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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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Several days had passed since I began living in Cao Cao’s residence.
Every morning, noon, and evening, the entire family gathered in the main hall, the Zheng Fang, for meals. We didn’t share a table, but each had our own individual table in the same hall.
The meals were incredibly lavish. Despite these chaotic times, there was an abundance of meat dishes, and they were so delicious that I felt I would gain a lot of weight if I continued to live like this.
Cao Cao’s sons and nephews sat on either side of me. Cao Ang was on my right, and Cao Anmin, who had recently become close to me, was on my left.
After each meal, we cleaned our teeth with willow twigs and roasted salt, then rinsed our mouths with tea.
The remaining time until the next meal… was free time.
Cao Cao praised me profusely for rescuing his family and gave me a room in the Zheng Fang to live with his sons, but he hadn’t given me any actual work. I was free to do as I pleased within the residence, so I spent my time practicing archery at the archery range.
Thwack
“Bullseye.”
I practiced repeatedly, aiming at the targets with the numerous arrows provided. Historical dramas often depicted archery scenes to portray a troubled mind, with the character’s hands trembling as they drew the bow. I was in that exact situation.
When I grew tired of archery, I practiced with a wooden staff and sword, striking at straw dummies.
Some time passed like this.
“Young Master.”
“Ah, what is it?”
“Please, speak casually. I am a servant of this house.”
It was Yi Jia, the servant who had woken me up and led me to the Zheng Fang, and who had been attending to various tasks since then.
“The Governor dislikes being addressed formally, so please speak casually.”
“Ah, well then…”
Apparently, Cao Cao disliked being addressed with respect by those of lower status. He seemed quite concerned about his family’s reputation and authority.
“So, what is it…?”
“This letter is from your mother in Qiao County.”
“Ah!”
I immediately took the letter and unfolded it. A letter from my mother, whom I had parted ways with in Wu Commandery, required immediate attention.
Xiu, how are you doing?
This mother is also doing very well in our hometown of Qiao County.
I was so proud to hear that you saved our family’s elder, Grand Commandant Cao.
Thanks to you, the Governor has gifted me a fine house and several servants,
so I’m living very comfortably.
I intend to spend the rest of my days here,
so don’t worry about me and do great things there.
I believe in you always.
With love,
Your Mother
So, Cao Cao had also provided my mother in Qiao County with a house and servants.
Reading this letter brought a lump to my throat. I had made it this far, recognized as a member of Cao Cao’s family.
“I should write a letter back to Qiao County.”
“Young Master, write it here and give it to me. I’ll send it to Qiao County.”
Yi Jia said he often handled incoming and outgoing letters, so I decided to send my reply to my mother through him.
And so, I began writing letters, and before I knew it, it was time for dinner again.
During dinner, there was no conversation. Everyone ate in silence, and the only words spoken were compliments to Lady Ding, such as, “The food is delicious today.” After the meal, the servants quickly cleared the tables and brought willow twigs and tea for cleaning our teeth.
Another day had passed like this. I went out to the courtyard to walk off my meal.
“Hey, Wenlie!”
“Huh!?”
Someone suddenly called my name and put an arm around my shoulders from behind. Startled, I turned to see Cao Hong.
“What are you doing all alone?”
“Ah, Uncle Zilian!”
I had been addressing Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and Xiahou Yuan as “Uncle” since arriving here. Cao Hong patted my back and said quietly,
“How are you finding it here?”
“It’s very comfortable. Uncle Mengde is treating me very well.”
“Aren’t you bored, just eating and sleeping all day?”
“Honestly, I am getting a little restless…”
“Good. Come out of the residence tonight.”
“What?”
“There’s a party, and you’re the guest of honor, so you have to come.”
Cao Hong suddenly invited me to a party. He said he would send a servant later to guide me.
I agreed and waited for the evening. I paid my respects to Cao Cao’s family before leaving.
“Father, good night.”
“Oh, alright.”
Cao Cao always received greetings from his sons when they woke up and before they went to bed, and I was now included in that. I was practically treated as a son.
“Wenlie, is everything alright with you these days?”
“Yes, I’m very comfortable thanks to your care, Uncle.”
“Good.”
“However, I have to leave the residence for a while tonight.”
“Hmm, why? Do you have something to do at night?”
“Uncle Zilian invited me to a party.”
Lady Ding’s expression suddenly soured. Were Cao Hong and Lady Ding on bad terms? Why was she reacting like that?
“Zilian invited you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Haha, that rascal!”
Cao Cao simply laughed it off, but Lady Ding stared intently at me and asked,
“He really asked you to come out?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Did he ask you to bring anyone else?”
“No… he didn’t. He said I was the guest of honor, so…”
“That’s better, then. Alright.”
Unlike Cao Cao, who laughed it off, Lady Ding still looked displeased. Seeing that, I had a hunch.
Cao Cao seemed amused by the party, but Lady Ding clearly disapproved… This wasn’t just any ordinary party.
“Hahaha, so Zilian is throwing a party? It wouldn’t hurt to go.”
“Husband…”
Cao Cao’s reaction, and Lady Ding’s reaction… This confirmed it.
