Vol 10 Chapter 51 (1/2)
Chapter 51
VOLUME 10 CHAPTER 51: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A MEETING WITH XU SHU (3)
Meng De POV
“That’s enough, Man Cheng.” I said once I saw that Man Cheng had been subjected to enough tongue las.h.i.+ng and was about to flare up.
“… My lord, Lord Xu Shu–”
“I know, I know, Man Cheng.” I comforted Man Cheng but really, I had not seen anything from Xu Shu that aroused suspicion.
“Teacher Xu Shu, Man Cheng was a bit too harsh and aggressive earlier. I seek your understanding on behalf of my subordinate.” I smiled and apologised as I bowed and saluted and got up before I continued, “But there is something particularly troublesome which has been plaguing us and we wish to clarify this with Teacher Xu Shu.”
I continued to hold my salute, just like I held my cup up when toasting Xu Shu. As for Xu Shu, she did not seem to be as cold and silent as before.
“If it is something that I do know then I will do my best to let you know.” Surprisingly, Xu Shu saluted me as she replied, “As repayment to Imperial Chancellor for receiving my mother and giving me an official position.”
Haha, her sarcasm is dripping out but I am not bothered by that at all.
Hu… I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down and sat upright. I shot Man Cheng a quick glance and withdrew my smile as I faced Xu Shu with a rare serious expression.
“Teacher Xu Shu, please tell me.” I paused for a moment, “Has Liu Bei Liu Xuan De of Xinye died and did he partic.i.p.ate in the previous battle?”
…
When I finished, I held my breath and stared at Xu Shu who seemed astoundingly calm. She did not reply immediately either, as though she had seen through what I was thinking, which made me even more nervous.
Yet, I really did not know what I was thinking about at this point. Do I hope that Xuan De is still alive or do I hope that he is dead? If he really, really is still alive, what do I do? What should I do?
I have asked myself these questions many times over but I have not been able to come to an answer. But very soon, very soon I will be able to–
“Haa, alright then I’ll tell you the truth.” Xu Shu nodded and closed her eyes before looking at me and then at Man Cheng before slowly delivering her reply, “Whether or not you both believe me, Liu Bei did not ever appear in Xinye city. From what I’ve seen, Liu Bei is already dead so there is no way he appeared in the battle.”
…
Huu… Haa… As Xu Shu’s words swirled about in my head, I suddenly felt like I was a.s.saulted by an intense wave of fatigue and spat out my breath.
“Lord Xu Shu,” Man Cheng was first to speak up after Xu Shu answered, “Are the words you just said really the truth?”
“Teacher Xu Shu, let me ask you one more time. Is what you said the truth?” I asked once more after Man Cheng, “That is, with respect to Liu Bei’s death.”
“Yes.” Xu Shu nodded before kowtowing to me.
Un… I cannot really describe how I feel right now but for some reason, I instinctively heaved a sigh of relief. At the same time, my heartstrings seemed to tighten significantly as well.
“I got it.” I nodded immediately, there is no time for me to waver now after all, “I believe you.”
“Eh?!” Man Cheng exclaimed in dissatisfaction at my decision, “My lord, she’s clearly deceiving you?!”
“Man Cheng,” I said as I calmly looked at her, “I wasn’t speaking to you.”
“Wu… Yes.”Man Cheng nodded and saluted despite being unsatisfied.
I turned back to Xu Shu and muttered under my breath, “Is that so… He’s dead huh…”
Hu… I heaved a sigh of relief.
Liu Bei is dead and this time, I got this info from a subordinate from Xinye.
Yes, Liu Bei is dead. He really is dead.
Un, no doubt about that.
“Imperial Chancellor, is there anything else you wish to ask?”
“Un? Ah.” I was caught off guard by her question and smiled as I raised my hand, “There’s nothing for now. Thanks for your hard work, Teacher Xu Shu.”
She merely shook her head and got up as she made to leave.
“Teacher Xu Shu.” Just then, I called out to her instinctively for some reason and asked, “May I ask, what kind of a person do you think I am? I haven’t heard you a.s.sessment of me yet.”
“…” Xu Shu slowly turned her head back and looked at me, “Do you wish to hear the truth or a lie?”