Chapter 62: Smiling Face Hiding Dagger

The beautiful woman sitting by the window inside the small building was Zhen Mi. At the age of sixteen, she was in her prime, a maiden awaiting marriage.

Her father, Zhen Yi, passed away when Zhen Mi was young.

Zhen Yi left behind three sons and five daughters, Zhen Mi being the youngest.

The eldest son, Zhen Yu, and the second son, Zhen Yan, had both passed away. The third son, Zhen Yao, was currently working as an official in the office of the Governor of Ji Province.

Zhen Mi also had four older sisters. The one currently teasing her was her fourth sister, Zhen Rong.

Zhen Rong was about eighteen or nineteen years old and already married. Although not as beautiful as Zhen Mi, she was also a stunning beauty.

Zhen Mi said helplessly, "Sister, why are you even happier than I am today?"

Zhen Rong shook Zhen Mi's shoulders and said with a smile, "Our youngest sister is getting married, how can I not be happy?"

She leaned closer to Zhen Mi's ear mysteriously and whispered, "A few days ago, I attended a banquet at the Governor's mansion with my husband and met Yuan Xing. I subtly inquired about Yuan Xi's affairs."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Mi finally showed some interest, "Forget about me, you met Sister Yuan Xing?"

"I haven't seen her in a year. I remember she's two years older than you, sister, and she's still not married."

Zhen Rong nodded, "Indeed, with her status as the eldest daughter of the Yuan family, it's probably difficult to find a husband of equal status. This has delayed her marriage."

She suddenly realized, "Don't get sidetracked, I'm talking about your affairs!"

"Are you really not interested in Yuan Xi at all?"

Zhen Mi had a headache, "You shouldn't ask me about this, you should ask our mother."

"The betrothal and auspicious inquiries haven't even started yet, the match isn't even close to being made."

"These matters are all decided by mother, what can I say?"

Zhen Rong clicked her tongue, "Who doesn't know that mother loves you the most? Even if you don't marry into the Yuan family, she probably won't force you."

"However, the fortune teller said when you were young that your face indicated great wealth and nobility. Marrying a son of the Yuan family might actually fulfill that prophecy."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Mi didn't react much and said calmly, "Perhaps the Yuan family wants me to marry into their family precisely because they heard this rumor."

Zhen Rong shook her head, "I think it's because your reputation for advising mother to open the granaries and distribute food during the great drought in Ji Province when you were ten years old spread, and the Yuan family values benevolence and reputation, so they naturally think you're suitable to be a Yuan family wife."

"Besides, you're so beautiful. After you marry into the family, you'll definitely be loved."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Mi sighed softly, "Reputation and appearance are just superficial things that noble families talk about."

"If I can apply what I've learned from books over the years and put some of my ambitions into practice in the future, I'll be satisfied."

Zhen Rong was annoyed upon hearing this, "You're such a blockhead! I came to talk to you about Yuan Xi, and you're talking about governing the country!"

"Oh, how did you get sidetracked again!"

Zhen Rong cleared her throat, "I subtly inquired about Yuan Xi with Yuan Xing. I heard that he was timid as a child, but he had a falling out with Governor Yuan three years ago and went to You Province."

"If Governor Yuan hadn't asked him to come back this time, he would still be in You Province."

"Do you think living in a bitter and cold place like You Province is more comfortable than here in Ye City?"

Zhen Mi said upon hearing this, "It's said that after Gongsun Zan was driven back to You Province, he rebelled and killed the Governor of You Province, Liu Yu. How could it be safer than Ye City?"

Zhen Rong was somewhat absent-minded, "You know, your brother-in-law finally returned to Ye City, and then ran off to You Province."

Just as they were talking, a maid's voice came from downstairs, "Young Master Zhen Yao has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Rong said happily, "Third Brother is here!"

She turned around and ran downstairs, finding that it was indeed Zhen Yao. She smiled and said, "Third Brother, why are you back so early today?"

