Liu Bei POV

The short haired woman led us up, level after level. Only now did I realise that this building was rather tall, and we seemed to have ascended 20 to 30 stairways now.

“Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue were rather rude just now. I hereby ask for forgiveness on their behalf and hope you both do not take it to heart.”

“Ah… Un, it’s fine.” I still felt unhappy inside but I still had to make a show of being broad-minded on the outside.

As for Yi De behind me, she didn’t say anything, and neither accepted it nor did she express anger. Seems like she doesn’t want to talk about it any further. No matter how it looks from the outside, Yi De is giving me face here.

“I heard that Imperial Uncle has been exploring the city or attending to his troops. Imperial Uncle has been quite busy huh.”

“A little. We just came after all, and there’s a lot to do.”

Her words were clearly meant to offend me. But unlike the sisters from before, she didn’t have a snide smile on, nor did she look like she hated me. When she spoke, it was though she was reciting from a script, and I couldn’t detect any emotion or life in her voice.

But this way I can’t tell what she is thinking.

Come to think of it, I remember seeing this person on the first day as well. I wonder who she is? I know that she’s definitely not just anyone but even if she is famous, I still don’t know who she is.

“Never mind.” She turned and looked at me, or perhaps only at my eyes, probably to see if she could read my thoughts. After a long while, she seemed to lose interest and turned back.

“But your timing is impeccable. My lord happens to have something important to speak with you today as well. What my lord wanted to discuss with you the past few days can be discussed along with that as well.” She continued, “My lord trusts Imperial Uncle after all, and feels that he can rely on Imperial Uncle.”

Eh? I seem to have heard something similar before…

“Umm, may I ask this esteemed lord to please stop for a moment?”

“My name is Cai Mao, you may call me by name directly.”

“Lord Cai Mai, may I ask if you know what Liu Biao wishes to speak to me about?”

“My lord only said it was very important, and did not share any further details with me.” She answered in her cold tone.

I was hoping to hear about it beforehand so that I could be prepared ahead of time, and not receive some outrageous request that I wouldn’t be happy to accept inside.

What I feared most was something like what happened in Jiangdong. What if Liu Biao tells me later that he wants me to join his fold? It’s not unimaginable given his fetish with royal ident.i.ty. If I should turn him down, I don’t know what will happen.

“My lord is in the room in the inner hall up ahead. As a retainer, this is as far as I can lead you.” Cai Mao bowed when she finished.

“Well then, I’ll wait for you here outside, my lord.” When she heard what Cai Mao said, Yi De understood what she meant and indicated that she would wait outside.

“Un, wait for me outside then, Yi De.”

Yi De saluted and bowed as she watched over me while I continued walking towards the inner hall. As I stepped past the doors, I saw a folding screen in the center. The inner hall should be past that.

If this were a movie or television show, there would be axemen waiting behind the screen and would slaughter me the moment I came near.

… No way, right? Why am I scaring myself for? I’m already nervous enough as it is.

Ahem, I cleared my throat, tidied my clothing and walked ahead in the manner which officials should just as Zi Zhong taught me to.

“Ah, blood brother. You’ve come.” Liu Biao spoke first when he saw me.

“Elder brother.” I hurriedly saluted and bowed to show how apologetic I was and continued, “My troops haven’t been settled in until today so I was not able to visit elder brother and I seek your forgiveness for this.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Tending to your own troops takes priority. You have more time now then?”

“Yes, most of the work has been completed.” I said as I looked about.

I couldn’t see Liu Qi anywhere at all even though the reply from yesterday said that she would be here. Could it be that she just hasn’t reached yet? Is there a jam?

“Blood brother, please sit.”

“Ah… Un.”

To be honest, I thought that Liu Biao would fly over and give me a big hug again before saying some really mushy stuff. But he just asked me to sit down normally.

This made me feel off, and I was beginning to get an ominous premonition.

With these feeling swirling inside me, I slowly sat on the seat opposite Liu Biao. Jing state really is wealthy. Even their cus.h.i.+ons are fuller and softer than cus.h.i.+ons anywhere else.

“I have a lot to speak with you about but there is something especially urgent today so I’ll cut to the chase.” Liu Biao respectfully placed his hands on his legs and sat upright as he spoke to me just as I sat down.

“Ah… Alright.” When I saw how formal he was, I changed my position to a seiza from a cross-legged position and waited for Liu Biao to continue.

As long as he doesn’t want me to take over Jing state, everything else is fine.

“Blood brother,” He called out before he continued, “Jiangdong is launching an offensive on Jiangxia. The situation there is getting critical and I hope that blood brother can reinforce Jiangxia along with me eldest daughter Liu Qi. I hope that you do not turn me down.”

Eh?

“I know that this is a very inappropriate request to make, but I have many problems at hand and my subordinates are occupied with other things so I can only turn to blood brother for help.”

“B, but…”

“Don’t worry blood brother. On account of you being royalty, you can use our Jing state troops. I, Liu Jing Sheng, am hereby asking blood brother to help me.” Liu Biao kowtowed after he finished.

“This… Please get up, please get up.”

I know this is something very, very troublesome but I can’t refuse.

Hai, what mess have I gotten into now?