Chapter 42: The Pillow Wind Rises Again

  "Uncle, let's talk about this later! I don't want to think about family matters for now."

  Liu Biao was so experienced that he could hear Liu Xuan's evasive words, but at this time, he needed a clear answer from Liu Xuan, whether to marry or not, or to marry later. On this matter, he would not allow Liu Xuan to be ambiguous, and today he wanted to have a good talk with his nephew.

  "I want you to give me a clear answer, what is your attitude?"

  Liu Jiong hesitated for a moment, it seemed that this matter could not be ambiguous. Since he couldn't get through it, he had to make his attitude clear. Liu Jiong slowly and firmly shook his head, "Report back to Uncle, I absolutely do not want to marry the daughter of the Cai family."

  Although Liu Bei had already vaguely guessed Liu Xuan's attitude, he gave the Xuanyin Sword to Cong'er, which shows that he was not enthusiastic about this marriage, and it is also very normal. As long as he persuaded him a little, he would still agree, but Liu Bei did not expect Liu Xuan's attitude to be so resolute.

  Liu Biao secretly sighed and comforted Liu Xuan with a smile: "I also know that Cai Mao's daughter is more willful, lacking the virtuousness of a noble lady, but she is still young. As she grows older, I think her temperament will gradually change. After all, she is the eldest daughter of the Cai family and won't be too bad off. You should think positively."

  Liu Biao always thought that Liu Xuan's refusal of this marriage was due to the daughter of the Cai family, not the Cai family itself. Young people are like that! They only consider the appearance and character of the girl, but do not care about her family background. When he gets older, he will understand the importance of social status in marriage.

  But Liu Jiong still shook his head, "It's not about how the girl is, I don't understand her and I don't care, the key is that I don't want to marry a daughter of the Cai family."

  "Haha! Even the daughter of the Cai family doesn't want to marry you, who else's daughter do you think you can marry? The Cai family is the first family in Jingzhou, and people wanting to be related to them are as numerous as fish crossing the river. Are you thinking of marrying a daughter from the Kuai or Pang families? If so, you're greatly mistaken."

  Liu Biao thought that Liu Xun had been in Jingzhou for a short time and might not understand the situation, so he only saw people like Cai Zhong and Cai Jin who were relatively poor, and thus had prejudices against the Cai family.

  He patiently explained: "The Pang and Kuai families are no match for the Cai family in terms of reputation, official connections, or family power. In the Jingzhou government, I don't know how many people are disciples of Cai Yan. If you can't even look at a daughter of the Cai family with favor, it will be laughed at if it gets out."

  "Thank you for your good intentions, Uncle, but marrying a wife is the first major event in one's life, how can it not be carefully considered? Although the Cai family is not bad, they are just a small family in Jingzhou, and don't count as anything. At least, they don't count as anything in my eyes. Uncle doesn't need to praise them too highly."

  Liu Biao was truly surprised by Liu Jue's words, it turned out that his nephew actually looked down on the Cai family, then who did he want to marry?

  "Tell me, what is your ideal wife like? I'm quite curious now."

  Liu Xuan smiled, "Perhaps in Uncle's eyes, I'm a bit too ambitious, but I really do have such expectations. I hope that my future wife will be at least the daughter of a vassal lord, either Cao Cao's daughter or Sun Quan's younger sister. As for any daughters from the Cai family, I really don't think much of them."

  Liu Biao was stunned, Cao Cao's daughter and Sun Quan's sister, even his own son didn't dare to have such thoughts, yet his nephew. Liu Biao simply didn't know what to say, secretly shaking his head in his heart, Xuan'er was still very immature, actually saying something so ignorant of the heights and depths, and he had been on guard against him, truly unnecessary.

  At the same time, Liu Biao also had another realization, it seemed that there was no need to discuss tonight's words any further, and nothing would come of it.

  Liu Bei sighed, "Alright! You go back first, this matter is not urgent, you think it over carefully again. If you have trustworthy friends, you can also ask for their opinions and see if they support your marriage to Cao Cao's daughter or Sun Quan's sister. Go!"

  "Nephew is disturbing uncle!"

  Liu Xuan made a courtesy and then got up and left. Liu Biao watched him walk far away, and couldn't help but sigh again. This child is too ambitious.

  .。

  Liu Xuan returned to the courtyard, and Meng Shu immediately came up to greet him. Seeing that Liu Xuan was safe and sound, he let out a sigh of relief and smiled: "I thought you were going to be scolded by Master! Luckily nothing happened."

