Liu Bei POV

Life in Jiangdong has been extremely comfortable.

We first stayed in an inn, and thereafter at Shouchun’s official residence. It was extremely large and housed a dozen or so administrative officials and warrior generals. What made it really livable for me was that there was a small attic built on top of the main hall in the residence.

The attic was about 2-3 meters taller than the main hall, and though I called it an attic, it’s perhaps more appropriate to consider it an observation tower of sorts. It wasn’t closed off, and apart from some fences for safety purposes, it was structurally the same as an ordinary pavilion.

After lunch, I would always go up and spend some time there. Shouchun was closer to the south but it had both the dryness of the north and the wetness of the south which made for nice, cooling sea breezes.

The scenery before me was breathtakingly beautiful but I had no mood for enjoying it as many recurrent issues continued to dog my thoughts.

It’s already been almost a week but Yi De’s memories have shown no sign of recovery. Though she has gotten more and more familiar with everyone, she still hasn’t given any indication that she has returned to the original Yi De.

Hua Tuo said that if she can’t recover immediately, then the recovery period will be rather prolonged. I was prepared for this from the start but now that there isn’t a miracle happening, I can’t help but feel down about it. Sometimes when I b.u.mp into Yi De, I really don’t know how I should face her.

Similarly troubled by this is Yun Chang. Up till now, she still intentionally brings up things about the 3 of us from time to time, which bring tears to my eyes, but it’s still better than being the one to bring it up. Just from this alone, I’m impressed about Yun Chang’s emotional tenacity. I really hope that Yi De recovers soon and I’m worried that Yun Chang gets too impatient and does something rash.

“… My lord, it’s time for your lessons.”

A scent wafted in along with a gentle breeze that blew from behind me. I turned and saw Gong You with her hands tucked into her sleeves with her eyes half-closed patiently waiting for me in a respectful pose.

It hasn’t even been long since lunch has ended.

“Alright, let’s begin.” I gave up, and raised my hands as I stretched my back, and said as I looked at Gong You, “Gong You, are you sleepy?”

“… No.” She hurriedly blinked as she said so to invigorate herself.

She didn’t say it but I knew. In this period, there have been a fair amount of administrative work for our troops. On top of that, there are the various administrative procedures and communication materials with Jiangdong relating to our borrowing of resources and use of lodgings. These things can’t be gotten just by opening your mouth and asking after all.

And so, in this period, Gong You has had a lot to do. But even so, she still continues to conduct lessons for me.

“If we’re going to have lessons, why not have them here?”

“… Here?”

“Yeah, there aren’t many people around, it’s quiet and even more comfortable.” I said as I sat on the floor of the attic.

“… Since my lord has said as much.”

Gong You chose to compromise with me as usual and held her long robes up with her hands as she bent forward with her toes and swiftly but elegantly descended into a kneeling position on the ground. Her skirt descended in a very orderly fas.h.i.+on like a peony, and looked really beautiful ad it did so.

“It’s okay, you don’t need to be so formal about it.”

“… No, as the teacher, I must be an example.”

As she said so, she took out several freshly written bamboo scrolls and broke their bounds before spreading them out on the ground. Just looking at them made me irritated.

“Are we going to learn words today?”

“… No.” Gong You paused, “We will be learning how to understand.”

Understanding is a little too sudden. How am I supposed to do that when I don’t even know how to read?

I sighed lightly because I knew deep down that there was no way that I could become an outstanding student, no matter how well or serious Gong You’s teaching may be.

Compared to Zi Zhong’s machine gun pace, or xiao Yong who doesn’t have any motivation at all and just gets me to read on my own, Gong You is really dedicated and kind. No matter what it is I don’t know, she will always repeat herself for me, with no look of dissatisfaction or irritation at all.

Of course, any other expression on her is rare to begin with.

“By the way, has anyone come to look for me, Gong You?”

“Are you talking about Lord Sun Ce? Lord Sun Ce comes almost everyday, no?”

In this period, Bo Fu has come to visit every day. She always says that she’s here for business but she’s always here to play. Sometimes she would come over and play some games with Yun Chang and the rest or discuss food and cooking. In short, she always has fun without seeming tired at all and only returns when it’s late at night. Bo Fu seems a lot more cheerful ever since she put aside her authority.

“I know about Bo Fu, what I meant was… Umm, in the 2 days that I wasn’t around, did anyone from Lord Sun Quan’s side invite me?”

“Lord Sun Quan huh?”

I nodded at which Gong You brought out a piece of silk from behind her. On it was written the names of those who came to look for me, with the majority being Bo Fu.

