Vol 10 Chapter 23 (2/2)

“Please.”

Just then, I thought of something and went to Yuan Zhi’s side before I whispered to her, “You’re the star of the show later so don’t sit at the end. Just come and sit beside me.”

“Eh?” Yuan Zhi reacted with surprise just as I predicted.

“Don’t be nervous. You don’t need to make any speech. Just enjoy your time with everyone.”

“… Un.” Yuan Zhi nodded somewhat unwillingly and then called out to me after a while, “Xuan De.”

“Un?”

I turned back and saw that she was looking at everyone. Chen Dao, Zi Long, Yun Chang and Yi De were all chatting, laughing and joking. It has been a while since they got together after all so there’s little wonder that they are catching up and enjoying themselves.

“What’s up with them?”

“… Is it always this noisy and active here?”

Ah, so that was what she was wondering huh?

“Is it very funny?”

“Ah no,” I realised that I was smiling and hurriedly removed my smile, “No, I don’t mean anything by that. But yes, we are and I have no doubt that it will be even more so after you join us.”

“… Is that so? Even if I’m like this?”

“Even if you are like this.” I repeated definitively. This was not a lie at all, I really do believe it, that Yuan Zhi will one day be laughing and chatting with everyone and not seem out of place at all.

“… I hope so.”

It was obvious that she really did hope to be a part of us. That was what I could tell from her faint smile.

Soon, we made it to the main hall which was even larger than I imagined. Back in Xinye, there was practically no s.p.a.ce except for 2 rows of seats. Here, there was a lot of s.p.a.ce at the back and the center was much larger than in Xinye.

“Ah~ It really is a waste to just hold a small party here~” Zi Long gasped and said as she shook her head and poured a cup of liquor for herself. Beside her, Chen Dao was downing copious amounts of liquor as well.

I understand what Zi Long means of course. Given how this room was like, it was clear that music and dance would be a great accompaniment to a banquet, with a full orchestra in the back and dancers in the middle. Unfortunately, all we have is the cold wind blowing outside.

“We did plan on hiring some musicians and dancers but we were too busy and Fan city does not have such artistes.”

“That can’t be helped. This is just a commandery city after all so it won’t have all the stuff of high culture.” Wen Yuan said as she drank some liquor, “But this suits my lord right?”

“Un, it’s quiet.” Feng Xian said as she took several vegetable leaves and fed them to Red Hare.

That’s fine too. I am not too suited to luxurious banquets to be honest. I have been to a few of them in Xuchang and I cannot say I fully appreciated the luxury and cultural shows then.

“Quit talking about all that nonsense~”

“Yes, yes~ Hurry up and start eating and drinking~ We can always talk more as we eat.”

Looks like Guan Ping and Zhou Cang cannot wait any longer.

“Alright, since everyone is seated already,” I nodded and raised my cup above my head, “To all the generals who are here, thank you for your hard work. We’ll be counting on you to manage our 2nd city!”

“Alright~”

“Don’t worry~ My lord~”

“Un.”

We then all yelled out a ‘cheers’ and drank. Even Yuan Zhi drank liquor as well.

“Time to eat~” Zhou Cang enthusiastically said and everyone ate as well, chatting as they did so. Even without any accompanying performance, the mood was good.

“Haa~” I looked at Yuan Zhi and saw that she was still struggling with the taste of liquor.

“Yuan Zhi, you didn’t need to.”

Drinking a little is good as it helps to warm you up but it’s best to avoid liquor if she is going to act like how she was during the battle.

“No, it’s fine if it’s just a bit.” Yuan Zhi said and smiled, looking rather happy, “But is it really alright for me to sit here?”

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