Liu Bei POV

Why is Zi Long here? I was extremely surprised as I looked at Zi Long who was respectfully bowing to Zhang Zhao.

“Zi…” I was about to call out to her when I noticed her gaze that told me she wanted me to listen for now and stopped speaking.

“Zhao Yun Zhao Zi Long? The silver spear general who served Gongsun Zan?”

“That is I.”

“Oh–” Zhang Zhao caressed her hair at the back of her neck and showed a look of interest.

“I’ve heard of it over the past few days, seems like you’re Imperial Uncle’s military tutor?”

“Indeed.”

“How is Imperial Uncle’s progress?”

At this question, Zi Long snuck a peek at me before turning her glance away as she continued, “Honestly speaking, none at all.”

“Oh–” Zhang Zhao drawled again. Zi Long’s words naturally left me no ground to stand on at all.

“General Zhao Yun is an extraordinary talent. Now that you serve Imperial Uncle Liu, I’m afraid things are tough for you.”

“Honestly speaking, that is indeed the case.”

Wu… She gave me no face at all.

Just when I thought the combo attack would continue, Zi Long suddenly straightened up and looked into Zhang Zhao’s eyes.

As she stared fixedly and resolutely at Zhang Zhao, Zi Long delivered her words slowly, “Be that as it may, my lord has something in him that none of us subordinates be it administrative officials or warrior generals can ever hope to compare.”

“Oh? Could it be your lord’s ancestors are present in him? Or can he use the Tao techniques?”

Zi Long shook her head as she brought her hands to her chest, “My lord has a heart that loves one and all.”

“A heart that loves one and all?” Zhang Zhao placed her folding fan in front of her mouth, but this did not hide her smile which extended to her eyes, “Are you joking, General Zhao Yun?”

“I’m not spouting nonsense. My lord truly has a heart that loves one and all, Zi Long turned to me as she said so, which stunned me, “I haven’t heard everything that’s been said thus far but I don’t need to ask to know that you must have been fighting for someone else again.”

I stood there in a daze and only hurriedly nodded when I realised she was speaking to me.

“My lord never gives excuses for himself nor does he s.n.a.t.c.h benefits for himself, and he will always bear the burden himself. But when it comes to others, no matter who it may be, if my lord feels that it is illogical, he will definitely speak up.” She turned and continued as she faced Zhang Zhao, her hair billowing up making her look heroic, “And I feel that it is this which makes my lord a good lord.”

“… Un.” Zhang Zhao sank into silence and scratched her eyes as she replied.

“I’ll let the other things slide, but I heard you say some inappropriate words about my lord which I hope you can take back.” Zi Long blinked, and when she opened them again, there was a fearsome and forceful look in her eyes, “We can say what we want about our lord, but as an outsider, isn’t it a little beyond your position to make such comments?”

“… Oi, you’re being too full of yourself.” At Zi Long’s words and actions, the tall girl at the side took a step forward with a similar look in her eyes that was completely at odds with how casual she was before.

“… Un.” The short girl stopped the tall girl by hugging on to her waist but her gaze became sharp as well as she stared wordlessly at Zi Long.

The air became very heavy in an instant.

“Zi Long…” I called out to her softly, but she ignored me. Looks like she’s ready for a fight if it does happen.

*Pa* *Pa* *Pa*

Just then, Zhang Zhao became clapping all of a sudden.

“To have such a loyal and understanding subordinate, looks like Imperial Uncle Liu has good eyes huh.” I didn’t dare to reply as I didn’t know if it was directed to me or if she was speaking to herself. After that, Zhang Zhao nodded as she continued, “Alright, I’ll take back everything inappropriate that I have said. Imperial Uncle Liu, if I have offended you in any way, I seek your kind understanding.”

Zhang Zhao then bowed to me.

“Ah… Ah! No no no, not at all.” I hurriedly bowed back.

I don’t quite understand what has happened but it looks like everything’s good now. If we went to blows, things would be bad.

“Well then, that’s that for now. I’ll be retiring for now.”

“Ah, Lord Zhang Zhao.” I felt that I should still speak about the original matter and called out to Zhang Zhao before she could leave. At the very least, I hope I can achieve something, no matter how small it may be.

“Is there anything else?”

“Umm, about Lord Sun Quan’s lessons. I beseech you to consider it. Even if it’s just for a few days, please let her rest.”

“…” Zhang Zhao stood still and sank into silence for a moment before she continued forward, and said in a very small voice, “I’ll think about it.”

“Ah! Thank you very much!” Seeing that I had made some headway, I hurriedly bowed, and only got up after I felt that she was gone.

I then turned to look at Zi Long and saw that she had returned back to normal again.

“It’s a good thing you were here, Zi Long.”

I had suffered a fair bit of scolding and insults before but Zi Long came in time and helped me out which allowed me to somehow succeed in my endeavor.

I’d always thought that Zi Long was an obsessively serious and overly strict person so I didn’t think she would so vehemently defend my dignity here. Perhaps I’m being too harsh in my a.s.sessment of Zi Long.

“No, I should be saying that.” She said as she bowed and smiled before she continued, “Well then, to make up for this morning’s lessons, we’ve decided to have you take make-up lessons now.”

Eh?

“I, I should be sleeping.” I headed to my bed as I said so.

“No need for sleep.” She pulled me away from the bed in one smooth move, and pushed me out of the room, “Sun Qian and the rest are waiting for you so go quickly. Ah, we will be training your swordsmans.h.i.+p as usual tonight as well.”

Ah, perhaps I should apply for leave for myself.

As I was dragged off, I tried to force myself to catch whatever sleep I could.