So, Which One Is the New Daughter-in-Law?

The recent movements of the suppression army led by Cao Cao and Yuan Shu could be summarized as follows:

When you laid it all out like this, there was one part that would make anyone tilt their head and think, Wait, this seems a bit…

Did you notice?

While traveling through three provinces and fighting two battles, these people had attended seven banquets to eat and drink their fill…

Thanks to that, the soldiers of the suppression army were eating better, drinking better, and resting better than they ever had during training back in Luoyang. Their bodies had filled out and their faces glowed with healthy color. No matter how you looked at it, they were living more comfortably than they had in the capital.

At first, this unexpected luxury made every day enjoyable. But they were only human, so eventually they started to feel uneasy.

Wait… is this really okay?

In a war, aren’t we supposed to be starving, fighting on empty stomachs, barely choking down some rice balls before collapsing from exhaustion?

Instead of that, they were enjoying this lavish treatment. Their bodies were comfortable, but their minds grew increasingly anxious.

What if the higher-ups get angry and say, “Who told you to go sightseeing at banquets instead of heading straight to the battlefield?”

The soldiers were filled with such worries, but surprisingly, playing and eating at these banquets was actually part of their official duties!

As explained before, in this era a “banquet” wasn’t just a one-time fancy meal. If short, it lasted three days; if long, up to a week. It meant feeding the people of nearby villages for free and providing entertainment. In other words, it was an expense that even most wealthy families could barely afford.

What did that have to do with their duties? Everything.

If the enemy had been a foreign nation or barbarians, it might have been different. But their opponents were the empire’s own citizens. This military campaign had been launched to suppress a rebellion. It wasn’t a war against outsiders, but against people who had risen up from within.

They couldn’t plunder their own people. They had to restore the people’s hearts and minds. Most importantly, they needed to coax the local nobles so they wouldn’t side with the Yellow Turbans.

A way to avoid plunder, maintain army morale, win back the people’s favor, and appease the local nobles?

Obviously, banquets were the best solution.

The soldiers ate their fill and occasionally received a few coins on the sly, so they had no reason to plunder. The common people got free food and entertainment, so they had no reason to join the Yellow Turbans. As for the nobles? They were the type who beamed with joy whenever important people visited. If those important people even asked for their names while treating them well? They’d be over the moon.

Of course, expecting such a reaction from Yuan Shu, who badmouthed people the moment she opened her mouth, was difficult. But that was why Cao Cao was with her.

Until now, the combination of Yuan Shu—the youngest daughter of the Runan Yuan clan—and the deceptively gentle Cao Cao had been the ultimate problem-child duo, smoothly melting the hearts of local nobles wherever they went.

Yes. Until now.

But at this moment, with Zhao Yun sitting between them as the two women glared at each other…

The banquet hall of the Changshan Zhao family was freezing cold.

“Zilong, you’re still not fully recovered, are you? Just like the past week, it would be best if I fed you myself again! Here! Say ‘ah~’! If you chew thoroughly, I’ll give you another honey candy as a reward!”

“You lewd wench. So you’ve been ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠using nursing him as an excuse to stick to Zhao Yun’s side this whole time? And you dare boast about it so loudly? This is exactly why people without proper breeding are… This is why prestigious families should only associate with their own kind. Don’t you agree, Zilong? Well… your family is rather insignificant compared to mine, but that’s hardly a flaw. After all, there isn’t a single family that wouldn’t feel ashamed when compared to mine. So here, have a cup. It’s honey wine made with honey from Yangzhou.”

“…Both of you, please just let me eat by myself. …Please.”

They’re like two baby snakes fighting over a frog, trying to see who gets to swallow it first…

Elder Zhao sighed inwardly as he watched the two candidates for his granddaughter-in-law.

He didn’t know which of the two women was the youngest daughter of the Runan Yuan clan, but just look at them. The one with the bright yellow hair on the left was glaring with eyes so wide they looked like an evil spirit. What kind of face was that to welcome a husband? It would be a miracle if she didn’t devour him. The one with the jet-black hair on the right was no better. She was smiling faintly, but the blood-red eyes glinting through her narrowed slits were downright terrifying. Who could live with something like that? It was truly a hellish choice.

…Well, it’s not like I’m the one getting married. My grandson will have to figure it out himself. Yeah… he’ll manage, right?

“Ahem! So, grandson? I don’t think I’ve been properly introduced to these two ladies yet?”

Zhao Yun, whose spirit had been completely drained while stuck between Cao Cao and Yuan Shu, finally snapped back to his senses.

“Ah, I haven’t introduced them to you yet, Grandfather. These two are Commandant Yuan Gonglu and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Commandant Cao Mengde, who came from Luoyang to assist General Lu in exterminating the bandits. Thanks to a small contribution I made in helping them suppress the Yellow Turbans in You Province, I’ve been traveling with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them.”

He knew the youngest daughter of the Runan Yuan clan was among them, but Cao Mengde? If it was that Cao Mengde, then it had to be the daughter of Cao Song—the current Grand Herald in Luoyang—and granddaughter of Cao Teng. Although their family’s history was short, having begun with the eunuch Cao Teng’s meteoric rise, their wealth surpassed that of other prestigious clans. Moreover, Cao Teng had practically raised the Ten Attendants from childhood, so the Cao family was not one to be taken lightly.

…Hmm. No wonder both women gave off such a dragon-like aura the moment I saw them. They truly are young ladies from excellent families!

