At Cai Yong's residence in Luoyang.

"Xiao Cui, why is this mansion so noisy? Have those lecherous men come here again to feign sorrow and write new poems?"

In a pavilion in the backyard, a pretty young woman held a book in her hands, frowning as she asked the maid beside her.

Her eyes were like the bright moon, and her eyebrows were like dark ink.

He had a high, straight nose and an exceptionally dignified and handsome face.

What a beautiful woman! Her mature charm is imbued with a strong scholarly air.

She's clearly a beautiful woman with both talent and looks.

However, there was a hint of melancholy in his glances back.

This woman was none other than Cai Yan, Cai Wenji, the most talented woman of the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period.

Now, widowed and childless, she has returned to her family home to help them continue writing the "Dongguan Hanji" and to carve the "Xiping Stone Classics".

"Miss, the master was summoned to the palace by His Majesty today, and since he came out, people have been coming to visit him one after another. Could it be that the master is going to be promoted?"

A chubby-faced maid in green next to the young woman told her everything she knew.

"My father has offended all the powerful officials in the court by scolding the Grand General and then the Ten Attendants. How could he possibly be promoted?"

The young woman shook her head and sighed, "I just hope nothing bad happens!"

Just then, a man who looked like a butler rushed over.

"Miss, the master is going on a long trip and wants you to go to the front hall immediately. He has important matters to discuss with you."

"Father is going on a long trip?" Cai Yan was surprised.

Many lecherous men in Luoyang had long coveted her, but fortunately, with her father around, they restrained themselves considerably.

Once the father goes on a long trip, wouldn't this make these people act with impunity?

Moreover, my father has a chronic illness; how can his old bones withstand such an ordeal?

Without thinking twice, she quickly went to the front hall.

The father, Cai Yong, was completely bewildered as he saw off a group of visiting guests.

"I was merely ordered to deliver an imperial edict to Yunzhong, not to assume an official post. Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Hehe, the journey from Luoyang to Yunzhong is quite long."

A man dressed in luxurious clothes said with a smile, "Our Cui family plans to do some horse business in Yunzhong. Traveling with Lord Cai will be a good opportunity for us to look after each other!"

"That Marquis must have quite a few horses. I would be grateful if Lord Cai could introduce us to them!"

"We will cover all of Lord Cai's food, clothing and other expenses on the road."

"It's settled then. Our caravan will be waiting outside the city for you to depart!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he took his leave without waiting for Cai Yong's agreement.

well!

What does this mean?

Cai Yong was still completely baffled.

He couldn't understand why he, a mere advisor, was chosen as an envoy to deliver an imperial edict beyond the Great Wall, especially since it was recommended by both the General's Mansion and the Empress Dowager.

If the palace sent fifty imperial guards to protect his safety on the road, then why did the Cui family's merchant caravan from Hedong have to join in and insist on traveling with him?

The Cui family had someone holding a position in the imperial court, and they even came to Cai Yong's door with a visiting card as a friend of Cai Yong, so Cai Yong naturally couldn't refuse.

In addition, the General's Office sent Cao Yuan Chen Ji to accompany him, who was to represent the General's Office in conveying military orders and to assume the post of military supervisor.

A rough estimate suggests that the team heading to Yunzhong consists of at least a hundred people.

Although Cai Yong couldn't understand the reason, he had to set off immediately!

Both the General's Mansion and the palace urged him to set off immediately without delay.

Cai Yong thought of his daughter Cai Yan at home, so he asked the steward to summon her and give her a few words of advice.

"Yan'er, your father has to go on a long trip. It will take at least two or three months to get there and back. Stay at home and don't go out, so as not to be harassed by those with ill intentions."

Upon seeing his daughter arrive, Cai Yong glanced at her with affection.

Although her daughter was known as a talented woman, she lost her husband at a young age and lived as a widow.

In an era that valued chastity and reputation, Cai Yan was effectively sentenced to death.

Many people coveted her beauty, but Cai Yong knew that no scion of a prominent family would marry her.

Even if she remarries, she will at most be taken as a concubine to show off.

Moreover, Cai Yan was proud and arrogant, and she looked down on ordinary men.

There was a general named Cao Mengde who wanted to become Cai Yong's student, and naturally he also expressed his admiration for Cai Yan.

Cai Yong was willing to play matchmaker, but Cai Yan seemed indifferent to this person.

Cai Yong could only follow his daughter in death.

"Where is Father going on this journey of two or three months, and what is his purpose?"

Cai Yan gracefully bowed and then asked.

"His Majesty's prince, who was born into the common people, was demoted to Shuofang four months ago."

Everyone thought he would die soon in the border region where foreign tribes lived.

"But who would have thought that he would be divinely aided, not only annihilating the Southern Xiongnu, but also defeating the Xianbei who invaded from the southern desert, and recovering the Hetao Plain!"

Cai Yong was summoned to the palace and met the emperor, who had sent him as an envoy to Yunzhong. Only then did he learn about the various matters concerning the Marquis of Yinshan.

"Is it that prince who indulges in extravagance, debauchery, and numerous evils in the Beiman Mountains north of Luoyang?!"

Cai Yan exclaimed in surprise, "He can defeat the Xiongnu and Xianbei and recover the Hetao Plain?"

"I don't believe it! It must have been done by the Han soldiers of Bingzhou."

"He's just taking advantage of his status as a prince to claim credit for himself."

Cai Yan had certainly heard of this prince while in Luoyang.

He came from the common people and was raised in the Beiman Mountains. He indulged in wine and women every day and often came to Luoyang to look for beautiful women. His reputation in Luoyang was extremely bad.

Reclaiming lost territory and expelling foreign tribes—this is not something a prince as absurd and unpredictable would do!

"Yan'er, stop talking nonsense!"

Cai Yong immediately stopped him.

He wrote an article subtly criticizing Ho Chun, but Ho Chun wouldn't do anything to him.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!