The One I Deserve to Claim (2)
Lee Seong-hwi's figure, charging fearlessly at the enemy while covered in blood, struck Yuan Shao with profound shock. There was no hesitation in his sword swings. He showed not a shred of mercy in slaying his foes. The first time she beheld him, fear had gripped her heart, but witnessing him drag Geonseok from the flames had sparked a vague admiration. Lee Seong-hwi's mad valor in fulfilling orders delivered a fresh jolt to Yuan Shao.
'If only I could have this man as my right hand, grasping the world wouldn't be a mere pipe dream. I've finally found the talent to turn my vague ambitions into reality!'
Through this military officer named Lee Seong-hwi, she glimpsed the possibility of achieving her once opaque and endless aspirations. And so, Yuan Shao became obsessed. She had finally found the one to realize her dreams. Even if it meant a rocky future with Cao Cao, her inner desires screamed that she must claim that man.
Armed with voracious greed and cunning intellect, Yuan Shao vowed to herself to seize this talent by any means necessary.
"I came because I have one request."
"A request? That's a rarity... Benchu, the day you come begging me for something."
Cao Cao smirked at Yuan Shao's words, spoken after a brief pause. Towering arrogance and sharp pride—that was Yuan Benchu in a nutshell. With her stunning beauty worthy of the term zimao weiyong and exceptional talents, the fact that she had come pleading for a favor amused Cao Cao, who showed a mix of bewilderment and quiet satisfaction.
"So, what is it you want from me?"
Cao Cao asked, and Yuan Shao replied.
"Mengde, I want to bring your aide under my command."
"...What?"
Cao Cao momentarily lost her composure, her sharp eyes widening at Yuan Shao's response. The "aide" could only mean Lee Seong-hwi. Deep bewilderment washed over her at Yuan Shao's sudden bid to take him for herself. Like thick dye dropped into water, confusion spread through Cao Cao's heart.
"I can't make sense of what you're saying."
Soon, that bewilderment twisted into anger and jealousy.
"Lee Seong-hwi is my aide."
"That's why I'm asking your permission as a friend who knows him."
"A friend..."
Cao Cao muttered lowly as she listened, suppressing the rising fury. This fox of a woman. She ground her teeth inwardly, glaring at Yuan Shao's brazen composure. Clearly, Yuan Shao valued Lee Seong-hwi's military prowess and sought to recruit him. But to Cao Cao, who truly loved him, this was tantamount to pouring water on a pot of boiling oil—after all, she had only secured him through the aide position.
"Benchu, as you say, we've been friends for many years, and that hasn't changed. But I can't grant your request. You need Lee Seong-hwi, and so do I."
Cao Cao replied in a measured tone, forcing down her boiling jealousy. Emotionally, Yuan Shao saw him merely as a capable talent. Rationally, maintaining ties with Grand General He Jin—whose right hand Yuan Shao effectively was—meant preserving connections with the Grand General's office.
"Mengde, if I rise to the center of power, I'll never forget your efforts. We're friends chasing the same dream. The day I seize power in the Grand General's stead, I promise we'll rise from adversity together and share in glory."
At Cao Cao's firm refusal, Yuan Shao pleaded once more in earnest.
Beyond their long friendship, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao shared the goal of overcoming misfortune to rule at Han's pinnacle. Mocked for being "ice girls," daughters of eunuch clans, they had sworn to show the world that origins meant nothing to success—by seizing Han's power.
"Yes, we swore that oath together. But my decision stands. Lee Seong-hwi is my aide. He promised to stay by my side to the end, and I vowed the same. So, Benchu, I ask you to graciously understand my stubbornness."
Despite her persuasion, Cao Cao remained unmoved, forcing Yuan Shao to nod and relent. Regrettable as it was, she couldn't afford to clash with a longtime friend and ally in ambition.
'Once the new emperor ascends and the Grand General takes center stage, I'll be Mengde's superior. Her aide will naturally fall under me too—no need to rush now.'
The standoff between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao over Lee Seong-hwi didn't erupt into conflict. Their desires differed: Cao Cao saw him as a beloved partner pledged to her side; Yuan Shao sought only his exceptional abilities. To her, making him a subordinate would suffice.
