Vol 8 Chapter 46 (2/2)

“You’re so useless!” Chen Gong scolded me before beginning to explain irritatedly, “To put it simple, those officials are still wearing indoor wooden clogs. This means that they immediately got on a carriage to come out here to receive us after hearing news of our arrival after morning Court was over. As for those troops, if I’m not mistaken, they should all be Lord Liu Biao’s personal guard.”

Liu Qi too seemed to have seen something and her smile grew even more bitter as she continued softly, “Ah, this doesn’t look like the welcome for a losing troop at all.”

Yes, I think so as well.

“In any case, let us proceed forward.”

“Un.” Liu Qi nodded, and we continued our march once more.

Looks like she’s still worried that something might happen. But it’s not just her, I too am similarly worried.

Could it be that Cai Mao has seized control of Liu Biao? And the welcome formation is just a ruse? To be honest, I’m starting to seriously consider this possibility.

“Chen Gong, what do you think about all this?” I asked softly as I intentionally made my horse slower and adjusted to Chen Gong’s pace.

I don’t think there’s any need to seek Chen Dao or Zhou Cang’s views.

Chen Gong looked at me, and at Liu Biao ahead of us and shook her head, “I don’t think there is any problem at all. This welcome should be sincere.”

“Eh?” I was surprised to hear such a.s.sured words from Chen Gong who has always been very prudent and vigilant.

“Is this so surprising?” She seemed puzzled at my reaction, “In the first place, this loss was because of his poor strategical choice at the very beginning which led to our defeat so why should we be responsible? Didn’t Imperial Uncle yourself say that before?”

“I just felt that it would be a legitimate excuse for our defeat.”

“It’s not an excuse, it’s the truth.” Chen Gong said immediately after I finished with a serious expression, “Imperial Uncle, you must know that it is not always possible to win battles with a numerical disadvantage. I’m sure that Liu Biao himself knows this.”

“… Un.” I nodded and was more or less convinced by her. But–

“But why such an elaborate welcome?”

Even if he could accept our defeat, there’s no need to go this far. It’s almost as if he’s mocking us.

“Who knows,” Chen Gong shrugged, “Compared to me, I think Imperial Uncle knows him better.”

“Un… Liu Qi, what do you think?” I raised my head and looked at Liu Qi who still had the same expression on as she shook her head.”

“Regrettably, I don’t really understand father very much at the moment. This is my first expedition after all, and I never expected that father would welcome us in this manner.”

“Blood brother!!! Blood brother!!!!” Just then, a rather familiar roar could be heard in the distance. This voice naturally came from Liu Biao who was at the head of the contingent. I know, he is calling out to me.

I looked into the distance and saw him waving his arms with his mouth wide open, as though he’d seen a big time movie star. Of course, there’s no movie star in this era.

“Blood brother!!!” He continued calling out.

Even though I feel embarra.s.sed, replying is something I have to do in circ.u.mstances such as this.

“Elder brother!” And so I yelled out loud and waved my arms. The feeling in my voice was definitely not as rich as his.

“Have you had a safe journey!!” He continued to yell when he heard my reply. Even though he could ask these things when we got closer.

But… Safe journey huh…

“How could it have been safe?” Liu Qi whispered, her bitter smile resurfacing on her face just when it was almost gone.

Honestly, it hasn’t been safe at all.

“Can I say the truth?”

“Uncle is joking again.”

Unfortunately, some things can’t be said directly like that.

“Safe! It’s been smooth and safe!” I yelled back in reply. At the same time, I spied at Cai Mao who was behind Liu Biao but her expression was the same as always.

“Qi’er! What about Qi’er?!!”

“Wu…” Liu Qi was called out to as well.

Obviously she too was unwilling to yell back, and sat there hesitatingly as her face grew paler by the second.

“Liu Qi, this is something you have to overcome.” I quipped, somewhat gloatingly.

Liu Qi stared at me for a moment and breathed deeply before slowly cupping her hands about her mouth, “Your daughter is here! Everything is well!”

This is the first time I’m hearing Liu Qi speak so loudly. Surprisingly, it seems like her voice which is usually rather deep for a girl became somewhat shriller and more girly when she raised her volume.

“What are you laughing about uncle!!”

“I’m not laughing!”

I really am not laughing!! What? Did she see me laughing in my heart?

When he heard the both of us yell back, Liu Biao stopped yelling and only bade the drums to continue once more to welcome us back.

Even though I’ve never seen such an extravagant welcome for a losing expedition, it’s not too bad at all to be honest. And gradually, all my prior worries were washed away.

I don’t have a basis for this, but I don’t think this implies that Liu Biao is wise but that he wishes to be seen as wise.

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