It must be some kind of indecent party, probably involving women.
“Go on. I don’t mind if you come back tomorrow morning.”
Cao Cao’s words further cemented my suspicions. I wondered what kind of debauchery awaited me in this country where human rights seemed nonexistent.
After saying my goodbyes, I went out to the courtyard and waited. Soon, Yi Jia approached.
“Young Master, there you are. Someone is waiting for you outside.”
“Ah, I’ve been expecting you.”
I followed Yi Jia out of Cao Cao’s residence.
“Are you Young Master Wenlie? We’ve been waiting for you.”
“…A carriage?”
A carriage was waiting, with two attendants who greeted me respectfully. Wherever Cao Hong was taking me, it seemed like he had made quite the preparations.
The carriage ride was long. When it finally stopped, I stepped out to find myself in front of an enormous brothel.
“Wow, this place is huge.”
“Please, come inside.”
It was clearly a brothel, and stepping inside revealed another world.
Even late at night, the place was ablaze with lanterns, filled with laughter and music.
Courtesans in revealing clothes that accentuated their figures passed by, bowing politely. My eyes couldn’t help but wander.
Such attire was acceptable during the Han Dynasty?
Moreover, they all smiled at me whenever our eyes met.
“Young Master, this way.”
The attendant opened a door, and inside a spacious room were the family members I had seen at Cao Cao’s residence.
“Sir, we’ve brought him.”
“Oh, Wenlie’s here! Come, sit down.”
Uncle Cao Hong stood up as soon as I arrived and led me to a prepared seat. His face was flushed, and his beard was damp. He must have been drinking heavily before I arrived.
“Alright, brothers. Cao Wenlie, the guest of honor, has arrived.”
“Well, well, look who it is. He must have been looking forward to Zilian’s party.”
Xiahou Dun, heavily intoxicated, sat in a corner, waving his empty cup. Xiahou Yuan sat beside him, calmly trying to restrain him. Across from them, Cao Ren was busy stuffing his face with food and drink.
“What kind of party is this?”
“A place with plenty of entertainment.”
“What?”
Cao Hong grinned, pulled me down to sit beside him, and clapped his hands twice.
Still unable to grasp the situation, I filled my cup and took a long drink.
This was the Three Kingdoms era, the second century Han Dynasty, but this felt like a 21st-century company dinner, with the CEO’s relatives, the directors, executives, and senior managers, gathered for a second round of drinks.
-Clap, clap
“What are you waiting for? Come in.”
Cao Hong clapped again, and the door opened. The courtesans in revealing clothing I had seen earlier entered.
They were each carrying something. Looking closer, I saw they were drums.
Women carrying drums… were they going to play music?
“Uh, uh, Uncle Zilian, are you really going to… ‘that’…?”
Cao Ren, who had been focused on food and drink, suddenly flushed crimson and asked Cao Hong.
“Yes, let’s do ‘that’ for the first time in a while.”
So, what was ‘that’?
Cao Ren gulped, staring at the courtesans. Cao Hong chuckled and gestured for them to begin. Xiahou Dun also widened his eyes, anticipating the entertainment.
Xiahou Yuan, on the other hand, simply poured himself another drink, chuckling dismissively as if he wasn’t interested.
“We shall begin.”
Led by the courtesan at the front, they placed their drums on the floor. Then, they each stepped onto their drums and began tapping their feet, creating a rhythmic beat.
Tap dancing on drums? That’s what it looked like.
Cao Ren watched with clenched fists, seemingly filled with anticipation.
Was this some kind of performance where they danced on drums and then took off their clothes?
“Wenlie, you’ve never seen anything like this in Wu Commandery. Enjoy yourself.”
As Cao Hong spoke, the courtesans, dancing and drumming with their feet, suddenly each lifted one leg high.
I briefly admired their flexibility, then noticed they were all slowly untying the laces of their socks.
“Oh, oh! Ohhh!”
Uncle Cao Ren, they’re just taking off their socks, aren’t they?
Cao Ren was completely captivated, his eyes practically bulging out of his head. Xiahou Dun also clapped enthusiastically, urging them on. Cao Ren looked as if he might have a nosebleed at any moment.
Their clean, perfectly manicured white feet were revealed. As they resumed their drumming dance on one foot, everyone in the room except me watched the performance with rapt attention, their faces flushed with excitement.
As the performance reached its climax, they slowly untied the laces of their other socks and removed them, revealing both bare feet as they continued drumming on their drums, the sound growing louder.
“Magnificent! This is truly a magnificent performance!”
Cao Ren shouted excitedly. Cao Hong chuckled and asked me,
“A feast fit for a man, wouldn’t you say, Wenlie? What do you think?”
“Uh, well, this is…”
Was a dance where they took off their socks and drummed with their bare feet considered an indecent party?
Honestly… was the hell this it? Where was the indecency in a barefooted dance…?
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I braced for an ancient orgy… turns out, these guys are just dangerously horny for… feet. Bro, MC time-traveled for this? 💀🦶🔥
Mm, well, I guess that mediocre debauchery won’t have much effect on someone who’s lived in the age of the internet.