Free Web NovelChapter 306: The Youthful Scholar Cai Wenji
In addition, Long Chen appointed military strategist Guo Jia as the head of the Nine Ministers, holding the title of Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
The first reason was to reward Guo Jia for his brilliant and cunning strategies during the recent campaign. His tactics had turned the tide of the war, and it was his masterful planning that led to the victory over Cao Cao. In many ways, Guo Jia’s contributions even surpassed those of Lü Bu, whose brute strength alone would not have been enough to secure the win.
The second reason for this appointment was to consolidate power. Long Chen was well aware that control over key government positions would ensure the stability of his reign and allow him to manipulate the court, thereby achieving his larger goal of ruling from the shadows while the emperor remained a figurehead. Although he trusted the emperor for now due to Empress He’s relationship, he couldn’t fully trust the other ministers who might be hiding their true ambitions.
Beyond Guo Jia and Lü Bu, many other commanders and soldiers who had distinguished themselves during the Battle of Yanzhou were also richly rewarded for their bravery.
By the time Long Chen returned to his residence, the sky had already darkened, and a feeling of night’s vastness loomed over the world. As he entered the mansion, his ears caught the sound of an enchanting zither melody floating from the backyard, drawing him closer like a siren’s call.
Who could be playing such mesmerizing music at this hour? Perhaps it was his beloved wives, Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao, setting up a surprise for him. With this thought, Long Chen’s heart raced with excitement, his mouth suddenly dry with anticipation. He quietly crept toward the source of the music, stepping lightly on the glazed tiles of the courtyard.
Crossing the polished ground, he approached the beautifully tended backyard, which was full of rare flowers and trees that thrived in every corner. Among them, the Fire Phoenix Crown Flower glowed softly with fire energy, its fiery essence adding an otherworldly beauty to the scene. The flower was said to contain a drop of blood from the mythical Fire Phoenix itself, a rare and powerful treasure.
But Long Chen’s focus wasn’t on the exquisite scenery. His eyes were glued to the pavilion at the center of the serene lake, where a shadowy figure in light green gauze played the zither. The thin, flowing curtains surrounding the pavilion blurred the figure’s silhouette, adding a sense of mysterious allure, not unlike the teasing charm of a woman wearing stockings, with just enough left to the imagination to stir a man’s desires.
His heartbeat quickened. That figure, that delicate frame—it had to be Xiao Qiao! The normally soft-spoken lady of his heart had always possessed a playful side, but this... this was quite the daring game. Excitement flared within him, and without hesitation, Long Chen lightly pressed his foot against the ground, launching himself gracefully into the air.
Effortlessly, he leapt across the lake and into the pavilion. Before the zither player could react, he wrapped his muscular arms around her slender figure, pulling her into his firm embrace. In a low, raspy voice, he whispered close to her ear:
"My dear, your husband has returned."
Simultaneously, his hands began to roam without restraint. As his fingers pressed into soft, yielding flesh, Long Chen couldn’t resist murmuring, "It seems you’ve grown in more ways than one, my love."
But just as he was reveling in the moment—
"Aaaaaahhh!!!"
The woman’s shrill scream shattered the tranquil night air. The entire mansion was rocked by the piercing sound.
Back in the front yard, Dian Wei, who had been aimlessly standing guard, cocked an eyebrow and grinned in amusement as he muttered, “The lord certainly wastes no time. He’s barely home, and already...”
The scream, loud as it was, didn’t disturb the other servants. This sort of occurrence was hardly out of the ordinary at the mansion of King Wu. After all, Long Chen’s legendary stamina and vitality were well-known, and the muffled sounds of passion often drifted from the backyard late into the night.
Inside the pavilion, however, Long Chen stared in utter shock at the woman in his arms.
With her graceful willow-like brows, soft yet fiery eyes, and a pair of clear, star-like pupils, the woman before him was none other than Cai Wenji, the daughter of the renowned Confucian scholar Cai Yong. She had recently joined his household in Yangzhou, and now, here she was, glaring at him with righteous fury. freewebnoveℓ.com
Her delicate lips trembled in anger as she yelled, “You rogue! How dare you take advantage of me like this!”
Glancing down at her chest, she screamed again, “Ahhh! And you’re still not letting go?!”
Realizing his mistake, Long Chen’s hands immediately shot back, though not before giving one final, experimental squeeze—just to be sure.
Yes, definitely excellent.
Though the moment was beyond awkward, Long Chen’s face remained as impassive as ever. After all, his skin was as thick as the walls of a fortress.
Coughing lightly, he quickly changed the subject, asking with faux innocence, “Ah, so it’s Miss Wenji! What brings you to my residence today?”
Cai Wenji stood there in stunned silence. **Why is he asking me about my visit?! Shouldn’t he be apologizing for manhandling me and groping my...!?** Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as the memory of what had just happened replayed in her mind.
Inwardly fuming, she thought back to all the rumors she’d heard about Long Chen being a refined gentleman. Clearly, those stories were wildly inaccurate.
Meanwhile, Long Chen marveled at the petite yet surprisingly well-endowed beauty before him. **Could this be what they call a "youthful face, mature body?"** He was genuinely impressed.
