Vol 9 Chapter 16 (2/2)

“… Scholar?”

“Ah?”

A soft voice pulled me back to reality. When I regained my senses, I saw the bandana girl pointing her gourd at me and I hurriedly held out my bowl, “Ah, ah…”

She did not say anything in response and merely tilted the gourd, letting a clear liquid fill the bowl. Now that I think about it, why does all liquor in this era seem so clear? This must be just water.

“Many thanks.” I said and nodded as I took back the full bowl.

The girl nodded in response with her eyes closed.

“Ah, umm–”

“…” I was about to speak up when she raised her hand, gesturing to me to drink first before speaking.

That’s quite considerate of her, I thought and nodded as I downed the contents of the bowl in one go.

*Gudu*… Un? When I swallowed the liquid, I was a little shocked at what I tasted.

This is indeed water but it’s very sweet. Compared to the overly sweet stuff I drank in Xuchang before, it’s rather different. There’s a fruity taste and when I finished drinking, I feel very comfortable inside…

As I breathed out, I got so comfortable that I began to lean to the side. What exactly is this water…

— Ah!

As I leaned and looked at the remaining liquid in my bowl, I lost my balance and fell over.

“Imperial Uncle!” Huang Zu cried out and hurriedly got up to help me ip.

“Ah, I’m fine, I’m fine.” Good thing that my sense of balance is a lot better nowadays so I was able to stick one foot out in time and did not fall down nor did I injure my foot. When I looked down, I saw that the seat of the stool had become loose. Looks like it’s quite old.

“Ah, that was used by Master Pang De originally,” The bandana girl said as she walked over and gestured to me to get up, “Master Pang De is rather big and fat so the stool became like this after he sat on it a few times. I’ll change it for you.”

“Ah, alright… Eh?”

… Master Pang De? I seem to have heard of this name somewhere before…

“I’m sorry, we were in a bit of a rush when we left.” She continued as she took out another stool and set it before me.

“I don’t know if you came across it but we’ve been residing in a village up ahead. Sensing that it was time, we left after giving our thanks to Teacher Water Mirror.”

“I see.”

…

… Un? Water Mirror?

“Eh?” Only now did I regain my senses and snap out of my daze, “You both know Teacher Sima?”

“Un, I do. I suppose I’m rather familiar with Water Mirror.” Compared to my surprise, the bandana girl seemed calm, “Eh? You know him too?”

“I do, I do. I was staying with him for a few days.” I said as I nodded, still in a state of disbelief at what was happening. The world really is a small place huh? But if she knows Sima Hui then that means she’s no ordinary individual.

“Imperial Uncle was there too?” Huang Zu seemed a little surprised at this. By now, I’d calmed down and nodded in response.

It’s clear that she’d never guessed that I was there. Nor how I managed to make my way there. Then again, neither do I.

“I see, I see. Water Mirror is a good person.” In comparison, the bandana girl looked nostalgic as she said so while continuing to drink her sweet water. Then her eyebrows went up, sending her bandana up along as well as she continued, “But since you were his guest, then you aren’t a normal person either–”

“Haha, what do you mean by normal–”

“Ah, I forgot to introduce him. This is Imperial Uncle Liu Bei of the Great Han.”

I was going to lead the conversation away from my ident.i.ty but Huang Zu’s interrupting skill activated and revealed my ident.i.ty right away.

Of course, I do have to admit that Liu Bei is not a normal person at all.

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