Liu Bei POV
Eh! I applied strength and put her on the horse but forgot how light she was and nearly sprained my back.
“Well then… Yi De, bring her back to our mansion her right away. Don’t make any stop in between.”
“Alright.” Yi De calmly agreed and mounted the horse.
“Guan Ping, bring Yi De there. This is the first time they are here so she might not know the way well enough.”
“Alright.” Guan Ping accepted but then meekly asked, “By the way at the intersection ahead–”
“Turn right.” Yun Chang said irritably and looked at us and then at Guan Ping, “Really, how many times have we gone there already?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” I said as I chuckled. It’s Guan Ping after all and I myself get lost from time to time.
“I’ll be counting on you both then.” I said and went up to the little girl and held her hands as I smiled, “Little girl, these 2 elder sisters will bring you eat and drink and bathe. Don’t be afraid.”
*Nod* *Nod*
Good. She looks a lot better than before. I nodded back and took 2 steps back. As Yi De began to ride off, the little girl continued to look at me with a meaningful gaze. Just as I was thinking what she might be thinking about, she called out to me in a serious and solid voice.
“… Daddy.”
Eh? Her voice was not too loud but everyone around could hear it and they all gasped. I too gasped.
That child. What did she just call me?
*Tatatata*
“Chen Dao, look at that shop there. It uses a special method to age the liquor that they only use in the south so it tastes different from what we are used to in the north.”
“Oh~ We should definitely have some while we’re here then.”
“Not only is the liquor good, the meat is good too.”
“Eh? There’s meat? Is it venison?”
“Of course it is~ Hahaha~”
“Oh~ That is rare. It’s been a while since I had wild game.”
Chen Dao and Zhou Cang continued their conversation as we all rode on. They clearly do not know how to read the atmosphere at all as they have been the only ones who spoke ever since we left the residence.
I do not know why specifically but I am sure that it has to do with how that little girl addressed me. I am also rather troubled by that and have no clue why she would call me that. Even if I am indeed her elder, why does she not call me big/elder brother instead?
“Big brother, that little girl just now…”
“Eh?”
I looked over at Yun Chang when she called out to me and saw that she had a cold look on her face. It did not differ from her usual stern expression but the feeling I got was different than usual. It feels like… I feel fearful from looking at her.
“That little girl, did she call you… ‘Daddy’?”
Wu, that really hurt.
“Ah… Un, that does seem to be the case.”
“Why?” Feng Xian asked as she looked at me with a piercing gaze, “Why would she call someone that when she just met you for the first time?”
“Could it be that Xuan De came here a few years ago and–”
“No no no, Yuan Zhi, that’s a little too far-fetched.”
I was obviously nowhere near this era a few years ago and even Liu Bei would be way up north.
“I suppose…” Yuan Zhi said as she folded her arms across her chest and looked at me.
“That’s the truth.” I said as I smiled stiffly, “That child really has no relation with me whatsoever. This is the first time I’ve seen her, I swear.”
…
But after I finished, an awkward silence filled the air once more.
“Hai…” After a while, Zi Long sighed, “Given Xuan De’s guts, or lack thereof, there’s no way that he would do anything untoward.”
That is true but Zi Long always has a way with words that manages to deeply puncture one’s pride. But at this time, I have no way to refute and could only accept it quietly.
“Stop teasing our lord, everyone. It’s clear that the child lost her entire family back there and has no support so she merely leaned against him as she desired affection after what happened.” Wen Yuan spoke up on my behalf.
“Yes, that’s it, that’s it.” I echoed Wen Yuan’s sentiments, feeling grateful to her.
“But what do we do with her after she recovers?” Yun Chang asked, “Do we leave her with the local sheriff?”
“Un… That isn’t necessary…” I said and pondered about it for a moment before continuing, “After we get to the mansion, have someone write a notice for her. We’ll see if anyone knows her. Ah, get an artisan to draw a portrait of her and attach it to the notice.”
“Un, that sounds like a good idea.” Yun Chang nodded, “Leave that to us. Zhou Cang, did you hear that?”
“I got it~”
She’s delegating it to Zhou Cang huh… Will that really be alright… But perhaps a ruffian like her might be surprisingly careful and detail-oriented.
“Big brother, we’re here.”
Un? Ah. I looked up when Yun Chang spoke up and saw the biggest mansion I have seen so far in the city. I could tell just from looking from the outside that this was easily twice the size of the mansion we had in Xinye.
“This is… Our mansion?”
“Yes, my lord is surprised right? We too got a shock when we first saw it.”
“Yes.” Feng Xian said as she nodded at Wen Yuan, “I really didn’t think that a normal-sized city like this would have such a large mansion.”
