I raised my hands and rubbed my face with them. It looks like I’m trying to wake myself up but I’m really trying to hide the panic on my face.

Ah… My perfectly laid out plans have all gone into disarray huh.

I wanted to see how far Xuan De could go with his benevolence and charisma, if the world can perhaps advance down a different path from mine but who knew that he would fall so early. Now all that’s left in this world is a hated anti-hero.

Xuan De, you left far too quickly. Now that you’re gone, I’m forced to advance my tyranny ahead of schedule!

When I thought of this, my heart filled with agony and my grip tightened to the point where I was digging into my flesh with my nails.

“By the way, Imperial Chancellor,” Cheng Yu said to me, perhaps because my countenance has improved, “If you understand the situation now then perhaps you might want to go to the main hall.”

“Un? Main hall?” I asked as I tidied my clothing and did my best to appear as presentable as possible. I haven’t moved in 3 days so perhaps I ought to take a bath as well.

But the main hall? Could there be an audience with someone today? I can’t really recall.

“Yes,” Xun Yu added, “You asked the Emperor to issue an edict a while ago to invite Ma Teng of Xi Liang here.”

Ah, now that I think about it, there was indeed such a thing.

Back when I paid a visit to Xi Liang, Ma Teng’s strength was rapidly increasing. Fearing that she might become a second Dong Zhuo, I got the Emperor to issue an edict in the hopes that she would give up her command rights and a.s.sume an official position in the capital.

“I got it.” After gathering my thoughts, I understood more or less what was happening and steeled myself as I got up. I was still a bit faint but I managed to stand up right on my feet with the support of the 2 on my side.

“I’m fine.” I said as I raised my hands. I’m not even 20 yet. Even if there is something wrong with me, I don’t need 2 people to help me about. Though I must say that my mental health has suffered a heavy blow.

“Well then, Cheng Yu, you will come with me.” I said as I walked over to Cheng Yu and clapped her shoulders before continuing in as casual a tone as I could muster, “The rest of you should disperse. It’s still summer and it’s a bit hot to gather around like this.”

As I walked out of the room, the sunlight shone into my eyes and I reacted like a barbaric caveman and covered my eyes. Once my eyes were used to the light, the corners of my mouth wafted up slightly like they were usually.

“My lord, are you alright?”

“Of course I am.” I did my best to answer Cheng Yu’s probing question in my usual confident tone and reminded myself to be calm. There is much to be sorrowful about but at present, I still have much more important work to attend to.

After pa.s.sing through the back courtyard, there’s the front courtyard. It’s just about 100 paces but even then my forehead was covered in sweat. Now that summer is in full swing, it’s either torrential rain or sweltering hot, clear days. I’m not someone who is afraid of the heat but I’m beginning to feel weak, perhaps because I’ve been sitting for 3 days now.

“But I never thought that the stubborn Ma Teng would actually be so obedient. I’d thought she would definitely not come.”

Back when the State Uncle concocted his ‘Edict in a Sleeve’ plot, I’d met Ma Teng in pa.s.sing. She also a.s.sisted me in my conflict

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with Yuan Shao later on. In any case, she is the free-spirited type who isn’t beholden to anyone which is why my decision to send an edict to get her to give up her command rights was just a ruse to test the waters.

…. Testing the waters huh…. Now that Xuan De is dead, and the responsibility of saving the world rests solely on my shoulders, can I still proceed as leisurely?

I can’t be sure.

“That is thanks to Zhang Ji.” Cheng Yu replied.

“Zhang Ji?”

That name sounds familiar but I have no impression of this person at all. He or she is probably a Registrar or something of the same rank.

“What’s this fellow’s background?”

“Zhang Ji pa.s.sed the official examinations and showed excellent performance as a local official. Lord Guo Jia noticed Zhang Ji’s talent and brough Zhang Ji into the capital. Afterwards, Zhang Ji was sent to work in Liang and Yong state where Zhang Ji got to know Ma Teng. Zhang Ji was also the one who convinced Ma Teng to help us out in the Battle of Guandu.”

Now that I think about it, that is indeed the case. I believe the report on receiving Ma Teng’s reinforcements was where I heard that name.

