I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

Most men in the world are visual creatures.

Even the future Emperor Taizu of Song, who would later wield immense power and influence, was at present just a hot-blooded young man.

Watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, Zhao Kuangyin struggled to withdraw his gaze until Shen Lie's slightly mocking voice rang out, snapping him out of his reverie.

"Yuen Long".

Shen Lie turned to the side, looking at the man before him with a half-smile, his face now flushed. "If I remember correctly, you have that gentle and virtuous Madam He waiting for you at home. Staring at someone's family like that, isn't that rather impolite?"

If these words were spoken by those pedantic scholars, they would be considered pedantic, but in Shen Lie's mouth, they were just an unspoken banter between men.

Zhao Kuangyin was so provoked that he finally came to his senses.

He wasn't annoyed at all; he just coughed lightly to cover up his momentary lapse in composure, then put his hands in his sleeves and returned to his usual demeanor.

"Please don't make fun of me, my lord," Zhao Kuangyin said self-deprecatingly. "I am a rough man, and although I already have a wife, everyone has a love for beauty. The two people in that carriage just now were indeed quite pleasing to the eye."

At this point, he seemed to be reminiscing about it, and his words carried a hint of commentary.

"Especially the older women, even though only half of their faces were shown, their demeanor was far beyond that of ordinary women."

Shen Lie became interested after hearing this, and shook his head slightly, saying, "Dignity is good, but it's a bit too heavy."

"But that girl leaning against the window, with her bright and lively eyes, is definitely more intelligent than me."

Zhao Kuangyin was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "To each their own, it seems Your Excellency has a particular fondness for those immature virgins?"

Shen Lie rolled his eyes at him upon hearing this and didn't reply, thus ending the topic.

"But then again..."

Zhao Kuangyin's smile faded. "Since this carriage is heading into the city and has so many guards, it must be Li Chongxun's family. I heard Li Chongxun married the eldest daughter of Minister Fu. Could those two just now be daughters of the Fu family?"

"pretty close."

Shen Lie nodded.

Fu Yanqing was a famous figure during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, remaining upright through several dynasties. The Fu family was also known for producing many empresses.

If one could establish a kinship with the Fu family, it would certainly be a great help in these chaotic times.

"Then, my lord..."

Zhao Kuangyin tentatively asked, "Since Li Chongxun has even brought his entire family, it shows his sincerity. Should we...?"

"Shouldn't we meet him?"

Shen Lie sneered, interrupting Zhao Kuangyin, "Is Yuanlang trying to say that, out of respect for these two daughters of the Fu family, Li Chongxun should be given a way out?"

Zhao Kuangyin neither confirmed nor denied it, which clearly indicated that he meant it.

But Shen Lie did not lose his composure because of this fleeting glimpse.

"not see."

The reason is very simple.

If he were to ruin his carefully laid-out plan of feigning illness for the sake of two women, then his role as a defense envoy would be far too cheap.

Whether it's Li Shouzhen or Zhao Kuangzan, the reason they are being polite to Shen Lie now is because they can't figure out Shen Lie's true nature.

It was because Shi Hongzhao stood behind Shen Lie, and even more so because Shen Lie held a lone army in his hands.

In situations like these, maintaining mystery and distance is the biggest advantage.

Once they meet and drink together, if Shen Lie is then lured away by Li Chongxun using his beauty or family ties, he will truly become Li Shouzhen's vassal.

In this chaotic world, whoever is tempted first, whoever reveals their true colors first, loses.

"We've come to Yaozhou to establish ourselves, not to visit relatives. Since Li Chongxun wants to wander around, let him wander to his heart's content. When he gets tired, he'll naturally roll back into the river."

"As for that woman from the Fu family..."

"Once we enter Bianliang and turn this world upside down, what kind of noblewoman can't we marry? Why rush things?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin's body trembled.

Yes.

Why should a great man worry about not having a wife?

"You are right, sir."

Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath, suppressing his romantic thoughts completely. "I was being too attached to appearances."

"Let's go."

Shen Lie waved his hand.

"We've done our look around and satisfied our visual cravings. Let's go see how those kids' marksmanship is improving."

······

On the other side, the scene inside the carriage was quite different.

Although they are sisters, their personalities are completely different.

The older Fu Qingzhi was sitting upright on a cushion, holding a travelogue in her hands, her expression serene.

But young Fu Qingyan couldn't sit still. One moment he would lift the curtain to look at the loess plateau outside, and the next he would fiddle with the small table in the carriage.

"Third sister, those two people we met on the riverbank earlier didn't seem like ordinary people."

Fu Qingyan, biting into a candied fruit, mumbled, "That dark-faced guy looks like a martial arts expert. The one next to him in civilian clothes, on the other hand, is rather handsome, but his eyes are too cold, like a clay sculpture in a temple."

Fu Qingzhi turned a page of the book without looking up.

"Fourth Sister, we came out with our eldest brother-in-law to relax, not to judge strangers. This is Yaozhou. Although it is nominally under the Han control, it is still a place of war and chaos. Be careful what you say."

Fu Yanqing had four daughters. His eldest daughter married Li Shouzhen's son, Li Chongxun, who is now referred to as "brother-in-law" by the two daughters.

The two Fu sisters came to Hezhong to visit relatives, and coincidentally, Li Chongxun was coming to Yaozhou to help his father establish connections, so they took the opportunity to come along and broaden their horizons.

"My brother-in-law is the same; he insisted on coming to this poor, remote place."

Fu Qingyan muttered, "I heard that the Yaozhou Defense Commissioner is a ruthless killer who doesn't even blink an eye. We've delivered ourselves right to his doorstep; I wonder if he'll even appreciate it."

Before the words were even finished, the convoy had already slowly driven into Li Chongxun's temporary lodging in Yaozhou City.

At this moment, Li Chongxun had just had Yang Ting welcomed into the main hall.

"You mean, Defense Commander Shen is ill?"

Li Chongxun frowned, his tone tinged with displeasure. "Didn't I hear he was training troops at the drill ground just a few days ago? How come he's sick as soon as I arrive? Does he look down on the Li family?"

Yang Ting put down his teacup, not annoyed, and simply replied methodically, following the script Shen Lie had taught him:

"Young Master, what are you saying? My lord's old injury has flared up again. As you know, during the fierce battle in Daizhou, my lord led from the front, risking his life for his brothers. Even an iron body can't withstand that."

"As soon as he heard that the eldest son had arrived, the magistrate was overjoyed, but his blood rushed to his head and he fainted on the spot. He is still lying in the back office now. The doctor said that he must rest quietly, and he must not be exposed to wind or receive guests."

This kind of nonsense wouldn't even fool a three-year-old.

Although Li Chongxun was furious, he couldn't vent his anger.

Before he left, Li Shouzhen repeatedly reminded him that behind Shen Lie stood Shi Hongzhao, the most powerful minister in the court at present.

Yaozhou is Shi Hongzhao's stub in Guanzhong. The Li family can be won over and tested, but they must not confront it head-on.

"If that's the case, then Chongxun has been too hasty."

Li Chongxun took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure, and was about to say a few polite words to let the matter drop.

"Pfft."

A soft laugh came from outside the hall.

Fu Qingyan had somehow slipped over and was peeking in from the doorway. Hearing this, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What do you mean by 'blood and qi attacking the heart' or 'old injuries recurring'?"

Fu Qingyan moved gracefully into the hall.

"I think that Defense Commissioner Shen is just trying to avoid receiving guests and is only looking for an excuse to shirk his duties."

The whole city is watching. The man who was riding a horse through the streets just a few days ago is lying down today.

"This illness came at such a strange coincidence."