  "Why should I be scolded by Uncle?" Liu Xuan asked in puzzlement.

  Everyone in the mansion is saying that you've obtained a precious horse, but instead of offering it to Master, you've enraged him. Now Master wants to take action against you, so I'm worried about you, young master.

  "Uncle Meng, don't worry, Father didn't mention anything about war horses to me."

  As soon as he mentioned war horses, Liu Xuan immediately thought of his beloved horse and turned to go to the stable. Meng Shu smiled and said: "I just went to see it, the grooms took good care of it, the horse was in high spirits, I'll go see it again tonight, so don't worry, young master!"

  "Thanks for your hard work, Uncle."

  Although Liu Xuan didn't stay with Meng Shu for a long time, he could feel the respect and even affection that Meng Shu had for him from the bottom of his heart, which was due to Meng Shu having taken care of him in the past.

  But Liu Xuan also had a grateful heart for him, only Liu Xuan didn't like to show it, but instead hid the respect for the old man in his heart.

  He walked a few steps and then turned back with a smile, asking: "Uncle Meng, do you think it's suitable for me to marry the daughter of the Cai family?"

  "This... I'd rather not say."

  "It doesn't matter, just say what you want, express your own thoughts."

  "Uncle Meng lowered his head and thought for a moment before saying: 'If possible, I think the young master should still marry the woman he likes.'"

  Liu Jue nodded silently, this is the person who truly cares about him, thinking of his happiness, with genuine and sincere feelings. On the contrary, Liu Biao, although he is his uncle, only regards him as a pawn to tie up the family's emotions, arbitrarily deciding his marriage without considering his wishes. In comparison, Liu Biao's concern for him is far less than that of Meng Shu.

  Liu Jue told Liu Biao that he wanted to marry Cao Cao's daughter or Sun Quan's sister, but it was just a polite excuse for refusal. He didn't really want to marry Cao Cao's daughter or Sun Quan's sister, but rather showed contempt for the Cai family. It was as if a small local aristocratic family thought too highly of itself. Of course, there is also a deeper meaning similar to Liu Chan's "I am happy here and do not think of Shu".

  The wife he really wanted to marry must be the woman he loved dearly, and would not consider her family background too much. Cao Cao's Lady Ding was also not from a notable family background.

  He had already made up his mind that no matter how Liu Bei tried to persuade him, he would never agree to marry a daughter of the Cai family.

  .。

  It was late at night, Liu Bei lay on his bed, staring at the top of the tent in a daze, he seemed to be worried and couldn't fall asleep.

  "Does the general have any worries?" his young wife asked softly from beside him.

  "Alas! Worried about Yuanyuan's marriage."

  Liu Biao sighed, "That child actually rejected me outright, which was truly unexpected."

  Madam Cai was secretly delighted in her heart. She had also been worried about this matter for days, and her husband's refusal to budge made her plan likely to fall through. It turned out that Liu Xuan didn't want to either, which was the best outcome.

  Madam Cai suppressed the joy in her heart and softly advised, "Perhaps they really are not fated to be together. I've always thought that marriage should follow fate and cannot be forced. If one goes against fate and forces it, the outcome won't be good either. What does the General think?"

  "Hmm!"

  Liu Biao snorted and said, "A 15 or 16-year-old kid knows what fate is? I thought he was mature and sensible, but the words he spoke today shocked me greatly, truly disappointing me to the extreme!"

  To be frank, it was Liu Jue's stubbornness that disappointed Liu Bei. He was the first person to dare to defy him, even though he was his own nephew.

  "What did he say?" asked Mrs. Cai curiously.

  "He said his wife-to-be is Cao Cao's daughter and Sun Quan's sister, isn't that absurd?"

  "Pfft!" Lady Cai covered her mouth and smiled. How could there be someone so ignorant of the world? Even if Cao Cao or Sun Quan wanted to form an alliance with Jingzhou through marriage, it wouldn't be this nephew's turn!

  Madam Cai's eyes suddenly lit up with excitement, this wasn't a great opportunity to deal with Liu Xuan?

  "General, I think he has his own profound meaning in thinking this way."

  "What profound meaning?" Liu Biao turned his head and looked at his wife in confusion.

  "What kind of person does General think Xing'er usually is?"

  "I think he's mature and experienced, although he's still a young man, but the way he speaks and does things seems even more sophisticated than an adult, he's a very insightful person."

