Vol 10 Chapter 21 (2/2)

…

But after I finished, an awkward silence filled the air once more.

“Hai…” After a while, Zi Long sighed, “Given Xuan De’s guts, or lack thereof, there’s no way that he would do anything untoward.”

That is true but Zi Long always has a way with words that manages to deeply puncture one’s pride. But at this time, I have no way to refute and could only accept it quietly.

“Stop teasing our lord, everyone. It’s clear that the child lost her entire family back there and has no support so she merely leaned against him as she desired affection after what happened.” Wen Yuan spoke up on my behalf.

“Yes, that’s it, that’s it.” I echoed Wen Yuan’s sentiments, feeling grateful to her.

“But what do we do with her after she recovers?” Yun Chang asked, “Do we leave her with the local sheriff?”

“Un… That isn’t necessary…” I said and pondered about it for a moment before continuing, “After we get to the mansion, have someone write a notice for her. We’ll see if anyone knows her. Ah, get an artisan to draw a portrait of her and attach it to the notice.”

“Un, that sounds like a good idea.” Yun Chang nodded, “Leave that to us. Zhou Cang, did you hear that?”

“I got it~”

She’s delegating it to Zhou Cang huh… Will that really be alright… But perhaps a ruffian like her might be surprisingly careful and detail-oriented.

“Big brother, we’re here.”

Un? Ah. I looked up when Yun Chang spoke up and saw the biggest mansion I have seen so far in the city. I could tell just from looking from the outside that this was easily twice the size of the mansion we had in Xinye.

“This is… Our mansion?”

“Yes, my lord is surprised right? We too got a shock when we first saw it.”

“Yes.” Feng Xian said as she nodded at Wen Yuan, “I really didn’t think that a normal-sized city like this would have such a large mansion.”

“All the food is ready in the mansion so everyone need not do anything.” Yun Chang said and started heading inside, “After we get inside, everyone can just rest and relax. Our troops will help with the preparations and then we can get the banquet going.”

“Alright,” I nodded, “I’d like to go and see that little girl then.”

“Xuan De, are you certain you have no relation with that little girl?”

“I’m serious! How many times do I have to say that~”

“”Hahahaha!”” Everyone laughed at my protest.

I looked at Yuan Zhi and saw that she was beaming as well with everyone. This was something I was happy to see of course. And later, at the banquet, I will formally announce to everyone that Yuan Zhi will be continuing to stay with us. I do not know what she will think about that but I am very excited about the future.

As we made our way into the mansion, I dismounted and handed the reins to my horse to a soldier and followed behind everyone. There are at least 3 times as many rooms and 1 or 2 more courtyards as well. The thing was, the courtyard seemed shabbier. There were not too many plants and it was mostly barren.

“Yun Chang, is our banquet…” I asked, beginning to wonder if it would be a good idea to host a banquet when the city was in such a sorry state.

“Don’t worry big brother. We bought everything with our money and made sure that the commoners had enough food and necessities.” Yun Chang explained, “We called it a banquet but it’s really just a get-together dinner. The food isn’t actually that good so I hope you don’t mind.”

“Why would I?” I smiled and shook my head, feeling relieved.

“Xuan De~ Everyone~” After a few steps in as we came to the first courtyard, Yi De’s deep voice could be heard.

“Oh~ Yi De~” I called out to her as I waved. As she jogged over, I looked around but did not see the other person who went with her and asked, “Where is Guan Ping?”

“She said that she was busy with overseeing the troops on cooking duty and didn’t come back ever since she left.”

“I see.” I nodded. Yun Chang and the rest really are serious about saving money since they even got the troops to cook.

“Where is the child now?” Zi Long asked.

“She’s alright. She’s currently in 1 of the room.” Yi De said and frowned, “But she isn’t eating or drinking and is uncooperative with any of Lord Hua Tuo’s subordinates.”

Eh? Why is she acting like this now? She was rather obedient before too.

“She might be a little fearful.” Yi De added with a stiff smile.

Perhaps Yi De understands how the little girl feels, that the girl might be having some difficulties with accepting reality. She too lost everything in a way when she realised that she had lost her memories.

“I understand.” I nodded, “Let’s give her some time then.”

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