Struggle

In the year 189, Luoyang, Suzaku Avenue, Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

“Come on, I’m going now to find your father and reason with him.”

Yuan Xi felt deeply stifled pursuing Gao Yue. Moreover, having such a father made it impossible for a reasonable person to get through—how frustrating it was.

Faced with Yuan Xi’s anger, Gao Yue did not argue but let him pull her along. They walked toward the tavern’s entrance in silence; she merely smiled at him.

“Hehe, maybe you should think it over again?” Just as expected, before reaching downstairs, Yuan Xi let go of her hand and turned back to smile awkwardly.

“Hmph, guilty conscience, guilty mind.” They walked side by side out of the tavern. Two carriages waited quietly on either side of the street, awaiting their young masters.

“Xianyi, are you really determined to go find my father?” Gao Yue looked at her carriage and softly asked, glancing back.

“I’ve made up my mind. But it’s best if Wuguo isn’t there—otherwise, I won’t be able to perform properly!” Yuan Xi said, tugging at the words.

Gao Yue shot him a sideways glance, a little resentful, and sighed, “Xianyi, you have to consider carefully—this might be your last chance.”

Yuan Xi knew exactly what she meant, but hearing her say it made him feel somewhat uneasy, as if it didn’t matter whom she married.

Like a puppet, even if he married her later, would it only be because he’d settled matters with her father? It felt unbearably constricting. Taking a deep breath, Yuan Xi turned to Gao Yue solemnly.

“Wuguo, do you think you’d be happier with me, or with Wei Zhongdao—the weakling?”

Gao Yue stared at him silently, offering no answer.

Yuan Xi continued in a low voice, “Wuguo, if you think you’d be happier with Wei Zhongdao, then I’ll go back today and never come again.”

Without a word, Gao Yue turned and walked away, giving no face to the second young master Yuan.

His provocation failed, and Yuan Xi grew anxious. He hurried after her, boldly asking, “Wuguo, I mean it. If you have even the slightest feeling for me, if you think marrying that weakling isn’t so bad, I won’t trouble you anymore. If you can be happy, I’ll actually be glad.”

His words felt awkward, almost repulsive.

Gao Yue glanced at Yuan Xi askance and approached her carriage.

Lifting her skirt, she stepped on the low stool, ready to get in, still silent.

Yuan Xi became desperate, grabbed her hand, and pleaded, “Wuguo, I really want what’s best for you. Can you just give me a clear answer? Hey! Say something!”

“Hmph, let go of me! A’Fu, drive us home,” Gao Yue said sharply.

“Aye!” A’Fu, the driver, glanced at Yuan Xi and sighed softly.

Why couldn’t this young master see reason?

Yuan Xi, the second young master of the Yuan family, was well-known throughout Luoyang for pursuing the second miss of the Gao family, but when it came to understanding a girl’s heart, he was truly clueless.

However, since the young lady had spoken, the carriage had to move.

A’Fu feared hurting Yuan Xi’s feelings, so he drove slowly.

After all, the young master of the Yuan family, with his noble background as head of the imperial faction in the capital, was not to be offended. The carriage proceeded at a leisurely pace.

Yuan Xi held tightly onto Gao Yue’s delicate arm, following behind, but her face was icy cold as she refused to answer. Soon, they attracted much gossip.

Though Yuan Xi’s face was flushed with frustration, at that moment, he cared little for such things, repeatedly asking the same question.

When had the second young master of the Yuan family ever been so humiliated?

Yet no matter what he said, Gao Yue remained silent.

“Drive faster, A’Fu,” Gao Yue urged, paying no heed to the howling Yuan Xi behind.

Helpless, Yuan Xi let go and stared blankly as the carriage departed.

He felt utterly miserable. How humiliating!

The proud second young master of the Yuan family had never endured such treatment. Damn it.

Suddenly, a bright idea struck him. He slapped his forehead hard and cursed himself for speaking such nonsense before.

Had he not just handed Gao Yue over to someone else on a silver platter, and at such a critical moment? What a fool. Men, with their toxic pride, are not always wise, Yuan Xi shook his head and returned to his carriage.

