Reborn In The Three Kingdoms - Chapter 981

Chapter 981: 932. Lie Fan Informing His Wives
 

Cai Wenji chuckled softly. Zhen Ji hid a smile behind her sleeve. Lu Lingqi smirked. Ying Yue merely shook her head with patient amusement. Lie Fan shook his head, a mock sigh on his lips as he walked over toward Diao Chan and tapped the tip of her delicate nose. “Chan’er,” he said, suppressing a laugh, his tone full of affection, “don’t always tease me like this.” She only grinned wider.

“Oh? But you make it so easy,” she whispered back, where the room filled with even more warmth.

He stepped back and looked at all of them.

“I actually came to share some news with Yue’er,” he began, his tone shifting slightly, becoming more serious. “But since all of you are here, it is best you hear it as well. I would not want any of you to be caught by surprise.”

The lighthearted mood in the room sobered instantly. The five women exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them. Ying Yue, as the Empress, was the first to speak. “What news, husband? You seem… purposeful.”

Lie Fan took a slow breath.

“The news comes from Chengdu,” he began, his voice even. “Our… allies there, Fa Zheng, Zhang Song, and Meng Da, have proposed a move to formally hand us the land of Shu without a single Hengyuan soldier having to draw a sword.”

The room quieted instantly.

He paused, letting the implication sink in. “The plan involves a royal marriage proposal. They intend to have Emperor Xian offer his daughter, the Princess Liu Jie, in marriage to our Muchen.”

All five stiffened subtly.

Diao Chan’s playful smile vanished. Cai Wenji’s brows knitted. Lu Lingqi crossed her arms thoughtfully. Zhen Ji’s lips tightened. And Ying Yue’s hand, which had been gently stroking her embroidery, stilled. Her eyes, usually so calm and composed, widened with maternal shock and concern.

“To Muchen?” she whispered. “But… he is just a boy. And she is but a child!”

Lie Fan let out a claiming smile as he looked at Ying Yue. “I know, Yue’er. Which is why I am here, speaking to you all before the formal proposal ever reaches our court.”

She stepped forward.

Ying Yue stood and approached him, her expression a mixture of confusion and hurt. “Husband… why did you not speak with me of this first? This concerns our son.” She asked softly. Not angry. Not accusing. Simply seeking understanding.

Lie Fan reached out, cupping her cheek gently.

He stood as well, his gaze soft but unwavering. He cupped her right cheek, his thumb gently stroking her skin. “This was not a decision I made lightly, my love. Fa Zheng’s message required an immediate response. The timing was critical to their plot to overthrow Emperor Xian. A delay from me could have jeopardized everything and cost the lives of our agents.”

He looked into her eyes, his own filled with sincerity. “I apologize for making this decision without consulting you. It pained me to do so.”

He brushed his thumb across her cheek. He leaned forward and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead, a gesture of love and apology. Ying Yue closed her eyes, the initial sting of the surprise softening under his touch and his explanation. When she opened them, the worry had softened into acceptance.

“I understand,” she said quietly. “But please, next time, let me stand beside you even in your swift decisions.”

He nodded.

“I will.”

The other wives stepped closer, their initial shock settling into more practical concerns.

Diao Chan, being the boldest, asked first.

“How long will the fake proposal last? Surely it won’t put Muchen in an awkward light?”

Cai Wenji added, voice gentle but firm. “And how will this affect the court’s perception? A fake marriage still creates ripples.”

Diao Chan cleared her throat lightly, stepping closer.

“So… how long will this fake marriage last?” she asked honestly.

Lu Lingqi crossed her arms. “And what will this do to Muchen’s reputation? Rumors will spread.”

Cai Wenji added gently, “Will the Han even live long enough for the marriage to matter?”

Zhen Ji’s voice was softer. “And what of Princess Liu Jie? She’s a child.”

Lie Fan listened to each of their concerns.

He did not dismiss them.

He did not rush them.

He let them speak, because they trusted him enough to share their fears openly, and he valued that.

When they quieted, Lie Fan answered:

“The proposal will not last long. Once Shu is under our control, the pretense will dissolve naturally. As for Muchen’s prestige, this marriage will be seen as a sign of Han’s desperation to seek our alliance. It will elevate him, not diminish him.”

He paused.

“And Princess Liu Jie… I know she is a child. I do not intend to truly bind our family to hers. But once Shu is ours, I will make sure she is kept safe. Theres no need to involved children’s in these matter, have suffered enough.”

The wives exchanged glances.

Some relieved.

Some still worried.

Silence settled again.

But now the silence carried weight, not confusion.

Respect.

Admiration.

And a growing awareness of how far ahead their husband was thinking.

Ying Yue moved closer, resting her hand lightly on his sleeve.

“Then what do you need from us?” she asked.

Lie Fan smiled faintly.

“Support,” he said. “When the news reaches the palace, the ministers will whisper. Some will question. Some will be shocked. I want the harem united, calm, unshaken. Your steadiness will steady everyone else.”

His wives exchanged looks and nodded as one.

“Of course,” Ying Yue said with a serene smile. “We will support you.”

Diao Chan added, “And we’ll make sure no foolish gossip stirs trouble.”

Lu Lingqi smirked. “If anyone does, just tell me.”

Zhen Ji rolled her eyes playfully and lightly. “We don’t need threats, Sister Lingqi… but yes, we will help maintain the calm.”

Cai Wenji folded her hands neatly. “I will prepare refined explanations to guide the court ladies should questions arise.”

