Liu Bei POV

We really did go all out with paying our respects. The process wasn’t simple at all.

“Well then, blood brother may go to the residence which I have prepared to rest. Your companions should be there already.” Liu Biao who had run me ragged throughout this entire process turned to an utterly exhausted me and said without a single bead of sweat on his forehead.

(TL: It’s quite inhuman of him to accomplish that… If you’ve ever been a Chinese temple, any really, you will know how hot and stuffy it is.)

“Yes… That will be good.” I was rather out of breath, and when I heard that I could finally take a rest, I was actually rather overjoyed.

My exhaustion did have some relation to my poor physical endurance, but not entirely. I never expected that it would take close to 2 hours, and though that all I needed to do was to clap my hands together, offer joss sticks, and kowtow and that would be it. No, during the whole 2 hours, I had to listen to a ceremonial official recite from some doc.u.ment or scripture and kowtow from time to time. The joss sticks that were used weren’t the normal sort either and were really thick and long, and just lighting them was a real ch.o.r.e.

The altar hall was also hot and stuffy and filled with smoke so getting soaked in sweat was a given. At least it was for me.

When I think about how Liu Biao has to do this every day, I felt sad for him. But when I remembered that I had to stay in Jing state for quite some time, I felt sad for myself instead.

I won’t have to do this with him everyday, right?

“Today was just a simplified ritual. We have a lot of opportunities in future so we can do the full ritual then.”

Simple? You dare call this simple?

I really couldn’t believe my ears. My eyes were already red from the dust and smoke and he actually said this was simple.

“Or perhaps I can prepare it immediately–”

“Un, no need for that. We can talk about it next time.” I hurriedly stopped him as I really couldn’t take it.

When Liu Biao looked at the drained me, he nodded and said alright before waving his hand and calling the ceremonial official forward.

“My lord, Imperial Uncle.” The ceremonial official respectfully called out before bowing. When I looked up, I saw that it was the female official with the bagua motif on her uniform who had come to receive us.

“Blood brother, I still have other business to attend to so I’ll leave you to her for now, If you’re tired, you can get her to lead you to the residence directly.”

“Yes elder brother, please attend to your business if you must.”

I lowered my head and bowed while Liu Biao waved his hand to stop me, and swung his sleeves as he left. Just as he stepped past the doors, 2 female officials jumped out from either side. It was the twins from before, 1 with a smile, and 1 with a frown.

Were those 2 hiding there all this while? What was the point? I felt that it was weird of them to do so, and that their actions seemed a little too mechanical.

“Imperial Uncle, where should I bring you?”

Her hair wasn’t short, but because she pinned it up, it wasn’t clear that her hair was long. She was pretty and her eyes were bright. The 2 long locks of hair at the corners of her head made her look like a heroine of sorts.

“Lead me back to my residence directly. I’m honestly really tired.” I said as I straightened my back. I felt like my back was getting more and more hunched due to my poor kneeling posture.

“Acknowledged.”

She nodded but didn’t move off immediately, and just stared at my face. It seemed like she was thinking of something, and had questions to ask but she didn’t say anything and just turned after a short while and led the way.

When I saw this, I hurriedly followed after her.

“Umm, excuse me…”

I wanted to ask her some questions, like why did she look like she had questions for me when we first met at the sh.o.r.e and just now. But she was too fast, and it took everything I had to keep up with her. I didn’t know the layout of Liu Biao’s residence after all so I had to keep up as I would probably get lost otherwise.

During this period, she didn’t say anything, and I didn’t know what to say either. Before I knew it, we were out of Liu Biao’s residence.

I looked about, “Are we taking a carriage?”

“It’s not too far. It’s just 15 minutes away on foot.” She said, and continued walking with her fast pace as she rounded a corner.

If it’s not too far, then walking is fine. I can use this time to relax as well.

So I thought, and followed her around the corner–

“Waa!” But just as I turned around, I saw her standing there staring at me, which agve me an awful fright.

“Why aren’t you walking?”

“…” She looked at me wordlessly, and just as I was about to ask her again, she finally spoke up, “Don’t you need a carriage?”

“Eh?” I was really puzzled at this, “Didn’t you say that it’s just 15 minutes away on foot?”

“And so you decided that a carriage isn’t necessary?”

“Is there a problem with that?” I was really baffled by this and scratched my head. She still had that look on her, but in the next moment, she had a look of understanding as she nodded.

“I understand.”

Don’t come to an understanding on your own and leave me in the dark.

“I’m sorry, I lied to Imperial Uncle. It’s actually about an hour or so away on foot.”

Oi!

“I’m really sorry but I wanted to see if the legendary Imperial Uncle is the same as any other royal. It looks like you really are different.”

“That’s a little too much…”

Does everyone here like to test people that much? She’s just an official too and she’s testing me.

Looks like I’m not very welcome here in Jing state.

“Let’s continue then. There’s a carriage behind.” She said, and turned to continue, but she stopped after a few steps and turned around before she introduced herself.

“Please allow me to introduce myself so late into our relations.h.i.+p. My name is Yi Ji Yi Ji Bo. I am my lord’s ceremonial official.”