In front of Deyang Palace, a thousand young members of the Imperial Guard stood there in neat rows, their postures still upright.

"Everyone, please!! Change shifts!"

With a shout from Xu Rong, another thousand young men marched in in neat formation, replacing Yuan Shao and the others.

"Old Dian, let's go...!"

After taking a deep look at the gate of Deyang Palace, Wen Chou wanted to pull Dian Wei away from there to rest.

"No... I'm going to stay here!"

Dian Wei shook his head, still stubbornly standing there.

"Alright then...! I'll bring you some food later!"

"No need, I'm not hungry!"

After saying this, Dian Wei gripped his weapon, standing there like an iron tower, his eyes fixed on the gate of Deyang Palace, hoping it would open and that the person who would give him a full meal would come out.

Seeing Dian Wei still standing there, Xu Rong nodded with satisfaction, said nothing more, and then led his team away. Wen Chou glanced helplessly at Dian Wei and then followed behind the team.

Inside the lounge, the door was wide open, and Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and others sat on the floor with their eyes closed, making the most of their time to rest.

Before long, Xiao Hong led a group of palace maids and eunuchs, carrying some food, towards this place.

Upon hearing the commotion, Cao Cao and the others immediately opened their eyes and stood up.

"The Empress Dowager has ordered that you have worked hard guarding His Majesty, and has brought you some food!"

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!!"

Upon approaching and seeing the resolute faces of these young men, Xiao Hong was overjoyed for Liu Hong. She then led the palace maids and eunuchs to distribute food to everyone.

Xiao Hong also carried a food box and personally distributed it to everyone.

"Here you go!!"

Approaching Yuan Shao, Xiao Hong lowered her head and took out a flatbread from the food box.

As Yuan Shao approached Xiao Hong, he felt a refreshing fragrance he had never experienced before, which eased his uneasy mood.

Yuan Shao accepted the flatbread and said softly, "Thank you, young lady!"

A strong yet gentle voice rang out, and Xiao Hong couldn't help but look up. When she saw Yuan Shao's resolute and handsome face, she was stunned for a moment, only to find that Yuan Shao was also looking down at her.

When their eyes met, a blush suddenly appeared on Xiao Hong's face, and her heartbeat quickened. When Yuan Shao saw Xiao Hong's slightly pale but still pretty face and her bloodshot eyes, he was also shocked and his breathing became faster.

Seemingly sensing something, Xiao Hong quickly lowered her head, suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, picked up the food box, and turned to walk towards the other boy.

Before long, Xiao Hong led the palace maids and eunuchs to distribute all the food. Before leaving, Xiao Hong couldn't help but turn around and look at everyone. Her gaze lingered on Yuan Shao for a moment before she turned and left.

Yuan Shao couldn't help but turn his head to glance at Xiao Hong's back, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He then sat cross-legged on the ground, staring blankly at the flatbread in his hand.

Although Yuan Shao and Xiao Hong's unusual behavior was brief, it was noticed by Cao Cao, who pinched his chin and glanced at Yuan Shao with his narrow eyes.

"Benchu, why aren't you eating?"

Seeing Yuan Shao sitting there blankly, Liu Bei also went over to him.

"I'm not hungry...!"

Yuan Shao held the flatbread in his hand and shook his head, his mind heavy.

"Since you're not hungry, then take it to me. I'm hungry...!"

As they were talking, Cao Cao walked over, reached out and grabbed the flatbread in Yuan Shao's hand, and then ripped it off forcefully.

"Aman, you...!"

Caught off guard by Cao Cao's sudden attack, Yuan Shao instinctively gripped the flatbread in his hand and pulled it back, instantly splitting it in two.

"Benchu, you used to give me anything I asked for without hesitation. What's wrong with you today? You won't even part with a mere flatbread...?"

Looking at the half-eaten flatbread in his hand, Cao Cao's face darkened as he stared intently at his friend.

“Aman, I..”

Upon hearing Cao Cao's question, Yuan Shao couldn't help but lower his head and look at the half-eaten pancake that Xiao Hong had just given him. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer.

"Hmph~, I don't want to hear your explanation!!"

Seeing Yuan Shao's expression, Cao Cao snorted and stuffed the half-eaten flatbread into his mouth.

"Benchu, you must remember what His Majesty once said: the road ahead is fraught with danger, and we should strive to do our best!"

As your friend, I want to remind you: don't let anything that suddenly appears hold you back...!

After speaking, Cao Cao ignored Yuan Shao and walked to the side, where he sat cross-legged on the ground and began to close his eyes to rest.

"The road ahead is fraught with peril, we must strive to do our best..."

Turning his head to look at Cao Cao sitting there, Yuan Shao couldn't help but recall the encouragement the emperor had given him and his men when he received them.

"His Majesty is currently unconscious, how dare you even think about such things...! Yuan Shao, you are truly unworthy of being a trainee in the Imperial Guard, you have failed His Majesty's high expectations...!"

Yuan Shao looked down at the half-eaten flatbread in his hand, cursed himself inwardly, and then stuffed it into his mouth without hesitation, forcibly erasing the beautiful image from his mind.

"What are you doing...!"

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