Liu Bei POV

“Eh? Where is big brother going?” Yun Chang seemed somewhat alarmed and walked over to where I was, “Based on what you said, Xiangyang city is rife with danger and Cai Mao could be sending a.s.sa.s.sins at any moment.”

“Xuan De, I strongly encourage you to bring someone with you.”

“That’s right, my lord!”

Zi Long and Chen Dao spoke up as well.

No need, you all should take a rest.

Or so I would have liked to say but under present circ.u.mstances, it’s no laughing matter at all so I did indeed want to bring someone along with me.

“I understand.” I nodded as I said so, “But Zi Long and Chen Dao shouldn’t come along as you’ve both just came back after all.”

I then looked at Yun Chang, “Yun Chang, if you don’t mind, let’s go to the well after we’ve come back.”

“Un, sure!” Just as I finished, Yun Chang agreed to come with me.

For some reason, it seems like she’s happy to come along.

Lik usual, Xiangyang’s streets were bustling with activity. As I walked through the main streets which were lines with vendors and stalls on both sides, the voices of the various stall-owners were deafening.

There were a fair number who recognised me and would nod, bow or even give me gifts. Others would avoid or ignore me, or even engage in quiet gossip once I pa.s.sed them.

Even though I’m quite curious what my image is like amongst the commoners, I doubt I’ll get a truthful answer even if I ask.

But now that we’re on this topic, I’m quite puzzled about something. In an era where information flows are comparatively much more constricted, how do the commoners know what the current ruling feudal lords and emperor look like? Does it pa.s.s through word of mouth from those who’ve seen them in person? That’s way too unreliable.

“Big brother, are you sure you want to take this path.” Yun Chang couldn’t hold back and complained to me.

“Is there any problem? It’s quite crowded, isn’t it?”

“It’s because it’s crowded that I think we should change routes.”

Yun Chang said as she walked up to my side and moved her hand to her Green Dragon Crescent Blade which was hanging at her back and was covered. Though Yun Chang’s intent in concealing the weapon was not to cause alarm, it was clear that it was a large bladed weapon just from the shape alone.

“There’s no need for that. It’s more difficult for them to act in places which have a lot of people around.”

“That may be true but…”

I answered rather confidently but Yun Chang was still rather apprehensive and continued to look about anxiously.

Ever since everyone learnt that my life is in danger, it seems like their nerves are more strained,

“Don’t worry, Yun Chang.” I smiled and clapped Yun Chang’s somewhat stiff arms, “I’ll be careful with my life.”

I am, of course, paying heed to what Liao Hua said to me before so I’ve been doing as she told me to, to be vigilant and careful.

“… Hai. Big brother should be a little more anxious.”

“I think I’m alright.”

If I said I wasn’t anxious, it would be a lie. But it is true that I am indeed not as anxious as I expected. Deep down, I still harbour the thought that because Liu Bei doesn’t die here, I won’t die here as well. Of course, there’s no real basis behind that notion.

And just as I gave my reply, Yun Chang gave a few elegant giggles, “As expected, even after so long, big brother hasn’t changed at all.”

“Eh? I haven’t?”

“Yes,” Yun Chang nodded, “Even though you always look so distracted, you actually think quite a lot huh.”

“I do?” Though I asked, I had no choice but to admit it in my heart. It seems like my face betrayed me this time.

“Yes, you do.” Yun Chang nodded, “Even though big brother didn’t say where we’re going, I’m pretty sure we’re headed towards Lord Liu Qi’s mansion.”

Ah… Is it really that obvious?

“You guessed right.” I nodded slightly and gave a thin smile as I replied to hide my surprise.

“Keke, that’s why I said big brother hasn’t changed.” Yun Chang covered her mouth as she laughed, “Big brother must feel bad for Lord Liu Qi for leaving Xiangyang and wants to go to apologise personally– Am I correct?

Yes, you’re completely correct.

“I feel that’s the least one should do.”

“No, only someone with honour and compa.s.sion would think so. Not everyone thinks that this is something one must do at the least.” Yun Chang said as she shook her head, “These are troubled times, and in troubled times, loyalty and honour are oftentimes left by the side as schemes and ploys take center stage. Leaving Xiangyang means leaving danger behind so for us, it’s not a bad deal at all. However, for Lord Liu Qi, they have no connections to us; and in a fight between sisters, we are not obligated to intervene, so there is no reason for us to join the fray.,

When Yun Chang said this, she looked at me with very kind eyes.

What Yun Chang said has actually crossed my mind before at least once. But personally speaking, I just can’t get behind such cold logical, cost-benefit way of thinking.

“The logic may be sound but I feel that as humans, we shouldn’t just look at logic and costs and benefits but also at the people who will be affected by the decision.”

“Yes big brother, I understand.” Yun Chang said with a look of understanding on her face.

I looked at Yun Chang and felt warm from inside. At this time, the only one who truly understands me is probably my second sister.

“… Is there anything that Yun Chang wants to eat?”

“Eh?” Yun Chang was visibly surprised.

“Ah,” I quickly came up with some excuses when I saw her surprise, “Umm, it’s still quite early you see, and we can take a look around some of the stalls before heading over.”

“… Can we really look around before heading over? Is big brother not in a rush?” Yun Chang asked again, her face still held traces of her shock.

“Yes, I do need to think about what to say as well.” This was the truth, “And come to think of it, it’s been a while since I spent some free time with you.”

“That’s right~ Big brother has been very busy ever since we came to Xiangyang.” Yun Chang said and smiled, “So I’m quite happy when big brother called on me to accompany you today.”

So that’s why she was so happy before.

“I have indeed been rather busy in this period but it should be much, much better once we get to Xinye.”

Or at least, that’s what I hope will happen. Once we get to Xinye, things should return to how they were before.

“… Un, I hope so too.” Yun Chang looked at my face again and smiled as she nodded, “Well then, I’ll be expecting big brother to treat me today~”

“Haha… No problem, but please show mercy.” I smiled stiffly as I said so but Yun Chang was already elated.

I can probably guess that, in the near future, Yun Chang and I won’t be able to stroll around so leisurely. When the time comes, what will happen will happen. After all, I’m not exactly very knowledgeable with history so I’m not too sure about what will happen. But at least in these small pockets of free time, I wish to spend them with my loved ones as much as possible.