For the Family (2)
So, just before telling Cao Cao our plan.
It had been a fortnight since I'd made up my mind to marry both Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi at the same time and announced it publicly. Around the time Jeokgal Hyeon, who had arrived in Heodo upon hearing my ambitions and received an imperial edict, was racing toward Seoju, Sima Yi and I arrived in Heodo.
"Yiyi!"
"Teacher."
We met Xun You first and foremost. Since we rarely saw each other unless she came down to Jingzhou, the two were overjoyed at the reunion—
"Um, I've decided to marry my teacher."
"......"
"Teacher?"
"Ah, yes, what did you say...?"
"I've decided to marry my teacher."
"I, I see. Marriage... Right, yes, you're still young...."
Darkness fell over Xun You's face in an instant. I couldn't bring myself to look her straight in the eye, but Sima Yi whispered something into the dejected woman's ear.
"...Really?"
Suddenly, Xun You's eyes lit up, her resolve igniting. Vitality returned to her once-dying gaze, and I was genuinely curious what Sima Yi had whispered to spark such a change.
"Xun You, what did Yiyi say?"
"Something Geum Teacher will love."
"Seems like you like it more?"
"It's something you'll love too. As expected of my fellow disciple. Hehe."
Thankfully(?), Xun You wasn't too shaken by my marriage news. Her expression, like a beast licking its chops at prey, only confused me more.
—No way she could marry! Were those nights playing go under the moonlight just playing with fire?!
...I thought she'd grill me like that, but surprisingly, Xun You accepted it quickly. Guess the age gap—
"So, why are you here? Not just to announce the marriage, I assume."
"We're in a tough spot."
"Hm... Indeed, I've heard about the Black Mountain Bandits. They're stirring up trouble near Henei again."
Our goal was to exterminate the bandits in Henei. And if played right, it aligned perfectly with what Cao Cao's forces wanted.
"If you let me see Lady Cao Cao, I'll try to convince her."
"How? Even for Cao Cao, she won't meet just anyone, woman or not. Even if you're Geum Teacher's disciple."
"What do I need to do to meet her?"
"You need something that'll make Cao Cao nod."
Sima Yi fell silent at Xun You's words. It wasn't ignorance on Xun You's part, nor misunderstanding on Sima Yi's.
"How long do you plan to stay hidden?"
"...I wanted to stay by Teacher's side forever."
"I get that. But now's the time to stretch and lift your head high."
What did she mean?
"It's time to reveal you, Yiyi."
"Does Lady Cao Cao know me?"
"Very well. Among Geum Taeyang's disciples, you're practically the top one. She knows all about how you played a huge role defeating Zhang Je, Lü Bu, and Chen Gong."
"Then it'll be easy to talk."
"Exactly. Plus, with my introduction, she'll see you right away. Moving troops is another matter, though...."
Xun You let out a deep sigh.
"Once she hears your situation, she'll surely agree. Especially for whose sake."
"Whose?"
"There's someone. Ridiculous, but she's thinking of him as son-in-law material."
"Ahem, I wasn't planning to exploit that."
I couldn't leverage my closeness with Jo Ah-man. Nor boast about giving counsel—I'd already received massive funds for that.
"There are only two people in the world who can resolve Henei's crisis, and I've come to plead with the most promising one."
"I know. Yuan Shao won't budge for that. Gongsun Zan's remnants are still scattered around Beihai. He won't turn toward Henei for nothing."
Yuan Shao couldn't save Henei. Only Cao Cao could save Henei—our marriage vow document.
"Let's go. To see the Prime Minister."
Xun You led Sima Yi and me to Cao Cao.
"Xun You? What is it.... Oh. Come in at once."
Cao Cao in the Prime Minister's office welcomed us warmly, despite being in the midst of official duties. What a relief.
"It's been a while, Geum Taeyang. And the girl beside you... Hehe, you must be Sima Yi?"
"Yes, Prime Minister. Daughter of the Sima clan."
"Sima Fang's little sister?"
"That's right."
Cao Cao approached Sima Yi with a stern face.
"Geum Teacher doesn't seem to be the one seeking me, so the main purpose is you. What brings you?"
"Shall I speak frankly, or formally?"
"Frankly's better. I don't stand on ceremony."
"The daughter of the Sima clan humbly proposes a deal to Prime Minister Cao."
"A deal? Ahahaha!!"
Cao Cao clutched her belly laughing. Her body shook with each guffaw, and I kept my head bowed silently.
"Speak! What deal do you want?!"
"I wish to serve."
A bombshell. Even I hadn't heard how Sima Yi planned to convince Cao Cao before arriving in Heodo. Xun You and Cao Cao were both stunned by the surprise announcement.
"Serve? Take an official post?"
