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"It doesn't matter, think nothing of it. Let's put that aside for a moment. How is the hull repair coming along?"

"It is basically complete, sir. We are ready to set sail."

"Then let us set sail."

The ship weighed anchor and slowly pulled away from the ferry dock, heading upstream against the current. With every mile, Wang Bo drew closer to Yingchuan, the destination of his dreams.

Once the vessel had safely and steadily entered the river channel, Wang Bo stepped out of his cabin with trembling legs and made his way unsteadily to the deck. "A serious miscalculation," he muttered with a wry and bitter expression as he felt his knees shaking. "I actually get seasick."

Another sudden roll of the ship proved too much for his churning stomach. Wang Bo hurried to the side of the deck and vomited violently.

"Thank goodness I hadn't eaten anything, or there's no telling what a mess I'd be in," he thought, secretly congratulating himself on his wise decision to skip breakfast.

"Pfft." Just as he was privately patting himself on the back, a soft sound rang out from not far behind him.

"Hm?" Wang Bo turned his head at the noise and beheld a face that would be etched into his memory for a lifetime. She was unimaginably beautiful and graceful, refined and serene, gentle and extraordinarily intelligent. In a single fleeting instant, Wang Bo felt his body temperature rise, his mind grow warm, and his heartbeat race.

*This must be what it feels like to fall in love at first sight,* he thought dazedly, staring at the young maiden before him.

"Impudent scoundrel! Hmph." With a cold snort, the young lady turned on her heel and walked away.

"Ah?" Wang Bo was startled by her harsh judgment. He wanted to give chase, but realizing it would be inappropriate, he could only watch helplessly as she departed.

"Young master, my master requests your presence," the steward said, stepping out from the cabin just as Wang Bo was standing there in a daze.

"Oh—right away," Wang Bo replied, nodding absently, though his expression remained forlorn as he wondered what thoughts were running through her head. He followed the steward into the cabin.

The steward led Wang Bo to the door of the middle-aged man's chamber, knocked gently, and announced, "Master, I have brought the young gentleman."

"Show him in."

Granted permission, the steward opened the door and ushered Wang Bo into the room once more. Unlike their previous encounter—when he had been dragged in under duress—this time he entered as an invited guest.

Stepping inside, Wang Bo maintained proper etiquette, hurriedly bowing from the waist. "Greetings, sir."

"No need for such formalities. Rise and speak," the middle-aged man said with an approving nod, evidently pleased by Wang Bo's courteous demeanor.

"Understood." Wang Bo raised his head—and as he did, he caught sight of a familiar, graceful figure. The sudden view made him freeze in place once again. However, he quickly recovered his composure. Having already made a poor first impression, he was determined not to let the misunderstanding escalate.

Yet Wang Bo's momentary lapse in attention did not escape the middle-aged man. Glancing first at Wang Bo and then at his blushing, indignant daughter, the gentleman instantly grasped the situation. He chuckled softly, shaking his head without saying a word.

Regaining his wits, Wang Bo hurriedly asked, "May I ask why you summoned me, sir?"

"It is like this," the middle-aged man began after a thoughtful pause. "I read those three volumes of bamboo slips you brought, young friend, and I found them quite fascinating. I would like to make a hand-copied transcript of them, if you would be so kind as to permit it."

"Is that all? Feel free to copy them as much as you like," Wang Bo replied carelessly, without a second thought.

"Cai Yong is deeply grateful to you, young friend," Cai Yong said, offering a respectful bow.

"Please, no need for formalities," Wang Bo hastily returned the gesture. Then, a sudden realization struck him like a thunderbolt. *Did I just hear this middle-aged man refer to himself as Cai Yong?*

"Are you Master Cai Yong?" Wang Bo asked cautiously.

"Indeed I am," Cai Yong nodded.

Wang Bo caught his breath sharply. "I never imagined I would actually meet Cai Yong!" he thought in astonishment. Then, looking toward the beautiful young woman standing beside Cai Yong, a realization dawned. "This must be the celebrated talented lady, Cai Yan."

***

"To think that this humble youth would have the great honor of meeting you, sir." Wearing an expression of profound reverence, Wang Bo bowed deeply once more.

"You have heard of me?" Cai Yong asked with a curious expression.

"Your esteemed reputation is known throughout the realm, sir. How could this junior not know of it?" Wang Bo replied sincerely, without a trace of flattery. It was true, after all; Cai Yong was a figure of immense renown in the Three Kingdoms era. He was a great Confucian scholar, a preeminent master of learning in the Han dynasty, and a virtuoso accomplished in both musical theory and calligraphy. Coupled with his exceptionally gifted and beautiful daughter, it was impossible for him not to be famous throughout the world.

"Ah, you flatter me, young friend. Such empty fame is hardly worth mentioning," Cai Yong said, though his face beamed with smiles.

"You are too modest, sir," Wang Bo replied. He glanced once more at Cai Yan standing beside her father, a wave of poignant emotion washing over him.

