Liu Bei POV

“Who is it?” I asked softly as Zi Long frowned.

“Could it be Lord Guan Yu and the rest? No, they wouldn’t come back, would they…”

Could they have left something behind? I wondered as I decided that I ought to go to the entrance to check.

Of course, now that Guan Ping isn’t around anymore, I’ll have to do this myself. Though that really needn’t to be said.

By this time, I’d already made my way to the main gate with Zi Long in tow. I lightly cleared my throat and asked once more, “May I ask who’s there?”

Just as I finished, a male voice came from outside, “I am the Governor’s Master of Ceremonies. May I ask if the Imperial Uncle is still in?”

He’s looking for me? I looked at Zi Long, who returned my gaze with a rather serious and cautious look.

And just then, the voice continued once more, “I am here to present an invitation to Imperial Uncle.”

Un? An invitation?

“Is it from elder brother?”

“Yes,” The man outside continued, “The Lord Governor wishes to hold a farewell banquet for you.”

A farewell banquet? Un… Seems a little suspicious.

“Whatever the case, let us first retrieve the invitation.” Zi Long said and took a step back as she placed her hand on the sword hanging by her side.

“Xuan De, please be at ease. If anything untoward happens, I’ll take care of it.” Zi Long said as she got into position.

Well then… *Giiyaa*

As I slowly pushed open the door, the sight of a very ordinary looking man in standard official uniform with a beard greeted me. I sized him up quickly but couldn’t detect anything off or special about him whatsoever.

“Ah, you must be Imperial Uncle Liu Bei?”

“Ah, yes.”

Looks like he hasn’t seen me before.

“Here is the invitation. Please do make your way over once you are done with any preparations you need. The banquet will be held in the Governor’s residence in the city.” He said as he took out the invitation from his sleeve and handed it to me with both hands.

I closely inspected it when I received it and was rather impressed by how professional it looked. When I opened it, I could see Liu Biao’s signature and seal inside.

I learnt my lesson since the incident with the fake carriage driver, and thanks to having to peruse many doc.u.ments sent over which had Liu Biao’s approval, I’ve gained some familiarity with his handwriting.

And so I looked over the signature and seal, and found that it was indeed legitimate.

“Alright, I got it.” I nodded towards the official and bowed and saluted him. As for the official, he returned the gesture and turned to leave without a single suspicious motion. Looks like he really only came to deliver the invitation.

“Xuan De, what do you think?”

“It’s true, there should actually be a banquet for me.” I replied as I shut the door and handed the invitation to Zi Long.

Zi Long looked it over after she received it and set it down on a stone table after closing it and began complaining, “Why did he have to wait to send it at the very last minute?”

“I don’t know.” I said as I sat on the stone steps, unsure of how to deal with this, “But I feel that I should go to this banquet.”

“It’s clearly suspicious.” Zi Long said with a serious look as she pointed at the invitation.

“I recommend Xuan De to not show up and turn down the invitation with the excuse that we need to leave immediately.”

Un… If that’s the case…

I raised my head and thought for a moment, “That can’t be good right?”

“Why not?”

“I looked down and gestured towards the invitation on the table, “That is indeed an invitation given to me by elder brother. If I do not show up, I’ll be denounced.”

“And so what if you are? By then, we will be in Xinye, what can they possibly do? Send troops after us?” Zi Long angrily replied as she sat on a stone chair with her arms folded across her chest, “In any case, it is far too dangerous for Xuan De to turn up.”

Zi Long remained quiet after she finished and waited for my reply.

It was hot, very hot, and I was as vexed as it was hot. This problem is truly frustrating.

I raised my head and looked at the sky and saw that it was just past noon. If we are to set off by evening, we have about 6 hours to spend at the banquet. We can only leave 4 hours later at the earliest.

Then…

“Zi Long, look at it this way.” I said as I leaned backwards slightly and grasped my hands in front of my chest, “Why don’t we spend 2-4 hours at the banquet, and then leave with the excuse of having to set off? If we find anything suspicious, we will leave immediately. If we do not turn up at all, we might suffer repercussions.”

“Un…” Zi Long didn’t reply and sank into thought as she looked at me before sighing and nodding, “But you must be careful and vigilant.”

“I know~”

“It’s clear that Xuan De doesn’t…” Zi Long muttered and then sighed. She was clearly still worried about me. But it’s also her fault as well for underestimating my intuition.

