About Cao Cao's reincarnation as the emperor's uncle

Chapter 32 Is tonight a trap?
Qiao Xuan's carriage rolled over the fallen leaves, and the curtain swayed gently in the evening breeze, revealing half of Qiao Zhu's curious little face.

He watched Liu Fang's figure shrinking outside the car window, his fingers twisting his sleeve. What did his father mean by what he had just said...?

Will Father like Brother Yu and Sister Lan as much as he likes Zhu'er?

Liu Fang watched the carriage turn the corner, the sound of the bell gradually fading into the night.

Qiao Xuan's words before parting still echoed in my ears; when the old man spoke of his children, his eyes were full of tenderness.

"Yu'er is too timid, and Lan'er is too strong-willed..."

"If Lord Yuanyi has some free time, please come to my residence more often and teach Yu'er for me..."

"I am getting old and have little to say to Lan'er. If you don't mind, please chat with Lan'er more."

When the old man chose to don the armor for the great man once more...

These seemingly tactful invitations are actually expressions of a determination to entrust their children's future to them.

The wind was a bit chilly, making the wine flags on the street corner flutter.

Xu Feng followed behind him, hooking his clothes around his hem, his boots making a soft rustling sound on the bluestone slabs.

"My lord, I'm hungry..."

Staring longingly at Liu Fang, whose mud stains from today's incident were still faintly visible.

Liu Fang stretched his limbs and laughed:

"Let's go back and see what Yuan Huo has been up to this time..."

At this point, his tone unconsciously softened.

Although I've been traveling around all these years, whenever I've stayed in Luoyang, no matter where I hide...

Feng Xu would always make sure everything was in place.

……

At the end of the street, inconspicuous houses have copper lamps swaying on their eaves.

In the warm yellow light shining from behind the screen wall, several figures could be vaguely seen moving back and forth.

As soon as Liu Fang opened the door, Feng Xu came forward to greet him, the food box in his hand still steaming.

"My lord, Zi Lie and the others have been waiting in the main hall for quite some time."

As you pass the screen, the brightly lit main hall comes into view.

Zhang Ji stood by the pillar with his hand on the hilt of his sword, while Zhu Jun was refilling Yin Duan's teacup with water.

Zuo Feng's official robes still bore the dust of his journey, while Xu Shao sat upright below the main seat, gently stroking his long beard without uttering a word.

Only Jian Shuo was seen kneeling on the blue brick ground, his shoulders and neck still wet with night dew. Hearing footsteps, he suddenly looked up.

"grown ups!"

Upon seeing Liu Fang enter, Jian Shuo crawled two steps on his knees and fell to his knees with a muffled thud.
"Shuo was negligent in his duties and almost caused a serious mistake. Please punish me, sir!"

Before he could finish speaking, his forehead slammed heavily against the brick surface.

This time, Liu Fang neither joked nor reprimanded.

Although today's events ultimately yielded a positive result.

The risks involved were so great that no one dared to say a word to him.

But Liu Fang had walked that single-plank bridge countless times in his past life...

Compared to the dangers of the battlefield, a wrong move in a game of chess, devoid of the smoke of war, could determine the outcome of the game, regardless of the final result...

At least at this moment, those who hold the reins, whether it is Jian Shuo or Feng Xu, will probably step forward to take the blame and calmly face death.

He crouched down and placed his palm on Jian Shuo's cold shoulder:

"Zilie...remember, the most important thing is never the matter at hand, but your lives."

This statement was not only directed at Jian Shuo, but also at everyone present.

Liu Fang's gaze swept over everyone in turn, "If things don't work out, we can try again, but if people are gone..."

He didn't say anything more, but simply helped Jian Shuo up.

Jian Shuo's eyes trembled slightly, and tears welled up in his triangular eyes, but he bit his lip tightly, refusing to let them fall.

Upon seeing this, everyone in the hall turned their gazes to Liu Fang, their expressions resolute.

Liu Fang sighed and gently patted Jian Shuo's shoulder, "Don't let this happen again."

"Thank you, sir!"

The moment Jian Shuo's forehead touched the ground, his tense shoulders finally relaxed a little.

As soon as he finished speaking, a cacophony of voices arose.

There was the soft crunching of boot heels and the crisp sound of teacups being placed on the table.

Liu Fang looked back and saw everyone bowing with their hands clasped and eyes lowered.

"Thank you, sir!"

