Chapter 58: Liu Bei

Liu Bei’s constitution was better than both Zhang Fei’s and Guan Yu’s, so his tolerance for alcohol was naturally much higher than these ministers’.

"That thief Liu has such a high tolerance for alcohol; no wonder he can win the favor of the thief Dong!"

"What do we do? We’re getting drunk before we’ve even managed to get him drunk!"

"All together now, let’s fight him to the finish!"

While Liu Bei was engaged in a drinking contest, Wang Yun and Cao Cao were already exchanging glances.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, the two headed to a secret chamber to confer.

Liu Bei looked at the ministers who had collapsed from drink and curled his lip.

"Can't fight, and can't drink either!"

He also rose and headed outside, then slipped away, stumbling slightly toward the back courtyard of Wang Yun’s residence.

The live stream’s chat screen instantly began to fill up.

"Did that big-eared thief take a wrong turn?"

"I vaguely remember that the last time the big-eared thief took a wrong turn, he picked up Miss Cai, the greatest talented woman of the late Han!"

"I fear Wang Yun’s back courtyard is about to catch fire too!"

"You all need to trust Liu Bei; he must be drunk and just took a wrong turn."

Liu Bei walked to the garden in the back courtyard, strolled around once, and finally spotted his target.

Under the moonlight, a girl with a graceful figure was sighing at the moon.

She had an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, rosy lips, delicate features, and fair skin, full of youthful vitality.

Liu Bei thought to himself:

"With beauty that puts the moon to shame and makes flowers blush, and sinks fish and drops geese, she must be Wang Yun’s foster daughter, the beauty of the chaotic times, Diao Chan."

"Ahem."

Liu Bei gave a cough, startling the woman out of her deep thoughts. She covered her mouth and gasped.

"Who are you? How did you come to the back courtyard?"

Liu Bei cupped his hands.

"I am Liu Bei, courtesy name Liu Xuande. I apologize for startling you, Miss."

Diao Chan was startled and began to examine Liu Bei carefully.

"You are Lu Zhi’s student, the Inspector of Bingzhou, Liu Liu Xuande? The husband of the talented Cai Yan?"

Liu Bei was taken aback; he hadn't expected Diao Chan to be so familiar with him.

"That is indeed me. I have had a bit too much to drink and took a wrong turn."

Diao Chan looked at Liu Bei’s face and thought to herself:

"He looks handsome, has an upright air, and his ears are slightly large; he does not look like a great villain."

Liu Bei was also observing Diao Chan, finding that this girl was beautiful, had a great figure, and was as lovely as jade.

The key was that she possessed a certain allure, a charm radiating from her very bones that made one want to tease her. ===== CHAPTER 115 =====

"No wonder Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu both covet her. If Diao Chan were punched once, she would probably cry for a long time."

The live stream exploded this time.

"Damn! Does the big-eared thief have a beauty-navigation system installed in his head?"

"He actually ran into another top-tier girl."

"This woman is so beautiful, even more charming than Cai Yan or Miss Gan. Her allure is natural!"

[Chat room advertisement omitted]

"Wang Yun didn't lock his door properly and let a wolf in!"

"Run, Miss, that big-eared thief is a total scumbag."

"I was too hasty; every time Liu Liu Daer takes a wrong turn, he’s bound to meet a top-tier beauty!"

"The big-eared thief always uses this excuse."

"I am Diao Chan, the foster daughter of Minister Wang Yun. Greetings, Inspector."

Diao Chan bowed gracefully, poised and elegant, with a glimmer in her eyes.

Liu Bei looked at Diao Chan.

"The people of Luoyang currently view me as a wolf. Why does Miss Diao Chan not seem afraid of me?"

Diao Chan stared at Liu Bei with her watery eyes.

"Inspector Liu is a man of loyalty. In the past, you did not fear the tyranny of the Ten Eunuchs, you traveled a thousand miles to escort Minister Lu, defeated the Baibo Army, and also defeated the Xiongnu and Western Xianbei, saving countless lives."

Diao Chan listed Liu Bei’s deeds as if she knew them by heart.

"You treated refugees, sold horses in Luoyang to provide porridge... How could a man like Inspector Liu be a wolf?"

Liu Bei sighed inwardly at the importance of reputation in the Three Kingdoms; he hadn't realized Diao Chan was paying such close attention to him!

He looked at Diao Chan’s cherry lips and thought her voice was truly pleasant; she must be equally melodious when playing musical instruments.

Diao Chan looked around and said softly:

"Inspector Liu, you must be deceiving Dong Zhuo."

Liu Bei sighed in his heart; he hadn't expected Diao Chan to be someone who understood him, even though this was their first meeting.

He did not answer directly.

"Miss Diao Chan, you are quite remarkable."

Diao Chan smiled and bowed to Liu Bei.

"Thank you for your undeserved praise, Inspector."

Diao Chan’s dark eyes rolled.

"Inspector Liu, I heard it was your talent that moved the talented Miss Cai? Your learning must be very profound."

Liu Bei waved his hand.

"Average. I’ve just read a few more books than my wife, that’s all."

Diao Chan looked at him with admiration.

"You’ve actually read more books than the famous talented woman? How amazing!"

Liu Bei: ?? How did this Diao Chan become his fan?

The two began to chat naturally.

Bored, Liu Bei posed a few brain teasers that made Diao Chan knit her brows.

Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Inspector Liu, you are indeed clever. I admire you."

Liu Bei looked at the beautiful Diao Chan and thought to himself:

"Wang Yun, you brute, you can't handle Dong Zhuo yourself, so you sacrifice this girl in the prime of her youth. Such a girl with a sense of justice—it’s too much of a pity. I can’t stand by and watch!"

The two chatted for another half hour.

Liu Bei looked at the sky; it was about time to leave.

"Alright, Miss Diao Chan, let’s chat again next time."

Diao Chan still felt unfulfilled, as if she had endless words for this Liu Bei.

"Very well. Inspector Liu, please be careful. Dong Zhuo’s Xiliang soldiers are exceptionally fierce..."

The two said their goodbyes, and Diao Chan slowly disappeared around a corner.

Liu Bei felt a lingering sense of regret; such a beautiful and sensible girl was rare. Diao Chan’s voice was sweet and soft—he couldn't let that scoundrel Dong Zhuo take advantage of her!