Liu Bei POV

“Come on, come on, come on~ Since Gan Qing knows how to dance, let’s dance for bit then.” Zhou Cang finished her liquor and then began clapping as she pressed Gan Qing to go up to the center.

“Ah… No, no, no, I only know a little and I’m not very good…” As expected, Gan Qing blushed and began waving her hands like car wipers at full speed.

“Oh~ It’s just a dance~”

“… I would like to see it.” “As someone from Xu state, I am very interested about its cultural practices.” “Hurry up~ Hurry up~”

Xiao Yong began to tap her chopsticks against her bowl, at which everyone else began to look over expectantly and curiously at Gan Qing. Even Feng Xian, who usually does not speak much and is usually uninterested in entertainment, is now looking over with half-closed eyes at Gan Qing.

Ah, this sort of situation does end up happening here too huh? No matter the era, there is always an unfortunate soul who gets forced to go up and entertain the crowd. I too was forced to sing some boring songs during family gatherings so I know how it’s like.

“Gan Qing, it’s okay if it’s too much~” Which is why I decided to give her a way out. To be honest, I was quite eager to see how her dance would be like but if she’s not too willing then I do not want to force her.

“Wu!” “Ah!”

However, Gan Qing and Zhou Cang gave out surprised cries and lowered their heads and blushed when they heard me. Gan Qing was clearly shy. As for Zhou Cang, it’s probably because hearing my voice made her remember what happened earlier today.

Un, it’s good that she remembers. If she remembers, then there is hope for her to change her bad habits and become an actual G.o.ddess. This is something good for me.

Un? Just then, I felt Gan Qing’s gaze.

“Alright.” Gan Qing softly said and picked up her bowl of liquor and finished it in one go, slamming it back on the table, “There are no instruments here so I’ll sing as well in place of the music. I’ll just go ahead and play the fool for everyone’s entertainment! And for Xuan De!”

“Alright~”

“T, that’s the way~”

“Go, sister Gan!”

Everyone began cheering her on just as she finished. Mi Zhen tugged on the hem of Gan Qing’s dress and gave a guts pose.

“Go, Gan Qing!” Naturally, I too had to cheer her on since everyone else did so as well.

“Un!” Gan Qing nodded vigorously when she saw this and made her way into the center. After about 2-3 steps in, she stopped, lowered her head and closed her eyes as she spread her legs open slightly. Looks like she’s beginning. Everyone else quietened down too when they felt her seriousness.

— And in the next instant, Gan Qing began to move her feet. At the same time, singing filled our wars.

*Ta*… *Ta*… *Ta*…

Gan Qing began with slow dance steps, her arms moving in tandem. Along with her moving voice, it felt as though she were drifting in the wind. Sudden but relaxed, sudden but quiet, and a twirl here.

It was not just me, everyone else was engrossed in it. I am quite sure that everyone else is just as surprised as I am.

Perhaps… With the exception of Yuan Zhi. When I looked at Yuan Zhi, it seemed like she was about to cry. It seemed like she was surprised at first but then she probably remembered what her singing was like and pulled down her bandana as she lowered her head.

Ah… I do have to admit that

Gan Qing is really talented in dancing and singing. I hope Zhou Cang can learn a thing or 2 from her–

“Alright! I’m going to dance with Gan Qing!” Just as I was thinking about her, Zhou Cang got up, leapt to Gan Qing’s side and began dancing with her. Compared to Gan Qing though, Zhou Cang’s legs were not straight and she was slouching as she swayed about, looking very comical beside her.

“Eh! Don’t spoil the rhythm~”

“… Just as we were getting into the mood too.”

“Hahaha, this dance is good too!”

Some were dismayed by her but others seemed to get more excited.

“I’m joining too~”

“I, I’ll dance too!”

Chen Dao and Guan Ping went to join in as well, prompting everyone to partic.i.p.ate. Most of them swayed about as they held their cups and bowls.

