Liu Qi POV

“Elder sister!” Just then, Liu Cong’s voice came from behind once more. Unlike before however, her voice was more steady and anxious. When I turned back, she continued, “The physician is out.”

When I heard these words, my heart began to race and my eyes bulged. But after a moment of shock, I returned my expression to what it was and said, “… Is that so?”

I then began to walk towards the room. I did not run because that would not make me seem very reliable and it is times like these that I need to be seen as reliable.

I also do not really want to know father’s condition. If his condition should worsen further, I do not know how I should face it. I have never even thought about how life without father would be like. And now, all I hope is that he will live on.

“I’ve inspected the Governor and his vitals seem alright. His physical condition is quite good and his const.i.tution is rather strong.” Someone from the room said just as I’d made my way to the steps.

I hurried up the steps and looked over and saw that there were several people involved in discussions. The one with the medicine satchel should be the physician. He was currently sitting at the main seat and speaking with Lady Cai and Cai Mao while Liu Cong sat some distance away.

“Ah…” Liu Cong nodded at me when she saw that I’d made my way over. Naturally, I’m unwilling to get along with her so I merely tilted my head and made a beeline for the physician.

“To put it simply, there isn’t too much of a problem and he just got over-agitated. I hear that he’s had some problems with his liver which may explain why he feels weak.”

Over-agitated… Huh…

As I listened from the side, I began to consider what he said. It does indeed make sense. Now that uncle has gone missing and is likely dead, father being over-agitated is believable.

“T-then,” Liu Cong spoke up first, “How do we treat him now?”

“Un, about that,” The physician said as he opened his satchel and took out a brush and some paper.

“Cong’er, take some ink.”

“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. I brought my own ink powder.” The physician said as he took it out and continued, “The Governor’s underlying problem is actually rather serious and I’m afraid it’s not curable. All we can do now is to help him recover from his current state naturally.”

“Naturally?” Lady Cai repeated as she nodded.

“Yes, naturally. I’ll give you a prescription. Take it for half a year and his body should recover well enough.” The physician said as he licked his brush, dipped it in ink and began writing, “Though the ingredients are all rather expensive, I’m sure a Governor’s household can afford it.”

That is true.

But after hearing all this, I can finally heave a sigh of relief. Seems like father is not too ill after all. Just knowing this is enough.

“*Ke*… *Ke* *Ke*…”

Father?!

Coughing sounds from inside the room drew all of our attention.

“Physician, can we please go in and speak with him?” I hurriedly turned and asked. Liu Cong too turned and looked at the physician.

The physician looked at us and nodded, “I suppose some conversation wouldn’t do any harm but do your best not to anger him– Why have you all moved off without even waiting for me to finish?”

The physician sounded displeased but my priority now is with father, I thought as I qui

ckened my pace and ran into the room where father was resting in.

“Father!”

I nearly yelled out but when I remembered that father should not be exposed to loud sounds at this time, I hurriedly suppressed my voice and made sure my footsteps were light as I called out softly, “Father?”

When I looked up, I saw that father was resting in the bed. He seemed to have heard of me or otherwise sensed my presence as he opened his eyes slowly and looked at me, “… Ah… It’s Qi’er huh?”

“Yes–” When I saw father awaken, my heart raced and I rushed to his side and held his hand, “Yes, it’s your daughter, me.”

“Father!” Liu Cong’s voice rang out shortly after and she too knelt down like I did before father’s bed with tears flowing down her face.

“Ah, Cong’er is here too huh?”

When I looked up, I saw that father’s countenance seemed a bit better. He was not looking at me, or at Liu Cong, and was merely staring at the rafters. Even so, he smiled. Looking at father closely, it seems like he’s lost some weight. The big, strong hand that once pulled me along felt thin and weak in mine.

“Father…” I began to feel tearful as I looked at father. Father has not treated me very well when I was young but he’s still my father. Now that I’ve grown up, I have accepted my past and it’s not like I’m suffering now.

I’m now grown up and father has become like this.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Father said as he strengthened his grip.

“Cong’er, father is fine.” He said as he reached out and touched Liu Cong’s forehead.

“But now, my blood brother…” His eyes bulged and looked towards us expectantly as he asked. As expected, the topic came to what he was likely most concerned about in no time at all.

Unfortunately, there is only disappointment.

“Father… Our search parties have returned.” I had to tell this to father who was gravely ill, no matter how cruel it may be, “Father has been resting for close to 10 days now and we have searched both downstream and up but we still haven’t seen any sign of uncle’s body.”

As I said so, I heard footsteps behind me. There was no need to turn back and look, it was definitely Cai Mao and Lady Cai.

“Only the riverbed has not been searched thus far for Imperial Uncle Liu.” Cai Mao said with a troubled look.

Just then, I could feel father’s grip tighten just as he roared, “Then search the riverbed! If you still can’t find him, then search every stream all the way down. If you still can’t find him even then, drain the river!” Father got more and more agitated as he went on and he was so angered that he actually managed to sit up.

“Father, please calm down.”

“Calm down?! How can I calm down!” Father shook his head and then looked at Cai Mao, “Why are you still here?!”

I turned and looked at Cai Mao and saw that her expression seemed to waver ever so slightly.

“Governor, why can’t you understand my intent in doing so?” Cai Mao said in a quicker pace than usual, “Now that Imperial Uncle Liu is dead, your empire can be–”

“This is not my empire! It’s the Great Han’s empire!” Father’s voice grew heavier as he yelled and his eyes glazed over as though he were seeing something, “My blood brother is different from me. All I can do is protect a small plot of land for the Great Han but Liu Bei, he can save the people! My subordinate killed the potential saviour of the world, what will the world think of me years later! How can I answer to my ancestors!”

“Jin Sheng! Is it that serious…” Lady Cai said in the hopes of laying matters to rest but before she could finish, father stopped her words with a harsh stare.

Father’s lips quivered for a long while and he gave a long sigh, “Hai!! Liu Bei, your elder brother has killed you!!!”

“Father…” I wanted to try and comfort him but the words stuck in my throat.

The words that father said echoed how I felt. If only I was able to come up with a more foolproof plan, things would not be as they are now.

“*Ke* *Ke* *Ke* *Ke* … Ah– *Ke* *Ke* *Ke* …”

“Father!”

“Father, Father!”

Liu Cong and I hurriedly got up and supported father when we saw him cough violently into his sleeve.

“Jin Sheng, I’ll get some of the usual medicine–” Lady Cai said as she turned to leave.

“No, I won’t have it.”

But father suddenly and swiftly lifted his arm and stopped Lady Cai who turned and looked at father with surprise, “W, what’s the matter?”

“Enough.” Father said as his breathing normalised and looked up at her, “I’ve had enough of that medicine. I know I’m beyond saving.”