Chapter 66: Cutting Off Liu Bei, Winning Mi Zhen

Mi Zhen had only recently learned that the person who had taught her that peculiar method of bookkeeping was, in fact, such a remarkable figure! Now, her two elder brothers’ intentions were already quite clear—when it came to marriage, it was always a matter of parental command and the matchmaker’s word.

Being born into the Mi clan meant her marriage would inevitably require compromise and sacrifice for the sake of the family’s interests. She had accepted this fate long ago. Yet what her brothers did not know was that, ever since she met Cao Peng, this young man had appeared countless times in her dreams.

As for this marriage, she was willing...

“My lady, the two young masters are calling for you.”

The maid’s voice pulled the young woman from her thoughts. Mi Zhen glanced at the girl, who was looking at her with a knowing, half-smiling expression. Clearly, the maid already knew her mistress was soon to be wed.

In the reception hall, Cao Peng sat at the guest seat, chatting casually with Mi Zhu and Mi Fang. Having spent much time with first-rate strategists like Guo Jia, Cao Peng could clearly sense that though Mi Zhu and Mi Fang were considered intelligent men of their era, they were a level below the likes of Guo Jia.

Meanwhile, Mi Zhu and Mi Fang’s estimation of Cao Peng only grew higher and higher, convinced he possessed world-shaking talent.

The conversation among men naturally revolved around the grand affairs of the realm. Cao Peng tossed out a few advanced ideas with ease, thoroughly dazzling the brothers.

On the table, steam curled from fragrant tea. After draining his cup, Cao Peng suddenly sensed a delicate fragrance approach.

Mi Zhen, her beauty unrivaled, had come to his side. In a gentle, melodious voice, she said, “Young Master Cao, please have some tea.”

Her fair, slender arms were as white as snow, her delicate fingers like jade, holding a teapot to refill Cao Peng’s cup. Her brows and eyes were like a painting, and something in her manner caught Cao Peng’s gaze for a moment.

Mi Zhen, slightly nervous, trembled, and tea spilled beyond the rim of the cup. She hastily rose to apologize, but Cao Peng smiled lightly and said, “Miss Mi, there’s no need for such courtesy—we’ve met before.”

A shy blush crept onto Mi Zhen’s lovely cheeks as she replied softly, “That day, I failed to recognize a great man. I beg the general’s pardon.”

Cao Peng waved his hand dismissively, teasing, “How could I bear to blame a lady as beautiful and clever as Miss Mi?”

There was a playful note to his words, deepening the color in Mi Zhen’s cheeks. Her bright eyes flashed with a hint of reproach, though in her heart she felt a sweetness she could not put into words.

Mi Zhu and Mi Fang watched with faint smiles, quite pleased with Cao Peng’s demeanor.

Mi Zhu knew the time was right for him to speak. He said, “Little sister, there’s nothing more here for you. You may go now.”

Mi Zhen nodded obediently and retreated, but as she left, she cast a gaze full of tenderness at Cao Peng.

Cao Peng returned her look with warmth, then gently set down his teacup, ready to hear what Mi Zhu had to say.

Mi Zhu left his seat and came before Cao Peng. With respectful clasped hands, he said, “General, I have a request.”

Cao Peng smiled, “No need for such formality, Sir Mi. Whatever it is, speak freely.”

Mi Zhu began, “The young lady you just met is my younger sister. Though I dare not claim she eclipses all others, her beauty is well-known in Xuzhou. She has reached the age for marriage. When I asked if she had someone in her heart, she said that ever since meeting you, General, she wished to marry only you. Ordinary men no longer catch her eye.”

“She knows her looks may seem unremarkable to you, General, and she is willing to become but a concubine, to serve you all her life, and would be content.”

Cao Peng frowned, marveling at how easy it sometimes was to win a woman’s heart. Though this was the result he desired, he made a deliberate show of restraint, adopting a thoughtful air.

“Well, this... is rather...”

Mi Zhu and Mi Fang grew anxious at his hesitation, but were not surprised. They had prepared for this—after all, Cao Peng was Cao Cao’s own nephew, a man of extraordinary talent, highly valued by his uncle. Such a young and brilliant man was entitled to set his own terms.

So, gritting his teeth, Mi Zhu further increased the gifts of gold, silver, and grain he offered Cao Peng by another thirty percent. Even for the wealthy Mi family, these gifts were substantial.

Cao Peng was inwardly delighted, yet outwardly nodded with a show of reluctant acceptance.

Ah, how irresistible this all was...

Leaving the Mi residence, Cao Peng sat in his carriage in excellent spirits. All the money and gifts were secondary; what truly thrilled him was winning the Mi family’s young lady.

As he neared his own residence, a thought occurred: Mi Zhen, the Mi family’s young sister—wasn’t she Lady Mi? Had he just intercepted her from the Big-Eared Thief?

At this thought, Cao Peng felt even more secretly triumphant.

Just then, a string of synthesized electronic voices suddenly sounded in his mind, immediately reviving his spirits. It was the long-lost system’s voice; ever since he had intercepted Lady Zou from the Boss Cao, he hadn’t heard it in some time.

“Congratulations, Host, on successfully intercepting Liu Bei and obtaining Mi Zhen. System reward: blueprint for the curved-shaft plow.”

Holding the blueprint, Cao Peng couldn’t help but think the system remained as stingy as ever. Last time, aside from a recipe for Erguotou liquor, he’d received a set of sword techniques; this time it was just a blueprint.

He guessed perhaps this interception had not caused a major shift in history, hence the lesser reward. The more he thought about it, the more reasonable this seemed.

There was another thing that puzzled him: Diao Chan and Lü Lingqi. Could it be that he had not yet fully succeeded in intercepting them, and so had not received a system reward? It seemed likely—if there was a completion metric for these tasks, he must be nearly there, just missing a final key step.

Perhaps, in the hearts of Diao Chan and Lü Lingqi, they had not yet fully let down their guard or truly accepted him.

With this in mind, Cao Peng immediately called out to the coachman, “Turn around, to the residence in the southern part of the city!”

He had arranged for Diao Chan and Lü Lingqi to stay in the southern residence, rather than his own home. There were two reasons for this: one, to display his character, both for Cao Cao and others to see, and to help Diao Chan and Lü Lingqi feel at ease, not seeing him as someone with ulterior motives; and two, because too many people had been visiting his place lately, and Lü Lingqi would certainly not appreciate that!