Haa~~ I sighed as I sat in the main hall of the official residence, tending to the mountains of doc.u.ments that I had grown used to seeing. A wave of exhaustion pa.s.sed through me and a ringing sound filled my ears. When I regained my senses, I found myself yawning and I blinked when I realised my eyelids were closing.

Un? Could it be that I’m getting sleepy? I got up and looked at the time plate outside and found that the plate for the hour from 7-9pm hadn’t yet been changed so it wasn’t morning yet.

It’s still so early. Why am I getting so sleepy now? I usually still have quite a bit of energy to deal with doc.u.ments till 11pm-1am.

Never mind, forget it, I thought as I made a mark in the bamboo scroll I was currently attending to and closed it.

Perhaps there’s some truth to the saying ‘early to bed, early to rise’ after all. Since I’m already so sleepy, I might as well have an early night and not force it.

“Xu Sheng? … Or is it Ding Feng there?” I hollered out toward outside the room. Usually, at least 1 of these 2 would be standing guard outside. And from my vantage point, I could see that there was indeed someone standing outside through the paper window.

But that person didn’t reply me at all after a long while.

“Xu Sheng? Sing Feng? Or is it some other soldier?” I was a little puzzled and raised my volume as I called out once more, and rose slightly from my cus.h.i.+on and looked outside.

Who is it that’s out there…

Un? Leaving that aside, I don’t know if it’s just me, but it feels like the moonlight s.h.i.+ning through the paper window from outside feels especially bright. Perhaps it’s that day of the month when the moon is full again.

“What are your orders, Lord Zhou Yu.” Just then, the person from outside the room finally replied. But the voice wasn’t that of a woman, but a man, and it sounded rather hoa.r.s.e, as though his throat got sliced before.

Forget it, it’s not a big deal. Perhaps he was born like this, or perhaps he got injured in the battlefield.

“Help me tidy up the bamboo scrolls on my desk and carry them out. The ones that have been dealt with are to be sent to the various departments while the ones that are not dealt with are to be kept in the study beside for now.”

I’ll leave my work as it is for today.

“Yes.” The one outside replied, and I didn’t bother looking at the bamboo scrolls anymore and took off my veil as well as my outer most layer of clothing.

It really is getting cold this autumn, and when I sleep, I have to use a blanket. Someone old like Zhang Zhao, even though she doesn’t look elderly in the least, has started to use a brazier to keep herself warm.

Only my lord Sun Quan doesn’t seem to be affected as well, seeing as how she continues to wear her weird clothing and play with as much energy as ever. If only she could divert 20% of that energy to her studies, she would be a wise ruler whose name would be praised for millenia.

… Probably.

“Don’t move!!”

Un?

Suddenly, a weird cry came from behind. The voice was crackling and hoa.r.s.e, just like the voice that replied from outside just now.

Could it be an a.s.sa.s.sin from some enemy faction?

“Don’t turn around!”

I was just about to turn around and see who it was when I felt a sharp point at the bare skin of my waist.

“Calm down.” I said as I raised both hands. So that he wouldn’t get agitated, I threw away the outer clothing I just took off onto the ground.

“… If you can, I wish that you could at least tell me where you belong to so I can know how I end.” I wasn’t alarmed as I knew that a day like this would eventually come.

I was merely surprised that he could get past the many layers of security and find my room in this heavily fortified and guarded official residence, and divert Xu Sheng and Ding Feng away. This wasn’t something any ordinary person could do, so if I could, I would like to know his name. Of course, a.s.sa.s.sins never leave names.

“Me? Un…” That person sank into silence for some reason when he heard this question, “Let me think for a bit.”

How can you ask for time to think about this? If you don’t want to tell me, then fine. You don’t have to construct a lie on the spot.

“Never mind, take it that I didn’t ask.”

“Un, that’s for the best.” He seemed to be relieved, and continued, “I’m here not to kill you. As long as you answer my questions honestly, I’ll let you live.”

What a cliché line from a villain.

“Hmph, that depends on what you want to ask.” I stretched my neck, “I’m afraid I won’t be divulging any national secrets.”

“No, what I want to ask is,” That person paused, “You, what do you think of Lu Su Lu Zi Jing?”

Eh? Why are you asking about him?

“Lu Su? Is it… That Lu Su?”

“What other Lu Su is there?”

The person behind seemed to get more anxious and the hoa.r.s.e voice seemed a little more normal, as though he was holding his throat as he spoke.

Could it be…

“Lu Su huh~” I shook my neck from left to right as I was rather angry now that I’ve figured it out, “That fellow has neither capability nor style, and is just an unkempt old woman.”

“That’s too much! No matter what I’m still a man!”

“So it’s you!”

“Un? Uwaaa!!!”

My guess was validated when I heard what the person behind me said and when I turned around, I grabbed onto the spear and pulled it in my direction out of that person’s grip. I then swept my feet across, knocking that person to the ground.

I then took 2 steps forward and pointed the spear at the throat of the man before me.

Or to be more accurate, at Zi Jing’s neck.

