At this moment, the system's notification sounded.
"Ding! Beauty Diao Chan's favorability toward the host has increased by 5 points!
Current favorability: 5 (Strangers)."
Yuan Shu received the system's notification and thought to himself that Diao Chan was indeed tsundere.
Previously, when Zou Rong and Cai Wenji's favorability increased, it jumped by dozens of points at once. But with his cousin, it only increased by 5 points at a time.
After finishing the meal, Yuan Shu led his horse, Moonlit Azure, preparing to head home.
Little Diao Chan suddenly walked over and timidly asked Yuan Shu,
"Big Brother, your horse is so beautiful. Can I touch it?"
Seeing Diao Chan's adorable expression, Yuan Shu smiled warmly and replied,
"Of course! I can even let you ride it for a few rounds."
Diao Chan's eyes lit up with surprise. "Really? Thank you, Big Brother!"
Yuan Shu thought to himself that little Diao Chan really liked Moonlit Azure.
Well, this horse was indeed stunning. It was only natural for a young girl to be fond of it.
Yuan Shu lifted little Diao Chan onto the horse and led it in a slow walk around the Wang family's courtyard while she happily stroked the azure mane on Moonlit Azure's head.
Yuan Shu held her protectively, feeling both affection and pity for her.
"Ding-dong! Diao Chan's skill 'Discernment' has activated, sensing the host's goodwill toward her."
"Ding! Beauty Diao Chan's favorability toward the host has increased by 5 points!
Current favorability: 10 (Strangers)."
Hearing the system's notification, Yuan Shu was delighted.
If this continued, it wouldn't take long to break past the 'Strangers' level.
"Big Brother, why are you so kind to me? Is it just because I look pretty?"
Diao Chan tilted her small head, gazing at Yuan Shu curiously.
Yuan Shu thought for a moment and then told her,
"That's part of the reason, but it's not the only one.
You might not believe it, but I once had a dream about you."
Young girls were always fascinated by mysterious things.
Hearing that Yuan Shu had dreamed of her, Diao Chan immediately became curious and asked,
"Big Brother, what was I like in your dream?"
Yuan Shu pondered for a moment and then said,
"I dreamed of a time more than ten years from now, when the world had fallen into chaos, and rebels were wreaking havoc upon the people.
By then, you had grown into the most beautiful woman in the world.
To save the people, you willingly sacrificed your happiness and infiltrated the enemy's ranks.
In the end, you succeeded in eliminating the traitors,
but at the cost of your own lifelong happiness. It was both admirable and tragic."
For some reason, as she listened, Diao Chan felt a deep sense of immersion in Yuan Shu's story.
Before she knew it, tears welled up in her eyes.
Yuan Shu quickly wiped her tears away and comforted her with a smile,
"Why are you crying? Dreams are always the opposite of reality.
In this life, you will definitely be happy, Diao Chan."
But little Diao Chan shook her head and said to Yuan Shu,
"Big Brother, as I listened to your story just now, I thought carefully about it.
If that day truly comes, and I must choose between the people and my own happiness,
I would still choose the people."
She paused before continuing with a solemn expression,
"The world is already unstable. What you spoke of could very well happen.
If that time comes, I might still make the same choice as in your dream."
Lowering her head slightly, Diao Chan murmured,
"Perhaps that fate is simply meant to be mine."
Hearing her words, Yuan Shu felt a deep ache in his heart.
He couldn't imagine what kind of education Wang Yun had given her to make such a young girl so mature beyond her years.
At the same age, Cai Wenji was far more innocent and carefree.
He held little Diao Chan closer, his embrace firm and resolute.
"No matter what happens in the future, I will always protect you.
As long as I am here, your fate will be one of happiness and joy.
I will give you a lifetime of peace and prosperity."
At this moment, little Diao Chan nestled in Yuan Shu's arms, looking into his determined eyes, feeling a strong sense of security from her cousin.
"Dingdong! Diao Chan's skill [Discernment] has activated, sensing that the host is not deceiving her. Her sense of security has increased."
"Dingdong! Red Beauty Diao Chan's favorability toward the host has increased by 10 points. Current favorability: 20 (Nodding Acquaintance)."
The system notification rang out once again. This time, Diao Chan's favorability toward Yuan Shu had risen to the level of a nodding acquaintance, no longer as unfamiliar as before.
However, Yuan Shu was not particularly excited at this moment. Instead, he silently made up his mind—he was determined to ensure that little Diao Chan would live a happy and carefree life.
To achieve that, he had to obtain the military strength to dominate the world.
Otherwise, a beauty like Diao Chan would inevitably become a target for the various warlords. What happiness would she have then?
With this thought, Yuan Shu stopped his horse and gently placed little Diao Chan down.
He patted her head and said:
"Little cousin, I have something very important to take care of today, so I can't play with you for now.
Next time I come, I'll take you horse riding again, okay?"
Little Diao Chan obediently nodded and said to Yuan Shu:
"I can tell that you are destined for great things in the future.
I also feel that you genuinely want to protect me. I will always wait for you."
Yuan Shu sighed inwardly. What an understanding little girl.
"Shi A! Return to the mansion!" he suddenly called out loudly.
Yuan Shu was afraid that if he delayed any longer, he might not be able to resist taking little Diao Chan home with him.
Right now, Wang Yun's impression of him had only just improved a little. If he took Diao Chan away now, it would be highly inappropriate.
However, he had already made up his mind—when he left Luoyang, he would take little Diao Chan with him.
Even if it meant asking his mother, Lady Wang, to step in, he had to make it happen.
…
After returning to the Yuan mansion, Yuan Shu gathered all his trusted aides.
"Have you all finished making your preparations over the past two days?"
He asked Shi A, Ju Yi, Xu Rong, and the others.
Right now, he was eager to gain power, and military training could not be delayed for even a moment.
Xu Rong replied, "My lord, I have been ready for a long time. We can depart at any time!"
Ju Yi added, "The same goes for me."
"Shi A follows the lord at all times and needs no preparation," Shi A supplemented from behind.
Yuan Shu nodded, satisfied with their responses.
"Very well. Tonight, everyone should rest well. We will set out at dawn tomorrow."
His father, Yuan Feng, had already arranged everything at the estate. Yuan Shu only needed to lead his men to take over.
The next morning, at dawn, a mounted team departed from Luoyang City.
The most eye-catching among them was Yuan Shu's steed, Yue Zhao Tian Qing.
Following closely behind were Wang Yue, Shi A, Xu Rong, and Ju Yi, all riding fine horses.
Within the team, there was also a black carriage—this was prepared for Xizhi Cai.
As a scholar, Xizhi Cai was not skilled in horse riding. At present, there was no horse like Yue Zhao Tian Qing, which required no riding skills, available for him to use.
After thinking it over, Yuan Shu decided to prepare a carriage for him.