My Three Kingdoms is not right

In an elegant courtyard in the south of the city, a group of elegantly dressed young girls sat together.

Luoyang is in ruins, and it is difficult to find the luxurious places where silk and bamboo instruments played and wine cups floated on winding streams in the past, but that did not stop these noble ladies from drinking and gathering, displaying their literary talent and elegance.

Although the court was in dire straits recently, and these noble families had to eat coarse grains, now that Cao Cao has brought grain into the capital and the court is gradually restoring order, they have returned to their former carefree lives.

"Have you heard? Princess Wannian has indeed taken command of the Imperial Guards."

The speaker, Zhao Zhen, was the daughter of Zhao Wen, the Minister of Works. She swirled her wine cup, a hint of amusement in her voice, "A man of the royal family, actually wielding swords and spears, showing his face in public, tsk tsk..."

"He commands far more than just the Imperial Guards." The one who spoke was Fu Shou, daughter of General Fu Wan.

She covered her mouth and chuckled, "I heard that she stripped naked in public in the imperial court and threw a tantrum to force His Majesty to agree. All the officials saw it, and the scene... just thinking about it makes me feel ashamed for the royal family."

"Take off your clothes?" Zhao Zhen's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Absolutely true. My mother told me herself." Fu Shou lowered her voice, "She said that to prove she could lead troops, she took off her upper garment, and the whole hall was in an uproar."

The girls looked at each other, then burst into a cryptic laugh.

"This Princess Wannian, she really is..." Zhao Zhen shook her head, her words unfinished, but her disdain was evident.

"This is improper and unbecoming of the proper order," Fu Shou concluded. "The royal children are so lacking in manners."

"That's not entirely true." Another girl, Guo Ran, daughter of Minister Guo Pu, interjected, her eyes sparkling. "I've heard that Princess Wannian is exceptionally beautiful, like a celestial being."

"What's the use of being good-looking?" A cool voice came from the other side of the waterside pavilion.

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young girl leaning against the railing, playing with an empty wine bottle in her hand.

She was around twenty years old, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, her black hair tied up with a jade crown, her face exquisite as jade, and her brows carrying an innate arrogance.

Even when she's just lazily leaning against the railing, she exudes an elegance and nobility that comes from within.

She was Yang Xiu, the eldest daughter of the Yang family of Hongnong.

Yang Xiu sneered and placed the wine cup on the table. "Shameless and willful, utterly lacking in manners, doing such disgraceful things in public. Whoever marries such a man is doomed."

"Dezu is right," Fu Shou quickly echoed. "As expected of Miss Yang, she has extraordinary insight."

Yang Xiu gave a soft snort and said nothing more.

She's been in a good mood lately—the court is finally stable, her mother isn't as gloomy as she used to be, and she can finally go out and meet up with her friends.

To be honest, seeing Luoyang in such a dilapidated state a few days ago was painful for her. But as painful as she was, who was Yang Xiu? The Yang family of Hongnong, four generations of high-ranking officials, the leading aristocratic family in the land. No matter how difficult things were, they couldn't possibly affect her.

Now that the court has recovered, Li Jue and Guo Si have returned the captured officials and palace servants. In addition, officials and scholars from all over the country, hearing that the emperor has returned to Luoyang, have flocked to the city. The city has become much more lively these past two days.

As a noblewoman from one of the most prestigious aristocratic families in the land, Yang Xiu was never short of attention and admiration.

Moreover, even disregarding her status as the legitimate daughter of the Hongnong Yang family, her talent and beauty alone would make her the most dazzling phoenix wherever she went.

"Come on, let's drink." She picked up her wine cup and gestured to everyone.

Just as he was about to drink it all in one gulp, a servant rushed in.

"Miss, the Grand Commandant requests your immediate return to the manor; he has urgent business to discuss with you."

Yang Xiu frowned: "What is it? I'm having a drink right now."

"I don't know, the Grand Commandant only said that you should go back immediately."

Yang Xiu put down her wine cup and sighed. Her mother was good in every way, except she was too strict. She stood up helplessly, cupped her hands in a respectful bow to her friends, and said, "Excuse me, everyone."

