Vol 9 Chapter 31 (2/2)

“I don’t know. It’s difficult to say now that more than 10 days have pa.s.sed. I’m afraid it’s likely that there are some who can’t hold on anymore.” Zi Long shook her head again and spoke to the waiter, “Waiter, heat a jar of wine for me.”

“Eh? Are we drinking?”

“Yes,” Zi Long said with a more relaxed expression, “I’ve managed to find Zuan De after all. And since Xuan De is as resilient as a maggot, things can only get better from now on.”

As I looked at Zi Long’s relieved expression while she delivered her trademark stinging insults, I felt that I could not share in her joy. We have not yet made it to Xinye and I do not know how the others are like.

“Then, how is Xiangyang now?” When I looked up, I saw that it was Huang Zu who spoke up, “How is my lord and Xiangyang? And has Cai Mao made any other moves?”

As expected, she asked about Liu Biao. But the second question was something I was concerned about as well.

“I’m not too knowledgeable about these points.” Zi Long shook her head once more, “When I left, all I know is that Lord Liu Biao was incensed at Cai Mao’s actions. I know nothing else apart from this.”

“Incensed huh…” Huang Zu repeated Zi Long’s words and then nodded for some reason as she said, “If Cai Mao’s actions angered my lord then I need to deal with Cai Mao.”

Un? I just realised that Yuan Zhi had a different reaction from all of us. Compared to the gloom from Zi Long and I, and Huang Zu’s anger, Yuan Zhi was quietly thinking the whole time. Though she has nothing to do with all this, she seems to be in deep thought about this.

“Umm, Yuan Zhi.” I could not remain silent anymore and spoke up, “May I ask if there is any problem?”

“Un… I was just thinking that if the Governor is very angry, then how would he deal with Cai Mao…” Yuan Zhi slowly and calmly said when she heard me ask her.

“If it’s Cai Mao, then Lady Cai would definitely defend her.” Looks like Huang Zu knows something after all, “So even if my lord is greatly angered, Cai Mao will not be executed.”

“Will her punishment be light?”

“Yes,” Huang Zu nodded, “Probably to the effect of being locked up for 2 days or so.”

Though I do not personally think that she will be let off that easily, I also do not believe that she will be executed.

“In that case, I think that it’s better if Xuan De doesn’t become alive again.”

“Eh?” I did not quite get what Yuan Zhi meant.

“Yes. Though Xuan De is alive, it’s better for someone as useless as you to remain dead.” Zi Long added.

“What I mean is that, Cai Mao may not have lost significant standing yet. If the fact that Xuan De is still alive is revealed, she might fly into a rage like no other and go all out to make sure you’re dead and launch a full scale military offensive.”

Oh~ So that’s what you mean. Now that I think about it, I would not put this past Cai Mao.

“This does make sense.” I nodded and agreed with her after thinking through things for a moment.

“So n.o.body should know that Xuan De is still alive right?” Zi Long repeated Yuan Zhi’s point once more.

Yuan Zhi nodded, “Un, keep the fact that Xuan De is alive under wraps as much as possible. Apart from our own people, the less people who know, the better.”

Looks like that’s all we can do. Though I do not know how long we can keep this a secret for, we should see how long we can keep this going. This is her territory after all, a half-dead man like me should be as cautious as possible and not do any big moves that might draw her attention for now.

“When you get to Xinye, name someone as the interim overall commander in name. This can buy us more time.” Yuan Zhi said and then turned to Huang Zu, “Huang Zu, when you return to Xiangyang, no matter what happens, you must not reveal that Xuan De is still alive.”

“I will, of course.” Huang Zu nodded wih her eyes closed.

“Ah, by the way,” Just then, Zi Long suddenly got up and spoke forcefully in her hoa.r.s.e voice as she squinted at Yuan Zhi, “Lord Xu Shu, why are you helping us strategise?”

Eh?

“…” While I was shocked, Yuan Zhi sank into silence. From what Zi Long said, it seemed like she was suspicious of Yuan Zhi.

“Zi, Zi Long~” I called out softly as I tugged her sleeve but she ignored me and continued to look at Yuan Zhi.

“… W, well…”

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