Liu Bei POV
“Really?”
When she heard me say this, Yuan Zhi gave me a wry smile, “Looks like Xuan De has a long way to go as a feudal lord huh?”
“You’re so naggy…” I said as I looked at Yuan Zhi’s smiling face and smiled as well. And with that our conversation came to a close as Yuan Zhi and I stared at each other wordlessly in the messy room while unknown birds chirped outside.
Usually, the atmosphere would get terribly awkward and I would be sweating right now thinking desperately about how I can continue the conversation. But now, I was actually rather relaxed and Yuan Zhi seemed to be comfortable as well. I do not know what she is thinking about but I am sure she feels warm and comfortable inside.
“Looks like,” Yuan Zhi spoke up softly in the same kind tone, “Looks like Xuan De was really the one to be my lord huh?”
“Yes?”
“Though there was that little mishap halfway through, I believe I that I found my path through you, just like your other retainers.” Yuan Zhi said as she nodded, “Perhaps I might even have ambitions of my own in future. Perhaps I won’t be a petty official and open a sugar water shop.”
“Un…”
To be honest, I was not sure at all if what I said to her back in the market was able to encourage her but at the very least, I seem to have been able to let her realise her worth and help her find her reason to exist. But at the end of the day, it boiled down to her own will to change and fight that made all of this possible.
“I didn’t do anything. Yuan Zhi’s future can only be forged by Yuan Zhi’s own hands.”
“So you changed my ambitions huh?” Yuan Zhi said as she smiled.
“Maybe?”
“Xuan De, you really need to change that overly humble attitude of yours.”
“Do I?”
“Yes.” She said and laughed as did I.
To be honest, I do not feel like I am overly humble at all. I really do not think that I did anything. There was no romantic or emotional backdrop nor were there grandiose speeches. I merely said what I wanted to and all I did was just for the sake of making Yuan Zhi stay. That’s really all it was. It would really be too much of a stretch to say that I managed to change her ambitions because of this.
“Never mind. My way of thinking has indeed changed no matter what Xuan De thinks.” Yuan Zhi said as she tried to get up.
“Ah, Yuan Zhi, slow down.”
“Xuan De.” She said as she got up and leaned against my hand and looked at me, “I am willing to continue serving Xuan De by his side. Even if I can only rely on my own capabilities.”
Wu. The content may be different but it does not seem all that different from a love confession and so I began to feel a little shy as I smiled at Yuan Zhi.
“That’s enough. That’s more than enough.”
Mastery in swordsmanship, horsemanship and military tactics and formations. What more could I ask for?
“… Xuan De, please help me up off the bed.”
“Ah, sure.” I said as I hurriedly supported her, “But why do you need to come down? Do you want to get something? In that case, I can help…”
“No, that’s not it.” Yuan Zhi said as she slowly got up, wincing from pain from time to time as she did so. My heart ached to see her like this but I had no choice as she was adamant about getting up.
When she got up, she spread her arms out to get her balance before pushing my hands away. At this, I could only let go and watch as Yuan Zhi slowly regained her balance.
“My lord.”
“Ah, Yuan Zhi, you’re…”
All of a sudden, Yuan Zhi changed the way she addressed me and saluted as she bowed. I was at a loss as to what to do and went to help her up but she shrugged me off.
“Yuan Zhi?”
“My lord, let me introduce myself once more. My name is Xu Shu Xu Yuan Zhi. My original name was Xu Fu but I was forced to change my name because of my crimes and have wandered throughout the lands ever since. I am not particularly learned nor do I know much and am nothing but a poor scholar. Today, I am swearing fealty and loyalty to Imperial Uncle Liu Bei. I hope that my service to you will be long and if there is anything untoward, I beseech my lord to correct and notify me.”
(TL: This is actually historically accurate. Xu Shu really was a swordsman in the beginning and was called Xu Fu wrongly killed someone before becoming a scholar. Not to be confused with the Xu Fu who was sent bu Qin Shi Huang to find the elixir of immortality.)
So she’s formally introducing herself huh? Now that I think about it, she’s never done this ever since we have met. But really, there’s no need for such formalities.
Yet, I must not reply casually. If I have been treated formally and politely, then I must respond in kind. This is something that Zi Zhong had taught me before and it’s a good thing that it has stuck in my head.
