Liu Bei POV

After packing away everything in the mansion, stacking the pieces of silk, Zi Long and I went to retrieve our horses from the courtyard and set off from the backdoor for Liu Biao’s residence.

Before we left, I turned back and looked at the flower patch in the courtyard where an unnamed fake driver / real a.s.sa.s.sin was buried. Someday perhaps, a new tenant might discover his corpse. If it happens in the modern era, archaeologists might mistake him for an owner of the house and he might be in a display in a museum somewhere. That’s a little too good for someone like him.

As I walked out of the mansion, I felt a little reluctance to leave but it soon disappeared once I mounted my horse. Only now did I realise that I was more suited to a horse than a seat in the hall.

“Imperial Uncle!”

As I reached the entrance of Liu Biao’s residence, the guards bowed and saluted to me. Compared to before, there were more guards on duty. When I looked to the left, I found quite a few unfamiliar officials entering as well. There were so many horses that there were several valets around.

“Here, Imperial Uncle. I’ll help you bring the horse in.” A valet said as he walked towards me.

“Ah, un. Alright.” I nodded and handed the reins to him.

He raised his head and got nervous as he took the reins, “Imperial Uncle, this horse is…”

He was clearly awestruck by Dilu. I looked over and saw that Dilu was staring into the valet’s eyes. There was a patch of white between its brows which made its stare even more fearsome.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” I smiled stiffly and pushed the reins to him, “Dilu is rather obedient so don’t worry too much.”

When he heard me call Dilu obedient, the valet had a funny look on his face. He looked at me, and then at the horse. This went on several times before he finally took the reins from me.

And when they were fully handed over, Dilu didn’t seem agitated in the least.

“See? I told you so.” I said to the valet, who seemed a little more relaxed but was still highly vigilant nonetheless as he slowly pulled on the reins and led Dilu to the stables.

*Tatatata*–

Just then, the sound of a horse galloping could be heard. I turned back and saw that it was Zi Long who had been left behind by me.

“Yo, Zi Long.” I waved as I greeted her.

But clearly, Zi Long wasn’t as good-spirited and she began scolding me the moment she dismounted, “Really, even if Dilu is as fast as the wind, you should wait for me. You’re not rus.h.i.+ng to see your bride anyway!”

She handed the reins to a valet, looked about and continued in a hushed voice, “If you’re going to ride so quickly, how are you going to deal with any a.s.sa.s.sins you meet along the way?”

“Sorry, sorry,” I smiled as I waved my hand in front of me, “To be honest, I still can’t quite control Dilu. I’m just being driven by him.”

I just received him a few days ago and it was already difficult enough learning how to navigate around the street corners as it was very difficult to get Dilu to reduce its speed.

“Hai…” Zi Long sighed and then put her serious look back on, “I haven’t seen any possible a.s.sailants on the way here. It seems a bit too obvious to set the ambush point inside the residence.”

“Yes, so that means there shouldn’t be an issue right?” I replied relaxedly.

Compared to Zi Long, my sense of caution is less. No matter what, Cai Mao and Lady Cai won’t go to such lengths as to risk it all to take my life.

Un… At least from what I can recall, it seems like Liu Bei and Cai Mao did not have relations that got so bad. Though I wouldn’t rely too much on what I remember.

(TL: He is dead wrong here.)

“Un… Whatever the case, let’s discuss further after we go in.” Zi Long thought for a moment and seemed to come to the conclusion that it wasn’t as bad as she thought and nodded as she rubbed her stomach, “Besides, I’m famished.”

“Aiya, Zi Long, don’t be like that.”

“It’s fine. Hurry up, Xuan De.”

I smiled and led the excited Zi Long into the mansion.

“Umm, may I ask if this is Lord Zhao Yun?” Just as we entered, an official walked out from the side and asked Zi Long.

“Yes, that would be me. What is the matter?”

“Ah, because Lord Zhao Yun is a warrior general, please come to an alternative venue for the banquet.” The official said as he pointed to a different door.

“Why is there such a thing? I’ve never heard of it.” Zi Long said as she frowned.

“I’m very sorry, but, but this is indeed the case this time.” The official seemed a little withdrawn at Zi Long’s frown but he stood his ground, “Lord Wen Ping and Lord Cai Mao are also there. The Governor gave instructions for only royal kin and ceremonial officials to be admitted to the main venue.”

“Lord Cai Mao is there as well?” Cai Mao’s name caught Zi Long’s attention.

