Mythical Three Kingdoms

Yuan Shu, accompanied by Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, entered his family’s inner courtyard. In the past, Sun Ce often used to come here to play, but ever since Yuan Yao suffered a severe injury, Yuan Shu always felt an inner fire when he saw Sun Ce. Although he knew he shouldn’t blame Sun Ce, he still felt a surge of anger upon seeing him and thus confined Sun Ce to the Sun Manor.

The reason for Zhou Yu’s confinement was due to the mission entrusted to Zhuge Liang by Chen Xi. A series of rumors had made Yuan Shu extremely wary of Zhou Yu, and as a consequence, Sun Ce’s close confidants like Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Ling Cao, Gu Yong, and Liao Li were also put on ice.

"Father..." In his groggy state, Yuan Yao noticed Yuan Shu’s arrival and struggled to open his eyes, seeing Sun Ce and Zhou Yu standing behind Yuan Shu.

"Brother Fu, don’t be sad. Life and death are predestined, and wealth and honor are in the hands of heaven. I, Yuan Yao, have had a father and elder brothers in this life, and that is enough. To have been weak all my life yet able to ride and gallop is already fortune’s favor," Yuan Yao said, a smile appearing on his face as he tried to console Sun Ce.

"Younger brother Yao, don’t talk like that," Sun Ce said with tearful eyes. He had a feeling that Yuan Yao’s life was ebbing away, quickly fading into nothingness.

"Brother Fu, don’t worry about it anymore. I know my own body," Yuan Yao calmly said. He had been in a groggy state for a year and knew upon suddenly waking up that his time was short, perhaps even ending today.

Yuan Shu suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and tears streamed down uncontrollably as he gently stroked Yuan Yao, his wrists trembling non-stop. Discover more content at NovelBin.Côm

"Father, don’t cry. I have been unfilial," the always calm Yuan Yao said as he saw Yuan Shu’s tearful eyes and could no longer hold back his own tears. He struggled to raise his hand, intending to wipe away his father’s tears, but his hand fell back down.

"Yao, you will surely get better. There must be someone under heaven who can cure you. I’ll ask Liu Bei, Hua Yuanhua will definitely save you," Yuan Shu said in a hoarse voice. He had thought thus many times, but could never swallow his pride, believing that the physicians of Yuzhou could cure him. In the end, Yuan Shu suddenly realized that time waits for no one, and his pride was not as important as his son!

"Father, there’s no need. I know my own affairs," Yuan Yao said with his eyes closed. "You have never bowed your head to anyone in your life, and there’s no need to do so for my sake. It’s okay to fail, it’s okay to die, but never bow your head to anyone."

Yuan Shu’s face was marked with misery. He had failed countless times, but he never bowed to anyone. Call it arrogance or courting death, but he never bowed to anyone. He could lose, he could fail, but even if you called Yuan Shu a fool, or praised his loyalty, he was determined to follow his path to the end!

"Brother Fu, I know you are loyal. Can you promise me one thing?" Yuan Yao asked with his eyes closed. He was very tired now, too tired to open his eyes.

"Younger brother Yao, don’t talk," Sun Ce said as he grabbed Yuan Yao’s hand, continuously channeling his hard-earned inner Qi into it.

"It’s not needed, Brother Fu. I am not going to make it. Allow me to say something unfilial: my father is stubborn and values loyalty. He sticks to a path once he’s chosen it. I always thought that my father being the lord of the Three Prefectures was fortunate, but upon reflection, I realize he deserves these honors," Yuan Yao spoke calmly.

Sun Ce did not understand what Yuan Yao meant by these words, but Zhou Yu had some guess.

"The power of the Aristocratic Families Under Heaven is immense, Brother Fu. You and my father are very alike. My father likes you very much. After I die, please fulfill his wishes," Yuan Yao suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at Sun Ce.

