VOLUME 8 CHAPTER 70: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A SECRET LATE NIGHT RENDEZVOUS (18)

Yi Ji POV

“Elder sister…” Lady Cai was furious but Cai Mao grabbed her and held her back who then looked at the young mistress, “I understand how you feel and I know you trust Imperial Uncle Liu. But some people aren’t worth trusting.”

“… What are you trying to say?”

“Let me tell you something, about 2-4 hours ago, Jin Sheng summoned that fellow to his residence for an audience.”

“Oh?!” The young mistress exclaimed in surprise almost immediately after hearing this revelation, “What did father and uncle discuss?”

“Hmph, various things.” Lady Cai said ambiguously and continues in a somewhat unsatisfied tone, “Of course, there is good news, and bad, for you.”

“…”

“Aiyaya, even if I am your stepmother, Qi’er shouldn’t be looking at me with such eyes!”

“If you’re just here to play around and scare me, then please return.” The young mistress turned around and made to leave when she finished.

“Ah, wait wait wait wait. You really aren’t cute huh.”

“Why not listen to the end, young mistress? There are clearly things to listen to which are well worth tolerating our presence.”

“…” The young mistress stopped and turned back with clear irritation on her face.

“That’s the way.” Lady Cai was still as sinister as ever and whispered to Cai Mao after she said this. It was clear that this posturing wasn’t done on purpose but merely a result of her habits.

Thereafter, Lady Cai continued lightly, “I’ll be honest with you, Jin Sheng summoned Liu Bei today with the intention of handing over command of Xiangyang’s city garrison over to him.”

“… Is that so?”

Hand over the city garrison command to Imperial Uncle?

Leaving aside the young mistress’ brilliant display of nonchalance, I’m actually rather shocked. If Lord Liu Biao really did hand over command of Xiangyang’s city garrison to Imperial Uncle, then that would mean a decisive advantage for the young mistress’ faction.

I squinted at the young mistress and saw that her poker face was still flawless. If it were the young mistress from before, she would have displayed her shock long ago.

I have to say, the young mistress has really changed a lot since she came back from the Jiangxia expedition. Though she’s still strangely stubborn at times, all in all, she’s matured a lot since then.

“Is that all you have to say?” Of course, Lady Cai was rather surprised at this and looked bored.

“Is there any problem? Uncle has earned that much trust from father after all.”

“Hmph, never mind.” Lady Cai laughed once more when she heard what the young mistress said.

“… What’s so funny about that?”

“No, let me guess what you’re thinking about.” Lady Cai stopped laughing and continued, “Qi’er, you must be wondering how I’m able to laugh even though something so disadvantageous to me has happened right?”

Yes, that is indeed very strange. If Imperial Uncle Liu has been made the commander of Xiangyang’s garrison then, there is no way she could be laughing.

It is indeed very strange… I am very curious now.

The embers of curiosity began to burn in my heart once more.

… Wait. Ah, could it be!

In an instant, I was able to understand what went on from Lady Cai’s expression.

“… Could it be–” At the same time, the young mistress s.h.i.+fted her gaze and looked at Lady Cai.

“Yes, it is just as you have figured.” Cai Mao said softly from the side.

“Ohohoho, that useless Liu Bei actually rejected it right in front of Jin Sheng! Hohoho!” Lady Cai gave rather strange laughs in comparison to Cai Mao’s calmness.

“… Kuh, what have you lot done again?”

“Don’t you dare malign us for this.”

The young mistress could no longer hide her surprise and took a step out. Lady Cai on the other hand, raised an arm in a gesture of innocence.

“This time, it was indeed as elder sister had said, we didn’t do anything.” Cai Mao continued to add from the side plainly before continuing in a more sarcastic tone, “And this time, not only did he turn it down, there is more bad news.”

“… What do you mean?” The young mistress’ voice was becoming a little shaky, looks like she can’t control her emotions much longer.

“Liu Bei actually personally requested our lord to leave Xiangyang and garrison at Xinye.”

“What?!”

Un? Just as Cai Mao finished, the young mistress exclaimed in a surprised voice. At the same time, I too was extremely surprised. If I could see my own expression now, I’m quite sure my eyes are bulging.

“Rejecting Xiangyang and leaving for Xinye. I’m sure I don’t need to explain to you what that means right?” Cai Mao’s sarcastic words continued to reverberate between my ears. I’m sure it’s the same for the young mistress. I looked out into the distance, and though I couldn’t see it for sure, I’m sure the young mistress is clenching her fists tightly.

Xinye is not all that close to Xiangyang. If Imperial Uncle Liu were to really leave Xiangyang, then that would mean leaving the young mistress to fend for herself against the Cai sisters.

To put it simply, it means that Imperial Uncle Liu has abandoned the young mistress. Imperial Uncle Liu wishes not to be a part of the feud.

That’s what it all means on the surface.

“… Why? You don’t believe us?” Lady Cai said as she looked at the young mistress’ face.

“Young mistress, if we really had fabricated all this, we would think of more devious and convincing ways of presenting it to you. But now that we have told it to you as it is, it means that we have no intention of lying.”

“… Alright, I understand.” The young mistress lowered her head and seemed to nod.

“Alright, it’s good that you have accepted it. And so, I strongly encourage you to–”

“But!” Just as Lady Cai was about to persuade the young mistress once more, she raised her head and stared back at them with such a forceful gaze that Lady Cai took 2 steps back, “Even if I’m alone once more, I will fight with you despicable fellows until the bitter end!”

“Kuh! You b.i.t.c.h!”

“Elder sister–”

Lady Cai lost her temper once more and made to go forward but was stopped by Cai Mao again. As Cai Mao held back Lady Cai, she said to the young mistress, “Once Liu Bei leaves, so will hos troops. You have neither territory nor troops, how could you possibly prevail against us? Please reconsider, young mistress.”

“I need not reconsider, my decision is set!” The young mistress proclaimed while swinging her sleeve, “In order to secure the inheritance rights, you lot have done much despicable deeds. Until now, I still remember the strict teachings which father subject me to, as well as the many schemes you and Liu Cong were behind! One day, I will return you this debt of blood in full!”