Haha~ I could not help but laugh as I saw this. As Gan Qing slowly slipped out of the rather crazy crowd, I met eyes with her and nodded as I gave her a thumbs up. In response, Gan Qing clasped her hands in front of her chest and lowered her head, seeming rather happy about my response. That reaction of hers is really cute.

“Big brother.”

“Un?”

“Nothing much, I just wanted to call you.”

Yun Chang called out to me and when I looked over, I saw her slowly sipping her liquor. Her face was slightly red and her eyebrows were slightly creased, making her look a little similar to the Guan Yu I knew.

Is she drunk? Perhaps I should stop everyone from drinking even more. Speaking of which, I wonder if I can get Zhou Cang to have Gan Qing as her governess of sorts. But then again, I am also afraid that Zhou Cang might lead Gan Qing astray.

As I looked at the comical performance in front of me, I picked up my bowl of liquor.

Ah… It’s already empty. Wait, I finished it a long time ago myself.

“More liquor, my lord?”

“Ah?”

When I looked to the side, I found that it was Wen Yuan who spoke to me. I do not know why, but it seems like Wen Yuan is sober although she does not look like it.

“Ah, un. I’d like one more round.” I said and gave her my bowl.

“Un.” Wen Yuan nodded, “Lord Chen Gong, come and get our lord some liquor.”

Eh? Chen Gong?

“Yes.”

*Tata* 2 steps sounded out before a pair of shoes with thick soles appeared by my side.

“Chen Gong?” I called out as I looked at her seat and then at her, “When did you come over?”

“Just now.” Chen Gong said as she knelt down and poured liquor for me. But is Chen Gong pouring liquor for me? Could it be related to what happened before?

“Ah… Enough, enough, enough.” Chen Gong seemed a little out of it as she poured liquor for me and by the time I looked down, my bowl was almost overflowing.

Chen Gong was a little surprised when she heard me and hurriedly raised her gourd. This is the first time I am seeing such an airheaded display from her.

I looked at Wen Yuan, wondering if she would tell me something but I found that she was now looking at the performance and paying no attention over where I was. I looked at Chen Gong again and saw that she had a complicated expression on. It was clear that she had something to say to me but she had some difficulties doing so.

“Umm, Chen Gong.” Since she’s already sitting in front of me like this, I might as well prompt her, “If you have anything to say to me, go ahead and shoot. Don’t worry about it.”

“Un…” Chen Gong sank into silence and played with the hair at the back of her head, “Xuan De’s survival is something that’s very fortunate for me.”

Un? Where did that come from?

“Chen Gong, where did that come from?” I said as I took a sip from my bowl.

“Before Xuan De came back, I tried to persuade Lord Lu Bu to break away with me.”

*Ke* *Ke* *Ke*… I got a shock from what she said and choked on my wine. This is reality though so I did not end up spewing it out. Moreover, the one in front of me is a lady so doing that would be too rude.

“That– Ahem– To put it simply, you…” I coughed, and did my best to calmly ask her but whenever I was about to say something, the words got stuck. I looked at Feng Xian but she was just sitting there and clapping away as she looked at everyone else dancing.

“Yes, it is as Xuan De sees, Lord Lu Bu did not take me up on my proposal.” Chen Gong said when she detected my gaze.

“Ah… I see…” I sank into silence and felt a little despondent, “Umm, is there anything that Chen Gong is unhappy about with me? If there is, you can–”

“Of course I do.” Chen Gong interrupted me and placed the gourd at the side before continuing seriously, “I had a lot I was unsatisfied about before the Battle of Jiangxia but it’s a lot less now.”

“I see…”

So that means there are still things she is unsatisfied about.

“I’ll be honest here, the only reason why I decided to throw in my lot is because I want to attain officialdom and get t.i.tles. As for whether the world belongs to the Liu clan, whether the dynasty is still Han, I don’t care at all.” Chen Gong said in all seriousness with some anger mixed in, “From the beginning, up to now, I have doubts as to whether following Xuan De can get me what I want and if I am able to follow the path I seek.”