Chapter 101: Immersion

“Madam, in just a few days you will be leaving for Xiangyang, yet here you are still wandering in this garden. Could it be that you find it hard to part with His Majesty’s temporary palace?”

When the voice came from behind, Madam Mi immediately knew it was Qiao Feng speaking to her.

This garden was a place she enjoyed visiting, and she knew that Qiao Feng often came here as well.

Their exchanges during this time had been quite casual, mostly consisting of these chance encounters. Sometimes she would arrive first, other times Qiao Feng was already admiring the flowers when she got there.

Before Qiao Feng spoke, Madam Mi hadn't given it much thought, but once she did, she realized it was true.

This brief period spent at Liu Xie's temporary palace in Wu Commandery had been the most relaxed and pleasant time she had experienced in her life so far.

Although the journey from Xuchang to Wu Commandery had been tense, it was clear that Liu Xie had made meticulous arrangements for them.

In contrast, after Liu Bei’s defeat in Xuzhou, he fled and showed no concern for Guan Yu in Xiapi. His two wives were treated like worthless discarded shoes. If not for Guan Yu, God only knew how many times they might have been violated.

With two elder brothers still by her side under Liu Bei, she was still treated so poorly. If Liu Bei ever learned of this, Madam Mi dared not even imagine how he would treat her.

“Even if I am reluctant, what can I do? I am the wife of the Imperial Uncle. Now that we have news of him, and General Guan is willing to bring us back to him, I must go. As for you, young lady, it is clear His Majesty holds you in high regard. Sooner or later, you will have an official status. Meeting His Majesty is your blessing.”

Madam Mi’s words carried an unspoken envy, implying how she wished she too could be Liu Xie’s woman.

Qiao Feng understood the subtle meaning behind her words. Since Madam Mi dared to say such things, it meant the time had truly come.

Looking at Madam Mi’s slightly desolate expression, the shadows darkened beneath her eyes, the makeup less refined than before, and her figure noticeably thinner, Qiao Feng took a deep breath and steeled herself inwardly.

“Madam, could it be that you are still troubled by the matter with the Deputy General?”

Many emotions were bottled up, lacking an outlet for release.

In the previous days, although Qiao Feng had tried to get close to Madam Mi, she had hardly mentioned the incident, which only deepened Madam Mi’s resentment.

Coupled with the immense pressure of returning to Liu Bei’s side, when Qiao Feng asked, it finally opened a channel for venting.

“We are both women. Think about it, young lady. After such an event, how could I not be upset? If the Imperial Uncle knew, how could he not be troubled?”

“This… Madam’s feelings are deeply understood by me. But while you remain in Wu Commandery, within the temporary palace, I can help you. Once you return to Liu Bei’s side, I am powerless. His Majesty was very concerned about this matter, but since it was investigated under the emperor’s authority and your innocence was cleared, Liu Bei naturally would not hold it against you anymore.”

Madam Mi knew that Liu Xie and Qiao Feng had done all they could. After hearing this, she sighed and tears silently streamed down her cheeks.

She understood that once she returned to Liu Bei, the former favor would be gone forever.

Even if she retained her status as wife due to her two elder brothers’ positions under Liu Bei, her future would be no better than a widow living alone. Such a fate was certainly something no woman wished to endure.

Seeing Madam Mi’s tears, Qiao Feng could only offer quiet consolation.

After a long while, Qiao Feng suddenly seemed to have an idea. Her eyes lit up as she looked fixedly at Madam Mi.

“What do you mean, young lady?”

“Madam, I suddenly thought of a way to see if Liu Bei truly cares for you. However… this method carries some risk.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Mi immediately stopped crying and turned to look at Qiao Feng, a flicker of hope evident on her face.

At this point, Madam Mi was willing to try anything, and she whispered, “Please, tell me.”

Facing such a decisive moment, Qiao Feng felt a twinge of nervousness. After a deep breath, she spoke.

Fortunately, her anxiety did not show to the distressed Madam Mi, and everything proceeded smoothly.

“What if this time you don’t return with Lady Gan?”

Madam Mi waited a long moment, only to hear these unexpected words, leaving her somewhat bewildered.

“You mean I shouldn’t go back with Guan Yu? How could that be?”

“Madam, please hear me out. Your worry is that once you return, Lady Gan will tell Liu Bei about this, and then he will neglect you, correct?”

At this moment, Qiao Feng had much to say, but she recalled Liu Xie’s strict advice before coming: ensure interaction when speaking with Madam Mi, no one-sided monologues—that’s what Liu Xie called immersion.

Madam Mi’s worry was exactly that, so she nodded unconsciously when Qiao Feng questioned her.

“If that is your concern, and since this matter will inevitably become known to Liu Bei sooner or later, why not not return with him? If Liu Bei wonders why, he will ask about it. Whether from the Deputy General or Lady Gan, the truth will come out. But this way, it is better than Lady Gan telling him first.”

Qiao Feng paused again, blinking her large eyes as she looked at Madam Mi.

“You mean have His Majesty take the initiative to ask why I did not return?”

“Exactly. If His Majesty asks and still sends someone personally to fetch you from Wu Commandery, it means he has already resolved this matter in his heart. That would be a happy outcome for you.”

Madam Mi had been educated since childhood and possessed some analytical skills.

Indeed, if things proceeded as Qiao Feng suggested, the issue would be resolved smoothly. But immediately, she thought of another possibility.

“But what if His Majesty still cares about this matter?” After a moment’s thought, Madam Mi bit her lip and furrowed her brows, clearly having anticipated something troubling.