Naturally, the more distinguished people of Jiangdong don’t know me and those that came to visit were mostly the ordinary people pf the city. They did not call on me nor were they allowed to, and they only stood outside and looked in, as if I was an actual dignitary. If they were to see how I am as a student, my image would probably be destroyed.

“… No one has come to look for you in those 2 days apart from those your already know.” Gong You shook her head after she finished looking through, “If there were, we would have told my lord.”

“I guess you’re right.” I smiled dryly and didn’t continue asking further.

Looks like there haven’t been any, though I’d already guessed that it would be like this.

Ever since that day when I faced off against Zhang Zhao Zhang Zi Bu, that side has not made any contact with me. I don’t know if it’s because Zhang Zhao got some damage and is utterly disappointed at me or if Sun Quan is too busy with her lessons and hates me so she can’t or doesn’t want to see me.

Whichever it may be, I’m still very bothered. By right, I ought to be the one to knock on her door and I did go but was left to wait outside as they said she was busy with work. And this matter is my own personal matter so I can’t trouble Bo Fu with this. If I were to talk about it, it would seem like I’m trying to blame her and play the victim.

So what can I do now? Wait quietly.

“Is Lord Liu Bei around?”

“Wa!!”

Just as I was preoccupied with my thoughts a figure came crawling up the fence pf the attic and called out to me, giving me a terrible fright.

What’s going on? This feels familiar.

“Xuan De, there’s a shortie that wants to see you… Oi! Who are you!” Just then, Feng Xian also came up to the attic and frowned as she saw the figure and prepared to charge up.

“Ah. it’s nothing. I know this person.” I hurriedly stopped Feng Xian as I immediately remembered why this appearance by a certain tall woman was familiar to me after recovering from my shock.

“Sister Jiang, can’t you come up normally?” As I’d guessed, the short girl came out from behind Feng Xian. She’s probably the one that Feng Xian was talking about.

“… May I ask who you both are?”

It was clearly something rather ridiculous but Gong You was completely unfazed and began to ask their intentions and ident.i.ties calmly. Of course, when I knew that it was these 2, I too was curious as to why they have come.

The short girl slowly and calmly walked over to the tall girl until she was beside her and she saluted at which the tall girl followed suit as well.

“Please allow us to introduce ourselves as we have not yet been able to do so.” They said, and bowed, “I am Zhou Tai Zhou You Ping, and my appointment is Sun Quan’s personal guard.”

“I’m Jiang Qin, Jiang Gong Yi. You can just call me Jiang Qin because I don’t actually know how to write Yi myself.” When she finished, the tall girl called Jiang Qin laughed. But what’s so funny about this? Though to be honest, I don’t know how to write that either.

(TL: Not very absurd. Literacy rates weren’t very high. One point I’ve always found weird as someone who is fluent in both English and Mandarin is how well the alphabet fits the hanyu pinyin for Mandarin characters.)

I’ll leave the idle chatter for now and cut to the chase, “For you both to come here today, could it be that Lord Sun Quan’s side has…”

At my words, Zhou Tai nodded, “Yes, my lord has finally finished her lessons today and has invited you over.”

What! Only done today?! How much has she been doing everyday?

“It’s all thanks to your suggestion that time~” Joang Qin said as she gave a toothy smile, revealing pearly white teeth that was a stark contrast with her dark skin, as she placed her hands on her hips, “Lord Zhang Zhao reduced her workload after that and even permitted her to rest for 2 days.”

(TL: Clean, white teeth is just about the most unrealistic thing in this series so far. Seriously, how do you even accomplish that without toothpaste with chlorine?)

“Oh~ I understand.” I could finally rest easy after hearing Jiang Qin’s words. But not completely though, as there was still my prank after all, and I would probably get more scoldings after I go to where Sun Quan is.

But, I still have to go. At the very least, I must go and apologise in person.

After I made my decision, I looked at Gong You who returned my gaze with her empty eyes. After a long while, she slowly closed her eyes, “Just make up for the lessons when you return.”

“Un! Got it. Thanks, Gong You!”

“… No,” Gong You turned away probably because she felt a bit shy, “But it’s best you have Lord Lu Bu accompany you on this trip.”

“Xuan De, let me come with you.” Feng Xian seems to have this intent as well.

I thought for a moment and felt that this was a good choice as it wasn’t safe at all to go alone. And if Yun Chang and the rest were to hear that I went alone, I would get admonished badly again.

“Let’s go then, Feng Xian. We’ll be leaving, Gong You.”

“Be careful, my lord.” Gong You said and raised her hand slightly and waved.

I must make sure I thank her properly when I get back, I thought as I followed the 2 who led the way.