Liu Bei POV
“That’s how it turned out in the end huh?”
“I did have a feeling that it would end like this but I never thought it would become reality so soon.”
This was what Zi Long and Chen Dao had to say after I explained things to them. Seeing their faces, I really felt a little exasperated.
“I had no choice~” I sighed, “That uncle didn’t look reliable at all and Liu Feng really wanted to stay with me.”
At this time, Liu Feng was sitting in front of me and looking a little fearful as she held on to the horse’s mane. It cannot be helped as this is probably her first time on horseback and it’s probably quite high for her.
“Don’t be afraid, Liu Feng, it’s alright.” I consoled her and she looked up at me and nodded before looking ahead again.
“So you took her in and you’re going to bring her back to Xinye?”
“Yes, definitely.”
“And what will you do with her after you’re back in Xinye?”
“After that, I’ll have to trouble Gan Qing if she is not too busy.”
Gan Qing is not involved in internal or military administration but it’s not like she sits around and does nothing all day so I should think about what to do if Gan Qing is too busy.
“In any case, I’ll think of something~” I said, not intending to voice any alternatives for fear of being shot down and silenced by them.
“In any case, just say it, do you or do you not have any objection with respect to my adoption of Liu Feng?”
I intentionally phrased my words a little more harshly so that they would not voice any objections. I had already brought her with me after all and they did not say anything when we just left the city. If they were to object now, what am I supposed to do? Throw her by the road?
“Of course I have no objections but I hope that Xuan De can watch his attitude and remember who you’re talking with.”
“Sorry, I was wrong, Zi Long.”
Un, it’s best to immediately admit one’s mistake and apologise immediately. In the end, the one who will suffer is me. If I try to be stubborn now, I will only be tortured on the training grounds.
“I fully support my lord’s adoption!” Chen Dao exclaimed as she clapped enthusiastically, “My lord is truly a benevolent and honourable lord indeed! I, Chen Dao, am very impressed!”
That’s over-exaggerating it…
“Un… Yi De?”
“… Eh?”
I looked over at Yi De as I asked her and saw that she was looking closely at Liu Feng and seemed stunned when she heard me speak to her.
“Un un, I support it of course.” Yi De said as she vigorously nodded.
Why is she so enthusiastic about it? Ah, could it be that Yi De likes children? By the way, Yi De seems like a child if you look at her height.
But now that I think about it, Wen Yuan was rather enthusiastic about Liu Feng’s adoption as well throughout the entire process especially when we went to visit her after we just rescued her and when I adopted her. Does Wen Yuan like children as well? Or is it some other reason…
“But it’s really such a waste~” Chen Dao said, drawing my attention away from Yi De, “We were a nice party of 5 when we came but we are now down to 4 when we’re going back.”
…
“Chen Dao.”
“… A-ah!”
After a brief period of awkward silence, Zi Long called out softly to Chen Dao who immediately covered her mouth and looked like a child who had done something wrongly.
I initially thought that Yuan Zhi’s leaving did not affect everyone as they did not speak about it but it now looks like they were just being considerate for me. Everyone did like Yuan Zhi, in some way.
“No, it’s fine.” I smiled as I shook my head, “What happened with Yuan Zhi was something that couldn’t be helped. She had a little brother but he is dead now and her aged mother is left alone so she has to go.”
“… Xuan De, it’s not very nice but I still have to say it.” Zi Long said after I finished with some hesitation, “I feel that part of the reason why Lord Xu Shu left is because of a desire for officialdom.”
“Even if that is the case, there’s nothing wrong about that,” I replied immediately, “There’s no need to be worried about us. I just hope that Yuan Zhi can live the life she wants.”
“No need to be worried huh…” Zi Long smiled as she repeated these words. It was clear from her expression that she thought otherwise but she did not say it.
“Yes,” I nodded and conveyed to everyone what I truly believed in as normal a tone as possible, “Besides, I still have you all after all.”
