Chapter 19 Eastern Expedition against Lü Bu (Part 3) Xun Yu? I'm more looking forward to Chen Chang...

The guards at the gates of Xiapi were indeed strict in their checks. After several interrogations without any errors, they verified the nameplate and checked the marriage certificate that had been temporarily forged in the tent before letting them pass.

As soon as they entered the city, Guo Jia keenly sensed several subtle gazes following them.

He put his arm around Deng Jie, who seemed a little more relaxed after entering the city, and whispered, "Tell me, don't rush to ask. It seems we've been 'taken care of' by someone."

Deng Jie blinked at him: "Then... are we still going to the Chen family's house?"

"Of course," Guo Jia replied casually, but then noticed her tense expression. "What's wrong?"

"I...I'm nervous." Deng Jie lowered his head.

"Why are you so nervous?" Guo Jia asked, puzzled.

"Aren't you nervous?" she suddenly looked up at him again.

"Why should I be nervous?" Guo Jia was even more puzzled.

"Xun...Xun..." she pouted, unable to continue.

Guo Jia was amused by her and took the opportunity to peck her. "What are you joking about? I'm more looking forward to Chen Changwen's reaction when he sees me with you. It'll be very interesting."

He pushed Deng Jie forward, quickly scanning the desolate streets and alleys. "I wonder how Brother Lingde is doing. Let's go to the clinic in the west of the city first."

If he is also imprisoned, then you, as his "junior sister," will naturally become a target when you enter the city.

Although Lü Bu was reckless, Chen Gongtai was no ordinary man.

Deng Jie followed his gaze, and only then did his heart tighten, his mood turning somber as he silently nodded.

The two found their way to "Junji House," showed the apprentice the ebony plaque, and were led into an inner room to wait.

“Fengxiao…I think…” Deng Jie’s hand rested on the medicine box that Guo Jia had just put down, and he looked at the patients scattered on the ground outside the door.

Guo Jia saw through her thoughts and interrupted her, saying, "Don't get distracted. Remember the purpose of our trip."

Deng Jie looked somber and nodded slowly.

A short while later, Chen Xuan quickly entered.

"Why did you come in person?!"

Chen Xuan stared at the two in disbelief, then stepped forward and lightly punched Guo Jia. "You dare bring your junior sister here!"

Guo Jia cupped his hands in greeting: "If it weren't for your encouragement, I wouldn't even have been able to enter the city."

Chen Xuan hesitated, then said, "Never mind, let's not talk about this. Chen Gong's spies are watching this place all the time; it's too dangerous."

He lowered his voice, "My two elder brothers are both confined to their own homes, while I am here practicing medicine and have been assigned by Madam Du of the Qin family to take care of her son, which is why I am allowed limited movement... You..."

Mrs. Du?!

Deng Jie's heart tightened, and he clenched his sleeve.

I'll ask about this when I have the chance...

Guo Jia glanced at the tightly closed doors and windows and said in a deep voice, "We two have already been spotted as soon as we entered the city, so we need to find another place to stay."

Chen Changwen and I have a past relationship. Liu Bei gave me this address. Brother De, do you have any way to help me escape?

Chen Xuan took a look, pondered for a moment, and said, "Yes, come with me."

He summoned two reliable apprentices of similar build and age to Guo Jia and his companion, whispered a few instructions to them, and the two men obeyed, quickly taking off their outer garments and headscarves and handing them over.

"Quick, change into them. Let's slip out while there are still plenty of people around."

Then he ordered someone to prepare medicine pouches, "Take those medicinal herbs with you later. If anyone questions you, say they are newly prepared precious medicinal herbs and ask Chen Gongcao to personally inspect and verify them."

The two apprentices also changed into Guo Jia and his wife's clothes. Chen Xuan instructed them, "From now on, you two will be my junior sister and brother-in-law."

Before leaving, Deng Jie earnestly handed the medicine box they had brought to Chen Xuan, saying, "Senior brother, although there isn't much medicine here... I should have asked Mr. Mi for more!"