“All the food is ready in the mansion so everyone need not do anything.” Yun Chang said and started heading inside, “After we get inside, everyone can just rest and relax. Our troops will help with the preparations and then we can get the banquet going.”
“Alright,” I nodded, “I’d like to go and see that little girl then.”
“Xuan De, are you certain you have no relation with that little girl?”
“I’m serious! How many times do I have to say that~”
“”Hahahaha!”” Everyone laughed at my protest.
I looked at Yuan Zhi and saw that she was beaming as well with everyone. This was something I was happy to see of course. And later, at the banquet, I will formally announce to everyone that Yuan Zhi will be continuing to stay with us. I do not know what she will think about that but I am very excited about the future.
As we made our way into the mansion, I dismounted and handed the reins to my horse to a soldier and followed behind everyone. There are at least 3 times as many rooms and 1 or 2 more courtyards as well. The thing was, the courtyard seemed shabbier. There were not too many plants and it was mostly barren.
“Yun Chang, is our banquet…” I asked, beginning to wonder if it would be a good idea to host a banquet when the city was in such a sorry state.
“Don’t worry big brother. We bought everything with our money and made sure that the commoners had enough food and necessities.” Yun Chang explained, “We called it a banquet but it’s really just a get-together dinner. The food isn’t actually that good so I hope you don’t mind.”
“Why would I?” I smiled and shook my head, feeling relieved.
“Xuan De~ Everyone~” After a few steps in as we came to the first courtyard, Yi De’s deep voice could be heard.
“Oh~ Yi De~” I called out to her as I waved. As she jogged over, I looked around but did not see the other person who went with her and asked, “Where is Guan Ping?”
“She said that she was busy with overseeing the troops on cooking duty and didn’t come back ever since she left.”
“I see.” I nodded. Yun Chang and the rest really are serious about saving money since they even got the troops to cook.
“Where is the child now?” Zi Long asked.
“She’s alright. She’s currently in 1 of the room.” Yi De said and frowned, “But she isn’t eating or drinking and is uncooperative with any of Lord Hua Tuo’s subordinates.”
Eh? Why is she acting like this now? She was rather obedient before too.
“She might be a little fearful.” Yi De added with a stiff smile.
Perhaps Yi De understands how the little girl feels, that the girl might be having some difficulties with accepting reality. She too lost everything in a way when she realised that she had lost her memories.
“I understand.” I nodded, “Let’s give her some time then.”
Liu Bei POV
Eh! I applied strength and put her on the horse but forgot how light she was and nearly sprained my back.
“Well then… Yi De, bring her back to our mansion her right away. Don’t make any stop in between.”
“Alright.” Yi De calmly agreed and mounted the horse.
“Guan Ping, bring Yi De there. This is the first time they are here so she might not know the way well enough.”
“Alright.” Guan Ping accepted but then meekly asked, “By the way at the intersection ahead–”
“Turn right.” Yun Chang said irritably and looked at us and then at Guan Ping, “Really, how many times have we gone there already?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” I said as I chuckled. It’s Guan Ping after all and I myself get lost from time to time.
“I’ll be counting on you both then.” I said and went up to the little girl and held her hands as I smiled, “Little girl, these 2 elder sisters will bring you eat and drink and bathe. Don’t be afraid.”
*Nod* *Nod*
Good. She looks a lot better than before. I nodded back and took 2 steps back. As Yi De began to ride off, the little girl continued to look at me with a meaningful gaze. Just as I was thinking what she might be thinking about, she called out to me in a serious and solid voice.
“… Daddy.”
Eh? Her voice was not too loud but everyone around could hear it and they all gasped. I too gasped.
That child. What did she just call me?
*Tatatata*
“Chen Dao, look at that shop there. It uses a special method to age the liquor that they only use in the south so it tastes different from what we are used to in the north.”
“Oh~ We should definitely have some while we’re here then.”
“Not only is the liquor good, the meat is good too.”
“Eh? There’s meat? Is it venison?”
“Of course it is~ Hahaha~”
“Oh~ That is rare. It’s been a while since I had wild game.”
Chen Dao and Zhou Cang continued their conversation as we all rode on. They clearly do not know how to read the atmosphere at all as they have been the only ones who spoke ever since we left the residence.
I do not know why specifically but I am sure that it has to do with how that little girl addressed me. I am also rather troubled by that and have no clue why she would call me that. Even if I am indeed her elder, why does she not call me big/elder brother instead?
“Big brother, that little girl just now…”
“Eh?”
I looked over at Yun Chang when she called out to me and saw that she had a cold look on her face. It did not differ from her usual stern expression but the feeling I got was different than usual. It feels like… I feel fearful from looking at her.
“That little girl, did she call you… ‘Daddy’?”
Wu, that really hurt.
