Liu Zhen, of course, knew of Guo Shu. Her father had been mentioning this name frequently recently. In Liu Zhen's eyes, this person knew how to read the situation, acted with propriety, and knew when to advance and when to retreat. Not only did he offer his family's wealth, but he was also clever. No manager would dislike such a subordinate. The Guo family had set an outstanding example for other families who wanted to seek refuge with Liu Yuan. If there were no surprises, with Liu Yuan's full support, the Guo family would also become a rising star in Yingchuan Commandery.

Since she knew her father's intentions, Liu Zhen naturally had to show appropriate goodwill toward Guo Zhi, especially since the boy was not unlikable.

"If only I could practice a bit first," Liu Zhen also whispered with a laugh. "I've never thrown from this far. I might not even get a single one in later!"

Guo Zhi said, "Have you been learning archery recently?"

"How did you know?" Liu Zhen raised an eyebrow, silently blaming her fast-talking older brother.

But Guo Zhi's next words let her know she had wronged Liu Nan. "The jade archer's ring on your hand is of very good quality, and it looks quite old."

Liu Zhen looked down at the warmly colored jade ring, smiled, and didn't explain the curious misunderstanding. "I've been learning with my brother for a few days, but unfortunately, I haven't grasped the key points yet. I originally wanted to train my eyesight, but it seems I'm naturally unsuited for archery. Maybe I should learn something else, like swords or blades."

In truth, she was just saying that. Liu Zhen had discovered that this body of hers really didn't have well-developed athletic senses. It was said that heaven bestowed physical qualities fairly upon everyone, and that was indeed the case. She carried memories from birth and had a decent ability to absorb and understand classical knowledge, but in other aspects, she was just average.

Guo Zhi said with a grin, "This is just a game, winning or losing doesn't matter. Don't worry, even if I get first place, I won't make things difficult for you!"

Liu Zhen had thought he was being a bit boastful, but she didn't expect that when it was Guo Zhi's turn for pitch-pot, he would hit eleven out of twelve arrows, tying Liu Nan's score. He directly showed Liu Zhen with his actions that it was confidence, not arrogance.

When Liu Zhen held the bamboo arrows in her hand, dozens of pairs of eyes in the room stared fixedly at her, making her twitch the corner of her mouth—not out of nervousness, but from a premonition of her own tragedy.

Sure enough, after one round, there was almost no need to look. Liu Zhen's score was the worst. She had only hit two of the twelve arrows, a truly miserable sight. Even the boys who had supposedly barely touched a bow and arrow before did better than her—at least they had hit three.

So in the end, as the one in last place, Liu Zhen naturally had to accept a punishment.

Originally, seeing that she was a little girl and the beloved daughter of Governor Liu, the young boys didn't plan to include her. But Liu Zhen felt that one should accept their losses in a bet. When everyone came out to play together, if you only enjoyed the privileges but didn't fulfill the obligations, your companions would surely have some objections in their hearts, even if they didn't say it. Over time, people would think you're a sore loser, and no one would want to play with you anymore. So she insisted on accepting the punishment.

This action indeed won her the goodwill of the boys.

As Liu Yuan's position in Yingchuan Commandery became increasingly stable, some class and status differences had gradually begun to show. Now, basically no one would flaunt their own lineage in front of the Liu siblings. Some who were particularly good at reading people would even intentionally or unintentionally try to curry favor with Liu Nan and Liu Zhen.

Liu Zhen didn't have a carefree, boyish personality, but she acted with grace and propriety, wasn't pretentious or affected. When it was time to joke, she joked with everyone; when it was time to cheer, she cheered with everyone. Seeing that she was young, sensible, and smart, everyone instead treated her like a little sister and took care of her.

Liu Nan and Guo Zhi tied for first place. However, as Liu Zhen's older brother, the former took the initiative to avoid suspicion. In reality, he had a mischievous thought, wanting to see how Guo Zhi would make things difficult for his sister, and he desperately shot glances at Guo Zhi, signaling him to come up with a difficult challenge.

