Cao Cao Steals the Bride

Yin Meier had been tormented by the tedious wedding rituals all day and was now sitting by the bed, resting. 

She had also removed her red bridal veil and placed it on the table—it was simply too hot to wear. 

Just as she was beginning to relax, she suddenly heard people outside shouting, "Catch the thief!" 

Before she could react, Cao Cao burst into the room, startling her so much that she was about to scream. 

Cao Cao, quick on his feet, rushed forward and covered her mouth, saying: 

"Madam, do not panic. I am Cao Mengde, the Captain of the Northern District of Luoyang. I am here to protect you." 

Yin Meier's eyes widened, but she did not make a sound. 

Although Cao Cao looked rather unscrupulous, and she knew he had ulterior motives, 

the Yin family was also a prestigious clan in Luoyang, and she had been aware of the dirty dealings among noble families since childhood. 

If she screamed for help now, even if someone caught Cao Cao on the spot, her reputation would still be tarnished. 

It was better to observe the situation and wait for an opportunity to escape. 

Seeing Yin Meier remain so quiet, Cao Cao chuckled, then hoisted her onto his shoulder and ran outside. 

Yuan Shao, who was waiting outside, was shocked to see Cao Cao carrying the bride out. He exclaimed: 

"Cao Mengde! You just kidnapped the Grand General's daughter-in-law! You've committed a grave offense! 

Put her down immediately and come with me to apologize to the Grand General!" 

Hearing this, Yuan Shu, who was standing nearby, could not bear to watch any longer. 

This was a huge crime—did Yuan Shao really think that even if Cao Cao apologized, He Jin would just forgive him? 

Cao Cao grinned at Yuan Shao and said: 

"Brother Benchu, we'd better run quickly. If we get caught, your future will be ruined too." 

With that, he carried Yin Meier and dashed away, all the while shouting loudly: "Catch the thief!" 

"Thief! A thief has sneaked into the mansion!" Yuan Shu followed closely behind, shouting the same thing as Cao Cao. 

The more chaotic the scene, the better—it would increase their chances of escaping safely. 

Yuan Shao saw that both Cao Cao and Yuan Shu were determined to see this through to the end. 

Not wanting to be implicated, he gritted his teeth and ran with them. 

"Mengde, where exactly are you running?! You're going the wrong way!" 

As they ran, Yuan Shao suddenly realized something was off. Normally, when committing a crime, shouldn't one run out of the mansion? 

Why was Cao Cao running deeper into He Jin's residence instead? 

Cao Cao, looking pleased with himself, said, "I still have matters to discuss with the bride. I can't leave the mansion just yet—I need to find a quiet place." 

What?! 

Hearing this, Yuan Shao was utterly dumbfounded. 

Was Cao Mengde really so bold as to risk his life just for this? 

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Yuan Shao immediately decided to distance himself from Cao Cao. 

He said sternly, "Mengde, you've let your lust cloud your judgment. I'm deeply disappointed in you! 

You two do as you please—I won't be part of this!" 

With that, Yuan Shao shot a glance at Cao Cao and Yuan Shu before decisively running north. 

As long as he escaped the mansion, today's events would have nothing to do with him. 

Cao Cao was unfazed by Yuan Shao's sudden departure. 

Once Yuan Shu had also run a good distance away, Cao Cao suddenly shouted: 

"The thief is escaping north! Catch him!" 

Yuan Shu sneered—Cao Cao truly was cunning. He had even prepared a scapegoat in advance. 

Fortunately, Yuan Shu hadn't run in that direction, or he would have ended up taking the blame just like Yuan Shao. 

Realizing this, Yuan Shu also started shouting: "Chase north! The thief is heading north!" 

Yuan Shu had no intention of showing Yuan Shao any mercy—kicking someone while they were down was just standard practice. 

The entire mansion was already in chaos. Upon hearing both Cao Cao and Yuan Shu shout that the thief was heading north, 

the clueless onlookers began echoing their words. 

"The thief is in the north!" 

"I see him! He's the one in the embroidered robe—get him!" 

As the saying goes, "Three people make a tiger"—if enough people repeated it, others would believe it. 

Before long, everyone was chasing after Yuan Shao. 

Yuan Shao was miserable, but there was nothing he could do. 

Even if he explained the truth, he would still face He Jin's wrath. Running away was his best option. 

Thus, he sped up, cursing Cao Cao and Yuan Shu's ancestors in his heart as he ran.

