My Three Kingdoms is not right

It was early spring, and the willows outside Xuchang City had already sprouted new green leaves. In the distance, the green mountains were like dark eyebrows, and in the nearby fields, farmers were already busy at work.

Liu Xun had only been away from Xudu for a little over two months, but it felt like an eternity.

From the peril in Xuzhou and the escape from Xiapi, to the danger in Jiangdong and the breakout in Shouchun, each and every event is still fresh in our minds.

"Your Highness," Sun Shangxiang pointed ahead, "is this Xuchang ahead? Why are there so many people outside the city?"

"That is..." Liu Xun squinted.

In the distance, banners fluttered and the ceremonial guards stood in solemn splendor. The armor of the Imperial Guards gleamed with a silvery light. Officials were arranged according to rank, dressed in scarlet robes and purple garments, their hats and belts perfectly in place.

The person at the forefront was none other than Emperor Liu Xie.

Liu Xun felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

His elder sister actually came out of the city to pick him up.

As the procession drew closer, Liu Xun could clearly see the barely suppressed joy on Liu Xie's face.

Xun Yu stood before the assembled officials, his bearing exceptional. Upon seeing Liu Xun and his entourage approach, he was the first to bow in salute: "Your Highness, we respectfully welcome your triumphant return!"

The officials behind him echoed in unison, their voices resounding throughout the surrounding area.

Liu Xun dismounted and was about to pay his respects to the emperor when he saw Liu Xie quickly step forward and help him up.

"Ah Xun!" Her clear eyes carefully looked Liu Xun up and down. "You've lost weight."

Liu Xun laughed and said, "It's just from traveling. I'll recover after a few days of rest."

He glanced at his hand, which the girl was holding tightly, and felt a little embarrassed. He said in a low voice, "All the officials are watching!"

Liu Xie glanced back, but instead of loosening his grip, he tightened it even more.

"Come, ride with me in the same carriage," Liu Xie said, pulling Liu Xun toward the imperial carriage. "We can talk on the way."

"Your Majesty," the attendant beside him said in a low voice, looking troubled, "this is against etiquette."

"What's wrong with me riding with my brother?" Liu Xie asked without turning his head, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The attendant then dared not say anything more.

The imperial carriage slowly started moving and headed towards Xudu City.

The carriage was spacious and covered with thick brocade cushions. Liu Xie and Liu Xun sat side by side, finally having a chance to talk in detail.

"Ah Xun," Liu Xie held his hand tightly, "during your time in Jiangdong, I was worried sick day and night. Later, when I heard that Sun Ce had captured you and handed you over to Yuan Shu, I was almost frantic with worry."

"I'm sorry to have worried my elder sister," Liu Xun explained. "That was a plan to mislead Yuan Shu."

He briefly recounted the events in Jiangdong, from his sworn brotherhood with Sun Ce to his plan to enter Shouchun, and then to Zhou Yu's assistance and their successful breakout.

He spoke casually, but Liu Xie's face turned pale upon hearing it.

"How dare Sun Ce make such a request? Are Sun Ce's family members human, but my brother isn't?"

"How can Ah Xun be so reckless with himself? What if something happens to him..."

"I'm fine!" Liu Xun said with a smile. "Sun Ce is a tiger general of our time. He will surely have a place in Jiangdong in the future. With his support, the court will have more weight in front of the warlords."

"Besides," he paused slightly, his voice becoming more serious, "her whole family is trapped in the tiger's den, it's really quite pitiful."

Looking at his younger brother's handsome face, the lingering weariness in his eyes, and the slight upturn of his lips as he spoke, Liu Xie couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke his still-childish face.

"You worry about the survival of the court for yourself, about the exoneration of Yang Biao from his wrongful conviction, and about the safety of Sun Ce's family."

"When will you ever think more about yourself?"

Liu Xun laughed and said, "Isn't this just for my own benefit? Sun Ce owes me such a huge favor, he's practically one of ours now. I even got his two younger sisters to do the hard labor."

Liu Xie smiled helplessly and shook his head.

The siblings chatted as the imperial carriage entered the city gates of Xudu.

The streets were already cleared and tidy, but some people still gathered in the distance to watch. When they saw the emperor's carriage, they all knelt down and kowtowed. Some sharp-eyed people spotted the young man sitting with the emperor in the carriage and praised him.

Of course, the rumors about Princess Wannian had already spread throughout Xudu—some said she was as beautiful as a god, some said she was exceptionally brave, and some said she was exceptionally intelligent.

In short, the more it's spread, the more incredible it becomes.

Liu Xun lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, glanced at the bustling street scene outside, then lowered the curtain again: "How is the court handling Lü Bu's situation?"

"Cao Cao appointed Lü Bu as Left General. I approve."

Liu Xun breathed a slight sigh of relief: "What about Grand Commandant Yang?"

"Don't worry, she's already home," Liu Xie said with a smile. "After you left, gentry and prefects from all over the country submitted memorials to plead Yang Biao's case. The mixed administration led by Man Chong has also been unable to find any evidence for a long time."

"Later, Lü Bu sided with the court because of you, and Cao Cao used this as a pretext to release him."

"I had the imperial physician examine her. He said she is quite old and caught a cold in prison, so she needs to be well cared for, but she is fine now."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xun was finally completely relieved.

Just then, the imperial carriage arrived at the gate of the Wannian Villa.

The area in front of the mansion had already been swept clean, and servants and maids lined up to greet him. Liu Xie personally saw Liu Xun off the carriage: "A Xun, please rest well first. Tomorrow I will host a banquet to celebrate your victory."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After seeing the Emperor off, Liu Xun turned around and saw Yang Xiu, who was waiting at the door, quickly coming to greet him.

He bowed deeply to the ground: "Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated!"

Liu Xun quickly stepped forward to help her up: "What are you doing? Get up quickly."

When Yang Xiu raised her head, her beautiful eyes were filled with gratitude and self-reproach: "Your Highness's journey south this time, despite the hardships and dangers, was all to save my mother."

"I have no way to repay Your Highness. I am at Your Highness's beck and call, and I would gladly give my life for you!"

"I'm fine! Don't talk about sacrificing your life, that's disgusting." The boy winked at her. "Since you owe me, you'd better live well and work hard from now on."

"Yes!" Yang Xiu nodded vigorously.

Liu Xun turned to look at Xu Huang behind her and quickly stepped forward: "I was able to escape danger this time entirely thanks to Gongming."

Xu Huang bowed respectfully and said, "I was merely acting on Your Highness's orders."

"It was Your Highness and Zilong who drew the enemy troops away for me and then stayed behind in the enemy camp to maneuver. I truly admire their courage."

Liu Xun then introduced Sun Shangxiang and Sun Yi to them, and the group entered the villa in a lively atmosphere.

The familiar flower-lined corridors, the familiar sound of the babbling brook.

finally home.

I can finally have some peace and quiet for a while.

……

After bathing and changing clothes, Liu Xun put on a loose-fitting house dress and sat alone by the window, watching the twilight deepen in the courtyard and reflecting on the events of his trip.

Yang Biao was released, Lü Bu pledged allegiance to the court, and Sun Ce and he became sworn brothers...

The goal of restoring the Han dynasty is still far away, but it is not without hope.

However, he felt that something was off about today.

Wait a minute!

Where did Cao Cao go?

Liu Xun suddenly sat up straight.