But to have come from the examinations route huh… And to have caught Feng Xiao’s eye too, Zhang Ji must be exemplary in administration then. On top of that, Zhang Ji was able to convince Ma Teng so he or she must have quite the tongue. If I get the chance later on, I would like to meet this person.

For now, I decided to shelve Zhang Ji and concentrate on what I needed to say when meeting Ma Teng later. No matter what, it’s not easy to get her to come so I must achieve something from this meeting.

As I organised my thoughts and came up with a game plan, we’d rounded the corridors and came to the main hall.

“Cheng Yu, no matter what happens later, just stand still.”

I can more or less predict what will happen later and gave her some instructions ahead of time. Her reaction was a lot blander than what I expected however.

“I understand.”

I almost forgot that Cheng Yu is a woman of few words and isn’t the sort to show her temper.

As I thought so, I tidied my clothing, shook my sleeves and blinked as I restored my expression and countenance to how I usually was and made my way into the main hall. After a few steps in, Ma Teng came into view.

She was sitting with her back to me, at the head seat on the opposing end. She wore a skirt with splits, which revealed her strong, white legs when she sat down.

Proprieties demand that she ought to turn around when she heard my footsteps but even after I completely ascended the stairs, she still didn’t turn around to see me.

“Ah~ Lord Ma Teng, it’s been a while huh…” When I saw this, I decided to speak up first and give a slightly sarcastic greeting to test the waters and slow down my pace as I walked in with airs.

Even after I spoke, Ma Teng didn’t react at all and only tilted her neck to the sides, cracking it and began to shake her legs somewhat irritatedly, as though she couldn’t care less about me. But this is well within my expectations and isn’t the sort of act that could anger me in the least.

“Hmhm…” I lightly laughed, “Lord Ma Teng, has your journey here been difficult?”

“Difficult?” Ma Teng shot back and got up to look at me, “Not at all. You sent men to receive me at every towns.h.i.+p and commandery I pa.s.sed through. How could it be difficult at all?”

Though her words seemed nice enough, the flames of rage were being projected through her eyes. I looked into her eyes for a moment before looking away and said, “As I should, as I should.”

Even though I knew such words would only further infuriate her, I still said them and made my way to the main seat after I did so while avoiding her glance. Even so, I could still feel her fiery gaze burning at my back. It’s not the first time I’ve met her but her stare and the pressure she emits is as intense as ever.

From what little she’s said so far, I can more or less guess what Zhang Ji did. The officials and servants sent to receive her at every stop must have given her an undescribable pressure. Met with such hospitality, Ma Teng must have felt compelled to continue on her journey even though she probably would have stopped halfway.

That Zhang Ji isn’t a simple one at all.

“Come, Lord Ma Teng. No need to stand, please sit.” I said to Ma Teng as I pointed at the second seat after I knelt and sat down, “Lord Ma Teng is my guest after all. No need for you to sit at the end.”

“No, the end if fine.” Ma Teng said, and returned to her seat without giving me time to give her another plea.

Now that she is facing me, I can’t hide from her face and gaze. Ma Teng hasn’t changed at all. Her head is still covered by messy, natural, curly hair and her small black irises are radiating the same pressure from before.

“Cheng Yu, serve Lord Ma Teng some tea.”

“No need.” Ma Teng stopped Cheng Yu who was about to move. She looked at Cheng Yu, then s.h.i.+fted her gaze back to me, “Lord Cao Cao, if you have anything to say, then let us be quick about it.” She crossed her legs as she said so and continued in an irritated tone, “Let’s leave the pleasantries aside.”

“That’s fine with me.” I nodded and then gestured to Cheng Yu, “But even if Lord Ma Teng doesn’t want a drink, I am thirsty from the summer heat and would like a drink. Cheng Yu, get a cup for me.”

Cheng Yu nodded and went to prepare it. Ma Teng continued to look irritated and seemed unwilling to discuss anything with me.

“Let us proceed then and start our discussions before my tea arrives.” I adjusted my posture and decided to cut to the chase as Ma Teng said, “To put it simply, I hope you can be an official in the Imperial Court. If everything has gone as planned, then the letter of appointment should have been sent to you a couple of days ago.”

When I spoke, I made sure every word and syllable was loud and clear so Ma Teng wouldn’t get me to repeat myself.