So this is how fate unfolds.

As one of the most illustrious families at the pinnacle of the Han Dynasty, the Yuan clan’s birthday banquet still followed the traditional custom of separate dining. In the brightly adorned north hall, over thirty tables were laid out, each seat occupied by the highest dignitaries and erudite scholars of the realm. Outside the hall, in the courtyard, another thirty tables were set, where guests of slightly lesser rank were seated—yet even these were at least worthies of their regions. Though the seats in the courtyard could not compare to those within the hall, none who sat there bore any complaint; on the contrary, their faces shone with pride and joy, for they knew well that there were many who could not even hope for such a place, submitting their gifts only to take their leave.

Thanks to Yuan Shao’s recommendation, Luan Yi and seven companions were granted an audience with Yuan Kui. Yuan Kui, impressed by their eloquence and growing reputations in recent years, ordered that they be seated in the main hall, beside Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

Before the banquet began, the guests gathered in small groups, exchanging idle conversation, when suddenly the steward at the door announced, “The Grand General has come to offer birthday felicitations to Lord Yuan!”

At these words, all within the hall were taken aback, even Yuan Kui, who had been laughing and conversing at the head table, was momentarily stunned. “Who would have thought He Jin would truly come!” he exclaimed, and hurried out with his elder brothers, Yuan Cheng and Yuan Feng, followed by a great throng of guests. At the entrance, they bowed in greeting. “Grand General, your presence brings honor to my humble abode!”

Luan Yi craned his neck for a look. He Jin’s features were resolute, his cheeks and chin adorned with a well-trimmed beard. Clad in a scholar’s robe, a folding fan in hand, he cut a striking figure. Upon seeing the fan, Luan Yi couldn’t help but smile—he had only invented this little novelty earlier that year, and it had already made its way to the Grand General of the empire.

Having observed He Jin’s demeanor, Luan Yi’s gaze swept the hall, inwardly marveling at the abundance of handsome men present. It was evident that, in ancient times, virtue and talent were indeed measures for officialdom, but one’s appearance too, to a certain degree, was a standard for judging suitability for office.

He Jin threw his head back in hearty laughter, declaring, “The Minister of the Interior’s family has long devoted itself to the service of the Han. On such an auspicious day, how could I not come?”

Yuan Kui modestly replied, “Grand General, you flatter us. To serve the sovereign with loyalty is the duty of any subject.” His words were impeccable—acknowledging his contributions while presenting them as only proper, far more skillful than false humility.

Luan Yi silently praised him—truly a seasoned fox of officialdom, claiming merit without seeming to do so.

After some polite exchange, Yuan Kui led He Jin by the hand into the hall, ushering him to the seat of honor. With host and chief guest seated, the others could do nothing but return to their own places.

Hardly had they settled in when the steward at the door again called out, “The Chamberlain Attendant has come to offer birthday congratulations.”

“What?” He Jin’s expression darkened, his smile vanishing, replaced by anger. “What’s this? Has Lord Yuan even invited that eunuch here?”

Yuan Kui’s smile did not falter as he explained, “I did not invite him—he has come unbidden. Yet now that he is here, it would be ungracious to turn him away. Let us invite him in.”

Seeing that Yuan Kui even sought his opinion on admitting Zhang Rang, He Jin felt a measure of satisfaction, sensing due respect. Laughing boisterously, he said, “Lord Yuan is the master of today’s banquet—let all be as you arrange.”

Yuan Kui smiled, beckoning Yuan Shao over. After excusing himself to Luan Yi and the others, Yuan Shao left to greet the new arrival.

Not long after, Yuan Shao returned with a tall, black-robed man. Though he seemed under fifty, his body was withered, as if in his sixties. His face was aged, yet his eyes gleamed with vitality. His cheeks were bare of any beard, making his identity plain—who else could it be but Zhang Rang?

As he entered, Zhang Rang burst into a harsh, grating laugh. “Congratulations, Lord Yuan! Oh, the Grand General is here as well. Heh heh…”

He Jin snorted coldly but ignored him. Yuan Kui gave a polite bow and gesture, inviting Zhang Rang to sit. His seat was the third in rank, directly facing He Jin.

The two exchanged cold glances and turned away from each other with a mutual snort.

Seeing this, Cao Cao sighed quietly to Luan Yi, “Corrupt eunuchs and imperial in-laws wield power—Lord Yuan himself can do nothing against them.”

Luan Yi managed a bitter smile. “When the beam is crooked, so too are the rafters beneath.”

“What an apt metaphor, Master Ziqi,” Yuan Shao agreed upon returning. “You hit the mark with that saying.”

“Please, don’t address me as Master Ziqi, Lord Yuan,” Luan Yi replied. “That is too great an honor. Why not, like Brother Mengde, simply call me Ziqi?”

“Then Ziqi it shall be. But you too mustn’t call me Lord Yuan. Like Mengde, just call me Brother Benchu.”

“That would be best indeed!”