  "Yes! I think so too, although I didn't have much contact with him, the impression he left on me was very deep, similar to what you saw. Since that's the case, don't you think it's a bit strange for him to say such things?"

  Liu Biao thought for a moment, but didn't understand what his wife meant. "What do you mean by this? Is he deliberately pretending to be ignorant of the heights and depths?"

  "General, I don't know if he's pretending or not, but his words revealed another layer of meaning."

  "What's the deep meaning?"

  "Madam Cai lowered her voice and whispered into her husband's ear, 'I suspect he is considering taking over the foundation of Jingzhou in the future, so he would think of marrying Cao Cao's daughter or Sun Quan's sister. What do you think, General?'"

  Liu Bei took a deep breath of cold air, "But... he's only sixteen years old and has such ambition? Impossible!"

  "It's impossible!"

  Liu Bei thought for a moment, but still shook his head firmly. He felt that his nephew wouldn't be this kind of person. Moreover, he was still young and wouldn't have such improper thoughts. At the age of sixteen, Liu Bei himself didn't understand anything, so his nephew should just be speaking out of youthful arrogance.

  "General, have you forgotten? Kong Beihai yielded a pear at the age of four. Those with ambition are not limited by their years!" Madam Cai sneered.

  Liu Bei fell silent, he let out a long sigh, slowly closed his eyes, after a while, he muttered to himself, as if saying to his wife: "So it's better for him to move out like Baozi, don't stir up some rumors!"

  Madam Cai was secretly pleased, knowing her husband better than anyone else. She understood his suspicious nature all too well - once she mentioned something, no matter whether he believed it or not, it would leave a shadow in his mind. Could that clever and capable Liu Yun even rival the whispers of his own wife?

  .。

  The next day, at dawn, when the sky was just brightening, Liu Xuan led his horse out of the mansion. He wanted to take advantage of the fact that there were fewer people on the streets to go for a ride outside the city. His warhorse needed to be trained by running, and being kept in the mansion for too long would only dull its spirit.

  Liu Xuan turned over on his horse and was just about to urge it forward when he suddenly heard someone calling him from the side, "Young Master Xuan!"

  Liu Xuan turned his head and saw a person standing under a big tree not far away, tall and thin, it was Cai Jin who had lost to him in the last sword fight.

  Liu Xuan turned over and got off his horse, leading it forward with a smile: "Brother Cai, how's your injury?"

  Cai Jin nodded and smiled: "Thank you, Gongzi, for sparing my life. I'm much better now, and in another month, I'll be fully recovered."

  "Oh!"

  Liu Xuan smiled and asked: "So early, Brother Cai is looking for me?"

  Cai Jin took out a volume of brocade book and presented it to Liu Xuan with both hands, "This is my letter of challenge, I want to have another match with General Liu."

  This is the rule of dueling with swords. If you lose the first duel, you can still challenge again once more. If you lose again, then you cannot challenge to a duel anymore. Therefore, Cai Jin indeed has one more chance.

  Liu Xuan also knew the rules and didn't refuse, taking over the letter of challenge with a smile: "Comparing once more is no big deal, but Brother Cai's injuries haven't healed yet, it won't be good for you!"

  Cai Jin shook his head, "The time I'm referring to is not now, but two years later. In these two years, we'll each practice our martial arts separately. Two years later, we'll have another match and settle the matter once and for all. Can you agree to this, Gongzi Xing?"

  Liu Xuan had a good impression of Cai Jin, who was an upright and honest person. Last time, he didn't resort to any underhanded tactics, but instead engaged in a fair and square duel with swords, ultimately losing at his own hands. Two years later, when they were about to duel again, Liu Xuan was filled with anticipation once more.

  He readily agreed, "Alright then, it's settled!"

  Two people stretched out their palms and struck them together heavily, this is what it means to strike palms as an oath.

  Cai Jin cupped his hands and bowed with a smile: "Let's look forward to the martial arts competition two years later, we'll meet again."

  "We'll meet again!"

  Cai Jin turned around and walked away, but after two steps, his footsteps hesitated again. He finally turned back and said: "These days, Gongzi Tian should be more careful and pay attention to whether there are any suspicious people around him. He must not be careless."

  Liu Jiong was taken aback, what does this mean, and what should he be careful about?

  He nodded slowly, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Cai brother. I will be careful."

  Cai Jin walked away quickly, Liu Xuan gazed at his receding back and thought to himself: 'It seems that not everyone in the Cai family is despicable!'

  .。