Chapter 745: This Decadent and Corrupt Era...

Liu Bei’s words left Chen Xi momentarily speechless, causing him to pause in contemplation.

“Zichuan, as you once said, a leader’s private morality is not the real issue. Over time, I’ve thought about it a lot, and I’ve come to understand the truth in those words,” Liu Bei said, his gaze distant and serene before he turned his eyes back to Chen Xi.

“What’s most important is identifying and employing talent, placing each person in the right position. As for personal grudges or enmities, they don’t matter. Even if someone holds a personal grudge against me, if they are the only one who can bring prosperity to this land, I will still use them!” Liu Bei declared, his face resolute.

“I understand,” Chen Xi responded with a wave of his hand.

“However, such a person doesn’t seem to exist. Of all the people I’ve met, the only one capable of strengthening the empire without empty rhetoric is you, Zichuan. But could you perhaps stop being so lazy? I’ve given you half a month of leave already,” Liu Bei said, returning to a more casual tone after seeing Chen Xi’s expression lighten.

Chen Xi smirked but didn’t reply. After being in the Han dynasty for so long, one thing he had mastered was the art of ignoring certain things. Moreover, without Lu Su around, he felt less inclined to act.

“Tomorrow, I’ll have An Guo lead a team to clear out any lingering threats in Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Taishan,” Liu Bei continued, shaking his head at Chen Xi’s lack of response. He knew that Chen Xi wouldn’t take action unless pushed, preferring to sit back unless prodded.

“Have An Guo take Bo Yan with him and see how many lower-level officials are slacking off,” Chen Xi suggested with a slight smile. Letting Lu Xun and Lu Yu handle the tasks was a good idea, but they still needed to be cautious. Their abilities weren’t quite at the level of someone like Fa Zheng when he swept through northern Yizhou in a fit of fury.

“Ah, Zi Jia…” Liu Bei sighed, rubbing his temples. “My mentor was a great Confucian scholar, yet Zi Jia has turned out so rebellious.”

Lu Yu had been causing chaos in Fenggao, but no one had formally complained. If people were worried about Liu Bei’s personal feelings, at least one or two upright individuals would have spoken up by now. After all, even Guo Jia and Chen Xi had been reported for misconduct before. If Lu Yu had truly committed any serious offenses, someone would have come forward by now.

“Are you saying you were just as rebellious back in the day?” Liu Bei teased.

“Perhaps. I didn’t really notice it at the time,” Chen Xi said, his face showing a hint of nostalgia.

After chatting a bit more, Liu Bei decided not to assign any additional tasks to Chen Xi. From Liu Bei’s perspective, Chen Xi could work if he wanted to, but it wasn’t a big deal if he didn’t. Taishan was running smoothly on its own, and all he really needed from Chen Xi was for him to provide overall direction from a high level.

When Chen Xi returned home, his steward handed him an invitation from Mi Zhu. After skimming through it, Chen Xi realized he’d have to deal with a few matters the next day. But in his mind, none of these small tasks were of significant importance, regardless of how they were handled.

As soon as he stepped into the inner courtyard, Chen Xi spotted Fan Jian sitting at a stone table, lost in thought, with her head propped on her hands, exposing a bit of her fair wrist.

“What are you thinking about?” Chen Xi asked, giving Fan Jian a gentle tap on the head. Her neatly pinned hair, adorned with a golden hairpin, fell loose, cascading down her back, with only the top knot still intact.

“Ah!” Fan Jian let out a soft exclamation, her face falling as she saw her hairpin drop onto the table.

Chen Xi quickly picked up the hairpin. “Let me put this back for you. You shouldn’t sit outside for too long; it’s still a bit chilly.”

Back at the dressing table, Chen Xi leisurely combed Fan Jian’s hair. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had done this for her. Time, with its steady passage, had gradually softened his initially detached sense of responsibility, and his relationship with Fan Jian had transformed into one of deep affection. This bond, rooted in familial warmth, seemed like the only way to sustain the long journey ahead.

As he continued combing her hair, an unexpected wave of desire surged within him. Before long, their gazes met, and with a tender kiss, the two were drawn into the bedroom. Whether it was a moment of passion or simply a deep connection, they found themselves swept away.

“Husband…” Fan Jian’s sweet voice whispered in Chen Xi’s ear.

“Hmm,” Chen Xi murmured, gently caressing Fan Jian’s smooth back while gazing at the sunlight streaming through the window. “Time flies so quickly. It’s already been two years. Do you have any wishes, Jian’er?”

“Wishes?” Fan Jian pondered for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly before she spoke. “I wish for my husband to cherish me, for the Chen family to prosper… and, hmm, for me to be the one in charge at home!”

“Hahaha!” Chen Xi burst out laughing, nearly losing his breath. Fan Liang, having only one daughter, had married her off to the son of a close family friend. As a result, Fan Jian hadn’t been taught the intricacies of household politics, leading her to make some naïve and silly mistakes, often out of a fear of losing Chen Xi’s affection.

“It’s not like Lan’er would ever fight with you,” Chen Xi reassured her, still chuckling. “Lan’er wouldn’t hold a grudge against you. She’s been through a lot more and understands the value of things. She would always let you have your way.”

Fan Jian, unaware of these nuances, sometimes acted childishly by dismissing the servants. But neither Chen Yun nor Chen Ying ever felt disliked by her. It was more like she was trying to hide candy so no one else could eat it, all the while pretending nothing was amiss—a behavior that was endearing in its innocence.

As he comforted the beaming Fan Jian, Chen Xi quietly slipped out of bed, carefully tucking her in before heading toward the most secluded part of the inner courtyard, where Chen Lan resided.

“Greetings, Master,” Chen Ying greeted Chen Xi cautiously as she opened the door. “Mistress is still resting. She didn’t sleep well last night due to the commotion, and she only just lay down.”

“Oh, I’ll just check on her and leave. I won’t disturb her,” Chen Xi said, glancing at the still-sleeping Chen Lan. Seeing that she was resting peacefully, he decided to leave without waking her.

“When Lan’er wakes, let me know. Oh, and tell Yun’er that she should come with me to Manxiang Tower tomorrow,” Chen Xi said as he exited, casting a glance at Chen Ying’s beautiful face. To be honest, she was even more stunning than Chen Lan.

“Yes, Master,” Chen Ying replied, bowing slightly, her fair skin visible beneath her clothing.

“Just remember to notify Chen Yun. By the way, you look better in blue. Also, is Chen Yun still spending her time reading as much as before?” Chen Xi said, briefly glancing at Chen Ying’s exposed skin before turning his head away. After all, in this decayed, corrupt, and brutally real feudal society, everything about a maid belonged to the master.

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