The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

The dull thumping sound seemed to strike the hearts of those inside the car with each blow.

Xun Yu and Xun You lay side by side in the narrow, dark space, deliberately slowing their breathing. Sweat dripped from Xun You's forehead, and he could clearly hear his own heart pounding like a drum, as well as the increasingly close shouts and curses outside the carriage.

Finally, it was their turn.

"Stop!" the squad leader shouted rudely.

Guo Jia jumped off the carriage, skillfully took out a small, heavy bag of coins from his sleeve, and quietly slipped it into the bag.

"Sir, you've worked hard. This is just a small token of my appreciation for your tea."

The sergeant hefted the money pouch in his hand, his muscular face softening slightly, but his gaze remained suspicious. "What's on the cart? Who's carrying?"

"Reporting to General Guo, this is my young master and some belongings." Guo Jia stepped aside to make room. "My young master is in poor health and is on his way to Nanyang to seek medical treatment."

The squad leader's gaze swept across the carriage, finally settling on the heavy boxes. He didn't ask any more questions, but instead raised the spear in his hand.

The spearhead scraped across the floor of the carriage, making a screeching sound.

The next location is where the mezzanine is located.

Just as the spear tip was about to fall.

"Squeak—"

A pale hand lifted the curtain of the carriage, revealing a beautiful, ethereal profile, as if the person had come out for some fresh air because the carriage felt stuffy. The owner of that face had exquisitely delicate features, but her skin was unnaturally pale, giving her a sickly appearance that evoked pity.

Just then, a troop of iron cavalry galloped in from within the city, kicking up clouds of dust. The leader, clad in beast-faced chainmail and wielding a halberd, rode the extraordinary Red Hare—it was none other than Lü Bu, who was patrolling the city's defenses.

His gaze swept across the face peering out of the car window.

A flash of surprise crossed Lü Bu's eyes, followed by a playful smile spreading across his lips.

Isn't this the little girl who drove her car into her a few days ago, yet praised her highly?

He spurred his horse forward, his tall figure casting a shadow beside the carriage, exuding an imposing aura.

"Little girl, we meet again."

His voice was loud and clear, with a hint of mockery.

The officer, who was about to continue probing with his spear, was startled by the sudden turn of events. He quickly withdrew his spear and stood respectfully with his hands at his sides.

Inside the carriage, Guo Jia's body instantly stiffened.

Outside the carriage, Xun Hao's performance began.

He initially feigned surprise, but upon recognizing Lü Bu, his clear eyes immediately revealed just the right amount of admiration and joy.

He pushed open the carriage door, bowed gracefully to Lü Bu on horseback, and spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

"So it is General Lü. With your divine might guarding Luoyang, Luoyang is at peace, and only then does this humble woman dare to venture out to seek medical help."

These words delighted Lü Bu, greatly satisfying his vanity.

He looked down at the frail girl before him. "Your body is indeed too weak. I could lift you up with one hand. If we can't find a good doctor outside of Luoyang, I can ask the imperial physicians for you." Lu Bu's voice carried an unconscious boastfulness; he was quite pleased with the admiring gaze the girl was giving him.

Inside the carriage, Guo Jia could clearly hear Lü Bu's loud voice and Xun Hao's soft and gentle response.

His hand gripping the gourd tightened inch by inch.

"Thank you for your kindness, General. I am unworthy of such praise." Xun Hao's voice was weak and breathless. "My father has already searched for a renowned doctor for me in Nanyang, and we shall set off soon."

Upon hearing this, Lü Bu stopped insisting and felt even more favorably disposed towards the "young girl" because he thought she was well-educated and reasonable.

He glanced at the squad leader still standing beside him and waved his hand impatiently.

"Alright, we're on the same side, no need to check anymore, let them through!"

The squad leader felt as if he had been granted a pardon, nodding and bowing repeatedly, and quickly ordered his men to make way.

The carriage slowly started moving and, without incident, drove out of the north gate. The heavy city gate closed slowly behind them, completely shutting out the bloodshed and carnage within Luoyang.

Outside the carriage, the Xun family's head guard, who was driving, let out a long sigh of relief; his back was already ice-cold.

Inside the carriage, Guo Jia's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

Xun Hao straightened his clothes, which had been ruffled by the wind, turned around and went back into the carriage, intending to share his joy at surviving the ordeal with Guo Jia.

But as soon as he went in, he sensed something was wrong.

Guo Jia remained silent, sitting in the shadows of the corner. Although the carriage was quite spacious, Xun Hao felt the air was stagnant and he had difficulty breathing.

Guo Jia didn't look at him, but instead lowered his head to wipe his wine gourd, yet the shadow cast by his peach blossom eyes was inexplicably gloomy.

Hidden in the interlayer, Xun Yu and Xun You could even feel the low pressure coming from above. They exchanged a glance and unanimously decided to continue pretending to be dead.

With no one left on the road, the carriage slowly disembarked.

Guo Jia jumped out of the car first, expressionlessly lifted the box that was blocking the entrance to the hidden compartment, and said in a muffled voice, "Come out."

Xun Yu and Xun You had been in the cramped, dark space for three hours and were completely exhausted. They helped each other out, and just as they were about to stretch their stiff bodies, they were hit by the almost tangible smell of gunpowder.

"Let's go back." Xun You gestured to his uncle with his eyes.

With the intention of making peace, Xun Yu resolutely boarded the carriage.

"Brother Fengxiao?" Xun Hao asked tentatively.

Guo Jia finally made a move; he raised his head and looked at Xun Hao.

"Young Master Xun is truly skilled."

Guo Jia finally spoke, his voice not loud, but every word was barbed.

"Disguised as a woman, you even managed to handle that treacherous servant with ease. Is this the result of your chance encounter with Lü Bu that day?"

Guo Jia's pent-up anger reached its peak the moment he saw Xun Hao smiling sweetly at Lü Bu. What right did Xun Hao have? Who did Lü Bu think he was, to listen to Xun Hao speak to him in that tone?

Xun Hao was stunned by Guo Jia's inexplicable words. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain that it was just a temporary measure, but how could he explain it in front of his elder brother and nephew?

To explain that he deliberately made a mistake to buy time? If he said that, wouldn't Xun Hao have any face left? Wouldn't the Xun family have any face left?

Seeing that Xun Hao remained silent, Guo Jia's cold smile deepened. In his view, this was tantamount to tacit agreement.

Seeing this, Xun Yu quickly tried to smooth things over: "Fengxiao, Ahao is only trying to help us get out of the city smoothly, so please say less."

Guo Jia seemed not to hear, his gaze still fixed on Xun Hao: "I wonder what you talked about when you first met Lü Bu that made him so overjoyed?"

Xun Hao's face also darkened. He leaned against the carriage wall, his temples throbbing with pain. The continuous scheming, especially the highly tense response in front of Lü Bu, had already exhausted him. Now, Guo Jia's unwarranted sarcastic remarks only made him feel more tired and aggrieved.