When I finished, the atmosphere seemed to have frozen over and I felt very awkward as I was afraid that I had achieved the opposite effect. But in the next second–
“Un, Xuan De’s thinking is right.”
“My lord! I will make sure I repay you for your trust even if it means death!”
“… My capabilities are lacking but I will do my best.”
The 3 of them seemed to be touched at least somewhat by my words with Zi Long being the most conservative in her reactions and Chen Dao the most exaggerating.
I would never have said these things before. It’s not like I only think this way now but I would never have expressed if openly then. And the reason why I am saying this now is, more or less, thanks what Yuan Zhi told me.
–If you want to achieve great things, you have to start by protecting your retainers. Whatever happens from here on out, do not ever forget your promises, your values and your companions. You must be able to admit and express what you truly feel.
I wonder if what Yuan Zhi meant was this. At the very least, this is what I think it is.
“Ah, are the ones in front Lord Huang Zu and Lord Chen Gong?”
Eh? I hurriedly looked up when I heard Chen Dao’s voice and saw that there were indeed 2 people on horseback in the distance. One of them was wearing ordinary linen clothing while the other was wearing a complete set of plate armour.
Even from this distance, I could tell that they had stormy and stern expressions on. Yes, no doubt about it, they are Chen Gong and Huang Zu alright.
Did they… Come to welcome us? I do not get that sort of feeling from them but this should be it right?
“Oi~” Chen Dao gave a friendly greeting but the 2 did not reply and looked at each other before slowly riding towards us.”
“It’s been a while, Imperial Uncle.”
“My lord.”
They both came to a stop about 20-30 paces away from us and saluted us as they greeted me.
“Oh~” Chen Dao said as we saluted them in return, “Did Lord Huang Zu and Lord Chen Gong come out to welcome us? There wasn’t a need for this really.”
“Ah, no.” Chen Gong said with a wry smile.
“We actually just came outside for a walk and decided to welcome you while we were at it since these few days have been really tiring.” Huang Zu said with a stern, unsmiling look.
“How is Xinye city now?”
“We’ve been fortifying the city walls and about half of the work is completed.”
That’s really fast. In total, about half a month has elapsed since they began so they should be done in another half a month.
“By the way, where did you get your boulders from?” Zi Long said as she looked at the side and tilted her head, “This mountain should still be filled with bandits after all.”
“Yes, they are. Which is why we took our boulders from the south of the city.” Huang Zu said as she smiled confidently, the first time she’s smiled today.
“Continuing along the same thread, why did my lord and everyone ride without an accompanying convoy?” Chen Gong asked.
“We don’t have any money on us. The bandits are only after financial gain so they wouldn’t bother us.” Yi De said as she continued ahead.
Chen Gong sighed as she looked at her and said, “Alright, let’s stop here and return to the city as soon as possible.”
“Un, alright.”
“…”
Un? While we caught up to Chen Gong who led the way, Huang Zu swept her gaze about amongst us.
“If you’re looking for Lord Xu Shu, then don’t bother.” Zi Long said with one eye closed as she continued riding ahead.
“Eh? She’s already left?” Huang Zu said with her eyes wide open in disbelief , “But I haven’t even said farewell to benefactor–”
“Yuan Zhi said that she was afraid you might want to follow her if you saw her so she didn’t come back.” I hurriedly chimed in, “Moreover, the situation was urgent and she didn’t have much spare time to return to Xinye before leaving.”
Huang Zu lowered her head, looking very downcast, when she heard this.
To be honest, I still had not gotten over Yuan Zhi’s leaving and when I saw Huang Zu, I felt the trauma of the incident all over again and was at a loss as to what to say. Luckily, Zi Long was able to speak up to Huang Zu before I was asked.
“Don’t be too sad, Huang Zu. This can’t be helped.” I said as I went up to her and patted her shoulders, “Yuan Zhi said that you belonged to Jing state so there is no need for you to follow her up north.”
