Liu Bei POV

My gaze s.h.i.+fted to where the voice came from and under the light of the candle, I could see a figure standing in the doorway.

The one standing there was a little girl in her early teens. Her features were exquisite, a cute little nose and a similarly small mouth that was closed tight, with a pair of black, charming eyes. Her hair was very long but her fringe was tied back, which made look even more youthful. Her long robes were so long they seemed like they would fit a 2 meter tall big man. When she walked most of it dragged along the floor.

That said, I had a weird feeling when I saw her, as I could feel the aura of a mature adult which was at complete odds with the child I saw before me.

Whose little girl is this? I thought as I approached the child.

“Little girl, are you lost?”

“Oi oi oi…”

“I, imperial Uncle?!”

Un? Why are the other 2 people frozen to the spot?

“I ask the Imperial Uncle not to touch me unnecessarily.” Just then, the child in front of me swatted my hand aside as she said so, “And don’t face me with that hypocritical face of yours.”

Wh–

Th, this kid, isn’t she too audacious!? And those words aren’t befitting of her age at all. Speaking of which, what is this sense of déjà vu I’m getting? And why does this voice feel so familiar?

“And you 2!” The little child pointed to the 2 behind me, and they trembled as they hurriedly stood up right, “I told you 2 to invite Imperial Uncle Liu over yet what do I see the 2 of you doing here?”

“I’m terribly sorry, Lord Zhang Zhao.”

“Sorry, Lord Zhang Zhao.”

The 2 of them bowed deeply as they apologised after they received scoldings from the severe voice.

What? Lord Zhang Zhao? I blinked twice and looked at the little child who was about as tall as my waist as my heart began to race.

“*Ke* *Ke*…” Zhang Zhao gave a couple of fake coughs as she placed her arms behind her back, “As I was asking, what were you going to say to me?”

Watch your words. Look at who you’re speaking with.

Zhang Zhao widened her eyes slightly as she looked at me. She didn’t continue after stating her question but her expression was warning enough.

This pressure is borne from one in a position of unquestionable authority. And I am now experiencing firsthand the reason why the 2 warrior generals behind me are so deferent to her.

Now then, next is…

I silently took a step forward and saluted as I bowed before I began to say the words I hadn’t thought too much about, “Lord Zhang Zhao, I heard that your lord is presently still at her lessons?”

“… And so?” Zhang Zhao paused for a moment before she continued, and it seemed like she knew what my intent was, “Could it be that Imperial Uncle wishes to plead for mercy for my lord?”

“I do indeed have that intent.”

*Pa*

Just as I finished, Zhang Zhao took out an exquisite folding fan out and began fanning herself, “Pardon my impudence but does Imperial Uncle not feel responsible at all that my lord is studying till now?”

“I…”

“If Imperial Uncle had not abetted her, wouldn’t my lord have been caught and brought back much earlier? Early to learn, early to sleep. This would not have come to pa.s.s.”

“That isn’t the main point, no? Aren’t your lessons too much to begin with?”

“Sun Quan Sun Zhong Mou is the offspring of Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong, and the younger sibling of Sun Ce, Conqueror of Jiangdong. Therefore, she is not an ordinary person to begin with, nor can she live as one. Presently, she is the lord of Jiangdong, and it is an imperative for her to learn as much as she can. My lord is not a prodigal genius so she has to work extra hard to make up for it. Dare I ask what is wrong with this? What is impermissble about this?”

As she said so, she turned the topic onto me, “Look at Imperial Uncle, a royal relative, and a Court official with the position of a state Governor and a well-respected name known throughout the world. Despite how low you’ve fallen, your generals and troops still remain loyal to you. Dare I ask Imperial Uncle; for the people, for your troops, for your generals, for your officials, for all of whom who remain loyal to you, shouldn’t you be putting aside your selfish desires and work hard for them?”

Wu… Zhang Zhao’s words were very logical, and she even completely destroyed any moral high ground I had. While she was speaking, I didn’t dare to interrupt and quietly listened but now that she was done, I didn’t know what to say.

When she saw me like this, Zhang Zhao continued, “To put it simply, Imperial Uncle should stop thinking about s.h.i.+rking his responsibilities and seek to advance himself as much as he can, as quickly as he can. Otherwise, taking the world and restoring the Han is just empty talk.” Zhang Zhao said as she flicked ger long sleeves, “Personally speaking, I oppose your coming to Jiangdong but out of respect, I still decided to speak with you for a bit so I asked Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin to invite you over. But I never imagined that you were such a lowlife and am very disappointed.”

As she finished, Zhang Zhao did not allow me to explain myself or react in any way at all and waved her hands as she left. The 2 beside me straightened their backs and hurried forward.

As for me, instead of persuading her, I got scolded instead and could only stand there in a daze and watch Zhang Zhao’s back as she left.

What Zhang Zhao said, is the right path for a wise ruler to take. Personally speaking, though I’m supposed to be Liu Bei, I wouldn’t consider myself a wise ruler.

Perhaps for me, coming to Jiangdong is itself a show of weakness and failure, and my persuasion would have only become words that would hinder Sun Quan’s development.

“Lord Zhang Zhao, please halt.”

“… Un?” Just then, a resolute voice came from the other side of the room and drew in Zhang Zhao’s attention.

Just as I was guessing who it was, the sound of footsteps coming closer could be heard, and soon a figure appeared at the doorway from the other side.

“This is…” Zhang Zhao looked over and asked who it was.

The one who appeared lowered her head as she said, “I am an a.s.sociate General in my lord’s service, Zhao Zi Long of Changshan.”