My Three Kingdoms is not right

The sound of wheels rolling over the road was dull and rapid.

Inside the carriage, Dong Cheng's undergarment was soaked with cold sweat and clung coldly to his back.

Although she had already left the Wannian Villa, Liu Xun's icy gaze seemed to pierce through space, like a dagger pressed against her back.

"You ungrateful wretch!" she cursed under her breath, her voice trembling with suppressed rage. She slammed her hand heavily against the carriage wall, prompting the driver to hurriedly rein in his horse and inquire what was wrong.

"It's nothing! Let's go!" Dong Cheng shouted sternly, but a lump of pent-up anger was stuck in his chest.

She originally thought that Liu Xun was just a young man who relied on his royal bloodline and good looks to gain a foothold in the court. She thought that she could win him over by coaxing him with her status as an elder and her royal kinship.

With the help of those three thousand imperial guards, and with his own various arrangements, he was not worried about failing.

Who would have thought that Liu Xun could be so sharp and ruthless when he turned on someone?

As a general of the imperial guards and the emperor's cousin, it was a great humiliation to be warned by a callous and inexperienced junior.

However, the most urgent task is to guard against Liu Xun speaking ill of him to the emperor.

The key to turning the tide is the emperor's support.

We must not allow the emperor to waver because of Liu Xun's opposition.

In a flash, Dong Cheng had already made up his mind: "Don't go back to the manor, go to the palace, I want to see His Majesty."

The carriage turned and sped towards the imperial city.

……

Side hall of Xuchang Palace.

Liu Xie looked at Dong Cheng, who hurriedly entered, and asked with some anxiety, "Minister Dong doesn't look well. Has something happened?"

Dong Cheng's voice carried a hint of heaviness: "Your Majesty, I visited Princess Wannian today."

"What's wrong with Ah Xun?" Liu Xie suddenly stood up. "Has his condition relapsed?"

"Your Majesty need not worry. His Highness is in good health," Dong Cheng sighed. "It's just..."

"Just what?" Liu Xie had just breathed a sigh of relief when she became nervous again because of her hesitant expression.

Dong Cheng shook his head and slowly said, "Today, I spoke with Your Highness about the state of the court and about Cao Cao's arrogance and disobedience to imperial edicts. I thought Your Highness would share our dissatisfaction."

"But Your Highness's reaction was something I never expected." Dong Cheng raised his head, his eyes full of helplessness. "She said that the situation in Xuchang is now a thousand times better than the situation on the way back to the east."

"He also reprimanded me for spreading rumors in front of the emperor and warned me to be honest and upright and not to cause trouble."

As she spoke, she carefully observed Liu Xun's expression.

But Liu Xie showed no anger whatsoever. He simply sighed and said, "A Xun also advised me not to antagonize Cao Cao. He said that Cao Cao often acted for the sake of the country."

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Xie looked at Dong Cheng and said, "Now that A Xun has returned safely, it wouldn't be a bad idea to put the matter of Cao Cao aside for the time being."

Dong Cheng, eager to profit from the chaos, was unwilling to let the emperor give up, and quickly added, "I know that Her Highness the Princess is thinking of the country and the stability of the court. But the more she does so, the more distressed I feel."

At this point, her voice became slightly hoarse as she wiped her empty eyelids: "Your Highness is too sensible."

"He was so young, yet he had to endure so much. Not only did he have to pretend to be indifferent in front of Cao Cao, but he also had to put on a brave face in front of His Majesty and his ministers. Everything he thought and did was for the sake of protecting His Majesty and the Han Dynasty. But what about his own grievances? Who cared?"

Liu Xie didn't speak, but simply pursed his lips.

Dong Cheng continued, "Your Majesty, think about it. Does Your Highness always report good news and never bad? When he was captured by Lü Bu in Xuzhou and barely escaped with his life, he only said, 'I didn't suffer much.' When he fell ill and was unconscious for several days, the first thing he did upon waking up was not to complain, but to advise Your Majesty not to hold a grudge against Cao Cao."

"Does he always smile and say 'It's alright,' 'Don't worry,' and 'Your Majesty knows what you're doing' in front of His Majesty?"

Liu Xie's eyes reddened slightly.

Dong Cheng saw this and felt secretly pleased, but his expression grew even more sorrowful: "I am Your Highness's cousin. Seeing him risking his life outside, yet still having to advise Your Majesty to be patient, my heart... my heart aches!"

As she spoke, she finally gathered her emotions, and her eyes truly reddened: "In the end, Liu Xun is just a teenager. Other men of this age are still studying, playing, and tending to flowers in their boudoirs, but what about His Highness? He has to go to the battlefield, handle government affairs, and navigate between various forces."

"He was tired, he suffered, but he never told outsiders."

"Whenever I think of this, I feel as if my heart is being torn apart. I am ashamed that as an elder, I cannot share even a fraction of his burden."

Liu Xie's tears finally fell: "No, it is I who should feel ashamed!"

Dong Cheng's words struck a chord with Liu Xie.

The girl recalled her younger brother's always gentle smile, his occasional weariness, and his nonchalant "nothing happened" after each dangerous encounter... A wave of guilt washed over her.

She straightened her back, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Dong Qing, you're right. How can my empire forever rely on powerful ministers, and how can I place the entire burden on A Xun's shoulders?"

"The matter of Cao Cao cannot be left unresolved. With me here, I absolutely cannot allow Ah Xun to suffer so much injustice any longer!"

A great weight lifted from Dong Cheng's heart. He prostrated himself on the ground again, his voice choked with emotion: "Your Majesty's consideration is truly a blessing for the Han Dynasty and a boon for all the people! Your Majesty has truly grown up; I am overjoyed!"

Liu Xie quickly stood up and personally helped Dong Cheng up: "Minister Dong, please rise quickly. In eliminating treacherous officials and upholding the state, we still need to rely on loyal and virtuous officials like you for many things."

"This is my duty, and I would gladly die for it!" Dong Cheng rose, taking Liu Xie's hand. "However, Your Majesty, there is something I must remind you of."

"Please speak freely, Ms. Dong."

"Our plans must never be revealed to Her Highness the Princess," Dong Cheng said gravely. "Her Highness is still young and kind-hearted. Although intelligent, she may not be well-versed in political maneuvering. Moreover, she frequently meets with Cao Cao these days. If she inadvertently reveals even the slightest clue, she could face certain death!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie wholeheartedly agreed and nodded solemnly: "What you say is absolutely right. Ah Xun should indeed not get too deeply involved."

"Your Majesty is wise." Dong Cheng bowed, concealing the fleeting smugness in his eyes.

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

The Left General's Mansion is located in the southeast of Xudu City. The mansion was specially allocated by Cao Cao. It is a three-courtyard complex. Although it is not grand, it is spacious and tidy.

At this moment, the main hall was filled with the smell of alcohol.

Zhang Fei's face was flushed, and his round, bright almond-shaped eyes were filled with drunkenness.

"Elder sister! What are you thinking?"

"What kind of Left General is he? He doesn't train soldiers, doesn't handle official duties, and just stays at home weaving straw sandals every day!"

"Back in Zhuojun, you said you wanted to restore the Han Dynasty and bring peace and prosperity to the people! Now look at you, spending your days surrounded by these straw ropes and bamboo strips—it's utterly laughable!"