Chapter 116: No Respect Given

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Liu Xie naturally understood Sun Ce’s concern. Sun Ce had clearly realized long ago that he could not outmatch Liu Xie, whether in wit or in eloquence.

What if he allowed all his ministers to speak with Liu Xie directly, only for them to be persuaded by the rightful emperor into pledging loyalty to him? That would be disastrous.

Under such circumstances, Sun Ce could only ensure that either he himself or people he personally trusted communicated with Liu Xie. Only then could he preserve his absolute authority in Jiangdong.

Those two men were Zhou Yu and Zhang Hong.

What Sun Ce had evidently never expected was that, after several months, both Zhang Hong and Zhou Yu had developed a subtle understanding with Liu Xie, to one degree or another.

Of course, that understanding amounted to little for the moment. But if it continued over time, it would become nothing short of a catastrophe for Sun Ce.

Liu Xie was once again hosting the banquet in the large open space beside the garden behind the main hall. Yet compared with the first time they had grilled skewers there, the place had changed beyond recognition.

Liu Xie had completely rearranged the courtyard. There was a dedicated area for grilling, another for dining, and a platform at the front where everyone could enjoy the singing and dancing of performers while feasting on skewers.

For instance, Liu Xie had already made it clear to Sun Ce that, as the local lord of Jiangdong, Sun Ce would have to bring two troupes of dancers with him. Otherwise, the banquet would be utterly pointless.

At last, just as the appointed time was approaching, Sun Ce arrived, fashionably late. But that was not what caught Liu Xie’s attention. After exchanging greetings with Sun Ce, Liu Xie’s gaze was drawn to a figure standing behind him.

She was a tall, well-built woman dressed in fitted martial attire, which accentuated her broad shoulders, slender waist, and full hips to perfection.

Her skin was as smooth and pale as white jade, without a trace of excess flesh. Her long hair was tied high at the back of her head, lending her an even more heroic air. In short, her attire was utterly unlike that of nearly every other woman in the Han Empire, and that very difference struck Liu Xie with considerable force—and fascination.

As he looked at her, Liu Xie unconsciously swallowed. He had not managed to control himself at all.

“I have been waiting so long for my Grand Commandant that I have grown thirsty. Grand Commandant, do not forget to punish yourself with a few cups later!”

To avoid an utterly humiliating moment, Liu Xie hurriedly came up with an excuse.

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“Your Majesty, there is no need to hurry inside just yet. I have brought my younger sister with me today. Shangxiang, come and pay your respects to His Majesty!”

As he spoke, Sun Ce brought Sun Shangxiang out from behind him and had her bow before Liu Xie.

Yet at that moment, in front of Zhou Yu, Zhang Hong, and the others, Sun Shangxiang tossed out a remark that left them all dumbfounded.

“Hmph. He is nothing but a puppet!”

Clearly, Sun Shangxiang not only looked spirited; she spoke with equal boldness. Though she had said little, those words struck Liu Xie—who truly was a puppet in some respects—with devastating force.

To Sun Ce, however, Liu Xie might indeed be a puppet, but he was by no means an ordinary one. There were still countless ways Sun Ce could make use of him. Besides, Liu Xie had always done his utmost for Sun Ce and had consistently shown him due respect.

Surely such a favorable relationship could not be ruined by a single remark from his younger sister.

What was more, before they had set out, Sun Shangxiang had not seemed especially eager, but Sun Ce had seen no sign that she was unwilling to come. Who could have expected her to open with that? Anyone who did not know better might even think Sun Ce spoke of Liu Xie in the same way behind his back.

In any event, the atmosphere became extraordinarily awkward.

After a brief silence, it was naturally Sun Ce who broke it.

“You are standing before the Emperor of the Han! Before we even reached Wu Commandery, His Majesty had already saved my life. Whether in public duty or private feeling, as my younger sister, you should never have spoken so disrespectfully. If you do it again today, you will remain here in His Majesty’s palace as a maidservant, and I will have His Majesty discipline you in my place!”

As Sun Ce spoke, the veins on his forehead had begun to bulge. Sun Shangxiang knew her brother well and understood that her words had genuinely angered him.

What was more, this was the first time Sun Ce had ever revealed that Liu Xie had saved his life. He could not possibly lie about such a matter in front of so many people.

After giving it a moment’s thought, Sun Shangxiang therefore realized that this puppet emperor—who might possess nothing more than a handsome appearance—could truly be her brother’s savior.

“Your Majesty, I was discourteous. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!”

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Sun Shangxiang’s temper was like a gust of wind: it came quickly and passed just as quickly. What else could one call that but a straightforward settling of grievances?

“It is nothing. Shangxiang is still young, and it is only natural that she should speak without restraint. What punishment could there be? Come, let us take our seats! I have already prepared the food and wine. Grand Commandant, do not forget to bring in the dancers as well. Let the music begin, and let them dance!”

Those words caused Sun Shangxiang, who had just developed the faintest trace of goodwill toward Liu Xie, to reveal an expression of contempt once more. After being insulted so thoroughly, he still had the leisure to think about dancers? If that was not the behavior of a puppet, then what was?

What she did not know was that, although Liu Xie appeared calm on the surface, inwardly he was already contemplating what sort of little whip he would use to train her in the future. A gentleman could wait ten years to take revenge—but in Sun Shangxiang’s case, Liu Xie certainly had no intention of waiting that long.

This tiny interlude clearly did nothing to dampen the spirits of Liu Xie, Sun Ce, and the others, for they had already caught the aroma of roasting meat drifting from the depths of the main hall.

To Zhou Yu, the fragrance was almost unbearable in its temptation. Sun Ce, Zhang Hong, and the others had not yet tasted it, but they had sampled nearly every delicacy in the Han Empire. This particular aroma, however, was entirely new to them.

Led by Liu Xie, the group arrived at the open-air banquet hall he had specially created in the courtyard. Even Sun Ce, who had been leading the way, was stunned by the sight before him.

After looking around at the place Liu Xie had arranged, Sun Ce maintained a calm expression, but inwardly he could not help sighing.

Liu Xie truly knew how to enjoy life.

Every day, he appeared to do nothing but ponder mysterious matters within his palace. In reality, he was always coming up with something new—and every one of those things was designed to delight both body and soul.

Before he had even tasted the lamb skewers Liu Xie had praised so enthusiastically while extending the invitation, a thought had already surfaced in Sun Ce’s mind.

He had spent the past several years campaigning across the land. Though he appeared glorious on the surface, compared with Liu Xie, he truly amounted to nothing. Had he somehow failed to grasp the very meaning of life?

“Everyone! Everyone! Listen to me for a moment. Sit down here first and enjoy the dance of these foreign maidens. In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, I guarantee you will all eat to your heart’s content! Hey—you, go tell those foreign dancers to take off a little more of their clothing. Aren’t they hot?”

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