"Take care, Dezu."

Let's get together another day.

Yang straightened his robes, and with some reluctance, followed the servant out of the villa.

---

Yang Mansion, Study.

Yang Biao sat upright behind the desk, a scroll of bamboo slips spread out in front of him, looking down at something. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and her gaze fell on Yang Xiu as he entered.

"sit down."

Yang Xiu sat down as instructed, picked up a piece of pastry from the table, took a bite, and asked indistinctly, "Mother, what's the rush? I'm drinking with my friends."

Yang Biao didn't respond to her words, but instead looked her up and down, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Look at you, all you do is fool around outside all day!"

Yang Xiu muttered, "There's no 'mingling' involved... it's just normal socializing."

"Socializing?" Yang Biao sneered. "How many of your friends are truly capable? They're just living off their mothers' legacy, indulging in eating, drinking, and having fun."

Yang Xiu was unconvinced, but dared not argue back.

The Yang family had very strict rules. She could be willful outside, but she never dared to misbehave in front of her mother.

Yang Biao looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and then softened his tone: "I called you back today because there's something important to discuss."

"What is it?"

"I intend to have you serve in the imperial court."

Yang Xiu's eyes lit up, and he quickly sat up straight: "To serve in office? Sure! I've wanted to serve in office for a long time, but you've always refused to let me."

That's the truth. Yang Xiu, confident in his talent, had long wanted to enter the court and realize his ambitions. However, given the previous turmoil in the court, Yang Biao felt it wasn't the right time and had been holding back.

"In the past, the situation was turbulent, and the court was largely powerless, so there was no point in taking office," Yang Biao said slowly. "But things are different now. There is something very important that our Yang family must do."

"What is it?" Yang Xiu asked, intrigued.

"Princess Wannian has been appointed Guangluxun, in charge of the Imperial Guards, and is preparing to expand and reorganize them." Yang Biao looked directly into his daughter's eyes. "You will assist Her Highness in recruiting daughters of powerful officials and nobles into the army. Make the Imperial Guards ready for battle as soon as possible."

"puff--"

Yang Xiu spat out a mouthful of pastry, splattering it all over the table.

"What?!" Her eyes widened, her voice trembling. "You want me to assist that eternal princess?"

"What?" Yang Biao frowned.

"Mother, do you know that Princess Wannian is practically a laughingstock in aristocratic circles!" Yang Xiu exclaimed anxiously, his voice rising involuntarily. "To undress in public, shameless, and against all propriety... You want me to work with her? How can I ever face anyone again?"

"shut up!"

Yang Biao slammed his hand on the table, making the bamboo slips jump.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Yang Xiu was startled by the rebuke, but he still held his neck straight, his face full of resentment.

Yang Biao stood up and looked at her sternly.

"Your Highness is pure and virtuous, intelligent and decisive, and disregards personal honor for the Han Dynasty. He is an extraordinary man. You know nothing, yet you dare to gossip and spread rumors with those people outside?"

Yang Xiu opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but when he met his mother's sharp gaze, he swallowed his words back.

"I'm warning you," Yang Biao's voice turned stern, "if I hear you slandering Her Highness the Princess again, I will break your legs according to family rules."

Yang Xiu dared not say anything more, his head hanging low, his heart churning with turmoil.

She is not convinced.

Why? Why should my mother protect that ill-mannered man so much?

Looking at his daughter's sullen face, Yang Biao sighed and softened his tone.

She sat back down behind the table and said earnestly, "My Yang family has been high-ranking officials for generations, sharing weal and woe with the Han Dynasty. Now is a critical moment for the revival of the Han Dynasty, and our Yang family has an inescapable responsibility."

"Although His Highness has a fiery temper, he is brave, resourceful, and ambitious. The Emperor also favors and trusts him greatly."

Yang Biao paused, looking at his daughter's beautiful and refined face: "Her Highness the Princess has a very good impression of the Yang family and has also heard of your talent. It is your good fortune to be able to work with her."

"You're of marriageable age now, if only..."

Clang!

Yang Xiu has truly gone mad this time.