Vol 9 Chapter 9 (2/2)

“A few days ago when the Governor’s household was preparing for your banquet, there weren’t enough hands so I went to work in the Governor’s household under Han Song’s recommendation.”

“Oh~ So that’s why.” I nodded as the scenes of what happened during the banquet played back in my head, “But I don’t remember…”

“I was helping the young mistress back then so I wasn’t able to be introduced to you. But I did catch a glimpse of you when you were heading to where the young mistress was.”

Hoho… That time huh?

“Eh? But then why are you here now…” The moment I finished, I realised that I’d very likely stepped on a landmine and when I looked at her, I found that my guess was right on the mark.

She sighed and slowly said, “On the same day, not too late in the afternoon, I received a letter from Teacher Sima to resign and return here.”

“Who asked you to go and be an official without telling me?” Sima Hui frowned as he said and patted Xiang Lang’s shoulders as he continued, “Xiang Lang, I know you want to be an official but you’re not quite there yet. If you try now, you’ll only end up being a petty official at best. Moreover, that Liu Biao isn’t worthy of your efforts.”

He paused and then looked at me, “Look, if it weren’t for my calling you back, you wouldn’t have been able to save the Imperial Uncle.”

“Eh? You know me?” I was surprised when he identified me.

“Of course I do.” In comparison, his reaction was rather bland as he looked at me calmly and stroked his moustache, “Your stories have begun to spread since the time you were at Sishui Pa.s.s and have never stopped circulating since.”

“But… How did you know that it was me?”

“Hmhm~” He looked relaxed as he shook his head, “Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed.”

I looked at Sima Hui and began to have some idea of who he was in the Three Kingdoms. I’m still not quite sure but he’s definitely a formidable hermit. Otherwise, he would not have been able to recognise me so easily.

“Teacher, what kind of heavenly secrets are you spouting about… Wasn’t it I who told you?”

“Ah… That is indeed another way to put it. Hahahaha.”

… Looks like I’m still too naive.

“Never mind, never mind,” Sima Hui seems to have read something from my expression and cleared his throat after he stopped laughing and continued, “But we now understand where each other stands now and what your circ.u.mstances are.”

Hai… I can imagine my circ.u.mstances aren’t very hopeful at all. Though I must say I’m used to it by now. At the very least, I’m still alive.

“Did you know?” Sima Hui said while looking at me with a hint of sadness in his eyes, “Liu Biao’s side seems to have accepted that you are dead.”

“Eh?!”

“There were still people searching downstream a few days ago but they are all gone now, probably because they’ve given up.” Xiang Lang said.

“That’s good. At that time, this silly la.s.s wanted to inform them about you but I felt that Cai Mao’s side might not have given up and sending you back to Liu Biao’s side might further imperil you and so we kept your presence a secret.” Sima Hui added as he sat down at the edge of the bed and nodded at me.

Ah… So that’s it. His decision is indeed wise. This whole matter has led to much chaos to begin with and without knowing what the present situation in Xiangyang is like, who knows what other mess sending me back alive might cause.

“Ah! What abotu Zi Long?! Do my companions know that I’m still alive?!” I suddenly remembered the matter of Xinye and got agitated and forcefully got up.

Ah…

I seemed to have forced myself too much and my head felt faint, as though it got hit by a dull object and a vicious headache a.s.saulted me, forcing me to lie back down.

“Aiya aiya, don’t be so anxious. You might have awoken and there aren’t any external wounds, but you still need to recover. Don’t be too hasty.”

In comparison to me, he seemed a lot more calm and collected.

“Disciple, brew us some tea.” He said to Xiang Lang as he patted my chest. As Xiang Lang left the room, Sima Hui looked at me wordlessly as he stroked his moustache.

His eyes seemed profoundly deep and he stared at my face as though he were closely inspecting what had happened to me over what has been close to a year with a serious expression. So serious it was that I didn’t dare to speak up.

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