Liu Bei POV

Hai~ I sighed out of boredom, frustration and worry as I sat in the main hall of Runan commandery and looked out of the window.

This hall was already big to begin with, but now that Gong You was gone, it became even more desolate. Runan was also previously 1 of the main battlefields so a lot of the paint on the walls had peeled off and the air was filled with the depressing smell of dust.

It’s already been a few days since Gong You has left, why hasn’t she sent a message back yet?

… Don’t worry, my lord.

She said this very resolutely so I didn’t ask where she was planning to go or what leads she was going to follow. Now that I think about it, this situation is no different from having her go MIA.

“Ahem…”

“Wu…” I hurriedly sat up when I heard someone fake a cough and didn’t dare to show any more sign that I was slacking off.

Sitting at my side was Zhao Yun Zhao Zi Long, whom I happened to meet when I was escaping Xu state. She had come under the last order of Gongsun Zan to join me, and has been with me for a few months now.

Of course, even someone like me who isn’t very knowledgable about history pr the Three Kingdoms knows the name of Zhao Yun.

And this Zhao Yun was currently shaking her head with a displeased expression as she looked at the me who was sighing, “It’s only been this long and you’re like this already, Xuan De.”

“But…”

That may be true but the wait just before is always the worst, just like the last day before the fermenting process is complete and wine is ready.

If we follow what happens in history, then the 3 of us should be able to reunite soon enough. I can feel it, that it will happen very soon.

Just then, Zi Long leaned over and waved her palm in front of my face. “Xuan De, instead of just waiting about, why don’t you learn something? It can be anything, governance or martial arts etc.”

“Un… I’m not bragging but my skill in martial arts is…”

“Come spar with me.” Zi Long said as she pulled out her s.h.i.+ny silver spear from G.o.d knows where.

“I’m sorry, I was too arrogant,” I hurriedly apologised as I bowed deeply.

Why do you have to demand so much from me? Isn’t it enough that I can protect myself? If Gong You is here, she will definitely speak up for me.

(TL: As a reminder, he actually drove away Li Dian in V4.)

“Xuan De, are you thinking that if Lord Sun Qian is here, she will definitely be on your side?”

Wu…

“It’s way too easy to guess what Xuan De is thinking about. It’s almost as if it’s written on your face.” Zi Long chuckled as she said so, “It is precisely because the one who spoils you isn’t around that I can train you well.”

“Please show mercy…”

“Lord Administrator, Lord a.s.sociate General, we have brought today’s portion here.” Just as I finished pleading with Zi Long, 2 men with crew cuts came walking in. They both had a stack of bamboo scrolls, and it seemed like they had a lot with them.

And when they reached where we were, they dumped all of the bamboo scrolls on my table. All together, they made a small mountain and it looked like there were about 200 or so scrolls. How can a mere commandery have so many issues?

“It’s been hard on you both, Liu Pi, Gong Du.”

“We’ve not really have had to do anything particularly hard.” “That’s right, the one who has it hard is the Lord Administrator.”

That’s right!

“What nonsense are you 2 spouting? Isn’t settling these the duty of the Lord Administrator? Right, Imperial Uncle Liu Bei?”

“… Yes…”

What else can I possibly say when I’m faced with Zi Long’s stern smile?

“Un, good answer.” Zi Long nodded and reached out to grab a scroll, “Well then, let’s begin tackling today’s portion.”

“Hai~” I really am not used to it when Gong You isn’t around and there’s n.o.body to help me deal with administrative work.

But even as I complained in my heart, I still had no choice but to raise my brush and look at the Han Dynasty script on the scrolls. I’ve basically been winging it these few days.

I’ll just take it as a form of training. I’m Liu Bei after all.

Hai~ I sighed once more.

Yi De, Yun Chang, Wen Yuan Feng Xian and everyone else. Have they reached our doorstep already?

Haha, I’m really good at dreaming.

“Big brother…”

Un? All of a sudden, a voice that couldn’t be more familiar cam from the entrance. No matter how much this voice changes, I will always be able to recognise it by instinct.

I slowly raised my head, and before I could even get a glimpse of who it was, I replied, “Yun Chang?”

The one who appeared before me was the dark red haired young girl who was wearing the green robes that I’d bought for her. Before I could recover from my surprise, she’d ran up to me with tears streaming down her face.

And when she came up to me, she hugged me tightly.

“Big brother… Big brother… I don’t want to part with you ever again…” She repeated these words over and over as she held me in her arms.

“Un, we won’t. We won’t.” I, who was buried in her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, repeated these words in reply.

Ah, that’s right, this is Yun Chang’s warmth. This is Yun Chang’s scent. It’s been a few months since we’ve last met but I still can’t forget how my second sister is like.

“Xuan De!!”

“My lord!”

Immediately, another 2 figures ran in from the entrance as they called out to me dearly.

“Feng Xian! Wen Yuan!”

*w.a.n.g*!

Yes, our little Red Hare as well.

I called out their names as they lay on top of me.

“Big brother Xuan De!!”

And next were Gan Qing and Mi Zhen who flew at me, and this made me lose my balance and fall onto the ground. But even as I fell, everyone didn’t let go.

