Liu Bei POV

“But no matter what, I am very thankful to blood brother for caring this much for me. There are few who do so, much less ones who are royals.” Liu Biao said softly to me as he smiled. I only nodded in response as I wasn’t sure what I ought to say and did my best to appear humble.

Just then, Liu Biao’s expression changed meaningfully and he looked about before coming close to me and asking, “Blood brother, as a man, who do you think is better? Liu Cong or Liu Qi?”

“Eh? What are you talking about, elder brother?”

“No, I’m just preparing contingency plans.”

Contingency plans? What plans?

“Imperial Uncle.” Just as I was fraught with confusion, a familiar voice came from the entrance of the main hall.

“Who is it? Can’t you see that I’m busy speaking with my blood brother?” Liu Biao turned as I did and spoke irritatedly. This is probably his usual att.i.tude when speaking with his retainers.

I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Apart from us, the only ones who can come here are the musicians and the master of ceremonies. I don’t know any musicians but I do know a master of ceremonies and only one of them would directly address me as Imperial Uncle.

“You’re here huh, Yi Ji.” I said with great relief when I saw her. Though Liu Biao hadn’t explained himself, I’d begun to feel an ominous premonition. Yes, every time Liu Biao tries to sell me something, he has the same expression on his face.

That’s why Yi Ji’s sudden appearance is truly timely.

“So it’s Yi Ji huh.” Seeing that Yi Ji was here, Liu Biao first separated himself from me and sent a glance my way before putting on a serious expression as he greeted her.

“My lord.” Yi Ji too, replied in kind, and greeted Liu Biao as she bowed and saluted before making her way to her seat.

Her seat happened to be the first and foremost amongst the seats positioned in the last row, and was also the seat just behind mine. Looks like Yi Ji isn’t a low ranking official at all and is likely the highest master of ceremonies here.

“Keep it a secret for me.” Liu Biao whispered into my ear all of a sudden in a cheeky voice. It wasn’t anything good at all but he spoke to me as though it were a childish prank. I felt a little awkward and wanted to give a reply but he’d already turned back.

“Ahem…” Liu Biao swung his sleeve and returned to the main seat and beckoned me to return as well, “Come blood brother, please sit as well.”

“Ah, un.” I swallowed my words and nodded before going around Liu Biao to my seat. As I walked past him, I s.h.i.+fted my gaze downwards and saw that he had placed his arm which had a sleeve dirtied by blood on the inside and used his hand to cover it, so that Yi Ji couldn’t see it.

As royalty, he has to maintain a majestic and dignified appearance. And since he truly wishes to hide it, an outsider like myself has no right to divulge it. I would do wrong to all sides if I did so.

I don’t wish to but I have to do as Liu Biao says for now.

“By the way, if I remember correctly, Jiangdong’s representative will be arriving today for discussions regarding Jiangxia with Qi’er taking the lead, am I correct?” Liu Biao said as he took another swig from the wine jar. He’s probably doing that to wash away any traces of blood from his lips.

“Yes, they are expected to arrive in the evening.” Yi Ji said and leaned forward such that her forehead touched my back which made me instinctively sit upright, “All preparations are complete on the young mistress’s side.”

“Un… Very good.”

“Jiangxia negotiations?” I asked.

I’ve been fully occupied with the move to Xinye and haven’t had the leisure to bother about anything else at all.

“Yes, that Han Song fellow couldn’t settle it for me.” Liu Biao nodded and continued unhappily, “In the end, the other side has insisted on seeing me in Xiangyang and said that they have important things to discuss.”

He seems unhappy that it’s not come to an end yet. But Liu Qi is going to be responsible for this huh? Looks like she’s gained Liu Biao’s trust, I thought, and felt happy for Liu Qi.

“I feel that Liu Qi is the appropriate person for the job.” I said.

“Oh? You think so too?” Liu Biao smiled when he heard it, like how parents look when their children are being praised.

“Liu Qi’s recent performance has been good, though she’s still a little eccentric, she’s begun to interact with her subordinates. I am very relieved about that.”

