Liu Bei POV

“Eh?”

“Un?”

Just then, we both looked at each other and recognised who the other was at the same time.

“Eh?! Wen Yuan?”

“Ah, my lord huh?” She said as she hurriedly saluted me, sending several droplets of water flying into my face as she did so, “Ah, I’m sorry my lord.”

“That’s fine. But what are you doing here?” I asked as I s.h.i.+fted my gaze downwards, “And with Red Hare chained outside too.”

Wen Yuan smiled stiffly as she wiped her hands off with her clothes, “As you can see, I just finished taking a bath.”

Eh? She just finished taking a bath?

Now that she mentioned it, it does seem to be the case. She was currently wearing a set of figure hugging inner robes. Under the sun, the parts where she was not dry were pretty much see-through, which were mainly her arms and thighs. Her chest was also see-through as well and her red inner garments could be seen.

“Ah… I see.” I said as I hurriedly turned away when I realised what I was doing.

“Yeah,” Wen Yuan continued, completely oblivious to how defenceless she was, “That’s why I left Red Hare outside. I was afraid someone might come in but I didn’t think that it would be my lord who would come.”

*w.a.n.g* *w.a.n.g*~

“Wu…” Wen Yuan shuddered when she heard Red Hare bark. Looks like she really is helpless with dogs huh?

“By the way, what is my lord here for?”

“Ah, I came along with Lord Huang Zu and I wanted to check on you both.”

“I see,” Wen Yuan nodded and calmly described the battle, “If what you’re here to ask about is the battle then… We lost about 1/3 of our troops. The enemy has probably lost about the same but slightly less.”

When Wen Yuan finished her rundown of the result of the battle, she looked at me as she asked, “Ah… Does my lord already know about the details of the battle?”

“Un, more or less.” I nodded. Though she said details, it was really just Feng Xian charging too far up at the very beginning, giving the enemy cavalry a chance to flank the rearguard but it was settled in the end by Feng Xian singlehandedly.

“Some things cannot be helped. I don’t intend on blaming anyone for this.” I shook my head knowing that Wen Yuan was undoubtedly referring to this, “Battles are unpredictable, and besides, Yuan Zhi did not give you both any tactics to work with.”

Wen Yuan nodded and her smile came back, “It’s definitely more interesting to stay here.”

“Eh?” I was surprised at Wen Yuan’s words that had no lead-up at all.

“It’s nothing. The enemy tried to recruit me on the battlefield.” Wen Yuan said as she shook her head, looking like it was no big deal at all, “Naturally, I wouldn’t choose to go to that side.”

“I see.” I nodded with a stiff smile.

Now that she has told me this, I really have no idea how I ought to continue the conversation. But if Wen Yuan had chosen to leave, the one who would be the saddest would probably be Feng Xian. They have been through so much together and I doubt Wen Yuan would even think about leaving as long as Feng Xian is still alive.

“Ah, yes.” I suddenly remembered there were more important things while in the midst of my thoughts, “Wen Yuan, Lord Huang Zu was looking for you.”

“Lord Huang Zu is looking for me?” She asked back as she tilted her head but soon u

nderstood what was going on, “I got it. Is she here to borrow troops for her city defence construction works again?”

“More or less.”

“Hai… Really… We didn’t have enough troops to begin with.” Wen Yuan complained and stood there as she began to ponder, “Let me see… First battalion and second…”

She’s really detailed and thoughtful huh? Looks like she’s probably thinking about how many people she can deploy to help Huang Zu. Be it during or outside of battle, Wen Yuan is probably the one in charge of all administrative work.

And thanks to that, Feng Xian can concentrate on fighting and her martial prowess. That said, even if Feng Xian were to try and do this sort of work, it would probably be very difficult for her to pull it off.

“But I really respect you for being so adept with managing military administrative affairs.” I gave some praise as I looked on at her from the side.

“My lord is over-exaggerating. I wasn’t very good at it in the beginning nor was I happy to do it either. I only got to where I am now by trial and error along the way.” Wen Yuan said and then made to leave, “Well then, I’ll be leaving now.”