Who would have thought that Guo Zhi seemed to have completely missed his hints. "How about Ah Zhen sings a song?"

At this time, the ancient customs were still upheld. People loved song and dance. Whenever a family held a banquet, when both host and guests were enjoying themselves and spirits were high, the host might even take the lead in dancing and singing. Basically, even someone with a terrible singing voice could hum a line or two, so asking Liu Zhen to sing was not an insult.

Liu Nan couldn't help but feel a little indignant, thinking this was letting his sister off too easily. He usually suffered from Liu Zhen's "bullying" and couldn't get "revenge" himself, so he had to pin his hopes on others. You see, the last time they played pitch-pot, the person with the worst score was made to go outside and bark like a dog three times. He never expected that Guo Zhi would let such a great opportunity slip by so lightly.

He didn't stop to think that Guo Zhi had "no grievance or enmity" with Liu Zhen. All he saw was Liu Zhen's cute and lovely side. Of course he wouldn't make things difficult for such a charming little girl.

Liu Zhen also saw her brother's "flirtatious glances" at Guo Zhi and found it hilarious. She thought for a moment, then opened her mouth and sang a passage—

"The hooves of the qilin, oh the spirited young lord, alas for the qilin! The brow of the qilin, oh the spirited young kinsman, alas for the qilin! The horn of the qilin, oh the spirited young clansman, alas for the qilin!..."

To be honest, her singing ability was very poor. Fortunately, people at this time loved to sing on a whim and weren't too particular. This poem was from the Book of Odes and praised the benevolence of ancient noble scions. It had no romantic overtones, was very conventional, and... a little dull.

Sure enough, after she finished singing, the audience's reaction wasn't very enthusiastic. But Liu Zhen didn't care. She had completed her task anyway. If she had sung something like "Peach Tree Tender and Young" or "Reeds Green and Lush," she would definitely have been teased by these adolescent boys. And it went without saying that Liu Nan would have been the one to jeer the loudest.

After she finished her song, everyone felt a bit embarrassed to play pitch-pot again. No matter how they played, Liu Zhen would be the one in last place, and to continue would feel like an unfair victory. So someone brought out a Liubo chess set.

Liu Nan then ordered the people in the tavern to bring drinks. Although it was called a tavern, it also provided various beverages, like iced honey wine, cudrania juice, and osmanthus juice. Considering his sister was with them and to avoid a scolding from their father, Liu Nan didn't dare order them to serve wine, even though the alcohol content of wine at this time was very low.

These drinks tasted good. The iced sugarcane juice was mixed with a little rice slurry, creating a clear sweetness with a hint of sourness, a flavor profile that people of this era enjoyed. Liu Zhen wasn't used to it at first, but she later grew to love the taste.

Liubo chess was the most popular game of the time. Whether commoner or noble, everyone liked to play a few rounds of Liubo in their spare time. Unlike pitch-pot, which required skill, Liubo chess involved a certain element of luck. During a match, the two players took turns throwing the "zhu," which was equivalent to rolling dice. The higher the number thrown, the more steps one could move their piece. It was a bit like the Ludo of later generations, so many people on the streets used Liubo for gambling.

When high-spirited young men gathered to play, it wouldn't be right without some stakes. So, they followed the same rule as before: the winner could make the loser do one thing.

They first used the "zhu" throws to determine the opponents, then played in pairs. In the end, nearly half of the people in the room were bound to lose their games, which meant that the other half who won could tease their opponents to their hearts' content.

Perhaps to make up for Liu Zhen's miserable defeat earlier, her luck exploded when she was paired against Guo Zhi. She continuously threw good numbers and finally won the chess game. Liu Zhen was so happy her eyes crinkled into a smile. She said to Guo Zhi, "Do you concede?"

Guo Zhi spread his hands, quite straightforwardly. "I accept my loss in the bet!"