Just moments ago he had been clicking his tongue and calling them snake-like wenches, but Elder Zhao flipped his opinion as easily as turning over his palm. Now he was praising them as fine young dragons.

“This old man worries that my grandson may have committed some discourtesy toward these two honored ladies. If such a thing occurred, I hope you will forgive him out of consideration for this humble villager’s sincerity.”

When Elder Zhao bowed his head, Cao Cao jumped up in surprise.

“Oh no, what are you saying! Please don’t do that, Elder Zhao! Discourtesy? On the contrary, we are the ones who owe Zilong a great debt.”

“Indeed. His actions were a bit rough, but it’s true that Zhao Yun helped us. Cutting off the heads of two bandit leaders is no ordinary achievement. And helping the youngest daughter of the Runan Yuan clan is certainly no small matter either.”

Oho! So the rumors were all true!

A bright smile spread across Elder Zhao’s wrinkled face.

Our grandson really faced an army of fifty thousand alone and came back with the heads of their commanders! And he even helped the youngest daughter of the Runan Yuan clan? This must be exactly the rumor he’d heard in the streets.

“As expected! So all those rumors were true!”

“Rumors? Aha! So the news from You Province has already spread this far?”

Look at that! Not a single one of them denied it! When he had asked his grandson earlier, he had said it was all true, and the people involved weren’t denying it either… There was no doubt!

“O-oh! Well done, my grandson! To have taken such a precious lady as your wife in such a short time!”

“…Pardon?”

“…Excuse me?”

“…What?”

“So, which one of you two is the youngest daughter of the Yuan clan? In other words… which one is my new granddaughter-in-law?! Grandson! Tell me quickly! This old man is dying of impatience!”

"""……."""

A heavy silence fell over the entire hall. Yuan Shu with her fierce thoughts. Cao Cao with her anxious gaze. Even the soldiers watching them. Everyone quietly stared at Zhao Yun.

And then—

“Stop! Stop right there!!! Haa… haa… Stop! …The Zhao family of Changshan must immediately halt this wedding!!”

At that moment, a servant from the Runan Yuan clan suddenly burst in.

All youngest children are doted upon. That rule applied even within the Runan Yuan clan—one of the most prestigious families in the empire.

Although that doting had gone a little too far and created a tiny flaw that turned their beloved daughter into one of the greatest shrews in the Han Dynasty… well, so what! In any case, their adorable daughter had safely grown into a beautiful young lady. Even if she had ‘a few’ personality defects, she was still a daughter of the Runan Yuan clan!

The flaws of the lowly were simply flaws, but every flaw of the highborn was merely a touch of human charm. Yes! There was no problem at all.

Once that child returned triumphantly after suppressing the bandits’ rebellion, even the few shameless scoundrels who dared to badmouth her would have to shut their mouths. Hadn’t he even sent Ji Ling along to make sure she didn’t get so much as a scratch? He had also secretly planted people to receive reports on Yuan Shu every two days. So even though Minister of Works Yuan Wei had sent his youngest daughter to the battlefield, he had absolutely nothing to worry about.

But lately… strange rumors had begun to spread.

His adorable youngest daughter had supposedly fallen in love with some commoner he had never even heard of! What was his name again? Bang Yeol? What a ridiculous name. It seemed the child had reached marriageable age and such nonsense was starting to come out.

…Our Gonglu is already old enough to meet men. How time flies.

Well then. He would have to put an end to these cursed rumors and arrange a proper marriage for her with a good man. The Shun clan of Yingchuan, was it? They had a son of marriageable age who was said to be handsome and clever. That boy was practically born to marry their Gonglu!

Thus, a week passed. The Shun family had naturally welcomed the match with open arms. Of course they had—who wouldn’t want to become in-laws with the Runan Yuan clan?

After several exchanges of letters, they had decided to set a date for the wedding once Yuan Shu returned. But as always, life refused to follow the plan.

“M-Master! Master! This is terrible!”

The servant he had assigned to stay by his youngest daughter and send regular reports came running in a panic.

“The rumors are true! Some noble from Changshan in Ji Province has adopted that Bang Yeol fellow and is trying to become in-laws with our family!”

“What did you say?! How dare those nobodies we’ve never even heard of—! …They’re trying to trick our innocent youngest daughter to get rich in one stroke! Old servant! What have you been doing?! Why didn’t you stop this shameless act immediately! If I hear that our Gonglu has married that scoundrel, I won’t forgive even you, old man!”

And so the old loyal retainer rode desperately from Luoyang all the way to Changshan without rest.

But alas! The Zhao family of Changshan had already turned into a wedding banquet hall.

“Stop! Stop right there!!! Haa… haa… Stop! …The Zhao family of Changshan must immediately halt this wedding!! How dare you plot such a despicable scheme without giving us any notice… Have you no shame?!”

“G-Grandfather?! What are you doing here? And what wedding? Have all you old men gone senile?! What nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden?!”

But the old, exhausted retainer could not hear her.

“Young Miss! Young Miss! Oh heavens, what is all this?! You already have a fiancé—how can you hold a wedding with that man?!”

“…Fiancé? Father dared to arrange my marriage without my permission? Father, how despicable!”

When Yuan Shu even snapped at her own father, the old retainer’s heart ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shattered.

“W-What?! New daughter-in-law!! Is that true? You really have a separate fiancé?!”

And as a full-blown K-morning drama unfolded before his eyes, Elder Zhao’s heart shattered as well.