Cai Yan was a renowned poetess and scholar of the late Han and Three Kingdoms periods, celebrated throughout Chinese history. She was well-versed in mathematics and astronomy, possessed a brilliant literary mind, excelled in poetry and prose, and was gifted in both rhetoric and musical composition. Yet, she was also perhaps the most tragic woman of the Three Kingdoms era. Her first marriage took her far away to the Wei family in Hedong. Her husband, Wei Zhongdao, was an exceptionally talented young scholar, but alas, their happiness was short-lived. Less than a year later, Wei Zhongdao succumbed to a fatal hemorrhage. Unable to endure the cold disdain of the Wei family, Cai Yan returned home in bitterness.

However, amidst the chaos of the late Eastern Han dynasty, she was captured by the Southern Xiongnu and forced to marry the fierce, burly Left Wise King of the Xiongnu, enduring twelve long years of agonizing torment in a foreign land with alien customs and culture. It was only later that Cao Cao used a massive fortune to ransom her back. Yet upon parting with her children and the Left Wise King to return to Chenliu, she found her former home reduced to desolate ruins, leaving her with nowhere to find shelter. In the end, she was forced by Cao Cao's arrangement to marry the garrison officer Dong Si.

Thinking of Cai Yan's profound and sorrowful destiny, Wang Bo felt a sharp ache in his chest. Looking at the gentle, serene, and exceptionally bright young woman, a dull pain throbbed within his heart.

*No, absolutely not. Since heaven has brought me to this era, I will never allow history's tragedy to repeat itself.* Gazing at Cai Yan, Wang Bo swore a silent, solemn oath in his heart—an oath to protect the one he held dear.

"By the way, we have been conversing for quite some time, and this old man still does not know your honored name," Cai Yong suddenly inquired.

"This junior is named Wang Bo, a native of Zhending in Changshan," Wang Bo answered truthfully.

"Then I shall call you Xiao Bo," Cai Yong nodded. "May I ask where Xiao Bo is heading, and for what purpose?"

"I am going to Yingchuan to pursue my studies."

Cai Yong looked at him with mild surprise. "To pursue studies? And to what end?"

"To serve and repay the country," Wang Bo replied, though he silently added a vow in his heart: *And to exact vengeance.*

"Well spoken, you have ambition," Cai Yong affirmed. "Since Xiao Bo has such aspirations, this old man sees no harm in lending a helping hand. I have some acquaintance with the Xun family of Yingchuan. Allow me to write a letter of recommendation for you to take along. While it may not solve everything, it should save you from making many unnecessary detours."

"Then I am deeply grateful to you, sir." Wang Bo accepted the offer graciously without false modesty.

Cai Yong's smile grew even warmer at Wang Bo's candid response. Had Wang Bo not been so determined to go to Yingchuan, the older man might well have been tempted to take him on as a direct disciple.

"I will go fetch the bamboo slips for you, sir, and stop intruding upon your time," Wang Bo said, rising to take his leave.

"Very well," Cai Yong nodded, watching him depart with approval.

"Father, he is nothing more than an impudent scoundrel! Why treat him with such courtesy?" Cai Yan complained with a hint of displeasure, watching her father show such favor to Wang Bo.

"What do you know?" Cai Yong scolded lightly, glaring at his daughter. "Xiao Bo possesses a steadfast will in his studies and is remarkably quick-witted. If he is guided by a proper teacher, his achievements in the future will surely be considerable."

"Him?" Cai Yan said doubtfully, clearly still harboring resentment over the way Wang Bo had openly stared at her earlier.

"He is nothing but a rude fop! Didn't you see how he kept staring at me without even blinking back on the deck?" She shook her head with lingering embarrassment and anger.

Seeing his daughter's flushed face, Cai Yong was at a loss for how to respond. He could only sigh and say, "Blame it on your own natural beauty, my child, which caused Xiao Bo to be somewhat spellbound."

"Is that true?" Cai Yan touched her cheek, feeling a mix of shyness and doubt.

"Are you saying you don't believe your father's words?"

"Of course I believe Father, but... but..." Cai Yan stammered, too shy to finish.

"Very well, why don't you try interacting with Xiao Bo and see for yourself whether he is truly the scoundrel you took him for?"

"Well... all right then," Cai Yan agreed with a hesitant nod.

***

The official vessel had been navigating the river for several days, and Wang Bo had gradually grown accustomed to life on the water—at least escaping the humiliating weakness and trembling legs of the first day.

River travel was monotonous, even duller than walking by land. Yet the silver lining for Wang Bo was that Cai Yan had cleared up her misunderstanding of him. Remembering the day she had taken the initiative to speak to him again, he still felt a thrill of excitement that left him half out of his wits. Fortunately, he managed to rein in his emotions just in time, avoiding a repeat of his earlier wolfish behavior. Over the past few days of conversation, Cai Yan's remaining prejudice against him had entirely vanished.

"Young master, what are you doing up at the bow again?" a sweet, melodious voice drifted from behind him. Wang Bo didn't even need to turn around to know who the speaker was.

"Nothing, just indulging in a few reflections," Wang Bo said, turning back with a smile. "As for you, Miss Cai, you ought to head back inside. The wind and spray are quite harsh up here at the bow."

