Liu Bei POV

“If what Cao Cao said were to be true, then blood brother would be a hero. In that case, you shouldn’t be staying here with me right?” Liu Biao said with a very minute but meaningful change in expression as he did so. Unfortunately, I couldn’t quite get the gist of it but I could detect that he wants me to stay. Well, it’s not like there are any demerits to staying here for now.

“Hahaha, elder brother sure knows how to joke.” I hurriedly replied with a smile, “I’m not like Meng De who has a place to call her own, how could I be a hero?”

…

Eh? Just as my words left my mouth, Liu Biao’s face stiffened and any remnants of cheer evaporated into thin air.

Liu Biao’s eyes bulged while his jaw was left hanging and stood there in a daze as he stared at me blankly.

Eh? Could it be that I said something out of turn?

“So that’s what it’s all about huh~” Just as I was fervently trying to figure out what I said wrong, a slightly shrill female voice came from behind the curtains in one of the annexes. Based on the voice, it should be a mature woman about 30 years of age.

“My lady?! Why did you come out?! Didn’t I tell you to stay there?!” Liu Biao frantically stood up and ran over when he saw this.

My vision too went to where Liu Biao ran to, and I saw a graceful woman wearing a red silk dress standing in the doorway of one of the annexes, leaning against the door. Her mouth was upturned in a displeased expression. If I’m not wrong, this should be Lady Cai.

When I saw that she was looking in my direction, I got a bit fl.u.s.tered and hurriedly s.h.i.+fted my gaze away.

“You’re Liu Bei huh? Don’t think that I can’t see you just because you looked away.” She continued to speak. I don’t want to admit it but those words were directed at me. I have to say I was rather shocked. Not only did she not address me with my n.o.ble t.i.tle Yu Zhou or my royal t.i.tle Imperial Uncle, her words were filled with barbs.

“My lady, please don’t be rude! That’s my blood brother!” Liu Biao said in a fine tone. I glanced over and saw Liu Biao bent over and huffing and puffing. It’s clear who wears the pants in this relations.h.i.+p.

“Jin Sheng, why are you still sitting in the drum? He’s already said it so clearly.”

(TL: Chinese idiom. Directly translates to [be] kept in the drum. Same meaning as being kept in the dark.)

“… My lady.”

Liu Biao tried to speak to me but once Lady Cai spoke, Liu Biao withdrew his words. Looks like the stickling point is with my last few words from the conversation before.

“Liu Bei, you not having a place to call your own is your own business. Don’t have any designs on Jing state, Jing state is forever my husband’s!” Lady Cai’s voice was even more shrill this time, almost like a banshee. Apart from her rather attractive appearance, her behaviour when she’s yelling at me isn’t very much different from any other old woman.

But her words woke me up from my slumber.

“Elder brother, I had no such intention.”

“Explain! Go on!” Just as I was about to continue, Lady Cai interrupted me. I was getting impatient, and when I looked at her, her expression was rather hideous. It was as though she were looking at a monster which wanted to eat her.

“My lady…” Liu Biao went over and held Lady Cai’s hand but she immediately shoved him away.

“Jin Sheng, you are too good a person and are far too easy to swindle.” When she said this, she pointed at me, “Especially by your so-called good little brother!”

“Lady Cai, I had no such intention at all!”

“Then what was all that about having no place to call your own?! Isn’t it clear that you have designs on taking Jing state for your own?!”

“I was–”

As I opened my mouth, my mind whirred at high speed and considered this problem, but I found that what I said was indeed very problematic. I couldn’t find a way to talk myself out of this at all. By saying as much to Liu Biao, doesn’t that imply that I hope to gain territory of my own? By agreeing to stay here, and by saying such things, doesn’t that signal an intent to take out Liu Biao?

And most important of all, when I said these words, it would be a lie to say that I have no intention of taking Jing state for my own.

“What else do you have to say huh?!”

Wuu… Hatred and dissatisfaction swirled in my heart as I took 2 steps back.

I can’t believe the ultimate culprit had the gall to accuse the innocent party of the crime. I hadn’t even gotten to Cai Mao’s personal army and the fake driver yet… But now that she’s seized the initiative, I have no chance to mention any of this anymore.

I looked at Liu Biao who had a troubled expression. Before when I’d just said those words, his expression had stiffened, probably because he thought of the same things as Lady Cai said. Under these circ.u.mstances, I really have no way to refute her.

Now I’ve gone and done it… I should have listened to what Liu Qi said to me earlier. But who knew that Lady Cai would be there in the annex listening in?

I looked at Liu Biao, who had sank into deep thought. He suddenly raised his head and said in a serious tone, “Blood brother, I can trust that you won’t do that right?”

“Jin Sheng!” Lady Cai howled.

“Of course!” I hurriedly replied when I saw a way out. But just as I thought I saw a glimmer of hope, Liu Biao’s face clouded over with suspicion.

It was clear that he did not believe me entirely. It can’t be helped, if I were in his shoes, it would be difficult for me to believe someone who could easily surpa.s.s myself.

But if I were to be expelled now, with my troops still weary from the exercise, where could I possibly go?

— My lords.h.i.+ps and lady, could you please listen to a few words of mine?

Just then, a steady voice came from outside the room. I was shocked by it and wasn’t able to identify its owner immediately.

“Who’s there?! How dare you eavesdrop on us?!” Lady Cai shrieked once more.

— I am a subordinate general of Imperial Uncle Liu. I was waiting outside the room and had no intention to listen in until I heard a commotion and decided to intervene for the sake of my lord’s life. Please do forgive me.

So it’s Liao Hua huh.

“Liao Hua, please stop.” I said, though I felt that at this point, her saying a little more couldn’t possibly worsen the situation. But then I realised that Liao Hua definitely had a plan of sorts if she spoke up and spoke to Liu Biao in a serious tone, “I leave it to elder brother to decide if he wants to let my comrade speak.”

When I finished, I saluted Liu Biao.

“Jin Sheng, there’s no need to listen to that lowly soldier.” Lady Cai said.

Liu Biao neither looked at me nor at Lady Cai but lowered his head for a moment before looking up, “Blood brother, it’s fine. If your attendant really has something she wishes to say, then she can come in and join us.”

“Jin Sheng!”

“Alright, I understand.” I was secretly overjoyed, and turned toward the outside and said, “Liao Hua, Guan Ping, come in.”

The moonlight shone on Liao Hua’s saluting figure and made a shadow on the screen door. She softly pushed it open and stepped in along with Guan Ping– Eh?

“Umm, what happened to Guan Ping…” I asked, pointing at Liao Hua, or to be more precise, at her back. Presently, Guan Ping was lightly snoring as she was being carried by Liao Hua.