477. Helping Sun Ce Found a Spouse

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Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing had encountered the poison during their earlier travels across the land, where they had developed a rare antidote after forging alliances with the tribes who guarded the secrets of this deadly concoction. Sun Jian and Lady Wu, who had entered the room with Lie Fan, Hua Tuo, and Zhang Zhongjin, immediately asked if they had the necessary ingredients to prepare the antidote.

Hua Tuo nodded reassuringly, his calm demeanor providing a brief moment of relief in the tense atmosphere. "Yes, we have the ingredients with us. However, the preparation requires precision and time. We must be left undisturbed if we are to save Lord Sun Ce."

Lie Fan, understanding the gravity of the situation, quickly ushered Sun Jian and Lady Wu out of the room. He knew that the best way to help now was to ensure that Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing had the peace and focus they needed to complete their work.

"Let them work, Brother Wentai and Sister Wu," Lie Fan said, his voice firm but gentle as he guided Sun Jian and Lady Wu out of the room. "Sun Ce is in capable hands. All we can do now is wait and hope for the best."

Sun Jian, though visibly distressed, nodded in agreement. Lady Wu, who had maintained a stoic composure throughout the ordeal, now seemed on the verge of tears. Yet, she held her emotions in check, knowing that she needed to be strong for her husband and their people.

Remembering that Lie Fan had come from afar and at a fast speed to bring Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing here to save Sun Ce. Lady Wu and Sun Jian immediately brought Lie Fan to the dining hall so that he could fill his stomach after a long journey.

As they reached the dining hall, the servants quickly set the table with an array of Jiangdong delicacies. The dishes were a testament to the Sun Clan's hospitality, even in such a dire moment.

However, neither Sun Jian nor Lady Wu showed much appetite. It was a gesture of courtesy, a formal acknowledgment of Lie Fan's critical role in their current crisis.

Lie Fan, sensing the tension, spoke in a soothing tone. "Please, don't worry about formalities. We are here like a family, united in our concern for Sun Ce. Let's share a meal together, only to gather our strength for what lies ahead."

The words were intended to comfort, but the atmosphere remained heavy. Sun Jian and Lady Wu forced themselves to eat, though it was clear their thoughts were with their ailing son.

Lie Fan, too, ate sparingly, his mind racing through various contingencies. If Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing failed, the consequences would be severe—not just for the Sun Clan, but for the entire balance of power in the region and his plan for the future.

Hours passed, each minute stretching into eternity. The tension inside the Sun Clan estate was palpable as everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for any news about Sun Ce's condition.

On the other hand, outside of the estate word of Lie Fan's arrival and the efforts to save Sun Ce had spread throughout the city, and now soldiers and citizens alike were on edge, hoping for a miracle for their young lord.

Back in the dining hall, the conversation was subdued. Sun Jian occasionally glanced at the door, as if willing it to open with news of his son's recovery. Lady Wu remained silent, her eyes betraying the internal battle she fought to keep her composure.

Lie Fan, meanwhile, continued to offer words of reassurance, though he too felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a servant entered the dining hall, bowing deeply before Sun Jian and Lie Fan. "My Lords and My Lady, the physicians have sent word. They request your presence."

Without a moment's hesitation, Sun Jian, Lady Wu, and Lie Fan rose from their seats and hurried to Sun Ce's chamber. As they entered, they found Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing standing over Sun Ce's bed, their expressions focused but not alarmed.

Hua Tuo was the first to speak, his voice calm and steady. "The antidote has been administered, and now we must wait. The poison was advanced, but we believe we have neutralized it. Lord Sun Ce is young and strong, so his body is fighting the effects fiercely. He will need rest and careful monitoring, but there is a very high chance he will survive."

Sun Jian visibly sagged with relief, and Lady Wu finally allowed a few tears to escape, her hand clutching Sun Ce's limp one. Lie Fan, too, felt a wave of relief wash over him, though he knew the battle was not yet won. Sun Ce was not out of danger, but there was hope—a precious, fragile hope that they all clung to.

