Reborn In The Three Kingdoms
Chapter 823: 784. Zhao Yun's Request

Chapter 823: 784. Zhao Yun’s Request

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As the banquet wore into the evening, performers came and went. Court musicians played lutes and zithers, and dancers with flowing sleeves told stories of myth and victory with their movements. Toasts were made to the Emperor, to the Crown Prince, and to the unborn child of the Princess and Minister of War.

Eventually, as lanterns outside began to glow brighter than the fading sun, Lie Fan rose to excuse himself. The guests understood, no Emperor stayed for the final toast. The banquet would wind down on its own.

He walked through the quiet palace corridors toward his private quarters, flanked by guards and servants. But something caught his eye. A woman in a formal silk gown stood before his doors, flanked by handmaidens who bowed the moment they saw him.

It was Zhen Ji.

She bowed as he approached. “Your Majesty.”

Lie Fan stopped. “At ease. Concubine Zhen, is there something you wish to discuss?”

Zhen Ji bowed deeply. “If it’s alright Your Majesty… I would speak with you privately.”

Lie Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity. “Very well.”

With a gesture, he dismissed the guards, the handmaidens, and even the Oriole agents he knew were hidden in the shadows. Only he and Zhen Ji remained.

When they were alone, he turned to her. “Speak your mind,” he said gently.

Zhen Ji hesitated. A faint blush colored her cheeks. Whether from shyness or something deeper, it was hard to say.

Zhen Ji hesitated. Her cheeks flushed, whether from shyness or embarrassment, he couldn’t tell. She took a breath, then met his gaze.

“Your Majesty,” she began, “I know our relationship was based on formality. You have honored my wishes and shown me respect… but after staying with Your Majesty before becoming Emperor and after. I have watched how you are with the others, Empress Ying, Concubine Diao, Concubine Cai, and Concubine Lu. The love you share is… beautiful. How you laughed with them. How you cherished their company.”

Lie Fan stayed quiet, letting her speak.

“And I… I find myself wanting that too,” she said at last. Her voice was soft, but steady. “I ask not for sudden passion or obligation, but… might we begin to cultivate something? Slowly, perhaps. But something real.”

For a long moment, Lie Fan was silent. Their marriage had always been political, a union to secure the Zhen family’s loyalty, and also because he pitied her. He had never pressed her, never demanded more than she was willing to give.

But now, she was asking.

Lie Fan stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “You are not just a symbol to me, Concubine Zhen. I only kept my distance because I respected your freedom and your choice.”

Zhen Ji raised her eyes to meet his. “Then perhaps now… I give you permission to close that distance.”

Gently, he cupped her cheek. “Then if this is truly what you desire, then we will take it slowly. At your pace.”

Her breath hitched at this intimate gesture, and slowly she nodded her head as blush radiated across her face.

“But know this,” he added, his voice firm yet kind. “You are not lesser for not sharing my bed or becoming my woman. Your place in this court is secure, with or without intimacy.”

Tears glistened in her eyes, but she smiled. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, with solemn grace, Lie Fan took off his hand from her cheeks and offered her his hand. She took it.

That night, no declarations were made. No vows spoken. But something small, fragile, and beautiful began to take root between them.

Outside, the lanterns of Xiapi swayed in the summer breeze. And deep within the palace, beneath stars unseen, seeds of love began to be planted and watered to bloom, inside something that was once only duty and respect.

The next morning, as sunlight filtered through the lattice windows of the imperial study, Lie Fan was already seated behind his heavy lacquered desk, parchment spread before him in careful stacks.

The scent of ink and wax hung in the air. Bureaucracy never truly ended, not even for an Emperor. Petitions from officials, military reports from the borders, requests for funds, land disputes, his days had begun to resemble a tide of ink, each wave demanding judgment.

Despite the hum of quills from nearby scribes and the subtle clatter of scrolls being moved, Lie Fan remained focused. That is, until a familiar voice came from just outside the chamber.

“Your Majesty,” called Bo Cai, one of his Yellow Ghost bodyguards. “General Zhao Yun requests an audience.”

Lie Fan blinked in mild surprise. It wasn’t unusual for Zhao Yun to report in about his training and teaching to Muchen, something that Lie Fan had told him no need to do every week, but unannounced visits were rare.

“Let him in,” Lie Fan called, setting aside the scroll in front of him.

Moments later, the door slid open, and Zhao Yun stepped inside, clad in his usual polished armor, the silver plates gleaming in the sunlight. Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee and cupped his fist in salute.

“Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty. I would not disturb your work if it were not important.”

Lie Fan smiled, setting his brush down and waving his hand. “Stand and be at ease, Zilong. You’re not interrupting anything vital, just saving me from the monotony of ink and politics. For that, I should be the one thanking you.” He smirked.”Unless you’ve come to help me review tax reports?”

