Chapter 403

Liu Bei didn't leave Huang Zhong's house until late at night. He glanced at Huang Zhong, who was still standing at the door gazing after him, and sighed in his heart.

Huang Zhong spent his whole life in the saddle; even at over seventy, he could slay Xia Houyuan in battle, yet he ended up without an heir.

Now, Liu Bei wanted to have Huang Zhong join him seven or eight years early, to shine brightly in his prime.

At the Cai residence,

Cai Mao slammed the table in anger.

"What kind of trick is this Liu Bei playing!"

Seeing that the Cai clan was about to marry into the Governor's Mansion, he never expected Liu Bei to show up and extend the life of the Chen clan!

Although Cai Zhong and Cai He were somewhat annoyed, they still advised,

"Big brother, Lord Xuande's prestige shakes the nine provinces; you must not oppose him."

Cai Mao waved his hand.

"I naturally know that. We have no conflict of interest with Liu Bei; it's just that the matter I've been preparing for years has been delayed again, and I'm just furious."

In the room next to the main hall,

A woman with vermilion lips, pearly white teeth, apricot cheeks, peach-blossom skin, an exquisite nose, and skin as white as snow was eavesdropping on the three of them.

"Lord Xuande cured the Chen woman? Then I don't have to marry that old man Liu Biao!"

"A great hero like Lord Xuande can even heal illnesses; he is my benefactor!"

She was the Cai woman, the Cai family's older spinster (twenty years old).

She didn't want to marry a fifty-six-year-old man either. Thinking back to the expression on Liu Biao's old face when he looked at her a while ago, the Cai woman felt like vomiting!

"Xiao Qiao accompanied Lord Xuande to the plague zone and eventually became a couple? I can do that too!"

"I heard Lord Xuande is very handsome?"

The Cai woman rolled her eyes and quietly retreated.

Liu Bei didn't wake up until noon the next day.

The Yuan woman helped Liu Bei tidy his clothes, the resentment in her eyes visible to the naked eye.

Liu Bei pulled her into his arms.

"My lady, don't be anxious. Three days from now, I will welcome you in Xiangyang, how about that?"

The Yuan woman was secretly delighted and bowed gracefully.

"Everything is as my husband arranges."

In the afternoon,

Liu Bei went to the Governor's Mansion again to check on the Chen woman's condition.

She was already awake and in good spirits.

"Many thanks to Lord Xuande for saving this old woman."

Liu Bei smiled.

"Sister-in-law, no need for thanks; Liu Qi has already thanked me many times."

The Chen woman sighed.

"Qi'er is the most filial, but unfortunately, Jingsheng…"

Liu Bei knew that Liu Biao favored his second son, Liu Cong.

"Liu Qi is a filial person; I think Brother Jingsheng will not make the wrong choice when the time comes."

The two chatted for a while, and Liu Bei performed acupuncture on the Chen woman again.

At this time,

Huang Zhong was also at the Governor's Mansion.

"What? You want to resign?" Liu Biao was somewhat surprised.

Huang Zhong cupped his hands and explained the situation.

Liu Biao sighed.

"Of the three unfilial acts, having no heir is the greatest. This is true; if Xuande can cure your Huang Xu's illness, that would be good."

"But you don't need to resign; Jingzhou cannot do without you."

Huang Zhong also sighed, holding his waist.

"My lord, I am already fifty-three. My health is not what it used to be. I had to get up six times last night; I'm afraid leading troops into battle is difficult now."

Liu Biao felt the same way; he had gotten up five times last night. He was indeed getting old… thinking that he had gotten up one less time than Huang Zhong, he felt slightly more at ease.

He felt that Huang Zhong was already quite old and could lead troops for at most another year or two.

"Very well, you are going to seek medical treatment for your son; I naturally cannot stop you."

Huang Zhong left after expressing his thousand thanks.

After leaving the Governor's Mansion, Huang Zhong straightened his back.

"Hmm, I must find Lord Xuande to drink three liters of wine tonight!"

Liu Bei found Liu Biao again,

expressing that he had delayed too long and wanted to hold a concubine-welcoming ceremony in Xiangyang.

Liu Biao naturally agreed.

"It is all my family's business that has delayed Xuande's return date; I will also send a generous gift when the time comes."

Liu Bei was taking a concubine, and although it was Yuan Shu's daughter, Liu Biao didn't intend to go personally.

He still had some lingering resentment over Huang Zhong resigning earlier.

Liu Bei didn't care; he used the wedding banquet to build relationships with the Jingzhou gentry, and with Liu Biao there, he would actually feel uncomfortable.

In the afternoon, Liu Bei returned to the guesthouse.

Gan Ning had already arrived and was competing in archery with Taishi Ci.

"Lord Xuande, I didn't expect Taishi Ziyi's archery to be so remarkable!"

Liu Bei took a look; both were hitting the bullseye from a hundred paces, evenly matched.