She noticed a hesitant look on Zhen Yao's face and asked strangely, "What's wrong?"

Zhen Yao whispered a few words, and Zhen Rong's expression changed. She exclaimed, "Is that really the case?"

"He brought dozens of concubines with him and filled a large mansion with them?"

"That's outrageous!"

"No, I have to drag Mi'mei with me and talk to mother about it!"

In the Governor's mansion, Yuan Xi bowed respectfully to Yuan Shao, "Greetings, Father."

He turned slightly and bowed to Lady Liu, who was beside Yuan Shao, "Greetings, Mother."

Yuan Shao sat in the seat of honor, his lips moved slightly, and finally he said in a flat tone, "Xianyi, sit."

Madam Liu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve and sighed, "Xi'er, you're finally back."

Yuan Xi lowered his head and said, "Thank you, Father and Mother." Only then did he straighten up, retreat to the lower seat, and kneel on the ground.

Only then did Yuan Shao have the opportunity to carefully examine Yuan Xi. He found that compared to three years ago, Yuan Xi's appearance had changed slightly, but he was taller, and his whole person exuded a faint oppressive aura.

The most obvious difference was that Yuan Xi's extremely pale face three years ago was now covered with a layer of light wheat color, which was obviously due to more exposure to wind and sun.

From a modern perspective, compared to the pale skin of the aristocratic families who didn't bask in the sun, Yuan Xi's wheat-colored skin looked healthier.

But now, Yuan Shao looked at it with a displeased expression.

Just as he was about to speak, Madam Liu covered her face and wept, saying, "It's good that you're back. Xi'er, you must have suffered these three years."

"If I had known this would happen, why did you have to argue with your father? Quickly admit your mistake to your father."

Damn it, Yuan Xi cursed in his heart. This Liu clan always brings up what shouldn't be brought up.

The quarrel three years ago could be big or small, and from the results, Yuan Xi had won.

But the more this was the case, the less it should be mentioned. Yuan Shao was a man who cared about face. Tian Feng's encounter in the Battle of Guandu was a warning to Yuan Xi. It was best not to dwell on Yuan Shao's embarrassment.

And Liu was obviously aware of Yuan Shao's character. She came up with this set of provocation to destroy the relationship between father and son.

Thinking of this, Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Father was right back then. When I arrived in Beixin City, I realized that that place was not a place to play house."

"Over the past three years, I have been in mortal danger several times, shot by arrows, stabbed by spears, and a few days ago, I was cut by a horse lance, and I was unconscious for several days."

Yuan Shao's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. Seeing that Madam Liu wanted to say something, he waved his hand and said, "Don't mention this matter anymore, it's good that you're back."

Madam Liu cursed in her heart. Yuan Shao was soft-hearted and still loved his sons very much. This little beast, Yuan Xi, had grasped this point!

Unwilling, she forced a smile and said, "If that's the case, Xi'er must take good care of his body. Although those dozens of concubines are all beautiful, you can't indulge yourself."

Yuan Xi raised his head in surprise, "What concubines?"

Liu's heart skipped a beat, "Those dozens of women Xi'er brought, aren't they your concubines?"

That's impossible, if they're not your concubines, what did you bring them back to Ye City for?

Could it be to offer them to Yuan Shao?

The more Liu thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Yuan Shao already had several young and beautiful concubines, and if there were dozens more, what would be left for her?

Was he openly disgusting her?

This child, Yuan Xi, was timid and hesitant, far less intelligent than Shang'er. Could it be that he had seen through her targeting him?

Thinking that Yuan Xi could predict the turmoil in Ye City last year, Liu felt a burst of panic for no reason. Could it be that the other party was really hiding his abilities?

At this time, Yuan Shang, who was sitting in the lower seat, saw that his mother had lost her composure and knew that it was time for him to step in. He opened his mouth and said, "Those dozens of women, aren't they Second Brother's concubines?"