"You must be thinking of your hometown again, aren't you?" Cai Yan asked with a look of gentle concern. Through their conversations over the past few days, Wang Bo had already revealed his tragic background to Cai Yong and his daughter—a brilliantly played emotional card. Ever since learning of his sorrowful plight, Cai Yong had treated him with even greater care, frequently instructing him in scholarship and the principles of official conduct. Cai Yan, too, felt deep compassion for him, which completely dissolved any lingering ill impressions she had held.

"Perhaps I am just dwelling on things too much. After all, the people who are gone cannot return," Wang Bo sighed helplessly, his expression full of genuine sorrow. His original thoughts had actually been about future prospects, but Cai Yan had misinterpreted them as homesickness.

"Young master, please do not grieve so," Cai Yan comforted him softly. Yet her words seemed almost too late; though Wang Bo forced a weak smile, the sorrow etched across his face clearly betrayed his inner turmoil.

Seeing his heartbroken look, Cai Yan didn't know what to do. She had never imagined that a casual remark of hers could cause him such pain, and she felt a wave of profound remorse—alongside a strange, tender stirring within her heart.

"Miss Cai, do not worry, I am quite all right," Wang Bo said. Truth be told, it was hard to completely shake off the emotional weight, even when feigning strength. Rather than putting on a false, cheerful facade to deceive others, showing genuine sorrow felt far more authentic.

Yet Cai Yan was a naturally sensitive and melancholic soul. Wang Bo's sadness resonated within her, casting a delicate shadow of melancholy across her beautiful face and stirring an instinctive urge in anyone who saw her to pull her into their arms and protect her.

Wang Bo desperately wanted to do just that, but reason held him back. Instead, he forced a change of subject to ease the mood: "I have troubled you with my worries, Miss Cai. Let us return to the cabin; there are still several scholarly matters I wish to seek your guidance on."

Since he had encountered such a great master of learning, Wang Bo was naturally not going to miss a single opportunity to study. He frequently sought answers from Cai Yong, but because Cai Yong was busy transcribing *Master Huang Shigong's Three Strategies*, he had limited time to spare. Consequently, the burden of tutoring Wang Bo fell upon Cai Yan. Needless to say, Wang Bo was more than happy to facilitate this arrangement. With a beauty by his side—and the very beauty of his affections at that—he was overjoyed. Moreover, determined to leave a lasting, favorable impression, he poured himself into his studies with tireless diligence, while Cai Yan proved more than capable of answering his every query.

One had to admit that Cai Yan's erudition was no exaggeration; she fully deserved her reputation as a talented woman. Wang Bo deeply appreciated the truth in the old saying that true talent always matched its fame, and he found himself filled with genuine admiration for her vast knowledge.

Mentioning scholarship instantly transformed Cai Yan's demeanor. The melancholic gentleness faded, replaced by an aura of absolute confidence—confidence in her own intellect.

"Very well then," Cai Yan agreed with a nod, and walked gracefully back toward the cabin, with Wang Bo following closely behind.

A few more tranquil days passed, with Wang Bo spending the remainder of the journey in diligent study and inquiry. In the blink of an eye, the official vessel slowly approached the Baimajin Ferry.

Watching the ship drift toward the shore, a pang of sudden loss gripped Wang Bo's heart. He had been tempted to stay, and Cai Yong had even urged him to do so, but he had ultimately refused. Remaining by Cai Yong's side might seem like an excellent choice to an outsider, but Wang Bo knew that Yingchuan was the only place suited for him—a young man from an impoverished and obscure background. Only there would he have a chance to integrate into the core circle of the Cao clan's faction.

As the ship docked, Wang Bo tightened the straps of the pack on his back and stepped ashore under the watchful eyes of Cai Yong and the steward. Cai Yan had not come out to see him off, leaving him with a quiet sense of disappointment.

Seeing a lone figure who looked somewhat like a ragged scholar disembark from an official vessel left the onlookers at the dock utterly baffled, unable to guess what had transpired.

Wang Bo paid them no mind, his thoughts entirely consumed by Cai Yan. *Perhaps it is better that we did not say goodbye; otherwise, it would only breed more sorrow,* he comforted himself silently. Without looking back, he strode out of the ferry area. What he did not know was that a pair of tearful, watery eyes followed his retreating form until he vanished entirely into the bustling crowd.

Emerging from the dock, Wang Bo pushed the lingering melancholy to the back of his mind. His journey ahead was still long. Besides, Master Zuo Ci had made predictions with uncanny accuracy; surely his words would prove true. Gazing toward the southern horizon, Wang Bo's resolve grew firmer. Before long, he would reach Yingchuan, and with Cai Yong's letter of recommendation in hand, his prospects were bound to be bright.

Once he entered Yan Province, Wang Bo picked up his pace. With his long-cherished destination now within reach, excitement was inevitable. He rode the momentum and pushed forward without stopping, refusing to linger in any city along the way.

As the afternoon sun slanted toward the west, casting its golden twilight across the land, a solitary traveler walked swiftly along the imperial highway, his long shadow stretched out behind him by the setting sun.