Cao Cao Visits the Yuan Residence
Early the next morning, Yuan Shu originally planned to visit Wang Yun's residence and return the Seven Star Treasure Sword.
However, unexpectedly, that rascal Cao Aman arrived at the Yuan residence, disrupting Yuan Shu's plans.
"Brother Gonglu, I haven't seen you for a while. I've missed you greatly," Cao Cao said shamelessly, grinning slyly as he tried to build rapport with Yuan Shu.
Based on Yuan Shu's understanding of this treacherous Cao, there could only be one reason for his flattery—he was short on money.
Lying on a reclining chair of his own design in the courtyard, Yuan Shu looked up at Cao Cao and said,
"Brother Mengde, just say it—how much do you need this time?
It's not a small amount, is it? Since you've come in person."
Cao Cao immediately put on a righteous and dignified expression and said,
"The bond between brothers cannot be measured by money!
I'm actually here to invite you to a joyous occasion."
Yuan Shu thought to himself—so it's just as expected, this schemer is here to ask for a wedding gift contribution.
However, Yuan Shu just so happened to have an unfinished challenge mission with a tight deadline, and squandering money with Cao Cao wasn't a bad way to complete it.
So, Yuan Shu asked, "A joyous occasion? Which noble's son is getting married?"
Cao Cao grinned mischievously and said,
"Today, the son of the Grand General He Jin, He Xian, is getting married."
Seeing Cao Cao's expression so lecherous, Yuan Shu couldn't help but get goosebumps.
This treacherous Cao… does he have such extreme tastes? Is he interested in the Grand General He Jin's son?
Finding the situation unclear, Yuan Shu asked,
"Brother Mengde, what does the marriage of Grand General He Jin's son He Xian have to do with you?"
Hearing this, Cao Cao looked up at the sky, a longing expression appearing on his face, as if reminiscing about something.
He spoke softly to Yuan Shu,
"Brother Gonglu, you may not know this, but the woman He Xian is marrying is the daughter of the Yin family, named Yin Meier.
She has a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, an alluring grace—I have long admired her."
Yuan Shu secretly scoffed—shameless! As expected, this treacherous Cao is always scheming with ill intentions.
Isn't this just coveting another man's wife?
But if Yin Meier were truly as outstanding as Cao Cao described, why didn't he propose to her himself?
Puzzled, Yuan Shu asked Cao Cao,
"Brother Mengde, if this Miss Yin is truly as stunning as you claim, like a celestial beauty, why didn't you propose to her first?
With the status of the Cao family, marrying a Yin family woman shouldn't be difficult, right?"
Cao Cao waved his hand dismissively and said to Yuan Shu with a hint of condescension,
"Brother Gonglu, you don't understand—an unmarried maiden can't be compared to a married woman!
Only after she marries He Xian can I truly admire her."
Yuan Shu thought—ah, that explains it. I almost forgot about Cao Cao's… special preferences.
He then asked, "Brother Mengde, if that's the case, why must you insist on me going with you?"
Cao Cao chuckled and said to Yuan Shu,
"Brother Gonglu, I came to you first so you can cover the gift money for all of us.
Secondly… I need you to do me a little favor when the time comes."
Yuan Shu suddenly had a bad feeling and asked,
"All of us? Besides you and me, who else is going?"
"Brother Benchu is also coming. Since it's the Grand General's son's wedding, Brother Benchu will definitely attend."
Hearing that Yuan Shao would be there too, Yuan Shu frowned—he really didn't want to be around that guy.
But if he didn't go, he'd miss out on a chance to recklessly spend money.
Right now, he was quite busy, and completing the mission sooner would let him focus on other things.
With that in mind, Yuan Shu asked Cao Cao,
"How much gift money do the three of us need to contribute?"
He had already made up his mind—if the amount was high enough to fulfill his spending quota, he'd go with Cao Cao, even if it meant tolerating Yuan Shao's presence.
Cao Cao's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning as he said to Yuan Shu:
"Kunglu, this time it's the Grand General's son's wedding, so the gift money might be a bit more.
How about fifty thousand coins per person for the three of us?
I've already found out that the Wanshan Merchant Guild in Luoyang City is your property.
Over a hundred thousand coins shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"
Yuan Shu thought to himself, what a cunning Cao thief, even calculating my net worth while trying to take my money.
However, Yuan Shu happened to have the desire to squander wealth, which coincided with Cao Cao's plan.
He arrogantly said to Cao Cao:
"Only fifty thousand per person?
That's it?
How could such a small amount reflect the prestige of a direct descendant of the Yuan family?
I've decided—the gift money will be one hundred thousand per person!"
Cao Cao immediately flattered him on the side:
"Kunglu, you are truly generous, taking out three hundred thousand coins without even blinking.
Who else in the noble circles of Luoyang City can compare to you?"
Cao Cao no longer knew whether Yuan Shu was truly foolish or if he had some kind of psychological issue.
A hundred and fifty thousand coins would have been enough, yet this guy insisted on spending three hundred thousand.
Did he find having too much money annoying?
If Yuan Shu felt his wealth was excessive, he could just give it to me, Cao Mengde—I would definitely cherish it.
But these thoughts remained in his mind, as Yuan Shu was still his financial backer, and he didn't want to offend him.
Seeing that his challenge task was about to be completed, Yuan Shu showed a satisfied expression and said to Cao Cao:
"Mengde, I have plenty of money, and it's already prepared. When are we heading to He Xian's wedding banquet?"
Cao Cao looked at Yuan Shu's face full of satisfaction and thought, you just spent three hundred thousand coins, why do you look so pleased? Are you some kind of pervert?
Though he silently complained in his heart, on the surface, Cao Cao still spoke warmly:
"Kunglu, the wedding banquet starts at noon. Once we meet up with Benchu, we can set off."
Before long, Yuan Shao indeed came looking for Cao Cao.
Seeing Yuan Shu there as well, he frowned slightly and said to Cao Cao with some dissatisfaction:
"Mengde, is the Grand General's son's wedding something that just anyone can attend?"
Cao Cao immediately thought, as expected, these two just don't get along.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Benchu, you and Kunglu are both young masters of the Yuan family. Attending the wedding together will only make the Grand General even happier, don't you think?"
As he spoke, Cao Cao made hand gestures to Yuan Shao.
The meaning was clear—Yuan Shu was the one footing the bill this time, so they had to let him come.
Yuan Shao instantly understood. This was the kind of tacit understanding developed from countless times of scamming Yuan Shu.
Thinking about how Yuan Shu was about to be tricked again, Yuan Shao's mood improved considerably.
He nodded and said to the two:
"Mengde makes a good point.
But Kunglu, the Grand General's mansion is not like an ordinary place.
You mustn't act recklessly as you usually do. Understand?"
Yuan Shu thought to himself, worry about yourself first. Do I not know what I should or shouldn't do?
He sneered at Yuan Shao and said:
"Brother, you should say that to yourself.
I have a feeling that you're very likely to have bad luck today."
To be honest, Yuan Shu wasn't cursing Yuan Shao. It was just that this wedding banquet, with Cao Cao involved, gave him a strange feeling.
It seemed like he had vaguely read something about this event in his past life.
If he remembered correctly, Yuan Shao ended up quite unlucky.