VOLUME 10 CHAPTER 23: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS FAN CITY (10)
Liu Bei POV
“Ah…”
… Un? Just as I was about to leave, she spoke up again and when I turned around, I saw that she had knelt down and bowed. It was really formal and I could see that even this was difficult for her as her hands were shaking.
But at this time, it would not be right for me to help her up. What I must do is to respond in kind. And so I did. After a long while, I got up and so did she. We smiled at each other and only then did I leave the room.
“Ah, Xuan De.”
“My lord is out.”
When I left, I saw Feng Xian pouting while Wen Yuan was trying to console her. They too saw me and called out to me as they came towards me.
“How is it, big brother?” Yun Chang asked.
“Un… She started eating after I spoke with her for a bit. And about how she addressed me… It seems like that child was indeed thinking about that.”
Yun Chang frowned, “She wanted big brother to–”
I nodded and decided to interrupt her and explain as quickly as possible to ensure that everyone else would not misunderstand, “Of course, I have no intention of doing so. There is no reason why I would or should do so.”
“… Un un.” Yun Chang sank into thought when she heard my reply and eventually nodded in approval at me decision.
“It isn’t that bad to adopt a kid~” Zi Long said with great interest, “If you do, it will ensure that you have a successor.”
“Quit messing around~ I’m not even 20 and that child is just about 8 years younger than me. I have no right to be her father.”
Zi Long did not say anything else in response and merely shrugged.
“Well then, there should be no issue here anymore.”
“Ah… Un.” I nodded at Feng Xian. This was a rare instance of Feng Xian continuing the conversation.
“Wen Yuan.” I called out to Wen Yuan as we were heading back to the main hall when I remembered something.
“Un? What is it, my lord?”
“You should have some familiarity with Fan city right? Do you have a household census?”
“Un, Yun Chang took it down the first time and I went through it later so there should be no problem.”
“Alright, Wen Yuan, after you’re done with dinner, send out the notice and then look for any residents with the surname Kou. We’ll see if any of her relatives are around to pick her up.”
“I got it my lord (Liu Bei).” Wen Yuan said and turned to Feng Xian, “My lord (Lu Bu), don’t be angry. It’s not like the little girl was in the wrong either.”
“…” Feng Xian’s frown lightened up slightly but she still seemed to be dissatisfied and even hurt.
“Feng Xian, don’t think too much about it. From my perspective at least, Feng Xian isn’t scary at all.”
“…” Feng Xian remained silent and stared at me. I did not know what this meant and was about to ask but she then closed her eyes and turned away.
“Feng Xian? … Feng Xian?”
“… I’ll be with Guan Ping.” Feng Xian said softly and left.
“Feng Xian, what’s the matter? Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?” I really did not get it and turned to everyone, “Did I say something wrong again?”
“No, not at all. In fact, you said the right thing.” Yun Chang said what seemed to be an approval of my actions but did not smile.
“Hai~ My lord is really shy.” Wen Yuan muttered a
s she chased after Feng Xian.
Hu… I just hope everything’s fine.
“Well then, shall we continue to the main hall?” Yun Chang said as she directed us to towards the inner part of the mansion. From the outside, it looks like it’s definitely much larger than the one in Xinye.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Please.”
“Please.”
Just then, I thought of something and went to Yuan Zhi’s side before I whispered to her, “You’re the star of the show later so don’t sit at the end. Just come and sit beside me.”
“Eh?” Yuan Zhi reacted with surprise just as I predicted.
“Don’t be nervous. You don’t need to make any speech. Just enjoy your time with everyone.”
“… Un.” Yuan Zhi nodded somewhat unwillingly and then called out to me after a while, “Xuan De.”
“Un?”
I turned back and saw that she was looking at everyone. Chen Dao, Zi Long, Yun Chang and Yi De were all chatting, laughing and joking. It has been a while since they got together after all so there’s little wonder that they are catching up and enjoying themselves.
“What’s up with them?”
“… Is it always this noisy and active here?”
Ah, so that was what she was wondering huh?
“Is it very funny?”
“Ah no,” I realised that I was smiling and hurriedly removed my smile, “No, I don’t mean anything by that. But yes, we are and I have no doubt that it will be even more so after you join us.”
“… Is that so? Even if I’m like this?”
“Even if you are like this.” I repeated definitively. This was not a lie at all, I really do believe it, that Yuan Zhi will one day be laughing and chatting with everyone and not seem out of place at all.
“… I hope so.”
It was obvious that she really did hope to be a part of us. That was what I could tell from her faint smile.
Soon, we made it to the main hall which was even larger than I imagined. Back in Xinye, there was practically no space except for 2 rows of seats. Here, there was a lot of space at the back and the center was much larger than in Xinye.
“Ah~ It really is a waste to just hold a small party here~” Zi Long gasped and said as she shook her head and poured a cup of liquor for herself. Beside her, Chen Dao was downing copious amounts of liquor as well.
I understand what Zi Long means of course. Given how this room was like, it was clear that music and dance would be a great accompaniment to a banquet, with a full orchestra in the back and dancers in the middle. Unfortunately, all we have is the cold wind blowing outside.
“We did plan on hiring some musicians and dancers but we were too busy and Fan city does not have such artistes.”
“That can’t be helped. This is just a commandery city after all so it won’t have all the stuff of high culture.” Wen Yuan said as she drank some liquor, “But this suits my lord right?”
“Un, it’s quiet.” Feng Xian said as she took several vegetable leaves and fed them to Red Hare.
That’s fine too. I am not too suited to luxurious banquets to be honest. I have been to a few of them in Xuchang and I cannot say I fully appreciated the luxury and cultural shows then.
“Quit talking about all that nonsense~”
“Yes, yes~ Hurry up and start eating and drinking~ We can always talk more as we eat.”
Looks like Guan Ping and Zhou Cang cannot wait any longer.
“Alright, since everyone is seated already,” I nodded and raised my cup above my head, “To all the generals who are here, thank you for your hard work. We’ll be counting on you to manage our 2nd city!”
“Alright~”
“Don’t worry~ My lord~”
“Un.”
We then all yelled out a ‘cheers’ and drank. Even Yuan Zhi drank liquor as well.
“Time to eat~” Zhou Cang enthusiastically said and everyone ate as well, chatting as they did so. Even without any accompanying performance, the mood was good.
“Haa~” I looked at Yuan Zhi and saw that she was still struggling with the taste of liquor.
“Yuan Zhi, you didn’t need to.”
Drinking a little is good as it helps to warm you up but it’s best to avoid liquor if she is going to act like how she was during the battle.
“No, it’s fine if it’s just a bit.” Yuan Zhi said and smiled, looking rather happy, “But is it really alright for me to sit here?”