almost losing the trail,” Xu Chu scratched his head awkwardly.

”So, what did you find?” Chen Xi asked curiously.

”A lot of elderly, weak, sick, and disabled Northern Huns. Later, I felt Zilong’s presence coming from the south, so I returned hastily,” Xu Chu said, a bit speechless. He had tried his best, but honestly, compared to the vast steppe, an individual still felt insignificant. Had it not been for that formidable aura, Xu Chu might still be circling the north.

Truth be told, Xu Chu hadn’t flown high before now, but he had already strayed by several hundred kilometers, and even if he flew higher, he wouldn’t have found Chen Xi. Moreover, it was indeed too far north, leaving Xu Chu somewhat bewildered.