Liu Zhen racked her brain, wondering how she could make things difficult for this guy. Singing was letting him off too easily.

Over on the other side, Liu Nan lost his game and was required to treat everyone to another gathering here next time. Liu Nan naturally agreed readily. When it was Guo Zhi's turn, Liu Zhen made him do something that would make everyone present praise and applaud.

Guo Zhi agreed with a smile, then said he would go change his clothes first and would be back in a moment.

After a good while, Guo Zhi still hadn't returned. Everyone began to guess if he had used it as an excuse to slip away. Just then, a woman's voice came from outside the door.

"Second Master, why did it take you so long to come?"

The voice was coquettish to the bone, its melodious warble carrying clearly from outside the door. The people inside, who had been laughing and joking, looked at each other and instantly fell silent.

"My dear Ah Nu, you must have missed me, haven't you?" This time it was a man's voice, about thirty or forty years old, and a bit rough.

"This servant has missed you to death. Second Master must have found a new love, otherwise why haven't you come to see this servant for so long?"

Everyone listened, dumbfounded, to the lovers' tryst-like conversation outside the door. They couldn't understand how someone could have a secret rendezvous in a place like this. Especially since most of those present were hot-blooded teenagers, their faces flushed red in no time. For some unknown psychological reason, no one stood up to open the door and expose the pair to everyone's gaze.

Just then, Liu Zhen stood up, walked to the door, and slid it open with a 'shuala' sound.

In the next moment, everyone was dumbstruck.

Where were the man and woman having a secret affair? There was only Guo Zhi sitting outside, winking at everyone.

Liu Zhen was also a bit stunned. "That was all you just now..."

Seeing that he had successfully pranked them, Guo Zhi couldn't help but slap his thigh hard and laugh out loud.

When the crowd came to their senses, they erupted in cheers. Someone even asked Guo Zhi to do another one.

Guo Zhi made a funny face at Liu Zhen. "Is this as you wished?"

Liu Zhen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The gathering ended with both hosts and guests thoroughly pleased. On the way back, Liu Nan was still discussing Guo Zhi's remarkably lifelike vocal mimicry with Liu Zhen.

Liu Zhen found it a bit strange. "Guo Zhi is the scion of a noble family. Why would he learn the 'hundred plays'?"

Liu Nan was unconcerned. "He's naturally humorous. Once when we went out to play together, he even hugged a donkey and called it 'Father'!"

Dark lines appeared on Liu Zhen's forehead. What kind of strange hobby was that?

Liu Nan was heard saying again, "But Ah Zhi's chess skills have always been excellent. For him to lose to you today was quite unexpected for me!"

Liu Zhen said, "Liubo is primarily about luck. The number from throwing the 'zhu' can't be controlled by a person, so what's so strange about losing?"

"Aiya," Liu Nan exclaimed. "You don't know, Ah Zhi specifically learned from someone. Every time he throws the 'zhu,' he can get the number he wants. Those who know the inside story are unwilling to play with him. How did he happen to lose to you this time!"

Liu Zhen feigned to hit him. "So you all knew, and that's why you paired me with him!"

Liu Nan laughed heartily and nimbly dodged. "Isn't this just perfect? I can see that Ah Zhi likes you a lot, otherwise why would he deliberately lose to you!"

Liu Zhen's face was expressionless. "I'm going back to tell Father that you didn't study properly today and even snuck me out to play."

Liu Nan's joy turned to alarm. He immediately wailed and begged for mercy, "I was wrong, I was wrong, isn't that enough!"

——————

Liu Yuan intended to win over the Guo family, so naturally, Madam Zhang and Guo Shu's wife, Madam Yao, grew closer.

As the saying goes, "the wife sings and the husband follows." Madam Yao had a personality very similar to her husband's; both were smooth and sophisticated in all aspects. When interacting with Madam Zhang, she was always courteous and curried favor without leaving a trace, making one feel as pleasant as a spring breeze.