Due to running in a hurry, Yuan Shao didn't pay attention to his footing and was unexpectedly tripped by a tree branch, falling headfirst into the nearby bushes.

The branches in the bushes tore both his clothes and skin.

However, at this moment, he had no time to care about that and instead nervously observed the surrounding environment.

Seeing that no one had discovered him, Yuan Shao let out a long sigh of relief.

He thought to himself that he should hide in the bushes for now and only come out after everyone had dispersed.

Since everyone had gone after Yuan Shao, Cao Cao's pressure was immediately reduced.

Standing in front of a small, empty wooden house, he grinned at Yuan Shu and said:

"Hehe, Brother Gonglu, I'm going in now to discuss a major life event with Madam Yin. Can you keep watch for me?"

Cao Cao was being so shameless that Yuan Shu didn't even know what to say.

Annoyed, he waved his hand at Cao Cao and said:

"Hurry up. If no one comes looking, then fine.

But if someone comes to find the bride, I'll be the first to sell you out."

Cao Cao knew that Yuan Shu was no longer the same as before—he was much more cunning than his elder brother Yuan Shao. Trying to trick him was almost impossible.

Without saying another word, he carried Yin Meier into the wooden house.

Yuan Shu leaned against a shaded tree where he wouldn't be easily noticed, waiting for the treacherous Cao to return.

In less than fifteen minutes, Cao Cao walked out of the wooden house, looking refreshed. He said to Yuan Shu:

"Let's go, Brother Gonglu."

Yuan Shu glanced at Cao Cao and thought to himself that this guy was really fast.

He nodded at Cao Cao, then followed him along a hidden path, climbing over the wall and safely leaving the He residence without incident.

After they left, Cao Cao excitedly clasped his fists toward Yuan Shu and said:

"I must thank Brother Gonglu today for helping me fulfill a long-cherished dream.

Without your generosity, I wouldn't have even made it past the front gate of the He residence."

At this moment, Yuan Shu's mood wasn't exactly good, but it wasn't bad either.

He had completed his mission of squandering wealth today and even managed to cause some trouble for Yuan Shao along the way, so it wasn't too bad.

He waved his hand at Cao Cao and said:

"No need for formalities, Brother Mengde. If there's nothing else, I'll head back to my residence first."

In his heart, Yuan Shu thought, Cao Mengde, your lust will be your downfall one day.

…

By evening, Yuan Shu sat quietly in his room, taking stock of his rewards.

He murmured, "System, I want to settle the mission."

The system's cold voice rang out: "Ding! System received the request, now settling the mission.

Challenge mission successfully completed. The host has gained 50 attribute points and one Super Mount Lottery Ticket.

Please allocate your attribute points first!"

As usual, Yuan Shu didn't even think before saying, "Add all the points to luck."

However, this time, the system did not distribute the points as before. Instead, it coldly reminded him:

"Ding! Attribute point allocation failed!

System warning:

The host cannot raise a single attribute above 50 points. Attributes must be balanced.

Only when all attributes reach 50 points will the system upgrade, allowing further point allocation!"

Yuan Shu thought to himself that the system actually had such a rule.

Helplessly, he said:

"Then max out luck and intelligence, and put the remaining points into strength."

[Author's Notes]:

Note 1: Madam Yin was the daughter-in-law of Grand General He Jin, the wife of He Xian, and the biological mother of He Yan, a famous minister of Cao Wei.

After He Yan's father passed away early, Grand Commandant Cao Cao took Madam Yin as his concubine. He Yan was then raised by Cao Cao and deeply favored by him.

(The author has always found it a bit suspicious why Cao Cao liked He Yan so much.)

Note 2: The story of Cao Cao stealing the bride originates from Shishuo Xinyu (A New Account of the Tales of the World).

Original text:

"When Wei Wu (Cao Cao) was young, he and Yuan Shao enjoyed acting like wandering knights.

One time, while observing a wedding, they sneaked into the garden at night and shouted: 'Thief! Robber!'

The people in the bridal tent all rushed out to check, and Wei Wu took the opportunity to enter, draw his blade, and abduct the bride.

As they tried to leave, they got lost and fell into a thorn bush.

Yuan Shao was unable to move and had to shout again: 'The thief is here!'

In a panic, he flung himself out, and thus, they both escaped."

(These two historical anecdotes inspired this chapter. Hope the readers enjoy!)