Chapter 83: His Majesty Keeps His Promises

Zhang Hong’s expression remained unchanged, but Guan Yu’s thoughts grew more complex. From this small detail alone, Guan Yu could essentially tell that Liu Xie’s days here in Jiangdong were hardly any better than those he had endured in Xuchang.

“General, let us wait a moment.”

“No matter.”

Guan Yu made another judgment: Liu Xie must not have known of his visit today. Within this palace, news must be just as tightly restricted as before—Sun Ce was playing the same game as Cao Cao, wielding the emperor as a tool to command the lords.

That “moment” of waiting stretched beyond half an hour. Only after the attendant had once more come out to announce the emperor’s readiness did Zhang Hong turn to Guan Yu and say, “General, you may go in and speak with His Majesty. I shall not intrude. When you return to the posthouse, you may simply send word to my residence if you have need of me.”

This outcome was unexpected for Guan Yu. He would meet with Liu Xie in the palace, yet Sun Ce would not even send a trusted aide to accompany them. But soon he understood. Clearly, Sun Ce was supremely confident in his control over Liu Xie—there was simply no need for such precautions.

Guan Yu sighed deeply, lamenting how the majesty of the Han Emperor had fallen so low.

Guan Yu had visited the Xuchang palace before, but upon entering this one, he felt a touch more at ease. If the Xuchang palace had been nothing but a gilded cage for Liu Xie, then this palace could at least be called a gentle imprisonment.

Liu Xie, already dressed and waiting in a side hall, looked a bit weary and dispirited—though Guan Yu could tell he was feigning.

“General, what brings you to Wu Commandery?”

The moment Guan Yu entered, Liu Xie’s face lit up with delight, as if reunited with a long-lost family member. This open display of joy did not escape Guan Yu’s notice.

“Your Majesty, I am here…”

Seeing Liu Xie greet him with such warmth, as if he were an old friend, Guan Yu almost felt guilty revealing that he had come for the sake of his two sisters-in-law. Before this young, somewhat naïve emperor, Guan Yu felt a rare twinge of pity.

From their last encounter, Guan Yu had found Liu Xie to be open-hearted and intelligent. Had he been born in a time of peace, perhaps he could have made a fine emperor. Yet, fate had placed him in the midst of utter chaos.

“You are a man of loyalty and feeling, General. Surely you have come for the two ladies of the imperial family who have been entrusted to my care?”

Before Guan Yu could reply, Liu Xie spoke the words that had weighed heavily on his mind. Guan Yu was greatly moved.

“Indeed. May I ask where the ladies are now?”

This was Guan Yu’s true concern. He longed to rejoin Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, but it was for these two women’s sake that he had surrendered to Cao Cao in the first place. If they had come to harm, how could he face Liu Bei after all he had done for Cao Cao? Guan Yu valued his honor too much to accept such a shame.

“Since I promised to protect the ladies for you, General, I have not broken my word. Though the journey to Wu Commandery was perilous, I brought them as members of my own household. They are now safe in a side hall of this palace, untouched by harm.”

Guan Yu’s heart finally settled. His greatest fear had been that the ladies would not survive the journey. Were that the case, he would have lost all purpose, even upon returning to Liu Bei.

Now, hearing that both women had safely arrived and resided within the palace, a fire of hope flared within him.

“In that case, Your Majesty, may I escort them away at once? They are, after all, the wives of my lord. I shall see them safely returned, and both I and the ladies will inform our lord of your great kindness—he will not forget it.”

Liu Xie nearly laughed aloud at this. “You, Lord Guan, are still too young,” he thought. “You truly believe Liu Bei to be a man of loyalty and feeling.” But in the moment, Liu Xie kept his doubts to himself, knowing better than to tarnish Liu Bei’s heroic image in Guan Yu’s mind.

“Oh? I hear that your lord has now taken refuge with Yuan Shao. Cao Cao will surely continue to attack Yuan Shao, and for you to come alone to Wu Commandery—are you not afraid that someone will discover it? Cao Cao treasures talent; he would hardly let you slip away so easily. If you were to appear in any territory under his control, you would scarcely escape his grasp. What would then become of the ladies? I cannot say.”

As he finished, Liu Xie took a sip of tea, watching Guan Yu closely. As expected, Guan Yu did not show his usual confidence, but rather bowed his head in contemplation.

“General, though my days in Jiangdong are much like those in Xuchang, Sun Ce is not Cao Cao—he lacks Cao Cao’s cunning. Thus, I have been able to learn a few things.”

Guan Yu weighed his chances. If he were truly to encounter Cao Cao’s forces, could he, alone and on horseback, protect both women? Just then, Liu Xie’s words caught his attention—something must have changed between Liu Bei and Cao Cao. His eyes brightened.

“Your Majesty, I beg you to enlighten me.”

“Relations between Sun Ce and Liu Biao are complex. Some days ago, a message arrived from Liu Biao. After Yuan Shao’s defeat, your lord may be seeking a new path. He sent Jian Yong and Sun Qian to Liu Biao, expressing a desire to bring his close retainers and join him. Liu Biao seems to have agreed.”

“Join Liu Biao?”

“Indeed. I believe your lord’s time with Yuan Shao was only a temporary measure. Now that Yuan Shao is defeated, seeking refuge with Liu Biao is nothing to be ashamed of—after all, Liu Biao is a kinsman of the Han, and he welcomes the worthy in Jingzhou and beyond. He will surely find room for your lord.”

As he spoke, Liu Xie again lifted his cup, observing Guan Yu carefully. As expected, Guan Yu’s face showed not joy but a trace of disappointment. These small expressions were of great importance to Liu Xie.

In his previous life, before entering officialdom, Liu Xie had studied such things—though then, the subjects had been criminals. But the principles were universal, and they served him well now with Guan Yu.