Chương 408: Cai Mao Arrives at the Prince of Yan's Residence

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Cai Mao quickly got up and carefully walked to the chair next to him and sat down.

I only dared to touch the edge of the chair with my bottom, not daring to sit down properly at all.

He stood up straighter than even the new recruits in the army, his hands were neatly placed on his knees, and he didn't even dare to lift his head. He was so reserved.

Liu Ce couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he watched him so nervous he was practically moving his hands and feet in unison, but he didn't make things difficult for him.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked first:

"How is your father, Cai Feng, in health? Back in Xiangyang, thanks to his cooperation, the handover of Jingzhou went smoothly without any trouble."

Cai Mao quickly stood up and was about to bow again when Liu Ce raised his hand to stop him.

He quickly sat back down and replied respectfully:

"Your Highness, my father is in good health and is deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness. He specifically asked me to convey his regards to Your Highness. Your Highness's willingness to accept us despite our past transgressions is a great blessing to our entire family!"

"Don't be so formal."

Liu Ce smiled and waved his hand, saying:

"Zhang Liao has already told me about your sister Cai Wan in his report. Since your Cai family is willing to submit, I will naturally not treat them unfairly. Has she already arrived in Luoyang?"

"Yes, Your Highness! My sister, Cai Wan, has arrived in Luoyang and is waiting at the residence, ready to receive Your Highness's orders at any time."

Cai Mao quickly replied, his tone full of respect.

"My sister has been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood. She is gentle and knows the rules. She is willing to enter the palace to serve Your Highness, as a token of our Cai family's loyalty to Your Highness."

"Yes, that's thoughtful of you."

Liu Ce nodded, and then casually offered a couple more words of advice.

"After your sister enters the manor, there are rules in place, and Steward Wang will make proper arrangements to ensure she is not mistreated. As for you, after returning to Jingzhou, first cooperate with Zhang Liao to stabilize the situation in Jingzhou and keep the Cai family members in check."

"Stop annexing land and oppressing the people. Focus on doing your job properly. I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing; those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who commit wrongdoing will be punished. Do you understand?"

These words sounded simple, yet they carried considerable weight.

Cai Mao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stood up, bowed, and clasped his hands in greeting:

"Your humble servant understands! Your Highness's teachings will be remembered! Upon returning to Jingzhou, I will certainly discipline my clansmen, work diligently, and never dare to cause Your Highness any trouble! I will never betray Your Highness's trust!"

Liu Ce nodded, then asked, "Once Jingzhou is stable, do you have any plans for the future?"

Cai Mao was taken aback, not expecting Liu Ce to ask this.

He replied honestly, "Your Highness, this humble general... has no plans for the time being. I will leave it to Your Highness's arrangements."

Liu Ce laughed and said, "I'm short of naval commanders here. The Cai family of Jingzhou has lived in a water town for generations and is familiar with naval warfare. Would you be willing to take on the role?"

Upon hearing this, Cai Mao was first taken aback, then his eyes lit up instantly, and he almost jumped up from his chair.

Naval commander?

He grew up on the banks of the Yangtze River, was an excellent swimmer, and was an expert in naval warfare.

If you could become a naval commander for the King of Yan, that would be ten thousand times better than being a local bully in Jingzhou!

He realized what was happening, quickly stood up, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and his voice trembled with excitement:

"This humble general is willing! This humble general couldn't be happier! Thank you for your trust, Your Highness! This humble general will do his utmost to live up to Your Highness's expectations! Jingzhou has many rivers and lakes, and this humble general has been skilled in swimming since childhood and has also led naval forces."

Liu Ce laughed and said, "Alright, alright, stop kneeling. You should focus on cooperating with Zhang Liao to stabilize Jingzhou, and then go to take up your post. Gan Ning and Cheng Pu will hand over the naval affairs to you later."

Cai Mao was both surprised and delighted, and his voice rose half an octave as he said:

"Yes, Your Highness! Thank you for your trust! I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"

He was so excited he almost jumped for joy. A naval commander! That was real military power! Not a sinecure! The Prince of Yan truly intended to give him an important position!

After chatting for a few more minutes, Liu Ce noticed that he was sweating profusely from nervousness, so he didn't say anything more and waved for him to leave.

As Cai Mao stepped out of the gate of the Prince of Yan's mansion, a gust of wind blew through him, and he realized that the back of his clothes was soaked with cold sweat.

He breathed a long sigh of relief; he had finally passed this hurdle! His Highness appeared amiable, but his imposing aura, though not angry, was truly intimidating.

No wonder even Cao Cao was convinced of his abilities.

After returning to his residence, Cai Mao's first action was to go find Cai Wan.

He told her everything about meeting Liu Ce, and also explained to his sister all of Cao Cao's instructions and Liu Ce's likes and dislikes.

Finally, she reassured her, "Sister, don't worry. His Highness the Prince of Yan may seem imposing, but he is actually very kind. Once you enter the manor, be well-behaved, gentle, and sensible, and you will definitely not be wronged. The future of our Cai family depends entirely on you."

After hearing this, Cai Wan felt much less nervous.

She blushed and nodded, whispering, "Don't worry, little brother, I understand. I will never cause trouble for the family, nor will I be impolite."

That afternoon, the Cai residence had everything prepared.

Cai Wan changed into an exquisite ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), a light pink one that made her skin look like porcelain.

She wore a simple jade hairpin in her hair and small pearl earrings on her ears. Her style was understated and elegant, yet exquisite and charming.

The maids and dowry were carried out in boxes, stretching for half a street.

Cai Mao personally escorted them, attracting countless onlookers along the way.

"Whose young lady is this? What a grand entrance!"

"The Cai family! The Cai family of Jingzhou! I heard they're going to be sent to the Prince of Yan's residence!"

"Tsk tsk, the Cai family has really climbed the social ladder!"

"Indeed! Who is His Highness the Prince of Yan? He's the most... cough cough cough... to be able to enter the Prince of Yan's residence is a blessing earned over several lifetimes!"

Cai Wan sat in the carriage, listening to the discussions outside, her face turning even redder.

She wrung the handkerchief in her hand again and again, her heart pounding in her chest.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Prince of Yan's residence.

Old Wang, the steward of the Prince's mansion, had already received Liu Ce's instructions and was waiting at the door.

Upon seeing Cai Wan, he bowed respectfully and smiled kindly: "Miss Cai, this old servant is here to await you on the orders of my lord. You must be tired from your journey, please come in."

Cai Wan, supported by her maid, got out of the carriage, glanced up at the plaque of the Prince of Yan's residence, took a deep breath, and followed Steward Wang inside.

Cai Mao watched as his sister entered the mansion without incident, and the last weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted.

He stood at the gate of the Prince's mansion, looking at the high courtyard walls, secretly pleased with himself.

This move was finally the right one! From now on, with His Highness the Prince of Yan as their backer, not only in Jingzhou, but in the entire world, no one will dare to lay a finger on the Cai family!

...

Butler Wang led her through the front yard and the middle yard, all the way to the back yard.

The Prince's mansion was very large, with pavilions, towers, and winding paths leading to secluded spots; it was even more magnificent than she had imagined.

Along the way, Steward Wang introduced her to the various courtyards: "This is the front courtyard council hall, where the lord and the officials discuss matters; this is the middle courtyard, used for banquets; and the back courtyard is where the women of the household live, quiet and safe."