Vol 9 Chapter 40 (2/2)

“P, please show mercy!” Shen Pei cried out as she curled up and raised her hands, “W, we were just following orders~”

“Orders…”

To think that they are still lying like that.

“Lord Li Dian, please wait.” Just as I was feeling deep irritation from these lies, Cao Ren raised her hand and got me to calm down before turning to Shen Pei, “Lord Shen Pei, what is that in your hand?”

Her hand? Only when Cao Ren said this did zi notice that Shen Pei had a piece of silk in her hands. From the floral pattern and its texture, it seems like rather high grade stuff.

“This is the edict we received~” Shen Pei said immediately as she clumsily got up and leaned against the doorway as she pa.s.sed me the silk shakily.

I frowned and looked suspiciously at her before s.h.i.+fting my gaze to Cao Ren. She nodded and I grabbed the silk over.

“Eee–” It seemed like that action scared her and she withdrew back almost immediately after I took it and grabbed onto the doorway.

I never knew that Shen Pei was this cowardly… I thought as I opened the edict and quickly read it over. I then looked at the seal and nodded.

“How is it, Lord Li Dian?” Cao Ren asked, her expression more relaxed now. Nothing wrong there, as there’s no need to be on guard anymore.

“… Hai.” I gave a long sigh and swung my spear as I withdrew it, “It’s as they said. It was just a show.”

“Really?” Cao Ren seemed surprised and hurriedly withdrew her weapon as well.

“Huu…”

“We’re alive…”

Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang sighed as they sank to the ground.

“Lord Cao Ren, here.” I said as I handed the edict to her.

To put it simply, the letter essentially described what just happened. Lu Kuang would feign illness while Lu Xiang was to ambush us. Everything was written in detail, down to the point where they were to use sharp edged weapons. It was truly complete, with many instructions for each actor.

More importantly, the seal on the letter was a combination of 2 seals. The left half was Yuan Shao’s and the right half was that of our lord. A combined seal cannot be forged, which meant that my lord knew about this. In fact, given the level of completeness and detail, I have a hunch that this was all planned by my lord…

Hai… Testing me is fine but I cannot believe that she even tested her own cousin. Or should I say that this is what I should have expected of my lord?

“Haha…” Just as I was feeling helpless about all this, Cao Ren laughed, “As expected of elder sister.”

Looks like Cao Ren and I are in agreement on this. At the same time, after seeing how easily she accepted all this, I began to feel that Cao Ren really was my lord’s cousin.

“So, that is to say that…” I sighed and put away all my irritation as I took my hat down and began to fan myself like an old farmer, “Everything was just a show? And you all are here to join us on the southern expedition?”

“That’s it.”

“Un, un.”

Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang hurriedly replied.

“We’re all on the same side here.” Shen Pei said as she slowly walked in with the support of the wall, “We seek your understanding, we had our orders after all.”

Naturally, I understood my lord’s intent for doing this. She wants us to get to know each other from this and also hopes for us to maintain our guard against them when we begin our southern expedition.

“I understand.” Cao Ren nodded and went over to Shen Pei as she reached out her hand, “Though I’m not happy at all from what just happened, it’s all just a misunderstanding. I look forward to working with you from here on out.”

“Ah… Un, thanks.” Shen Pei said as she grasped Cao Ren’s hand and smiled stiffly, “This is actually my first time being the sole strategist in a military operation so I might not be too effective. I seek your understanding in those times.” Shen Pei saluted when she finished.

“Hu, looks like we get to keep our lives.” Lu Xiang sighed.

Her brother, on the other hand, admonished her, “Don’t be happy too soon, little sister. A simple accident can cost you your life on the battlefield. You need to be more prudent.”

“Big brother is always such a worrywart~ There won’t be any problem~”

“Nonsense, of course I’m worried about you.” Lu Kuang said as he looked at his sister with kind eyes and reached out to pat her head.

“… Un.” Lu Xiang looked very contented as she enjoyed being patted and closed her eyes while holding her hands in front of her chest and leaning against her brother.

“Eh~”

“Eh.”

Next, they b.u.mped fists lightly and began whispering in each others’ ears. I did not hear what they said but I have no doubt that the content is extremely mushy.

Ah~ So these siblings are like that huh…

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