Vol 8 Chapter 94 (1/2)

VOLUME 8 CHAPTER 94: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE FAREWELL BANQUET (8)

Liu Bei POV

Liu Biao paused and looked a little awkward as he scratched his face, “Ah, in any case, that’s what it is. Be it my Lady, Cong’er or Qi’er, there is every likelihood that they wish harm upon me.” Liu Biao was calm and forced out a smile as he continued, “With the people of Jing state, I can face them with a clear conscience. But with my family, I deserve death.”

“Elder brother, you’ve gone too far. I’ve not felt great hatred from Liu Cong or Liu Qi towards you.” I consoled Liu Biao with the a.s.sessments of him I’d gotten from Liu Qi and Liu Cong. From what I’ve seen and heard, it’s nowhere near what Liu Biao says.

And to be honest, Lady Cai is only doing this because she has been coveting Liu Biao’s a.s.sets. Of course, Cai Mao is clearly in cahoots with her.

“Maybe what you said is true.” Liu Biao said, seeming a little comforted by what I said, “But facts are facts. I was a failure of a father and I must repay this debt eventually. Be it to my daughters or to my present Lady.”

Liu Biao then slapped his thigh and gave a long sigh, “And in the first place, I happen to be sick as well. I know my body well. Even without being poisoned, I can only live for a couple more years.”

“Are you referring to what Lady Cai said earlier about your health conditions?”

Liu Biao shook his head and lightly patted his abdomen.

“My stomach began having needle-like pains since 2 years ago from time to time. Nothing worked and later on, the pain spread to my whole body.” Liu Biao shook his arm as he said so, “As time went by, this pain eventually became a part of me and I got used to it.”

(TL: Likely cancer.)

That’s a little too adaptable of him. I have a good idea of what he has but unfortunately, I can’t tell him what he has contracted as this disease is unlikely to be known in this era.

But everything makes sense now. Why is Liu Biao in a rush to name an heir despite being fit and healthy? Because he isn’t as fit and healthy as he appears.

Perhaps he is pus.h.i.+ng himself with every action of his or perhaps he feels that his strength is waning. And with the Jiangxia expedition, perhaps Liu Biao had the intention of personally leading it.

But his body wouldn’t allow it.

“… Elder brother, are you really prepared for death?”

“Whether I am ready or not is irrelevant. As a royal, I have to be ready for it anytime.” Liu Biao said this forcefully and returned the wine jar to the table and waved his hands out majestically, “And after our late night discussion the other time, I feel that the stage doesn’t need an antique like myself anymore.”

“How can that be…” My voice grew smaller with every word and in the end, I wasn’t able to finish my sentence.

For some reason, my heart was filled with an inexplicable sense of respect for Liu Biao now. Coupled with his radical and weird values as a royal, I’m beginning to feel that Liu Biao is rather pitiful.

Because he is royalty, he has to always watch himself. Because he is royalty, he can’t spend too much time with his children. Because he is royalty, Liu Biao has to constrain himself in many ways.

Perhaps it is true that such a person is incompatible with the current world stage.

“Blood brother, you need not comfort me.” Liu Biao said as he waved his hand and then got up with difficulty. I went to help him but Liu Biao vehemently rejected me.

Liu Biao then walked into the s.p.a.cious main hall and counted the seats for the musicians and the master of ceremonies. I don’t know what the appropriate proprieties are and didn’t dare to speak so I waited quietly as he counted them once, twice and then nodded as he muttered “the right number”.

Then, he laughed for some unknown reason.

“Haha, I really am tired of living.” He then looked at me with a self-deprecating look, “If only I am as old as blood brother. Perhaps another path might be available for me then.”

“It’s not too late for elder brother to change now–”

“It’s too late.” Before I could finish, Liu Biao interrupted me and closed his eyes as he lightly sighed, “Back then, I too discussed the future of the world with Sun Jian and Liu Yan. Now, they are both gone from this world. Only a blockheaded half-dead fellow like myself is left clinging on to life now.”

I wanted to protest against what he said bu then Liu Biao looked at me with a gaze that forced me to swallow my words.

“Blood brother,” He called out to me, “I wish to give my daughters a chance.”

“Un…” I could tell from his eyes that he was serious. But there was still a more fundamental issue that had yet to be resolved which I couldn’t ignore any further.