Palace Battle (1)
Cao Cao had extracted a secret report from the Small Yellow Gate eunuch Guo Sheng, revealing that Jian Shi was plotting a rebellion. A crucial lead to dismantle the Ten Attendants' power. The thought of forcing those arrogant eunuchs to their knees in the dirt filled her with ecstatic glee.
'Ten Attendants. Your era is fading. Cling to the rotting corpse of the emperor and wail as your time ends.'
How long had she waited for this? She savored the days of humiliation at their schemes, slowly sharpening her thirst for vengeance. First target: Jian Shi, who had wielded unchecked power and rampaged without fear of heaven. Then the Ten Attendants... And finally, Grand General He Jin and his clique, who had scorned her as a mere granddaughter from an eunuch family—she wouldn't spare them either.
"Lady Mengde."
Lee Seong-hwi's voice snapped Cao Cao from her reverie as she mentally etched their faces into her kill list.
Cao Cao looked up at the sound.
"Most of the Forbidden Army's generals and colonels are Jian Shi's men. To prevent him from linking up with them, we should strike his mansion at night and secure him swiftly."
"Wise judgment. We'll follow your counsel."
If Jian Shi caught wind and mobilized the Western Garden Army, it could spark civil war. That's why Lee Seong-hwi insisted on capturing him at his mansion before he could join them. A perfectly sound plan. Cao Cao nodded, already inclined toward the same course.
"You're an unpredictable officer, aide."
"Pardon?"
"You seem as honest as a bear, yet cunning as a fox when executing orders. Not that it's a flaw—sometimes stubbornness is needed, sometimes guile."
"You say the most awkward things at times, Lady Mengde."
"Hoho, do I?"
At Lee Seong-hwi's flustered words, Cao Cao burst into a smile like a teenage girl. A pure, genuine expression she showed no one else—only toward him. Needless to say, his face flushed crimson at that radiant grin. Every time the ever-serious Cao Cao let slip such a defenseless smile, heat rushed to his cheeks.
"I trust you completely. As much as I trust Jiam."
"You're too kind. Lady Jiam is your cousin, after all. Equating me to her is overly generous."
"Just a figure of speech. Oh, don't misunderstand!"
Cao Cao chuckled, then cut herself off, whipping her head away—realizing she'd been too obvious.
"Understood."
Lee Seong-hwi couldn't help but laugh at her endearing reaction.
Guo Sheng, who had handed over Jian Shi's tip to Cao Cao, was now under house arrest, watched by soldiers under the Forward Army Colonel. Just in case he defected and warned Jian Shi. He bellowed that mere grunts dared surveil a Ten Attendant's mansion, but it fell on deaf ears with the utterly inflexible Cao Cao.
"To prevent Jian Shi from noticing and fleeing to the palace's Western Garden Army, we'll coordinate with the colonels guarding the palace to form a containment net."
"Approved. Proceed. And alert the Yueji Colonel commanding the palace cavalry—he might try escaping outward."
"Yes, sir."
Cao Cao and Lee Seong-hwi moved in perfect sync, like husband and wife from a past life. Cao Hong, watching from the side, gaped in awe. Where had her cousin found this guy? Even the frog-in-a-well Cao Hong, stuck in her hometown, instinctively knew no one else matched Lee Seong-hwi's brilliance—or caught her cousin's eye like this.
"You shook down some Ten Attendant named Guo Sheng? Sounds fun—should've called me!"
"Not this time."
"Aw yeah!"
The red-haired beauty, hairpin glinting, stretched her long legs with a hearty laugh. Her ample breasts bounced. A vital, athletic allure worlds apart from Cao Cao's refined charm.
"Hey, stud! How's it feel holding strategy sessions surrounded by hotties?"
"Lady Yuanyang!"
Xiahou Dun grinned mischievously, slinging an arm around Lee Seong-hwi's neck. She eyed his reaction to being fawned over by the stunning ladies of the Cao and Xiahou clans.
"Yes, they're so beautiful it makes me tense."
"What? Puhaha! Thanks for the flattery."
Xiahou Dun roared with laughter at his earnest reply. True to her bold, straightforward nature, she loved unvarnished honesty—confessions, probes into feelings. She got so frustrated watching people hem and haw that she'd thump her chest.
'With my big heart, I gotta help out my dishonest cousin.'
