novelAbuy Chapter 1 Reborn as Yuan Tan
Chapter 1 Reborn as Yuan Tan
In the first year of Jian'an, in Ye City.
Yuan Tan opened his eyes, and a faint fragrance of osmanthus blossoms entered his nostrils before he could see them.
The curtains were drawn low, and the light was dim.
He found himself lying on a large wooden couch, with a beautiful young girl nestled beside him.
A pair of enormous objects pressed against his chest and a section of his arm, the skin so delicate it seemed you could squeeze water out of it.
He sat up abruptly, startling those around him.
"Young master is awake?"
A soft, sweet voice rang out, and a girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old rubbed her sleepy eyes and half-sat up.
The brocade quilt slipped down, revealing smooth shoulders and faintly visible curves.
Holy crap! That means it has to be at least a three-year minimum!
Yuan Tan felt a buzzing in his mind, and his modern instincts made him subconsciously shrink back.
This reaction clearly surprised the girl; a hint of astonishment flashed in her eyes, and she then subtly moved closer.
"Young master, were you having a nightmare? How about I massage your temples?"
Just as her soft, boneless hand was about to touch her forehead, Yuan Tan grabbed her wrist.
Just then, a series of unfamiliar memories flooded into my mind.
He was Yuan Tan, Yuan Shao's eldest son, but not a legitimate son.
His birth mother died early, and he was adopted by his uncle Yuan Ji, who had no children.
Currently, Yuan Shao favors his youngest son, Yuan Shang, born to his second wife, Lady Liu. As the eldest son, Yuan Shang's position is awkward. He was recently injured in a battle with Tian Kai in Qingzhou and was sent back to Ye City to recuperate.
"Young master?"
Qiqi cried out softly in pain.
Yuan Tan released his grip, forcing himself to remain calm:
"I'm fine, I'm just a little thirsty."
While the girl got up to pour water, he quickly looked around.
The bronze lampstand, the carved lacquer table, and the bronze sword hanging on the wall—every item is simple yet exquisite, and certainly not a modern imitation.
He walked to the bronze mirror, in which was reflected a face in his early twenties, with handsome features but a sickly appearance, and a burlap bandage wrapped around his left shoulder.
He really did time travel and became Yuan Tan, the historical figure who was disliked by his father, framed by his brother, and ultimately died a tragic death.
"Please have some, young master."
Qiqi brought over the lacquer cup, her eyes filled with worry.
Yuan Tan took the water glass, then suddenly stared at her and asked:
"During the days I've been unconscious, has anyone in the city come to visit me?"
Kiki's eyes flickered, and she whispered:
"Several subordinates have come by, but the lord is busy with official duties and has not yet had the opportunity to visit..."
"snort!"
Yuan Tan sneered; his memories told him...
I have been back in Ye City recuperating for more than half a month now.
His father, Yuan Shao, had only met him briefly once when he first returned to the city.
On the contrary, his younger brother Yuan Shang and his stepmother Liu often "took care" of his condition.
Seeing his gloomy expression, Qiqi said softly:
"Young master, Madam Liu sent someone to deliver some tonics the day before yesterday, saying that you should rest and recuperate in peace, and that the affairs of Qingzhou will be handled by others."
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over my head.
Qingzhou was his territory, which he had painstakingly cultivated for many years. Now that he had returned injured, some people were eager to reap the benefits.
"Change your clothes."
Yuan Tan suddenly spoke.
"Young master's injuries have not yet healed; the physician says he needs to rest..."
"I said change clothes!"
Yuan Tan's tone turned cold.
Since God has given him a second chance at life, he will never sit idly by and wait for death like the original owner.
Qiqi dared not say more and brought out a set of deep-sleeved robes.
Yuan Tan's modern spirit is at play, leaving him helpless against this complex outfit.
Seeing this, the girl chuckled and naturally stepped forward to help him tie his belt.
Up close, the fragrance of the girl's hair and her warm breath were clearly perceptible.
Yuan Tan's modern mindset made him somewhat embarrassed, but the original owner's memories made him accustomed to serving him like this.
"Your name is Qiqi?"
He tried to distract himself.
"Has my lord even forgotten my name?"
The girl pouted, looking aggrieved.
"Is it because you've been sick that you've become so docile? You wouldn't normally be so polite."
Yuan Tan felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that his modern-day behavior was vastly different from that of the original owner of the body.
The historical Yuan Tan was known for his fierce and rude personality, far from being as gentle as he is today.
He suddenly reached out and lifted the girl's chin, feigning frivolity:
"What, you're not used to me being polite to you?"
Kiki's face immediately lit up with a smile:
"This is the young master I know."
