Liu Bei POV

It’s not something to be proud of but I have been through many awkward events since I have come to this era. Amongst them are some really awkward things that I wish I could forget. One example would be this recent incident with Zhou Cang.

“Hai…” Wen Yuan sighed as she entered the room with an exhausted look. Looks like she had quite a bit of trouble huh?

“How was it?” I asked when I saw her coming in, “Did you manage to calm Zhou Cang down?”

“Not at all. She’s curled up into a ball in her blanket. No matter what I said, she wouldn’t come out nor would she speak.” Wen Yuan said as she wiped sweat off her forehead, “Ah… It wasn’t even this difficult after my lord went berserk…”

“Did you tell her that I was sorry?”

“I did but it didn’t seem to be of any use. In any case, my lord is not to be blamed in the least.” Wen Yuan sat down and took a cup of water, “She’s probably just regretful of what she did. Not wearing clothes, that is.”

“Hai… Was she like this the whole time I was missing?”

“Yes, whenever she stayed in. Only when my lord came back did she finally put on clothes.” Wen Yuan shrugged as she drank some water, “But this was just an accident and it probably won’t happen again.”

I should think so…

*Sniff* *Sniff*

Un?

“Wen Yuan, what are you sniffing for?”

“It smells so good. Have they begun preparing dinner?”

“Yes, while you were dealing with Zhou Cang, the Xu state 3 and Chen Dao returned. They then went to get groceries and said they would make a nice feast to celebrate.”

Liao Hua had also brought Yuan Zhi to her room. When they saw me return, they were elated. Compared to Chen Dao whose tears streamed down like a waterfall, the Xu state 3 were calmer but their reaction was nonetheless bigger than I thought. They hugged each other in a rather exaggerated fas.h.i.+on and then saluted me before bowing deeply.

Personally, I feel that I am the one who should be more grateful to them and not them to me. If it were not for their excellent management and administration, Xinye might be in chaos now.

“My lord, don’t forget to make up for all the lessons you missed.”

Of course, when Zi Zhong said this, I did feel a little burdened. But rather than feeling irritated or unhappy, I was more relieved to hear of the upcoming lessons. For now, at least.

“Alright! We’re going to get some good grub!” Wen Yuan exclaimed as she slapped her thigh. Looks like all she heard from what I said was food.

“We haven’t had anything impressive for a while now but it looks like we can finally indulge in some good food.”

All she knows is food. But then again, they probably did not have much inclination to enjoy in even the most basic of indulgences.

As I thought so, I raised my head and surveyed the main hall. Though Xinye city, and this mansion, does not seem to be very big, the mansion is fairly well equipped. Apart from a screen wall, everything that should be there is there.

The big main doors, the carvings and gold dust on the 4 pillars, and sufficient candle stands and bronze oil lamps. There were also wooden blocks in the corner, ready for use. If I did not know that this was a county city mansion, I would have thought that this was a commandery city mansion.

“Xuan De… Ah, Wen Yuan is here too huh?”

“Ah, Feng Xian, come have a seat.”

Just then, Feng Xian came int

o the room. Compared to before, she seemed to have returned to her usual cool, calm self and merely nodded in response before sitting beside Wen Yuan.

“Do you feel better now?”

“Much better.” Feng Xian lightly nodded, “I was really surprised at the start.”

“I see… To be honest, I am surprised myself at the fact that I’m still alive.” I smiled as I said so.

“Yes, we have to thank the heavens for letting my lord live.” Wen Yuan said, and then reached out and touched my arm, “Did my lord sustain any injuries? What about your waist?”

“Don’t touch me like that, it feels weird.” I smiled stiffly as I withdrew from her, “I have some scratches but nothing serious.”

Hua Tuo gave me a look over just now. However, she actually failed to recognise when she did so and initially thought that I was just an ordinary patient. Looks like her nearsightedness has further worsened.

I have actually been considering this issue since a few days back. Even though I was carried by the rapid currents for a substantial amount of time, I had no wounds except for shallow cuts and scratches here and there. To put it simply, it was a miracle that I had no serious injuries.