"Your priority is to defeat Lü Bu as soon as possible. Junior sister, brother Fengxiao, be careful in everything!" Chen Xuan accepted the gift with a cupped hand.

Guo Jia and Deng Jie got ready and headed out in the direction Chen Xuan had indicated.

Guo Jia noticed that when they were questioned along the way, their attitude was rather lax, as if they were only doing their job, which was completely different from the cautiousness of the guards entering the city.

The two successfully located the Chen residence and knocked on the door to announce their arrival.

Guo Jia specially handed his clan token to the gatekeeper, asking him to convey the message that "an old friend from Yingchuan has come to visit."

While waiting, Guo Jia noticed that Deng Jie's expression had changed.

The initial tension upon entering the city was replaced by a heavy sense of unease at the desolate and ravaged landscape.

He took Deng Jie's hand and gently comforted him, saying, "Brother Lingde is right. We can only help our lord defeat Lü Bu and take Xiapi by completing our mission as soon as possible."

If you have any concerns, I can go alone tomorrow; you can stay with Brother Lingde and wait for me.”

Upon hearing that Guo Jia was going to abandon him, Deng Jie immediately gripped his hand tightly and retorted, "I'm fine! I can do it!"

Her tone was urgent, her lips were pursed, and her eyes seemed to hold a thousand words.

Guo Jia could roughly guess what she hadn't said, "Don't abandon me," and pulled her closer to him, saying, "Take it easy. We are husband and wife, bound by fate. If we work together, we will surely succeed."

As they were talking, the front door of the Chen residence opened, and a couple walked out, one in front of the other.

The leader was none other than Chen Qun, Chen Changwen, whom Guo Jia had been longing to see.

The young man was dressed in a dark blue linen robe with a black outer garment. He was tall and straight, with a handsome and serious face.

The moment he opened the door, he was standing on the steps, looking down at Guo Jia embracing a woman in front of his own door. A surge of anger rose in his chest and got stuck in his throat.

Guo Jia looked up and met his eyes. A playful smile appeared on his lips as he spoke: "Brother Changwen, how have you been? Jia and his wife have come to visit and disturb you."

Deng Jie followed suit, his gaze gravitating past Chen Qun's displeased expression and landing directly on the woman standing gracefully behind him.

The woman was dressed in a light blue silk robe with a curved hem, and a plain brocade blouse over it.

Her hair was adorned with a jade hairpin, her hair piled high with thin sideburns. Her slender eyebrows were strong and elegant, her eyes bright and clear, exuding an air of refined nobility.

She must be the young lady of the Xun family.

Guo Jia once said that her maiden name was Wei.

Deng Jie was momentarily lost in thought, meeting her gaze directly without any attempt to hide it.

Their eyes met, both of them stiffening slightly as they scrutinized each other's faces.

As Xun Wei's gaze slowly shifted to Guo Jia's arm around Deng Jie, Deng Jie finally reacted, broke free from Guo Jia's arm, and gently pushed him forward. He then hurriedly lowered his eyelashes, but couldn't help but secretly look up again.

"A poor family's bad habit." Chen Qun snorted and turned to the side impatiently, saying, "Come in quickly, don't cause people to gossip in front of the door."

Seeing Chen Qun's reaction, Guo Jia turned around with satisfaction, leaned close to Deng Jie's ear and whispered, "You see, she's even harder to please than Wen Ruo."

Having said that, he took Deng Jie's hand very naturally and stepped inside.

As he passed by Xun Wei, he paused slightly, turned around calmly, and nodded in greeting: "Greetings, Madam Xun."

Deng Jie was pulled along in a daze. He saw Xun Wei's eyes change from blank to surprised, and finally turn into a relieved smile as he softly replied, "How have you been?"

For some reason, this smile flowed like a warm current through Deng Jie's heart, bringing a sense of inexplicable peace.

Chen Qun led them to a quiet side room, where tea and snacks were neatly arranged on four separate tables, and Guo Jia's family tablet was placed on his seat, waiting quietly.

