Ye Xiu looked over, realizing that although Lü Xu was naturally shy, she possessed the beauty of a celestial being—gentle, refined, and the very picture of a demure young lady. Any man seeing her would feel an urge to cherish and protect her for a lifetime.

“Miss Xu’er, even in your slightest movement, there is such elegance, and your face is so lovely; naturally, you possess a beauty that shames the moon and silences the flowers,” Ye Xiu murmured, gazing at Lü Xu. He was instantly reminded of Wan’er; she too inspired such deep tenderness.

“Heh, then Young Master Ye should explain exactly what it means to ‘shame the moon and silence the flowers’?” Lü Zhi was clearly far more spirited than her sister. She quickly took her sister’s hand and drew Ye Xiu into their circle.

Surrounded by these beauties, Ye Xiu became delightfully carried away: “Miss Lü Xu’s beauty is such that the very moon hides in shame when it sees her, and flowers wilt in embarrassment; it is a beauty so natural and pure.”

“Heh, Young Master Ye truly is…” At this point, Lü Xu finally spoke, her face breaking into another gentle smile.

“Then Young Master Ye, who do you think is more beautiful, me or Xu’er?” Lü Zhi pressed repeatedly, though the question was undeniably a bit forward. Ye Xiu knew any direct answer would be problematic, so he was forced into a tight spot: “The beauty of both Miss Lü ladies possesses its own unique strengths; it is impossible to declare a clear winner.”

“Young Master Ye is truly eloquent,” Lü Zhi rarely offered such praise to a stranger. She felt there was something profoundly different about Ye Xiu, yet the suddenness of their meeting made her pause. “I wonder, Young Master Ye, what brings you to this place?”

“Oh, I was simply here to attend this… banquet,” Ye Xiu then remembered his pressing need. Seeing these beauties had actually made him forget his urgent biological necessity. He scratched his head and chuckled, “Someone has an immediate triple urgency. I was actually trying to find a latrine, but regrettably, I haven't located one. I wonder, Miss Lü…”

“What is a latrine?” Lü Xu, having warmed to this glib young man, still found his phrasing very strange.

“Silly sister, our Young Master Ye is looking for the privy,” Lü Zhi was, as ever, much more direct. Ye Xiu actually found her frankness quite appealing.

“Right, right, right! The privy, hehe.” Ye Xiu held up a finger, shaking it repeatedly. “Do you know which direction it is? I’m about to burst.”

“Heh.” Lü Zhi burst into another peal of laughter, and beside her, Lü Xu covered her mouth, giggling uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Ye Xiu didn't know what to do. He even pouted and pretended to be cute: “Look! Look! You two young ladies, not only will you not help me, but you’re laughing at me. Maybe I should just find it myself!”

“Alright, alright! It’s just over there.” Lü Zhi managed to suppress her smile and pointed.

Ye Xiu turned his head. He realized he had just walked past that very spot. If he hadn’t been distracted by these two beauties, he would have already relieved himself. He spun around and bolted toward the direction indicated, shouting as he ran: “Thank you, Empress Lü!”

After the necessary relief, Ye Xiu felt completely refreshed, body and spirit. But when he hurried back out to find the Lü sisters, they were nowhere in sight. Suddenly, he heard a commotion from the outer hall—the discussion must have ended, and everyone was heading in for the meal. He rushed out frantically and slammed squarely into someone turning the corner at the end of the veranda.

“Damn it all…” Ye Xiu rubbed his forehead, annoyed, and opened his eyes intending to throw a punch. When he focused, he saw the person he’d collided with was none other than Liu Bang.

“Young Master Ye, my apologies,” Liu Bang, who seemed to have a thicker skin, actually wore a faint smile, completely unharmed.

Ye Xiu desperately wanted to curse that the mighty Emperor Wu of Han was someone not to be crossed. He slightly calmed his emotions: “Not at all, it was I who was careless while walking, sorry to bump into Pavilion Chief Liu.”

“Ah, Young Master Ye is here! I’ve been looking all over for you!” At that moment, Lü Gong emerged from behind Liu Bang. “I was just about to invite both Young Master Ye and Pavilion Chief Liu to join me in the rear chamber. I have many questions for two such talents.”

“We dare not presume,” both Ye Xiu and Liu Bang bowed quickly and respectfully, following Lü Gong toward the back rooms.

Reaching a chamber, Lü Gong invited the two men to sit. He scrutinized them both once more: “Earlier in the main hall, the way you two discussed the state of the realm and your personal stances showed you are far from ordinary men. What do you envision for your futures?”

Liu Bang glanced at Ye Xiu, then back at Lü Gong, and stood up first: “The might of Qin is fading. I fully intend to follow Heaven’s will. When the warlords chase the deer in the coming chaos, I will surely claim my share.”

“Indeed, Pavilion Chief Liu has the world in his heart.” Lü Gong seemed very pleased with Liu Bang’s words. He turned to Ye Xiu: “And Young Master Ye, what are your plans for the future?”

“Me?” Ye Xiu had genuinely never considered such a question. If he could make plans, it would be finding Wan’er and sending her back to Guigu, or finding Chen Jing and killing him. What else could there be? Perhaps finding the Lord of Donghai might offer some way to return to modern times, after which he could continue searching for Sister Ji Jiang.

