The Three Great Han Dynasties: Awaken Liu Bei with a scolding; you weave mats and sell sandals.

"No, this absolutely cannot be done."

Liu Bei shook his head vigorously, then turned to look at his third brother Zhang Fei beside him, only to see that Zhang Fei's gaze was full of sympathy and pity.

"Perhaps this is the price one has to pay to become the eldest son of a powerful clan!"

"Brother, take care."

Zhang Fei patted Liu Bei on the shoulder, his tone heavy.

Liu Bei was utterly desperate.

He looked up again at the direction Liu Hong and Cui Yan had left in, and the complex thoughts that had been swirling in his mind vanished instantly, leaving only a surge of earnest anticipation and entrustment.

"Father, my beloved father, you must hold on."

"Xuande is no good, truly no good. A beautiful woman of sixteen or seventeen, her body like soft butter, a sword at her waist to slay mortals. Though no heads fall, she secretly drains your very marrow..."

"Xuande doesn't want to be drained dry, Father."

……

Meanwhile, Liu Hong had already arrived at the Cai residence and was waiting inside, completely unaware of the new burden that had been placed on his shoulders.

At this moment, in the front hall of the Cai residence.

He was alone; Cui Yan had been placed in a side hall to wait for him.

Everything is as described before.

The daughter of a renowned Confucian scholar, the apple of the Cai family's eye, is actually going to marry Liu Hong as his concubine?

Even now, Liu Hong still found it hard to believe, feeling that the matter was too unbelievable.

He was not belittling himself, but rather had self-awareness.

Cai Yan!

She was a renowned talented woman in Luoyang, and also a PhD.

……

Liu Hong didn't have to wait too long.

In the same spot, at the same venue, Cai Yong, dressed in a plain long robe, looked as slender as a hermit in the mountains, holding a scroll of bamboo slips in his hands, not a bound book.

He applied slight pressure with his palm, his expression seemingly impartial, completely different from the gentle demeanor he displayed when entertaining guests last time.

This time, it seemed as if Lord Cai was deliberately ignoring his presence.

Seeing this, Liu Hong felt even more certain about what was about to happen.

Cai Gong, a renowned scholar, was known throughout the world for his impeccable manners. How could he have been so uncouth?

Unless, it's to give him, the future son-in-law, a hard time.

Liu Hong deeply agreed that the elder's love for his daughter was profound and deep.

It is unknown how much time has passed, but Liu Hong remained bowed before Cai Yong, without making the slightest movement in his gesture of greeting.

Only after Cai Yong finished reading the bamboo scroll in his hand did he calm down, put the scroll down, and look at Liu Hong with a touch more warmth in his eyes. He nodded to himself.

He then feigned surprise and said, "Isn't this Ziguang? What brings you here? Why weren't you saying anything earlier?"

Well, this form of address has become quite casual.

Liu Hong inwardly scoffed, but outwardly replied respectfully, "Seeing that Master Cai is engrossed in studying the scriptures, this junior would not wish to disturb him."

It's fine to be close to elders, but younger people should avoid taking advantage of them and pushing their luck.

Liu Hong kept in mind his identity as the person who came today, and dared not overstep his bounds in any way.

The marriage between the two families was mostly settled when the Cai family invited him to come. Now, all that remained was to pass the test of this elder in front of him.

If he passes, everything will be fine; if he fails, there might be some more troubles to come, which is not something Liu Hong wants to see.

In the ensuing conversation, Cai Yong deliberately tested Liu Hong a couple of times.

Although Liu Hong could not be considered a learned scholar, he was certainly well-read and had a good memory. He was clearly a diligent and hardworking person, and his insights into the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as their interpretations, were quite unique.

In addition, having already known about Liu Hong's previous life experiences, she felt even more in favor of him.

Unfortunately, he was still a bit too old, and he already had wives and concubines at home.

Cai Yong sighed inwardly, but then he thought of the Cai family's current situation and realized that there was no other choice.

Everyone said that his daughter was a talented woman from Luoyang. During his years of exile, his daughter always stayed by his side and was known as a filial daughter.

But so what?

If she truly had such a distinguished reputation, why would the Yuan family not be present, and why would other prominent families come to propose marriage?

Those words of praise were nothing but empty flattery.

While fame may be useful, it becomes useless when it comes to tangible benefits.

It can enhance something beautiful and produce remarkable results, but it will never define everything.

Thinking of this, Cai Yong couldn't help but sigh repeatedly, and felt even more guilty towards his daughter.

So when he looked at Liu Hong again, the difficulty of the test inevitably increased by three points.

However, Liu Hong handled the situation with ease, and the slight estrangement that Cai Yong felt due to prejudice gradually disappeared.

Then, Cai Yong decided to get straight to the point, looking up at Liu Hong and asking in a deep voice, "Do you know why I have invited you here today?"

"It is up to Lord Cai to make the decision."

Liu Hong gave the same answer as before.

This may not be particularly outstanding, but it is certainly not inferior; its main point is that it is quite commendable.

But this time, Cai Yong was not so easily fooled.

His gaze hardened, and he fell silent, instantly freezing the atmosphere in the hall.

Sensing the oppressive silence, Liu Hong pondered for a moment, then bowed again and said loudly, "I have come to ask for the hand in marriage with the daughter of the Cai family, and I hope that Lord Cai will grant my request."

Since ancient times, in marriage, the man has always taken the initiative, so that the marriage can be made a success.

Liu Hong didn't need to be the kind of person who got the benefits but then complained.

Upon hearing this, Cai Yong nodded in agreement, but the solemnity in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest; on the contrary, it grew even stronger.

He stared intently at Liu Hong, pressing him with each word: "Do you know that my Cai family has offended a powerful figure in the court? Do you know who this person is?"

"Or are you really not afraid of getting yourself into all this trouble?"

Cai Yong's questioning carried a sense of pressure, but Liu Hong, without hesitation, gave an answer, leaving Cai Yong slightly taken aback.

"In the imperial court, none were more powerful and influential than the several eunuchs who served as Grand Attendants."

Liu Hong raised his eyes to meet Cai Yong's gaze, his tone calm.

"Since you know this, are you truly not afraid?"

Cai Yong's scrutinizing gaze came again, this time with a hint of scrutiny.

"I'm not afraid."

Liu Hong laughed loudly, his tone particularly magnanimous.

Why?

Cai Yong narrowed his eyes, his gaze growing even more intense.

He wants to hear the truth.

"A mere eunuch is nothing more than a domestic dog."

Liu Hong's voice wasn't loud, but it carried the confidence of a member of the Han imperial family: "I am now a member of the Han imperial family, and as a man of outstanding character, why should I fear a few vicious dogs?"

"Please, Lord Cai, take this as a wise decision."

Liu Hong's answer was brief but clearly stated his position.

His status as a member of the Han imperial family was enough to protect the Cai family from disaster, and even powerful figures in the imperial court could not do anything to him.

"Is there anything else...?"

Cai Yong, unwilling to give up, subconsciously asked another question.

This was because he had been in exile for several years, and he harbored resentment, hatred, and an unwillingness to compromise.

But even Cai Yong himself found the question laughable after asking it.

The eunuchs held sway over the government, and even if one fell from power, another eunuch would quickly take his place within the palace.

Among the aristocratic families, there was an endless stream of talented individuals, but in the end, they could only contend with these few eunuchs to a standstill, and that was all.

At this moment, he actually placed his faint resentment and elusive hope on Liu Hong, a mere member of the Liu family of Zhuojun and a member of the Han imperial family, which seemed to reveal his wishful thinking and was truly a pipe dream.

Desperate times call for desperate measures!