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

Xun You nodded in agreement, his face showing worry: "Fengxiao is absolutely right. Ah Hao, Wang Yun appears to be loyal and upright, but in reality, he is extremely cunning. This trip may be risky."

Xun Hao's fingers lightly traced the edge of the invitation, the touch slightly cool, just like his current state of mind. He knew, of course, that this was a trap, and he was even more aware of Cao Cao's complex and scheming intentions.

That man was not as hot-blooded and reckless as he appeared. When he devised the plan to assassinate Dong Zhuo with them, words were insufficient proof, and Cao Cao wasn't afraid they would betray him. But once he pointed out the "Seven-Star Sword," the situation changed.

They were already on the same boat.

However, Cao Mengde was inherently suspicious. Even if I had devised a foolproof plan for him using the "legacy strategy," he would not entrust his life and fortune entirely to two people he had just met.

His style of doing things was to leak the information to Wang Yun, using Wang Yun as a "loyal minister" to firmly control himself and Guo Jia.

"Go, why not go?" Xun Hao put down the invitation, his voice calm and unwavering.

He raised his eyes and looked at Guo Jia and Xun You. His cold eyes showed no worry, but rather a hint of interest that others could not understand.

"We must give Minister Wang face."

Guo Jia was confident he could ensure their safety at Wang Yun's residence, yet a sense of curiosity arose within him. This little fellow seemed to be plotting some wicked scheme.

He had other plans in mind.

The most crucial variable in Cao Cao's failed assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo was Lü Bu's unexpected return.

According to unofficial historical records, Wang Yun had a stunningly beautiful maid named Diao Chan, or Ren Hongchang, who had a close relationship with Lü Bu.

He wanted to see for himself what this "historical tool" who could stir up trouble really looked like. If he could find her, it would add another layer of real insurance to his plan.

Cao Mengde was unjust to them, but he could not be unkind. If this Emperor Wu of Wei were to perish here, he really wouldn't be able to find a suitable person to assist him.

He can't really go and fight himself! He probably wouldn't live long enough to unify the Central Plains, and besides, the people of the land really can't withstand any more turmoil.

The next day, at Wang Yun's residence.

The carriages and horses stopped in front of the gate, where the steward was already waiting. Inside the mansion, pavilions and towers offered a picturesque view at every turn, showcasing the grandeur of a prestigious family.

Wang Yun personally greeted them in the hall. When he saw Xun Hao and Guo Jia, his face was beaming with smiles, and his enthusiasm was almost excessive.

"You two gentlemen are an honor to grace our humble abode! Please come in!"

The banquet was already prepared, featuring delicacies from land and sea.

During the meal, Wang Yun praised Xun Hao's wisdom and strategy, as if he had been listening in at the teahouse the day before.

As the music of string and wind instruments began, a group of graceful dancers filed in, their flowing sleeves fluttering and their jade pendants tinkling.

Xun Hao's gaze swept over each dancer and each serving maid, seemingly unintentionally. He observed them carefully, searching for that face that could make Lü Bu lose his mind.

However, no.

These singers and dancers, though pretty, were of average appearance and far from the legendary beauty described as "eclipsing the moon."

His heart sank, but he didn't show it on his face.

Guo Jia held his wine cup, but his eyes never left Xun Hao.

While dealing with Wang Yun, he skillfully deflected the old minister's probing questions one by one, all the while keeping an eye on the young man beside him.

The music was melodious, and the dancers moved with alluring grace, their flowing sleeves releasing wafts of fragrance. Xun Hao's gaze, however, seemed glued to the women, looking at each one, from the lead dancer to the maids standing beside her.

That look in his eyes was focused and inquisitive, as if he were searching for something.

Guo Jia felt a sudden surge of irritation for no apparent reason.

This little thing, usually as aloof as jade, always indifferent to everything, how come it seems to have been bewitched today?

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Wang Yun put down his wine cup, a warm smile on his face, and looked at Xun Hao: "I have only just realized the talent of Young Master Xun. He is truly a pillar of the nation. However, the matter of assassinating Dong Zhuo is of great importance. Just in case, I am afraid that you two gentlemen will have to stay in my residence for a few days before it is accomplished."

coming.

Guo Jia sneered inwardly. It was ostensibly a temporary stay, but in reality, it was house arrest. This was an attempt to completely bind the Xun family to his cause.

This was something he had expected, and he hadn't even bothered to think about it. But when he thought of Xun Hao's bewitched appearance just now, he changed his mind.

He was about to speak, looking for an excuse to refuse, when Xun Hao, who was beside him, stood up first.

The boy swayed slightly, a faint blush rising on his face, as if he were slightly intoxicated.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Wang Yun, his voice clear and gentle, yet carrying an air of imperative: "Lord Situ's hospitality is too kind of me to refuse. However, I have been frail since childhood and cannot be separated from care. I have heard that the Situ residence has intelligent and clever maids; I wonder if that would be possible…?"

He paused, seemingly a little embarrassed, but his gaze was direct: "Does your household have any maids with the surname Ren, or whose given name contains the character 'Cicada'? I would like to ask for one to take care of my daily needs."

Guo Jia froze.

He almost thought he had misheard.

Ren? Chan? The woman he found, a woman with a name and surname?

Wang Yun was also completely baffled.

He thought about it carefully, then shook his head frankly: "I am very strict in managing my household. All the maids in my mansion are from ordinary families, and there are no famous beauties among them. As for the surname Ren that you mentioned, or the name with 'Cicada' in it... there is indeed no such person in my mansion."

He looked at Xun Hao, assuming the young man had heard some rumors, and gently explained, "The singers and dancers in the manor are all of ordinary appearance, not worthy of your concern, young master."

No?

How could there not be!

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Xun Hao's mind.

He maintained a calm demeanor, but the fingers holding the wine cup tightened.

impossible.

Diao Chan, the woman in Wang Yun's mansion, was the starting point of the beauty trap and the key figure who changed the relationship between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu. How could she not exist?

Is it that unofficial histories are unreliable, or that the history of this world has deviated from its very foundation in ways he was unaware of?

A chill ran from the soles of my feet straight up to the top of my head.

"...It was my rudeness." Xun Hao put down his wine cup, his voice showing no sign of anything amiss. He sat down again and never looked at the dancers once more.

The banquet ended in a subtle atmosphere.

The two were led by the butler to an exquisite courtyard, which was called a guest room, but in reality, it was already guarded by servants outside, making it impossible for them to escape.

Once the door was closed, it blocked out the view from the outside world.

Before Xun Hao could speak, Guo Jia lunged forward and pinned him against the door.

He braced himself against the door with one hand and pinched Xun Hao's chin with the other, forcing him to raise his head.

Those peach blossom eyes, which usually held a hint of a smile, were now frighteningly deep.

"Ah Hao, you're seventeen." Guo Jia's voice wasn't loud, carrying a hint of teasing, yet also a hidden anger. "Is it the age when young men start to fall in love and start thinking about women?"