Cao Ang

Year 189, Luoyang, Zhuque Avenue, Drunken Immortal Tavern.

Due to the chaotic state of affairs, Yuan Xi had someone craft a suit of chainmail for him. Meanwhile, his childhood friend Cao Ang also received a gift.

Cao Ang told him that Xiahou Dun had purchased a young colt from Xiliang for him, which made Second Young Master Yuan quite envious—why hadn’t he received one?

Since the Wang Fen rebellion, the relationship between the Yuan family and Cao Cao had grown delicate; there was an unmistakable distance between them.

Both Yuan Xi and Cao Ang had been admonished by their respective elders. Fortunately, Cao Ang was spirited and lively, so Yuan Xi came to meet him today.

At a seat by the window sat a robust, valiant youth of about fourteen or fifteen. Though not very tall, he was exceptionally sturdy, with sharp, bright eyes. He sipped his wine while watching the busy flow of people on Zhuque Avenue.

Soon, the attendant lifted the bamboo curtain of a private room. Two figures entered; the one in front was the handsome and refined Second Young Master Yuan Xi.

Behind him stood a towering, burly man with a fierce expression—none other than the fierce general, Xu Chu, the “Tiger Fool.”

This valiant youth was Cao Ang, also known as Cao Zixiu, Yuan Xi’s sworn brother.

Cao Ang cast a glance at the two and joked, “Xianyi, could it be that Yuan Zhongjun has once again punished you by sending you to listen to those old scholars lecture? How else could you be so late?”

Yuan Xi took the mat the attendant brought over and sat down with ease, pouring himself a cup of wine. “Ah, I have no choice, do I?”

“Hahaha.” Hearing Yuan Xi’s complaint, Cao Ang couldn’t help but laugh.

Yuan Xi smiled and said, “Uncle Cao rarely lets you out. Zixiu said you had something good to show me? Let me have a look.”

Both Cao Ang and Yuan Xi were scions of noble families in the capital, outstanding among their generation and leaders in the youthful factions of the city.

“Wait a moment.” Cao Ang teased, keeping his secret.

“Bring the next table’s order too.” After sitting, Yuan Xi ordered the attendant to bring a jar of wine and a large plate of cooked meat for his bodyguard Xu Chu.

Cao Ang pulled a long face, looking at the burly man standing behind Yuan Xi.

He couldn’t help but complain to Yuan Xi, “Hey, Xianyi, I say your Xu Chu really is a big eater. Watching him makes my heart ache.”

“Since Brother Zixiu is treating, Zhongkang, just loosen your belt and eat your fill. Don’t hold back for my sake. It’s on Cao’s tab,” Yuan Xi laughed heartily.

Xu Chu grinned broadly, “No problem, I’m at your service, young master.”

Cao Ang winced inwardly; his purse would suffer again. Yuan Xi really was something—he had money but always managed to take advantage of him. The Yuan family truly was unique.

Yuan Xi watched Cao Ang’s defeated expression with amusement.

Then he asked with a smile, “So, what is it that has Zixiu so happy? Tell me, let this young master have a look.”

Cao Ang thought of his purpose for coming out and revealed a bit of pride, boasting to Yuan Xi, “Xianyi, I’ll tell you. Uncle Yuanrang recently bought a fine horse from the merchants in Xiliang and gave it to my father. Father then passed it on to me. Shouldn’t I be happy?”

“Ah? Is Uncle Cao celebrating some good news? Otherwise, why would he give you such a gift?” Yuan Xi asked curiously. After all, horses at this time were as prized as modern luxury cars.

Cao Ang smirked and said, “No good news. Father was just inspecting my studies and saw I had made progress.”

“They are troubled by those eunuch factions. Ah, these are truly troubled times. I don’t know when it will all end.”

After speaking, Cao Ang took a sip of wine, seemingly moved.

The Ten Attendants were due for reckoning. It was already 189; the grand era was about to unfold.

Yuan Xi, however, was less worried about the Ten Attendants and more concerned about Dong Zhuo.

Luoyang was likely to experience a calamity of human suffering. Yet, being lowly and powerless, he could do little to change anything. Alas, such a pity.

After dismissing the attendants, Yuan Xi gazed out the window at the distant pavilions and quietly said, “This capital city is about to change its heavens.”

Watching the familiar yet strange Han streets bustling with people, his thoughts drifted somewhere unknown—perhaps to a past life.

In his former life, he had been a diligent young man, though drifting aimlessly, dreaming and aspiring, reckless in youth.

When that great disaster struck, Yuan Xi thought his brief youth would end. Unexpectedly, he awoke to find himself reborn in the late Han dynasty, becoming the Second Young Master of the prestigious Yuan family, four generations of high officials.

From initial fear and unease to wonder and delight, then to calm acceptance, he had now been in this Han world for thirteen years.

Though born into privilege this time, he knew from experience that in this era dominated by powerful clans, vying for supremacy was no easy feat. Beauty was not something to be won with mere charm.

One needed family background and talent; otherwise, like the beautiful Gao Yue, no one would even glance their way.

No matter how talented, if you were a beggar, would Gao Yue look at you twice? Ridiculous. At least, he didn’t believe so.

From the tangled relationships to the harsh reality, all indicated that a single misstep in this game of power would lead to being crushed beneath the wheels of history.

Before, Yuan Xi thought that surpassing history with his knowledge would let him thrive. Now, he had compromised.

In this era that valued lineage and status, without good birth and reputation, no celebrated scholar, general, or beauty would pay you heed.

This was the harsh truth. Like Liu Bei, born lowly, forced to claim royal lineage, but still only gaining some success at forty or fifty. Such was the historical backdrop.

Reciting poetry and writing couplets to show off, then attracting strategists, generals, and beauties—impossible. People were not fools.

Fortunately, he had the identity of a “four generations of three high officials” noble scion, and the Yuan family would have many outstanding generals and advisers in the future.

But another problem arose: though Yuan Shao valued his second son, ancient customs favored the eldest legitimate son. The title of “Second Young Master of the Yuan family” was awkward, neither the heir nor the favored, much like Emperor Taizong Li Shimin’s own uncomfortable position.

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Tang Ji, Princess of Hongnong, former wife of the young emperor.

Yuan Xi’s concubine, strong-willed, fled the palace after Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang.

Captured en route by Emperor Xuanwu and imprisoned in Ye City, she later became Yuan Xi’s consort and helped Gao Yue manage household affairs, earning the title of female steward.

She later gave birth to Yuan You.

Tragically caught in a succession struggle, Yuan You rebelled and was executed.

Before Emperor Xuanwu’s death, fearing her interference in politics, he decreed that Grand Marshal Prince of Zhongshan, Yuan Mai, present her with a three-foot white silk cloth—the coldest decree of an unfeeling emperor’s house.