Chương 83: He Jin's Invitation

Liu Ce walked very fast, almost jogging, out of the inner palace area and out of the palace.

He didn't breathe a sigh of relief until he got into the Zhen family's carriage and the curtain was lowered; his back was soaked with sweat.

"My goodness..." He wiped the sweat from his brow, "That was so dangerous... I almost..."

He dared not think any further.

If word gets out about what happened today, even ten heads wouldn't be enough to chop off.

The carriage swayed and wobbled back to its starting point. Liu Ce leaned against the carriage, recalling the scene from just moments ago, still feeling lingering fear.

He Lian's eyes, her movements, her tone... were clearly seducing him.

And for a fleeting moment, he himself was actually moved.

"The legacy of Cao Cao is deadly..." Liu Ce muttered to himself.

He made a decision: he would visit the palace less often in the future. This place was too dangerous.

The second key to fishing is to stay away from danger and cherish life.

The carriage rolled forward, and as night deepened, the lights of Luoyang flashed past the carriage window.

Liu Ce closed his eyes, but the scene from just now was still replaying in his mind.

He shook his head violently, trying to banish those images from his mind.

"Amitabha... form is emptiness, emptiness is form..." he murmured to himself.

"I'd better go to Youzhou as soon as possible... staying in Luoyang for too long will really lead to trouble..."

The carriage drove into the night and disappeared at the end of the long street.

Inside Changqiu Palace, He Lian was still sitting there, looking at the empty wine cup with a complicated expression.

Was she too impulsive just now?

But that feeling... that feeling of her heart racing... she hadn't felt that way in a long time.

She looked at Liu Hong, who was fast asleep on the table, and then recalled Liu Ce's hasty escape earlier. A cryptic smile appeared on her lips.

"Liu Ce..." she murmured the name, "Do you think you can escape?"

When he returned to the Zhen residence, Zhao Yun and Dian Wei were still waiting for him.

"My lord, how is it? Is the food in the palace good?" Dian Wei asked.

Liu Ce waved his hand: "It's alright, it's just... we were just 'chatting' around in the palace."

He spoke casually, but Zhao Yun keenly noticed something amiss in his expression:

"My lord, is something the matter?"

"It's nothing," Liu Ce shook his head.

"I'm just a little tired. I'm going to rest."

He returned to his room, closed the door, and lay down on the bed.

The scenes from the greenhouse hall were still replaying in my mind.

Liu Hong's drunken state, He Lian's allure, and the moment when I almost lost control...

The next morning, at the Zhen residence in Luoyang.

Liu Ce had just gotten up and was stretching his muscles in the yard—actually, he was just stretching, twisting his neck, and doing some calisthenics.

Dian Wei and Zhao Yun watched from the side, their expressions strange.

"My lord, what kind of kung fu are you practicing?" Zhao Yun couldn't help but ask.

"This is called... a health-preserving exercise," Liu Ce said without changing his expression.

"It promotes longevity and strengthens the body."

Dian Wei scratched his head: "I think lifting the stone weight is more practical."

Just then, the Zhen family steward strode over with a card in his hand, bowed, and said:

"My lord, a letter has been sent from the General's residence."

Liu Ce took the invitation, opened it, and glanced at it.

The post was written on fine silk paper, with neat handwriting and very polite content.

The general meaning is: I have long admired the reputation of Champion Hou and would like to extend a special invitation to visit my home. The meeting is scheduled for noon today.

The inscription was signed by He Jin and also bore the seal of a Grand General.

Liu Ce casually tossed the invitation onto the stone table beside him and said to the steward:

"Reply to the messenger that I am honored and will certainly keep the appointment on time."

The steward accepted the order and left.

Dian Wei, standing to the side, curled his lip and said, "That butcher He has a keen sense of smell. Knowing that our lord has nothing to do today, he came over here."

Zhao Yun was more composed and analyzed, "Brother, the General's invitation must be an attempt to win him over."

