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The person who knocked down Dong Zhuo was Li Ru. He was sweating profusely, his face filled with frustration and anxiety, hurriedly kneeling to help Dong Zhuo up, his voice urgent: "Grand Tutor, I am to blame! Offending the esteemed minister is a crime worthy of death!"
Li Ru assisted Dong Zhuo to a seat in the academy, where he gasped for breath, his chest heaving, his gaze like a knife fixed on Li Ru: "Why are you here?!"
Li Ru cupped his hands and knelt on the ground, speaking softly: "I just arrived at the gate when I heard that Grand Tutor was furious and rushed into the Rear Garden in pursuit of Wen Hou. Knowing something was amiss, I hurried here to mediate. Unexpectedly, I encountered Lü Bu rushing out in panic, his face filled with terror as he cried out: 'Grand Tutor wants to kill me!' I was anxious and rushed into the Rear Garden, but unfortunately bumped into the esteemed minister; it was truly my fault!"
Dong Zhuo slammed his hand on the table, rising in anger, his eyes wide with rage, his voice booming like thunder: "How dare that traitor! He dares to toy with my beloved concubine! I swear I will not rest until I avenge this grievance!"
Li Ru lowered his head in thought for a moment before raising it again, his tone calm yet persuasive: "Grand Tutor, this matter cannot be concluded lightly. I dare to suggest that in the past, during the 'Jue Ying' gathering of King Zhuang of Chu, although a minister offended his beloved concubine, the king did not hold it against him but instead treated him generously. Later, when the state of Chu faced peril, it was this very man who saved it with his life and turned the tide. The discord between you and Wen Hou today arises merely from a woman; if you act in anger and harm Lü Bu's loyalty, would that not be a loss greater than the gain?"
Dong Zhuo snorted coldly, still filled with fury: "Li Ru, are you pleading for that traitor Lü Bu?"
Li Ru shook his head, his tone more sincere: "I am not trying to absolve Lü Bu but rather thinking of Grand Tutor's grand ambitions. Lü Bu is an unparalleled warrior of our time, wielding the Fangtian Halberd and riding Red Hare, undefeated in battle. If such talent is distanced over trivial matters or harbors resentment, it could harm Grand Tutor's foundation. Moreover, Diao Chan is merely a woman; if Grand Tutor were to grant her to Lü Bu, it could turn enmity into friendship and secure Lü Bu's unwavering loyalty. This is a plan that kills two birds with one stone; I urge Grand Tutor to consider it carefully."
Dong Zhuo furrowed his brow, pondering for a long time as his anger seemed to subside slightly. He lowered his head to stroke the armrest, his gaze flickering uncertainly before finally nodding slowly: "You have a point... I need to think this over."
Seeing this, Li Ru slightly bowed with a barely noticeable smile at the corner of his mouth and spoke gently: "Grand Tutor is wise."
After Li Ru withdrew, Dong Zhuo entered the Back Hall alone, his expression dark and footsteps heavy. The flickering candlelight cast a cold glow on his face as he stood in the hall, staring at Diao Chan for a moment before coldly asking: "Diao Chan, why were you meeting Lü Bu in the Rear Garden? Do not deceive me!"
Diao Chan wore plain clothing and lowered her eyes submissively; however, the tear stains on her face could not hide her fear. She knelt before Dong Zhuo, her voice choked with emotion: "Grand Tutor, please see clearly; I had no intention of meeting Lü Bu! I was merely admiring flowers in the Rear Garden when Lü Bu suddenly barged in with frivolous words and actions. I was terrified and wanted to escape. He then laughed and said: 'I am Grand Tutor's adopted son; why do you avoid me?' He then brandished his spear and cornered me inside Fengyi Pavilion."
Dong Zhuo's frown deepened as he coldly stared at her in silence. Diao Chan raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears as she spoke with fear and indignation: "I intended to throw myself into the pond to avoid humiliation; how could I have known he would not allow me to die but instead forcibly embraced me! Just as I felt there was no way out between life and death, thankfully Grand Tutor arrived; only then did I escape danger and preserve my chastity!"
Diao Chan, tears streaming down her face, trembled as she knelt on the ground. Dong Zhuo looked down in thought, and after a moment, he spoke coldly, "So it seems he has indeed offended you. However, Lü Bu is an exceptionally brave warrior and my right-hand man. If I were to grant you to him, it would not only appease his grievances but also secure his loyalty. This matter is not without merit."
