Chapter 7

In the central tent of the Cáo Pèi military camp.

When Cài Zhaohuī arrived, she found that there weren't many people inside the central tent. In fact, the two deputy generals who had come with her had stopped outside the tent.

Inside the tent, only two imposing generals were visible, likely the Generals Cáo Rén and Xiàhóu Yuān mentioned by the deputy generals.

Of course, there was also Lù Yǔ.

However, at this moment, Lù Yǔ was eating, to be precise, he was gnawing on a lamb leg, devouring it ravenously, looking extremely unrefined, as if he hadn't eaten for three days.

To be honest, wasn't Lù Yǔ really starving?

Originally, when he went south to find the "scum father," although he traveled far and wide, he always had the title of "Yǐn Lín," and wherever he went, people would offer him delicious food and drinks.

His travel funds, dry rations, and cooked meat had never been lacking. Now, in Cáo's camp, it seemed like he had encountered a great famine!

For three months, Lù Yǔ hadn't eaten any meat, and every day he only had thin porridge or rice gruel.

To put it mildly, if he were given a bottle of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce from before he crossed over, he would treasure it as if it were a gourmet feast!

Now, on the table were roasted lamb legs, fine deer meat, dog meat, and various fruits. How could Lù Yǔ resist? If he didn't eat, it would be a waste!

In the Han Dynasty, eating dog meat was popular, but Lù Yǔ really wasn't used to it. Therefore, he had only gnawed halfway through the deer meat and lamb leg, leaving the dog meat untouched.

"You look so frail, yet you eat like a burly man! Ha ha, and you're even picky!" Cáo Rén exclaimed.

It sounded like a scolding, but in fact, this was how he usually spoke.

These meats were prepared by Cáo Rén and Xiàhóu Yuān for Lù Yǔ to eat!

There were plenty of burly men in Cáo's camp, but a young man who understood military strategy was as precious as a treasure. Cáo Cāo was eagerly looking forward to it, and Cáo Rén and Xiàhóu Yuān also felt a sense of affection by association!

Seeing Cài Zhaohuī enter, Lù Yǔ picked up a papaya and handed it to her. "Sister Zhaohuī, eat the papaya. It's good for your health!"

As soon as he said this...

Cài Zhaohuī's face turned serious after hearing General Cáo Rén's "scolding." The more Lù Yǔ ate, the more uneasy she felt.

"Little brother, who allowed you to be so disrespectful in front of the two generals? Who allowed you to take the papaya? How can you take someone else's things?"

Cài Zhaohuī deliberately spoke harshly, thinking that only by punishing her brother in this way would the two generals calm down and forgive him!

In fact...

When scolding Lù Yǔ, Cài Zhaohuī's heart ached.

"Generals Cáo and Xiàhóu... my brother is still young and impulsive... if he has offended or provoked you in any way, please forgive him for the sake of my brother, or... or punish me instead!"

Since three months ago, when she heard the news of her father Cài Yōng's tragic death at the hands of Wáng Yǔn.

During this time, Cài Zhaohuī had become sensitive and fragile, especially since they were living under others' roofs, a sense of inferiority had risen in her heart.

After all, with the world in chaos, if they were expelled by her brother Cáo Cāo, who could protect them?

"If my little brother causes trouble and needs to compensate... I have, I have..."

As she spoke, Cài Zhaohuī quickly searched her sleeves. Before Cáo Rén and Xiàhóu Yuān could react...

She took out all the money she had on her...

It was such a meager amount!

Two strings of wǔ zhū coins, only two strings, and a few scattered copper coins. Because Cài Zhaohuī was clean, each coin was polished to a shine, but all together, they probably couldn't even buy a pound of millet.

And this was all she had.

Seeing this... Cáo Rén was stunned, Xiàhóu Yuān was stunned, and even Lù Yǔ was stunned.

