Vol 8 Chapter 50 (2/2)

“Un.” I nodded and followed behind them both.

Liu Biao’s residence is as impressive as ever. This time, I noticed a distinct different in the style of the decor. Be it the bricks or the decorations, they all feel very familiar.

It’s almost like I’ve seen them somewhere before… Like at the palace at Xuchang?

Ah, I can’t really pinpoint it as I can’t remember clearly. But based on how much importance Liu Biao places on proprieties, I doubt he will do things that go beyond his place in officialdom.

“By the way, there is something I have to discuss with Imperial Uncle before we join the banquet.”

“Un?” Just then, Yo Ji slowly called out to me, drawing back my attention. “What do you want to say? Could it be that you’re lost?”

“I’m not the one leading us around, it’s Wen Ping. I’m just tagging along.”

“…”

“Ah… I see.” I said as I looked at Wen Ping’s serious face as we rounded another corner and continued walking. I completely forgot about Wen Ping’s prodigious memory and her superb sense of direction.

“Imperial Uncle, I’m actually very thankful to you.”

“Eh? Thankful?”

All of a sudden, with no warning at all, Yi Ji turned and saluted me.

“Yes. Though we did not achieve much during this expedition to Jiangxia, it’s clear that the young mistress has gained much.” Yi Ji said as she looked up at me. Because her eyes were slightly upturned, I could feel something akin to Yun Chang’s seriousness when she looks at me from this angle, “This is all thanks to Imperial Uncle. I don’t know what Imperial Uncle said to the young mistress but she is much more closer to us now, and is more willing to share things about herself with us.”

“Oh~~” I nodded twice. Looks like Liu Qi has indeed followed through on her promise with me and has changed. And it’s not just me who has noticed, Yi Ji has as well.

“Our lord has completely changed,” Just then, Wen Ping too spoke up softly, “She’s begun to ask about us.”

“Ah…” Come to think of it, what was Liu Qi like before? All she’s done is just start a little bit of conversation and it seems like she’s a different person.

Perhaps it’s as Chen Gong said before, that my words may bring ruin to Liu Qi. But I firmly believe that her change is for the better and what these 2 subordinate generals have just told me is the best proof of that.

“So–”

“Wu!” All of a sudden, Yi Ji stopped and came up close to me, her gaze sharpening as she did so. At the same time, it was as if the atmosphere became a lot more serious.

“What did Imperial Uncle say to the young mistress for her to have changed so much– I’m very curious.”

(TL: Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

“I, I didn’t say all that much. Just some normal stuff.”

“Oh~ Normal stuff huh~” Yi Ji’s eyes narrowed to a squint as though she wasn’t too pleased with my patronising answer.

But it’s not like I can just tell her everything that went down since I’m not sure how much Liu Qi has told them after all. And I know that some of what Liu Qi has told me are not things I can just share with anyone. And no matter how much I tell them, I can’t possibly tell them that Liu Qi has never trusted them all this while.

“If Yi Ji is really interested, you can ask Liu Qi directly. If it’s now, I’m sure Liu Qi will be happy to share with you.”

“…” Yi Ji continued to stare at me with squinted her eyes, but when she saw that I was adamant about being tight-lipped, she widened her eyes and said softly, “Gentlemen who know how to keep secrets are becoming rare in this age. I don’t dislike that about you.”

“Haha, that’s an overexaggeration.”

“Imperial Uncle is far too humble. From the beginning up till now, I have always thought that you are far too different from other feudal lords.”

“I too feel the same way– Ah…” Just then, I remembered that Wen Ping was just standing there quietly all this while. Was it really alright to just stand around and chat in a corridor of the residence like this?

“… It’s fine to talk in the residence. You are an esteemed guest after all.” Yi Ji probably saw through what I was thinking and looked at Wen Ping and continued with raised eyebrows, “As for Wen Ping, apart from harming the people of Jing state, anything goes.”

“Yes.”

She actually approved.

“Oh…” I nodded and looked at Wen Ping whose face was completely serious. She probably doesn’t have an ounce of humour inside her, and after hearing Yi Ji’s a.s.sessment of her, my impression of her is like that of a ronin.

“In any case, I humbly wish, as a retainer of the young mistress, that Imperial Uncle can continue to have good relations with her.” She said as she nodded.

“Of course, I plan on doing so.” It’s not like anyone else in Jing state will get along with me.

“Of course. Additionally, I hope you can continue to allow me to observe you.”

“Please allow me to turn down this request.” I don’t know what’s interesting to observe about me, but I can’t possibly accede to this.

“Alright, I understand.” Even though she said that, I doubt she will stop.

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