Chapter 16

Something was wrong. I could feel it keenly.

Regret washed over me belatedly for not burning the brat sitting in front of me, but it was already in the past.

The brat named Yu Xian, who was grinning and excited, leaned his back against me and occasionally looked up to talk to me. Seeing this, the people around us smiled warmly and looked on with satisfaction.

It wasn’t just the soldiers. Because of the chaos every time I tried to get him down, I had to ride with Yu Xian all the way into Gong’an City. The people of Gong’an, who had come out to watch Yu Xian return, cheered every time we talked.

Thinking about how Yu Xian and I must look in their eyes made me dizzy.

A past remark by Zhou Yu came to mind. He said that as long as I stayed by Liu Bei’s side, I would always be tested.

The strengthening of ties through the marriage alliance between Liu Bei and Zhang Fei is certain. Though Yeon-yi exists, it’s undeniable that the eldest daughter has a better appearance. In the end, there will be much talk about me.

So, I shouldn’t have given them this kind of leverage. That’s also why I decided to follow separately from Zhao Yun.

“Don’t think too negatively. If attention is focused on me, my contributions will also be noticed.”

At least the fact that I saved Yu Xian will be clearly recognized, even if it might be overshadowed by Zhao Yun’s fame. Zhao Yun, being fair and virtuous, wouldn’t steal someone else’s credit, so it’s not a big deal, but it’s better than nothing.

Taking small comfort in that, I was about to enter the official residence when another troublesome situation arose.

“I want to go too!”

I had to report to Zhuge Liang, but Yu Xian was causing trouble again.

Why is it that in the original history, he was so obedient to his subordinates, but now he’s like this? It makes me think it wasn’t his nature but rather brainwashing.

Of course, Zhao Yun and I tried to stop Yu Xian, but it was futile. A child’s stubbornness isn’t easily broken, and we didn’t have the authority of parents.

Thus, the scene before us was created.

In the large hall prepared for meetings, the civil officials gathered, and we stood in the center, receiving their gazes.

Surprisingly, Zhuge Liang wasn’t at the highest seat. Liu Bei’s seat was empty, but the people sitting on either side weren’t Zhuge Liang but others.

I tried to recall Chang-ran’s memories. Mi Zhu and Sun Qian. Familiar names, but it felt awkward to think of them as above Zhuge Liang.

“The treatment of a public servant is indeed solid.”

Of course, the real power was with Zhuge Liang, but still, treating them like this is something. Mi Zhu, who held the highest position among those gathered, spoke first.

“But why has the Young Master come together? You must have been greatly surprised, yet you didn’t let him rest comfortably.”

“That is…”

Zhao Yun, uncharacteristically, hesitated and glanced at me. True to the historical records of his gentle nature, he seemed worried about whether I was uncomfortable.

Tsk. It’s uncomfortable that Zhao Yun is hesitating because of me, but what’s more concerning is Yu Xian, who is clutching my clothes and trying to hide behind me.

“I rescued Young Master Yu, and he didn’t want to leave my side. He still seems uneasy alone, so I brought him along.”

“Is that so?”

Mi Zhu nodded without further questions, as if he recognized me. After all, for him, it was just about opening the conversation; the real power lay elsewhere.

“We can’t leave the Young Master like this. We’ve prepared a maid, so please return and rest.”

Zhuge Liang, that’s him.

Yu Xian buried his face in my clothes like a pheasant hiding its head. But as the silence continued, Yu Xian sullenly let go of my clothes and took the maid’s hand called by Zhuge Liang.

He’s already got a firm grip on Yu Xian. Zhuge Liang’s charisma, unlike Liu Bei’s soft charisma, was stiff and dry, but it was just as effective in moving others according to his will.

Thus, Yu Xian left the meeting hall, looking back every step with eyes full of reluctance.

I wondered if I was too harsh, but I realized that the 5-year-old Yu Xian, who left without crying, was precocious.

Our Yeon-yi was like that too. Children who, despite their young age, knew how to think of others first. A dark side of the chaotic times where children had to grow up quickly.

After Yu Xian left, Zhuge Liang’s next target was me.

“General Zhao Yun also requested cooperation, but I received a reply that the numbers were already used. I didn’t expect you to send the women directly… How did you know in advance about Lady Son’s actions and move accordingly?”

Holding a fan, Zhuge Liang’s gaze revealed nothing.

Hiding emotions behind calmness and expressions behind leisure, I wondered how he truly saw me.

Suspicion? Favor? Or disregard?

If I had to pick my favorite person from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I’d choose Zhuge Liang after some thought. But now, he felt more distant and difficult than anyone else.

“Half was intuition, half was speculation.”

“Hmm?”

“Some may remember the bet I had with Lady Son in the past.”

“The one where you earned the title of Little Wise Lady.”

Ugh. Hearing “Little Wise Lady” from Zhuge Liang’s mouth made my face uncontrollable. It felt cringy, but with Zhuge Liang’s name attached, it sounded somewhat impressive.

I tried to maintain my composure and continued.