“Lord Xu Shu is too humble. It is a great blessing for I, Liu Bei, to receive the assistance of a Teacher like yourself.” I said all this with some pomp as I thought back to the period dramas featuring Liu Bei and tried to mimic the actors I saw.
Now then, next is… I can help her up now right?
I am not really sure about the proper steps but I just went up and held her hands as I helped her up. I got a good glimpse of Yuan Zhi’s face as I did so and saw that she looked a bit tired but overall, she seemed to be in a very good mood. Her lips were curled up in a fulfilling smile as though she had finally done something important which she had been hoping to do for a long while and slowly returned to her bed with my help.
As she made her way to her bed, she muttered beside me, “Xuan De will definitely be able to accomplish something great. As long as you remain honourable and benevolent and treat people as you have always done so, many talented individuals will assist you and it will not be difficult to restore the Great Han.”
“Is that so?”
I did not dare affirm what she said as she was just saying such things because of the mood and to praise me. Additionally, I could still smell some alcohol in her breath which means that she might still be a little inebriated.
“Here, Yuan Zhi.” I said as i laid down the pillow for her and gave her the gourd to have a few more mouthfuls before helping her lie down.
She looked exhausted, which is to be expected as she just awoke today after all and saying all this is probably too much for her. Even so, she continued to mutter to herself as she lay down and closed her eyes.
“Have a good rest, Yuan Zhi.” I said as I put the blanket over her, “We can talk about the future after you’re better.”
“… Un.” Yuan Zhi finally stopped muttering and nodded, her smile still remaining on her face. Was the ritual she performed just now that important to her?
I will probably never understand the importance of such formalities but it’s probably important to an administrative official and scholar like Yuan Zhi.
I looked at her forehead and wondered if I should touch it and extended my hand but hesitated and decided against it.
“Well then, Yuan Zhi, have a good rest. I’ll be leaving now.” I said and turned to leave, regretting that I did not touch her forehead.
“Xuan De.” Yuan Zhi called out to me just as I placed my hand on the door.
“Un?” I uttered as I turned back and saw that she was still lying on the bed with her eyes closed. For a moment, I thought that I had an auditory hallucination until she spoke up again.
“I look forward to working with you in the coming days.”
Liu Bei POV
“Really?”
When she heard me say this, Yuan Zhi gave me a wry smile, “Looks like Xuan De has a long way to go as a feudal lord huh?”
“You’re so naggy…” I said as I looked at Yuan Zhi’s smiling face and smiled as well. And with that our conversation came to a close as Yuan Zhi and I stared at each other wordlessly in the messy room while unknown birds chirped outside.
Usually, the atmosphere would get terribly awkward and I would be sweating right now thinking desperately about how I can continue the conversation. But now, I was actually rather relaxed and Yuan Zhi seemed to be comfortable as well. I do not know what she is thinking about but I am sure she feels warm and comfortable inside.
“Looks like,” Yuan Zhi spoke up softly in the same kind tone, “Looks like Xuan De was really the one to be my lord huh?”
“Yes?”
“Though there was that little mishap halfway through, I believe I that I found my path through you, just like your other retainers.” Yuan Zhi said as she nodded, “Perhaps I might even have ambitions of my own in future. Perhaps I won’t be a petty official and open a sugar water shop.”
“Un…”
To be honest, I was not sure at all if what I said to her back in the market was able to encourage her but at the very least, I seem to have been able to let her realise her worth and help her find her reason to exist. But at the end of the day, it boiled down to her own will to change and fight that made all of this possible.
“I didn’t do anything. Yuan Zhi’s future can only be forged by Yuan Zhi’s own hands.”
“So you changed my ambitions huh?” Yuan Zhi said as she smiled.
“Maybe?”
“Xuan De, you really need to change that overly humble attitude of yours.”
“Do I?”
“Yes.” She said and laughed as did I.
To be honest, I do not feel like I am overly humble at all. I really do not think that I did anything. There was no romantic or emotional backdrop nor were there grandiose speeches. I merely said what I wanted to and all I did was just for the sake of making Yuan Zhi stay. That’s really all it was. It would really be too much of a stretch to say that I managed to change her ambitions because of this.
“Never mind. My way of thinking has indeed changed no matter what Xuan De thinks.” Yuan Zhi said as she tried to get up.
“Ah, Yuan Zhi, slow down.”
