Liu Bei POV

But the moment the conversation went to Xinye, my mood took a nosedive. It’s been a few days since that night, and the next day after that night, I told everyone everything– Just as I’d originally planned to.

I told them about Cai Mao, about Liu Qi, and about what happened in Jiangxia, as well as what led to the decision to leave Xiangyang and garrison at Xinye. Apart from my meeting with Lu Meng, which I felt wasn’t necessary for them to know, I basically told them everything.

I’d though that they would interrogate me on Jing state matters, or the conflict between Liu Cong and Liu Qi, but most of the questions revolved around my well-being and safety. In fact, most of the questions involved the threat I faced on the way to Jiangxia and the troops we led back from Jiangxia.

“Is it possible for them to enrage me any further?” Feng Xian was the first to speak up, and her tone reminded me of how she was a few days ago when they tricked her and I hurriedly went to comfort her.

It’s a good thing that I left out the fake driver and neither Liao Hua nor Guan Ping mentioned him either. If I were to mention him, things would get a lot more difficult and complicated. In the worst case scenario, I might end up in full on armed conflict with Liu Biao.

“You don’t need to think too much, Xuan De. It’s always the weakest who have the best luck.” Just then, Zi Long came up to me and clapped my shoulders as she said so.

“Lord Zhao Yun…”

“Haha.”

Yun Chang called out to Zi Long in a slightly admonis.h.i.+ng tone with a stiff smile to which Zi Long only responded with a chuckle. It’s clear that Zi Long was only trying to lighten the mood but can’t you defend me a little, Yun Chang? What’s with that look that’s saying ‘there’s still room for improvement’ huh?

“Alright, I’ll do as you say.” I nodded as I looked at Zi Long.

“Un… An, right.” Zi Long suddenly thought of something and came up to me and did a twirl, “What do you think?”

Un? What do you mean?

… Ah ah ah, she must be talking about her new clothes.

“Un, it looks pretty good on you, it’s very elegant.” I gave my opinion. Unfortunately, my vocabulary is rather limited so I can’t really express how good I think she looks.

“Hmph, not bad I guess.” But it seems like Zi Long was actually rather pleased and gave only a slightly condescending response before clapping her hands together, “Come here, Chen Dao.”

“I’m here, Lord Zhao Yun.”

In an instant, someone else began coming over from the room and when I turned to look, I saw Chen Dao coming over with various things in her hands.

“My lord!” When Chen Dao came to where I was, she bowed and greeted me. However, as she was carrying a lot of things, her bow seemed a little half-hearted.

Because of that, she tried to redo it.

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” I hurriedly stopped her and sized her up, for business reasons, as I did so… Un, she hasn’t changed at all, she’s still wearing the same clothes as before.

“Aren’t you hot, Chen Dao?” I asked.

“I’m alright, just a little warm.”

Just a little? That really is strange.

“Alright…” I decided to ignore that, and looked at the stuff in her hands, “What’s all this… And what are they for?”

“Various things, I brought them out here as Lord Zhao Yun wishes to lie down in the courtyard.” Chen Dao answered.

Un, I see… Leaving aside the lounging chair, there are a lot of other things as well, such as pails and cups of various sizes and an umbrella.

“Since the weather is so good, I’ll take the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.” Zi Long said as she stretched her back and looked at the 3 who were still twirling and gave a strange smile.

Those 3 idiots have begun to tire and slowed down. From this distance, I can clearly see beads of sweat on their faces.

“Lord Zhao Yun… What’s the problem…” Zhou Cang actually still had the breath to ask.

“No, it’s nothing.” Zi Long’s smile remained plastered on her face as she replied. She then looked about before pointing at a spot, “Chen Dao, this spot will do.”

“Alright.” Chen Dai said as she carried the stuff over and placed the lounging chair down before sticking the umbrella at the side. She even set up a small square table beside and placed the wooden pail on top.

“Zi Long, this is?” I asked as I pointed at the wooden pail.

“Un? You don’t know?” Zi Long smiled as she replied. I exchanged glances with Yun Chang who only shrugged in response.

“Un, apparently, we don’t. What’s up?”

“There’s a well in the back, a really deep one.” Zi Long said as she scooped up some water out of the pail and drank it with gusto, “Un, it’s really nice and cool.”

“Eh?! There’s such a thing!” Zhou Cang immediately stopped when she heard this.

“Wu!”

“Ah!”

Guan Ping and Mi Zhen who were just behind her weren’t able to stop fast enough, or perhaps they were dizzy from the heat, and crashed into Zhou Cang.

“Ah! It’s so hot!”

As I expected, the moment all of them stopped, the heat hit them like a truck. Immediately after they got up, they ran to the back, probably for the well.

“Hai… Zhou Cang and Guan Ping really are…”

“No, Zhou Cang and Guan Ping are really reliable.”

Yun Chang was clearly dismayed at such a disgraceful showing by her 2 subordinates but to me, there’s no issue at all. In fact, I actually think it’s rather funny and I do think they are reliable from the bottom of my heart.

“By the way, Guan Ping’s skills seem pretty good. Have you been training her during this time?”

“Ah, yes. Guan Ping is naturally talented– But wait, how did big brother know? Have you seen her in action?”

“Un… In pa.s.sing.”

I can’t possibly say that I saw Guan Ping actually kill someone with ease. That said, I recall Guan Ping being rather excited about her accomplishment but she didn’t tell Yun Chang. Perhaps Liao Hua told her not to.

“Well then, big brother, let’s go to the well as well. It is indeed rather hot here after all.” Yun Chang said as she stood up. I looked at her and saw that she was sweating profusely, so much so that her clothes were practically sticking to her skin.

“Go on then, you two. Lord Lu Bu and the rest are playing with the water from the well.” Zi Long smiled as she said so, “Go and join in as well. When I left, Liao Hua and Chen Gong were thoroughly soaked.

— Xuan De should go enjoy himself too.

At the end, she gave this ambiguous sentence.

“Un, I’m not going, I have to go out for a bit.”

Though playing with water is a very excellent choice, I have more important things to attend to for now.