The stunning woman sitting in front of the window in the small building is Zhen Mi. She is now twenty-eight years old, in her prime, and waiting to be married.
His father, Zhen Yi, died when Zhen Mi was young.
Zhen Yi left behind three sons and five daughters, Zhen Mi being the youngest.
The eldest son, Zhen Yu, and the second son, Zhen Yan, have both passed away. The third son, Zhen Yao, is now working as a slave in the Jizhou Mufu.
There are four sisters above Zhen Mi, and the one joking with her now is her fourth sister Zhen Rong.
Zhen Rong was about eighteen or nineteen years old and had already been married. Although not as good as Zhen Mi, she was still an outstanding beauty.
Zhen Mi said helplessly: "Sister, why are you happier than me today?"
Zhen Rong shook Zhen Mi's shoulders and said with a smile: "Our youngest sister is getting married, how can I be unhappy?"
She approached Zhen Mi's ear mysteriously and whispered: "A few days ago, I accompanied my husband to a banquet at the Prefectural Mufu's Mansion. I met Yuan Xing and made some inquiring about Yuan Xi."
When Zhen Mi heard this, she finally became interested: "Not to mention me, have you met Sister Yuan Xing?"
"I haven't seen her in a year. I remember she is two years older than my sister and she is still unmarried."
Zhen Rong nodded and said, "Indeed, as the eldest lady of the Yuan family, it will be difficult for her to find a well-matched husband. This will be a delay."
She suddenly woke up: "Don't go too far, I'm talking about your business!"
"Are you really not interested in Master Yuan Xi's affairs at all?"
Zhen Mi had a headache: "You shouldn't ask me about this. You should ask your mother."
"Nacai Wenji hasn't even started yet, and he hasn't even written his horoscope yet."
"My mother makes the decision on all these things, so what can I say?"
Zhen Rong clicked his tongue and said, "Who doesn't know that mother loves you the most? Even if you don't marry into the Yuan family, I'm afraid she won't force herself on you."
"But what the fortune tellers said when you were a child, your facial features predicted wealth and honor. If you marry Yuan Jiazi, it may come true in the future."
Zhen Mi heard this, but had no reaction. She said calmly: "Maybe it's because the Yuan family heard such rumors that they wanted me to marry her."
Zhen Rong shook his head and said: "I think it was when there was a severe drought in Jizhou when you were ten years old. Your reputation for persuading your mother to open a warehouse to store grain spread. Since the Yuan family values the reputation of benevolence and righteousness, naturally I think you are suitable for the Yuan family." woman."
"Besides, you are so beautiful, you will definitely be very favored after you get married."
After hearing this, Zhen Mi sighed softly: "Reputation and appearance, these things are just talking points among noble families."
"If in the future I can apply what I have learned in books over the years to some of my ambitions, I will be satisfied."
After hearing this, Zhen Rong said angrily: "What a stupid person. I'm here to tell you about Mr. Yuan Xi, but you bring it up to manage the world!"
"Hey, why did you pull me away again?"
Zhen Rong cleared his throat, "Yuan Xing and I were sidetracking on Yuan Xi's matter. I heard that he was a coward when he was young, but he had a falling out with Yuan Zhoumu and left Youzhou three years ago."
"If Yuan Zhoumu hadn't asked him to come back this time, he would still be staying in Youzhou."
"Do you think a bitter cold place like Youzhou can be more comfortable than our Yecheng?"
Zhen Mi listened and said: "It is said that after Gongsun Zan was beaten back to Youzhou, he went on a rampage and killed Liu Yu, the shepherd of Youzhou. How could it be safer than Yecheng?"
Zhen Rong was a little distracted, "You said that your brother-in-law finally returned to Yecheng and then ran to Youzhou..."
While they were talking, a maid's voice from below the small building said: "Mr. Zhen Yao is here."
When Zhen Rong heard this, he said happily: "The third brother is here!"
She turned around and ran downstairs, and found it was Zhen Yao. She smiled and said, "Third brother, why are you back so early today?"