A miracle huh…

“Oh, by the way…” Just as I was looking outside in a pensive mood, Wen Yuan seemed to think of something and spoke up, “I haven’t seen Lord Zhang Fei in a while.”

“Yi De huh?” I felt a little depressed as I said so but I still replied her, “I saw her just now and gave my greetings.”

In reality, I cannot quite call it an exchange of greetings. I was still thinking that Yi De should have recovered at least a little by now from shock. Perhaps she might shed some tears or perhaps she might smile when she sees me. Yet…

— Ah, Lord Zhang Fei…

— My lord… Welcome back…

Yet when I saw Yi De, she had a pained expression when she looked at me. She clutched her heart and looked away as she left quickly. From the beginning till the end, I was not able to get a good glimpse of her expression at all.

To be honest, I am rather hurt from that encounter. I do not know what happened while I was missing but hope for her recovery seems dimmer than before. I wonder… Should I see advice on this from a medical professional like Hua Tuo later?

“By the way, Xuan De.” Feng Xian called out to me and when I looked over, she sank into silence and stared into her chest, presumably at Red Hare who was probably nestled inside. Just as I was wondering if she forgot what she wanted to say, she looked up and stared into my eyes, “Umm, it might be a little early to ask this, but what position will you be giving Lord Xu Shu?”

Un? What position huh…

“Lord Zhao Yun said that her swordsmans.h.i.+p was good. I have not seen it myself but her figure and posture indicates that she has had formal training in martial arts.” Wen Yuan said as she held her chin in one hand and stroked her fringe with the other, “How about a.s.signing her to be one of our lieutenants? Like what Guan Ping is doing now.”

Guan Ping’s situation is rather special and different from Yuan Zhi’s.

Un… As for what Wen Yuan said, I have considered it before.

I do not actually know what Yuan Zhi’s role was in history, or what she accomplished. Right now, all I know is that she is Zhuge Liang’s friend and that her swordsmans.h.i.+p is excellent. As for what appointment I should give her, it’s clear that I will have to base my decision on 1 of these 2 aspects.

Personally speaking, all I have seen is her swordsmans.h.i.+p. As for her intelligence, I have not had a chance to see it yet. Perhaps it might be better to appoint her as a minor military official. Ah… But that’s a little too lowly for her.

But…

“She’ll be a strategist for now.”

“A personal strategist?” Feng Xian asked, though it did not seem like she was asking a question to me.

“A personal strategist. To put it simply, an attendant much like Gong You and the rest. Unlike Gong You and the rest who deal with internal affairs, Yuan Zhi will handle external affairs.” I nodded as I answered her. But Feng Xian frowned at this reply and she had a difficult expression on.

To put it simply, I will have 1 more attendant. I do not have any reason for this but I have the feeling that Yuan Zhi will suit this role.

“It’ll be fine, Feng Xian. I understand what you mean.”

“You do, my lord?” Wen Yuan asked with a doubtful expression.

“Of course I do. I know what my own companions are thinking, of course.” I said confidently as I patted my chest, “You all must be wondering how a new joiner can take on such an important role right from the start right?”

“Ah… No…” Feng Xian shook her head.

“Hai~ My lord really doesn’t know what we’re thinking huh?”

Eh?! Being told this all of a sudden is quite a heavy blow to me…

“Dinner’s ready~” Just then, a voice came from outside the room. When I looked up, I saw that it was Gan Qing with a bronze tray on top of which were many delicious dishes.

“Ohhhh!” Wen Yuan exclaimed and got up immediately.

“Well then, I’ll help you get the table ready.” I said as I got up and made my way to the corner of the room where the table was.

“Aiya~ Xuan De, you don’t actually have to do anything. You finally came back after all, just sit down and wait.” Gan Qing said as she looked at me with kind eyes. Compared to before, it seems like she has further advanced down the path of being a good mother and wife.

I wonder if her cooking has improved like how Yun Chang’s has? From how it looks, it seems to be the case.