We’ve finally reunited, and we’re together once more.

“Big brother… Do you know how much has happened on our journey… And how much we’re worried about you!”

“Un… I know… I know… It really has been hard on you all…” I was overwhelmed by my emotions and tears streamed down my face without stopping.

Even though I knew we would reunite, even though I knew they would definitely be alright, I was still very thankful and relieved. At this time, I really cannot think as a person from the future.

And the reason is because I’m Liu Bei.

How could I not be moved to tears from sheer happiness after reuniting with my little sister and companions?

There’s no way that’s not happening.

“Looks like today’s portion won’t be finished huh~” Zi Long said as she smiled at us.

Isn’t this great? Zi Long mouthed to me.

Un, yes. I too mouthed back my reply.

“Looks like I’ll be able to meet Yi De again soon.”

Now all my worries were laid to rest and Yun Chang would probably bring me to Yi De soon. Should I start thinking about the promise I made with my little sisters back in Xu state?

There should be some similarities between the historical relations of brothers and ours which will become spouses right.

“… Big brother, about that…”

But when they heard what I said, everyone’s smiles faded away.

I don’t know what happened but I get the feeling that it’s nothing good

Looks like my premonition has come true once more, albeit in a way I never imagined.

“What?”

Even after I heard it from several people, I still couldn’t believe it.

Yi De has lost her memories?

“Impossible!” I exclaimed as I slammed the table, the very first time I have done so since I’ve come here, in a fit of rage and bewilderment.

“I too feel the same but now… It’s the truth after all.” Yun Chang said between her clenched teeth as she lowered her head.

But what she doesn’t know is that my impossible is an absolute impossible and not an utterance borne out of mere frustration and disbelief.

I’m not good at history at all but I’ve never heard anything about Zhang Fei losing his memories, All I know is that the 3 brothers reunite after Guan Yu crosses 5 pa.s.ses and slays 6 generals.

But now, Yi De has lost her memories. What the heck is going on?

“Yun Chang, is what you said really true?”

“I wouldn’t joke around with our oath…”

“Could you have made a mistake somewhere?”

“Big brother! Please don’t make me repeat this over and over!” Yun Chang roared at me, but her voice wasn’t one of rage, but one of sorrow, and after she did so, she began to sniffle.

“… I’m sorry, Yun Chang.”

I said too much.

“My lord, it is indeed as Yun Chang has said. We all saw it with our own eyes.”

“Un, I got it.” I sighed and slowly sat back down on my seat.

But what the heck is this? I’m clearly Liu Bei, and I’m in the last years of the Eastern Han so why was there something that shouldn’t have happened?

…

Wait… This isn’t the only thing that shouldn’t be happening. Just raising my head, I would see Feng Xian, Wen Yuan and Hua Tuo; 3 people who shouldn’t be here.

Now that I think about it, I’ve been unknowingly changing history since the very beginning. Zhang Jue, Lu Bu, Cao Cao’s father, Yuan Shu, Yan Liang, even that expansive Battle of Guandu. Weren’t all of my actions then outside of what happened in history?

… Perhaps… What happened to Yi De, is my fault? Could this be the b.u.t.terfly effect of my actions?

“…”

“Big brother? What’s wrong?”

“My lord?”

“Xuan De, don’t fall asleep with your eyes open.”

“He’s clearly not sleeping alright? He’s not Lord Lu Bu.”

“…” All I saw was white nothingness in front of me. I didn’t know what I should say, or what I should do.

So the ultimate culprit is me?

“… Snap out of it, my lord.”

It was me who brough harm to Yi De.

“Xuan De.”

If I hadn’t been such a busybody, this wouldn’t have happened.

“Xuan De!”

“Ah!” All of a sudden, I felt a force being exerted on my body, and I toppled over.

“Big brother!”

The pain from the fall made me regain my senses and I turned to see Zi Long’s stern, beautiful face.

“Don’t help him, Yun Chang. I was just trying to wake him up.” Zi Long gestured to Yun Chang not to move and looked at me with cold eyes as she continued, “Xuan De, get a hold of yourself. Look at you, what are we supposed to do with you in that state?”

Zi Long’s voice was unexpectedly kind unlike how her expression was.

“In any case, Xuan De must now think about what we need to do now.” Zi Long said as she swept her hands across the room, “Everyone is waiting for a decision by their lord.”

“…” I followed her palm and swept my eyes across everyone’s faces. Powerlessness and helplessness were written all over their faces. These feelings were things that only I had shown before.

Ah, that’s right, I’m Liu Bei. If even I am so weak to the point where I have broken down in front of everyone, it’s over.

History has already changed… What I need to do now is to deal with what lies ahead of me, I convinced myself as I forced myself to get up from the floor.

It’s times like these that make me feel that having close relations are painful.

“Big brother, don’t be like this.” Yun Chang said as she brought me into her arms once more, “What happened to Yi De is not big brother’s fault.”

… Who knows? But whether it is or isn’t, what I need to do now is to think about what to do next.

And right now, I must take a stand. At this sudden development, I must face it head-on.

“Everyone, come with me to see Yi De.”

Even if she has lost her memories, I must still reunite with Yi De.