In the twelfth year of the Jian era, spring.
Headquarters of the General of the South.
On this gentle spring day, with the garden lush and green, warblers sing and birds chirp.
Liu Qi stood with hands behind his back by the window, softly sighing, “Spring has arrived…
Before he could finish his sentiment, a light sound from the doorbell was heard, and a young woman in emerald attire walked in quietly.
“Young master, it’s time to take your medicine!”
Liu Qi’s eyes slightly narrowed, turning to ask, “Is this medicine legitimate?”
“I brewed it myself,” the girl brought the medicine over, her face full of tenderness, “You must be tired from going to meet Uncle Emperor so early. Hurry, finish the medicine and rest.”
This woman had picturesque features, a soft and charming voice, and a gentle smile that seemed to outshine the spring scenery.
Liu Qi reached out his hand but didn’t take the bowl. His index finger hooked under her delicate chin, sighing, “Ling, if you truly treat me like this, how wonderful it would be.”
“Young master, what’s wrong?” The girl stepped back in surprise, almost spilling the medicine.
Du Ling, Lady Cai’s adopted daughter, was sent by Lady Cai to take care of Liu Qi after he fell ill.
Rubbing his smooth fingers, Liu Qi said, “You taste it first, is it too hot?”
Du Ling’s expression changed slightly. She picked up the bowl again and smiled, “It has cooled down, just right.”
Liu Qi pushed it back, “You take a sip first.”
“Young master, you…” Du Ling pouted her red lips, complaining, “I woke up early to brew the medicine, and the young master doesn’t want to drink it.”
The beauty was alluring, with flushed cheeks, appearing both coquettish and aggrieved, evoking pity in me.
If it were the original Liu Qi, he would have immediately taken the bowl and finished it in one go to earn a smile from the beauty.
But things are different now. Liu Qi had died from a cold while admiring flowers with her half a month ago. He had now become someone else, merging with memories of his past life.
In this life, he would no longer consider 996 work hours a benefit as a corporate slave!
In this life, I am no longer a tool working overtime with illness!
I am a legitimate heir of a vassal lord, a member of the Han imperial clan, a noble of royal descent!
In this chaotic world, where both the country and beautiful women are at stake, I will never be a lackey in this life!
“You dare not drink this medicine?” Liu Qi snatched the bowl and angrily threw it to the ground.
He forcefully pulled the startled girl onto the bed, embracing her, and said in a deep voice, “Want to play games with me, hmm?”
Liu Qi’s words made Du Ling’s delicate body tremble slightly, and she struggled, saying, “Young master, what are you saying? I don’t understand!”
“You are not Lady Cai’s adopted daughter; you are just a pawn of the Cai family. They promised you to my cousin Zhang Yun, yet sent you to serve me: causing Zhang Yun to resent me while making your father think highly of Lady Cai. They also monitor me, tamper with the medicine… it’s truly killing many birds with one stone!”
“Ah? You…” Du Ling was dumbfounded, forgetting to resist, allowing that hand to roam on her body.
She looked at Liu Qi in disbelief, panic evident in her eyes.
Could it be that Uncle Liu (referring to Liu Bei) informed him in secret when he saw Uncle Liu today?
“Dong Zhuo died in Chang just a few years ago, remember?”
With a stern shout from Liu Qi, a tearing sound echoed, as his newly changed spring attire was ripped apart, instantly filling the room with a springtime atmosphere.
Du Ling’s body stiffened, her beautiful eyes widened in panic, and she struggled, saying, “Young master, please, I’m scared…”
“Scared? Scared of tampering with the medicine, causing my health to deteriorate day by day? Why not be afraid of that? Intentionally flirting and seducing, making me indulge in beauty, why weren’t you afraid? Since you came here, you should have been prepared!”
Liu Qi flipped over, pressing Du Ling beneath him, burying his head in her neck, and with his other hand, he lifted her golden silk skirt…
Ah~”
Half an hour later, the room was filled with the scent of hormones, the bed adorned in a deep red hue, like a blossoming peach blossom.
“You wretch, still crying? This is the punishment you deserve.”
Liu Qi gazed at the smooth fragrant shoulders, now calm and collected like a sage.
If only there was a cigarette, it would be perfect!
Du Ling glared fiercely at Liu Qi, gritting her teeth, “You are heartless, you are cruel!”
Liu Qi held her smooth chin, his fingers brushing over her red lips and teeth, with a disdainful smile, “Considering you are still the original, authentic version, I’ll give you a chance to change your ways. Take care of yourself.”
Watching Liu Qi dress and leave, Du Ling’s eyes were filled with confusion and fear.
