Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

For the countless ordinary people in the world, as long as it is a peaceful and prosperous era, it doesn't matter much who is the emperor or who sits on the throne.

Last February, in the second month of the ninth year of the Taihe era, Jianye City surrendered and was transformed from the capital of Wu into Jiangning, the seat of Yangzhou Prefecture of the Great Wei. Jiangning was located in a strategic area along the river, connecting Huainan to the north and Wu County to the south, making it a vital hub for commerce and the flow of goods.

Within a year, the city and its population began to recover according to their natural course, demonstrating remarkable resilience.

At the Longzangpu Wharf west of Jiangning City, the carriage of Xiahou Xuan, the Prefect of Danyang County, was already waiting.

Today is January 25th. The spring chill lingers, and a biting wind blows across the vast river. Xiahou Xuan tightened his robes, his gaze still fixed on the upstream river.

Hao Ning, the aide standing behind Xiahou Xuan, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, it is really cold by the river. Why don't we go into the carriage first to avoid the wind?"

Xiahou Xuan shook his head slightly: "No need, I'll wait a bit longer."

Hao Ning was about forty-five years old. He was originally a clerk under Cao Zhen, a typical long-serving clerk in the army, accustomed to routine affairs. When Xiahou Xuan served as the governor of Danyang, Cao Zhen appointed him to assist Xiahou Xuan.

The uncle still doted on his nephew.

Hao Ning glanced at the sun: "My lord, according to the news from three days ago, the ship carrying the lady should have arrived outside Jiangning City around noon today. It's only 1:45 AM now, so my lord should rest for a while."

"What rest? Have I been busy in Danyang for even a single day?" Xiahou Xuan frowned first, then, seeing Hao Ning's concerned face, he sighed softly: "It is indeed a bit cold by the river. Hao Jun, go and find shelter from the wind. I will wait here."

Hao Ning shook his head and smiled, "If Your Excellency is feeling the breeze, I will naturally follow suit."

Xiahou Xuan nodded slightly and said nothing more.

For the court officials who were with the army, returning to Luoyang meant they could reunite with their families and wives. Xiahou Xuan, however, was assigned to an external post in Danyang County, Yangzhou, during the war and naturally had no opportunity to return to Luoyang.

In the fifth year of the Taihe era, Xiahou Xuan married Wang Yuanji, the daughter of Wang Su, a court attendant. On the same day, Xiahou Xuan's younger sister, Xiahou Zhi, also married He You, the son of He Qia, the governor of Yongzhou. The fact that the Xiahou family's weddings and marriages were all on the same day became a celebrated story in Luoyang.

At the end of the sixth year of the Taihe era, Xiahou Xuan, as a Privy Councilor, came to Shouchun with the imperial entourage.

Since then, Xiahou Xuan and Wang Yuanji have been separated for more than three years.

Wang Yuanji came from a scholarly family, and Xiahou Xuan was also exceptionally talented. The two seemed like a match made in heaven, but they were separated for three years during the prime of their relationship, exchanging letters constantly, which was also a period of great torment.

After Cao Zhen and Wang Su returned to Luoyang with the emperor, Cao Zhen requested permission to travel from Luoyang. After nearly a month's journey, Wang Yuanji was finally about to arrive in Jiangning. With the lady's arrival imminent, Xiahou Xuan was willing to endure the cold wind for a while longer, as he needed to wait in advance.

"Hao Jun, what did I tell you? That boat upstream must be Madam's!" Xiahou Xuan said with a smile, turning to Hao Ning. "I only waited a quarter of an hour longer than I expected, and I was right, Madam arrived early indeed!"

Hao Ning smiled slightly: "This is excellent."

Hao Ning stood there with his hands folded, watching as Xiahou Xuan excitedly greeted Wang Yuanji at the dock. After Hao Ning and his entourage paid their respects to Wang Yuanji, Xiahou Xuan took Wang Yuanji's hand, and like a perfect couple, they boarded the carriage together and set off back to the city.

On the way back to the city, Hao Ning, riding his horse, sighed inwardly, thinking about Xiahou Xuan's jubilant appearance earlier. The Prefect had been depressed for many days; it had been a long time since he had seen him so cheerful.

Inside the carriage, Wang Yuanji leaned against Xiahou Xuan, listening as he recounted the events of last year's campaign against Wu. Occasionally, Wang Yuanji would also share her observations from Luoyang with Xiahou Xuan.

According to the prefectural government's plan, Jiangning City was to be expanded further. The original area within the city was somewhat cramped after a temporary palace was designated for it. In addition, there were to be barracks for the Privy Council, the Ministry of Personnel, and the garrison troops in the secondary capital, which was not enough. However, due to the heavy conscription in the vicinity of Jiangning, Jiang Ji planned to repair the city walls in the second half of the year.

The city wall of Jiangning is now in ruins, but the people and merchants coming and going inside are still numerous.

The carriage passed through the palace gates and headed east towards the city.

Wang Yuanji lifted the carriage curtain, her pretty eyes scanning the area for a few moments before she asked, "Is that the prefectural government ahead? Is my husband so busy with official duties every day?"

Xiahou Xuan's joyful expression suddenly faded, and he shook his head: "This is Yangzhou Prefecture, not Danyang County."

Wang Yuanji nodded knowingly.

The carriage traveled for a while longer before stopping in front of a smaller, somewhat cramped courtyard.

Xiahou Xuan took Wang Yuanji's hand and said, "We've arrived at the Prefect's residence. Yuanji, please get out of the carriage with me."

"Okay." Wang Yuanji nodded obediently, but her eyes kept looking around.

As intelligent as she was, she had already noticed some clues.

Xiahou Xuan made no attempt to avoid people, spending the entire afternoon in the back hall chatting with Wang Yuanji, who had come from Luoyang, about court changes, past events, and the various customs and features of Yangzhou, the Wu region, which differed from the north. Apart from Hao Ning arriving with official documents and exchanging words with Xiahou Xuan for less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, there were no further matters to attend to.

As night fell, the couple, reunited after a long separation, eagerly consummated their relationship in their bedroom, the tender moments of which are best left unsaid. Afterwards, on the bed, Xiahou Xuan, panting, held Wang Yuanji in his arms. During their tender embrace, Wang Yuanji asked:
"Is my husband feeling better now?"

Xiahou Xuan closed his eyes and laughed, "Indeed, it's exhilarating!"

Wang Yuanji licked her lips and said softly, "After arriving in Jiangning today, I noticed on the way that my husband seemed a little depressed, as if he had something weighing on his mind. Although I had my suspicions, I never dared to ask. Now that my husband is feeling better, I will ask him. His Majesty trusts you so much, and you have become the governor of a major prefecture before you are even thirty. How can you still have something weighing on your mind?"

Xiahou Xuan's expression froze for a moment, then he opened his eyes and looked at the charming and perceptive woman in his arms with a wry smile: "Yuan Ji guessed it? Indeed, with your keen eyes, how could you possibly hide it from me?"

"His Majesty's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, and I should not be troubled. But as a prefect, I am the most difficult one to be among all the prefects in the country! The capital of Yangzhou is in Jiangning City, and the capital of my Danyang Prefecture is also in Jiangning City."

"The prefect and the governor live in the same city. Lord Jiang has been the governor of Yangzhou for many years and came to Jiangning even earlier than me. He wields absolute power in everything and never asks me for his opinions!"

"Yuanji, as you can see, the affairs of Danyang County are entirely controlled by the state." Xiahou Xuan gave a bitter smile: "I'm practically a figurehead governor!" (End of Chapter)