My Three Kingdoms is not right

"The fish is ready!"

Liu Xun flipped the grilled fish over with a bamboo skewer. The fish skin was golden brown and slightly charred, and the oil dripped onto the charcoal fire, making a sizzling sound, and the aroma of cumin and salt filled the air.

Freshly caught and grilled, there's nothing quite like it.

"Your Highness's methods are truly extraordinary!"

A smile spread across Cao Cao's phoenix eyes.

Liu Xun was also very satisfied with his cooking skills.

If he could travel back in time, he would like to open a small restaurant downstairs from his home, by reservation only, with two days on and five days off, serving only dinner...

The wind has picked up lately, and golden ginkgo leaves are fluttering down everywhere. The two people under the tree are eating and chatting, laughing and talking.

It's all just idle gossip.

Liu Xun did not ask Cheng Yu what he had just said, and Cao Cao did not seem inclined to answer either.

The two of them deliberately maintained the tranquility of the moment, because they both knew very well that this peace was destined to be short-lived.

Until Sun Yi's figure appeared in the distance.

She dismounted and quickly walked to Liu Xun, presenting him with a scroll of silk with both hands.

"Your Highness, an urgent report from Xuchang!"

Liu Xun smiled apologetically at Cao Cao, then turned and took the silk scroll.

Unfold it and scan the words on it.

A moment later, he handed the silk scroll to Cao Cao.

"Dong Cheng forged an imperial edict and gathered his followers to launch a rebellion in Xuchang."

"She attempted to break into the palace and take the emperor hostage. She also used assassins to coerce the Changshui Colonel to control the Northern Army, while leading troops out of the city to intercept and kill Mengde."

"Upon receiving the news, the Imperial Guards took immediate action, arresting Wu Shuo, an official involved in the conspiracy, annihilating Wu Zilan's troops who were leading an attack on the palace, and rescuing the Captain of the Changshui Army who had been held hostage by the rebels."

"Dong Cheng and Wang Zifu's three thousand troops were blocked at Kaiyang Gate and defeated by the Left General and the Imperial Guards. The two were captured on the spot."

"The rebels have been rounded up and escorted to the Xu County government office. The city gates are now open and order has been restored in Xudu."

……

The girl in red put down the silk scroll, raised her head, and her gaze fell on Liu Xun's face.

There was no surprise in her phoenix eyes, only a complex and unfathomable expression.

"Your Highness's methods are truly extraordinary!"

This is the second time she has said this.

Liu Xun smiled and looked at her: "I have said that Mengde is a pillar of the country and a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty. I will protect you and prevent you from being harmed by evil spirits."

Cao Cao was silent for a moment, then smiled and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Your Highness."

He smiled faintly.

Liu Xun frowned almost imperceptibly.

This was not the first time he had helped Cao Cao, nor was it the first time Cao Cao had thanked her.

But for some reason, he felt that Cao Cao was somewhat different from before.

The girl let out a long sigh of relief and asked somewhat abruptly:

"Your Highness, would you like to hear my story?"

"certainly!"

"I was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official when I was a teenager, and not long after, I became the Northern Commandant of Luoyang."

"At that time, I believed in the law and justice. I set up five-colored sticks on both sides of the government office, declaring that anyone who violated the law would be beaten to death, regardless of their power or influence. At that time, the uncle of Jian Shuo, the most powerful eunuch, violated the law by going out at night. I did not hesitate to beat him to death according to the law."

Her lips curled up slightly, with a hint of self-deprecation.

"And what was the result? The powerful and influential colluded to give me a nominal promotion but in reality demote me, kicking me out of Luoyang and sending me to Dunqiu as a county magistrate."

"That's when I realized that the law and justice are not reliable."

Liu Xun listened quietly.

Cao Cao picked up the ear cup in front of him, took a sip, and continued.

"Later, I was dismissed from office and reinstated as a consultant. I hoped to influence the emperor through remonstrance to ensure the stability of the country. I submitted a memorial to the late emperor, vehemently denouncing the harm caused by eunuchs and earnestly requesting that the cases of the two loyal officials, Chen Fan and Dou Wu, be overturned. I cited classical texts and believed my arguments were reasonable and well-founded."

"The memorial was submitted, but it seemed to sink into the sea without even a ripple."

"Later, together with Chen Dan, he submitted a memorial impeaching Grand Commandant Xu Ji and Minister of Works Zhang Ji for their reliance on eunuchs and acceptance of bribes. The officials and ministers were all part of their own factions, like releasing owls and imprisoning phoenixes."

"As a result, Chen Dan offended the eunuchs, was falsely accused, and died in prison."

"Therefore I realized that neither advice nor imperial power were reliable."

Liu Xun nodded.

"Later, Dong Zhuo wreaked havoc in the capital. I fled Luoyang, distributed my family fortune, gathered righteous troops, and rallied heroes from all over the land to punish Dong Zhuo. I hoped that the heroes of noble families could save the country." A cold glint flashed in Cao Cao's phoenix eyes.

"As a result, the eighteen warlords of Guandong formed an alliance, their power was overwhelming, but each had their own ulterior motives and hesitated to advance. I had no choice but to pursue Dong Zhuo westward alone. In the Battle of Xingyang, I almost lost all my troops and was also pierced through the shoulder by an arrow from Xu Rong, nearly losing my life."

At this point, the girl sat up straight, grabbed her collar with her right hand, and pulled it down.

The collar of the brocade robe was torn open, revealing a large expanse of snow-white and smooth skin.

Liu Xun's breath hitched.

Hey, wait a minute!

Miss, you can talk as you please, but what's with taking off your clothes?!

"See that? It's right here."

Cao Cao was lost in his memories and completely unaware of Liu Xun's strange behavior. He even pulled down his collar with his fingers, revealing his entire shoulder blade and chest.

Liu Xun didn't know where to look.

He now understood how Cao Cao felt when he took off his clothes in Yang'an Palace in Luoyang.

Just as he thought it was nothing for men to go shirtless, women in this world did not consider exposing their upper bodies to be impolite.

But the audience doesn't think that way.

Is this retribution?

Liu Xun's eyes wouldn't obey his commands; he couldn't look away.

The girl's skin was fair and delicate, and her mounds of snow outlined a breathtakingly perfect curve.

"Your Highness, not there, it's up there, here!"

The girl's words made Liu Xun feel a little embarrassed.

His gaze moved upwards, and he saw the wound.

Just below the collarbone, on the outer side, a dark red, raised scar stood out starkly against her fair, jade-like skin.

Softness and ferocity were both presented to him at that moment.

Liu Xun's breathing quickened.

This feels even more exciting now.

Damn it, am I starting to become a pervert...?

But the next second, he couldn't help but look back and continue to "observe the wound".

Cao Cao was completely unaware of his inner struggle.

She tilted her head, her finger still pointing to the scar: "The arrow pierced my shoulder blade, went in through my left chest, and came out through my back. I thought I was going to die."

"It was Cao Hong who gave me his horse, saying, 'The world can do without Cao Hong, but it cannot do without our lord.' And it was Xiahou Dun who risked his life to cover our retreat, which is how I managed to save my life."

As Cao Cao spoke, he pulled up his collar: "When I returned to the Suanzao camp, the warlords of Guandong were still holding a grand banquet and fighting for territory. They all looked at me coldly in the face of my rebuke."

Liu Xun let out a long sigh of relief.

A sudden pang of heartache rose in my eyes for the girl before me.

Cao Cao picked up his cup, took a large gulp, and his voice finally softened slightly: "So from then on, I understood that so-called prestigious families and role models are of no value whatsoever!"