Chen Qun suppressed his displeasure at Guo Jia's actions, gestured for everyone to sit down, and went straight to the point: "Lu Bu is tyrannical, Chen Gong is suspicious, and Xiapi is already a besieged city."

Since the group has allowed the two of you to enter, we are naturally willing to lend a helping hand.

However, as I hold the position of Chief Clerk to Lü Bu, I would never openly rebel.

“That’s excellent, saving me the trouble of explaining.” Guo Jia greatly appreciated his frankness and then made a request: “I have three requests for you on this trip, please consider them, Brother Changwen.”

He took out a silk scroll from his bosom. "Firstly, there is a 'Decree of Amnesty' in Jia, which needs to be distributed throughout the city with the help of Brother Changwen."

Chen Qun took it, quickly scanned it, and handed it to Xun Wei, saying bluntly, "If this order is to be of great use, mere rumors from the streets are not enough."

Guo Jia smiled confidently, "Don't worry, the original order and the letter of surrender will be sent together soon."

Chen Qun nodded. "Two more things?"

"Secondly, I hope Brother Changwen can provide detailed information on the personalities and residences of Lu Bu's civil and military officials, so that we can find a way to infiltrate and investigate his true situation."

Thirdly, Jia needs to know the city's terrain and the location of the armory and granaries..."

"You're waiting?"

Guo Jia was speaking at a crucial point when Chen Qun suddenly raised his voice and sternly interrupted him: "You still want to bring your wife along to spy?"

"That's natural."

“Guo Fengxiao, this is a dangerous place for military strategists, how can it be treated as child’s play?”

Bringing your family with you to the army is already a major taboo, yet you still dare to send a woman deep into the enemy camp...

"Chen Changwen!"

Guo Jia didn't mind Chen Qun's mockery, but when he heard that Chen Qun was going to turn the conversation to Deng Jie, the smile on his face vanished instantly.

"You're even a few years younger than me, how can you be so rigid? If it weren't for my wife, I wouldn't even have made it into Xiapi, let alone Jia would have died ten or eight times over on the way!"

He turned to look at his wife, his tone filled with pride, "No wonder Changwen didn't recognize her abilities."

It is said that Yi single-handedly rescued Jia from imprisonment in Wancheng, and then, at Yuan's residence, indirectly criticized Yuan Shao's subordinates.

As he spoke, he took Deng Jie's hand, looked directly at Chen Qun, and said firmly, "Even if Chang Wen were in that situation, I doubt he could have been as selfless as she is."

Deng Jie blushed at his undisguised praise, while Chen Qun across from him couldn't hide his disgust.

“Fengxiao is so thoughtful, protecting his wife in this way.” Xun Wei smiled with his eyes lowered. “They are truly a loving couple. Why be so harsh on Changwen?”

As he spoke, he raised his hand to take the cup and sipped it.

"Lady Xun is truly wise," Guo Jia said, lifting Deng Jie's hand and kissing it. "Could it be that Changwen has never treated your wife this way?"

Chen Qun, unable to bear it any longer, slammed his fist on the table and exclaimed, "Shen Ge!"

Seeing his wife's disheveled state while wiping herself, he felt a little embarrassed and coughed lightly, "Take Madam to rest first, and I will discuss the rest with Guo Fengxiao in detail."

Xun Wei stood up and asked Deng Jie to leave the table. Seeing that Guo Jia was reluctant to let go, Xun Wei glared at him and said, "Guo Fengxiao, have some self-respect!" He then helped Deng Jie away.

As Xun Wei closed the door, the two men were still exchanging glances through the crack, their long-suppressed curiosity finally taking over.

She couldn't help but ask in a low voice in the corridor leading the way, "Do you two... always act like this?"

Deng Jie was taken aback by these words and subconsciously asked, "Do Madam and Young Master... usually act like this?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had misspoke, especially when she saw Xun Wei's profile turn cold instantly. She quickly tried to make amends: "I meant... Young Master Chen is meticulous, and he trusts Madam even more."

