The banquet quickly drew to a close, and many people began to leave one after another.
Liu Jin stood up and bid farewell to Xu Wen.
Flanked by Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, he walked out of the county office hall, preparing to take a carriage back to the military camp outside the city.
Just then, Zhen Yi hurried out, a smile on his face, and said,
“Brother Wenyi, it’s already dark, and the roads are difficult to travel. It might be inappropriate to return outside the city.”
“Why don’t you stay overnight at my Zhen Family residence? It won’t be too late to return to the military camp outside the city after daybreak tomorrow.”
Hearing this, Liu Jin naturally knew that Zhen Yi wanted to get closer to him.
The two of them were sincere and needed to have a good talk.
He said with a smile,
“Jing’an, I’m a big man. Won’t going to the Zhen Family mansion disturb your family members?”
Zhen Yi quickly waved his hand and sincerely said,
“Brother Wenyi, there’s no need to worry. You are an honored guest of my Zhen Family. If you come to my residence, we will naturally welcome you warmly. How could it be a disturbance?”
Seeing this, Liu Jin said with solemnity,
“Since that’s the case, I will humbly accept.”
So, the two of them helped each other into the carriage and, escorted by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and others, headed towards a luxurious mansion within the street.
The Zhen Family was a prominent clan in Wuji County, possessing not only a vast mansion within the city but also villages and strongholds outside the city.
The number of clan members and servants was countless, and including the tenant farmers and common people who relied on the Zhen Family, they accounted for more than half of Wuji County’s population.
Not to mention within the county, even within the entire Zhongshan Commandery, they were considered a prestigious family, with very few who could compare to them.
The carriage quickly came to a slow stop outside the Zhen Family mansion.
At the entrance stood several guards, swords at their waists, warily watching the arriving carriage.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Zhen Yi and Liu Jin stepped out.
The guards at the entrance, with respectful expressions, quickly bowed and said,
“Master!”
Zhen Yi waved his hand and said loudly,
“Tell the kitchen to prepare a table of good wine and meat. I want to drink with Brother Wenyi.”
After saying this, he turned back with a polite smile and said,
“Brother Wenyi, please.”
Liu Jin, flanked by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, walked forward.
What greeted their eyes was a vast courtyard, surrounded by ponds, rockeries, garden pavilions, and beautiful flower gardens, showcasing a magnificent and opulent scene.
In the front courtyard, lights flickered, and many house servants were already respectfully waiting on both sides.
Liu Jin couldn’t help but sigh, truly worthy of the wealthy Zhen Family of Hebei. This single large courtyard alone must have cost a fortune to build.
Soon, the group arrived in the living room and took their seats.
Zhen Yi did not sit in the head seat but sat beside Liu Jin, with both of them sitting on the floor.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei sat on either side. Their status was not low; after all, they were high-ranking court officials, wearing bronze seals and yellow ribbons.
For the Zhen Family, they were also considered honored guests.
Soon, wine and meat were brought to the table, and Zhen Yi greeted them with a smile,
“Brother Wenyi, two Military Marquis, this is humble fare, please don’t take offense.”
“Tomorrow, I will instruct the residence to prepare precious wine and meat to entertain you properly.”
Liu Jin smiled and waved his hand,
“Jing’an, you are too kind.”
So, the group began drinking again, chatting occasionally.
Zhen Yi’s cheeks were flushed, and he let out a burp, seemingly a bit drunk, and said,
“Wen Yi, to be honest, I have some selfish motives.”
“*Hiccup*”
Liu Jin was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said,
“Oh, Jing’an, what do you mean by that?”
Zhen Yi raised his wine cup, drained it, and his voice continued,
“From the first time I saw you, with your imposing bearing and extraordinary bravery, I concluded that Wen Yi is no ordinary man, and his future achievements are immeasurable.”
“I wanted to befriend you before you attained a high position. I hope Wen Yi won’t blame me.”
Hearing this, Liu Jin quickly waved his hand and said with a smile,
“Hey!”
“Jing’an, that’s not right. Since you are willing to befriend me, it shows you think highly of me, Liu Jin. How could I blame you?”
“Besides, I felt an immediate connection with you, and I had already thought of befriending you.”
Zhen Yi was delighted to hear this and laughed heartily,
“Since Brother Wenyi says so, I only regret that we met so late. If we had met earlier, we would surely have become close friends.”
