Chapter 103: Not Leaving Anymore

This time, Zhou Yu wasted no useless opening remarks. After all, he was already quite familiar with Emperor Liu Xie, and Sun Ce was indeed a bit anxious on the other side. So, upon meeting, Zhou Yu spoke out what Sun Ce truly felt.

“Bofu has cooperated with me for so long and has shown remarkable patience. Naturally, I won’t stand idly by. You should have long seen Guan Yu’s sincerity toward Liu Bei. My relationship with Guan Yu is all tied up in Liu Bei’s two wives. Ultimately, it’s not that Guan Yu owes me a favor, but Liu Bei does. So, Gongjin, do you really think that once I speak, Guan Yu will just stay?”

Zhou Yu understood Liu Xie’s words well. It was just that Liu Xie had surprised them before, and once surprises become a habit, naturally people expect surprises every time. But, of course, that was unrealistic.

“Is His Majesty powerless, then?”

There was a trace of disappointment in Zhou Yu’s tone. He himself didn’t know why he held such high hopes for Liu Xie, who appeared to be nothing more than a puppet emperor.

“Not exactly powerless. Since I’m here in Wu County, eating your Jiangdong’s food, drinking your Jiangdong’s wine, and sleeping with your Jiangdong’s women, I must do my best in matters like this.”

What Zhou Yu found most unbearable was Liu Xie’s habit of taking long breaths while speaking, though by now he had somewhat grown used to it.

“Has His Majesty made a decision, then?”

“I’m no immortal; naturally, I cannot change Guan Yu’s mind. But just a few days ago, when I hosted a banquet for Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s two wives to bid them farewell, something unexpected happened—something I hadn’t foreseen. I thought this might be a turning point.”

Liu Xie then recounted to Zhou Yu the incident between Guan Yu and Lady Mi.

“Oh? Guan Yu actually did such a thing? If he really intended to, wouldn’t he have acted long ago? Why would he wait until now to make a move inside Your Majesty’s palace?”

Liu Xie shook his head and sighed, “They drank quite a bit that night. Sometimes, alcohol isn’t a good thing. As for what exactly happened that night, I don’t know myself.”

“No matter what happened, if Liu Bei learns of it, he won’t let it go easily. He’ll either protect Guan Yu or Lady Mi, but he certainly won’t allow both to remain by his side.”

Zhou Yu immediately analyzed the possible consequences and saw a glimmer of hope within them.

---

“If that’s truly the case, Liu Bei will surely keep Guan Yu close. His ambition is to unite the realm; Lady Mi cannot help him achieve that. But there is a turning point: Lady Mi once told Qiao Feng that she was reluctant to go to Xiangyang with Guan Yu.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yu fell into thought. At first glance, whether Lady Mi went or not seemed trivial.

But upon deeper reflection, Zhou Yu felt it might not be so simple.

If used wisely, this could become a tremendous opportunity. However, the potential changes it might bring were beyond his current ability to judge, nor would he share his thoughts with Liu Xie. He didn’t even know if Liu Xie was thinking so deeply.

“Your Majesty, I must return and discuss this with Bofu. Once you hear that Lady Mi will not go to Xiangyang, you must inform Bofu immediately!”

Zhou Yu was a clever man, and Liu Xie knew it. Since he had shared so much, whatever Zhou Yu could come up with, Liu Xie could foresee as well.

Watching Zhou Yu’s hurried departure, Liu Xie sighed. From beginning to end, he had managed this matter himself, but now he had to rely on Sun Ce’s strength, since he himself had little power here.

Apart from Qiao Feng, who was reliable day and night and could run errands, there were practically no capable men to send out.

Although Zhang Hong had lost a bet to him, Liu Xie still didn’t intend to get too close to him for now. After all, Zhang Hong was a staunch loyalist of Sun Ce. If he betrayed Liu Xie, it would all be for nothing.

At this moment, Liu Xie could not allow such a situation to arise.

Two days passed quickly. Liu Xie continued to eat well and sleep soundly, but Qiao Feng was worried. She feared that Lady Mi would still return to Liu Bei’s side.

Although Liu Xie hadn’t told her the deeper reasons, she understood one thing: Lady Mi was a check on both Guan Yu and Liu Bei while staying here. If both returned, regardless of whether Liu Bei learned of the matter, it would be their domestic affair, with no connection to Liu Xie at all.

“Miss, Lady Mi is looking for you. She asked if it would be convenient to come to your room.”

One evening, before nightfall, as Qiao Shuang had just gone out for a stroll to enjoy the flowers, a maid outside Qiao Feng’s door reported that Lady Mi had arrived alone at the entrance.

---

“Hurry! Let her in! Then stand guard at the door. Don’t let Qiao Shuang in when she returns.”

Qiao Feng understood that the success of this matter hinged on this moment. With a trembling heart and excited hands, she ushered Lady Mi into her room.

“Why did Madam come in person? Couldn’t you just have your maid deliver the message?”

Out of courtesy, Lady Mi smiled gently before lowering her voice to ask, “Miss, about what you told me before—that I could stay in the palace—have you already discussed it with His Majesty? Will He truly agree to this matter?”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Feng immediately knew what Lady Mi had in mind. She nodded and said, “His Majesty has already expressed his stance. Since you have been brought here from Xuchang to Wu County, His Majesty naturally won’t force you to leave. If you wish to stay in this palace, His Majesty welcomes you!”

Hearing this, Lady Mi visibly relaxed, then seemed to steel herself before speaking again.

“Miss, I have decided that I will not follow Yun Chang to Xiangyang. If the Imperial Uncle truly cares for me, he will let me return. If not, then I won’t go back to make a fool of myself.”

Ah!

What did this mean? It meant the plan had succeeded. At this moment, Qiao Feng’s sense of achievement was nearly overwhelming, though her expression remained calm.

“Madam, are you truly resolved? If things don’t turn out as you expect, are you prepared to bear that?”

“If things don’t meet my expectations, wouldn’t that mean Imperial Uncle considers me dispensable? Then what is there to cling to?”

Hearing this, Qiao Feng realized Lady Mi had seen things clearly. She knew the matter was practically settled. She didn’t try to persuade her further but told her she would report to Liu Xie immediately and asked Lady Mi to rest in her chamber for the time being.