Chapter 32: You Treat Me Like Dirt, Yet Expect My Service? The Shock of the Zhuge Sisters!

Zhuge Liang stepped into the hall first, and Xu Chu did not block his way.

Zhuge Lan followed closely behind. Upon catching sight of Xiao Fang from a distance, her beautiful face lit up with the joy of a newlywed reuniting after a short separation. She pulled her younger sister along, quickening her pace to enter.

"Who goes there!"

Xu Chu, not recognizing Zhuge Lan, let out a deep shout, his hand already on the hilt of the blade at his waist, drawing it halfway out with a metallic ring.

The two sisters, Zhuge Lan and Zhuge Rong, were startled. Their complexions drained of color, and they retreated in haste.

This scene also took Xiao Fang by surprise. He truly had not expected Xu Chu to be so dutiful that he would challenge anyone he didn't recognize without a word, ready to draw his blade at the slightest approach.

"Zhongkang, calm down! Sheathe your blade!"

"They are my wife and sister-in-law; they are our own people!"

Xiao Fang quickly called out to stop him and leapt forward.

Xu Chu then sheathed his sword. Showing no sign of shame, he merely offered a stoic, indifferent bow. "So it is the Madam. I have been rude; I ask for your forgiveness, Madam."

Zhuge Lan, still shaken, looked at this simple-minded, fearsome warrior and did not know how to react.

Xiao Fang stepped forward, took his wife’s hand, and smiled apologetically. "This is Commander Xu Zhongkang. He is a fierce warrior I met in Runan, and he is currently responsible for my safety."

"Zhongkang is a bit blunt. Please do not blame him for startling you just now."

Zhuge Lan breathed a sigh of relief. Far from blaming him, she showed respect. "Commander Xu’s dedication to his duties is truly admirable. Knowing you have his protection, I am put at ease."

Faced with her praise, Xu Chu felt somewhat embarrassed; he could only scratch the back of his head and offer a simple, honest smile.

Xiao Fang helped Zhuge Lan inside to be seated. Zhuge Rong shot a glare at Xu Chu before grumbling and following them into the room.

Xiao Fang asked why Zhuge Xuan and Zhuge Jun had not come.

Zhuge Liang replied without hesitation, "Uncle is in poor health, so he and my third brother are traveling to Biyang by water. My eldest sister was anxious to see her husband, so we traveled by horse at full speed..."

Before Zhuge Liang could finish, a flush appeared on Zhuge Lan’s cheeks. She quickly covered her lips and cleared her throat several times to interrupt him.

Zhuge Liang looked at his sister, puzzled. "Sister, I didn't say anything wrong, did I? Wasn't it you who said you were longing for your husband and insisted on arriving ahead of them?"

Seeing her brother’s naive inability to maintain her dignity, Zhuge Lan felt helpless and cast him a sharp look with her almond-shaped eyes.

"Husband, don't listen to A-Liang's nonsense."

"I was merely thinking that you were all alone here without anyone to look after you, which is why I wanted to arrive sooner."

"Husband, I brought some of your favorite pastries. You must try them."

Zhuge Lan changed the subject, busily calling for Zhuge Rong to bring the food box and setting out the snacks.

Watching his wife, who still had a faint blush on her cheeks, Xiao Fang smiled inwardly. Zhuge Lan was dignified and reserved; she clearly did not want to admit her longing for her husband in front of others.

"Mmm, home-style pastries are the best. I have been dying for this taste..."

Xiao Fang chose not to point out the truth and began to devour them. After a few pieces, he nearly choked.

"Brother-in-law, slow down. Have some water."

Seeing this, his sister-in-law, Zhuge Rong, looked concerned and quickly poured a cup of water, offering it with her delicate hands.

Xiao Fang took it, and while drinking, casually asked about Zhuge Xuan’s recent situation.

"Uncle is doing well, but he has been constantly worrying about your future."

"A few days ago, he even went to the provincial capital to visit Liu Jingsheng, hoping to secure an official position for you in the province."

"However, you know how Liu Jingsheng prioritizes family background, and the military and political power of the province is held by the Cai and Kuai families. After he asked about your lineage, he only agreed to arrange a position for you as a clerk in Yiyang County."

