Vol 2 Chapter 7 (1/2)
Volume 2 Chapter 7: Don’t tell me this is the nightmare I have to face after returning to Xu state
“That… That is to say the Cao Army is… St, staying put for now then?”
After we returned to the city, I bade Feng Xian and Hua Tuo to rest first while I and the Xu state 3 went to Tao Qian to report the results of our negotiations. And at this time, Tao Qian’s breathing was even weaker than before.
“A tenuous deadlock.” “This time when we went to the Cao Army camp, I got a rough gauge of her supplies and by my estimations they should be able to hold out for a month at most.” “When that time comes, we feel that Cao Cao will direct her attention to a new target, but we cannot eliminate the possibility that she will just launch an offensive on this city.”
Their a.n.a.lysis is detailed and correct. To put it simply, the threat is still there, though we need not worry as much as before.
After Tao Qian heard it, he lay quietly in bed, deep in thought.
“Has the blockade… Been lifted?”
…
The 3 wordlessly nodded.
“Ah…”
Tao Qian slowly shut his eyes and gave a long exhalation.
“My lord.” The 3 called out to Tao Qian who had shut his eyes and leaned forward with sorrowful looks. Even the usually expressionless Gong You frowned deeply at this moment.
Eh? Is, is he…. Gone? Just like that?
… Ah, life truly is fragile.
Though I’d only met Tao Qian a few times and don’t really know him, I could feel that he is a man of upright character from the few words I’ve exchanged with him and from what I’ve heard of him. Though he had made a mistake in his choice of bodyguard for Cao Song, now that he is dead, I have nothing more to say…
“Hu~~~”
“He’s only sleeping!!”
This Tao Qian, how can he play with my feelings like that.
“… Don’t be noisy.” “… Lord Liu Bei, let’s go out first.” “… That’s how it is.”
It wasn’t just me, those 3 were tricked too, and they frowned at the old man.
“Alright, I’ll go and have a good rest too.”
When I walked out of his quarters, it was already dark out.
These days have really been pa.s.sing by quick huh~ It was only noon when we left the city and now it’s night already.
I sighed as I looked at the skies,
Thinking back, where could my route home be? Up till now, there hasn’t even been a single clue. A single feather fan and a piece of paper, where am I being led to?
*Gu*~
… Ah, looks like my biggest worry now shouldn’t be this, but food.
I hadn’t eaten lunch after all, and if I don’t eat soon, it will be the morning of the next day.
What the heck is this situation huh?
The moment I entered the courtyard, the sight of a plethora of dishes laid out on the stone table greeted me. Yun Chang and Gan Qing rushed over when they saw me, and pushed and pulled me to the stone table and bade me to sit.
“Come, big brother have a bite.”
“No, Lord Liu Bei should eat mine first.”
But why is it just the 2 of them here? Did the rest all go to sleep this early already?
“You 2 haven’t gone to bed huh.” I withdrew my hands into my sleeves as it was a little chilly and lowered my head to look at the dishes. “Un… Did you 2 make these together?”
“No, the left side is mine.”
“The right side is mine.”
Indeed, now that I look closely, the plates they use differ quite bit.
Un?
Is it just a misconception of mine? Why do I smell a faint smell of gunpowder between the 2 of them… Did they let the fire burn a little too much while they were cooking?
“Haa… But what’s up? Cooking today all of a sudden.”
I could probably understand why Gan Qing did it, but this was unusual for Yun Chang.
The ones who cooked were usually Zhang Liao and Hua Tuo. Occasionally, I would also chip in and cook.
“Maa, I thought that big brother may not have eaten yet and it wouldn’t be nice to trouble the cook at this time so I did it myself.”
“Come come, leave the words for later and try it first Lord Liu Bei.”
“Un, I am indeed hungry.” I picked up the chopsticks as I said so.
At the very moment when I picked up the chopsticks, I could feel 2 glances focus keenly on me.
I could tell they were antic.i.p.ating my first pick very much.
I couldn’t help but get nervous.
“Th, then I’ll try Yun Chang’s first…”
“Yes!”
“Eh~~~”
“Un? What’s up you 2?” I looked at them, not understanding what just transpired between the 2.
“No, it’s nothing. Go on, big brother.”
Gan Qing only shook her head wordlessly in response,
Un… So strange~~~ I keep getting the feeling like they are competing about something. But the order doesn’t matter right?
“Oh,” I nodded as I picked up a piece of vegetable, and couldn’t help but get happy as I thought about it. “It’s been a while since we’ve been together but this is the first time I’m eating something that Yun Chang made huh~~
As I said so, I made to dig in–
“That’s right, this is my first time cooking too.” Yun Chang said with a refres.h.i.+ng smile.
Eh?
My arm that held the chopsticks stopped in midair and the tongue which I had stuck out hurriedly retreated back.
First time… I’m getting an ominous feeling.
“Un? Big brother, what’s wrong?” Yun Chang asked when she saw that I had stopped my chopsticks.
“Ah? No, nothing.” But my subconscious told me that I absolutely must eat this bite.
I opened my mouth wide, and forced myself to place the piece of vegetable into myself..
— Wu!
What is this feeling? … I clearly ate something that appeared to be stir-fried vegetables, but why does it feel slippery and sticky? It felt like I ate something like mud… What was this vegetable?
… I have to say, Yun Chang, you have zero talent at cooking huh~~~
“Big brother? You don’t look too good.”
“Ho, how can that be?” Good thing it was dark out, and Yun Chang can’t see how sickly pale my face currently is.
“Then–” Yun Chang said shyly, a rare sight, and blinked as she gazed between me and the plate of mysterious substance X. Seems like she is awaiting for my judgement.
“… De, delicious.” I said, trying not to look into Yun Chang’s eyes as I did so.
“Is, is that so… It’s good as long as you’re satisfied.” Yun Chang raised her hand and scratched her head as she turned her face away embara.s.sedly.
… I feel like I told a terrible lie, but… But it’s much better than making Yun Chang sad.
“My turn!” Gan Qing said impatiently.
“Ah, okay. Then let me try some of Miss Gan’s…”
(TL: He calls her 甘姑娘, which roughly translates to Miss Gan given the context.)
As I said so, I reached out with my chopsticks.
Ah… Because of Yun Chang’s food, my hands began to tremble pathetically.
“Un, please do.” Gan Qing said as she looked at my chopsticks with utmost antic.i.p.ation.
“Sp, speaking which, this is the first time, I’m eating something you made huh.” My trembling chopsticks finally got hold of a piece of meat.