Everyone in the court knew that General He was at odds with Zhang Rang and other eunuchs, and that he maintained a distant relationship with the aristocratic families and literati.

What he lacks most now is an outside ally like his elder brother, who commands a strong army and has the status of a member of the imperial family.

Liu Ce stretched and chuckled, "I know, let's go. Let's hear what price he's asking for, and while we're at it..."

He paused, then his smile deepened: "Let's see just how capable this Grand General's brother-in-law really is."

At noon, Liu Ce, accompanied only by Zhao Yun, rode to the General's Mansion.

He Jin's General's Mansion was located on the east side of Tongtuo Street in Luoyang City, near Buguangli.

This location, in modern terms, would be considered a luxury residential area within the Second Ring Road, where property prices would be astronomical.

From a distance, Liu Ce could see the mansion. Good heavens, it was truly magnificent!

The gate tower is tall and imposing, with the main gate standing atop three tiers of bluestone steps. The black lacquered hardwood doors are edged with copper and adorned with bronze tiger-head door knockers.

Two bronze door studs were embedded in the lintel, and two rows of armored soldiers stood below the steps, each wearing a helmet and armor and holding a long halberd, looking quite intimidating.

Liu Ce reined in his horse and stopped, squinting as he looked at the horse.

If Dian Wei were here, he would definitely say, "This pomp and circumstance is even grander than our lord's!"

Zhao Yun whispered from the side, "Although the armored soldiers are strong, their military discipline is a bit lax."

"Brother, look, the third one from the left, his armor belt isn't even fastened properly; and those on the right, their eyes are wandering, and their posture isn't upright enough."

Liu Ce nodded. Indeed, these soldiers looked tall and mighty, but they lacked spirit and energy.

They were far inferior to his Xuanjia Army.

"All show and no substance," he commented.

The two dismounted.

A gatekeeper came to greet them, and upon hearing that the Marquis of Champion had arrived, he quickly went in to announce their arrival.

Before long, the gates of the mansion swung open, and He Jin himself came out to greet them, escorting them all the way to the second gate—this was an extremely high honor.

Liu Ce looked up and saw that He Jin was indeed a tall and strong man, with broad shoulders, a thick waist, and a face full of fat, a typical appearance of a warrior.

He was dressed in casual clothes, but it couldn't hide his rough and boisterous air. At this moment, his face was full of enthusiastic smiles, and he cupped his hands in greeting from a distance.

"Oh dear, Marquis Champion! Please, please come in!"

That voice was incredibly loud.

Liu Ce dismounted and returned the greeting, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant: "I am unworthy of such a personal welcome from the General."

He Jin stepped forward and grabbed Liu Ce's arm—his grip was surprisingly strong.

"Don't mention it! Come on, come on, the food and drinks are all ready!"

He practically dragged Liu Ce into the mansion.

Zhao Yun followed behind, and his lips twitched as he watched He Jin's overly enthusiastic manner.

Upon entering the main hall, Liu Ce glanced around.

Inside the hall were rows of tables, already laden with food and wine.

There was a wide variety of dishes, as well as various snacks and fruits; it was a very generous feast.

Besides He Jin, only a few people accompanied him—two scholars who looked like his advisors, and three younger men who were probably He Jin's nephews or cousins.

The absence of other high-ranking officials clearly indicated an attempt to create the atmosphere of a "private family banquet."

"Sit down, sit down!" He Jin pressed Liu Ce to the guest seat and sat down himself in the host seat.

After the guests and hosts were seated, He Jin raised his glass to offer a toast first:

"The young hero, Marquis of Champion, swept away the Yellow Turbans, establishing unparalleled merit and becoming a pillar of our great Han Dynasty! I, He, have long admired you. Come, drink this cup to the brim!"

Liu Ce raised his cup and said politely, "General, you flatter me. This is all thanks to the soldiers' bravery and His Majesty's good fortune. I dare not take credit for it."

The two drank it all in one gulp.

The wine was of the finest quality, and the food was exquisite delicacies.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.