The Three Kingdoms: Rise to Power Starting with Intercepting Liu Bei

Madam Cao did not rush to speak, but instead pulled Cao Yuan to her side and whispered to her.

This made Cao Bao a little impatient. At this point, he was still keeping everyone in suspense. He really wasn't worried about himself at all.

After listening to her mother's whispered words, Cao Yuan's originally fair face gradually turned red, and she finally nodded shyly.

Watching the two men's actions, Cao Bao grew increasingly puzzled. Fortunately, at that moment, Madam Cao spoke up:

"Husband, if you want to resolve this matter, you'll have to rely on our daughter. I think Qin Xuan is all alone and doesn't have any women to serve him. I suggest you take Yuan'er to his residence tomorrow to show your loyalty."

"Yuan'er is so beautiful, he definitely won't refuse. That way, he won't be able to make a move on you. As for your military power, you don't need it. With this relationship, why care about those things?"

Cao Bao suddenly realized that this was his wife's idea: to have his precious daughter become Qin Xuan's concubine. He thought that with this connection, he could be more successful in Xuzhou.

As for why she wasn't his legal wife, Cao Bao didn't dare to even consider that possibility; it was simply wishful thinking and completely unrealistic.

"Yuan'er, what do you think?" Cao Bao then looked at his daughter and asked.

He naturally agreed with the idea, but he still needed to consult his daughter's opinion. However, judging from his daughter's expression just now, Cao Bao knew that Cao Yuan was not against it. But in order to ensure that nothing went wrong, he had to get a clear statement from his daughter.

"My daughter agrees!" Cao Yuan lowered her head, her rosy lips trembling slightly as she answered in an extremely soft voice. Her delicate hands were so nervous that she didn't know what to do with them, and she could only keep clutching her ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) to hide her shyness.

Upon hearing her mother say that she was to serve Qin Xuan, Cao Yuan felt her heart flutter.

There was no other reason than Qin Xuan's immense reputation. He was only a year or two older than her, yet he was already a great hero who saved Xuzhou, with so many followers around him. More importantly, he was handsome and dignified; which girl wouldn't be captivated by him?

"Alright, then dress up nicely tomorrow, and I'll take you to the governor's mansion to see Qin Xuan!"

Cao Bao slammed his fist on the table excitedly and shouted, clearly confident in the matter.

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The next morning, Qin Xuan had just finished washing up and was about to have breakfast when his subordinates reported that Cao Bao had arrived with a beautiful woman.

"What's he doing here, and with a beautiful woman?" Qin Xuan was puzzled. After all, Cao Bao had a very low profile in his mind. Although he was a local general from Xuzhou, his strength was very average. He really couldn't understand why Cao Bao would come to see him so early in the morning.

Although puzzled, he still ordered, "Let him in!"

His subordinates dared not slack off in the slightest, and soon brought Cao Bao and the others in.

Upon seeing the woman Cao Bao brought, Qin Xuan's eyes lit up. This woman was about the same age, appearance, and figure as Mi Zhen, but she possessed an elegant temperament that Mi Zhen did not have.

"Could it be his daughter?" Qin Xuan suddenly had a bold guess. Historically, Cao Bao and Lü Bu were married. When Zhang Fei beat Cao Bao, he used this name to intimidate him, but Zhang Fei, being a rough man, didn't buy it and killed Cao Bao.

A woman who could attract the attention of a lustful fiend like Lü Bu must have some special qualities.

"Cao Bao greets the General. This is my daughter, Cao Yuan!" Upon seeing Qin Xuan, Cao Bao bowed respectfully. However, when he saw Mi Zhen beside him, his expression changed, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"This humble servant is Cao Yuan, and I greet General Qin!" When Cao Yuan saw Qin Xuan looking her over, she bowed gracefully and without the slightest bit of shyness.

"It really is her, and she is quite beautiful. No wonder Cao Bao was able to marry Lü Bu in history!" Qin Xuan thought to himself, having already guessed Cao Bao's intentions.

He had handed over all military power in Xuzhou to Li Jing, and Cao Bao would certainly have his own thoughts about it.

Having figured all this out, Qin Xuan cut to the chase and asked:

"General Cao, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

Cao Bao did not speak upon hearing this, but instead glanced at Mi Zhen beside him, his meaning quite clear: she was not appropriate to be present during our conversation.

Qin Xuan then waved Mi Zhen away, leaving only Qin Xuan and the other two in the large courtyard.

After Mi Zhen left, Cao Bao revealed his purpose:

"General, you've been in Xuzhou for quite some time now, and I've noticed you're all alone, without anyone to rely on. My daughter, Cao Yuan, is beautiful and of suitable age. I'd like to keep her by your side to serve you, so she can help you pass the long, lonely nights!"

"This...this isn't a good idea, is it?"

Qin Xuan was an experienced man, so how could he not understand the meaning behind those words?

This is just sending such a beautiful woman to his bed, but Qin Xuan still hesitated. He wasn't the kind of person who would force someone to do something against their will; he had to make sure the girl was willing.

As the saying goes, forced love is never sweet!

"General, please accept me! I have long harbored feelings for you. My father has told you of your deeds countless times. If it weren't for your intervention, my fate would have been uncertain!"

Seeing Qin Xuan hesitate, Cao Yuan immediately knelt down and spoke her mind.

"Okay then!"

Seeing the beauty's appearance, Qin Xuan agreed.

Seeing that Qin Xuan had agreed, Cao Bao finally relaxed, and he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"General Cao, I, Qin, will not forget your kindness. I will arrange a satisfactory position for you in the future. You know how important the Xuzhou army is!"

They were both sensible people, and Qin Xuan knew exactly what the other party wanted.

"Alright, alright, alright, thank you, General. I won't disturb your meal any longer. Yuan'er will take good care of you. I'll take my leave now!" Having received Qin Xuan's promise, Cao Bao said goodbye and left the governor's mansion, leaving only Cao Yuan and Qin Xuan behind.

Looking at the beauty before him, Qin Xuan could no longer control his brother's impulse. He pulled her into his arms and admired her stunning face with burning eyes.

"General!" Cao Yuan was quite startled by Qin Xuan's actions and let out a cry of surprise.

"Since you're here to serve me, you should know what's going to happen, right?" Qin Xuan whispered in her ear.

"I know!" Cao Yuan's eyes were already glazed over, and her face was flushed.

"Okay!" Qin Xuan was overjoyed. He gently kissed her rosy cheek, then picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

Half an hour later, Qin Xuan finally went to the front yard to handle government affairs, feeling refreshed, leaving the exhausted Cao Yuan to rest on the bed.

"Pah, what an animal!" While cleaning the house, Mi Zhen, a servant, accidentally caught sight of the unconscious Cao Yuan. Recalling the commotion that had occurred not long ago, Mi Zhen's fair face turned exceptionally red. She hurriedly went to the courtyard and gave Qin Xuan a tirade of complaints in a low voice.

Although she had never experienced it herself, she knew a little about matters between men and women. But when she saw Cao Yuan sleeping with a smile on her face despite her exhaustion, a strange feeling suddenly welled up inside her.