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Hengyuan is prosperous. Trade is booming. Bandits are nearly nonexistent. And Lie Fan had wealth to spare because he had built a world where prosperity flowed. But beneath the golden festivities, a darker undercurrent simmered, one only Lie Fan could see clearly.
Which was why, on the morning of the wedding day, he sat in the quiet of his assigned quarters in the Sun mansion, a deep seriousness settling over him.
The room was elegant, lacquered wood, jade ornaments, red banners waiting to be hung for the celebration, but now it felt more like a war council chamber.
Five Oriole Agents knelt before him, heads bowed, clothes slightly dusty from their covert rounds across the city.
One spoke first, voice low, direct.
"Your Majesty, the Lu Clan has intensified their efforts. Their agents attempted sabotage at three points—"
"—the lantern warehouse," another added. "They tried to set it alight last night."
"—the wine shipment was tampered with," said a third. "Poison was found in one of the jars."
"—and a group tried to bribe several vendors to cause chaos among the guests."
Lie Fan listened silently, fingers steepled beneath his chin. His face was calm, perfectly still. But his eyes, sharp enough to cut glass, gleamed with something cold.
The fifth agent stepped forward. "We intercepted every attempt. But they remain adamant, Your Majesty. They still intend to cause trouble today."
Lie Fan leaned back slightly and exhaled through his nose, almost a scoff.
"So the Lu Clan truly believes they have the right to test my patience. And the patience of the Sun Clan." His voice held no anger, only a quiet, lethal certainty. "They wish to ruin this wedding? Then eliminate them."
All five agents bowed lower.
"As you command."
Lie Fan's gaze hardened. "You will stop them today, no matter what. This wedding is not merely a celebration. It stabilizes the plans I have moving forward. If any one of you fails me…" His tone didn't rise, but the temperature in the room seemed to plummet. "You understand the consequences."
Five voices, perfectly synchronized, responded.
"We understand, Your Majesty!"
They dropped fully to their knees, foreheads pressed to the floor.
"We swear upon our lives, we will not fail you!"
"Good." Lie Fan stood. "Then go."
They vanished like shadows dispersing beneath the light.
Left alone, Lie Fan walked to the wardrobe and began to change into the formal attire prepared for him. The robes were heavy, richly embroidered, predominantly deep crimson with patterns of gold thread coiling like dragons across the fabric. Every layer spoke of prestige, power, and his personal status not as matchmaker, but as Emperor.
As he dressed, he felt the weight of responsibility settle over his shoulders, not burdensome, but grounding.
A wedding was joy. A wedding was unity. A wedding was a turning point. And today would be no different.
He finished fastening the final jade clasp at his collar and let out a steady breath.
Then he left his quarters.
The Sun Clan mansion had transformed into the heart of the city's festival. Red silk draped over every beam. Lanterns hung like floating suns. Musicians tuned their instruments. Servants hurried in carefully orchestrated chaos. Laughter echoed from room to room.
Lie Fan stepped into the main hall and the gathered guests rose to greet him.
Princess Wannian sat gracefully, wearing a pale rose colored gown embroidered with coiling phoenixes. Her posture was perfect as always, and her expression carried that serene authority she'd inherited since birth.
Beside her, Crown Prince Lie Muchen stood tall in ceremonial attire of deep blue and silver. His presence commanded attention, even when silent.
Sun Jian, dignified as a mountain, offered Lie Fan a warm nod. "You're just in time."
Sun Ce and Sun Quan stood near their father, dressed in their own finery for the occasion. Each held the relaxed strength of warriors who had seen battle but today served as hosts.
Lady Wu, Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, and the other women of the Sun household gathered together in their reserved section, their dresses shimmering with every movement like dancing brush strokes.
Zhou Yu sat nearby, serene as flowing water, a gentle smile on his lips.
Lie Fan gave them all a respectful nod before taking his seat beside Wannian and Muchen.
The atmosphere swelled with anticipation.
Today was the day.
The drumbeats outside grew louder, deeper, echoing through the courtyard gates.
Sun Ce stepped closer to the entrance, listening carefully.
"Ma Chao's procession is approaching."
Excitement burst through the hall like sunlight through a window.
Dozens of Sun Clan retainers hurried to their positions. Servants moved like a coordinated tide. The musicians lifted their instruments. A messenger ran in from the outer gate.
"The Ma Clan procession has arrived!"
Sun Jian rose, his strong voice rolling through the hall. "Let us welcome our honored guests!"
Everyone followed.
Lie Fan stood as well, folding his hands behind him, letting his aura settle, calm yet commanding. Princess Wannian stood gracefully beside him, and Muchen stepped slightly behind, maintaining perfect decorum.
Outside, the sound of hooves and wheels grew louder.
The Ma Clan procession appeared through the main gates, a grand sight that made even the most seasoned generals nod in approval.
At the very front was Ma Chao, dressed in ceremonial wedding armor, a brilliant set of polished steel with gold inlays shaped like thunderbolts. A long red silk ribbon was tied across his chest.
Behind him stood his brothers and cousin.
Ma Tie, calm and steady
Ma Xiu, focused, responsible
Ma Dai, smiling faintly, but with pride
Zhao Yun, straight backed and elegant as always
And Ma Yunlu, glowing despite her pregnancy, supported discreetly by her husband as they joined the procession.
The shimmering gifts followed behind them: lacquered boxes, carved crates, silk-covered bundles, each carried by servants or soldiers in spotless uniforms. A long red banner with Ma Chao's emblem fluttered proudly above the group.
