Mythical Three Kingdoms

Cao Cao, when he's shrewd, is clever to the point of death, but when he gets a brain cramp, not even ten oxen can pull him back.

"Lord, what are you doing?" Dian Wei asked with a puzzled expression, seeing Cao Cao sneak out of the house cautiously.

"Ahem, Elai, you just stand here." Cao Cao looked at the unexpectedly towering and ox-like Dian Wei behind him, twitching slightly.

"..." A row of question marks appeared above Dian Wei's head, having no idea what was wrong with Cao Cao, but being always loyal, he stood like a stake as ordered by Cao Cao.

At dusk, Cao Cao sneaked to the courtyard of Zhang Xiu's house, understanding from the closed doors that Lady Zou was avoiding suspicion as a widow.

Although women remarrying at this time posed no pressure, most people would change due to others' remarks. Malicious words can destroy, while good words can unconsciously make people care about others' perceptions.

If Lady Zou had entertained thoughts of remarriage before, after the release of the List of Extraordinary Women, she snuffed out her few thoughts, peacefully becoming Zhang Xiu's aunt and imposing herself as the head of the Zhang family.

To be honest, Zhang Xiu was a decent person. Although Lady Zou was slightly younger than him, every time he returned to pay his respects, he showed no disrespect, as if placing all his respect for his uncle into Lady Zou.

Likewise, Lady Zou wiped out all thoughts, stabilizing her mindset, and her already excellent demeanor and appearance became dignified, which put Zhang Xiu at ease.

As a younger member of the family, Zhang Xiu's biggest concern was that his uncle's young wife might remarry after Zhang Ji's death. Frankly, if this happened, even if there was mutual affection, Zhang Xiu could not tolerate it!

As long as Lady Zou didn't remarry and acted appropriately, acknowledging the Zhang family elders' status, Zhang Xiu would assure her absolute authority in the family.

With a calm mind, Lady Zou naturally knew how to avoid suspicion, so Cao Cao had no chance of peeping. Zhang Ji was dead, but the Zhang family generals were Zhang Ji's veteran soldiers, and if Cao Cao dared to sneak over the wall, it would be fatal.

Cao Cao's interest in Lady Zou stemmed from both Xuu Zijiang's official announcement and that fleeting glimpse. Sometimes things out of reach seem the best.

Though he had beauties in his own household, Cao Cao sneaked to Zhang Xiu's home as if smitten, acting sneakily and imprudently.

As evening fell, the main gate of the Zhang family suddenly opened—it was time to light the lamps. After opening the door, she picked up the oil lamp to light it, tiptoeing to light the lanterns at the door. With a gentle breath and a soft stroke, Lady Zou brushed her hair behind her ear.

Dressed in plain white attire, not strictly mourning clothes, she exuded an elegance untainted by colors that made Cao Cao's heart throb.

After lighting the lanterns at the door, illuminated by the lamplight, Lady Zou saw Cao Cao outside. Her eyes showed a slight annoyance, her mindset stable enough to reveal her thoughts effortlessly.

If not for the limited activities within a day, Lady Zou wouldn't have lit the lamps herself, even in Zhang Ji's mourning period.

Cao Cao, not a fool, sensing Lady Zou's annoyance, immediately grasped she was not a woman to be toyed with and had no intent to remarry, his eyes narrowing sharply.

"Passing by your esteemed residence, it was unexpected to meet the Lady. Forgive my impropriety," Cao Cao quickly bowed and said, "Everyone appreciates beauty; I ask for your forgiveness, my lady."

Lady Zou had heard such words too many times, but this time there was little coldness; she turned away indifferently, her plain white attire trailing a graceful silhouette. "Widowed in Chang'an, with no male heirs in the Zhang family, I won't entertain Lord Cao inside. Lord Cao, please return early."

No intention of inviting Cao Cao in, barely any courtesy, her casual tone, and decisive turn revealed everything.

Lady Zou didn't believe Cao Cao's words at all. No longer a naive girl, she wouldn't be easily deceived by a few words. She knew well what her mature figure meant to these men, but she wouldn't pursue it further, hoping that Cao Cao would retreat knowing the difficulty.

Otherwise, Lady Zou would candidly tell Zhang Xiu. As for concealment, with a clear heart, Lady Zou clearly understood the best solution.

Her thoughts turned a hundred times, yet her face remained calm. Turning away indifferently, that graceful silhouette disappeared behind the Zhang family gate. Bitter yet relieved, Cao Cao broke into a cold sweat, feeling he had just dodged a bullet.

Chang'an, Chang'an, whose Chang'an is it? Who seeks Chang'an? Cao Cao understood; Lady Zou was also clear. Taking a minister's uncle's wife was not the act of a moral person; Zhang Xiu would naturally rebel if it happened.

"Now I understand why there's the saying 'beauty brings disaster,'" Cao Cao mused aloud at the door after calming down for a moment.

If Lady Zou had left any room for maneuvering, Cao Cao might have rushed in like a moth to a flame—not because he was blinded, but because she genuinely had an intoxicating allure.

"No wonder Xuu Zijiang began with phrases like 'virtuous concubine, extraordinary woman...'" Cao Cao chuckled, adjusting his mindset before heading home. Her actions calmed him and made him realize the consequences of any misconduct.

"Elai, what are you doing standing here?" Cao Cao asked bewilderedly, seeing Dian Wei standing in the middle of the road.

"Lord, didn't you tell me to stand here?" Dian Wei replied, surprisingly showing a sense of grievance. After all, anyone who followed orders this strictly might feel wronged when evaluated this way.

"Eh? Did I say that?" Cao Cao looked perplexed.

Dian Wei stared blankly at Cao Cao, who, feeling guilty, coughed a few times before saying, "Cough, cough, maybe I did say it. Come on, let's go home, I'll treat you to some wine!"

Dian Wei scratched his head, utterly confused. Though living in Cao Cao's household as an escort and military retainers, he couldn't grasp the difference.

Unaware of his brush with death, Dian Wei watched Cao Cao in good spirits. Without Lady Zou's righteous rejection, he might have faced Zhang Xiu's fierce battle as he fought to the death.

Some people are susceptible to others' influence. Lady Zou, naturally timid, would yield to Cao Cao, but the high praise of the List of Extraordinary Women gave her pride, prompting her to meet others' expectations.

This way of imposing others' wills onto oneself may not seem good, but the results spared many from calamity. At least now, Lady Zou appeared dignified, elegant, and graceful instead of embodying the loose character implied in historical descriptions. (To be continued. If you like this work, you're welcome to recommend or vote for it on Qidian.com, as your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)