Sun Ce was taken aback, and so was Yuan Shu, who couldn’t help but turn his head to look at the other side; afterward, Yuan Shu’s voice, hoarse, opened, "Bofu, become my adopted son."

By speaking now, Yuan Shu was effectively acknowledging Yuan Yao’s proposal. Yuan Shu’s own health was an issue; otherwise, there wouldn’t be just Yuan Yao as his sole son. Now that the past was brought up again, besides feeling disheartened, he also had the thought of leaving descendants for the Yuan Family. Since he was no longer fit, and his son was gone, choosing an outstanding junior to inherit the Yuan legacy was the right path.

To be honest, after Yuan Yao’s death, it would have been proper to adopt a son from Yuan Shao’s side, but Yuan Shu’s temperament was too peculiar—so much so that he would absolutely not bow to Yuan Shao unless he had no other choice, including the possibility of his own death.

In fact, except for the sake of Yuan Yao, Yuan Shu would definitely not bow to anyone; this was a feudal lord’s eccentricity. Although eccentric, he had his own principles and standards, which would never be swayed by others.

This was precisely why, when Yuan Yao suggested that Yuan Shu adopt Sun Ce as his adopted son after his death, Yuan Shu agreed without a second thought, since he had been striving toward this direction all along, despite no progress.

Moreover, for Yuan Shu, since he had no biological son, it was imperative to adopt an heir to continue the Yuan Clan’s business. If he had to adopt one anyway, it might as well be someone he favored, and at least Sun Ce seemed particularly appealing to him.

As for reporting to the line of Yuan Shao, at most Yuan Shu would give a notice. To let Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, or Yuan Shang—one of those three brats—inherit, Yuan Shu would rather squander the family fortune of the second or third most powerful feudal lord under heaven!

Sun Ce was instantly at a loss, wondering why he was suddenly to be adopted. Although he did not detest Yuan Shu, for some reason Sun Ce always felt like being adopted by Yuan Shu was somehow taking advantage of him.

Zhou Yu’s eyes bulged at this revelation. He suddenly realized that all his previous scheming was child’s play compared to Sun Ce’s silent acquisition of everything he had plotted for. Was this a fool’s luck?

[Hurry up and agree, hurry up and agree!] Zhou Yu shouted in his mind, abruptly realizing this was the best opportunity. As Yuan Yao was on his deathbed, once Yuan Yao passed away, Sun Ce, as Yuan Shu’s adopted son, would be the legitimate heir to the three prefectures, holding the reigns over five million people in Yuzhou, three million people in Jing-Xiang, and two million people in Yangzhou.

With tens of millions of people in his grasp, along with Zhou Yu, Pang Tong, Liao Li, Gu Yong, Jiang Qin, Ling Cao, Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Huang Gai, and a group of civil officials and military generals, Zhou Yu found that with a bit of integration and absorption of the original Yuan Shu forces, they already had enough strength to compete with any of the feudal lords in the world!

"I..." After much hesitation, Sun Ce struggled to speak. He felt somewhat ashamed as he saw Yuan Yao’s condition as his own doing. Meanwhile, he was channeling Inner Qi into Yuan Yao, making him acutely aware that Yuan Yao was beyond saving and would not last the day, "I’m sorry..."

"Brother Fu, it seems we are not fated to become brothers in righteousness after all, Father..." Suddenly, Yuan Yao opened his eyes, looking at Yuan Shu with an immense longing; with that look, Yuan Shu understood a great deal.

"Bofu, become my adopted son. You will retain the surname Sun and only need to inherit my Yuan Family. Four generations of Three Dukes in my Yuan Family—how can we let the baseborn steal our glory? You’re the only one I can trust now," Yuan Shu said with a sorrowful expression.

That look from Yuan Yao, witnessed by Zhou Yu, went without comment; however, he couldn’t help but marvel internally. This was the quality of an Aristocratic Family Member—even though he had already recognized Sun Ce, he still initiated one final test before dying.(To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to vote for it at Qidian ), cast your monthly vote, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)