Just as he was feeling sentimental upon seeing this scene... Xu Feng ran in from the backyard, gnawing on a rib:

"What are you standing there for? It's all cold!"

A clear voice shattered the heavy atmosphere in the room, and Jian Shuo's knees, which were kneeling, trembled slightly.

A smile appeared on everyone's lips.

Liu Fang waved his hand and raised his voice:

"Everyone has had a long day, so don't be shy, let's have a feast!"

Having said that, he quickly stepped forward and helped Yin Duan up:

"Lord Yin has suffered these days. I must drink with Lord Yin until we are drunk."

Yin Duan's eyes welled up with tears, and he grabbed Liu Fang's hand, "Alright... Lord Yuanyi, let's drink until we drop!"

Looking at Zhu Jun and Zhang Ji on his left and right sides, Liu Fang raised his head and called out:
"Gongwei, shall we drink to our hearts' content?"

"Jun, I couldn't ask for more!"

"Ji An, let me see what a true man of Xiliang is like!"

"I have long heard that your wine cup can hold three pecks of millet, and today I am honored to witness it for myself!"

"Who is spouting nonsense?!"

As everyone chatted and laughed, they walked towards the backyard. When the wooden lattice door was pushed open, the aroma of food wafted out on the wind.

Feng Xu was the last to arrive, his fingertips poking at Zuo Feng's lower back like he was pounding garlic.

"Lord Feng... please stop poking!"

Zuo Feng tried to rush forward several times, but then shrank back and retreated.

"Well... at this time, I dare not spoil your fun, sir."

Feng Xu's eyes narrowed into slits, and his sleeve struck Zuo Feng heavily on the back of the neck.

"Do you think Your Excellency is such a gluttonous and reckless man? Or should I go myself?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Feng's neck seemed to shrink back into its shell:
"I won't trouble you, sir. I'll go myself..."

Outsiders might fear Jian Shuo, but among their own people, none were unafraid of Feng Xu, let alone the fact that he was inherently timid.

Gritting his teeth, Zuo Feng flung his hem aside, closed his eyes, and charged toward Liu Fang, who was chatting and laughing.

"grown ups……"

That trembling, broken voice cried out, "Your Majesty...His Majesty's decree!"

The group of people walking forward all stopped, and Liu Fang's expression suddenly turned cold. "Speak."

"His Majesty said that no matter how late it is, Imperial Uncle must not forget to attend the banquet at the palace."

Zuo Feng's sharp voice was particularly jarring in the silence.

At this moment, Feng Xu slowly walked to Liu Fang's side and whispered in his ear:
"Does Your Excellency still remember the letter sent from the Forbidden City the other day...?"
-
[End of Chapter Four]
The letter sent from the Forbidden City was written by Liu Hong.

It was said that the Xianbei invaded Beidi County, and the Beidi prefect led his army to pursue and defeat them, so he invited Liu Fang to the palace to congratulate him on the victory.
-
But Xia Yu is dead, so why would Liu Hong still hold this banquet?

Is this a prelude to interrogation? A trap?

Liu Fang looked up at Zuo Feng:

Do you know who else was invited to this banquet?

Zuo Feng shivered and suddenly knelt down:

"Liu Chong, a learned scholar; Liu Shuo, the Prince of Pingyuan; Liu Kuan, the Director of the Imperial Clan; Liu He, the Grand Herald; and Liu Meng, the Grand Counselor."

Feng Xu stepped forward half a step, "Liu Chong is a descendant of Liu Fei, the King of Qi Daohui."

"Liu Shuo and Liu He were descendants of Liu Kai, the Prince of Hejian."

"Liu Kuan and Liu Meng were descendants of Liu Jing, the Prince of Chengyang."

Liu Fang's brows furrowed sharply. "Are they all relatives?"

At this point, Liu Fang recalled something Liu Hong had casually mentioned: "The princes have provided much assistance over the years..."

Xu Feng, who had somehow gotten close, wiped his oily hands on Jian Shuo's body:
"My lord, I'm full."

Jian Shuo pushed Xu Feng's hand away, brushed aside his sleeves, and knelt on one knee:
"I wish to accompany you into the palace, sir."

Everyone then expressed their opinions.

"Please stay here, everyone. Keep the wine warm and the food hot..."

Liu Fang waved his hand, "I'll be right back..."

"Prepare the car!"

　Note:

　　Units of measurement during the Eastern Han Dynasty

　　Turn the page for a bonus chapter, and remember to zoom in!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)