Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 190 So the Crown Prince prefers older, more mature women?
Liu Bian shook his head and chuckled, pointing at Zhang Wen and saying, "You, Grand Master of the Imperial Stud, have quite the sharp tongue. Since I misunderstood you due to my inappropriate words, I will give you a box of mung bean cakes to dispel the summer heat."

Zhang Wen took the food box from Gao Wang's hand. Seeing that he hesitated slightly, Liu Bian pointed to the food box and slowly explained, "This is mung bean cake made by the Empress Dowager herself. I only have two boxes left, and this is one of them. Surely the Grand Master of the Palace wouldn't refuse to leave me even one box?"

Historically, rewards have rarely been given in odd numbers, especially for pastries that are obviously worthless.

Therefore, without explanation, Zhang Wen might really think that the Crown Prince was stingy, although he dared not harbor any resentment.

When a box of mung bean cakes was made by the Empress herself, and half of the cakes were taken from the Crown Prince, the value of that box of mung bean cakes far exceeded its original value.

"However, Minister of the Imperial Stud should share this with his family and relatives, and not enjoy it alone, much less eat too much." Liu Bian slowly rose from his seat and walked to Zhang Wen's side, saying solemnly, "Minister of the Imperial Stud's stomach cannot tolerate cold. This food is slightly cold in nature, so you can eat it, but you must not eat too much. Remember, remember!"

"Your Highness actually knows that my stomach and intestines cannot tolerate cold?" Zhang Wen looked up in astonishment and asked blankly.

"At the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, the Minister of the Imperial Stud ate some river and seafood, and that night he suffered from unbearable abdominal pain. The imperial physicians visited him that very night and said that the Minister of the Imperial Stud had a cold stomach. How could I not remember that?"

After speaking, Liu Bian sighed slowly, looked at the barely noticeable white hair on Zhang Wen's hair, his eyes slightly moist, and said with emotion: "Since the death of Lord Yuanjiang and the serious illness of Grand Commandant, I cannot help but feel regret. If I had paid more attention to his health, Lord Yuanjiang would not have suddenly died from a stroke."

"Minister of the Imperial Stud, please take good care of yourself. I will rely on you a lot in the future."

Liu Bian gripped Zhang Wen's hand with a little force, which moved Zhang Wen to tears.

This box of pastries is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold!
Such care from a prince is a rare find, perhaps only once in a thousand years!
Zhang Wen prostrated himself on the ground, his voice trembling slightly, and said, "Your Highness, I thank you for your generous gift!"

Liu Bian gently patted Zhang Wen's back, satisfied with his increasingly skillful methods of winning people's hearts, and even more satisfied with Zhang Wen's cooperation.

Whether Zhang Wen's tears were genuine or feigned, his offering of his niece Cai Yuan to Empress He today must have been with her permission.

As a fellow townsman of Empress He from Nanyang, Zhang Wen naturally had a good relationship with Empress He and He Jin. Since he was willing to marry Cai Yuan, whom he treated like a daughter, he took the opportunity to win her over.

This is called a two-way journey between the king and his subjects.

As for Cai Yuan, Nanyang County ultimately belonged to Jingzhou, and the Cai family of Xiangyang were also from Jingzhou. His mother, the Empress Dowager, was somewhat biased towards her fellow townsmen and worried about discord between mother and son, so she liked to personally select pleasing beauties for him.

Of course, he doesn't lose out.

As long as she's pretty and doesn't cause trouble, he'll accept her!

Just as the emperor and his ministers were enjoying a harmonious moment in the palace, Liu Bian's eyes flickered and he caught sight of the historian behind a pillar. His pupils constricted and a chill ran down his spine.

He had told this guy to leave before he lay down in Liu Qing's arms, so when did he sneak in?
Fortunately, he didn't show too much enthusiasm towards Cai Yuan, otherwise this guy would have recorded it, and who knows how he would have portrayed him in the history books!
The historian naturally noticed the crown prince's gaze, but remained silent, only writing in hushed tones: "In the summer of the seventh year of Guanghe, when the emperor was the crown prince, he bestowed upon Zhang Wen, the Grand Master of the Palace, a cake made of fermented soybeans. Because of its cooling nature, the emperor advised him to eat less of it. Wen was moved to tears, and the emperor patted his back to comfort him."

Although the historian was recording Liu Bian's positive image, Liu Bian had no idea what he was writing. Watching the historian wield his white brush and write furiously, Liu Bian felt increasingly itchy and restless.

He suddenly understood Emperor Xiaowu's feelings when he castrated Sima Qian, and also understood the mentality of Emperor Taizong when he insisted on checking the daily records.

Anyone would panic in this situation!
However, Liu Bian still didn't want to be the first emperor to check the daily records, so he forcibly diverted his attention to Cai Yuan... Cai Mao beside him.

“De Gui, since your sister will be my child, then you and I are family. So I will speak frankly.”

Although there are still some procedures to go through, marrying a prince doesn't require any complicated procedures. Getting married first and then paying the bill is a trivial matter, and Zhang Wen, as Cai Yuan's father, and his wife Cai Shi wouldn't mind.

Originally, Liu Bian did not pay much attention to Cai Mao, but he remembered the memorial sent by Xu Qiu, the governor of Jingzhou, a few days ago, which mentioned the traitors in Jingzhou.

