Vol 8 Chapter 98 (2/2)

“Ah… West…” I stammered. It’s a little inappropriate of me to say this now but I’m still not too familiar with the city,

“That’s… Never mind, come over here, uncle.” Liu Qi gave up and pulled my by my sleeve to her eye level and pointed ahead as she said, “Look uncle. That alley there, do you see it? After you pa.s.s it, turn right.”

“Ah… Un…”

While Liu Qi spoke from up close, my eyes did not follow her fingers but were drawn to her face. As expected of royalty, her skin is much smoother and nicer than almost everyone I’ve met so far.

“Uncle? Are you…”

“Wu…”

Liu Qi turned towards me as she said so, without distancing herself, resulting in us coming face to face with each other up close. Our noses were practically touching and I could smell her breath.

“Ah…” Almost immediately, Liu Qi gave a grunt like a broken machine and her face reddened as she stood rooted to the spot. Of course, I too had the same reaction.

In the next instant, we both turned our faces away. I didn’t say anything as my emotions were running wild. Liu Qi too didn’t say anything. As for how she felt, I can’t say I know.

We’re clearly uncle and niece, why are we acting like an idiot couple that just got together…

“Umm, uncle…” Liu Qi managed to speak up first while I was still gathering myself together.

“… U, un?” I stammered and felt embarra.s.sed at myself. When I turned back, I found that Liu Qi still had her back to me and had her hands in front of her chest. Her head was lowered as though she were thinking about something.

“When everything is over, I will host another banquet for uncle in my name as someone who isn’t just your niece.” She said after a moment, and then nodded as though she made her resolve and said, “Un, I promise I’ll be able to do that.”

Liu Qi’s words clearly had a deeper meaning. This much, I can tell. That said, as far as holding a banquet goes, I have no doubt she can pull it off. And I can’t confirm much, but I did hear from Liu Biao’s mouth that he wishes to make Liu Qi his heir. So I will wait for it.

But, of course…

“When the time comes and you need help, I’m here for you.” I said confidently as I mounted Dilu.

Of course, I’ll still be supporting Liu Qi when the time comes.

“Yes, when the time comes, I’ll be counting on uncle.” Liu Qi smiled and stepped towards me with cheeks that were still reddish.

“From what I can see, you have no intention of counting on me though.”

“Haha, when I absolutely have to, I’ll look for uncle.”

We laughed as we looked at each other.

“Well then…”

“Alright,” Liu Qi said as she nodded and saluted me, “I hope uncle’s escape goes well.”

“Un, many thanks, niece!” I said as I nodded and swung my reins, eliciting a loud neigh from Dilu before it galloped away.

I could feel Liu Qi’s gaze lingering on me. I very much wanted to turn back and look at that mature and cute niece once more but time was of the essence and in the blink of an eye, I’d rounded the corner and headed west as Liu Qi told me to.

This time, there was no one else by my side. No Zi Long, no Liu Qi, and no Yun Chang and everyone else. Just me alone escaping. No matter how dense I am, even with the heartwarming exchange from before, I’m still filled with anxiety and urgency.

Galloping wildly in this narrow alley certainly doesn’t help. It feels like the narrowness of this alley is giving me claustrophobia and is suppressing my anxiety, making it difficult for me to breathe.

Luckily, my psyche is strong enough to keep me calm enough. I’m still very nervous and anxious but I’ve had similar experiences under more harrowing circ.u.mstances. What’s more, I have Dilu with me this time.

If this really is the Three Kingdoms, I really am Liu Bei, and this horse really is Dilu, then I have no reason to believe that my escape will fail. I don’t remember much of the Three Kingdoms but I know what scene will happen next. This is one of the more famous and dramatic ones after all.

Before I knew it, I was past the alley and if I turned right, I would be at the city gate. O steered Dilu to the right but he wasn’t very obedient. It took a lot of effort, but I was able to make him veer to right after we exited the alley.

As Liu Qi said, the tall gates were there in the distance to the right. I’m not too confident about my ability to figure out north, south, east and west but that should be the west gate. I looked up at the tower and saw that there weren’t many troops and they didn’t seem like they were going to stop me so they should be Liu Qi’s men as she said.

Good, victory is within reach. I heaved a sigh of relief at not having met with any pursuers so far. If I had then things would be much worse.

— Halt, Imperial Uncle!

Un?!

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