Liu Jin shook his head and smiled,
“Brother, that’s where you’re wrong.”
“Even if we meet now, it’s not too late to become close friends.”
Zhen Yi quickly patted his forehead and laughed heartily,
“Right, right, right!”
“Even if we meet now, we can still become close friends. I’ve had too much to drink and can’t speak clearly. Please don’t mind it, Brother Wenyi.”
Liu Jin chuckled, and the two of them, in this great hall, exchanged toasts, their relationship becoming increasingly familiar.
The next day at noon.
Liu Jin slowly opened his eyes from the bed, looked at the antique room around him, slowly sat up, and rubbed his forehead.
He was still a bit tipsy. Yesterday, he and Zhen Yi drank until late into the night.
He was staggering a bit when walking and was carried back to his room by Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.
Looking at the sunlight streaming through the window, it was clearly already sunrise.
He slowly stood up, put on his robes neatly, and pushed open the door.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had already woken up and were standing in the courtyard. Seeing Liu Jin come out, they quickly walked over and called out,
“Big Brother, Big Brother!”
Liu Jin looked at their dark circles, clearly having stood guard outside his door all night, and said softly,
“Thank you, Yun Chang and Yide, for taking care of me last night.”
Hearing this, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu quickly shook their heads and said,
“Big Brother, as your brothers, it’s only right for us to take care of you. How can you thank us?!”
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, not saying more about the matter. As time passed, their bond grew more sincere.
Guan Yu suddenly said,
“Oh, by the way, Zhen Yi sent someone to ask that when Big Brother wakes up, we inform him.”
Liu Jin nodded slightly upon hearing this, and so he sent someone to inform him.
He then immediately led Zhang Fei and Guan Yu along the small stone path.
Just then, a young woman walked towards them, swaying her plump, shapely buttocks, accompanied by two maidservants.
Liu Jin was slightly stunned when he saw this beautiful woman.
This woman had a fair complexion, gracefully curved willow-leaf eyebrows, eyes as beautiful as a painting, a delicate figure, and wore a flowing green gauze dress that accentuated her alluring physique.
She was like a mature young woman stepping out of a painting, captivating to behold.
However, her dark hair was already tied into a bun, indicating that she was married and a wife.
Liu Jin couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful that such a beauty was already married.
Being able to reside in the back courtyard of the Zhen Family mansion, she should be Zhen Yi’s wife or concubine.
The beautiful woman saw the three men, briefly sized up Liu Jin, and her fair face showed a proper expression.
She bowed slightly, revealing her graceful figure, and respectfully said,
“This concubine, Zhen Yu, Zhen Yi’s younger sister, greets Liu Sima.”
Liu Jin listened to her clear and melodious voice, inhaling the fragrant breeze that wafted towards him, his mind swirling.
She was simply a temptress leading one to sin.
However, learning that this beautiful young woman was Zhen Yi’s sister, he could only suppress his inner thoughts.
He secretly envied her, wondering who was so lucky to have such a beautiful young woman, truly blessed.
With a polite expression, he cupped his hands and said with a smile,
“So it is Lady Zhen.”
After they nodded to each other, they only exchanged a word or two.
Zhen Yu then bowed and took her leave, and, flanked by two maidservants, slowly walked forward.
Liu Jin then left the place with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, arriving at the Zhen Family hall and taking their seats.
Soon, a maidservant brought tea, and the three brothers drank tea and chatted.
A moment later, Zhen Yi, flanked by several guards, slowly arrived.
He laughed heartily,
“Brother Wenyi, did you sleep well last night?!”
Liu Jin put down his teacup, stood up, and said with a smile,
“Yes, yes.”
“I slept well, more peacefully than in the military camp.”
Hearing this, Zhen Yi said with some anticipation,
“Since that’s the case, Brother Wenyi can stay a few more nights at the Zhen Family. We can have a good long chat.”
Liu Jin smiled and shook his head,
“I would like to stay for a few days and enjoy drinks with Jing’an, but the imperial order is still in effect. I will probably have to depart south tomorrow to suppress the Yellow Turban in Jizhou, so I don’t have much time to stay.”
“After I pacify the Yellow Turban, when I have free time, I will return to have a good long chat with Jing’an. Please don’t take offense.”