The entire city thundered with cheers.
Ma Chao dismounted with practiced ease, swept the front of his armor, and strode into the courtyard with a mixture of pride and something faintly resembling nerves.
He approached the Sun Clan hosting line and bowed deeply.
"Ma Chao of Xiliang greets the Sun Clan."
Sun Jian beamed. "Welcome, young warrior."
Sun Ce clapped his back. "Brother in law."
Sun Quan smirked. "We've prepared enough wine for ten armies."
Zhou Yu nodded with gentle grace. "It is a joyous day."
Ma Chao smiled gratefully, then turned, and bowed with deep respect toward Lie Fan.
"Your Majesty."
Lie Fan nodded. "It is good to see you standing proudly on this important day."
Ma Chao straightened, eyes bright with genuine warmth and determination.
But before anything else could be said, Sun Jian raised a hand.
"Let the ceremonies begin!"
The courtyard erupted with movement.
Drums thundered.
Flutes trilled.
Firecrackers burst.
Red petals rained from the balconies as servants tossed them into the air.
The vast double doors of the inner residence opened with a soft creak—
And Sun Shangxiang stepped out.
She was radiant.
Her wedding gown was woven from snow white silk with red thread intricately embroidered into phoenix wings stretching up both sleeves and trailing behind her like burning clouds.
Her hair was adorned with golden ornaments, pearls cascading gently through the strands. Her expression was composed, but her eyes, her eyes sparkled like a blade freshly drawn.
She walked beside Lady Wu, supported lightly as tradition dictated.
When Ma Chao saw her, his breath caught, not with shock, but with a kind of fierce pride and love that softened every edge of his usually intense face.
Zhao Yun glanced at Ma Yunlu, who smirked knowingly. Princess Wannian covered her lips to hide a smile. Lie Muchen's eyes softened with genuine warmth for the bride.
Lie Fan watched quietly, observing every detail, not as emperor, but as matchmaker.
The musicians shifted into a softer melody.
Sun Shangxiang stepped down from the raised platform and approached Ma Chao, who lowered his eyes respectfully in the traditional posture.
She returned the gesture, elegant, composed, and luminous.
Two phoenixes meeting. Two warriors stepping into a shared life.
Sun Jian spoke solemnly. "Let the bowing ceremony begin."
Ma Chao and Sun Shangxiang turned toward the ancestral altar. They bowed deeply three times, praying for blessings.
Then they turned toward Sun Jian and Lady Wu, three more bows.
Finally, they faced each other.
The world seemed to pause.
The courtyard fell into reverent silence.
A gentle breeze stirred Shangxiang's delicate hair ornaments.
Ma Chao straightened, jaw set in determination, but his eyes tender.
Sun Shangxiang lifted her gaze, no shyness, only certainty.
Together, they bowed.
Not as warriors.
Not as leaders.
But as husband and wife.
A roar of celebration exploded across the courtyard.
Drums rolled.
Firecrackers screamed.
Lanterns swung.
Guests applauded with genuine joy.
Lie Fan exhaled gently content.
Princess Wannian leaned closer and whispered, "A good match."
He nodded. "A powerful one."
Sun Quan shouted to the crowd, "Bring the wine! Bring the feast!"
The celebration spilled into the banquet hall.
Laughter, music, dancing.
Tables of steaming dishes.
Wine flowing like river water.
Ma Yunlu sat with her brothers and Zhao Yun, glowing with happiness.
Sun Ce and Sun Quan began drinking contests with Ma Dai and Ma Tie.
Zhao Yun and Zhou Yu discussed military formations while Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao teased them for being unable to let go of work even at a wedding.
Princess Wannian sat with her son Sima Shi in her arms, rocking him gently as the baby cooed happily.
And Lie Fan?
He stood at the balcony overseeing the courtyard, composed, hands folded behind his back, drinking in the sight of unity and celebration.
He knew the Oriole Agents were already striking at the Lu Clan's sabotage attempts.
He knew by tonight, the threat would be gone.
And the drums of Yuzhang played on, echoing through the streets, carrying joy across the entire province as the wedding of Ma Chao and Sun Shangxiang unfolded in full splendor.
Outside the Sun Clan mansion, while drums thundered and wine flowed freely within, the streets of Yuzhang carried a completely different rhythm, a quiet, precise pulse of shadows in motion.
The Oriole Agents, every pair of eyes, every blade hidden beneath sleeves, every whisper that lived in the dark, swept through the city with purposeful grace. Their orders had been absolute, and none among them dared let today slip through the cracks of chaos.
The first group moved through the outer residential ring of Yuzhang where the Lu Clan maintained their satellite estates. They entered the mansions not through breaking gates or brandishing authority, but through silence, slipping in past complacent guards, weaving through gardens and balconies, finding doors left unlatched by servants who thought luxury was its own protection.
Inside, they uncovered all manner of filth.
Bribery accounting scrolls hidden behind painted screens. Letters coded with references to "spoiling wine," "guest disruptions," and "fire at midnight." Ledgers showing money funneled to mercenaries who had conveniently "entered the city for trade." Another team slipped into the homes of merchant allies who had thrown their support behind the Lu Clan for years. What they found was worse.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty
Age: 35 (202 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 2325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 966 (+20)
VIT: 623 (+20)
AGI: 623 (+10)
INT: 667
CHR: 98
WIS: 549
WILL: 432
ATR Points: 0