My Three Kingdoms is not right

In the front hall of the Wannian Villa, Dong Cheng held a teacup in his hands, using the rising steam to hide the impatience on his face.

She was a high-ranking general, equivalent to one of the Three Dukes. In the current court, her status was second only to General Yuan Shao and General Cao Cao.

Liu Xun had already let her drink two cups of tea's worth of tea cool.

She was nothing more than a mere princess who held the title of Guanglu Xun.

If it weren't for the fact that this was a crucial moment for planning important matters, Dong Cheng would have already stormed off.

At this moment, a maid stepped forward to add tea, and Dong Cheng politely bowed slightly.

No matter how unhappy she was, she still understood the principle of "when you need something from someone, you must be courteous."

If Cao Cao leads a large army on an expedition, Liu Xun's Tiger Warriors and Feathered Forest Guards will become a significant force in Xuchang.

Given Liu Xun's status and his relationship with the emperor, Dong Cheng did not believe that Liu Xun would side with Cao Cao.

Footsteps came from under the corridor.

Dong Cheng immediately composed himself, put on a perfectly timed smile, and stood up to greet him.

"Your Highness!"

Liu Xun walked into the front hall, dressed in a dark green robe that accentuated his handsome face: "I've kept General Dong waiting."

"Not at all," Dong Cheng quickly returned the greeting, and the two took their seats as host and guest. Dong Cheng's eyes showed concern: "Your Highness has lost a lot of weight. You must have suffered a lot in Xuzhou this time."

Liu Xun said calmly, "Thank you for your concern, General. I'm fine now."

"That's good, that's good." Dong Cheng nodded repeatedly, his tone becoming more and more earnest. "When the news of Your Highness's danger in Xuzhou reached Xudu, I was so worried that I couldn't sleep all night."

"Back then, before my uncle... your grandfather, Empress Dowager Dong, passed away, he specifically instructed me to take good care of you and your siblings. Unfortunately, I, your cousin, have no troops or power, and I can only watch helplessly as you suffer outside, living in fear and unable to do anything..."

Dong Cheng is putting on airs as an elder and putting on a show of family affection.

Liu Xun nodded slightly with a calm expression: "Thank you for your concern, General Dong."

Seeing that he remained unmoved, Dong Cheng raised his voice even more sharply:

"Who wouldn't be anxious when their loved ones are in danger? His Majesty was just like me back then. To save you, he repeatedly ordered Cao Cao to withdraw his troops, but Cao Cao refused to obey. It was truly infuriating!"

"Minister Cao is also thinking of the country's well-being." Liu Xun, too lazy to listen to her continue beating around the bush, picked up his teacup, intending to see her out: "General, you've come all this way; is there anything else?"

"Your Highness is too young. I'm afraid you've been deceived by Cao Cao!" Dong Cheng shook his head and sighed repeatedly. "Your Highness risked your life and went deep into the tiger's den. That's truly for the sake of the country. But Cao Cao only cares about his own interests and doesn't care about Your Highness's safety at all. He doesn't really have the country in his heart."

Before Liu Xun could speak, she continued, "Besides, this state ultimately belongs to our imperial family, the Liu family. If even our royal family and the Liu family are gone, what use is the state?"

She paused, then looked directly at Liu Xun: "What does Your Highness think?"

Liu Xun looked at her but did not answer.

Could it be that Dong Cheng is already preparing to issue an imperial edict in the belt?

He immediately became alert.

Seeing that he remained silent, Dong Cheng assumed that he had struck a chord with him, so he pressed on, saying, "When the emperor sees me, he often sighs. All the power in the court is concentrated in the hands of powerful ministers; this is not a sustainable way to go."

"Cao Cao has seized great power and is becoming increasingly arrogant. He disobeys imperial edicts and shows no respect for the imperial relatives. If this trend continues, disaster may not be far off!"

Having said all that, it couldn't be clearer.

Liu Xun placed the teacup on the table with a soft thud.

His expression changed.

That gentle, aloof smile vanished, replaced by a cold seriousness.

"General Dong, what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Do you want me to help you seize military power from Cao Cao? Or do you want me to help you take down Cao Cao?"

Dong Cheng's expression was somewhat unpleasant: "I am only concerned about Your Highness and worried about state affairs..."

Liu Xun stood up and looked down at her.

"I don't care what you're plotting," his voice was icy, "I'll make this clear today: don't do anything underhanded, and especially don't spread rumors in front of the Emperor."

Dong Cheng's lips trembled uncontrollably.

"The court has finally stabilized and no longer needs to hide; the government and officials finally have salaries and won't starve to death on the streets; the court's authority has been restored and the rituals are being practiced." Liu Xun's gaze was like a knife, piercing straight at Dong Cheng.

"The situation in Xuchang is a thousand times better than it was in Luoyang. I will not allow anyone to sabotage it!"

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Dong Cheng sat there, his face turning pale and then flushed, his hands gripping the robe on his knees, his knuckles turning white.

After a long while, she managed a weak smile: "Your Highness is too kind. I didn't mean that."

"There is no best!" Liu Xun gave her no room to argue: "The world is in chaos right now. Chang'an and Luoyang are still in the midst of fighting. Yuan Shu has declared himself emperor in Huainan, Yuan Shao is in a separatist regime in Hebei, and other warlords are also harboring their own ambitions."

"If internal strife breaks out in Xuchang at this time, do you want to drag the emperor and officials into another Li-Guo Rebellion?"

Now that Liu Xun had discovered Dong Cheng's unruly behavior, he would not tolerate it.

That's too harsh a statement.

Dong Cheng's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She could no longer remain seated, and stiffly rose to her feet, bowing respectfully, and said, "Your Highness has misunderstood. I was merely concerned about Your Highness and worried about the state of the court, and thus uttered a few complaints."

She cautiously raised her eyes to look at Liu Xun, trying to find a hint of relaxation on his handsome face.

But there was nothing there.

The boy's eyes were as cold as a pool in late autumn.

"I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep General Dong any longer." Liu Xun's tone returned to calm: "I hope you will be careful with your words and actions in the future."

Dong Cheng's smile vanished. She stiffly cupped her hands in a gesture of respect: "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I take my leave."

Liu Xun watched her disheveled figure disappear, but he still felt a little worried.

If my warning is effective, it would be best if it could put an end to Dong Cheng's intentions.

But if she remains obstinate, I will certainly not stand idly by.

"Sun Xu!" Liu Xun instructed with his hands behind his back, "Have Dezhu find me; there's something I need to take care of."

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

When Dong Cheng stepped out of the Wannian Villa and onto the carriage, his steps were somewhat unsteady.

The carriage curtain was drawn, blocking out the outside world. She leaned against the carriage wall, closed her eyes, and her chest heaved.

Liu Xun's reaction was completely beyond her expectations.

That seemingly gentle and refined young man could be so ruthless when he turned hostile. His words were like knives, stabbing into her heart one by one.

Be careful with your words and actions?

Dong Cheng opened his eyes, a hint of gloom flashing in them.

She had initially thought that Liu Xun would be someone she could win over. After all, he was the emperor's younger brother, and he should have some fear and resentment towards Cao Cao.

But now...