Vol 9 Chapter 52 (1/2)

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 52: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A BANQUET IN XINYE (4)

Chen Gong was very direct, but she was right as well. I personally believe that it is impossible for Chen Gong to rise rapidly in officialdom for the near term at least. My t.i.tles as Governor of Yu state or Xu state are just empty t.i.tles. If I were to exercise any authority, I would be acting against the Great Han and against my stated mission.

The only one who can really fulfill Chen Gong’s ambitions is just Cao Cao Cao Meng De. From what I can remember, it does seem like they have had some relations.h.i.+p in history.

“I understand what you mean.” I nodded. Since Chen Gong is willing to be so honest, there is not much more I can say, “Well then, if Chen Gong wants to–”

“No, Xuan De, you don’t understand what I mean.” But Chen Gong immediately shook her head at what I said.

“Eh?” I was really puzzled at what Chen Gong said. If that was not what she intended to do, then why did she tell me all of that?

“I have my doubts, but that does not mean you have lost my trust.” Chen Gong smiled as she tidied her tall hat, “I only lost my trust when I heard you went missing.”

“Ah…” I looked at Chen Gong when she finished and saw that she was looking at the performance with a much kinder expression. By the way, her collarbone is really nice. She would probably be very attractive if she wore off-shoulder clothing.

“So now that I think about it, it’s probably a good thing that Lord Lu Bu did not take me up on my suggestion.” She said as she s.h.i.+fted her gaze back to me, which made me panic a little as I was spying on her so I quickly s.h.i.+fted my gaze to the performance.

“If Lord Lu Bu had accepted my proposal back then, we would probably be on a 1-way trip to Hanzhong right now.” Good thing Chen Gong did not notice me staring at her, “Hanzhong is, for both Lord Lu Bu and I, not the optimal choice.”

“Optimal choice huh…”

“Yes, for Lord Lu Bu, being here is the optimal choice. For me, being here is perhaps the best way to find the optimal choice.”

“Ah… I see…” I merely repeated the important points of what she told me as she said so. To be honest, I am beginning to sweat out of anxiousness as I really do not know what she is trying to get at after telling me all of this.

“Alright, that’s it.” Before I could get a clear picture, she ended the conversation and picked up the gourd as she refilled my bowl.

“Ah, ah… But…” She ignored my stammering and filled up my bowl before taking her bowl from behind her and filling it as well.

“In any case, my proposal to Lord Lu Bu was because I was too impatient. I will reflect on this.” She said as she raised her bowl, “As for Xuan De, I am truly relieved and glad that you survived.”

“Ah…”

*Ding*!

She reached out with her bowl and clinked it with mine before I could even react, spilling some liquor out. She then wordlessly bowed before finis.h.i.+ng her liquor in 1 go. I was still lost but decided to just go with the flow and finish my liquor as well.

Haa~ Leaving everything aside, it seems like my alcohol tolerance has greatly increased since I have come here.

“Well then, I’ll be heading back now.”

“Eh? … Ah, un.”

Chen Gong picked up her bowl and gourd as she left. I was getting rather tipsy at this point and did not know how to respond so all I did was nod. Only when she had made her way to her seat did I realise that I still did not know what she had come here for.

&

ldquo;Kuh~ That Chen Gong~” Wen Yuan said as she chuckled and shook her head just as she left.

“So what was the deal with Chen Gong? I don’t get it at all. And you said nothing the whole time but now that she’s left, you started gossiping about her.” I complained to Wen Yuan as she did not help me at all just now.

“Sorry, sorry~” Wen Yuan looked like she was still a little drunk as she waved at me while shaking about with a red face, “I was listening the whole time and I must say that she’s not honest with herself at all.”

“Not honest?”

“Though I must add that big brother is really blockheaded as well.”

“Yun Chang? You were listening in as well?”

“Ah… Un… I listened to a little, I guess. But I definitely wasn’t eavesdropping!”

You clearly were eavesdropping… But why did you have to blame me? What does it have to do with me?

“To put it simply, she came here to tell you that she was very happy that you survived and came back. And now that you have, she regrets ever proposing to break away.” Wen Yuan said as she took a swig of liquor, “To put it even more simply, she came to congratulate and to apologise to you.”

“Then why didn’t she just say so?”