“Yuan He, let’s go home.”

Yuan Xi ordered his servant to drive towards his residence.

After calming himself, Yuan Xi slowly entered the mansion.

...

Among the three sons of the Yuan family, Yuan Shao favored his youngest, Yuan Shang, most.

He held high hopes for his eldest, Yuan Tan, but was especially strict with Yuan Xi, perhaps related to that Taoist on his first birthday.

With his father’s influence, Yuan Xi became the imperial prince’s tutor, serving as the family’s eyes and ears within the palace, with Emperor Ling’s tacit approval.

At this time, he had not returned to his hometown in Runan, nor to Hebei, where his disciples and old retainers were plentiful. Others would not suspect—he was a spy.

This was why Yuan Xi could still remain in Luoyang: his value.

Though the once-glorious Han dynasty was waning, the imperial capital Luoyang remained prosperous—a testament to the capital’s enduring allure.

After all, even a starving camel is larger than a horse.

Recently, Yuan Xi had been busy persuading Gao Yue to leave Luoyang early with him, heading north to Hebei.

At worst, they could first settle in Chenliu, which would be better than nothing. But Gao’s patriarch sternly refused and even intended to marry Gao Yue to Wei Zhongdao.

Thus, the second young master of the Yuan family was displeased, his heart full of anger.

Subsequently, conflict between Yuan Xi and Wei Zhongdao was inevitable.

Because of this, the Wei family later sided with Cao Cao. Later still, the Wei family assisted Cao Cao’s uprising, and Wei Zi was killed in battle pursuing Dong Zhuo.

...

In the north, Youzhou, Liu Yu sent envoys to the Xianbei tribes, explaining the stakes and ordering them to execute Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju, offering a bounty.

Using a policy of appeasement, the northern border was pacified, and the Xianbei grew stronger. As part of the deal, Zhang Chun was killed, ending the border rebellion.

Qiuliju sent emissaries to Youzhou to surrender, of course on the condition of mutual trade—his Xianbei people needed Han goods like salt and iron.

The murderers of Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju were his retainers, Wang Zheng. This was the official version agreed upon by Liu Yu and Qiuliju.

The remnants of Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun’s forces either fled or surrendered, completing the mission.

Liu Yu petitioned to disband the excess conscripted troops, leaving only Gongsun Zan, the commandant of the surrendered tribes, with ten thousand infantry and cavalry to garrison Right Beiping.

Liu Yu’s reasoning was economic: so many troops required vast logistical support, so demobilization was reasonable.

But Gongsun Zan wanted to use force to eliminate the Wuhuan tribes, while Liu Yu preferred benevolence and trust to win them over, leading to their falling out.

Their conflicting political views deepened their rift.

At a deeper level, Liu Yu was recommended by the Ten Attendants, while Gongsun Zan was backed by the Yuan family, making their rivalry understandable.

During this period, the political struggle between the Ten Attendants and the Yuan family escalated sharply.

The Grand General He Jin was at the forefront, cooperating with the Yuan family to ensure Liu Bian’s succession; even if they broke ties later, it would not be now.

...

Gao Rou, styled Wenhui, elder sister of Gao Yue, held the post of Minister of Works and was the imperial maternal uncle.

From youth, she was close to Emperor Xuanwu and Yuan Xi, later joining Yuan Shao’s staff.

During this time, she provided Yuan Xi with crucial intelligence.

After Yuan Xi took control of Hebei, she was promoted to Inspector of Bingzhou, governing the region, stationed in Taiyuan.

After Yuan Xi defeated Cao Cao and entered the central government as Secretary, on Emperor Xuanwu’s deathbed, Gao Rou was entrusted as guardian along with Sima Yi and Yuan Mai to serve as regents.

Later, she was purged by Emperor Ming of Jin and exiled to Lingnan, committing suicide en route.

The game of power required the sacrifice of life—brutal and bloody.

After Emperor Yuan Zhi of Jin ascended the throne, he posthumously honored his uncle Gao Rou by including him in the Lingxiao Pavilion.

...