What father calls his children eccentric… No wonder your children don’t like you, so I thought. I kept this thought inside me when I recalled that this was a man who puts up a strong front and he would never say these words of praise to Liu Qi directly.

“But what’s the important matter which they wish to discuss?” I asked again out of curiosity. It’s the Jiangdong people after all. If they say it’s something important then there’s definitely something behind it.

“The other side didn’t clarify themselves, only that they wish to continue discussions in person.” Liu Biao continued and then turned to Yi Ji, “What do you think? What is their purpose for coming here?”

If Zhou Yu and Lu Su are behind this visit, then they must be thinking about how they can extract as much benefit out of this as they can. Especially Zhou Yu, she hates losing out after all.

“Your retainer does not know. But from what Han Song said in the last report, Jiangxia city will be returned.” Yi Ji said in a strong tone of voice which made her usual calm and emotionless voice even more weird, “But from our prior exchanges, they have expressed their unhappiness at our deployment of Imperial Uncle.”

Ah… Why must you mention me here?

When I heard this, I felt like there was going to be more trouble again. Liu Biao is sometimes overly thoughtful and if he reads too much into this, then I’ll have to go to great lengths to explain myself all over again. And I don’t have the time to do so as I’ll be leaving for Xinye imminently.

But when I looked up at Liu Biao, he did not seem to be in deep thought as I expected. Instead, he just nodded with a melancholic expression, as though he agreed with the Jiangdong representatives, “Hai, they’re right.”

He actually agreed…

“No, elder brother, I don’t mind at all.” I hurriedly said and waved my hands. I have to be careful here with what I say no matter what.

“It’s fine. Yi Ji, if they mention this again, please seek their understanding on this matter.” Liu Biao said to Yi Ji.

“Yes.” Yi Ji acceded immediately. At the end of the day, I still have no clue what the important matter is.

“Eh? Come to think of it, is it fine for Yi Ji to be here?” Liu Biao suddenly called out loudly as though he just thought of something, which gave me a shock, “Shouldn’t your side still be busy with the preparations? I did indeed send you an invitation but I didn’t expect you to be able to make it so early.”

“Most of the work has been completed. The doc.u.ments themselves have all been prepared by the young mistress and Lord Wen Ping.” Yi Ji said calmly.

Looks like Yi Ji is rather experienced in administrative work. Speaking of which, I can imagine Liu Qi having trouble writing the beginning introductory niceties like I did when I started out.

Well, I still don’t know how to write them.

“I see. You’re all quite fast huh. Especially since I heard that Qi’er and Wen Ping have also reached.” Liu Biao said and looked relieved as he raised the wine jar to his mouth– “Un? Is it empty?”

The wine jar was tilted completely but not a single drop of wine came out. We’ve been at it for quite a while now so it’s reasonable that it’s empty now.

“I’ll help you get some more wine.” Yi Ji said and made to get up but was immediately stopped by Liu Biao.

“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll go and get it myself.” Liu Biao said as he waved his hands.

“Eh?”

Eh?

It wasn’t just Yi Ji. I too was shocked at Liu Biao’s words. Based on his personality, this was something that should have been handed to Yi Ji but yet, he has insisted on doing it personally.

“What’s so surprising?” Liu Biao said as he looked at our, ah probably just mine, expressions and smiled stiffly, “Yi Ji just came and has probably been working all morning so why should I trouble Yi Ji further?”

“… Many thanks to my lord for his understanding.” Yi Ji immediately lowered her head and bowed and saluted.

Liu Biao only smiled in response before heading into the back of the room which should be where wine was stored. Even when he was walking, I found that he still made sure not to let his bloodied sleeves be seen.

Could Liu Biao’s actions be a sudden show of kindness before death? Not that he isn’t kind, but people tend to express these feelings more when they are near death.

Looks like Liu Biao wants to leave a good name after all.

— Lord Imperial Uncle!

Un? Just as I was a.s.sessing Liu Biao, Yi Ji suddenly called out to me in a whisper.