Lan Tian Complained and Scored a Suit of Armor

"Yide, call Xingguo over tonight and have him get to know Boyang better," Liu Bei added, stopping Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei nodded. "That's what I had in mind."

Zhuge Liang left, waving his feather fan, and Zhang Fei strode after him. Seeing the two of them walking off together, Lan Tian secretly praised Zhang Fei for knowing how to get along with cultured men. He was leagues ahead of Guan Yu in that regard.

Liu Bei aspired to establish his rule over the Central Plains, so after being elevated to King of Hanzhong, he did not build a new residence. Instead, he expanded the existing General of the Left's residence.

Liu Bei had few wives and children. His three wives lived in palaces at the rear of the Prince's Mansion. Apart from building a separate residence for Crown Prince Liu Shan, his other children—Liu Yong, Liu Li, Liu Yi, and Liu Wan—all lived in their mothers' palaces.

Gan Qian's residence was called Xiaying Palace. It had a simple layout, with only seven or eight rooms surrounding two courtyards, as well as a back garden. She had only a little over twenty maids and servants. Having grown up poor, she led by example in practicing frugality and did not indulge in pleasure. Her household was far less grand than the residences of feudal lords' consorts in later generations.

Lan Tian and Liu Bei stepped into the main hall of Xiaying Palace and saw Gan Qian holding Little Lan Qing while chatting and laughing with Lu Lingqi.

Standing beside Gan Qian was a beautiful young woman with fair skin, almost identical to Gan Qian's. Lan Tian guessed she was his adopted elder sister's eldest daughter, Liu Wan. Lan Yuan stood beside them like a wooden post.

When Gan Qian smiled, the corners