Meng De POV
Un~ I shivered once more as I thought about this and did my best to rub my body with my hands whilst maintaining a proper sitting position.
I cannot believe how cold it feels even when I specially wore an extra layer.
“Hu…” Just then, the sound of light breathing could be heard coming from beside me. It was not very loud but it was clear enough from where I was.
… Haa. I frowned as this was not the first time I was hearing this over the past few days. Even so, I instinctively cast my eyes to the side.
Yes, Ben Chu who is sitting beside me has fallen asleep. Again.
As the beginning of winter started to pass, Ben Chu has fallen asleep a lot. She was depressed for a while due to the losses suffered at Fan city but now she’s lost to the lethargy from the impending spring?
Or perhaps she has worn a little too much clothing. She’s wearing exceptionally thick clothing today, which is more than enough for the temperatures today. Her body was fully covered by layers of silk clothing with fur at the ends of her limbs and neck. If her clothing was not as colourful as it was, I would have thought that she was a hunter.
Naturally, she is not the only one sleeping during Court.
“And so, the spring planting this year…”
The official was still speaking but the Son of Heaven is no longer listening. Oi, you handmaidens, do not think that I will not notice that the Son of Heaven has fallen asleep just because you are standing in front of the Son of Heaven. His snot has already flowed to his mouth, can he not wipe it for once?
“And that’s all I have. I hope that the Son of Heaven will bear this in mind.” The official said and sat back down.
“… Hu.” The Son of Heaven could not even give a reply.
Hai… This really cannot be helped…
“Alright, leave this to me.” I said, “With regards to the logistical issues, we are expecting to open a few new roads this year which will help to ease the prevailing bottlenecks. As for your other suggestions, they are all rather feasible. Once you have the details down, send some men to test them out.”
When I finished, I looked at the official but he did not look at me and merely saluted and bowed to the Son of Heaven before sitting down again.
Well, that’s fine.
“Well then, is there anything else to bring up?” The eunuch said as he looked about.
“Un…” Ben Chu groaned as she finally woke up at the right time. The others who were dozing off also roused as though they had sensed that Court was about to be over and sat upright.
Usually, no one would say anything when the eunuch asked this and once he gave the word, everyone would swiftly leave. But today, I do have something to say but there is a need for me to wait for a bit before doing so.
…
“Un?” The Son of Heaven uttered as he woke up and the eunuch began to walk up and announce that Court was over.
“Emperor! Your retainer has something to address.” I immediately got up and said once I saw this and brought my hands forward in a salute. Almost immediately, I could feel surprised and angry gazes from everyone else in the room on me.
“Un…” Even the Son of Heaven frowned, “What do you want to say? Be quick.”
“Yes.” I smiled and nodded, “Actually, I have a sage that I would like to recommend.”
“Un~~ I had a really good sleep.”
Court was now over and we were now outside the main hall. I did not feel particularly cold but seeing Ben Chu who was lazily stretching made me feel unhappy.
“Ben Chu is really relaxed huh? Even though we have the southern campaign at hand, you don’t seem anxious int he least.”
“How could I not be anxious?” Ben Chu said as she stifled a yawn, “I’ve been so busy of late which is why I’m so tired in the day.”
She then looked at me with raised eyebrows, “You, Meng De, on the other hand seem completely fine.”
“Hmph,” I chuckled, “I know how to work efficiently. Work is important but sleep too is important.”
“Un…” Ben Chu grunted unhappily as she scratched her head.
This exchange made me realise once again that I can lie without batting an eyelid at all. Haha, perhaps this is the effect of working to the point of exhaustion.
“Ah, who was the one you were talking about in Court at the very end?”
So Ben Chu actually asked this in the end huh? It’s not like I was trying to hide the truth from her but I did not think that she would take notice of it.
“Nothing much. Just someone new that I brought over.”
“A new person huh~~~” She said meaningfully as she looked at me with suspicion, “That person must be someone very talented right? If not, there is no way you are giving that person such a position.”
“Haha, I suppose.”
I have not actually met that person but those who have have attested to her talent and capabilities.
“Un…” Ben Chu merely grunted in response but I can tell what she is thinking from her expression alone.
