Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 6: The Playful Nightingale and the Frolicking Dog (Please continue reading)

"Mr. Zixu, is this all right?"

Seeing Zhang Xian packing his things, Guo Huai asked, unable to hide his disappointment.

Faced with his disappointment, Zhang Xian didn't explain anything, only saying, "The medicine will take some time to take effect, but we have already given him a cough suppressant, so your son should be able to sleep a little better."

"We need to observe him more today. His condition should improve by tomorrow."

Zhang Xian stuffed the small porcelain bottle and capsule shell into his backpack and stood up to bow.

"I cannot linger in the back courtyard any longer, as I will need to administer medicine again tomorrow. Therefore, I request that Master Guo have someone prepare a room for me to rest."

“That’s only right. Yunniang, go and tell Guo Fu to arrange accommodations for Mr. Zixu and his two younger brothers.”

Upon learning that Zhang Xian would be staying at the Guo residence for another night, Guo Huai felt much more at ease.

He must be a capable person; if he were just a charlatan, he would probably be leaving as quickly as possible by now.

"Yes, Master." A maidservant lowered her body and answered softly before hurrying out of the bedroom.

Before she could even open the door, it was pushed open from the outside.

The door opened softly, and a figure in a light green silk dress suddenly entered the room, which was filled with the scent of herbs. The girl's hair was slightly damp with sweat, and the pearls on her silver hairpin trembled slightly with her hurried footsteps.

"Father—" Her voice trailed off abruptly as she looked at her younger brother's pale face on the bed and the unfamiliar, handsome young man beside the bed. The sob that was rolling in her throat turned into a blush at the corner of her eyes.

Zhang Xian noticed that the jade pendant hanging from her moon-white waist sash was still swaying, and the gold-threaded tassels were tangled around the tassels of the sachet at her waist.

The girl was very beautiful, but he only glanced at her once. That glance was merely a sizing up of someone who had suddenly appeared. Now that he knew her identity, it would be impolite to look at her again.

"Miss," the maid Yunniang greeted the girl who ran in, then went out the door.

"Tang'er, you were exhausted from watching over Tang'er last night. You should rest more today. What will your mother and father do if you fall ill from exhaustion?" The beautiful woman had tears in her eyes and stepped forward to wipe the sweat from the girl's forehead.

Guo Huai laid his infant son flat on the bed. Guo Tang's steady breathing and peaceful sleep gave him more confidence in Zhang Xian's abilities. He tucked the blanket in and got up to speak to Zhang Xian.

"Mr. Zixu, you flatter me. These are my two daughters, and they are also Tang'er's older sister from the same mother."

Zhang Xian nodded, but didn't say much. In ancient times, men and women were ultimately different, although the Han Dynasty was not as outrageous as some later dynasties.

Seeing that Zhang Xian did not speak, Guo Huai was even more satisfied with him. His face, which had been heavy for many days, now had a smile: "Let me escort Mr. Zixu to the front residence. I hope Mr. Zixu will take good care of Tang'er's illness."

"It should be."

Guo Huaiqian led the way, and Zhang Xian followed behind, keeping his eyes fixed on Guo Huaiqian's back without glancing to the side.

As Guo Tang passed by the door, she glanced at Zhang Xian curiously, and then blushed under her mother's reproachful gaze.

After Zhang Xian left, she asked curiously in a low voice, "Mother, who was that person? He was dressed so strangely, and why was his hair so short?"

The beautiful woman shook her head slightly and said, "I don't know who invited him. My father thought he could cure Tang'er, so he brought him here."

"You came to treat Tangdi? How is Tangdi now?"

Guo Tang quickly walked to the bedside and knelt down. Looking at her younger brother sleeping peacefully, the girl felt much less worried.

Thinking of Zhang Xian's reaction upon seeing her, the young girl chuckled sweetly and murmured, "He's quite capable and knows his manners, but his attire is a bit strange."

Front house.

Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan ate until their bellies were round. They were both at an age where they could eat eight meals a day, and with years of martial arts training, their appetites were excellent.

It must be because the Guo family is wealthy, and because Steward Guo gave the order, that the servants in the mansion would naturally rush to bring food when they saw that the table was empty.

They ate until Zhang Xian returned to the front residence. "Brother Xian." "Brother Xian, hiccup."

The two stood up to greet each other, and Xiahou Lan even let out a burp.

Fine, fine, I'll refrain from looking at anything improper in the back courtyard, while you all feast and drink to your hearts' content in the front courtyard, without even leaving me a scrap of food.
Zhang Xianwei glared at the two of them, who seemed embarrassed and scratched their heads, realizing they had been impolite.

"Haha, it's a blessing for a young man to have such a good appetite. Are you two full? If it's not enough, I'll have my servants prepare more. Mr. Zixu, please don't blame your younger brother. He must be tired from the long journey here."

Guo Huai laughed and defused the situation, and Zhang Xian bowed and said, "Then bring some more."

"Hahaha, that's how it should be, that's how it should be. Someone, have the cooks prepare more meat and send it over. Does Mr. Zixu have any dietary restrictions?"
-
Luoyang

Side halls of the imperial palace

An absurd scene unfolded within the magnificent palace.

The palace maids, their graceful figures draped in thin, almost transparent veils, coyly flinched and dodged.

The emperor, with his deep-set eye bags, seemed like a seasoned veteran lecher, having a great time among the beautiful palace maids.

"Hahaha, you're the one, my beauty!"

Emperor Liu Hong seized a beautiful woman with a figure far more voluptuous than the other palace maids and pulled her into his arms. Then, the entire side hall was filled with decadent sounds.

The palace maids played in pairs, and amidst these layers of fleshy waves, the emperor, naturally, was also playing.

About fifteen minutes later.

The side hall then returned to quiet.

Zhang Rang leaned against the dragon pillar in the side hall, wearing a crimson crown and a dark purple brocade robe with the four gods and clouds pattern. His inner garment was snow-white, and a white jade belt hook held a fish bag and a gold-inlaid dagger. Although he was a eunuch, he openly carried a blade, the scabbard of which was inlaid with a zither stone.

Seeing that the merriment in the hall had ended, Liu Hong stared blankly at the ceiling. He walked out and dismissed the many palace maids.

Then Zhang Rang silently knelt down beside Liu Hong, looking like a madam.

When Liu Hong came to his senses, he glanced at Zhang Rang beside him, who looked like a madam, and chuckled, "Father Rang, what time is it now?"

"Your Majesty, it is already three-quarters past dusk."

"Oh, it's so early already. Father, is there anywhere else to play?"

"Hehe, Your Majesty, if you wish, why not take a stroll in the West Garden?" Zhang Rang laughed, his face creased with wrinkles.

“We’re not going to the West Garden. It’s been under construction for years and it’s still not finished. Father, you haven’t done a good job.”

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This old servant has been personally overseeing the project day and night, but unfortunately, the construction of the West Garden has been very costly, which is why it has not been completed yet. However, Your Majesty, the Biyou Pavilion has been completed. How about this old servant finds some beautiful young women of thirteen, fifteen, or sixteen to come in and play with Your Majesty?"

"Hmm, that's not bad, but I'm a bit tired today. Let's discuss it again tomorrow. Has the Dog Mansion been completed?"

"It is already perfect."

"Okay, then let's go to the dog manor to play."

With Zhang Rang's help, Liu Hong got up, and then the emperor's carriage went to the West Garden.

Inside the Dog Mansion, news of Zhang Rang had already reached him. When Liu Hong entered the Dog Mansion, a group of dogs dressed in various official robes surrounded him as he stepped off the carriage, fawning over him.

Liu Hong burst into laughter upon seeing this: "Hahaha, good, good dog! They're all good corrupt officials!"

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(End of this chapter)