“Xuan De.” She said as she got up and leaned against my hand and looked at me, “I am willing to continue serving Xuan De by his side. Even if I can only rely on my own capabilities.”
Wu. The content may be different but it does not seem all that different from a love confession and so I began to feel a little shy as I smiled at Yuan Zhi.
“That’s enough. That’s more than enough.”
Mastery in swordsmanship, horsemanship and military tactics and formations. What more could I ask for?
“… Xuan De, please help me up off the bed.”
“Ah, sure.” I said as I hurriedly supported her, “But why do you need to come down? Do you want to get something? In that case, I can help…”
“No, that’s not it.” Yuan Zhi said as she slowly got up, wincing from pain from time to time as she did so. My heart ached to see her like this but I had no choice as she was adamant about getting up.
When she got up, she spread her arms out to get her balance before pushing my hands away. At this, I could only let go and watch as Yuan Zhi slowly regained her balance.
“My lord.”
“Ah, Yuan Zhi, you’re…”
All of a sudden, Yuan Zhi changed the way she addressed me and saluted as she bowed. I was at a loss as to what to do and went to help her up but she shrugged me off.
“Yuan Zhi?”
“My lord, let me introduce myself once more. My name is Xu Shu Xu Yuan Zhi. My original name was Xu Fu but I was forced to change my name because of my crimes and have wandered throughout the lands ever since. I am not particularly learned nor do I know much and am nothing but a poor scholar. Today, I am swearing fealty and loyalty to Imperial Uncle Liu Bei. I hope that my service to you will be long and if there is anything untoward, I beseech my lord to correct and notify me.”
(TL: This is actually historically accurate. Xu Shu really was a swordsman in the beginning and was called Xu Fu wrongly killed someone before becoming a scholar. Not to be confused with the Xu Fu who was sent bu Qin Shi Huang to find the elixir of immortality.)
So she’s formally introducing herself huh? Now that I think about it, she’s never done this ever since we have met. But really, there’s no need for such formalities.
Yet, I must not reply casually. If I have been treated formally and politely, then I must respond in kind. This is something that Zi Zhong had taught me before and it’s a good thing that it has stuck in my head.
“Lord Xu Shu is too humble. It is a great blessing for I, Liu Bei, to receive the assistance of a Teacher like yourself.” I said all this with some pomp as I thought back to the period dramas featuring Liu Bei and tried to mimic the actors I saw.
Now then, next is… I can help her up now right?
I am not really sure about the proper steps but I just went up and held her hands as I helped her up. I got a good glimpse of Yuan Zhi’s face as I did so and saw that she looked a bit tired but overall, she seemed to be in a very good mood. Her lips were curled up in a fulfilling smile as though she had finally done something important which she had been hoping to do for a long while and slowly returned to her bed with my help.
As she made her way to her bed, she muttered beside me, “Xuan De will definitely be able to accomplish something great. As long as you remain honourable and benevolent and treat people as you have always done so, many talented individuals will assist you and it will not be difficult to restore the Great Han.”
“Is that so?”
I did not dare affirm what she said as she was just saying such things because of the mood and to praise me. Additionally, I could still smell some alcohol in her breath which means that she might still be a little inebriated.
“Here, Yuan Zhi.” I said as i laid down the pillow for her and gave her the gourd to have a few more mouthfuls before helping her lie down.
She looked exhausted, which is to be expected as she just awoke today after all and saying all this is probably too much for her. Even so, she continued to mutter to herself as she lay down and closed her eyes.
“Have a good rest, Yuan Zhi.” I said as I put the blanket over her, “We can talk about the future after you’re better.”
“… Un.” Yuan Zhi finally stopped muttering and nodded, her smile still remaining on her face. Was the ritual she performed just now that important to her?
I will probably never understand the importance of such formalities but it’s probably important to an administrative official and scholar like Yuan Zhi.
I looked at her forehead and wondered if I should touch it and extended my hand but hesitated and decided against it.
“Well then, Yuan Zhi, have a good rest. I’ll be leaving now.” I said and turned to leave, regretting that I did not touch her forehead.
“Xuan De.” Yuan Zhi called out to me just as I placed my hand on the door.
“Un?” I uttered as I turned back and saw that she was still lying on the bed with her eyes closed. For a moment, I thought that I had an auditory hallucination until she spoke up again.
“I look forward to working with you in the coming days.”