Ah… This really does seem like something Liu Biao would do. I felt helpless and irritated inside and clapped Zi Long’s shoulders as I said, “Zi Long, it’s fine, go and eat at the alternative venue.”

“Un… If Cai Mao is there as well, then that’s fine. At the very least, I’ll be able to watch over her and stop her from doing anything untoward.” Zi Long muttered and nodded.

Immediately, she leaned downwards and whispered into my ear, “But no matter what, Xuan De ought to be careful. If anything crops up, just leave me behind and go. I’ll follow you somehow.”

For some reason, Zi Long sent me a flirtatious smile when she finished, which made me feel awkward. I can’t believe Zi Long is still toying with me at such a time…

“I know.” I lightly nodded as I held my chin.

“I’ll be going off now then.” Zi Long said as she lightly jogged over, “If everything goes well, then just let me know later when you come out.”

“Un, got it.”

What she means is that the time to leave will be left to me. That said, I don’t have plans to stay here for too long. I intend to see Liu Biao, ask about Liu Qi and Liu Cong, have some wine, talk for a bit and then leave.

“Now then, Imperial Uncle, please follow me…” Another attendant said as he greeted me and beckoned me to follow behind him.

I nodded and followed behind him.

Along the way, it seemed like there was a festive atmosphere throughout the place. Everywhere were lanterns and bright decorations that seemed like Lunar New Year celebrations. The mansion as a whole seemed a lot different than usual.

But once I realised that these decorations were put up for me, I felt a bit awkward. To be honest, even if there wasn’t an attendant to guide me, I know where and how to go. I’ve been here so many times that I can’t even remember how many times I’ve been here.

But it’s likely I’ll not have very many opportunities to come here again after this visit.

It’s also possible this might be my last visit.

“Blood brother? Is it blood brother?” Just as I entered the courtyard, Liu Biao’s excited voice could be heard from the main hall.

“Yes, elder brother! I’m here!” I yelled and waved my hands at him. Naturally, I was prepared for this and knew how to react.

“Blood brother! Come quick, come quick!” Liu Biao got even more excited when he heard that it was me, and hurriedly got up and stood at the doorway.

“Alright, alright!” I replied. The attendant beside me looked a little perturbed and shook my head inside my heart. This is probably the first time he’s seeing Liu Biao in this state.

“Umm, attendant, I’ll be fine on my own from here. You can return to your post.”

“Ah… Un.”

My words seemed like a lifesaver to him as he stood in a daze for a moment before hurriedly acceding and bowed before turning to leave.

He probably doesn’t know how to deal with such conflicting images of the Governor, I thought as I hurried up the steps. Just as I got onto the third step, Liu Biao pa.s.sionately hauled me up into the room.

“Come have a look.” Liu Biao spread his arms open as he said.

This room is the same one as the one we had our late night conversation in. At this time, it was decorated just like the rest of the mansion and was more inviting than the last time.

“What do you think? Are the decorations you saw on your way in adequate?” Liu Biao said as he gave a sheepish smile, “I have to say they are a bit lacking and it feels a bit incomplete.”

“No, no, elder brother is being too humble. The decorations I saw on my way in are indeed good.” I said as I surveyed the room and frowned as I looked at Liu Biao, “But this isn’t my first time coming here. I feel that elder brother has put in too much effort for this.”

“Eh~ You can’t say that.” He said as he gestured for me to sit while he went and took the main seat, “You’re about to leave and garrison at Xinye to guard the borders for Jing state. Whatever the case, I ought to send you off. — Please.”

“Ah, yes, please.”

As we made our way to our seats, we asked each other to sit before sitting down together. I looked about and found that apart from seats for Liu Biao and I, there were just 2 other seats, probably for Liu Qi and Liu Cong. There were another 4 seats in the row behind, probably for the master of ceremonies and muscians. But it seems like no one else has arrived yet.

Liu Biao picked up a wine jar and poured himself a cup of wine before raising the jar towards me upon which I promptly brought my cup towards him.

“Ah, don’t be too hasty to leave, blood brother. My daughters, the master of ceremonies and the musicians will be here soon.” Liu Biao hurriedly explained, probably because he caught my gaze at the empty seats, “Hai, this is my fault as well. I only knew last night that you were leaving for Xinye today. So the preparations only began last night and the invitations were only sent out today.”

“Yes, I only just received the invitations.”