Liu Bei POV
“That’s how it turned out in the end huh?”
“I did have a feeling that it would end like this but I never thought it would become reality so soon.”
This was what Zi Long and Chen Dao had to say after I explained things to them. Seeing their faces, I really felt a little exasperated.
“I had no choice~” I sighed, “That uncle didn’t look reliable at all and Liu Feng really wanted to stay with me.”
At this time, Liu Feng was sitting in front of me and looking a little fearful as she held on to the horse’s mane. It cannot be helped as this is probably her first time on horseback and it’s probably quite high for her.
“Don’t be afraid, Liu Feng, it’s alright.” I consoled her and she looked up at me and nodded before looking ahead again.
“So you took her in and you’re going to bring her back to Xinye?”
“Yes, definitely.”
“And what will you do with her after you’re back in Xinye?”
“After that, I’ll have to trouble Gan Qing if she is not too busy.”
Gan Qing is not involved in internal or military administration but it’s not like she sits around and does nothing all day so I should think about what to do if Gan Qing is too busy.
“In any case, I’ll think of something~” I said, not intending to voice any alternatives for fear of being shot down and silenced by them.
“In any case, just say it, do you or do you not have any objection with respect to my adoption of Liu Feng?”
I intentionally phrased my words a little more harshly so that they would not voice any objections. I had already brought her with me after all and they did not say anything when we just left the city. If they were to object now, what am I supposed to do? Throw her by the road?
“Of course I have no objections but I hope that Xuan De can watch his attitude and remember who you’re talking with.”
“Sorry, I was wrong, Zi Long.”
Un, it’s best to immediately admit one’s mistake and apologise immediately. In the end, the one who will suffer is me. If I try to be stubborn now, I will only be tortured on the training grounds.
“I fully support my lord’s adoption!” Chen Dao exclaimed as she clapped enthusiastically, “My lord is truly a benevolent and honourable lord indeed! I, Chen Dao, am very impressed!”
That’s over-exaggerating it…
“Un… Yi De?”
“… Eh?”
I looked over at Yi De as I asked her and saw that she was looking closely at Liu Feng and seemed stunned when she heard me speak to her.
“Un un, I support it of course.” Yi De said as she vigorously nodded.
Why is she so enthusiastic about it? Ah, could it be that Yi De likes children? By the way, Yi De seems like a child if you look at her height.
But now that I think about it, Wen Yuan was rather enthusiastic about Liu Feng’s adoption as well throughout the entire process especially when we went to visit her after we just rescued her and when I adopted her. Does Wen Yuan like children as well? Or is it some other reason…
“But it’s really such a waste~” Chen Dao said, drawing my attention away from Yi De, “We were a nice party of 5 when we came but we are now down to 4 when we’re going back.”
…
“Chen Dao.”
“… A-ah!”
After a brief period of awkward silence, Zi Long called out softly to Chen Dao who immediately covered her mouth and looked like a child who had done something wrongly.
I initially thought that Yuan Zhi’s leaving did not affect everyone as they did not speak about it but it now looks like they were just being considerate for me. Everyone did like Yuan Zhi, in some way.
“No, it’s fine.” I smiled as I shook my head, “What happened with Yuan Zhi was something that couldn’t be helped. She had a little brother but he is dead now and her aged mother is left alone so she has to go.”
“… Xuan De, it’s not very nice but I still have to say it.” Zi Long said after I finished with some hesitation, “I feel that part of the reason why Lord Xu Shu left is because of a desire for officialdom.”
“Even if that is the case, there’s nothing wrong about that,” I replied immediately, “There’s no need to be worried about us. I just hope that Yuan Zhi can live the life she wants.”
“No need to be worried huh…” Zi Long smiled as she repeated these words. It was clear from her expression that she thought otherwise but she did not say it.
“Yes,” I nodded and conveyed to everyone what I truly believed in as normal a tone as possible, “Besides, I still have you all after all.”