She saw a look of hesitation on Zhen Yao's face and wondered, "What's wrong?"
Zhen Yao whispered a few words, and Zhen Rong's expression changed, and he lost his voice: "Is there such a thing?"
"Take dozens of concubines with you and fill a big house?"
"That's outrageous!"
"No, I have to take Mi Mei and talk to my mother!"
In the Prefectural Mufu's Mansion, Yuan Xi bowed to Yuan Shao respectfully and said, "I have met my father."
He turned slightly sideways and bowed to Mrs. Liu next to Yuan Shao: "I've met my mother."
Yuan Shao sat at the top, his lips moved slightly, and finally he said calmly: "Xianyi, sit down."
Mrs. Liu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeves and sighed: "Shang'er, you are back."
Yuan Xi lowered his head and said, "Thank you, father and mother." Then he straightened up, lowered his head, and knelt down on the ground.
Only then did Yuan Shao have the opportunity to look at Yuan Xi carefully and found that Yuan Xi's appearance had changed slightly compared to three years ago, but he was taller and his whole body exuded a faint aura of oppression.
The most obvious difference is that Yuan Shang's face, which was extremely pale three years ago, is now covered with a light wheat color. This is obviously due to excessive exposure to wind and sun.
From the perspective of future generations, Yuan Xi's wheat-colored skin looks healthier than the pale skin of the nobles who do not expose themselves to the sun.
But now Yuan Shao saw it with a look of hesitation on his face.
Just as he was about to speak, Mrs. Liu covered her face and shed tears, saying, "It'll be good to come back. Xi'er has suffered a lot in the past three years."
"If I had known this, there would be no need to fight with your father. Please admit your mistake to your father as soon as possible."
Damn it, Yuan Xi cursed in his heart, Mrs. Liu always refuses to open or lift any pot she comes up with.
The quarrel three years ago was big or small, and judging from the result, Yuan Xi still won.
But the more this is the case, the less important it is to mention that Yuan Shao is a good face person. What happened in the Battle of Guandu in Tianfeng is a warning to Yuan Xi that it is best not to hold on to Yuan Shao's defeat.
Mrs. Liu obviously knew Yuan Shao's character, and she started to sow discord in order to destroy the relationship between father and son.
Yuan Xi thought of this and smiled: "My father was right. When I arrived in Beixin City, I realized that this place is not a place for playing house."
"In the past three years, I have narrowly escaped death several times. I have been shot by arrows and stabbed by guns. A few days ago, I was cut open by a horse and I was unconscious for several days."
When Yuan Shao heard this, his expression changed slightly. Seeing that Mrs. Liu still wanted to speak, he waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it anymore at this time, just come back."
Mrs. Liu cursed in her heart, Yuan Shao was soft-hearted and still loved his sons. Yuan Xi, the little beast, knew this!
She was unwilling to give in and forced a smile: "In this case, Xi'er must take good care of her health. Although the dozens of concubines are all beautiful, they cannot indulge themselves."
Yuan Xi raised his head in surprise, "What concubine?"
Mrs. Liu's heart skipped a beat, "Aren't the dozens of women Xi'er brought here your concubines?"
This is impossible. If I’m not your concubine, why would you take her back to Yecheng?
Could it be dedicated to Yuan Shao?
The more Liu thought about it, the more likely it was. Not only was she gritting her teeth, but Yuan Shao had just a few concubines who were young and beautiful enough. How could he have anything to do with dozens more concubines?
Are you obviously disgusted with yourself?
Yuan Xi is a child with a cowardly personality and hesitation in doing things. He is far less clear-minded than Shang'er. Could it be that he sees that he is targeting him?
Thinking that Yuan Xi could predict last year's rebellion in Yecheng, Mrs. Liu felt panicked for no reason. Could it be that the other party was really hiding his clumsiness?
At this time, Yuan Shang, who was sitting at the bottom, saw his mother losing his composure and knew it was his turn to take action. He said, "Aren't those dozens of women my second brother's concubine?"
