Chapter 3: What Shame Is There in Loving a Wicked Bandit?

After finishing lunch and seeing off a house full of "impoverished relatives," Chen Cong finally found a moment of peace. For the past few days, he had been shuttling back and forth like a spinning top—training the cavalry one moment and making Wang Kuang's life miserable the next. Taking advantage of his rare free time today, he strolled leisurely toward the back residence with his hands clasped behind his back.

The layout here was vastly different from the original residence of the Minister of Works. Chen Cong had specifically hired craftsmen to tear down the dividing walls of the inner courtyard, merging the living quarters of his women into one cohesive, idyllic sanctuary. It featured mountains, water, flowers, and trees, with koi ponds and pavilions nestled among the buildings in a way that felt entirely natural. Why keep things so strictly segregated within a family? Living behind high walls and blue-tiled roofs only led to overthinking and cabin fever.

Now, the rear window of Dong Bai's attic faced the front window of Diaochan's quarters. A twenty-step walk to the left brought one to the small building where Liu Ying lived. Everyone saw each other constantly, making it easy to drop by for a visit, chat, or feed the fish. Once he brought Cao Rong here and introduced mahjong, the four of them would have a perfect table. Once the sisters grew close, there would be no need for petty rivalries; at worst, they would just... Chen Cong chuckled to himself.

Upon entering, he found Dong Bai and Diaochan, that pair of inseparable companions, squatting by the fish pond, chatting happily. The little fish in the pond were bubbling with anxiety, splashing about in vain to get the attention of their two mistresses. Liu Ying, as usual, was curled up on a stone bench by the rockery, staring blankly at the sky.

"What's this? Is Her Highness the Princess still refusing to reveal the whereabouts of the Imperial Seal? If you don't speak, this General will have to continue the interrogation—twenty more lashes."

A flush of crimson spread across her delicate cheeks. Shy and flustered, Liu Ying turned her head away and whispered, "Villain."

Chen Cong laughed. "Is this not the same as when you were crying and begging your master for mercy?"

Hearing this, Liu Ying felt a mix of shame and anger. She turned her head, only to see Dong Bai and Diaochan watching them with playful smiles. Overcome with embarrassment, she instinctively buried her head in Chen Cong’s chest. Thinking of her own sorrowful plight, two trails of tears rolled down her cheeks, dampening his robes.

Holding the lovely woman in his arms, Chen Cong gave a thumbs-up to his two "teammates" before gently patting her back. He whispered in consolation, "Cry, cry all you want. I love to hear it."

A warm breeze swept past, instantly snapping Liu Ying back to reality. How hateful! She, a dignified Princess of the Great Han, was actually shedding tears in the arms of a wicked scoundrel. She immediately began to scratch, pinch, and bite at Chen Cong, vowing to rid the Han Dynasty of this villain!

After the commotion settled, Chen Cong sat down with her. "Feeling better?"

Liu Ying shot him a glare. "I have nothing to say to a scoundrel."

"Is that so?" Chen Cong slowly reached into his robes and pulled out the golden seal of the Minor Treasury, holding it out in his palm. It shone brilliantly in the sunlight. "Little commoner, look closely. I am the loyal subject of the Great Han, while you are the secretive thief plotting to seize the Imperial Seal. I haven’t even looked down on you for being a criminal, yet here you are, putting on airs."

"You!"

The princess was furious, but she had no way to argue back. She wanted to point out that Chen Cong was bold enough to deceive the Emperor, but even if that were the truth, what would be the point? She didn't even want to argue. The imperial decree had been issued by Liu Xie himself; even now, she could feel the monstrous hatred her "dear brother" held for her in the gnashing of teeth between those lines.

Born into the royal family, affection was thin to begin with. Their father had only ever had eyes for his concubines, and the little affection he had to spare went to his youngest son, Liu Xie. He hadn't even cared for his legitimate eldest son, Liu Bian, let alone her, a daughter born of a secondary consort. Her mother was the same; in her memory, before Liu Xie was born, her mother had never smiled—or at least, never at her.