"It was too abrupt. Sorry."
"...No, I understand. I feel guilty for rejecting you so coldly."
"I just highly value Lee Seong-hwi's prowess and want him under me. His invincible feats against Geonseok's Western Garden troops have become the talk even in the Grand General's office."
"Hmph, I see."
Through Cao Cao's uncharacteristic display of open ire—her usual icy demeanor unflappable as a needle-pricked cheek—Yuan Shao subtly realized she harbored feelings for Lee Seong-hwi not as a superior, but as a woman. The reaction was too blatant. Having known her for years, Yuan Shao pierced her inner thoughts at once.
'If Mengde's this serious about him, there's no helping it. No reason to fall out with her... Once I rise high, I can command both her and Lee Seong-hwi.'
In the end, Yuan Shao shelved her plan to recruit Lee Seong-hwi. She hadn't expected such staunch resistance; she had no intention of foolishly obsessing to the point of enmity. She cut her desires at a prudent line.
"Sorry for the sudden request. I'll take my leave."
Yuan Shao rose, appearing to cleanly abandon the pursuit after hitting a wall of opposition. But that was mere facade—she harbored no intention of relinquishing her obsession with Lee Seong-hwi. Having glimpsed ambition's possibility through his valor, how could Yuan Shao—with her fiercely burning greed and razor-sharp cunning—let such a talent go?
"...That damned fire fox."
As Yuan Shao shut the door behind her, sharp hostility filled the cramped room where they'd conversed amiably. Love and jealousy were two sides of the same coin—the more one loved, the more uncontrollable the jealousy grew. Yuan Shao had simply judged Lee Seong-hwi a capable talent worth recruiting. But in Cao Cao's eyes, it was a vile ploy to steal the man she'd schemed desperately to claim, twisting her guts with envy.
"Blood can't be deceived, after all. Just like the slave mother who spread her legs for the Sase Three Dukes' sons in hopes of rising above her lowly station."
Cao Cao spat unprecedented vitriol at Yuan Shao, yet her rage lingered. Her red eyes blazing with enmity, she lifted her teacup and hurled it at the wall. It shattered with a crash, shards scattering everywhere.
Though hasty words, sire... His Majesty likely won't last beyond three days.
Receiving this report from the Imperial Physician while tending the emperor in his death throes, He Jin flew into a rage, demanding they revive His Majesty at once in a fury.
'Won't last three days, eh... Those three days will feel awfully long. I could order the cooperating physicians to hasten his end, but no need to go that far.'
Of course, He Jin wasn't truly concerned for the emperor's health. The Grand General's office treated his death as inevitable, hastening preparations for the new emperor's ascension. Entrusting the Gold Army to Cao Cao and Yuan Shao for quelling Geonseok's rebellion was part of it, as was summoning forces to encircle Luoyang.
"Grand General, we're keeping a close watch on the Ten Attendants for any contingencies."
"Good. Monitor their every move meticulously. They seemed cowed seeing Geonseok torn apart in the streets, but never lower your guard."
"Understood."
All preparations were flawless. Now, only announcing the emperor's passing and the new one's enthronement remained. The moment the dying emperor breathed his last, the Grand General's office—linked with the imperial house—would swiftly hold the ascension ceremony, roaring to the world that a new era dawned upon Han.
"Soon, Grand General, you shall be His Majesty's uncle!"
"Truly, you are Han's guardian and the heroic savior from crisis!"
The Grand General's generals pumped their fists, praising him. Though laced with flattery, it pleased the soon-to-be imperial uncle He Jin, who grinned broadly.
"You all overpraise me."
At last, the day of his long-cherished wish arrived. Born lowly yet aiming for Han's throne, his myriad efforts neared their reward. How could he not be moved? With the emperor on the brink, he couldn't act rashly, but inwardly, he yearned to leap up and dance in joy.
'Geonseok dared depose the crown prince and enthrone Bohai Wang. Who knows when other villains might rise for the same? Must watch Bohai Wang's palace closely.'
He Jin ordered Cavalry Captain Cao Cao, commanding the Gold Army, to tighten security around Princess Liu Xie's palace.