Xun Wei found it amusing and led the way without turning back, saying, "If Madam wants to make fun of you, she can just say so directly. There's no need to beat around the bush like this."

"No, I'm telling the truth!"

Deng Jie took two steps to catch up and saw Xun Wei looking at her with disdain. He then raised his hand and led her into a pavilion on the side. "Even I myself didn't notice anything 'thoughtful' about Changwen. So where does this 'trust' come from?"

Deng Jie glanced at the Go board on the table in the pavilion and boldly hoped to play a game with Xun Wei.

Unsurprisingly, Deng Jie's chess skills were far inferior to Xun Wei's. She smiled and said, "Madam's sharp chess style must have been honed through playing against Young Master Chen!"

"Mastered?" Xun Wei raised an eyebrow and said proudly, "In terms of chess, he is far inferior to me."

“That’s it.” Although Deng Jie had suffered a crushing defeat, he was in high spirits. He placed a piece and said, “I’m absolutely certain that you trust me, young master.”

“When Fengxiao played chess with me, he always treated me like a child, making random moves here and there. Even I could see that he was doing it on purpose.”

Xun Wei sneered, "Isn't this a sign of him doting on you?"

Deng Jie shook his head helplessly, "He didn't take me seriously at all, and never regarded me as someone he could discuss philosophy with."

I know that he keeps many things from me, including his thoughts and ideas.

Although I understand his intention is to protect me, I actually hope for more honesty between husband and wife.

Playing chess with someone also shows respect for your wife, treating her as a true opponent.

Xun Wei's fingers, holding the chess piece, curled slightly. "You... really think so?"

"I am merely stating what I have seen... Whether it is true or not, you, my lady, can judge for yourself."

Xun Wei remained silent, gazing at the chessboard in deep thought.

"Mother!"

Just then, a childish voice broke the silence.

A toddler, about two or three years old, ran down the corridor accompanied by his wet nurse.

"Tai'er." Xun Wei's icy expression melted instantly, and he gently opened his arms to embrace his son who rushed towards him. "Come, greet Madam Deng."

The little guy turned around with a serious expression and bowed to Deng Jie in a proper manner.

Deng Jie's eyes immediately filled with tenderness and undisguised envy. She reached out and gently held the child's soft little hand. "Is the young master named Tai'er? He has the same delicate features as the lady, but his charm is somewhat like the young master's."

Chen Tai's appearance softened Xun Wei considerably, and his tone unconsciously carried a touch of warmth: "I once heard my father mention that you and Fengxiao had been together in Qiao County since the fourth year of the Chuping era. Your children must be about the same age as Tai'er, right?"

Deng Jie smiled bitterly, "To be honest, my wife, we still have no children."

This answer surprised Xun Wei.

Perhaps it was the relaxed atmosphere, or perhaps it was Deng Jie's frankness that put her at ease, but she surprisingly abandoned her reserve and, almost without thinking, jokingly asked, "What? Does Fengxiao have something difficult to say?"

Seeing that she had lowered her guard a bit, Deng Jie smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps it's because I spend all my time with medicinal herbs and have absorbed too much of their aroma, which has disturbed my own vitality."

Chen Tai squirmed in Xun Wei's arms, "Mother! Mother, I can already recite 'Zi Jin' that you taught me before!"

"Green, green are your robes, longingly I think of you..." Though the words were broken and intermittent, they were pronounced clearly and accurately.

This reminded Deng Jie of his encounter with Lady Zhen in Ye City, which he then recounted to Xun Wei.

"Is that so... It's been seven years since we parted. Mi'er must be married by now." Xun Wei felt a surge of tenderness in his heart and hugged his son tightly.

At this moment, the wet nurse stepped forward and gently reminded the young master that it was time to rest.

Xun Wei kissed his son's little face with reluctance, then handed him over to the wet nurse to take away.

Once again, only the two of them remained in the pavilion, and the atmosphere was noticeably softer and more intimate than before.

A note from the author:

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