Vol 9 Chapter 20 (1/2)

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 20: DON’T TELL ME THESE ARE THE CHANGES IN XIANGYANG (2)

Liu Qi POV

Eh?

“Father, your illness is not life-threatening, what are you talking about?”

“That’s right! Father, I won’t let you speak such words!”

I was rather anxious at how pessimistic father was. Liu Cong seemed to have gotten a shock from these words and leapt to father’s side as she exclaimed.

“Ah… Alright.” Lady Cai said.

… Un? I am not sure if it’s my misconception but I seemed to have detected some peculiar emotions from Lady Cai’s expression.

There was panic, worry, confusion and fear. In an instant, Lady Cai’s face blanched and these emotions appeared in turn.

Un… That’s really suspicious, I thought as I looked at Lady Cai.

“Ah…” She seemed to have noticed my glance and folded her arms in an attempt to show that she was not being overly defensive. But at the same time, she turned away and evaded my gaze.

What is Lady Cai so nervous about?

Just then, father gave a long sigh, shut his eyes and spoke in a more calm tone, “In any case, Cai Mao.”

“… Your retainer is here.” Though she was clearly angry, she still put up a show of respect and saluted.

“You have committed a grave offence and based on the laws, you should be executed.” Father said and raised his arm, giving a signal to the surrounding guards who came over.

“Jin Sheng!”

Just as I was steeling myself for Lady Cai’s howls, father put down his hand and signalled to the guards to stop. This action silenced Lady Cai as well. All this while, Cai Mao did not speak a single word and kept her head lowered.

It seemed like she did not care if she were to die because of this. Even though this resolve seemed admirable, I could only look on her with disdain. Her brazen crime is unforgivable after all and even now, the seething hatred I have for her burns as strongly as ever.

And just as I was beginning to gnash my teeth, father spoke up once more.

“But on account that you are my Lady’s little sister, and your service, I won’t kill you.” From the beginning up till now, father’s eyes remained closed, “From now on, you needn’t bother with Xiangyang’s affairs. I will let Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue handle it.”

“Jin Sheng!”

“Don’t say anything, my Lady! I will not change my mind!”

“Wu…”

Father’s voice beheld power and resolve which shut down Lady Cai effortlessly, who could only cover her mouth and cower.

Father sighed, seemingly out of breath, and continued, “Cai Mao, I won’t kill you. Go to Jiangling and tell the Administrator there that you will take over her position.”

“Ah…” Lady Cai stepped forward and wanted to say something but when she saw father’s face with his eyes shut, she could not say a word.

“Your retainer,” In comparison, Cai Mao finally spoke up, “Hears and obeys.”

When she finished, she got up and bowed deeply and respectfully. However, father did not pay her any heed whatsoever. Cai Mao knew this and left quietly after staying in a bowed position for a long while. Lady Cai wanted to stop her but her hand stopped midway.

“My Lady.”

“… Jin Sheng.” Lady Cai’s expression grew worse by the minute and she seemed extremely anxious.

In comparison, father was calm as he continued, “Your little sister is leaving soon, won’t you go and send her?”

“That’s…&rdqu

o;

Father’s implied meaning was plain and clear. I could understand it and I am sure Lady Cai does as well. She blanched again and looked at me, then at her daughter, before looking at father, the same emotions from before flas.h.i.+ng in her face all this while.

“Yes.” She quickly a.s.sented and turned around as she jogged away.

In the end, only Liu Cong and I, as well as father, were left in the room. Though Liu Cong was still here, Cai Mao and Lady Cai were not around anymore so this is more or less some alone time with father.

Logically speaking, I ought to be elated at what just transpired. But yet, I feel no joy at all. Instead, all I felt was gloom. The atmosphere also seemed like father was going to recite his will in the next moment.

“Cong’er…” As I thought so, father called out to her.

“Ah! Yes! Father!” When she heard him, she hurriedly raised my head revealing a red nose sitting on a tear-streaked face.