When Liu Xie asked her to hide the seal, she hadn't wanted to at all. The "Demon King" Dong was so overbearing; if he caught even a hint of something amiss, Liu Xie, as the Emperor supported by the tyrant, would be safe. But what about her? She was merely an insignificant princess. During times of peace, her status meant something, but in chaotic times, she was worth less than a blade of grass. The Demon King had even dared to poison the Empress Dowager; would he care about a mere princess?

Even so, she had agreed. Because she was a princess of the Han, and because she was his older sister. In the end, before the tyrant could take her life, it was her own "dear brother" who, listening to the instigations of villains, had denied her even a shred of dignity. Stripped of royal status? Demoted to a commoner? Had Liu Xie even let her explain a single word when he issued the decree?

Since that was the case, what shame was there in her heart for loving this villain? Looking at Chen Cong again, only a sense of peaceful, justified love flowed through Liu Ying's eyes.

"Husband..."

"Hmm?"

"I want a daughter, someone I can cherish as the apple of my eye."

"Let's go."

Chen Cong scooped Liu Ying up in his arms and cast a meaningful glance toward Diaochan in the distance. He couldn't figure out what that silly girl was so happy about.

Just think about it: her sisters-in-law were either real princesses, future princesses, or princesses in all but name. Even Yuan Wei, who hadn't married into the family yet, would be a proper princess once her father, Yuan "Honey-Water" Shu, ascended the throne. And here was this girl, a mere adopted daughter of the Minister of Works—did she really have the face to be so happy?

"Ah Bai, the General's look is so strange."

"Is it?" Dong Bai covered her mouth, giggling incessantly. Having spent the most time with Chen Cong, she naturally recognized that subtle disdain. That look was identical to how her husband used to look at General Pan Feng.

But Diaochan didn't understand. Thinking it was a loving gaze, she kept batting her eyelashes at Chen Cong...

...

Sharing the joy was better than solitary pleasure; three kills later, leaving the residence, Chen Cong felt refreshed. There was no helping it—being a son-in-law in ancient times meant having no human rights. He was busy as a dog all day, and aside from meetings and work, he had to accompany his father-in-law for dinner, which was truly exhausting.

In front of the Strategy Hall, Dian Wei was adapting well to his role. His tower-like frame, slung with two fearsome iron halberds, truly gave off a vibe that deterred both gods and ghosts. Seeing Chen Cong enter, he didn't block him but grinned, greeting, "General Jianwei is in high spirits today."

"Not as high as Brother Dian, who looks to have grown even sturdier."

"Hahaha, I gain a bit of strength with every extra bite I take. One day, I hope to spar with you, General Jianwei."

Great, another brute successfully led astray by the fat man Xu. If they didn't fight, they wouldn't get to know each other... Chen Cong had already begun silently filtering through nicknames. "Dian-Dian"? That sounded pretty good...

Inside the hall, Cao Cao sat on the high seat, with Xun Yu, Xun You, Cheng Yu, and Xi Zhong arranged in order below. The sound of debate was constant. Chen Cong didn't make a sound, finding a corner to sit in and acting as humble as a primary school student waiting for their parent to finish work.

"My Lord, the rebel Dong is arrogant and crude... Zhicai, stop pulling me." Cheng Yu shook off Xi Zhong and continued, "However, his power is vast and cannot be taken lightly. We should first plot against Wang Kuang to secure Sili, then take Yan and Yu. Liu Dai is without strategy, and Yuan Shu lacks virtue... Zhicai, why do you keep pulling me?" Cheng Yu looked back, dissatisfied.

Xi Zhong nearly failed to maintain his elegant smile, his lips twitching slightly. Offering advice was one thing, but did he have to spend the whole time disparaging other warlords? He had mentioned four people in one breath, two of whom were Chen Cong's relatives—and more importantly, he was saying it right to his face...

Apologetically, he bowed to Chen Cong and coughed twice. "Zhongde is just blunt by nature; please do not take offense, Marquis of Sishui."