“Initially, what I demanded from Lady Son was the return of the maids. But as everyone knows, Lady Son refused. From then on, I began to watch her movements closely.”

“Watched closely, you say.”

“Lady Son assigned a maid named Chuk-baek to watch me. But watching someone means that person also gets to know me.”

Quoting Nietzsche’s famous saying, sighs erupted from various places.

These were civil officials under Liu Bei who had some influence. They had the skill to understand even the most muddled words.

But when I spoke with profound meaning, I could feel the change in their gazes.

“A counter-espionage plan? But Lady Son wouldn’t have fallen for it so easily.”

“That’s why I said half was intuition.”

In truth, I gained no information from Chuk-baek. I knew the outcome, and everything I said now was just fabricating the process to reach that conclusion.

“I knew that Lady Son would eventually reveal her true colors. When I received word from Ban Jun that the atmosphere in Gong’an was uneasy, I intuitively felt that the time had come.”

At my words, Sun Qian, sitting opposite Mi Zhu, spoke.

“I also saw it. The letter sent to Ban Jun.”

Glancing at Ban Jun, he awkwardly avoided my gaze. I’d question him later, but for now, I focused on the meeting.

With the elder Sun Qian’s endorsement, the discussion proceeded smoothly. In any case, bringing Yu Xian back safely was undeniably my achievement.

There was no room to doubt collusion with Lady Son or to try to steal credit, given my status.

Having been with Liu Bei the longest alongside Sun Qian, and being the eldest daughter of Zhang Fei, whose achievements were too great to explain, I was of pure lineage.

Naturally, the investigation concluded with Zhao Yun and my testimonies, and we moved on to discussing rewards.

“But Lady Zhang holds no official position. How should we view this?”

When one official raised the question, Ban Jun stepped forward first.

“Although Lady Zhang has not been appointed to an official position, she has indeed served in the military. Moreover, General Zhao Yun also stated that he permitted it, so this should be considered a military achievement.”

The difference between a military achievement and the efforts of volunteers is significant.

Of course, saving Yu Xian, a successor candidate, would warrant considerable rewards even as a volunteer, but not as much as a military achievement.

Though Ban Jun, who is close to me, openly defended me, no one objected. While General Zhang Fei’s backing might be on their minds, Ban Jun’s words weren’t wrong.

Zhuge Liang also nodded without objection and asked.

“While Chang-ran predicted and responded to the situation, it was General Zhao Yun who permitted it, so it’s right to consider it a military achievement. However, with our lord absent, we cannot rashly appoint her to an official position. We shall submit a report to our lord and discuss the rewards afterward.”

As Zhuge Liang was about to conclude, I seized the opportunity.

“Middle Cavalry Commander, may I say something?”

“Of course.”

“May I be the one to deliver the report to our lord?”

“The road to Shu is treacherous. The journey is dangerous, and the rebellion hasn’t been fully suppressed, so an attack could come at any time.”

“All the more reason I’m suitable. I’m not so weak as to be unable to protect myself, and I can report to our lord in more detail than anyone else about this situation.”

“Hmm, what do the rest of you think?”

Instead of voicing his opinion, Zhuge Liang asked for others’ thoughts. He wasn’t yet the Prime Minister above all others. He likely wanted to avoid the impression of handling everything autocratically.

Besides, there was no need. There were plenty of talented people here.

Sun Qian, the master of diplomacy; Mi Zhu, who could handle any task competently; Ban Jun, who had recently joined and proven his abilities; and Zhao Yun, a fierce general with wise insights.

But this time, I wasn’t sure they were on my side. They cared for me, but they would dissuade me from going to a dangerous place. Zhao Yun did just that.

“Among those who witnessed the situation, there are soldiers you brought. We can select from them. If we reward their efforts later, volunteers will come forward.”

As I was choosing how to counter, Ban Jun spoke again.

His words, contrary to my expectation of Zhao Yun’s support, surprised me.

“I agree.”

“Ban Jun?”

Sun Qian called out in surprise. If I had to pick the closest to me here, it would undoubtedly be Ban Jun.

We had exchanged letters regularly for a year, building a rapport, and this success was thanks to him.

“It’s only right to follow the wishes of one who has earned merit. She’s not seeking special favors but is willing to take on hardship. I hope everyone here recognizes Lady Zhang’s loyalty.”

He respected me more than I thought. Knowing I desired to enter Shu, despite its dangers and his concerns, he supported my decision to go.

“Ban Jun speaks rightly. She’s not seeking greater rewards but is taking the initiative. I also agree.”

With Sun Qian’s agreement and Mi Zhu’s silent neutrality, the scales tipped in my favor.

Zhuge Liang could overturn the scales if he wished, but there was no merit in that choice.

“If that’s the consensus, I shall follow it. Let Chang-ran lead the report to our lord. We’ll need an official to accompany her. Who will go?”

“I will…”

“Ah, no. You have so much to do here. Military, I’ll recommend a suitable person.”

Sun Qian cut off Ban Jun and concluded the discussion.

“Understood. Then let us adjourn.”

Finally, my entry into Shu was decided.