When he was "Yǐn Lín," didn't the county magistrates and prefectural governors in the south send him a lot of money? Now... had his sister become so poor?

Oh? Truly, one doesn't know the value of daily necessities until one manages a household!

It seemed... Sister Zhaohuī had indeed had a hard time these past few years.

Suddenly, Lù Yǔ felt a lump in his throat. He even thought that if it weren't for the impending chaos and the world in turmoil, he would rather take Sister Zhaohuī to travel and live a carefree life, selling information, without worrying about food or clothing!

Sigh...

He took a deep breath, intending to say something.

But his cautious mind kept him from speaking.

"Endure, just a little longer. Without revealing the identity of 'Yǐn Lín,' this... is the only way to get close to Cáo Cāo and live a good life!"

"Sister, good times are coming... just a little longer, a little longer!"

...

"Sister Zhaohuī, you misunderstood... actually..."

Before Lù Yǔ could speak, Cáo Rén quickly stood up and explained, "Miss Cài Yán, the lamb leg and deer meat are what I let him eat, and the papaya is what he specially saved for you."

"He hasn't caused any trouble, and... he is very wise, a talent that Lord Cáo is looking for!"

Is that so?

Cài Zhaohuī paused, seeing Lù Yǔ looking委屈 (wronged) but still holding the papaya, she felt a pang of sympathy.

"Brother Lù Yǔ, it seems I wronged you," Cài Zhaohuī said softly.

Lù Yǔ smiled faintly and then pushed the papaya into Cài Zhaohuī's arms.

In Lù Yǔ's view, his sister was in the prime of her youth, but her body had not developed as it should.

Whether or not he ate the lamb leg didn't really matter, but Sister Zhaohuī must eat the papaya to nourish herself properly!

Otherwise... a pair of A cups, who would want them?

"Miss Cài Yán, I am Cáo Rén, styled Zǐxiào, and this is General Xiàhóu, styled Miàocái!"

The misunderstanding cleared, Cáo Rén introduced himself and then said loudly, "Miàocái and I have long admired your name. People say that Miss Cài Yán could distinguish the strings of a zither at the age of six, a remarkable woman of the world. I never expected that you would also have such an outstanding brother, truly impressive, truly impressive!"

As he spoke, Cáo Rén glanced out the window.

"Miss Cài Yán, the carriage is ready. Shall we go to the Chénliú Prefecture Office?"

"The Chénliú Prefecture Office?" Cài Zhaohuī repeated.

In her memory, this was where Cáo Cāo worked. In the three months she had been in Cáo's camp, she had only been there once.

"Exactly," Cáo Rén explained. "My elder brother has recently asked me to find some young people with wisdom to personally cultivate. Your brother is wise, quick-witted, and well-versed in military strategy. I'm sure my elder brother will like him! With proper cultivation and important tasks, his future is boundless!"

Ah?

Proper cultivation? Boundless future?

Cài Zhaohuī was stunned again...

At this moment, a new idea suddenly arose in her heart.

Could it be that everything that happened today was planned in advance by Brother Lù Yǔ?

Without revealing the identity of "Yǐn Lín," he used a strategy to get close to his brother Cáo Cāo, subtly offering advice, and leading to a better life for them?

This...

Thinking about it, Cài Zhaohuī felt a sudden tremor in her heart.

Oh my...

Brother Lù Yǔ's plan was so meticulous, so subtle.

Even General Cáo Rén, General Xiàhóu Yuān, the deputy generals in the Cáo Pèi military camp, and even Cáo Cāo himself... were all in the dark?

Sigh...

She took a deep breath.

Cài Zhaohuī's heart was filled with excitement. It seemed... even in Cáo's camp, even living under others' roofs, the identity of Yǐn Lín could not be revealed, but the mind of Yǐn Lín was still exceptionally wise!

Was this what Yuèdān Píng Xǔ Shào mentioned to her—Yǐn Lín in the depths, soaring to the ninth heaven?

...

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