As they spoke, the steward at the door announced, “Gentleman Usher Wang Yun has arrived to offer birthday felicitations.”

“Oh? He is here as well!” Luan Yi murmured in surprise. He had not expected to meet the man who would later use the beauty trap to destroy Dong Zhuo. In truth, Luan Yi held little admiration for Wang Yun’s scheme—using a woman to sow discord between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu seemed far from clever, and surely there were other ways to rid the world of Dong Zhuo. Matters between men should be settled by men, not through sacrificing women.

As he pondered, Yuan Shao, seated ahead, turned and explained, “How could Gentleman Usher Wang not come? The Wang and Yuan families are old friends. In fact, his father was once elevated by my ancestor’s own hand.”

“I see,” Luan Yi replied.

“My father says that Gentleman Wang is a man of extraordinary talent, destined to be among the Three Excellencies. Ziqi, you should befriend him if you can.”

Luan Yi bowed to Yuan Shao in thanks. “I appreciate Brother Benchu’s guidance!”

Soon after, Wang Yun entered the hall, proceeding with stately courtesy. “Official duties detained me—my apologies for arriving late. I beg Lord Yuan and all esteemed guests’ forgiveness.”

Luan Yi glanced over and saw Wang Yun was indeed a man of commanding presence, dressed in bright and elegant white scholar’s robes, a sword at his waist, exuding heroic spirit.

Curiously, Wang Yun was not alone. Behind him came a woman—lithe and graceful, clad in a ceremonial gown embroidered with drifting clouds, her slender shoulders partly exposed. Her lustrous hair flowed down like a waterfall. Though her face was veiled in brocade, her enchanting eyes were unmistakable to Luan Yi.

“What is she doing here?”

“Indeed! Why is she with Gentleman Wang?” Cao Cao was equally puzzled.

“You two must not know,” Yuan Shao said, a hint of pride in his tone. The Yuan and Wang families were close, and Yuan Shao had seen the young lady at Wang Yun’s residence more than once. “Her name is Diao Chan—she is Wang Yun’s adopted daughter.”

“You say she is Diao Chan?” Luan Yi nearly bit his tongue in shock. So she was Diao Chan… Ren Hongchang… Diao Chan and Ren Hongchang were one and the same. No wonder those eyes were so captivating—enough to enchant Lü Bu and Dong Zhuo. No wonder he himself had struggled to resist.

“You know her?” Yuan Shao asked.

Cao Cao smacked his lips. “Benchu, you seldom visit the Plum Garden, so you might not know. Lately, Diao Chan has been singing there for a living. But how could the adopted daughter of Gentleman Wang perform in such a place?”

At this, Yuan Shao gave Luan Yi a long, meaningful look. “I… think I know why she went there.”

“Why?” Luan Yi asked instinctively.

“Because of you,” Yuan Shao said, envy plain on his face. “I’ve spoken with Diao Chan at the Wang residence before. She talks of nothing but Ziqi—your talent, your youth, your brilliance. She especially adores your writings—hand-copied manuscripts, and later your printed silk books, all of them. It’s said she’s read them to tatters. Once, she asked to borrow money from me. I asked her why, and she said she wanted to visit Yingchuan to see you, but Gentleman Wang forbade it. She wanted to borrow some travel funds and promised to repay me. I didn’t lend it to her—after all, if Wang Yun forbade it, how could I defy him? And it’s hardly safe for a young lady to travel so far alone.”

Yuan Shao paused, then asked Luan Yi, “Given all this, Ziqi, surely you know why Diao Chan went to the pleasure house?”

“You mean…” Tears welled up in Luan Yi’s eyes. “You mean… she went to sing there just to gather travel money?”

Yuan Shao nodded. “That’s almost certainly the reason! Otherwise, why would a well-provided young lady do such degrading work?”

“Did Wang Yun allow her to do that?” Cao Cao exclaimed in shock.

“That’s why she wore a veil—she went in secret!” Luan Yi replied in grief. That night, when she removed her veil upon seeing him, she had, in effect, revealed her identity to the world. The news would surely reach Wang Yun—what would he do when he learned that his adopted daughter had sung in a brothel? He would not spare her punishment. What suffering she must have endured!

“To think there exists such a devoted woman!” Guo Jia sighed deeply and reproached Luan Yi, “If that’s so, Yi, you were far too harsh that night at the Plum Garden. How heartbroken she must have been when you rejected her so coldly!”

“I…” Luan Yi felt his heart bleeding. Such a wonderful girl, sacrificing her dignity and reputation for him—just for a single meeting. Yet in that moment, he had refused even to see her… How could he be such a wretch? “Damn it… but I didn’t know the story behind it then! If only I had known…” But whether he knew or not, what difference did it make now?

His gaze lingered on Diao Chan beside Wang Yun. She sat demurely at his side, pouring tea or bowing her head to the ground, never so much as glancing in his direction.

Her heart must have been utterly broken.