Vol 3 Chapter 6 (1/2)

Volume 3 Chapter 6: Don’t tell me this is the poisoning by Ji Ping (1)

Ah~~~ My head hurts so bad~~~~

I lay on my seat as waves of pain a.s.saulted me which made me frown and left no strength in me to concentrate on the bamboo scroll in my hands.

Was this from overexhaustion? … I’d thought that sheer willpower alone would render me invincible but who knew that my body would give way so quickly.

“My lord, are you alright.” Just as I was moaning softly, a gloomy but clear voice came from the back of my seat. “Should I get a physician to have a look at you?”

This voice, and this strange entrance… Is it Cheng Yu?

“Ah, I’m fine, just a little bit of overexhaustion. Nothing a little rest won’t cure.” I forced a smile and tried to turn to face her but because I hadn’t moved my neck in a while, it was difficult to do so and I gave up after a few times. “Ah, speaking of which, where is Xun Yu? She’s not together with you?”

These 2 are usually like Li Dian and Yue Jin and are always together, probably because of how similar their personalities are.

“My lord, are you confused? Hasn’t Xun Yu gone with General Dian Wei to attack Zhang Xiu?”

“Oh, right. I almost forgot that.” I slapped my head as I realised what I forgot– Ah! My headache got even worse… “Now that I think about it, those 2 mist have left about the same time as Liu Bei.”

It’s been 7 days already since then.

— My lord, though I’ve left Zhong Kang behind, please be extra careful in this period when I’m not around.

“…”

For some reason, I recalled what Dian Wei said to me before she left.

It was really unexpected for E Lai who was usually so reckless to be so prudent and cautious that I couldn’t help but be on my guard since then.

“My lord, I have something to say regarding Liu Bei.” Cheng Yu’s small face suddenly appeared in front of me as she locked her 2 sleepy eyes on mine.

“Un? Go ahead and say it.” I answered casually as I rose up carefully whole enduring my head wouldn’t sway, and gingerly picked up the tea cup on the table and sent its contents drop by drop into my mouth. “Although I can more or less guess what it is you want to say. Apologies for this, let me wet my throat first.”

I bent my wrist, and the warm tea flowed into my mouth. As I stared at the flow of tea, “Ha~ Much better.” I exhaled a hot breath filled with the scent of tea and set the cup down. “What you want to say is, Liu Bei should be killed right?”

“…” Silence means my guess is right. “Then my lord, can you tell me the reason why you haven’t done so?”

“Un, actually.” Before I could finish my explanation, another voice cut me off.

“Actually, if we kill Liu Bei, then our lord who already suffers from a bad reputation will be even more hated by the people. If our lord loses the support of the people for good because of this, few talents would be willing to join our lord.”

“… That is correct, Feng Xiao.” I clapped in admiration, and then lowered my head. “But can you not emerge from under my chair so suddenly next time?”

I opened my legs, and looked at the ghost-like face of the young girl that appeared. Though this isn’t something that will scare me, it’s not something that I can get used to either.

Guo Jia would be perfect if not for her face that looks like that of a dead person which she uses to scare people. I wanted to cure her ailment but she wouldn’t allow it and kept dragging things on.

“Yes…*Hmph*…” At least Guo Jia is obedient, and she continued after crawling out from under my chair. “But my lord, I don’t understand why you let him lead the strike on Yuan Shu.”

“Un? What about it?”

“…” She was silent at my question, but from Guo Jia’s expression, she should be thinking ‘My lord, are you acting or are you for real’, and continued after a short while. “My lord, why didn’t you confine Lord Liu Bei in Xuchang? My lord should know that Liu Bei is dangerous right?”

“I do.”

“My lord knows that Liu Bei will eventually be a force to be reckoned with?”

“I do.”

“Then why did you let him go? Has my lord’s brain fried out?”

“I’m still your lord, so be a little more respectful when you speak to me.”

“… Ke.” This fellow actually snickered, looks like she knows I won’t punish her for this.

But Guo Jia is as ruthless as always huh… Indeed, letting go of Xuan De is a big mistake. Whether it is now, or in the history books in the future, this is and will be seen as a mistake.

“Maa, I have my own plans.” I said as I stood up, but was soon a.s.sailed by the headache which hurt so much I had to hold on to the table for support.

“My lord, are you alright? You look like you might die in front of me just like that.”

“Haha, Feng Xiao, that joke isn’t very funny.” I laughed dryly. My headache finally lightened up slightly and I got up as I rubbed my temple.

“Alright, you 2 get out first. I’m taking a nap.” I said as I waved them away, and made for my sleeping quarters as I yawned.

The 2 who were usually mysterious in their mannerisms did not say anything more, nor did they pursue the question from earlier, and withdrew after they bowed.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t slept last night right.

Hai~~ No matter how much time I manage to squeeze out, the scrolls on my desk never decrease.

Why I let Xuan De go… Huh?

I wasn’t exactly clear with Guo Jia, because this wasn’t something nice or easy to say.

That’s right, if I had to give a reason… It would be because I lack confidence.

I lack the full confidence that I can conquer the world and restore the Han, and so I let Xuan De go, to leave an alternate route for the Han.

Of course, whether heaven chooses me or Xuan De is a matter for later.

(TL: In the original, perhaps Cao Cao thought the same, because Cao Cao let Liu Bei leave even though his advisors had said no beforehand.)