"So, a great nation declined from strength, resulting in a three-way division of power. Among these three factions, Cao Cao's was the largest; he was originally the Chancellor of that state, later establishing his immortal status by controlling the Emperor to command the warlords." Ye Xiu spoke as if telling a story, unconcerned whether those listening understood. I was only watching Liu Bang, certain that the light flashing in his eyes upon hearing that line was terrifying—it was like teaching someone how to commit a high-IQ crime, rather than how to fight with fists or slash with blades.

"Controlling the Emperor to command the warlords! Is that not the act of a shameless rebel, a villain?" Clearly, many below began to condemn the Cao Cao in Ye Xiu's story. Indeed, throughout the river of history, before Cao Cao earned the title of 'crafty hero,' he was consistently decried as a rogue. Ye Xiu was deeply aware of this too.

"What truly extraordinary talent and strategic vision this man possesses!" Liu Bang responded sincerely, disregarding the surrounding criticism.

Hearing Liu Bang's words, both Lu Gong and Ye Xiu were stunned. To the common eye, an archetype of treason; yet in Liu Bang's view, he was a man of profound strategic genius.

Ye Xiu knew that Cao Cao's rehabilitation in history wouldn't occur until the Republican era; in all preceding accounts, this crafty hero carried the stigma of a traitor. To find someone today daring enough to violate such a universal taboo—what immense courage that required.

Lu Gong raised an eyebrow and asked Liu Bang, "Pavilion Chief Liu, on what grounds do you hold such an opinion?"

"To bring peace to the realm, to end the conflict, and to bear the opprobrium of the world—is such a man not worthy of praise? True men of ambition seek only small comforts, only the applause of a lifetime. If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the former."

Ye Xiu suddenly felt a chill—this was the unparalleled insight of the future founder of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Bang paused, then gave a sinister chuckle, "Or perhaps there is a more balanced approach, a way to stand above the multitude. Young Master Ye, your story is truly compelling."

At this point, Lu Gong fell silent, staring blankly at Liu Bang. The impression this middle-aged man made upon him was exceptionally deep; he committed it to memory.

"Very well, very well! You three certainly possess unique perspectives. Please, take your seats." The three who had been debating in the center seemed too far outside the mainstream; to let them continue might anger the other guests, so the host quickly urged them to sit down.

Ye Xiu ground his teeth watching the self-satisfied Liu Bang. This had been his golden opportunity to rise to fame and steal the spotlight, yet instead, Liu Bang had unexpectedly become renowned. Filled with reluctance and sudden dread, Ye Xiu felt a distinct chill—his lower body was suddenly uncomfortable, and the urgent need to relieve himself sent him scrambling out the door in search of a privy.

The servants were busy attending to the supposed heroes of the realm in the inner hall. This sprawling, intricate courtyard, with its crisscrossing paths, thoroughly confused Ye Xiu; he couldn't find the latrine, let alone discern north from south.

Just then, Ye Xiu heard a woman's voice from an adjacent courtyard. He thought, though it was awkward, this was finally a chance to ask the way to the necessary place. He turned down a long corridor and peered inside. What he saw upon looking was not insignificant: a woman in a green skirt and another in a plain purple dress were standing on a long bench, hanging lanterns from the eaves of a porch. Though Ye Xiu only caught a glimpse of the green-clad woman's back, he immediately felt he was seeing Wan'er and instinctively wanted to walk over and greet her.

Unexpectedly, the purple-clad woman suddenly cried out, "Oh dear!" and the long bench began to rock back and forth. Immediately, the green-clad woman beside her lost her balance and started swaying too. Then, the lanterns and poles in their hands dropped to the ground, and the bench completely overturned, sending both women plummeting toward the earth, one to either side.

Faster than words could describe, Ye Xiu darted forward with a graceful little leap. First, he caught the green-clad woman, then spun 360 degrees in the air, pulling her into an embrace, before extending his other hand to intercept the purple-clad woman, gripping her slender waist firmly as well.

Ye Xiu felt two delicate fragrances instantly saturate his breath, slowly seeping into every corner of his body, finally coalescing into an unforgettable memory. In that fleeting moment, he did not forget to gaze deeply at the two young ladies: the one in green, though not Wan'er, was undeniably Liu Rumei, with lips like cherries and a waist like a water snake, possessing beauty to shame the moon and flowers. The purple-clad woman was even more lovely, her complexion slightly flushed, exquisite and utterly charming. Only when all three landed safely did the young ladies remember the decorum expected of women, instantly breaking free from Ye Xiu's hold.

"My apologies," Ye Xiu murmured, feeling somewhat taken aback himself. He hadn't encountered many women on his journey, yet here he was meeting two at once—previously Hong'er and Wan'er, and now the green and purple dresses.

"Thank you, Young Master. If you hadn't saved us, my sister and I would have taken a nasty fall." The woman in green spoke first. The purple-clad woman then executed a deep bow; it was clear she was far more timid.

Ye Xiu nodded, his voice surprisingly gentle, "I am Ye Xiu. I happened to be passing by and saw the situation, so naturally, I offered assistance. It was nothing, hardly worth mentioning."

"Young Master Ye, greetings," the green-clad woman bowed again. "I am Lu Zhi, and this is my younger sister, Lu Xu."

"Lu Zhi?" Upon hearing the name, Ye Xiu gasped sharply. Yes, precisely! The Lu Gong outside earlier was their father. Lu Gong had two sons and two daughters; the sons, it went without saying, were unremarkable.

But this Lu Zhi—wasn't she the future wife of Liu Bang, the Empress of the coming Han Dynasty, arguably the first Empress and Empress Dowager in Chinese history, and the first woman to wield regency power over the Han court for sixteen years? And her sister, Lu Xu, who rose to prominence alongside her as an official of the Han regime—these were two figures he dared not trifle with, absolutely not!

"Young Master Ye, Young Master Ye, are you alright?" Lu Zhi’s voice was quite pleasant, suggesting a lively and amiable woman.

Ye Xiu was startled back to the present by that melodious voice and laughed, "Nothing at all. I merely thought Miss Lu Zhi resembled a friend of mine; both are so captivating as to make fish sink and geese fall from the sky, celestial beauties."

"Heh heh, Young Master Ye flatters me. Pray tell, what is the meaning of 'fish sink and geese fall'?" Lu Zhi was clearly delighted; few people ever praised her so highly, and here was Ye Xiu pulling out such rich vocabulary—truly thoughtful of him.

Ye Xiu paused upon hearing the question, then quickly realized: could this cliché—worn almost threadbare in his time—not yet be in common usage? He looked at Lu Zhi with deep sincerity: "I mean, Miss Lu Zhi, your beauty is such that the fish in the water seeing it sink beneath the surface, and the migrating geese seeing it fall from the heavens. It is utterly breathtaking, truly unparalleled."

Regardless of what Lu Zhi might become in the future, at this moment she was merely a young girl on the verge of womanhood. Hearing such words, she broke into a wide, mischievous smile, even pulling the still-shyly smiling Lu Xu by the side, asking Ye Xiu, "Then, Young Master Ye, what do you think of my little sister Xu'er?"