My Three Kingdoms is not right

Marry a princess?

Yang Xiu was completely distraught.

"Mother! What are you saying?!"

She jumped up like a cat with its fur standing on end, knocking over the low table in the process.

"I would never marry a man like that, even if I remained single for the rest of my life, even if the Yang family line ended!"

"You!!" Yang Biao's blood pressure soared, and his finger trembled as he pointed at his good-for-nothing daughter.

"You idiot! What do you know?!"

Yang Xiu stiffened his neck, his face full of stubbornness.

Looking at his daughter's appearance, Yang Biao felt a surge of anger in his chest for a while, but it eventually turned into a helpless sigh.

This girl is beautiful and talented, and comes from a good family. She was really too spoiled in the past.

She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her gaze had returned to calm.

"You shall report to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices immediately."

"Mother--"

"If you can't handle things properly, don't bother coming back." Yang Biao's voice was as cold as ice. "I'll pretend I never had a daughter like you. The Yang family has no one like you."

Yang Xiu's face turned pale instantly.

She knew her mother was serious.

Silent for a long time.

"Oh my god..."

Yang Xiu squeezed out two words through gritted teeth, turned around, and rushed out of the study.

-----------------

Yang Xiu felt that he must not have looked at the almanac today.

No, even if you read the almanac, it would definitely say: Avoid going out, avoid talking back, avoid being given to a man by your own mother.

She stood at the entrance of the temporary government office of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, looking at the dusty and cluttered scene inside, and her lips twitched.

Good heavens, is this the office of the dignified Guanglu Xun of the Han Dynasty?

Calling it a construction site is an understatement.

The previous Guanglu Xun, Deng Yuan, died on the way to Luoyang, leaving the position vacant. Given the court's financial difficulties, it was naturally unable to prepare an office for the Guanglu Temple.

Liu Xun became the Grand Master of Ceremonies, and only after taking office did he prepare this office space.

Several female soldiers were carrying heavy wooden tables, squeezing past Yang Xiu, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Yang Xiu instinctively stepped aside, glancing at his moon-white robe with a pained expression.

Shu brocade! The finest Shu brocade! The kind embroidered with cloud patterns!

"Where is Her Highness?"

She raised her voice, not too loud, but just loud enough for someone to hear.

Nobody paid any attention to her.

The female soldiers were so busy moving things that they didn't have time to pay attention to the noblewoman standing at the door.

Yang Xiu took a deep breath.

It's okay, she endured it.

Who is Yang Xiu? She is the eldest daughter of the Hongnong Yang clan, a family that has produced four generations of high-ranking officials, the most prominent aristocratic family in the land. This trivial matter is not worth getting angry about.

She took two steps forward and patted a figure whose back was to her and who was arranging bamboo slips:

"I am Yang Xiu from the Grand Commandant's Office, here to see your Guang—"

The person turned around, and it turned out to be a teenager.

The sunlight fell directly on his face.

Yang Xiu's words caught in his throat.

It was an extremely handsome face. He had fair skin, a straight nose, and most striking features were his eyes, which were clear and full of spirit.

Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was slightly damp, as if she had just moved some things, giving her an indescribable freshness and vitality.

I had abruptly patted him on the shoulder!

Yang Xiu's ears instantly burned.

It's no wonder she's so tall and straight; what man in the world has such an upright posture and back view?

"I'm looking for the Minister of Ceremonies." Yang Xiu forced himself to remain calm, trying to make his voice sound less guilty.

That young man was none other than Liu Xun.

Liu Xun looked at the girl in front of him: she was slender, with fair skin, and her pride was tinged with a hint of shyness.

Holy crap, this looks amazing!

On the surface, however, he remained calm, smiling and cupping his hands in greeting, "Could it be Zude?"

"I am Liu Xun. I've been looking forward to your arrival for a long time."

Yang Xiu stood frozen in place, his mind buzzing.

Liu Xun? Princess Wannian?

Dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and without any makeup, she didn't resemble a princess at all, and was indeed as rumored to be unruly.

But it really is beautiful!

Seeing her frozen in place, Liu Xun deliberately took a step forward and waved his hand in front of her eyes:

"Zu De?"

Yang Xiu subconsciously took a half step back, his face flushed as he bowed deeply. "Your subject Yang Xiu greets Your Highness. I was rude just now, please forgive me."

"It's alright." Liu Xun laughed heartily. "The government office is newly established and in a mess. Zude, please don't mind."

"I wouldn't dare!"