Having been in the position of the Governor's manor's mistress for a while now, Madam Zhang was beginning to grow weary of those who came to her because of her status, eager to fawn and flatter. In the vast city of Yangdi, the only people Madam Zhang frequently invited over as guests, besides Song Xie's wife Madam Lin and her own third younger sister who had married Wu Yu, was now this Madam Yao.

Madam Yao came from a prominent family and was used to seeing all sorts of people. She had also personally witnessed her husband dealing with Liu Yuan. After meeting with Madam Zhang a few times, she went home and said to Guo Shu, "I've observed that although Governor Liu is of humble origins, he is calm and composed in conversation and has the demeanor of someone destined for great things. The Liu family's children are also acceptable. In comparison, the mistress of the Governor's manor has a somewhat narrow perspective and vision. If this continues, I'm afraid she will become estranged from Governor Liu!"

Guo Shu said to her, "It is enough that you are aware of this in your heart. Don't meddle in others' affairs. I had you befriend Madam Zhang for no other reason than Governor Liu. As it is today, the general situation of the world is not yet settled. The Qin army has gone east. In these past few days of conversation with Song Xie, Wu Yu, and the others, I can see that Governor Liu clearly has a plan in mind. In the future, he will certainly not be confined to the lands of Yingchuan. If I can achieve some merit through this, the Guo family will surely have great prospects in the future. Therefore, we only need to follow Governor Liu. He regards Madam Zhang as his wife, so you should treat her as the mistress of the Governor's manor. Be careful and serve her well, and you won't go wrong."

Madam Yao nodded. "Husband, rest assured, I understand."

Guo Shu asked again, "I heard the Governor has a young son. I wonder what his aptitude is like?"

Madam Yao said, "He just turned five, but he can't even speak coherently. I'm afraid he'll grow up to be mediocre."

Guo Shu smiled. "That's perfect. You can suggest to her that she should find a good tutor for this son. She will surely be grateful to you for it."

Things happened just as Guo Shu had predicted. Upon receiving Madam Yao's reminder, Madam Zhang had a sudden realization. She thanked her repeatedly, then went to find Liu Yuan and mentioned the idea of finding a tutor for Liu Jin.

Liu Yuan was from a grassroots background and wasn't particularly fond of cultural studies. His approach to his children's education had always been a guiding principle of letting them roam free and do as they please. In addition, with more and more matters weighing on him now, he didn't have the time, nor was it possible, to care about every child's development.

Even with his most valued eldest son, Liu Nan, Liu Yuan had waited until he was almost fourteen before thinking of correcting his mindset of "valuing martial arts over literary studies"—though it was already a bit late.

After hearing Madam Zhang's request, Liu Yuan felt it made a lot of sense. Since his eldest son had already gone "crooked," his youngest son couldn't be allowed to do the same. It was best to start his education from a young age. So he truly took this matter to heart. After searching and searching, he settled on one candidate, Meng Xing.

Meng Xing was originally a County Clerk in Yangdi. After the battle of Yangdi, he received an exceptional promotion from Liu Yuan, who brought him directly under his command to serve. Although Meng Xing was not good-looking, his scholarship was genuinely excellent, so Liu Yuan made a request to him, hoping he could serve as his young son's tutor.

To give up being a perfectly good official to become a tutor for a small child—Meng Xing was naturally not very willing. But he couldn't refuse Liu Yuan's repeated requests, so he took a step back and proposed to spend two shichen (four hours) each day teaching Liu Jin.

Liu Yuan naturally agreed immediately, and the matter was thus settled.

When Liu Zhen heard that her father had invited Meng Xing to be her younger brother's tutor, she also came to join in the excitement, hoping to be able to sit in on the lessons. After all, no matter how good Madam Han was, she could only teach them etiquette and customs; she couldn't teach things like scholarship.

Unexpectedly, on the day Meng Xing was to start his post, a small incident occurred.