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

"Yesterday, after much deliberation, I, the Prime Minister, felt that although Xun Yu, the Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, spoke bluntly, his heart was loyal to the Han Dynasty. Although I, Dong Zhuo, am a military man, I also respect loyal ministers. I hereby issue an order to pardon Xun Yu, restore him to his original position, and award him one hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of brocade to commend his integrity."

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.

The officials exchanged bewildered glances, hardly believing their ears. That ruthless killer, Dong Zhuo, would actually forgive a minister who had openly defied him? It was as if the sun had risen in the west.

Yuan Shao stood in the queue, his face alternating between pale and flushed. He had imagined countless possible reactions from Dong Zhuo, such as confronting him in court or attempting assassination, but he had never expected Dong Zhuo to seem to ignore him.

Dong Zhuo used Xun Yu to put on a show of treating scholars with respect.

This was a good thing for the Xun family and even the entire group of literati, and the court was filled with praise and admiration.

Li Ru stood silently in the corner, his eyes lowered, his opinion of Xun You, who had sent him the generous gift, rising even higher. The gift was perfectly tasteful—a rare, out-of-print ancient book that satisfied his refined tastes as a scholar without being as vulgar as gold or silver. The Xun family truly understood propriety and human nature.

"Little Hao, how did you know that Li Ru was so eager for that rare book?" Guo Jia picked up a glistening purple grape and rubbed it against Xun Hao's lips.

Xun Hao opened his mouth and ate the grape. The sweet juice spread in his mouth, relieving the fatigue from days of planning. He didn't speak.

He simply enjoyed the moment of peace and the reassuring warmth emanating from Guo Jia.

"However," Guo Jia changed the subject, placing his hand on Xun Hao's forehead and then sliding it down to the back of his neck, gently pinching it, "your body is really too fragile. You just moved your lips, how come you're already cold again? Or are you having trouble adjusting to the unpredictable weather in Luoyang?"

"I kicked off the covers at night and caught a cold." Xun Hao made up a reason casually, which earned him a scolding from Guo Jia, "You're such a grown man, and you're still such a worry. If you keep trying to stay cool, I'll..."

He paused, unsure how to threaten him. Hit him? He couldn't bear to. Scold him? This heartless brat didn't care at all. In the end, Guo Jia could only dejectedly pull the man closer to his chest, using his own body heat to warm him.

"I'll lock you up and you're not allowed to go anywhere," he added menacingly, though it didn't sound very threatening.

Xun Hao leaned against him, his eyelashes fluttering slightly, without struggling.

The door to the Imperial Prison creaked open. Xun You, accompanied by two servants, entered carrying a food box and clean clothes. The cell was still damp and dark, but Xun Yu sat upright, and even his prison uniform exuded an air of integrity.

"Uncle, you can come out now." Xun You's voice was relaxed.

Xun Yu opened his eyes, his gaze calm and unwavering: "Is this Dong Zhuo's doing?"

"Yes." Xun You handed him a clean scholar's robe. "He pardoned you, reinstated you to your original position, and even rewarded you."

Xun Yu took the clothes, but there was no joy on his face. He knew this was not Dong Zhuo's intention. There is no such thing as unearned kindness in this world, especially when that kindness comes from a vicious wolf.

After changing his clothes, Xun Yu stepped out of the suffocating prison. The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling. He squinted slightly and saw the carriage waiting not far away, and a familiar figure beside it.

Zhong Yao hurried over, his face beaming with relief at escaping a disaster: "Wenruo! You're finally out! I was so worried about you!"

Xun Yu nodded to him, then looked past him to Xun You: "Gongda, did you do this?"

Xun You neither admitted nor denied it, but calmly said, "Uncle, let's go back to the manor first. There are some things that need to be discussed at length."

That evening, at Xun You's residence.

Xun Yu, Xun You, Zhong Yao, Guo Jia, and Xun Hao sat around a table.

After listening to Xun You's brief account of what had happened, Xun Yu remained silent for a long time.

He looked at his younger brother, whose pale face showed no trace of pride, only a calmness as if he had seen through everything.

He suddenly realized how fragile his so-called "loyalty and integrity" was in the face of real power struggles and the torrent of chaos.

"Ah Hao," he said, his voice a little hoarse, "thank you for your hard work."

Xun Hao shook his head.

"This is not the time to talk about these things." Guo Jia interrupted the tender moment between the brothers. He peeled an orange, broke off one half and put it in Xun Hao's hand, while eating the other half himself. "Dong Zhuo released Brother Wenruo not so that he could go home and retire. This play has only just begun."

When Xun Yu was released from the Tingwei prison, he was exhausted both physically and mentally. The damp and dark prison caused him to catch a cold, and after returning home, he went to bed to recuperate.

The following morning at court, Dong Zhuo, without giving anyone a chance to speak, announced directly, "The young emperor is too young, unruly, and incapable of inheriting the throne. For the sake of the people and the Han dynasty, I, the Chancellor, have decided to depose the young emperor and install the Prince of Chenliu in his place!"

These words immediately sparked a flurry of whispers in the imperial court.

However, there are always some people who value loyalty and righteousness more than their own lives.

"Prime Minister Dong's actions are utterly treasonous!" A hoarse voice echoed in the hall. Everyone turned to look, and saw Lu Zhi, trembling, stepping out of the ranks, his face filled with grief and indignation. "Though the young emperor is still young, how can the throne be so easily revoked? This is the law of our ancestors, and it cannot be violated!"

Lu Zhi enjoyed considerable prestige in the court. When he spoke, many officials showed expressions of agreement.

Dong Zhuo's face visibly darkened. A dangerous glint flashed in his small eyes.

"Minister Lu!" Dong Zhuo's voice was chillingly bloodthirsty. "Do you know the enormity of your words?!"

Lu Zhi, however, remained unfazed. He straightened his back, and though his voice was aged, it was firm and resolute: "This old minister receives the Han's bounty, and should naturally be loyal to the Han Dynasty! If the Chancellor persists in his own way, he will be infamous for eternity!"

"What a glorious name for being infamous for eternity!" Dong Zhuo abruptly stood up, his obese body exuding an oppressive aura. "Guards! Seize this old scoundrel!"

Two Xiliang soldiers immediately rushed out and roughly pinned Lu Zhi to the ground. Lu Zhi struggled, still shouting angrily, "Traitor! Dong Zhuo, traitor!"

"Gag him! Drag him away!" Dong Zhuo's patience had run out. He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the officials who showed reluctance. "Who else is an accomplice of Minister Lu?!"

The imperial court was completely silent. Everyone was terrified by Dong Zhuo's ruthlessness, and no one dared to utter a sound.

"Prime Minister!" A young official named Ding Guan rushed out, "Prime Minister! How can the matter of deposing and installing an emperor be handled so hastily?!"