Chapter 52: For the Greater Good, the Advisor Is Wronged! A Generous Wife, Yet the Sister-in-Law Grows Jealous?

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Madam Su actually intends to act as a matchmaker for him? And she plans to betroth the daughter of the Zou family to him as a concubine? What could this mean?

Xiao Fang’s eyes showed confusion as his gaze shifted to Old Liu. Seeing the smile on Old Liu’s face, he suddenly began to understand. Since ancient times, it was common for monarchs to reward their trusted ministers with wealth and beauties; nothing unusual there. Previously, Old Liu had already gifted several maidservants—now offering a concubine made sense.

Wait… the daughter of the Zou family? Could it be the infamous Madam Zou rumored to bring ruin to the state? Wasn’t she the widow of Zhang Ji? Was Old Liu really giving him a widow?

“May I ask, Madam, since I have never met the young lady from the Zou family, why would you consider giving her to me?” Xiao Fang asked, his heart full of suspicion.

Madam Su smiled and replied with a question, “Jinglüe, is there a maid in your camp named Zhou Wan?”

Xiao Fang was taken aback but then nodded, “There is indeed such a person. She was a gift from Wenchang, and I once mentioned her background to my lord.”

Madam Su continued, “Where is this Zhou Wan now?”

Xiao Fang was puzzled by Madam Su’s detailed inquiry about Zhou Wan. Though confused, he answered, “After the lord captured Wancheng, I permitted her to return to reunite with her parents. She has yet to come back. As a young lady, I suppose she feels ashamed serving as a maid, and I did not want to force her; whether she stays or leaves is up to her.”

Madam Su and Liu Bei exchanged a glance, their eyes confirming an unspoken thought. Liu Bei sighed softly and said, “Jinglüe, you are a master strategist who knows all under heaven, yet you remain unaware of the beauties beside you.”

The more Xiao Fang listened, the more bewildered he became, lost in the haze created by Old Liu and his wife.

Madam Su stopped circling around and revealed frankly, “Jinglüe, Zhou Wan’s real surname is not Zhou—it is Zou. That girl is the daughter of the Zou family.”

Xiao Fang’s heart leapt.

Madam Su then explained the whole story in detail: out of fear, Zhou Wan had lied about her surname and dared not reveal her true identity. After entering Wancheng, she returned home to reunite with her father. Not long ago, Liu Bei held a banquet to welcome the local gentry, and Zou Han, her father, took the opportunity to propose betrothing his daughter to Xiao Fang as a concubine. Upon learning the whole story, Liu Bei entrusted Madam Su with the matchmaking.

Hearing this, Xiao Fang suddenly understood. No wonder Zhou Wan hesitated when asked her name and seemed to hide something during their interactions. With his keen eye, he could not have missed the doubts, but being busy with war and knowing she was a young woman, he chose not to pry. Now, with the truth unveiled, all the subtle clues fell into place.

“So that’s how it is. I never imagined she was the Zou family’s daughter.” Xiao Fang, having faced many storms, soon calmed his heart.

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By this reasoning, Zhou Wan was abducted by Wei Yan on the way to her wedding, never entering the city to marry, and had no connection to Zhang Ji—she was certainly not a widow. Old Liu was not giving him a widow, but a young maiden.

Yet another question arose in his mind. He asked, “I don’t quite understand. Although the Zou family is not as prestigious as the Cai or Kuai clans, they are still a prominent family in Wancheng. Why would they willingly let their daughter become a concubine?”

Madam Su lightly cleared her throat and sighed, “Everyone knows that the Zou family’s daughter had been missing for so long, all while staying in your camp. A young lady alone—how would the outside world gossip?”

She left the matter there, sparing the Zou family’s reputation. But Xiao Fang immediately caught the implication. A young man and woman cohabiting in a tent for so long, though he never forced Zhou Wan, what would people think? To protect their daughter’s honor and family dignity, the Zou family chose to go along with the arrangement, preferring her to become a concubine rather than risk scandal.

“Jinglüe, as the lord’s military strategist, your status is high. The Zou family knows this well.”

“This match serves two purposes: to preserve the Zou family’s reputation and to show goodwill toward our lord. The Zou family holds some influence in Wancheng, and our lord wishes to foster this union to demonstrate respect for the Zou family and the people of Nanyang.”

“Jinglüe, this marriage may cause you some inconvenience,” Madam Su added, revealing the deeper political meaning behind the arrangement.

Hearing this, Zhang Fei burst into laughter, “Sister-in-law, your words nearly kill me with laughter! Why say Jinglüe is inconvenienced? I’ve heard that the Zou family’s daughter is a top beauty! Jinglüe will be lucky to gain such a concubine. He should be secretly delighted, not feeling wronged!”