After saying that, she took the initiative to come closer and straighten his clothes.
Yuan Tan smiled bitterly to himself; it really takes time to adapt to the life of the powerful and wealthy in this era.
After he was dressed, he sat down at the desk.
Qiqi skillfully ground the ink and laid out the silk, while Yuan Tan closed his eyes and sorted through his memories.
It is now the spring of the first year of Jian'an (196 AD). Cao Cao is about to welcome the emperor, and Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan have entered a tug-of-war.
Yuan Shao appeared powerful, but in reality, he was surrounded by numerous internal factions.
Historically, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang became complete enemies after the Battle of Guandu, and Yuan Tan was eventually killed by Cao Cao.
We must never repeat the same mistakes.
Yuan Tan made up his mind.
He spread out a silk cloth and used a brush to write down the key information.
Modern people are used to using fountain pens, and their calligraphy is crooked and messy, which makes Qiqi giggle.
"Young master's handwriting is like that of a beginner learning calligraphy."
Yuan Tan's face flushed, so he simply put down his pen and analyzed the situation from memory:
Cao Cao was dealing with Yuan Shu and Lü Bu, while Gongsun Zan was trapped in Youzhou, where the city could fall and he could die at any moment.
Meanwhile, in Ye City, the power of his stepmother Liu and his younger brother Yuan Shang was growing daily, putting him, the eldest son, in a dangerous situation.
"Staying in Ye City is tantamount to waiting to die."
He concluded that he must leave this troublesome place as soon as possible and return to Qingzhou, where he had his own roots.
"Young master, Lord Yuan sent someone to say that he will come to see you soon."
The voice of a servant came from outside the door.
Yuan Tan and Qi Qi exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
Yuan Shao took the initiative to visit him, the first time in half a month.
"understood."
Yuan Tan responded in a deep voice, his mind racing with calculations.
This is a crisis, but also an opportunity.
He ordered Qiqi to fetch the armor.
The girl was puzzled:
"Young master, why wear armor when meeting Lord Yuan?"
"You don't understand."
Yuan Tan's gaze was deep.
He wanted his father to see not a pampered sick man, but a capable and battle-hardened general.
Before the bronze mirror, Yuan Tan, clad in silver armor, exuded a commanding presence, his shoulder injury adding to his fierce and valiant air.
Qiqi stared in astonishment, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Young master is quite different today."
"Oh? How is it different?"
"His eyes were brighter, his back straighter, as if... as if he had made a decision."
Yuan Tan chuckled; this girl was quite perceptive.
He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, noticing a few ink stains on his fingertips, which he assumed were from when he was grinding the ink.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.
"Qiqi, let me ask you, has Madam Liu been visiting Father's study frequently lately?"
The girl tilted her head and thought for a moment:
"I heard that he personally delivers soup two or three times every ten days, mostly in the afternoon."
Yuan Tan nodded, "That's right." Historically, Yuan Shao was easily influenced, and the pillow talk from Empress Liu had a significant effect.
To secure a transfer to Qingzhou, we must seize the right opportunity.
A moment later, Yuan Shao's personal guards and Shen Pei arrived at Yuan Tan's bedroom first.
The guards were all surprised to see him in military attire.
"Young Master, Mr. Shen Pei has come to see you. Please wait a moment."
Yuan Tan stood quietly under the corridor, pondering in his heart.
Shen Pei was a supporter of Yuan Shang, so this visit was probably not a coincidence.
A short while later, Shen Pei pushed open the door and came out. He was taken aback when he saw Yuan Tan, but then put on a formulaic smile:
"Is the eldest son's injury fully healed? Dressed in military uniform, he truly is a worthy son of a tiger father."
His words had a hidden meaning, implying that he was putting on an act.
Yuan Tan remained neither humble nor arrogant.
"Thank you for your concern. The war in Qingzhou is not yet over, and we dare not slacken our efforts."
A glint of light flashed in Shen Pei's eyes:
"The eldest son is commendable for his loyalty, but the lord intends to have the third son take over Qingzhou so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries."
really!
Yuan Tan sneered inwardly, but feigned surprise on the surface:
"My third brother is young, and the war in Qingzhou is still raging. Perhaps it's not a good idea?"
"Hehe, with the assistance of the eldest son's former subordinates, there should be no problem."
Shen Pei stroked his beard and laughed, his smugness almost undisguised.
Hmph, they really don't bother to hide it at all!
Yuan Tan was secretly annoyed, but he also told himself to calm down.
The final fate of Qingzhou will largely depend on Yuan Shao, the father.
Enraging at this moment will only make Yuan Shao see his true colors.
He took a deep breath and waited for Yuan Shao to arrive.