Pity welled up for her cousin, dithering a full year without confessing. If only her chest were bigger... she'd have tackled her with her body. Muttering words that would earn disownment even from kin if overheard, Xiahou Dun sighed at Cao Cao's sidelong glances at Lee Seong-hwi during his briefing.
"So, don't let that bastard Jian Shi slip away—nab him in one go?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Nice and simple. If I see him, I'll smash his legs so he can't run—don't worry."
Three hundred elite soldiers already lay in ambush around Jian Shi's mansion. No escape. They aimed to corner the prey and capture it alive in one stroke.
They'd mapped his routines before raiding Guo Sheng. Nights, he summoned cronies for drunken revelry with courtesans. Lee Seong-hwi planned a decisive strike mid-orgy.
"Colonel, report: courtesans entering Jian Shi's mansion. Looks like a party's starting."
"Keep watching. Log every soul leaving."
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinate nodded at Cao Cao's order and left to relay to the ambushers.
"Jian Shi's sharp. If our men are spotted, strike the mansion now."
"Then let's go."
Cao Cao rose. Cao Hong, sharp sword at her waist, and Xiahou Dun, menacing curved blade over her shoulder, guarded her rear. Lee Seong-hwi stayed at her side— the only one ordered there, unlike her cousins behind.
Jian Shi's mansion, home to the era's puppet-master of Han power, sprawled like a palace, befitting his vast wealth and influence.
Its size forced Cao Cao to loop in the Grand General's office for a full encirclement. Arriving with reinforcements was Yuan Shao—second-in-command there and Mid-Army Colonel among the Western Garden Eight Colonels. Even Lee Seong-hwi and Cao Cao's troops gawked at her molten-gold hair.
"Mengde, I've posted palace archers at every approach. No wings, no escape for Jian Shi."
"Well done, Benchu."
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao stood shoulder-to-shoulder, staring down the mansion. Before ordering the charge, they steadied their breaths. To Luoyang's famed heroines, Jian Shi was a colossus of untouchable power. Toppling him demanded real guts.
"Ah, you must be Lee Seong-hwi."
Glancing at Cao Cao, Yuan Shao locked eyes with the aide awaiting orders behind her. Cao Cao tensed at her words, wary of Yuan Shao's interest. Like her, Yuan Shao coveted talent above gold—and would surely lust after this gem.
"Aide to the Forward Army Colonel, Lee Seong-hwi."
"So much to discuss... but first, topple Jian Shi. Later."
Ending the brief chat, Yuan Shao signaled her officers. Grand General troops surged like a steel tide—elite in sharp weapons and solid armor. At her command, they stormed the mansion, felling obstructing servants and private guards.
"Seize traitor Jian Shi!"
"Kill any who block!"
Grand General elites charged spear-wielding guards. Blades pierced flesh; riddled corpses littered the path as they swept the palace-like grounds.
"Kyaaah!!"
"People are dying!"
Courtesans screamed in terror, skirts flying as they fled like epileptics at the sight of slaughter. Elites ignored them, searching pavilions for Jian Shi. But only servants—no sign of the man.
"Seal the mansion—no escapes. Control all entries. If he bolts in the chaos, shoot even courtesans."
As Grand General's deputy, Yuan Shao's officers were leagues above rabble—ruthless, mission-focused. Capture Jian Shi; minor losses be damned.
"Not here!"
"N-nothing here either!"
The search dragged into night, torches flickering. Still, no Jian Shi.
"Lady Mengde, doesn't this feel off?"
"Speak."
At her nod, Lee Seong-hwi continued.
"He always partied with cronies, right? But we've only nabbed small fry."
"Did he catch on and flee?!"
"Likely. He sensed something."
Yuan Shao, silent till now, erupted.
"Really? That damn rat slipped our plan?!"
"Eighty percent chance."
"We've torn the place apart—no body means he bolted. Where to, then?"
She irritably swept back her golden fringe, pressing Lee Seong-hwi urgently. He replied.
"Not outside Luoyang. New Emperor means mass purges. If I were him, I'd hit the palace and rally the Western Garden Army."
"If they move... the bedridden Emperor and Crown Prince become his hostages!"
"Before the raid, I ordered troops to block all palace routes. He'd have been caught."
"Phew... good thing."
Yuan Shao sighed in relief at the foresight but formed pursuit teams anyway—Jian Shi wasn't secured yet.