Zhang Fei’s outburst made everyone laugh. Xiao Fang thought Zhang Fei had a point. Serving Old Liu by marrying into a family was not too much to ask. Zhou Wan was indeed a first-rate beauty as Zhang Fei said; taking her as a concubine was no hardship. To refuse would be hypocritical.

“If Madam Su is the matchmaker, I shall of course accept this marriage,” Xiao Fang said. “However, I would like to speak with my wife first about taking a concubine. I hope Madam Su understands.”

He agreed but wished to discuss it with Zhuge Lan first. In this era, for someone of his status, taking a concubine was common, and Zhuge Lan would hardly object. Yet, he still wished to show respect to his wife.

Seeing Xiao Fang nod, Madam Su’s face brightened slightly as she glanced at Liu Bei. Liu Bei secretly breathed a sigh of relief and felt gratified by his strategist’s broader view.

“Jinglüe!” Liu Bei raised his cup with gratitude. “When I was in utter despair after losing Xuzhou, if not for your sole support, how could I have taken Nanyang and established a foothold here?”

“I won’t waste words of thanks; all of it is in this cup!” With that, Liu Bei drank deeply.

Xiao Fang smiled and likewise drained his cup. The two clinked their empty glasses and laughed heartily. The banquet was a joyous occasion.

Only when the lanterns were high did a slightly intoxicated Xiao Fang, supported by Zhuge Liang, return to his residence.

“Why did you drink so much?” Zhuge Lan quickly came forward, taking Xiao Fang’s arm from Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Rong followed, grabbing the other arm and shooting a glare at Zhuge Liang, “A-Liang, why didn’t you stop brother-in-law from drinking so much?”

Zhuge Liang shrugged innocently, “Our lord was in good spirits, and General Yide is a heavy drinker, pouring cup after cup for brother-in-law—I couldn’t stop them!”

Zhuge Rong pouted but had no time to scold further. She and her sister helped Xiao Fang inside.

After some time, with the alcohol’s effect slightly waning, Xiao Fang opened his eyes to see Zhuge Rong had left and his wife entering with a basin of water.

She wrung a wet cloth and was about to wipe his face when Xiao Fang suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her close.

“Husband,” Zhuge Lan blushed, startled and coy.

“Honey, I have something to discuss with you…” Xiao Fang hesitated, unsure how to begin.

Zhuge Lan guessed his thoughts and smiled gently, “You mean Madam Su acting as matchmaker for you to take the Zou family’s daughter as concubine?”

Xiao Fang was surprised she already knew and had spoken first. He guessed Zhuge Liang must have told her earlier.

“So A-Liang has told you. This matter is Madam Su’s doing, likely also the lord’s will…”

Before he finished, Zhuge Lan spoke seriously: “Meeting the Miss Zou is fate. It’s only natural for her to wish to marry you to protect her reputation.”

“Besides, men taking concubines is customary, especially for someone of your status.”

“And since Madam Su is the matchmaker, you should accept without hesitation. Saying you want to discuss it with me first only makes me seem jealous.”

Xiao Fang’s eyes widened, filled with delighted admiration for his wife. He hadn’t expected such generosity and foresight.

He was deeply moved and momentarily speechless.

“But I also understand you respect and cherish me, wanting to discuss first.”

“With such care, I am content. What more could I ask?”

Zhuge Lan blushed deeply, burying her face in his embrace.

Xiao Fang finally came to his senses and exhaled deeply. With a wife like this, what more could he desire?

Looking down, he saw Zhuge Lan’s flushed face glowing even more radiant in the candlelight.

His sleeve brushed sharply, extinguishing the red candles. Outside, the moonlight shone brightly.

In the main hall:

“Lord Xuande really is something—why reward brother-in-law with a concubine of all things?”

“Why did brother-in-law agree without asking us first!”

Learning of Xiao Fang’s plan to take a concubine, Zhuge Rong furrowed her delicate nose, murmuring her grievances.

“Madam Su is the matchmaker; brother-in-law couldn’t refuse.”

“Moreover, this marriage is crucial for the lord’s efforts to appease and win over Wancheng’s gentry. Brother-in-law, as the lord’s strategist, cannot decline for the greater good.”

After patiently explaining the pros and cons, Zhuge Liang suddenly sensed something amiss.

“Wait, Second Sister, even if brother-in-law had to consult, shouldn’t he discuss it with Eldest Sister first? Why would he need to talk to you?”

Zhuge Rong’s body trembled, her pretty face flushing deeply to the roots of her ears.

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