"The Court of Imperial Sacrifices is currently in dire need of reconstruction. I would like to petition my elder sister to appoint Zude as the Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to lend me a helping hand. What do you think?"

Yang Xiu was stunned again.

Guang Lu Cheng?

The Guanglu Cheng, whose rank was equivalent to 1,000 shi (a unit of grain)?

Her eyes widened: "I have just entered officialdom..."

No wonder she was confused.

Even though she was already in the top circle of "second-generation officials" in the world, who doesn't start by earning seniority with a salary of 300 or 400 shi (a unit of grain measure) before entering officialdom?

Who would start by comparing prices of a thousand shi (a unit of dry measure)?

What an amazing boss!

As the emperor's most beloved younger brother, the prince before me is sure to speak the truth.

Liu Xun patted her shoulder naturally:

"I had long heard of Zu De's talent." — I knew this before I transmigrated.

"Grand Commandant Yang is highly respected and has taught his son well, so I have no doubts whatsoever." — I also need to win over your mother's support in the court.

"The affairs of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices are numerous, and I need a highly capable assistant." — Your arrival will provide someone to work like a beast of burden!

Yang Xiu felt a tingling sensation on his shoulder from the pat. He thought that although the man in front of him lacked the gentleness and understanding that a man should have, he had good taste and knew how to appreciate his talents.

She lowered her eyes and replied in a muffled voice, "In that case, I will do my best!"

-----------------

The newly renovated palace in Luoyang's Southern Palace is filled with the wafting fragrance of incense.

This palace is one of the few large buildings that survived the chaos caused by Dong Zhuo.

Although Cao Cao's comprehensive renovation a few days ago has made it less magnificent than before, it is still much more impressive than the "Yang'an Palace" that Zhang Yang, the governor of Hanoi, had hastily renovated.

Speaking of Zhang Yang, he was truly a loyal subject.

They sent troops to welcome the emperor, delivered grain to the court, and even built palaces for the emperor.

But just by naming the palace she built "Yang'an Palace," one can see that she had a petty and narrow-minded approach to things.

"So, the recruitment of the Tiger Legion is progressing smoothly?"

The young emperor sat opposite Liu Xun, put down the wine, and showed a happy expression.

"Yes." Liu Xun nodded. "Luoyang has been poor and barren in recent years, and last year it was also affected by the drought and locust plague in Guanzhong, making life difficult for the people. The food and wages we offer are generous, which is very attractive to young and strong women in the surrounding area."

"Therefore, when I recruit soldiers now, there are requirements for height, physical strength, and eyesight."

"Ah Xun is really impressive!" Liu Xie nodded repeatedly. "You did the right thing. The Tiger Guards are the emperor's personal guards, and only nobles and sons of meritorious officials are allowed to join. Now that the court needs people, we should relax the requirements for social status and give these commoners a chance. They will naturally be willing to serve."

"What about the daughters of those courtiers and noble families? Are they willing to come?"

Mentioning this, Liu Xun smiled, "It's better than expected."

"Oh?"

"It's mainly due to Yang Xiu's influence," Liu Xun said truthfully.

"Many young noble ladies were still observing, but Yang Xiu took the lead in entering officialdom and persuaded the daughters of several important officials and prominent families to join, which immediately boosted the entire circle of noble ladies."

"With the rise of this trend, it is now considered an honor for noble ladies to join the Imperial Guard. Including the remnants of the original Tiger Guard and Feathered Forest Guard, there are now nearly two hundred registered officers."

"Excellent!" Liu Xie exclaimed excitedly, "If we could have a powerful central imperial guard directly under the court, why worry about not pacifying the turbulent world? One day we would no longer have to depend on others or be at the mercy of those military men!"

Liu Xun looked at the emperor's face, which was flushed with excitement, and swallowed back the words he was about to say.

He wasn't actually that optimistic.

Cao Cao would not sit idly by and watch a truly powerful central imperial guard force, capable of intimidating all sides, come to be formed.

During this rare window of opportunity in Luoyang, the best outcome that could be achieved at the moment is to build a force of considerable fighting strength that can restore some confidence in the imperial family among the court officials and make that "Minister Cao" somewhat hesitant in his actions.

But he didn't want to vent Liu Xie's anger.

The young emperor's eyes finally lit up, and the anxiety he had felt while fleeing was gone, replaced by a more vibrant expression.

Some things, once said, will only cause more trouble.

"Your Majesty is right," Liu Xun agreed with a smile. "However, there are still two matters that urgently need to be addressed."