Liu Bei POV

From what Wen Yuan said, seems like Feng Xian was dead asleep so she came in place of her.

At this time, I was following Wen Yuan back as she held a lantern. As we walked along, I spoke to her about what happened today.

Seems like Wen Yuan has already heard most of it from Feng Xian earlier though. Compared to my nonchalance, Wen Yuan was very agitated and excited.

“You should have agreed, my lord!!” Wen Yuan pouted as she looked at me from the side and began to kick her feet up as she walked along.

“It’s fine to turn down this sort of opportunity.” I frowned, and didn’t know what I ought to do to alleviate Wen Yuan’s anger, and decided to pat her shoulders.

“Hmph!” But she was fuming mad and shrugged off my hand, “Jiangdong is blessed with abundance and stability, and its people are happy and loyal. Lord Sun Ce gave you her family seal with the intention of jointly ruling over Jiangdong with you. If you’d accepted, not only would our troops grow manifold, we would finally have a base of our own. Why wouldn’t you accept such a good deal?”

Eh…

I understood where Wen Yuan was coming from. Feeling perplexed at my decision was understandable. At the very least, I ought to have discussed it over with everyone before coming to a decision.

Honestly, I’d seen this coming. I just didn’t think that the one to complain to me first would be Wen Yuan, and in the middle of the night like this.

“I just feel that we would be taking advantage of her like that.”

“They are letting you take advantage of them, so why not?”

“Moreover, a lot of Jiangdong’s retainers are against us.”

“With both lords backing you up, what could they possibly do?”

Wen Yuan got more and more agitated at my feeble attempts to calm her down.

As I looked at Wen Yuan who was hopping mad, I really wanted to tell her the true reason behind my decision.

I am Liu Bei and I have the responsibility of establis.h.i.+ng the state of Shu. Before I accomplish that, I should at least follow the main route of history. If I should stay in Jiangdong, then history will change drastically.

Of course, I am well aware that I cannot say these words. Additionally, there is no a.s.surance that this world is the past era of where I came from. Personally speaking, I feel that there is no way that this world is the Three Kingdoms I know.

But I still intend on following the path of history as I feel that it is the right path.

“Wen Yuan, don’t pursue this matter any further. I’ve turned them down and am resolute on this.”

“Hai…” Wen Yuan sighed when she realised she couldn’t convince me, “Since my lord has said as much, I can only accept it then.”

When I heard these words, I finally relaxed. Looks like being forceful once in a while makes things easier.

“Don’t worry, Wen Yuan. I will eventually get a place of our own.” I smiled as I placed my hand on Wen Yuan’s shoulder.

Wen Yuan looked back at me with disdain. Looks like she doesn’t believe that this day will come soon. Honestly speaking, I don’t believe it myself but I get the feeling that it’s not too far away.

*Gu*… Just then, my stomach cried out.

“Huhu, my lord is really unsightly.”

I thought the sound wasn’t too loud but Wen Yuan still heard it. She held her chin as she spoke, and though I couldn’t see what expression she had on now, I knew that she was definitely smiling wryly at me.

“Leave me alone, I haven’t had anything to eat all day. What’s wrong about being hungry?” I protested, and it was the truth.

“My lord hasn’t eaten yet?”

“No.”

“… My lord (Lu Bu) didn’t say she went out with my lord (Liu Bei)… Do I have to teach these things to her as well…”

“What are you talking about, Wen Yuan?” I asked when I saw her helpless expression.

“No no no, it’s nothing.” She waved it away and nodded as she continued, “We have some leftovers back home so when we get back I’ll heat it up for my lord.”

“Un, please do.” I bowed slightly.

“It’s okay, we’ve been together for so long already.” Wen Yuan’a refres.h.i.+ng smile really puts you at ease.

But I really ought to start preparing to leave soon.

“Please wait here for a moment, my lord.” Just then, Wen Yuan who was in front of me stopped me. I didn’t know what was going on as I stood behind her but seeing her serious expression, I got nervous as well.

“What’s the matter?”

Wen Yuan gave a ‘shh’ as she pointed ahead.

Up ahead, there were 2 figures standing suspiciously outside a residence. Looking closely, they seemed to be doing something. From time to time, the moonlight would reflect off of them– That must be light from their blades.

“Whose residence is that?”

Could we have stumbled upon a personal feud?

“Ours.”

“Eh?!” I didn’t think we were back already, “But these 2 are…”

I pointed at those 2 with my fingers, not daring to extend my hand too far.

But Wen Yuan only shook her head, “I don’t know who they are, but if they are here at this time, they can’t be friendly.”

Ah! Could they be here to kill me? Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin had said earlier that many of Jiangdong’s retainers were unhappy about my presence so these 2 could be amogst those unhappy about me.

“Then what we should do now is…”

“Don’t panic, my lord. We should retrace our steps and go around to the backdoor…”

“Who goes there!!” Just as Wen Yuan was about to lead me away, we were suddenly discovered by the 2 people up ahead, who immediately sprinted towards us as they drew their weapons.

“d.a.m.n it, did they detect us?! Good thing I brought this fellow along.” Wen Yuan drew her sabre hanging by her waist and turned to me, “Wait here, my lord. I’ll go and greet those 2.”

Before I could reply, Wen Yuan charged up, and in the blink of an eye, they began fighting. I was afraid that I would be a hindrance and hurriedly ran to a corner where I could watch the fight safely.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Wen Yuan fight, and now that I have, I see that her movements are as quick and smooth as ever. What impressed me the most was how she kept changing the hand she used to wield the sword.

She was using her left hand at first, but she changed to her right after a exchanging a few blows, and back to her left again. She changed hands depending on the opponent and the circ.u.mstances, and it seems like she has different moves and styles depending on which hand she uses.

“Haa!” Wen Yuan suddenly roared as she slashed down at the one in front of her.

But just as she raised her right hand, the blade slid down her back which she caught with her left behind her and slashed at the side of the one in front of her.

“Watch out!” Just then, the other person rushed in from the side to block the attack and was just in time to do so. The one who was attacked saw an opportunity to counterattack and slashed at Wen Yuan’s shoulders who hurriedly back away and got some distance.

“You’re too naive!”

Wen Yuan suddenly took a quick step forward again and charged up at the 2 of them who panicked, allowing Wen Yuan to grab their necks with her hands.

Wen Yuan applied some strength, and forced them to drop their weapons. Clearly, their martial prowess was far below Wen Yuan’s.

“You both have the basics down but you don’t have your own moves yet and need more training.” She said, and turned to me as she called out, “My lord, you can come out now!”

“Ah, un!” I replied as I walked out of the corner.

“Alright, let me see who the 2 of you are…” Wen Yuan smiled as she squatted down and looked at their faces, “Eh! Why is it you 2?!”