“Ben Chu, if you’re trying to think about how you can pull that person over to your side, then you’re going to be disappointed.”
“Eh? I-I didn’t say anything of that sort.”
That frantic response of yours is enough to validate my guess. And so, I smiled at her as I continued, “That person’s heart is not here. It’s difficult enough to imagine her contributing meaningfully to my side, let alone yours.”
“Ah~ I suppose– Ah, wait a second,” Ben Chu took a while before she understood what I meant, “What do you mean by that? It’s like you’re saying that I’m not on par with you?”
“I did not say anything of that sort.” I replied, feeling happy after seeing that Ben Chu had been angered. Alright, one more right turn and I will be at my residence, “Well then, I’ll be going back now. See you tomorrow, Ben Chu~”
“Ah, Meng De, come back at once and explain yourself!”
I quickly rounded the corner and entered my residence. Ben Chu tried to chase after me but was stopped by the guards and yelled at me.
Huu~ Haa… I took a deep breath and exhaled. Thanks to Ben Chu, I was able to alleviate the gloom inside me a little.
Contributing meaningfully to my side huh… I actually said that huh? If you think about it, there is probably no difference between Ben Chu and I from her perspective.
“Imperial Chancellor.”
I immediately looked in the direction from where the voice came from when I heard it and saw Cheng Yu sitting at the doorway of the meeting room ahead. After she had called out to me, she immediately got up and quickly walked over.
“Oh, Cheng Yu, what’s the matter?”
Cheng Yu did not reply immediately and continued walking over and brought her mouth to my ear, “She is already waiting inside.”
Oh? Looks like she is a lot more punctual than I thought.
“And Li Dian?”
“There was an incident at the encampment today. She has been delayed and will be here in a while.”
Looks like it’s our side that’s late huh? Never mind.
“By the way, there’s no need to go to such lengths.” I said as I smiled stiffly at Cheng Yu, “Not hiding in the grass or bushes is an improvement but you need to learn how to talk normally now. Your old ways still shine through from time to time.”
“Yes.” Cheng Yu said as she bowed and nodded at me before heading back to the meeting room.
As we made our way to the room, I could see a young woman sitting seriously inside at the second seat. She did not even look at me as I entered, as though I was made of air.
I did my best to act as normal as I could and slowly made my way to the mains eat with my hands at my back and observed the woman while I did so.
Her face was stern and serious and her big eyes were looking straight ahead. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and she wore plain white robes, looking very much like a hermit indeed.
She really is different from normal people. Should I say as expected of Xuan De’s discerning eyes? Or should I be saying that this person is the one with discerning eyes?
No, it’s still too early to be saying such imprudent words. When she joined his faction, he should have been dead after all.
“Hai.” I gave a light grunt as I sat down and looked at her as I calmly spoke, “You, are you Xu Shu Xu Yuan Zhi?”
“I am.”
Compared to my leisurely speech, she saluted me properly and seriously as she replied as though she did not have a negative opinion of me.
“I’ve heard of your name for a while now and now that I’ve met you, I can see that what I’ve heard is not untrue.” I said as I raised the liquor jug in front of me, “If Teacher Xu Shu is willing to show face to me, Cao Cao, I would like to propose a toast in your name.”
I raised the cup to Xu Shu but she continued to sit silently where she was and did not make any move. The atmosphere was rather awkward but I endured the pressure and smiled as I tilted my head at her, “Is Teacher Xu Shu not showing face to me?”
“That is not the case. I’m merely weakly to liquor and am unable to drink.” Xu Shu said as she respectfully saluted me and reached behind and took out a gourd.
“That is?”
“My homemade sugar water.” She said as she twisted the cap open, “As I am unable to drink liquor, I will drink this in place of liquor.”
“It’s the same, it’s the same.” I said and raised my cup. Xu Shu did not move but I did not bother and merely downed the contents of my cup. Only after I did so did Xu Shu begin to drink from her gourd.
It was only for a brief period that her gourd was open and exposed to the air but I could catch a whiff of the sweet scent. I have not drank anything like sugar water before but just that whiff is enough to make me want to try it.
