Chapter 100: Qiao Feng's Confidence

Technically, Guan Yu should have gone to Emperor Liu Xie’s temporary palace immediately to inform his two sisters-in-law of the news. However, the weight of recent events left him feeling too awkward to do so. He returned to his own residence instead, thinking that since they still had a few days, it would be better to deliberate on the matter at length.

Yet, back at his mansion, no matter how hard he thought, Guan Yu could not come up with a way to ensure Liu Bei would remain ignorant of the situation. If he went to Lady Gan and asked her to keep it a secret, there was a slim possibility she might agree, but he had done nothing wrong. To ask her to keep a secret when there was no secret to keep would only make her suspect that he had something to hide. If word of that reached Liu Bei’s ears, the nature of the entire situation would change.

After pondering for over a day, Guan Yu finally made up his mind: he would simply return to see Liu Bei as planned. If Lady Gan chose to tell Liu Bei about what had happened, he would maintain the stance that he had done nothing wrong. As for how Liu Bei might treat Lady Mi, that was a matter for Mi Zhu and Mi Fang to worry about. Since he was innocent, he need not concern himself with the rest.

Having settled on this, Guan Yu paid his first proactive visit to Liu Xie’s palace, naturally under the pretext of paying his respects to the Emperor. Liu Xie was already aware of Liu Bei’s progress toward Xiangyang, but he had kept the two ladies in the dark; after all, it was better for Guan Yu to appear proactive while he himself remained seemingly indifferent.

"Oh? What brings the General of the Household here today?" Liu Xie asked with a chuckle, unbothered by the displeased expression on Guan Yu’s stoic face.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Marshal has just informed me that the Imperial Uncle will arrive in Xiangyang in a little over ten days. I believe..."

As Guan Yu spoke, Liu Xie interrupted him with a nod. "Congratulations, General. You have finally received news of the Imperial Uncle. Since he will arrive in a fortnight, I assume you have come today to share this good news with his two wives? I shall have my attendants take you to them at once! There is no need to rush our farewells as sovereign and subject."

Liu Xie’s words were magnanimous, and Guan Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He would have felt truly uncomfortable had Liu Xie raised objections to his departure. Even so, he shook his head and said, "I shall not go. It is not appropriate for me to meet with my sisters-in-law too frequently. I must trouble Your Majesty to convey the message on my behalf."

After saying this, Guan Yu bowed deeply, making it clear he would not meet the ladies. Liu Xie understood exactly why, though he did not expose Guan Yu’s inner calculations. He readily agreed to the request. Guan Yu did not linger in the palace and departed shortly thereafter.

Once Guan Yu had left, Liu Xie did not immediately head to the chambers of Lady Gan and Lady Mi. Instead, he summoned Qiao Feng.

"Guan Yu has been here; he wants me to pass on the news that Liu Bei will arrive in Xiangyang in about ten days. From the current situation, it is clear Guan Yu still intends to return to Liu Bei’s side. I believe he has made up his mind and is no longer afraid that Lady Gan might disclose what happened when they reunite. How is the situation with Lady Mi over these last two days?"

Qiao Feng took a deep breath. She knew that the plan she and Liu Xie had been orchestrating was finally reaching its climax, and the thought made her feel both nervous and exhilarated.

"Lady Mi clearly values this matter more than Guan Yu does. She has already begun to guard against Lady Gan. If Lady Gan tells Liu Bei, the repercussions for Lady Mi will be far greater than for Guan Yu." After spending these days with her, Qiao Feng had essentially seen through Lady Mi.

"Have you mentioned to her the idea of not returning to Liu Bei for the time being?"

"Following your instructions, I have been laying the groundwork, but I haven't broached the subject directly yet. Now that there is news of Liu Bei, I imagine she will be even more panicked once I tell her. Once that happens, the time will be ripe!"

Hearing Qiao Feng’s analysis, Liu Xie smiled and patted her head. "You have truly inherited my knack for this. If this succeeds, you shall have officially completed your apprenticeship."

Flattered by the praise, Qiao Feng asked with a hint of worry, "And what if it fails?"

"If it fails, it has nothing to do with us. I will simply have lost a great opportunity, and who knows how long it would take to find another? As for Liu Bei, if we cannot make him disappear now, it will be difficult to eliminate him completely in the future."

"I will not fail. Your Majesty, wait here for the news. I shall go now and let them know. If all goes smoothly, we will have word by tonight."

With that, Qiao Feng strode out with her head held high. Watching her go, Liu Xie stroked his chin, thinking that his impulsive decision to take the two of them from Sun Ce had been truly inspired—it was, by all accounts, an entirely correct move.

Upon leaving Liu Xie’s chambers, Qiao Feng went straight to the quarters of Lady Gan and Lady Mi, informing them that Liu Bei would arrive in Xiangyang in a little over ten days and that Guan Yu intended to depart shortly thereafter.

Lady Gan was the most overjoyed; her happiness was plain to see. After showering Qiao Feng with thanks, she immediately began packing her belongings. Although she had little to pack, it did not hinder her from expressing her delight. Lady Mi was also happy, but in her eyes, Qiao Feng saw far more anxiety.

She did not speak to Lady Mi privately just yet, choosing instead to return to her own quarters.

Several hours passed. Neither in Wujun nor in Liu Xie’s palace did anything change because of the impending arrival of Liu Bei. The only ones affected were Guan Yu, Lady Gan, and Lady Mi.

When night fell, Lady Mi walked out of her room alone and sat quietly in the small garden outside their quarters. She found herself reminiscing about the time she had spent by Liu Bei’s side. Although they had spent this entire period longing to return to him, she suddenly wondered what exactly was so attractive about being with Liu Bei.

She was not yet thirty, while Liu Bei was over forty. Aside from his title as Imperial Uncle, he seemed indifferent to the life or death of his wives—or at the very least, not nearly as concerned as Guan Yu was.

Why, then, had she been so desperate to return?