The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Dian Wei was not good with words, so he simply clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiahou Dun as a response.

"Come on! Let's exchange a few blows!" Xiahou Dun flicked his spear and thrust it straight out.

Dian Wei neither dodged nor evaded, but instead stretched out his left hand and grabbed the spear shaft just as the spear tip was about to reach him!

Xiahou Dun felt as if his spear had struck a blue stone, unable to advance even an inch further. His face flushed red, and he strained with all his might, but the spear shaft remained motionless in Dian Wei's hand.

"Yuan Rang, I'm here to help you!" Xiahou Yuan saw this and also stepped forward with his sword, joining forces with Xiahou Dun to attack Dian Wei from the left and right.

Dian Wei drew his iron halberd with his right hand, and with a loud clang, he managed to deflect both men's weapons with his halberd! The force of the blow made the Xiahou brothers' hands go numb, and they staggered back several steps.

"Excellent! What a fine example of the ancient evil man!" Cao Cao stood on the high platform, clapping his hands and laughing heartily, his eyes full of admiration and satisfaction. "With Dian Wei as my protector, I am at ease knowing that Fengxiao and Yan are on their way!"

Guo Jia stood aside, looking at the "human weapon" in the arena, and the heavy weight in his heart finally lifted by half.

Xun Hao watched quietly, taking in every move Dian Wei made, wondering whether Dian Wei or Lü Bu was the better player.

That night, in Xi Zhicai's courtyard.

The moonlight was bright and clear, and the bamboo shadows swayed. On the stone table in the courtyard, there were several dishes of delicate side dishes, but no wine, only a pot of tea.

Xun Yu, Xun You, Xi Zhicai, Guo Jia, and Xun Hao sat around a table. This was their last small gathering before their departure.

"Gongtai is a man of great talent but also arrogant. He may not have said anything about the matter of the grain supplies, but he must have harbored resentment in his heart." Xun Hao picked up his teacup, but his gaze fell on Xun You across from him. "After Brother Fengxiao and I left, Gongda took great care to keep a close eye on his dealings with those people in Yanzhou."

Xun You was a composed man, and upon hearing this, he simply nodded solemnly: "Don't worry."

Xi Zhicai leaned back in his chair and said lazily, "It's more than just a grudge; they're probably already estranged."

Guo Jia interjected, "The powerful families of Yanzhou are like a festering sore; if we don't take this opportunity to eliminate them decisively, the consequences will be endless. It's worth it to exchange temporary turmoil for long-term stability."

As they were talking, Xi Zhicai's servant came in carrying a tray with several freshly prepared dishes. In the center of the tray was a small pot of warm wine.

Xi Zhicai watched as the servant put down the pot of warm wine. "I specifically asked Doctor Hua, and he said that drinking a little to warm yourself up is fine. Consider this wine a farewell gift for you."

The aroma of the wine was crisp and clear, instantly spreading through the night.

"Zhicai, you're very thoughtful." Guo Jia put down the wine pot, picked up his wine cup, and raised it to Xi Zhicai. "You even know to celebrate for me and Yanruo."

Xi Zhicai was completely bewildered by his words. He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food, and asked vaguely, "Celebrate? Celebrate what? Celebrate that you two pack up and go to Chang'an to see if the scenery there is better than Puyang?"

Not only him, but even Xun You, who was standing to the side, cast an inquiring glance.

Guo Jia did not answer.

Amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, he simply reached out and grasped Xun Hao's hand, which was resting on the table.

Xun Hao trembled almost imperceptibly as his warm palm enveloped him.

Then, Guo Jia placed their clasped hands together in the center of the table.

This action, though silent, speaks volumes.

Xi Zhicai's chopsticks, which were holding food, stopped in mid-air, and his mouth was slightly open.

A knowing glint flashed in Xun You's eyes.

Guo Jia looked at them, the corners of his mouth curving into a deeper smile, and said, in an almost declarative tone, word by word, "Thank you all for your blessings to us."

The courtyard was so quiet that you could hear the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind.

Xun Yu, sitting opposite him, tightened his grip on his teacup.

Guo Jia ignored the murderous glare. He even gently rubbed Xun Hao's hand with his thumb before raising his head with satisfaction and smiling smugly at the petrified people at the table.

Xun Yu finally couldn't hold back.

He stared at the two clasped hands on the table, feeling his sanity crumbling inch by inch.

"bless?"

"Is anyone here blessing you?"

Facing Xun Yu's almost fiery gaze, Guo Jia remained completely calm and innocent.

"Oh? Congratulations!"

Xi Zhicai leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement playing on his lips.

He raised his teacup to Guo Jia as a gesture of respect.

Guo Jia immediately received the signal, raised an eyebrow at Xun Yu, and his peach blossom eyes were full of smugness.

"Thank you, Zhicai."

Xun Yu felt a lump in his throat. He turned sharply and glared at Xi Zhicai. "Why are you joining in this nonsense?!"

Xun You slowly poured himself a cup of tea. "Uncle and Fengxiao are a perfect match." Xi Zhicai was one thing, but even Xun You had defected to the enemy.

"Wenruo really won't bless us?" Guo Jia lowered his head, looking as if he was about to cry.

Even though he knew Guo Jia was an actor, Xun Hao still felt sorry for him, as Fengxiao had also been tormented by his brother for the past two weeks.

Xun Hao thought for a moment and said, "Brother, I have always thought that the person you, Fengxiao, are in love with is you."

His words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the small courtyard.

The food that Xi Zhicai had just put to his mouth fell back onto the plate with a thud.

Xun You's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air.

Guo Jia's tearful expression froze instantly. He turned his head in disbelief and stared intently at Xun Hao, his eyes seeming to ask: Do you know what you're saying?

Throughout the entire room, only Xun Hao remained calm and composed. He even raised his eyes, looking back at his elder brother with those clear and innocent eyes.

Xun Yu's brain went blank for a full three breaths.

He was first bewildered, then absurd, and finally his overwhelming anger was replaced by an indescribable terror.

"What...what nonsense are you spouting!"

"I'm not making this up." Xun Hao's tone remained calm. "A few months ago, I heard Brother Fengxiao tell you with my own ears, 'I love someone and want to protect her for life,' and he also said, 'Even if you don't want to, I won't change my mind.'"

He repeated exactly what he had overheard that day.

Guo Jia's expression instantly became incredibly complex. He remembered that day when he was tricked by Xun Yu's "assassination" strategy, and in a fit of anger, he went to confront him, only to be overheard by Xun Hao.

It turns out that this heartless person had been misunderstanding things since then!

He was both annoyed and amused, but mostly he felt a helpless sense of bewilderment.

All my explicit and implicit hints and feelings during those days were left unseen by the blind!

"Brother," Xun Hao said, looking at Xun Yu's pale face, and continued to add insult to injury, "At that time, Brother Fengxiao was stubborn and his words were earnest. I thought he was just... deeply in love with you and unable to extricate himself."

"puff--"

Xi Zhicai covered his mouth with his hand to keep himself from laughing too loudly.

Xun You's lips twitched involuntarily.