Vol 8 Chapter 83 (2/2)

Just then, 2 figures who moved in unison went past me. One was wearing a long blue gown while the other was wearing a short red skirt.

Even without hearing their voices or looking at their faces, I can tell who they are just from their shadows. As I cast my eyes forward, I saw Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue, who were by now 3-4 paces ahead of me.

If this were normal times, I wouldn’t ask about them nor even listen in on their conversations as they have nothing to do with myself.

But this time, I couldn’t help but hasten my pace when I heard their initial exchange and do my best not to be found out whilst being close enough to listen in.

I have to show some results for the mission the young mistress has given me after all.

Something is very serious? What is it?

Even though Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue are not in the same faction as the Cai sisters, they are very displeased with Imperial Uncle so things will be different with regards to him.

“So, there’s an issue with Dilu?” Kuai Yue said just as I caught up to them.

Dilu is… The horse belonging to the bandit which Lord Lu Bu apprehended right?

“There is. I thought that our lord would use Dilu as a gift or perhaps as a display of sorts but I’ve caught sight of our lord using it as his personal horse.” Kuai Liang said, in a much more anxious tone than usual which was devoid of much of the usual cheer she had in her voice.

“Dilu is a prize horse to begin with so what’s wrong with our lord using it as his personal horse?”

“That horse brings bad luck to its owners!”

“Eh?”

Eh?

Kuai Yue and I both responded in surprise, albeit me doing so in my heart.

Dilu brings bad luck to its owners?

“Elder sister, is that really true? Dilu is an extraordinary horse. It should bring victory to its owners yet you say it brings bad luck?”

“I’ve looked into Dilu’s eyes and from its gleam, I can tell that it’s a horse that’s fit for the greatest of warriors and kings. I don’t know where that bandit got Dilu, but after riding on it, he is now locked in prison awaiting judgement. This is proof that it brings bad luck to its owners.”

“Such a conclusion may be a little too premature.”

“It will be too late if we wait for something to happen.”

Un… Kuai Yue sank into thought for moment before responding, “But even if it is as elder sister says, and that horse brings bad luck to its owners, will our lord be willing to follow what we suggest if we tell it to him as it is?”

“Whether he is willing or not, we must tell him so.”

“Hai… What a waste of a good horse.” Kuai Yue sighed.

After listening to all this, I could finally rest easy. At the end of the day, it’s just about the horse and has nothing to do with Imperial Uncle.

As I thought so, I slowly slowed my pace and set aside my vigilance.

“Lord Yi Ji, why did you walk so fast?” Wen Ping asked as she caught up with me. Looks like she detected that my actions weren’t normal.

“No, I thought there was something but it turned out to be nothing.” I gave an ambiguous reply, “But leaving me aside, Wen Ping, you really ought to take off that hat of yours. Even if you don’t want to wear the official hat, you shouldn’t wear such an improper hat. Our lord will have a lot to say if he sees you in it.”

As a ceremonial official, I have to perform my duties.

Thereafter, we soon approached the hall used for Court sessions. We waited outside as a master of ceremonies gave us instructions and then we shuffled inside in order of our official ranks.

Though this isn’t the Imperial Court, we still perform every rite and observe all proprieties which are performed and observed at the Imperial Court. Naturally, I followed my lord to Luoyang to learn about all of this. And it was me who was responsible for pa.s.sing on this knowledge and arranging everything.

Yes, back then Luoyang hadn’t been razed to the ground and the Emperor was sitting on the throne. However, he didn’t speak, and everything was handled by the eunuchs.

Thereafter, I gave the master of ceremonies a signal to begin the routine. He yelled and all retainers knelt down. Along with some drum beats, our lord finally stepped out.

All retainers paid their respects followed by our lord, who then sat down. Only after he sat down did all of us kneel down.

I looked to the left and the right of our lord but couldn’t find the young mistress nor the second young mistress anywhere.

By the way, the young mistress rarely misses Court while the second young mistress usually misses Court, not because of laziness but because of her hectic schedule.

To be honest, it isn’t easy for the second young mistress as well. Not to mention her role in the inheritance struggle is decided by her mother, not her.

“Alright, let us forgo the pleasantries.”

Surprisingly, our lord actually decided to do away with his ramblings. Usually, he would always begin Court with some story about the royal family and its achievements.

Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue would always listen with relish but I can’t do that. I don’t understand them nor do I want to. Though the world still belongs to the Great Han, such knowledge is not necessary.

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