Meng De POV
Un~ I shivered once more as I thought about this and did my best to rub my body with my hands whilst maintaining a proper sitting position.
I cannot believe how cold it feels even when I specially wore an extra layer.
“Hu…” Just then, the sound of light breathing could be heard coming from beside me. It was not very loud but it was clear enough from where I was.
… Haa. I frowned as this was not the first time I was hearing this over the past few days. Even so, I instinctively cast my eyes to the side.
Yes, Ben Chu who is sitting beside me has fallen asleep. Again.
As the beginning of winter started to pass, Ben Chu has fallen asleep a lot. She was depressed for a while due to the losses suffered at Fan city but now she’s lost to the lethargy from the impending spring?
Or perhaps she has worn a little too much clothing. She’s wearing exceptionally thick clothing today, which is more than enough for the temperatures today. Her body was fully covered by layers of silk clothing with fur at the ends of her limbs and neck. If her clothing was not as colourful as it was, I would have thought that she was a hunter.
Naturally, she is not the only one sleeping during Court.
“And so, the spring planting this year…”
The official was still speaking but the Son of Heaven is no longer listening. Oi, you handmaidens, do not think that I will not notice that the Son of Heaven has fallen asleep just because you are standing in front of the Son of Heaven. His snot has already flowed to his mouth, can he not wipe it for once?
“And that’s all I have. I hope that the Son of Heaven will bear this in mind.” The official said and sat back down.
“… Hu.” The Son of Heaven could not even give a reply.
Hai… This really cannot be helped…
“Alright, leave this to me.” I said, “With regards to the logistical issues, we are expecting to open a few new roads this year which will help to ease the prevailing bottlenecks. As for your other suggestions, they are all rather feasible. Once you have the details down, send some men to test them out.”
When I finished, I looked at the official but he did not look at me and merely saluted and bowed to the Son of Heaven before sitting down again.
Well, that’s fine.
“Well then, is there anything else to bring up?” The eunuch said as he looked about.
“Un…” Ben Chu groaned as she finally woke up at the right time. The others who were dozing off also roused as though they had sensed that Court was about to be over and sat upright.
Usually, no one would say anything when the eunuch asked this and once he gave the word, everyone would swiftly leave. But today, I do have something to say but there is a need for me to wait for a bit before doing so.
…
“Un?” The Son of Heaven uttered as he woke up and the eunuch began to walk up and announce that Court was over.
“Emperor! Your retainer has something to address.” I immediately got up and said once I saw this and brought my hands forward in a salute. Almost immediately, I could feel surprised and angry gazes from everyone else in the room on me.
“Un…” Even the Son of Heaven frowned, “What do you want to say? Be quick.”
“Yes.” I smiled and nodded, “Actually, I have a sage that I would like to recommend.”
“Un~~ I had a really good sleep.”
Court was now over and we were now outside the main hall. I did not feel particularly cold but seeing Ben Chu who was lazily stretching made me feel unhappy.
“Ben Chu is really relaxed huh? Even though we have the southern campaign at hand, you don’t seem anxious int he least.”
“How could I not be anxious?” Ben Chu said as she stifled a yawn, “I’ve been so busy of late which is why I’m so tired in the day.”
She then looked at me with raised eyebrows, “You, Meng De, on the other hand seem completely fine.”
“Hmph,” I chuckled, “I know how to work efficiently. Work is important but sleep too is important.”
“Un…” Ben Chu grunted unhappily as she scratched her head.
This exchange made me realise once again that I can lie without batting an eyelid at all. Haha, perhaps this is the effect of working to the point of exhaustion.
“Ah, who was the one you were talking about in Court at the very end?”
So Ben Chu actually asked this in the end huh? It’s not like I was trying to hide the truth from her but I did not think that she would take notice of it.
“Nothing much. Just someone new that I brought over.”
“A new person huh~~~” She said meaningfully as she looked at me with suspicion, “That person must be someone very talented right? If not, there is no way you are giving that person such a position.”
“Haha, I suppose.”
I have not actually met that person but those who have have attested to her talent and capabilities.
“Un…” Ben Chu merely grunted in response but I can tell what she is thinking from her expression alone.
