Vol 2 Chapter 9 (1/2)

Volume 2 Chapter 9: Don’t tell me this is another day in Xu state

Ah~~~~ So peaceful~~~~

I was currently sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, staring blankly into the sky like an old man.

Though I had experienced a nightmare at this stone table, the table itself was not to blame. And now that I’m enjoying its coolness, I am truly thankful of its existence.

“Hai~~~” I gave a long exhalation as I lay on the cool stone table.

Though the seasons had begun to change, the summer heat was still standing strong against the measly winds that had begun to blow.

Today is a good day.

Yun Chang and Yi De had gone shopping, Feng Xian and Zhang Liao had gone to practice at the drill grounds, and Hua Tuo was teaching Gan Qing and Mi Zhen how to cook.

If I could have my way, I would have wanted Yun Chang to learn from Hua Tuo as well. Whatever the case, today is a rare chance for me to relax alone.

For some reason, I feel like everyone has been treating me differently ever since Gan Qing joined us. Though I can’t quite pinpoint how or why things have changed, it’s just gotten a bit more tiring since.

On top of that, everyone seems to be talking about things that I don’t understand, making me feel as though I am out of step with the times… Though I am out of step to begin with.

But I don’t need to think about all that today because today is my rest day.

Having days like this once in a while, as for my plans for the rest of today…

Whatever goes~ Lazing about all day sounds good too~

“Yo~ You’re here as expected huh~”

However, just as I was entertaining such lazy, carefree thoughts, a drawling voice came from the door.

“Eh?” I uttered as I looked over, and saw Jian Yong was there.

“Eh what eh huh?~~~” She said as she fanned herself with a fan in her right hand, her eyes half closed with an irritated looking on her. “At least go have a look at the doc.u.ments today, Gong You is waiting for you.”

Ah… There was that huh.

“Eh? Wasn’t it just a one day trial?” I said, feinting ignorance.

“Trial?” Jian Yong said as her eyes bulged in disbelief, “Come on you, you should have some awareness of an official’s responsibilities by now, though you aren’t one yet.”

Un…

But leaving all that aside, it’s surprising for Jian Yong of all people to be the one to come find me.

“Oi! Are you listening to me?”

“Uwaa! Don’t come so close all of a sudden…”

I was caught off guard by Jian Yong who suddenly walked right up to me.

“Let’s go, quick.” She grabbed onto the hem of my clothing as she said so, “Xuan De…. No, Lord Liu Bei.”

Un? Did she just call me….

I looked at Jian Yong’s face but I could only sense a faint change in her usual expression.

Very quickly, I was hauled over to the study table by Jian Yong.

However, we did not see Gong You who was supposed to be waiting there. Instead, there was an IOU note on the table that said ‘I’m borrowing Gong You.’

The signee was Mi Zhu.

“Gong You was actually summoned by Zi Zhong. How could she not have told me huh~~~” Jian Yong said irritably as she looked at the note.

“In that case, you help me out then.” I said as I pointed to Jian Yong and the pile of books and bamboo scrolls.

“Me?” She frowned as she pointed at herself. “Stop kidding, why do I have to help clean up your mess huh?”

… Her att.i.tude is way too different from Gong You’s.

“Then what do we do? I can’t handle it alone without Gong You…” I lamented as I looked at the endless number of bamboo scrolls.

“Un? When did you start calling her by Gong You?”

“Ah? Ah… That is, isn’t it more intimate this way.”

I turned my head away as I thought back to what happened that day.

“Hai~ If you don’t want to say it, then forget it.” Jian Yong drawled, her voice dragging out longer than usual. “Anyway, just leave the work alone then.”

I’ve been waiting for this from you.

“Un, let’s do it like then, until Gong You comes back.”

As I said so, I smiled and decided to make my way back to my sanctuary, back to the stone table–

“Come back, whoever said you were free now huh.” Jian Yong grabbed my hem yet again.

… What else do you want huh?

“Come drink with me.” She wriggled her b.u.t.t and showed me the wine gourd hanging at her waist.

Jian Yong seemed a little excited as she said so, and immediately set out while I had no choice but to follow.

But!~~~

“Are we really going to drink? It’s not even noon yet~~~”

“Why can’t you drink before noon?” She said irritably as she turned around with her hands on her hips. “Just follow me, I know a good place.”

Though I wanted to say that I was still underage, I had no right to say so after having drank liquor quite a few times already.

But why is she always pulling me around by the hem of my clothes huh~~~ It’s not like I won’t go…

“We’re here.”

“That’s fast!” We’d only walked for a short while and we had arrived at our destination already.

I raised my head and checked out the interior of the place and found that it was just a small, ordinary shop. I tried to find the signboard but it was covered with a layer of dust that was so thick, I couldn’t even read the name out.

“Go on in, it’s my treat.” She let go of me and pushed open the door. “Xiaoer, the usual.”

(TL: Xiaoer, or 小二, is what people call the waiter or attendant at eating places in ancient China.)

“Yo, here again huh?” The xiaoer s.h.i.+vered and went further in to heat up the wine.

Looks like Jian Yong is quite the frequent customer here huh.

There were all sorts here, but most of them were from the lower cla.s.ses. It was also very raucous here.

“Lord Liu Bei, will you be eating anything?”

“No, no need.” I waved my hand as I looked at decadent demeanor. “You’re sure you want to drink now?”

“Didn’t you ask that before already? You’re so longwinded huh~~~” Jian Yong drawled on as she played with her fringe. “Or is it you don’t believe in my drinking capacity?”

“No no, I didn’t say that. And drinking capacity can only be ascertained after we actually drink.”

Every place had rather different kinds of liquor. In Zhuo commandery, the liquor there was almost like sweet wine while the liquor just slightly south was a lot more alcoholic.

(TL: j.a.panese equivalent is amazake.)

“Hmph!!” Jian Yong snorted dismissively. “Not that I’m bragging but even 10 bowls is not a problem.”