Seeing that the Crown Prince's words were so straightforward, yet he treated Cai Mao as family, even though he knew that the Crown Prince's next words would definitely be a warning, Cai Mao was still happy to prepare for the Crown Prince's warning.

Cai Yuan, standing to the side, blushed slightly. After all, she was an unmarried woman. Although her mindset was far superior to that of ordinary men, she was still shy.

"Xu Qiu, the governor of Jingzhou, reported that the rebel clans in Jingzhou are growing stronger every day. They are resisting the court and refusing to pay taxes. They are even leading troops to raid the grain transported from the governor's office in Jingzhou to the governor of Henan."

Liu Bian slowly walked up to Cai Mao and slapped him on the shoulder. With the strength Liu Bian had gained from practicing martial arts every day, it was enough to make Cai Mao feel pain, but Cai Mao didn't dare to utter a sound.

"For example, the Chen family and the Zhang family of Xiangyang. I wonder if your Cai family of Xiangyang is involved. Are you a member of the clan or a traitor?" Cai Mao raised his head slightly and met the smiling eyes. Although the Crown Prince's eyes were full of smiles, Cai Mao suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

The aura of the ruler of the Han Empire was far beyond what the inexperienced Cai Mao could bear. Zhang Wen, who was standing to the side, wanted to answer for Cai Mao, but was forced back by Liu Bian's terrifying glare.

"Your Majesty."

Just as Cai Mao was bearing the pressure from Liu Bian, a beautiful woman beside him sighed softly, took a few light steps, and her pearl hairpin swayed gently in her black hair. She curtsied and said, "Since I am going to be Your Highness's child, how could I associate with traitors? The Cai family of Xiangyang will also be imperial relatives, and we should abide by the law."

Liu Bian slowly turned his head and met the gaze of those beautiful eyes that flowed with determination.

Cai Yuan did not back down at all. Instead, she expressed her attitude to the Crown Prince, saying, "I will write to the Cai clan in Xiangyang and ask them to cooperate with the court to suppress the traitors. This will prove the Cai clan's loyalty to Your Highness with practical actions."

“If my clansmen are disloyal, outwardly complying but inwardly defying the court…” Cai Yuan gritted her teeth, looking at the half-smile on the Crown Prince’s face, she hardened her heart, bowed and said, “Your Highness is my husband, and I am a woman, so naturally I can only ask Your Highness to help me put righteousness before family!”

As Cai Yuan bowed, Liu Bian squinted at her dangling hairpin, the pearl tassels swaying gently with her movements, casting dappled shadows on her collarbone.

When she uttered the words "putting righteousness before family ties," the Crown Prince suddenly burst out laughing, the laughter echoing in the empty hall. His gaze toward Cai Yuan held even more admiration.

The Cai family of Xiangyang was naturally one of the clan traitors. If the Embroidered-Robe Envoy had not investigated thoroughly, Liu Bian would not have asked such a question.

He originally only wanted to test Cai Mao at this moment, but he did not expect to expose Cai Yuan, whose vision, methods and shrewdness far surpassed Cai Mao's.

Moreover, Cai Yuan's words and courage were truly admirable. He avoided the trap of self-proof and expressed that he would prove his innocence with practical actions.

However, considering that there might be a few scoundrels among the Cai family who would outwardly comply but inwardly defy, he prepared an escape route in advance. But this escape route was prepared in a way that was just right so as not to disgust him.

Asking him to help put aside family ties for the greater good is truly a good way out, and it even gives him a legitimate reason to deal with the Cai family of Xiangyang in the future.

It's better to die than to die, since those who died were all clansmen who had no dealings with the siblings.

She's too sensible, so sensible it's frightening.

This cunning and shrewdness is enough to make one wary.

Liu Bian nodded slightly, seemingly acknowledging Cai Yuan's reply. He lifted her smooth, snowy chin with his fingertips and smiled, "Tonight you will serve me in bed."

"Uh... ah?"

Cai Yuan's pretty face flushed slightly, her eyelashes trembled rapidly, and she lowered her head in a fluster, her ear tips so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

We were just talking about the traitors in Jingzhou, how did we suddenly jump to the topic of serving the emperor in bed? And isn't that a bit too fast?
And...serving in bed...

Recalling the erotic picture books her aunt had shown her these past few days, a blush rose to Cai Yuan's cheeks. The contrast between this dignified and intelligent woman's alluring appearance and her delicate beauty was all the more captivating.

Liu Bian stared at Cai Yuan's suddenly widened almond eyes and saw the blush spreading behind her ears and the skin on her neck turning red. She looked like a startled fawn, completely at a loss. He found it increasingly amusing to see Cai Yuan display such a girlish demeanor.

For a woman who possesses both cunning and shrewdness, one must completely conquer her body and soul before one can feel at ease keeping her by one's side.

Oh, as for that historian... well, at worst we'll just record one of his debauchery and immorality.

He is frivolous and lacks any dignity!
Zhang Wen and Cai Mao, who were standing nearby, tactfully withdrew. In fact, before bringing Cai Yuan into the palace, Zhang Wen was a little worried that Cai Yuan, who was twenty-two years old this year, might be too old.

Unmarried women over twenty are considered old maids, as many women of that age have already had several children.

But when he thought of the Crown Prince's first woman, who was the same age as Cai Yuan, Zhang Wen decided to test the Crown Prince's feelings first.

Seeing the Crown Prince so happy today, it turns out he prefers mature women who are a bit older.
(2851 words)
(End of this chapter)