Over the next few days, the entire Sun Clan capital held its collective breath as Sun Ce's condition slowly began to improve. Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing remained vigilant, closely monitoring his progress and adjusting their treatments as needed.

The poison's grip on his body weakened day by day, and soon Sun Ce's breathing became less labored, his complexion began to return to a healthier hue, and the life slowly returned to his eyes.

Lie Fan remained in the capital during this time, his presence a constant source of support for the Sun Clan. He spent many hours in discussions with Sun Jian, planning the next steps for the future once Sun Ce had fully recovered.

The bond between the two of them grew stronger and even closer as they navigated this crisis together, with Lie Fan offering his wisdom and resources to help stabilize the situation in Jiangdong.

Lady Wu, who had rarely left her son's side, took a moment to speak with Lie Fan privately. Her gratitude was evident as she bowed deeply before him. "Lord Lie Fan, our family owes you a debt that we can never repay. Without your help, my son would have surely perished. You have saved our family, and for that, we are eternally grateful."

Lie Fan quickly moved to help her stand, shaking his head. "Sister Wu, please, there is no need for such formalities. Sun Ce is like a little brother to me, and I could not stand by and do nothing when he was in danger. I am simply glad that I could help."

Lady Wu smiled faintly, though the weariness of the past days was still evident in her eyes. "Even so, your actions have shown us the true depth of your loyalty and friendship by saving our clan time and time again. The Sun Clan will never forget this."

As Sun Ce's condition continued to improve, the capital began to slowly return to a sense of normalcy. The streets, which had been quiet and tense during the crisis, now buzzed with activity as news of Sun Ce's recovery spread.

The soldiers who had stood vigil outside the city now returned to their posts with renewed morale, their faith in their leadership strengthened by the events of the past days.

Finally, after several more days of rest and treatment, Sun Ce was well enough to sit up and speak with his family and Lie Fan. Though still weak, his spirit was as fiery as ever, and he expressed his deep gratitude to Lie Fan for his timely intervention.

"Brother Lie Fan," Sun Ce said, his voice still hoarse but filled with determination, "I owe you my life. Without your help, I would not be here today. I swear to you, as long as I live, the Sun Clan will stand by your side."

Lie Fan smiled warmly at Sun Ce, grasping his hand in a firm shake. "There is no need for such oaths between us, Sun Ce. I am just glad to see you recovering. We have much work ahead of us, and I will be glad to have you at my side for it."

The bond between the two men, who at first was just a debt of gratitude, was now formed into an unbreakable brotherhood and friendship. Sun Ce's near-death experience solidified his impression and relationship with Lie Fan, and the Sun Clan's gratitude was evident in every interaction.

Seeing that Sun Ce was finally out of danger, with both Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing confirming his recovery, Lie Fan decided it was time to return to Xiapi. The journey had been long, and his responsibilities in Xiapi awaited him.

However, Sun Jian and Sun Ce, overwhelmed with gratitude for his timely intervention, urged him to stay a bit longer so they could properly reciprocate his kindness. Though Lie Fan was eager to resume his duties, he found himself unable to refuse the Sun Clan's hospitality and decided to delay his departure.

As the three men sat in Sun Ce's room, conversing about the future, the atmosphere had lightened considerably. Sun Ce's recovery had lifted the heavy cloud that had hung over the Sun Clan, and they spoke with renewed hope for the future. It was during this relaxed conversation that Lie Fan suddenly remembered something crucial—the fact that, due to his interference and the consequent butterfly effect, Sun Ce had yet to marry.

Lie Fan knew that if he could suggest a suitable match for Sun Ce could solidify the relationship between the Sun Clan and him, increasing the successful chance of his plan. With this in mind, he decided to broach the subject, even though he knew it might be a sensitive topic.

"Brother Wentai, Sun Ce," Lie Fan began, choosing his words carefully, "I noticed that despite Sun Ce's many achievements, there has been no talk of marriage. I believe this is something that should be addressed, especially considering the importance of securing the future of the Sun Clan."