"Yes. Please allow Sima Yi to serve Prime Minister Cao as my lord."
"I'd welcome it! How could I refuse the one Sima Fang praises endlessly?"
"But only half a month per month."
"...What?"
Cao Cao's expression hardened.
"What nonsense is that? Are you insulting your teacher Xun You?"
"No. Please hear me out. I wish to fulfill my duties as an official and as a wife."
"Wife!"
Cao Cao's anger evaporated instantly.
"Whose wife are you?"
"Geum... Lord Hwang Wol-yeong of the Hwang clan has taken this unworthy me as his own."
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!!
Cao Cao suddenly clapped like mad. So fast and hard it startled even me.
"Oh! Geum Taeyang got married!"
"Y-yes. There'd been talks between our families for years...."
"Wonderful! Congratulations! Ah, what joyous news! I hope you love and cherish each other and live happily! Sincerely!"
Cao Cao celebrated our marriage like it was her own.
"So, to fulfill your wifely duties, you'll spend half a month in Jingzhou with your husband? Fine. Even riding fast one way from Xinye to Heodo takes two days, so set up a house here and commute every half month. But on one condition."
Cao Cao pointed at me menacingly.
"Can't have just the wife working in Heodo. For your official wife, her husband should spend at least four days here comforting her, no?"
"Quite right," Xun You chimed in immediately.
"Nearly six hundred li apart—naturally, the husband should come to Heodo for a few days to see his wife. How about going back to Jingzhou together on the return day, Prime Minister?"
"As expected of Xun You. So wise. Hahaha!"
Cao Cao and Xun You began pressuring me in earnest. I glanced at Sima Yi in distress, but...
"Teacher, will you allow it?"
"...Hm. For a wife working six hundred li away, that's the least I can do."
Sima Yi's eyes burned fiercer than Cao Cao's or Xun You's—I couldn't refuse. Cao Cao didn't know why, Xun You did, but I couldn't fathom why even Sima Yi was pushing me to Heodo.
'Maybe to separate me from Zhuge Liang?'
Probably. I'd have to come up from Jingzhou, using it to keep me away from Suyon Academy. Stay together when up, go down together.
'Sneaky jealousy.'
Cute. Once she actually starts serving and I visit home, how would she greet me?
—Welcome home, dear. You must be tired from the long trip.
—Let's go down together. Oh, it's raining....
—...Looks like we should stay tonight.
...Thrilling.
'Gotta bring Liang up to Heodo sometime too.'
Excited to see her face if I hide Zhuge Liang in bed and step out. Kidding.
"So, when's the wedding?"
"The ceremony's postponed due to circumstances. But we've informed our family elders and received permission. The issue is..."
"Issue?"
"Black Mountain Bandits have appeared near Henei County, blocking our marriage vow document—"
Bam!
Cao Cao slammed the table and stood.
"How outrageous! Marriage is a great human affair! Bandits obstructing it—what insolence!"
Cao Cao raged as if it were her own matter.
"I won't tolerate it! But heading to Henei requires some preparation."
"I know. That's why I boldly ask the Prime Minister."
Sima Yi clasped her hands and bowed.
"If a subjugation army for Henei's Black Mountain Bandits is formed, please send me with them."
"Oh?"
"I've learned much military strategy from Teacher Xun You. As staff officer, I won't fall short of anyone."
"...Xun You, is this true?"
"I vouch for Sima Yi's abilities. With more experience, she'll surpass even me as a strategist."
"Oh, such high praise from Xun You...."
Cao Cao's gaze turned to me.
"What say you, Geum Teacher? Is Sima Yi worth your endorsement?"
"In Emperor Gaozu's time, there were Zhang Liang and Han Xin. Sima Yi has Zhang Liang's benevolence and Han Xin's talent. Not because she's my wife—if the Prime Minister accepts her..."
Undoubtedly.
"You can defeat Yuan Shao."
"......I hate people who see through me."
Cao Cao approached me coldly. Xun You and Sima Yi tensed to intervene, but Cao Cao waved them off.
"Especially ones without office who mutter from the shadows, knowing my every move."
"My apologies."
"But."
Cao Cao placed a hand on my shoulder. ...She drew so close her chest nearly brushed mine, her floral scent dizzying.
"You're my person's husband—how could I hate you? I dislike your kind, but you're the exception."
"You mean..."
"You."
Cao Cao glanced at Sima Yi—
'Wait, why's Cao Cao checking Sima Yi...?'
"Planning to take Jo Ah-man as another wife?"
"Prime Minister."
"Hehe, calm down, Gongdal. Merely as a 'secondary wife.'"
Cao Cao gripped my shoulder tight, licking her lips.
"I have a conscience."
......Me?
Cao Cao declares the subjugation of Henei's Black Mountain Bandits.