“Young Master Ye…” Lü Gong seemed to sense Ye Xiu’s distraction and raised his voice slightly.

“Me? I just want to live a carefree, comfortable, happy life, free from restraint.” Beyond that, Ye Xiu could think of nothing else. What did it matter if this old man Lü despised him for having no ambition? It wouldn't cost him any flesh.

“Heh, Young Master Ye, possessing such talent yet remaining so composed amidst turbulent times—that too is a way of life,” Lü Gong said with a smile, stroking his beard. “Truthfully, this Heroes’ Gathering today was arranged by a friend commissioned by me. Ostensibly, it was to gather heroes, but in reality, it was to find worthy sons-in-law for my two daughters. Looking at you both, I truly favor you. What are your thoughts?”

“Taking a son-in-law!” Ye Xiu was stunned. To gain a wife simply by saying some nonsense at a gathering—was there anything so easy?

“Yes, indeed!” Lü Gong replied firmly. “If you two do not object, I shall have my servants summon my daughters now to meet these heroes.”

Ye Xiu remembered that both of Lü Gong’s daughters were beautiful. But to become a live-in son-in-law after meeting them only once, without preamble—these ancient people were incredibly brazen! Furthermore, he had no intention of marrying, especially given the massive reality that he was a transmigrator. In his helplessness, he subtly glanced at Liu Bang, only to see the man’s face flush bright red, his heart already leaping onto his face with joy.

“Someone, go fetch the two young ladies,” Lü Gong did not hesitate, pressing the advantage. He sent his two treasured daughters into the room.

“Zhi’er, Xu’er pay respects to Father,” the two Lü sisters entered the hall politely, first bowing to Lü Gong, then turning to salute Ye Xiu and Liu Bang.

Lü Gong happily waved his daughters to sit down, then announced loudly, “Today, your father has found you suitable husbands—Young Master Liu Bang and Young Master Ye…”

“Father…” Lü Zhi, hearing this, shyly interrupted Lü Gong, completely unlike her earlier openness. In contrast, Lü Xu maintained a composed, faint smile, looking lovely facing the situation.

Ye Xiu had countless things he wanted to say plainly, but felt it would utterly disrespect Lü Gong. He had no choice but to hold back for a moment. When he looked at Liu Bang again, the man was swallowing hard, his eyes fixed straight upon Lü Zhi.

“Enough, I will decide for you all,” Lü Gong asserted the authority of the head of the household. “Liu Bang is senior to Ye Xiu, therefore…”

Liu Bang, being quick-witted, rose immediately and bowed in acceptance. Ye Xiu still hadn't grasped what the rest of the sentence would be, but following Liu Bang’s lead, he also stood and bowed.

“Therefore, I wish to marry Zhi’er to Liu Bang, and Xu’er to Ye Xiu.” Lü Gong finished speaking, nodding, clearly indicating the matter was settled, beyond any right to appeal.

“Father… why? I have something to say to you!” Lü Zhi looked clearly displeased, as if she had much to voice, while Lü Xu simply smiled faintly, so pleasing to behold.

“This… this,” Ye Xiu felt utterly lost. While gaining the gentle beauty Lü Xu as a wife was appealing, the suddenness of it all was jarring. What kind of history was this? He had accidentally stumbled into becoming related to Liu Bang! If this went through, what would he call him? Brother-in-law Liu Bang! Han Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang would be my brother-in-law! Good heavens!

After Lü Gong solemnly announced this sudden arrangement, the other three seemed to have their own doubts, but Liu Bang stood there without any visible reaction.

Lü Zhi, already annoyed, took Lü Xu and walked out of the room. Lü Gong seemed momentarily awkward and followed them out. This left only Liu Bang and Ye Xiu in the inner chamber.

“Brother-in-law…” Ye Xiu called out to Liu Bang, sounding overly self-mocking. To his surprise, Liu Bang calmly responded, “Good.”

Ye Xiu asked, puzzled, “Does Pavilion Chief Liu willingly accept someone else’s arrangement so easily? You’ve met the elder Miss Lü only once; how could you have developed such affection?”

“I haven’t!” Liu Bang’s reply was crisp.

“If that’s the case, why do you obey Lü Gong’s command?” Ye Xiu remained confused.

Liu Bang stepped forward a few paces, calmly picked up a cup of wine from the table, and said leisurely, “Young Master Ye, since you dared propose such a subversive idea as ‘holding the Son of Heaven to command the feudal lords,’ you must be a marvel at governing. Why is your thinking confined to this tiny matter of marriage?”

Ye Xiu felt a surge of contempt for Liu Bang. Anyone who had studied history knew about ‘holding the Son of Heaven to command the feudal lords’; he just hadn’t known it would happen after their time. And what did he mean, ‘tiny marriage’? Ye Xiu truly hadn't expected Liu Bang to treat marriage like child’s play.

“Well? Are you willing to help me conquer the world from now on?” Liu Bang raised his head, extending his hand toward Ye Xiu with great arrogance and a smile. “My good brother-in-law.”

Ye Xiu blew out a breath, pouting, and replied with resignation, “I am merely a wandering cloud and free crane; I go wherever there is sustenance. I’m afraid I won’t be much help, my esteemed Brother-in-law.”

For more novels, visit storyread.net.