Vol 6 Chapter 22 (1/2)

VOLUME 6 CHAPTER 22: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS ON THE WAY TO JIANGDONG (3)

Liu Bei POV

I was somehow able to extricate myself from Chen Dao, and I dragged my tired body and empty stomach back where I came from.

The sky had turned dark before I knew it, and most of the soldiers around seemed to have finished their dinner and were already cleaning up. Some were even faster, and had warmed up some wine, and sat outside their tent and began to chat with the others. The older ones began to tell stories of the first Han Emperor. I don’t know how much of what they told were just exaggerations but those who listened seemed to be enjoying the stories.

Ah, I think the cook has cleared up the equipment.

I could get the cook to come and set up a small stove but this felt like an abuse of special privileges which I really wasn’t comfortable with. Instead of bothering others, I might as well look about for some food. And if I really can’t find anything, it’s not like I can’t live if I skip a meal.

*Gu*…

“…” Looks like tonight will be a long night.

“Eh? Xuan De?”

“Ah…” When I heard someone call out to me, my heart shook from fear that it would be someone troublesome again but when I turned, I saw that it was someone endearing instead.

“Ah, it’s Gan Qing.”

She was wearing her set of old, pink clothing and some cloth shoes which weren’t really suitable for winter and came running over.

“Hehehe…” She had a jovial smile on her as she ran over.

“Where’s Xuan De headed to?”

“I was just strolling about before dinner,” I felt a little embarra.s.sed about what I was about to say next, and scratched the back of my head, “And then I missed dinnertime while I was walking about.”

“Eh? So Xuan De hasn’t had dinner yet?”

I smiled helplessly and nodded.

“You could have gotten the cook out…” She muttered, as she placed her finger on her cute lips, and said, “It just so happens that Lord Hua Tuo is out so I have an extra portion. Why don’t you come and eat with us?”

“Hua Tuo’s not around?”

“Un un, she’s having a discussion with sister Guan.”

It’s probably about Yi De.

Yun Chang has to manage the army in the day and when night falls, she busied herself with Yi De. She won’t wait for things to happen like me, and will do anything she can.

I just hope she doesn’t tire herself out.

*Gu*… While I was thinking, my stomach called out again. Gan Qing smiled, which made me feel embarra.s.sed,

“I’m normally okay even if I skip a meal but I don’t know why it’s like that today.”

“As the saying goes, appet.i.te grows with numbers.” Gan Qing bent down and closely inspected my face, “Maybe Xuan De is feeling more relieved and comfortable after we’ve reunited so your appet.i.te has grown.”

“Un, I guess you’re right.” Come to think of it, my appet.i.te has increased a fair bit these few days, “I’ll be eating with you then.”

It’s best to quickly eat. I don’t know how long my stomach will keep calling for.

“Xiao Mi– Look who’s here!”

“Un– Wa! It’s big brother Xuan De!”

Gan Qing couldn’t wait to surprise Mi Zhen and called out to her as she parted the curtains. When Mi Zhen saw that it was me, she put down the toy in her hands and flew into my chest.

“Oh~ Good girl, Mi Zhen!” I didn’t dodge her, and caught Mi Zhen as she flew over. Because there was quite a bit of momentum, I had to twirl about as I hugged her.

“Hahaha~” Mi Zhen seems to enjoy this.

I then slowly placed Mi Zhen back down as she hugged my leg with no intention of letting go at all.

“Un? Mi Zhen, have you grown taller?”

“Hehehe,” She proudly stuck out her chest at my words, “I’ve been eating all my food without being picky~”

“Good girl!” I bent down and stroked her small head as I began to closely inspect her. Her braids seemed to be slightly longer, and she’ll probably become a woman soon. But seeing her slightly thinner face made me worried.

She must have went through quite a lot when she followed Yun Chang on the way here. Though I believe that Yun Chang did her utmost best to care for these 2 girls, Gan Qing and Mi Zhen have definitely been through a fair amount of hards.h.i.+p.

“Here, Xuan De.”

Just then, a wooden bowl filled with rice was before me. Looks like Gan Qing’s back with food.

“Ah, thanks.” I thanked Gan Qing as I received the wooden bowl, and when I looked inside, I saw that there wasn’t just white rice inside. There was some braised meat as well. The colour of the meat was very good, and it glistened in the light.

“This meat is…”