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, you have no martial prowess at all, yet you dare do this!”

I’m still a general, okay?

“Wait, wait! It’s me, it’s me! Lu Su!” Zi Jing cried out as he raised his hands with a stiff smile on him.

“I know it’s you.”

You’re not even wearing a mask, how can I not recognise you?

“Speak, what was your intent!” I yelled as I moved the spear closer to Zi Jing’s throat.

“No no no, I didn’t have any untoward intent.” Zi Jing waved his hands as he laughed nervously, “I came here to find you just now, and when I saw that no one was standing guard outside, I decided to stand guard for you. I hadn’t stood outside for too long when you called out to me and I thought it might be funny to to play a prank.”

“Trust me.” Zi Jing still had a stiff smile on him at this time. He has quite a bit of backbone huh. At least he’s not like some men who p.i.s.s themselves when they get a spear pointed at them. If that was the case, then that meant that he was indeed guilty.

“I suppose you won’t dare to be a spy for some other faction anyway.” I said as I withdrew the spear.

Hu. When I withdrew the spear, I heard a long, audible sigh from him. Looks like he was indeed scared just now.

“But you’re reslly bored huh, to think of such a prank.” I threw the spear to the side and sat on my bed, “So, what did you come here for?”

“Ah… I do indeed have something.” He said as he raised his head and smiled, but then lowered his head after looking at me, “But before that, I hope you can wear a little more clothing.”

Un? I looked down and realised that all I wore was my innermost layer.

“Yaaaa!” I cried out instinctively and hurriedly picked up the clothing I threw on the floor and held it in front of me.

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Pervert!”

“That’s a false charge… But my timing was a little bad.”

“Don’t look so smug about it! Turn around.”

“Yes.” Zi Jing nodded vigorously, and turned around with his hands raised.

I really don’t know what to do about this fellow. He’s older than me but he always does these childish things. Wu… I should have waited for a little longer before I took off my clothes. Looks like I better be more careful in future. I thought as I put on my clothes.

“So, what are you here today for?” I was a little irritated but I still asked.

“Ah… About that–”

“Don’t turn around.”

“Yes.” He hurriedly turned back and continued, “About that, I came here to invite you to view the moon with me.”

Un?

“View the moon?” I asked, “Why this all of a sudden?”

I don’t view the moon as a hobby or anything like that. Sometimes I’ll look up at the moon but I don’t find it something particularly beautiful to behold.

I have so much work at hand too.

“The moon at this time is unlike the usual.” Zi Jing said in a rather excited tone, “It might seem like an ordinary full moon today, but the moon is a lot brighter and closer than usual.”

As he said so, he turned around again, “This beautiful sight is only available once a year.”

“”You… Eh, never mind.” I instinctively wanted to tell Zi Jing to turn back but when I saw how excited he was and that I’d worn my clothing already, I decided not to pursue the matter and stood up, “Is the moon really that beautiful today?”

“If Gong Jin comes, you will understand.” Zi Jing smiled as he got up and took a step back to make a path for me.

I guess it’s fine to take a look. Thanks to his prank, my sleepiness has mostly gone.

When I stepped before the doorway, I felt that it was rather bright out, and when I lowered my head instinctively, I realised that it was moonlight that lit up the area.

“Ah…” I let out a gasp when I got used to the light and raised my head to look at the moon. Compared to the usual, the moon today was big and bright, and seemed like it was right in front of me.

If I’d gone to sleep just now, I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to see this beautiful sight. Looks like I better thank Zi Jing.

No… Why do I have to be thankful to him…

“So you came to find me just to see the moon?”

“Is that no reason enough?”

*Tata*

He stepped out of the room with that steady smile of his. As usual, he had his hair tied back and had some stubble on. Under the moonlight, his somewhat brownish skin seemed to reflect the silver light.

No no no, what is wrong with me? The moonlight is beautiful, not Zi Jing. Why am I looking at that man so closely for?

I hurriedly s.h.i.+fted my gaze back to the moon.

“Gong Jin is too busy with work sometimes. Busy to the point that Gong Jin neglects the beautiful scenery near you.”

“Eh?” I looked at Zi Jing who was looking at me with a frown.

“I don’t really…” I may have denied it but I know what he says is right. I often miss such beautiful sights.

“Haha, it’s alright to be busy.” Zi Jing said as he patted my back, “But at least for today, I hope that Gong Jin can enjoy the moon.”

… Hmph. I smiled.

“I guess you’re right.” I said as I rolled my shoulders, making some light cracking sounds, “But I hope you didn’t plan on having me just look at the moon empty-handed.”

“Of course,” Zi Jing said as he walked down the steps and took out 2 jugs of wine like magic from behind the stairs, “I came prepared.”

“Hmph, I’ll give it to you.” I smiled as I sat on the stone steps beside Zi Jing.

I’ll leave everything else out for today, as Zi Jing said, and let loose for today.

And then… I’ll have someone remove the paper windows later on.

It will make it easier to enjoy the scenery, and get to know the ones outside.