Lie Fan felt a warmth that had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with companionship.

This was why he trusted them. Not because of beauty. Not because of status. But because each of them stood with him, sharp, loyal, aware, and unwavering.

He was about to speak again when a maid stepped into the doorway and bowed.

“Your Majesty… His Highness Crown Prince Muchen has finished his afternoon studies and is asking for you.”

Lie Fan chuckled.

“Already escaped from his tutors, has he?” he murmured.

His wives smiled knowingly.

Ying Yue squeezed his sleeve lightly. “Go. I’ll explain to the others what needs to be prepared.”

Lie Fan leaned down, kissed her cheek, then nodded to the others.

“I’ll return later.”

And with that, he swept out of the embroidery room, the soft rustle of his robes fading into the corridor as his wives watched him go.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

Then Diao Chan sighed dramatically.

“Well… a fake marriage proposal. And here I thought today’s gossip would be the funniest thing I heard.”

Lu Lingqi snorted. “Welcome to being married to the man reshaping the world.”

Ying Yue smiled and returned to her seat, lifting her embroidery frame again.

“The world is changing quickly,” she said softly. “But so long as he walks ahead… we will walk beside him.”

And the five women resumed their tasks, their hearts steadier now, their minds turning toward preparations, political, social, and familial, for the storm that would soon sweep across the Han court.

The soft hush of embroidery frames and whispered conversation lingered behind him as Lie Fan stepped out of the Harem Palace. The corridor outside was quiet, cooled by the late afternoon breeze slipping in through the carved wooden latticework.

As he walked, the tension of political maneuvering slowly shifted into the gentler weight of fatherhood. The stone pathway beneath his feet echoed softly, leading him toward the palace gates. There, in the courtyard just beyond the Harem Palace’s perimeter, he spotted four familiar silhouettes waiting with disciplined patience.

Three grown men stood respectfully in arranged formation, while a smaller figure, straight backed, dignified, holding himself with a seriousness beyond his years, stood at their center.

Muchen.

Lie Fan’s stern façade softened the moment his eyes fell on his son.

Even accompanied by his appointed guardians, Lu Zhi with his wise scholarly calm, Zhuge Jin with his composed elegance, and Zhao Yun with his quiet, unwavering vigilance, the boy’s presence shone unmistakably. Not heavy with the arrogance of status, but bright with earnest pride, responsibility, and the hunger to grow worthy of what lay ahead.

And yet, even now, even as Crown Prince of Hengyuan, he remained outside the gates of the Harem Palace. Rules were rules. No man entered without permission, not even a prince, because the sanctity of the inner palace was not something Lie Fan would ever compromise. His son would grow into his future with discipline, not entitlement.

When the four of them saw Lie Fan, their reactions came instantly, like well-practiced reflexes.

Zhao Yun dropped onto one knee in a fluid, respectful motion, cupping his fist with deep solemnity.

Lu Zhi and Zhuge Jin bowed low, hands cupped respectfully.

And Muchen, his posture perfect, bowed with the grace and seriousness of a miniature emperor.

“Your Majesty,” the three adults said in unison.

“Imperial Father,” Muchen added, his young voice formal yet warm.

Lie Fan couldn’t help the smile breaking across his face.

“Enough of that,” he chuckled, lifting a hand. “Up, all of you. No need for so much formality right now.”

They stood as one. Before Muchen even fully straightened, Lie Fan reached out and ruffled his son’s hair with a fondness that contrasted sharply with the imperial dignity he’d displayed mere seconds earlier.

“And how has my son’s day been?” Lie Fan asked, tone slipping easily into paternal warmth.

Muchen brightened. “A great day, Imperial Father,” he answered respectfully but with youthful enthusiasm beneath it. “We began a more advanced curriculum today, governance, internal administration, land distribution, and military troop behavior in long term campaigns. Master Lu Zhi and Master Zhuge Jin say I’m progressing fast.”

Lu Zhi stroked his beard modestly. “We simply teach according to His Highness’s talent and interest, Your Majesty. The Crown Prince absorbs these lessons quicker than we can prepare them.”

Zhuge Jin nodded. “And he shows equal dedication to both civil and military studies. It is rare to see such balance at such a young age.”

Lie Fan laughed, a full, proud, heartfelt laugh.

“There’s no need for humility, the both of you. Talent alone means nothing unless it finds good teachers. If you two did not guide him well, he would not be so engaged with his studies, no matter how gifted he is.”

Muchen lifted his chin slightly, nodding with princely composure, agreeing with his father in a way that made him look very much like a young heir who knew exactly how to present himself. The small gesture earned another warm chuckle from Lie Fan.

But then Lie Fan’s expression shifted subtly, .still gentle, but with a seriousness beneath it.

“It is good that the four of you are here,” he began. “There is something I need to share. Something that concerns Muchen directly.”

The effect was immediate.

Zhao Yun’s eyes sharpened slightly.

Lu Zhi straightened.

Zhuge Jin’s brows lifted with careful attention.

And Muchen himself blinked, surprised but composed. “What is it, Imperial Father?”

Lie Fan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced around the courtyard, assessing the space out of instinct. There were no hidden ears here, but this was still not the place to speak of delicate, kingdom shaping matters. “We should discuss this somewhere more private,” he said.

______________________________

Name: Lie Fan

Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty

Age: 35 (202 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 2325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 966 (+20)

VIT: 623 (+20)

AGI: 623 (+10)

INT: 667

CHR: 98

WIS: 549

WILL: 432

ATR Points: 0