Sun Ce, who had been enjoying the conversation, immediately tensed at the mention of marriage. His face flushed with embarrassment, and he tried to signal Lie Fan to drop the subject, but it was too late. Sun Jian, catching on, let out a loud laugh, though there was a hint of frustration in his eyes as well.

"Ah, you've touched on a sore spot, Brother Lie Fan!" Sun Jian exclaimed, casting a pointed look at his son. "This boy here has rejected every match his mother and I have proposed. We've tried to find him a suitable wife, but he's been stubborn as a mule."

Sun Ce winced at his father's words, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had taken. "Father, it's not that I'm against marriage… it's just…" he trailed off, unsure of how to explain his reluctance without further angering his father.

Sensing an opportunity to further endear himself to the Sun Clan, Lie Fan leaned in slightly, his tone becoming more conspiratorial. "Perhaps, Brother Wentai, I might have a solution to this predicament."

Sun Jian's interest was immediately piqued. "Oh? And what might that be?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity and anticipation.

Lie Fan continued, ignoring the subtle signals from Sun Ce, who was desperately trying to deflect the conversation. "During our campaign against Liu Yao several years ago, when I was leading the subjugation in the northern parts of Yang Province, I came across a rather interesting piece of information. I heard that a State Elder by the name of Qiao Xuan escaped Luoyang during Dong Zhuo's tyrannical reign and sought refuge in Yang Province. It's said that he has two daughters, a pair of twin sisters, both unmatched in beauty, grace, and virtue."

Sun Jian's eyes widened at this revelation. "Is that so? And you think one of these daughters might be a suitable match for Sun Ce?"

Lie Fan nodded. "Indeed. From what I've heard, these young women are not only beautiful but also possess gentle and kind natures. I believe a union between Sun Ce and one of the Qiao sisters would be highly advantageous for both families. Moreover, I also know from Sun Ce himself in the past during your visit to Xiapi that Sun Ce and his friend Zhou Yu made a promise to marry on the same day. Perhaps Zhou Yu could marry the other sister, further strengthening the bond between them."

Sun Jian's initial curiosity quickly turned into excitement. "This is excellent news! I hadn't heard of this Qiao Xuan or his daughters, but it makes perfect sense that he would keep a low profile after fleeing Luoyang. Sun Ce, you could hardly find a better match than this!"

Sun Ce, however, was less enthusiastic. His face turned a deeper shade of red as his father's enthusiasm grew. "Father, I—"

Before Sun Ce could finish his sentence, Sun Jian, in a rare moment of both joy and frustration, raised his hand and playfully knocked his son on the head, causing Sun Ce to yelp in surprise. "You stubborn boy! Now I understand why you've been so difficult about marriage. You've been holding out because of that promise with Zhou Yu, haven't you?"

Lie Fan tried to stifle a laugh as he stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Sun Jian's arm in an attempt to calm him down. "Brother Wentai, let's not be too hard on Sun Ce. He's still recovering, after all."

Sun Jian, realizing that he had perhaps been a bit too harsh, softened his expression and sighed. "You're right, Brother Lie Fan. I just… I want what's best for this boy, and for our family."

Sun Ce rubbed his head, still wincing slightly from his father's affectionate blow. "Father, I understand your concerns. And Brother Lie Fan, I appreciate your suggestion. It's just… this is all very sudden."

Lie Fan, sensing Sun Ce's discomfort, smiled reassuringly. "I didn't mean to pressure you, Sun Ce. I simply thought it might be a good idea to explore the possibility. But of course, the decision is ultimately yours. Marriage is a significant commitment, and it should be made with careful consideration."

Sun Jian, though still eager, nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're right. We won't rush into anything. But we should at least make inquiries about this Qiao Xuan and his daughters. If what Lie Fan says is true, this could be a great opportunity for our family."

Sun Ce, realizing that there was no way to avoid the discussion, finally relented. "Very well, Father. I'll consider it. But let's take it one step at a time." Lie Fan could see that Sun Ce was still hesitant, but he also knew that Sun Jian was now fully invested in the idea. He decided to let the matter rest for the moment, allowing Sun Ce to come to terms with the idea at his own pace.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 31 (198 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0