Vol 8 Chapter 48 (2/2)

Following close behind was Liao Hua. She looked about and uttered a soft ‘I see’ and reached out to pull her hat lower.

“Big brother!!” Yun Chang continued to call out for me, her voice growing more and more sorrowful and louder each time.

“Lord Guan Yu, please stop. Imperial Uncle won’t return–”

“… Kuh!” Yun Chang lowered her head and quietened down for a moment before turning and grabbing Chen Gong’s collar, hoisting her up.

“Lord Guan Yu! Please calm down!”

“Chen Gong! Zhou Cang! Chen Dao! Why couldn’t you 3 protect our lord!”

“It’s all our fault that we weren’t able to protect him…”

“…”

Chen Dao gave a tearful reply and shuddered before dropping to her knees onto the ground. What an impressive act. Zhou Cang continued to remain silent, which might seem weird at first but when you think about how happy-go-lucky and rambunctious she usually is, you might take her silence as a sign of great sorrow.

“Kuh!” Yun Chang loosened her grip, sending Chen Gong staggering. Fortunately, Liao Hua was there to catch Chen Gong. Yun Chang then dropped to her knees and shuddered, as though she were trying to contain her emotions.

“… Is our lord, dead?” Gong You, who was always slower than the rest, asked as she walked out.

“I’m afraid so– I’d thought I could tread this path for a little longer.” Liao Hua sighed as she replied to Gong You.

“… Our lord… Is dead?” Gong You repeated her question once more, as though she didn’t hear Liao Hua’s words. But this time, no one replied her.

I really want to say that I’m not dead.

Everyone sank into silence. The only sounds were from Yun Chang who kept uttering ‘kuh kuh kuh’ as she tried to contain her emotions while on the ground.

I was beginning to get worried and felt that I ought to find a good chance to come out so I parted the gra.s.s a little to get a closer look only to see everyone standing there stock still.

Ah… This is so awkward…

Speaking of which, why haven’t I seen Feng Xian and the rest? It seems like only people in the first contingent are around, are the people from the second contingent out?

“… Lord Zhang Fei, are you crying?” Liao Hua suddenly asked, drawing my attention to Yi De’s face. Though she looked calm. tears were running down her face, making a long trail down to her neck.

“Eh?” Yi De seemed to not have realised that she was crying and moved her hands to her face to check. She seemed surprised as she looked at the tears in her hands, “Aiya, this is so odd. I don’t even know our lord very well, yet why do I feel so painful inside?”

“Of course you would! He’s your big brother!”

Eh? Could it be that Yi De has recovered some of her memories?

Now that I think about it, this prank might serve as a good stimulant, and may have some positive effect on Yi De with regards to her lost memories.

… Should I wait and see for a bit more?

“Chen Gong… How did big brother die?” Yun Chang seems to have finally suppressed her emotions and stood up hastily and shakily.

“Imperial Uncle…” Chen Gong paused, probably because she hadn’t come up with an answer for this, “… Imperial Uncle sank to the bottom of the river in the naval battle…”

Well, what Chen Gong said was indeed the truth.

“This subordinate was incompetent, and should have went to rescue our lord at first notice, but was held back by enemies–”

“No, I’m not blaming you all…”

Chen Dao gave a tearful apology but was quickly cut off by Yun Chang.

Ah… I can’t stay here any longer… No I must definitely step out now–

“Oh!! Big brother!”

Eh?! All of a sudden, I felt a light force land on my back, and could smell the scent of a child wafting over.

(TL: This sounds very wrong, but this is what it says.)

I turned back and was greeted with the smiling face of a little girl.

“Eh! Mi Zhen?”

“Ah, big brother Liu Bei is back already huh? But why are you standing outside here?”

“Gan, Gan Qing!”

She wasn’t in the residence? Oh right, now that I think about it, I didn’t see either of them walk out with the rest.

“Mi Zhen, don’t go around hugging strangers.” Soon, another voice could be heard. I didn’t raise my head to see her face, but just from the walking stick, I could identify who she was.

So Hua Tuo also went out with them huh. At this time, they were probably out buying groceries.

“Un? This is?”

“Ah, umm…” I shrank back when Hua Tuo pushed her face forward as she looked at me with squinting eyes.

“Umm, may I ask who you are!”

“I’m Liu Bei Liu Xuan De!” I couldn’t help but to deliver her with a tsukkomi at this question. I can’t believe how bad her eyesight has become…

“Un? Did I just hear big brother’s voice?” Just then, Yun Chang seemed to have heard my voice.

Ah… Alright, though the timing wasn’t optimal, it’s not like we can continue this prank any longer, I thought as I stood up.

Of course, I know that a long and painful round of scolding awaits me.

<script>