“Ben Chu, if you’re trying to think about how you can pull that person over to your side, then you’re going to be disappointed.”
“Eh? I-I didn’t say anything of that sort.”
That frantic response of yours is enough to validate my guess. And so, I smiled at her as I continued, “That person’s heart is not here. It’s difficult enough to imagine her contributing meaningfully to my side, let alone yours.”
“Ah~ I suppose– Ah, wait a second,” Ben Chu took a while before she understood what I meant, “What do you mean by that? It’s like you’re saying that I’m not on par with you?”
“I did not say anything of that sort.” I replied, feeling happy after seeing that Ben Chu had been angered. Alright, one more right turn and I will be at my residence, “Well then, I’ll be going back now. See you tomorrow, Ben Chu~”
“Ah, Meng De, come back at once and explain yourself!”
I quickly rounded the corner and entered my residence. Ben Chu tried to chase after me but was stopped by the guards and yelled at me.
Huu~ Haa… I took a deep breath and exhaled. Thanks to Ben Chu, I was able to alleviate the gloom inside me a little.
Contributing meaningfully to my side huh… I actually said that huh? If you think about it, there is probably no difference between Ben Chu and I from her perspective.
“Imperial Chancellor.”
I immediately looked in the direction from where the voice came from when I heard it and saw Cheng Yu sitting at the doorway of the meeting room ahead. After she had called out to me, she immediately got up and quickly walked over.
“Oh, Cheng Yu, what’s the matter?”
Cheng Yu did not reply immediately and continued walking over and brought her mouth to my ear, “She is already waiting inside.”
Oh? Looks like she is a lot more punctual than I thought.
“And Li Dian?”
“There was an incident at the encampment today. She has been delayed and will be here in a while.”
Looks like it’s our side that’s late huh? Never mind.
“By the way, there’s no need to go to such lengths.” I said as I smiled stiffly at Cheng Yu, “Not hiding in the grass or bushes is an improvement but you need to learn how to talk normally now. Your old ways still shine through from time to time.”
“Yes.” Cheng Yu said as she bowed and nodded at me before heading back to the meeting room.
As we made our way to the room, I could see a young woman sitting seriously inside at the second seat. She did not even look at me as I entered, as though I was made of air.
I did my best to act as normal as I could and slowly made my way to the mains eat with my hands at my back and observed the woman while I did so.
Her face was stern and serious and her big eyes were looking straight ahead. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and she wore plain white robes, looking very much like a hermit indeed.
She really is different from normal people. Should I say as expected of Xuan De’s discerning eyes? Or should I be saying that this person is the one with discerning eyes?
No, it’s still too early to be saying such imprudent words. When she joined his faction, he should have been dead after all.
“Hai.” I gave a light grunt as I sat down and looked at her as I calmly spoke, “You, are you Xu Shu Xu Yuan Zhi?”
“I am.”
Compared to my leisurely speech, she saluted me properly and seriously as she replied as though she did not have a negative opinion of me.
“I’ve heard of your name for a while now and now that I’ve met you, I can see that what I’ve heard is not untrue.” I said as I raised the liquor jug in front of me, “If Teacher Xu Shu is willing to show face to me, Cao Cao, I would like to propose a toast in your name.”
I raised the cup to Xu Shu but she continued to sit silently where she was and did not make any move. The atmosphere was rather awkward but I endured the pressure and smiled as I tilted my head at her, “Is Teacher Xu Shu not showing face to me?”
“That is not the case. I’m merely weakly to liquor and am unable to drink.” Xu Shu said as she respectfully saluted me and reached behind and took out a gourd.
“That is?”
“My homemade sugar water.” She said as she twisted the cap open, “As I am unable to drink liquor, I will drink this in place of liquor.”
“It’s the same, it’s the same.” I said and raised my cup. Xu Shu did not move but I did not bother and merely downed the contents of my cup. Only after I did so did Xu Shu begin to drink from her gourd.
It was only for a brief period that her gourd was open and exposed to the air but I could catch a whiff of the sweet scent. I have not drank anything like sugar water before but just that whiff is enough to make me want to try it.