Zhao Yun rose, his expression serious as ever, though a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes. “I live to serve, Your Majesty. If reading petitions relieves your boredom, then I shall read them.”

Lie Fan sighed in quiet amusement Lie Fan sighed, shaking his head. “Still so rigid, even after all these years.”

Zhao Yun was loyal to a fault, his sense of hierarchy and honor sometimes so rigid that it almost made casual conversation feel like a battlefield.

And yet, this was why Lie Fan cherished him, why he had chosen him as the protector of his only heir. In another life, this man had ridden alone through an army to save an infant prince. He had stood as an unbreakable shield for Liu Bei when treachery lurked in every shadow. His loyalty was absolute, his courage unquestionable.

Lie Fan gestured to a seat. “Come, sit. What brings you here this morning, Zilong?”

Zhao Yun sat, but for the first time since Lie Fan had known him, the general seemed… hesitant. His usual stoic demeanor faltered, replaced by something almost bashful. His fingers tapped restlessly against his knee, and when he spoke, his voice was uncharacteristically quiet.

Then, in a voice much softer than usual, he said, “Your Majesty… I have a personal request.”

Lie Fan’s brow lifted and he leaned forward as he was intrigued. “Speak freely.”

Zhao Yun took a breath. “I wish to propose marriage to Lady Ma Yunlu of the Ma Clan. And… I would be honored if Your Majesty would act as the matchmaker and witness, giving us your blessing.”

There was a moment of stunned silence.

Lie Fan blinked. Not just surprised, genuinely taken aback. He had orchestrated their meetings carefully, laying the groundwork, encouraging familiarity and affection. But he hadn’t expected Zhao Yun, the man of iron discipline and composure, to move so quickly.

Then, he laughed.

Not a smirk or a chuckle, but a full, hearty laugh.

“Zilong, you’re blushing! The mighty and stoic general who can cut down many men in battle is shy because of a woman!”

Zhao Yun’s face flushed a deeper shade. “Your Majesty… please…”

“No, no, this is wonderful!” Lie Fan grinned, leaning back in his chair, as he continued to tease. “The mighty Zhao Yun, the unshakable general, brought to his knees not by an army or a warrior that could best him, but by a woman’s smile!”

Zhao Yun groaned, covering his face with one hand. “Must you be so loud about it, Your Majesty?”

Lie Fan’s laughter softened into a warm smile as he waved his hand. “Forgive me, forgive me. I wasn’t mocking. I’m just pleased, more than pleased. Of course, I’ll be your matchmaker and witness. In fact, I’ll personally accompany you to the Ma Clan since this is the first time one of my retainers has asked me for such a thing. We’ll make this proposal official.”

Zhao Yun’s expression shifted from embarrassment to genuine gratitude. He stood abruptly and dropped to one knee again, bowing deeply, and cupping his hand. “I thank Your Majesty from the bottom of my heart.”

“Stand up, Zilong,” Lie Fan said warmly as he stood and pulled him up by the arm. “This is a joyous matter. There’s no need for so much formality. Come, we have betrothal gifts to prepare. And don’t worry, I’ve been married more times than you after all. You’ll benefit from my experience.”

Zhao Yun could only smile awkwardly at that, unsure whether to laugh or remain solemn. He chose to chuckle.

And so the preparations began.

Lie Fan called for the palace treasurer, the court craftsmen, and emissaries to begin assembling gifts worthy of the Ma Clan. Silks from Shu, jade from Nanyang, finely forged weapons, bolts of rare dyed cloth, ginseng roots, and a beautifully bred pair of white horses, symbolic gifts that honored the Ma Clan’s martial prestige and history.

More than that, Lie Fan drafted a formal proposal himself, his imperial seal pressed upon the scroll with gold wax. It was to be delivered directly to Ma Chao, with a secondary letter written personally to the entire Ma Clan, inviting the family to host the Emperor’s representative and receive Zhao Yun’s formal request.

Inside the palace, Empress Ying and the other concubines were also delighted. When word reached the harem palace from Lie Fan, that Zhao Yun come to Lie Fan and requested for him to becom his matchmaker and witness, Concubine Lu Lingqi even joked, “I wonder if the young lady of the Ma Clan, Ma Yunlu, will be able to handle Zilong’s stubborn sense of duty when she was married to him.”

Concubine Cai Wenji smiled gently. “If anyone can, it’s her. She’s fierce, but kind, and living in a family of warrior and be in gone herself, she will understand even support him. The two of them are a perfect match.”

Even Princess Wannian, despite her pregnancy, teased her brother when he visited her in the Sima Clan residence that afternoon after helping Zhao Yin coordinate many things. “So our Zhao Yun has finally decided to marry? And you’re playing matchmaker now? Big Brother, you’re getting softer with age.”

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty

Age: 34 (201 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

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