When I finished, the atmosphere seemed to have frozen over and I felt very awkward as I was afraid that I had achieved the opposite effect. But in the next second–
“Un, Xuan De’s thinking is right.”
“My lord! I will make sure I repay you for your trust even if it means death!”
“… My capabilities are lacking but I will do my best.”
The 3 of them seemed to be touched at least somewhat by my words with Zi Long being the most conservative in her reactions and Chen Dao the most exaggerating.
I would never have said these things before. It’s not like I only think this way now but I would never have expressed if openly then. And the reason why I am saying this now is, more or less, thanks what Yuan Zhi told me.
–If you want to achieve great things, you have to start by protecting your retainers. Whatever happens from here on out, do not ever forget your promises, your values and your companions. You must be able to admit and express what you truly feel.
I wonder if what Yuan Zhi meant was this. At the very least, this is what I think it is.
“Ah, are the ones in front Lord Huang Zu and Lord Chen Gong?”
Eh? I hurriedly looked up when I heard Chen Dao’s voice and saw that there were indeed 2 people on horseback in the distance. One of them was wearing ordinary linen clothing while the other was wearing a complete set of plate armour.
Even from this distance, I could tell that they had stormy and stern expressions on. Yes, no doubt about it, they are Chen Gong and Huang Zu alright.
Did they… Come to welcome us? I do not get that sort of feeling from them but this should be it right?
“Oi~” Chen Dao gave a friendly greeting but the 2 did not reply and looked at each other before slowly riding towards us.”
“It’s been a while, Imperial Uncle.”
“My lord.”
They both came to a stop about 20-30 paces away from us and saluted us as they greeted me.
“Oh~” Chen Dao said as we saluted them in return, “Did Lord Huang Zu and Lord Chen Gong come out to welcome us? There wasn’t a need for this really.”
“Ah, no.” Chen Gong said with a wry smile.
“We actually just came outside for a walk and decided to welcome you while we were at it since these few days have been really tiring.” Huang Zu said with a stern, unsmiling look.
“How is Xinye city now?”
“We’ve been fortifying the city walls and about half of the work is completed.”
That’s really fast. In total, about half a month has elapsed since they began so they should be done in another half a month.
“By the way, where did you get your boulders from?” Zi Long said as she looked at the side and tilted her head, “This mountain should still be filled with bandits after all.”
“Yes, they are. Which is why we took our boulders from the south of the city.” Huang Zu said as she smiled confidently, the first time she’s smiled today.
“Continuing along the same thread, why did my lord and everyone ride without an accompanying convoy?” Chen Gong asked.
“We don’t have any money on us. The bandits are only after financial gain so they wouldn’t bother us.” Yi De said as she continued ahead.
Chen Gong sighed as she looked at her and said, “Alright, let’s stop here and return to the city as soon as possible.”
“Un, alright.”
“…”
Un? While we caught up to Chen Gong who led the way, Huang Zu swept her gaze about amongst us.
“If you’re looking for Lord Xu Shu, then don’t bother.” Zi Long said with one eye closed as she continued riding ahead.
“Eh? She’s already left?” Huang Zu said with her eyes wide open in disbelief , “But I haven’t even said farewell to benefactor–”
“Yuan Zhi said that she was afraid you might want to follow her if you saw her so she didn’t come back.” I hurriedly chimed in, “Moreover, the situation was urgent and she didn’t have much spare time to return to Xinye before leaving.”
Huang Zu lowered her head, looking very downcast, when she heard this.
To be honest, I still had not gotten over Yuan Zhi’s leaving and when I saw Huang Zu, I felt the trauma of the incident all over again and was at a loss as to what to say. Luckily, Zi Long was able to speak up to Huang Zu before I was asked.
“Don’t be too sad, Huang Zu. This can’t be helped.” I said as I went up to her and patted her shoulders, “Yuan Zhi said that you belonged to Jing state so there is no need for you to follow her up north.”