“Ah… Un, that does seem to be the case.”
“Why?” Feng Xian asked as she looked at me with a piercing gaze, “Why would she call someone that when she just met you for the first time?”
“Could it be that Xuan De came here a few years ago and–”
“No no no, Yuan Zhi, that’s a little too far-fetched.”
I was obviously nowhere near this era a few years ago and even Liu Bei would be way up north.
“I suppose…” Yuan Zhi said as she folded her arms across her chest and looked at me.
“That’s the truth.” I said as I smiled stiffly, “That child really has no relation with me whatsoever. This is the first time I’ve seen her, I swear.”
…
But after I finished, an awkward silence filled the air once more.
“Hai…” After a while, Zi Long sighed, “Given Xuan De’s guts, or lack thereof, there’s no way that he would do anything untoward.”
That is true but Zi Long always has a way with words that manages to deeply puncture one’s pride. But at this time, I have no way to refute and could only accept it quietly.
“Stop teasing our lord, everyone. It’s clear that the child lost her entire family back there and has no support so she merely leaned against him as she desired affection after what happened.” Wen Yuan spoke up on my behalf.
“Yes, that’s it, that’s it.” I echoed Wen Yuan’s sentiments, feeling grateful to her.
“But what do we do with her after she recovers?” Yun Chang asked, “Do we leave her with the local sheriff?”
“Un… That isn’t necessary…” I said and pondered about it for a moment before continuing, “After we get to the mansion, have someone write a notice for her. We’ll see if anyone knows her. Ah, get an artisan to draw a portrait of her and attach it to the notice.”
“Un, that sounds like a good idea.” Yun Chang nodded, “Leave that to us. Zhou Cang, did you hear that?”
“I got it~”
She’s delegating it to Zhou Cang huh… Will that really be alright… But perhaps a ruffian like her might be surprisingly careful and detail-oriented.
“Big brother, we’re here.”
Un? Ah. I looked up when Yun Chang spoke up and saw the biggest mansion I have seen so far in the city. I could tell just from looking from the outside that this was easily twice the size of the mansion we had in Xinye.
“This is… Our mansion?”
“Yes, my lord is surprised right? We too got a shock when we first saw it.”
“Yes.” Feng Xian said as she nodded at Wen Yuan, “I really didn’t think that a normal-sized city like this would have such a large mansion.”
“All the food is ready in the mansion so everyone need not do anything.” Yun Chang said and started heading inside, “After we get inside, everyone can just rest and relax. Our troops will help with the preparations and then we can get the banquet going.”
“Alright,” I nodded, “I’d like to go and see that little girl then.”
“Xuan De, are you certain you have no relation with that little girl?”
“I’m serious! How many times do I have to say that~”
“”Hahahaha!”” Everyone laughed at my protest.
I looked at Yuan Zhi and saw that she was beaming as well with everyone. This was something I was happy to see of course. And later, at the banquet, I will formally announce to everyone that Yuan Zhi will be continuing to stay with us. I do not know what she will think about that but I am very excited about the future.
As we made our way into the mansion, I dismounted and handed the reins to my horse to a soldier and followed behind everyone. There are at least 3 times as many rooms and 1 or 2 more courtyards as well. The thing was, the courtyard seemed shabbier. There were not too many plants and it was mostly barren.
“Yun Chang, is our banquet…” I asked, beginning to wonder if it would be a good idea to host a banquet when the city was in such a sorry state.
“Don’t worry big brother. We bought everything with our money and made sure that the commoners had enough food and necessities.” Yun Chang explained, “We called it a banquet but it’s really just a get-together dinner. The food isn’t actually that good so I hope you don’t mind.”
“Why would I?” I smiled and shook my head, feeling relieved.
“Xuan De~ Everyone~” After a few steps in as we came to the first courtyard, Yi De’s deep voice could be heard.
“Oh~ Yi De~” I called out to her as I waved. As she jogged over, I looked around but did not see the other person who went with her and asked, “Where is Guan Ping?”
“She said that she was busy with overseeing the troops on cooking duty and didn’t come back ever since she left.”
“I see.” I nodded. Yun Chang and the rest really are serious about saving money since they even got the troops to cook.
“Where is the child now?” Zi Long asked.
“She’s alright. She’s currently in 1 of the room.” Yi De said and frowned, “But she isn’t eating or drinking and is uncooperative with any of Lord Hua Tuo’s subordinates.”
Eh? Why is she acting like this now? She was rather obedient before too.
“She might be a little fearful.” Yi De added with a stiff smile.
Perhaps Yi De understands how the little girl feels, that the girl might be having some difficulties with accepting reality. She too lost everything in a way when she realised that she had lost her memories.
“I understand.” I nodded, “Let’s give her some time then.”