"Although it is only a minor position, at least you are no longer a commoner. Uncle said that with your talent, you will certainly be able to achieve results. In a few years, he will swallow his pride and plead with Liu Jingsheng again; transferring you to a position in the commandery government should be easy..."

Zhuge Lan spoke as she tidied the food box.

Xiao Fang choked on his drink and looked up at Zhuge Liang. What was this? Why was his uncle pulling strings for him to get a job with Liu Biao?

"A-Liang, did you not tell your sister that I have already pledged my service to Liu Xuande?"

Xiao Fang asked, wiping the water from his mouth. Previously, to avoid worrying Zhuge Lan, he had used the excuse of returning home to pay respects to his ancestors to travel to Xuzhou. The true "conspiracy" was known only to him and Zhuge Liang. He had assumed that since Zhuge Liang went to fetch them, he would have already told her the truth, but looking at the situation, it was clear he hadn't.

"I felt that such a significant matter would be better coming from you, brother-in-law."

Zhuge Liang coughed a few times, his expression showing a hint of helplessness. It was clear he was afraid that if he told the truth, Zhuge Lan would blame him for keeping secrets.

"Husband, A-Liang, what are you talking about?"

Zhuge Lan’s bright eyes flashed with confusion as she looked between Xiao Fang and her brother.

Xiao Fang sighed softly. Since things had reached this point, he had to confess. After a moment of preparation, he explained the cause and effect to Zhuge Lan.

Zhuge Lan’s expression gradually changed, and shock filled her eyes. Zhuge Rong’s cherry lips parted slightly into an exaggerated circle, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Husband, you actually went behind my back to join Liu Xuande?"

Having processed the information, Zhuge Lan exclaimed in surprise.

Xiao Fang coughed and laughed. "Actually, I was just passing through Xuzhou when I realized that Liu Xuande possessed the qualities of a wise lord, which is why I decided to assist him."

He was not foolish enough to admit that assisting Liu Bei was a long-planned scheme, instead claiming it was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even between husband and wife, while honesty is important, necessary white lies were still required.

Zhuge Lan was stunned and silent for a long time before she finally regained her composure.

"But if you have joined Liu Xuande, what about the clerk position that Uncle worked so hard to secure?"

Before Xiao Fang could speak, Zhuge Liang, who believed in "protecting oneself," could not help but laugh, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Liu Jingsheng only values the great noble clans. To offer a talent like my brother-in-law nothing more than a county clerk position is truly laughable."

"Now that my brother-in-law is the chief strategist for Liu Xuande, would he still care for a minor clerk position?"

Zhuge Lan gasped, more astonishment filling her eyes. She knew full well what it meant to be a chief strategist. That was the second-in-command of the Liu Bei group. Her husband had gone to Xuzhou and suddenly transformed into Liu Bei’s chief strategist; this drastic change in status caught her completely off guard.

"Brother-in-law, but I heard that Liu Xuande has lost Xuzhou and fled to our Jingzhou with only his remnants. His current territory is nothing more than Biyang County."

"Liu Jingsheng is the provincial governor, sitting on seven commanderies of Jingxiang."

"Being Liu Bei’s chief strategist sounds impressive, but is it really more promising than being a clerk for Liu Jingsheng?"

Zhuge Rong fluttered her long eyelashes, voicing her doubts. As the second daughter of the Zhuge family, she was a well-bred young lady, so it was not surprising she could analyze it to this extent. Yet, unfortunately, she was still a woman with limited perspective.

"Second sister, you don't understand."

"Brother-in-law said that if Liu Jingsheng lived in peaceful times, he would certainly be a man of high ministerial caliber."

"But in these chaotic times, with his limited vision and talent, he is nothing more than a warlord guarding his own borders."

"Brother-in-law’s return to Jingzhou this time is to help Liu Xuande defeat Liu Biao and seize Jingzhou from his hands!"

Zhuge Liang stated the intent on Xiao Fang’s behalf.

As these words were spoken, both sisters trembled, their faces changing once more, and they both turned their astonished gazes toward Xiao Fang.