Vol 9 Chapter 2 (2/2)

Now that I think about it, that is indeed the case. I believe the report on receiving Ma Teng’s reinforcements was where I heard that name.

But to have come from the examinations route huh… And to have caught Feng Xiao’s eye too, Zhang Ji must be exemplary in administration then. On top of that, Zhang Ji was able to convince Ma Teng so he or she must have quite the tongue. If I get the chance later on, I would like to meet this person.

For now, I decided to shelve Zhang Ji and concentrate on what I needed to say when meeting Ma Teng later. No matter what, it’s not easy to get her to come so I must achieve something from this meeting.

As I organised my thoughts and came up with a game plan, we’d rounded the corridors and came to the main hall.

“Cheng Yu, no matter what happens later, just stand still.”

I can more or less predict what will happen later and gave her some instructions ahead of time. Her reaction was a lot blander than what I expected however.

“I understand.”

I almost forgot that Cheng Yu is a woman of few words and isn’t the sort to show her temper.

As I thought so, I tidied my clothing, shook my sleeves and blinked as I restored my expression and countenance to how I usually was and made my way into the main hall. After a few steps in, Ma Teng came into view.

She was sitting with her back to me, at the head seat on the opposing end. She wore a skirt with splits, which revealed her strong, white legs when she sat down.

Proprieties demand that she ought to turn around when she heard my footsteps but even after I completely ascended the stairs, she still didn’t turn around to see me.

“Ah~ Lord Ma Teng, it’s been a while huh…” When I saw this, I decided to speak up first and give a slightly sarcastic greeting to test the waters and slow down my pace as I walked in with airs.

Even after I spoke, Ma Teng didn’t react at all and only tilted her neck to the sides, cracking it and began to shake her legs somewhat irritatedly, as though she couldn’t care less about me. But this is well within my expectations and isn’t the sort of act that could anger me in the least.

“Hmhm…” I lightly laughed, “Lord Ma Teng, has your journey here been difficult?”

“Difficult?” Ma Teng shot back and got up to look at me, “Not at all. You sent men to receive me at every towns.h.i.+p and commandery I pa.s.sed through. How could it be difficult at all?”

Though her words seemed nice enough, the flames of rage were being projected through her eyes. I looked into her eyes for a moment before looking away and said, “As I should, as I should.”

Even though I knew such words would only further infuriate her, I still said them and made my way to the main seat after I did so while avoiding her glance. Even so, I could still feel her fiery gaze burning at my back. It’s not the first time I’ve met her but her stare and the pressure she emits is as intense as ever.

From what little she’s said so far, I can more or less guess what Zhang Ji did. The officials and servants sent to receive her at every stop must have given her an undescribable pressure. Met with such hospitality, Ma Teng must have felt compelled to continue on her journey even though she probably would have stopped halfway.

That Zhang Ji isn’t a simple one at all.

“Come, Lord Ma Teng. No need to stand, please sit.” I said to Ma Teng as I pointed at the second seat after I knelt and sat down, “Lord Ma Teng is my guest after all. No need for you to sit at the end.”

“No, the end if fine.” Ma Teng said, and returned to her seat without giving me time to give her another plea.

Now that she is facing me, I can’t hide from her face and gaze. Ma Teng hasn’t changed at all. Her head is still covered by messy, natural, curly hair and her small black irises are radiating the same pressure from before.

“Cheng Yu, serve Lord Ma Teng some tea.”

“No need.” Ma Teng stopped Cheng Yu who was about to move. She looked at Cheng Yu, then s.h.i.+fted her gaze back to me, “Lord Cao Cao, if you have anything to say, then let us be quick about it.” She crossed her legs as she said so and continued in an irritated tone, “Let’s leave the pleasantries aside.”

“That’s fine with me.” I nodded and then gestured to Cheng Yu, “But even if Lord Ma Teng doesn’t want a drink, I am thirsty from the summer heat and would like a drink. Cheng Yu, get a cup for me.”

Cheng Yu nodded and went to prepare it. Ma Teng continued to look irritated and seemed unwilling to discuss anything with me.

“Let us proceed then and start our discussions before my tea arrives.” I adjusted my posture and decided to cut to the chase as Ma Teng said, “To put it simply, I hope you can be an official in the Imperial Court. If everything has gone as planned, then the letter of appointment should have been sent to you a couple of days ago.”

When I spoke, I made sure every word and syllable was loud and clear so Ma Teng wouldn’t get me to repeat myself.

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