… In any case, it’s fine even if I’m a bit careless later. I still have Dilu after all.

Liu Qi POV

It was noon right now. To be exact, it was slightly past noon. As I raised my head, I could see that the rays of sunlight were beginning to s.h.i.+ne towards the west side of the city. When I looked at my feet once more, I saw that the shadows cast by the bricks had begun to provide shade for the soldiers’ feet. I then looked at the soldiers, who were standing stock still as perspiration streamed down their necks. At least it will be the late afternoon soon and their discomfort will be slightly alleviated.

“Thanks for your hard work.” I lowered my head and said as I pa.s.sed them by.

“Colonel!” They hurriedly stood up straight and addressed me when they saw me pa.s.s them by.

Ever since I’ve come here, the soldiers have stopped calling me young mistress, which is a good thing for me.

Now that I think about it, I’ve never paid them even the slightest of attention in the past. Partially because I’m royalty, and partially because I feel that they aren’t trustworthy.

Even though that sort of thinking isn’t wrong per se, from how things look now, it’s clear that my current att.i.tude is more pleasing. Be it for others, or for myself.

Uncle, I’ve grown, haven’t I?

“Young mistress…” While I was engrossed in my thoughts, a low and steady female voice came from in front. When I looked ahead, I saw Wen Ping standing near the stairs to the city.

“Yo, Wen Ping, you’re here already huh?” I called out to her as I waved and hastened my pace as I made my way to where she was.

Wen Ping and I are in charge of the west side of the city, with her taking charge of the city itself and me with the perimeter. Wen Ping has other duties as well such as training the troops so I a.s.sist her in managing the troops under her charge as well.

If this were any other day, Wen Ping would be elsewhere on other duties.

“Are the preparations on your end done?”

“Yes, I finished things earlier today.”

Yes, today is special. To me, today is important for 2 reasons.

“Wen Ping, have you prepared my horse?”

“Yes, it is waiting below.”

“Well then, let’s go.” I said as I nodded and patted her shoulders before impatiently making my way around her and rus.h.i.+ng down the stairs, 2 steps at a time. If it weren’t for my guts and deftness, I would have tumbled down long ago.

I can’t be late after all. Today is the day uncle goes to Xinye.

At the same time, today is the day when Jiangdong’s representative for Jiangxia negotiations will arrive in Xiangyang. And representing Jing state will be me.

The negotiation was supposed to happen in the afternoon but father and I managed to push it to the night. I wonder if father has the same sentiments as I do regarding wanting to send uncle off personally with some measure of thanks to him? That said, the banquet is still a bit of a rush.

And so, I have been unable to take time off today’s work to prepare myself… While these thoughts swirled in my head, we’d already made our way down to the city whereupon nearby troops brought our horses over.

“Faster, Wen Ping.” I said to Wen Ping as I received the reins and leapt up onto the horse.

“Yes, young mistress.”

“How are the preparations on over there?”

“The soldiers who just finished their s.h.i.+ft said that the banquet is more or less ready now.”

“Has uncle reached yet?”

“No, but he should soon.”

… Alright, I won’t bother returning to my residence to change out of my sweaty armour then.

“By the way, is it alright to go with what you’re wearing now?”

Wow, if that dense Wen Ping who doesn’t care much about her looks asks that question, then it must be really bad. I should have known though. I’ve been having consecutive duties lately and I’ve worn this set of armour for 3-4 days straight now.

“Father’s residence should have something I can change into, that should do.” When I finished, I swung the reins and galloped off with Wen Ping following close behind.

If I remember correctly, father’s residence should still have some of my personal effects. If there are none, there should be some of my deceased mother’s clothing lying around somewhere.

It’s already late, and I can’t let uncle wait for me no matter what.

Speaking of which…

“Wen Ping, are the doc.u.ments for later ready?”

“The ones for the negotiation with the Jiangdong amba.s.sador?”

“Yes, I left them to you and Yi Ji, are they ready?”

“Yes.” Wen Ping said in a rather thin voice, looks like we’re going a little too fast, “They are all ready and have been placed on a table in the venue for tonight’s discussions.”

“Good, thanks.” I said as I nodded. I’d spent several days and nights mulling over them after all. Even though I can’t quite say they are perfect, they’re still the fruits of my labour after all.