Upon hearing this, Diao Chan suddenly raised her head, disbelief flashing in her eyes. She quickly crawled forward, grasping Dong Zhuo's sleeve with a voice choked with sorrow, "Grand Tutor, please! I belong to you; how can I be given to another? Though Lü Bu is a fierce general, he is still your subject. If I were to be bestowed upon him, how could I bear such humiliation? I would rather die than endure this disgrace!"
Dong Zhuo furrowed his brow slightly, a hint of hesitation in his gaze as he weighed the pros and cons. Seeing this, Diao Chan suddenly stood up with determination, drawing a treasured sword from the wall and placing it against her neck. Her voice was filled with despair as she declared, "If I must suffer this humiliation, I will die to prove my innocence!"
The blade glinted coldly in the candlelight. Though Diao Chan's hands trembled slightly, her face bore an expression of resolute defiance. Dong Zhuo was startled and jumped to his feet, panic flashing in his eyes as he reached out to stop her. "Stop! Don't be impulsive!"
Seeing the situation escalate, Dong Zhuo broke into a cold sweat and hurried forward to seize the sword from her hands. He pulled Diao Chan into his embrace, his voice urgent. "Alright, alright! Don't move! I was just teasing you; don't take it seriously!" His rough hands gently patted her back as if soothing a child on the verge of collapse.
Diao Chan collapsed against him, her shoulders shaking violently as she covered her face and wept bitterly. "Grand Tutor! This is clearly Li Ru's wicked scheme! He has always been close with Lü Bu and must have colluded to deceive you! Not only does it bring me shame but also tarnishes your reputation. If you hadn't stopped me today, I would have died with resentment!" Her tone was filled with despair and deep-seated hatred, as if she wished to tear Li Ru apart.
Dong Zhuo's brow furrowed tightly, anger boiling within him but somewhat quelled by Diao Chan's tears. He spoke softly to comfort her, "How could I bear to abandon you? As long as I'm here, no one can harm you."
Diao Chan lifted her head, her face streaked with tears as she spoke sorrowfully. "Though Grand Tutor shows me kindness, if I remain here any longer, Lü Bu may harbor resentment and ultimately cannot escape his wrath..."
Hearing this, Dong Zhuo's heart jolted. He then patted his chest and said decisively, "If this place makes you uneasy, I will take you back to Maiwu tomorrow. There, no one can touch us! You can rest assured and no longer worry."
Diao Chan seemed somewhat relieved as she lowered her head to wipe away her tears and gracefully bowed to Dong Zhuo. "Thank you for your kindness, Grand Tutor; I can only repay you with my life!"
The next day, Li Ru came to the residence seeking an audience. In the study, Li Ru maintained a calm demeanor and spoke cautiously. "Grand Tutor, today is a fine day—perfect for granting Diao Chan to Lü Bu. This way not only resolves their animosity but also secures Lü Bu’s unwavering loyalty; it would be killing two birds with one stone."
Dong Zhuo had been sitting quietly but upon hearing this suggestion, his expression darkened suddenly as he replied coldly, "Lü Bu shares a bond of father-son affection with me; how can I grant Diao Chan to him? Out of consideration for our past relationship, not pursuing his crimes is already showing great mercy. You go convey my words on this matter; just offer him some kind words of comfort."
Li Ru furrowed his brows slightly, a hint of unease flashing in his eyes, yet he steeled himself to advise, "Grand Tutor, a woman is but a trivial matter; how could she ruin great affairs? If you insist on this, I fear the consequences will be endless..."
Dong Zhuo slammed his palm on the table, his eyes wide with fury, his voice booming like thunder. "Silence! Would your wife be willing to give herself to Lü Bu? I have already made my decision regarding Diao Chan. Speak again, and you shall face immediate execution!" His gaze was icy, a murderous aura enveloping the entire study.
Li Ru was taken aback, stepping back in shock as he quickly bowed his head and clasped his hands. "I spoke in error; I deserve a thousand deaths!" He hurriedly exited the estate. Once in the courtyard, he looked up at the sky, a mixture of helplessness and despair crossing his face as he murmured to himself, "In the end, we shall fall at the hands of a woman!"
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