Qiao Jingjing asked three questions in quick succession: "Is Liu Bei alright? Is Liu Shan alright? Is Lady Yueying alright?"
One was Zhuge Liang's master, another was Zhuge Liang's master's good son, and the third was Zhuge Liang's precious darling.
He suddenly met a beautiful woman and was asked three questions in a row, which almost left Zhuge Liang, who was good at debating with the Confucian scholars, speechless.
But he did compare himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, the strategist who planned the tripartite division of the world.
How could you be stumped by just three sentences?
The handsome Zhuge Liang replied with ease: "Uncle Liu is resolute and determined to fight against Cao Cao. He is in good health! A Dou is still an infant, but the child has just lost his mother. He is quite pitiful. I would be grateful if Lady Da Qiao would keep in mind his concerns!"
In addition, there's Zhuge Liang's precious darling, Comrade Huang Yueying:
“My wife is just a lowly woman, not worth mentioning to Lady Qiao.”
Zhuge Liang insisted that his wife was just a country bumpkin and not worthy of being in a refined setting.
That's far too modest a statement.
"Young Master Kongming, just starting out in his career, has already taken on a great responsibility, coming to Eastern Wu on official business. Are you at ease leaving your newlywed wife at home? Are you worried?"
When talking to this shrewd fellow, Qiao Jingjing was quite lively.
It's a contest of who can be more daring.
Zhuge Liang was indeed finding it difficult to withstand:
"The governor here summoned me; he has important business to attend to. I must go and take care of it now! If Madam Da Qiao has nothing else to say..."
"Kongming, wait!" Qiao Jingjing called out to Zhuge Liang.
How could there be nothing to say?
Even if there's nothing to say, we still have to call him over and give him a good wash.
Otherwise, he would really think that there are no people in Jiangdong, and that he can say whoever he wants and fabricate whoever he wants.
"Zhuge Kongming, please stay for a cup of hot tea. The young princess personally invited you here because she has something to discuss with you!" Qiao Jingjing's words suddenly became very formal.
Zhuge Liang had no choice but to stay.
This left a somewhat awkward situation. Zhuge Liang was facing three beauties: two beautiful widows and a young unmarried girl.
This is a scene that most men couldn't handle.
"If there is anything the ladies need, as long as Zhuge Liang can do it, he will do his best."
In response to Zhuge Liang's statement, Qiao Jingjing simply smiled.
She has a dignified and generous demeanor, and doesn't hold grudges against petty people.
"It's not a difficult thing! It's just that you were spouting nonsense in the Wenyuan Pavilion on Beigu Mountain, saying that you wanted to send me and my sister Xiao Qiao to Cao Cao's side!"
I imagine you are a learned man with broad knowledge. When you first met Liu Bei, you devised the Longzhong Plan for him, which outlined the strategy of dividing the world into three parts, seizing Jingzhou, and then advancing westward to acquire Yizhou. Such extraordinary talent shows that your words were not just empty talk.
Now that you've found such a brilliant way to subdue the enemy without fighting, my sister and I are nothing but two insignificant women! Compared to the common people of the world, what are we?
"How about this: you immediately have someone prepare another fast ship, and I'll go to Cao Cao's place right away. Of course, you'll still need to escort me."
Qiao Jingjing spoke sarcastically with a smile.
Xu stood to the side, glaring at him.
Sun Shangxiang gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.
Zhuge Liang felt a chill run down his spine and could only force a smile.
How did Da Qiao know the details of the Longzhong Plan that he discussed with Liu Bei in Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage?
"That was Zhuge Liang's ignorance! He was just narrow-minded. I was farming in Nanyang, and it was only through the recommendation of my friend Xu Yuanzhi that I met Liu Bei and went to serve him! Fortunately, Liu Bei was very loyal and appointed me as his strategist."
This is my first time advising Liu Bei, so it must succeed!
Cao Cao is coming on strong, and I must help Liu Bei establish an ally in Eastern Wu. So I used a provocation in my words, but I never expected to anger Lady Qiao.
Alas, this is all Zhuge Liang's fault!
Zhuge Liang apologizes to Lady Qiao! "Lady Qiao, please forgive my rudeness and not hold it against me."
Zhuge Liang was extremely cautious.
Qiao Jingjing still had that same smile:
"Look at you, what are you saying? A man of your talent, with strategic brilliance and the ability to win battles from afar, is honored to receive your affirmation! This proves that our beauty isn't entirely useless!"
I just won't let him get away with it.
Zhuge Liang had no choice but to continue to play the submissive role and apologize.
There's nothing we can do; circumstances dictate our actions.
"It is Zhuge Liang who is ignorant! It is Zhuge Liang who is talking nonsense and saying the wrong thing."
How many women in this world are like Lady Da Qiao? I had long heard that Lady Da Qiao was skilled in agriculture and managed the internal affairs of Wu Commandery and Jiangdong, toiling equally in both domestic and national affairs. The people of Jiangdong were wealthy and powerful, something Zhuge Liang admired daily. Today, having finally met this true goddess, he was filled with awe and deep emotion.
Zhuge Liang then began to flatter him.
But Qiao Jingjing was still angry.
Although she also admired Zhuge Liang's diligent and model-like work ethic in the decades that followed.
However, times have changed.
Now, Zhuge Liang needs to recognize the situation: who is truly in a position of power and who is powerless and without influence.
Zhuge Liang admitted his mistake in front of the three beauties, and apologized with kind words and a smile.
This pitiful appearance is actually quite comical from another angle.
If he had known this day would come, he wouldn't have had that arrogant attitude he displayed when he debated with the crowd at the Wenyuan Pavilion on Beigu Mountain.
In the end, Sun Shangxiang came up with a way to insult people.
This gave Zhuge Liang a way out:
"Get my sister-in-law to forgive you? Not so easy! Don't think you can get it with just a few words!"
Let me tell you, because of your loose tongue, my second brother is furious, but he hasn't confronted you yet for the sake of the bigger picture!
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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