“Ah, ah, Wen Yuan.”

“Un? Is there anything else, my lord?” She turned back and asked when I stopped her and I pointed at her body.

“Wen Yuan, y-you can’t really go out like this…”

“Un? Ahh,” She was puzzled at first but finally realised what I was talking about when she looked down and hurriedly covered herself with her hands as she smiled stiffly, “Hahaha, I’m sorry, I must have not wiped myself dry after I finished bathing.”

Even though Wen Yuan had reacted rather calmly and politely, neither screaming nor squatting down, her cheeks were rather red and it was clear that she was very shy as she rushed back into the tent. At this, all I could do was smile stiffly as I turned away.

“Wen Yuan, I’m here to say some words to you both actually. Even though you have to leave soon, I’d still like to say it.” I said softly, feeling that I should tell her how I felt while I stood behind the curtain.

“Un? What is it?” She asked softly as well.

“Ah… That is, you both worked very hard in this battle and did well.” I nodded as I said so even though she could not see me, “Thank you, Wen Yuan. It’s been hard on you all this while.”

“My lord is being too polite.” Wen Yuan said as she came out of the tent. She had now put on her usual plate clothing on and nodded as she gave her signature smile.

“Battles are battles. There’s no need to be grateful to us. As warrior generals, we do not expect anything either.” Wen Yuan smiled as she looked up and pa.s.sed me by before adding, “Peace in the world is better than anything after all.”

When she finished, she set off with big strides, not forgetting to go big round around Red Hare. Even such a strong warrior general like her has her own weaknesses huh?

“Ah yes.” Wen Yuan suddenly stopped and spoke up when she remembered something.

It gave me a shock and I wondered if she had read what I was thinking but feigned calmness as I asked, “Ahhh, what’s the matter?”

Wen Yuan smiled and yelled back from where she stood some distance away, “My lord (Lu Bu) should be waking up soon. When she does, I hope that my lord (Liu Bei) can help me take care of her~”

Un? Waking up?

Wen Yuan then pointed at the tent. Ah, does she mean that Feng Xian is sleeping inside that tent? But why does she need me to take care of her?

“Alright, I got it.” I nodded and Wen Yuan looked at me with a meaningful smile and ran off before I could ask her any further.

Un… But she’s exhausted huh? No wonder Wen Yuan spoke softly just now. During the battle, Feng Xian had to charge all the way to the back of the rearguard to neutralise the threat. That should be very tiring so it’s time she let loose and relaxed for a bit.

As I thought so, I patted Red Hare’s head for a bit before entering the tent. Just as I had entered, I felt like it was really steamy, hot and humid. The tent was not that big and was divided into 2 sections with a dividing curtain in between.

The outer section where I was currently had several stools, a table and several silk cloths used to wipe yourself off with on it. Beside the curtains was a rather large wooden pail with hot water inside. It seems like it was just brought here not too long ago as there was still steam rising out of it.

I cannot tell what is happening on the other side of the curtain so I made my way closer and stuck my ears against it to listen. There was indeed the sound of someone’s breathing which should be from Feng Xian.

Thereafter, I moved my head away from the curtain and sat down on a stool. It was very quiet in this tent and because I was sitting rather close to the curtains, I could hear Feng Xian’s breathing very clearly. They were steady and light, completely unlike how she usually was as a person.

But even after being companions for so long, I seem to have never seen what Feng Xian looks like when she’s sleeping.

Un… My gaze involuntarily s.h.i.+fted to the curtain with my mind on Feng Xian who was behind it.

… It should be fine to take a look right? I gulped and nodded to myself before getting up and walking over to the curtain. My actions seemed like I was about to do something really bad. Though I must admit that it’s nothing good.

Just one glance, just a tiny peek, I just want to see what Feng Xian looks like when she’s sleeping, I thought as I tried to make this improper act seem a little more proper. I also consoled myself that so long as Feng Xian does not find out, there will be no problem.

By now, I was near the curtain and reached out to grab it. It felt a little like plastic but it should be just a slightly harder type of cloth.

Un? When I gripped it, it felt a little weird as the other side was a little wet.