In the past, with just a smile or a frown, she could make him obey her every word. How did he suddenly change, becoming like a vicious wolf?
Little did she know, the current Liu Qi had fundamentally changed as a person.
Outside, the old steward, Liu Fu, was waiting in the courtyard. Liu Qi gestured leftward, and the two silently walked towards the study.
Liu Qi was now completely suppressed by the Cai family, finding it difficult even to meet with Liu Biao.
To isolate Liu Qi, the Cai family first used seduction to buy off Liu Biao’s nephew, Zhang Yun, and when their nephew, Liu Pan, resisted, they schemed to strip him of his official position.
The maid by his side was replaced by Du Ling for surveillance, and the only trusted confidant left was Liu Fu.
“Young master, the croton beans have been procured, and I’ve arranged for a dozen households from outside the city, ensuring no one will discover them.” Once the door was closed, Liu Fu couldn’t wait to speak.
He had taken care of Liu Qi since he was young, but ever since the old master married Lady Cai, Liu Qi had been gradually isolated and suppressed, which he saw and felt deeply concerned about.
A few days ago, Liu Qi suddenly sent a secret letter, asking him to send someone to ask their cousin, Liu Pan, for help, which gave Liu Fu a sudden glimmer of hope.
Liu Pan was Liu Biao’s nephew, grew up with Liu Qi, and had a close relationship with him. He was originally commanding troops in Jingnan but was now living leisurely in You County.
Upon receiving the secret letter, Liu Pan had entered the mansion three days ago under the pretext of visiting the sick.
This morning, Cai Mao invited Liu Bei to Xiangyang, preparing to host a grand banquet for the officials tomorrow.
Thinking that Liu Qi intended to seize the opportunity of Cai Mao’s absence to meet with Liu Biao, Liu Fu suggested, “Perhaps Liu Pan alone might not be a match for Cai Mao. Should I hastily seek assistance from Uncle Liu, who is currently at the government hostel?”
However, Liu Qi slightly shook his head and instructed, “At the banquet tomorrow, mix the croton bean soup into the fodder and water of Liu Bei and his guards’ horses…”
This plan dumbfounded Liu Fu, who exclaimed…
“Do you think he has no desire to seize Jingzhou?” Liu Qi coldly smiled. “To completely eradicate the Cai family, we must resort to such drastic measures.”
Liu Fu couldn’t believe Liu Qi’s audacity, hesitating for a moment before taking a deep breath and bowing, “As long as young master is determined, I am willing to do anything.”
Liu Qi lightly patted his shoulder, “This task can only be carried out by you. No third person should know about it, including my father.”
“I understand,” Liu Fu, fully aware of the importance of this matter, bowed and exited.
Sitting in the study, Liu Qi went over the entire plan again, chuckling, “bastard, let’s see how you run this time.”
For someone who often played Three Kingdoms games, he knew well that the twelfth year of Jian was another significant turning point at the end of the Han Dynasty.
Cao Cao had already pacified Hebei and was currently expeditioning against the Wuhuan, soon to lead his troops southward.
Sun Quan was marching west against Huang Zu, and Jiangxia was about to fall.
Liu Bei was about to visit the thatched cottage three times, preparing to enter a period of prosperity.
The battles of Xinye and Chibi were about to commence, marking the true beginning of the Three Kingdoms era…
With all eyes turning towards Jingzhou, it also meant that Liu Qi’s life was reaching its end.
Since he was fortunate enough to transmigrate to this chaotic era, he couldn’t just sit idly by.
Ever since he transmigrated, he had stopped drinking the medicine sent by Du Ling. Instead, he secretly administered his own medicine to recuperate, and his health had mostly recovered.
Tomorrow, Cai Mao will host a banquet in Xiangyang for officials from various regions as a gesture of reassurance. Liu Biao, being seriously ill, could not attend, and his two sons were unsuitable for such a responsibility, fearing a breach of etiquette. They specially invited Liu Bei to receive the guests.
This morning, he was suddenly summoned by Cai Mao to greet the distinguished guests along with civil and military officials, where he met Liu Bei and Zhao Yun.
Liu Qi knew that the long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived!
Following this grand banquet would be the famous “Uncle Liu’s Steed Leaps Over the Tan Creek.”
Without the miraculous leap of Di Lu at that critical moment, Liu Bei would undoubtedly have perished!
Liu Qi aimed to overturn fate and conveniently orchestrated this event in secret, reaping the benefits.
If this bastard has diarrhea at a crucial moment, let’s see how this bastard manages to escape death!
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