Chapter 58: No Longer Able to Conceal

Liu Xie’s words gave Sun Ce a measure of face, yet inwardly, Sun Ce cursed himself, itching to slap his own mouth in frustration. Since Liu Xie had managed to orchestrate his own safe passage to Wu Commandery, how could he be the sort of simpleton who would challenge Sun Ce purely to make a fool of him? For the first time, Sun Ce felt as though both he and his subordinates were lacking in wit. He even wondered if the best solution was simply to find an opportunity to have Liu Xie killed—perhaps that would serve his interests best.

Yet, as soon as such a thought arose, he banished it immediately. If word of such a deed ever got out, all of Jiangdong would become the target of public scorn, and the foundation that his father had built at the cost of his life would be ruined by his own hand. Therefore, at least until the Central Plains were unified, Liu Xie remained useful.

Sun Ce gazed at Liu Xie’s serene, untroubled face. Though he could not fathom what calculations lay behind that ever-shifting facade, one thing was now certain: no matter how skillful Liu Xie might be in his machinations, he commanded neither troops nor generals and could only remain in Wu Commandery under Sun Ce’s protection.

It was common knowledge that Yuan Shao had long plotted to break into Xuchang and kill both Cao Cao and Liu Xie. Now that Liu Xie had broken with Cao Cao, if he were to fall into Cao Cao’s hands, or into those of any of Cao Cao’s allies, his fate would be dire. Thus, regardless of the outcome between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, Liu Xie could no longer hope to break away from Jiangdong and seek refuge elsewhere; no other power would have the strength or courage to take him in.

Sun Ce believed Liu Xie was clever enough to recognize that only by relying on Jiangdong could he live in comfort. When the day finally came that Sun Ce, in the name of the emperor, unified the Central Plains, he was confident Liu Xie would see the situation clearly and willingly vacate his throne.

Though young, Sun Ce’s reputation in these troubled times was sterling, unlike those unscrupulous elders who lacked honor. Sun Ce had always prided himself on his upright conduct. Were it otherwise, the veteran generals left by Sun Jian would not have remained steadfastly loyal, nor would Liu Xie have chosen to come to Wu Commandery. These were his true advantages—he must not ruin them all for the sake of a single Liu Xie who merely sought to embarrass him.

“Your Majesty, these two beside you—one who aided you all the way from Xuchang to Wu Commandery, the other my own most trusted man—today, let us speak openly before them. If Your Majesty continues to surprise me every few days with things I never anticipated, I fear the ministers of Jiangdong will not be able to accept it!”

Hearing these words, Liu Xie immediately understood: Sun Ce did not wish to be taken by surprise again and again, but rather wanted Liu Xie to reveal all his cards. To someone like Sun Ce, lord of Jiangdong, such a request was only natural. Liu Xie also knew that refusing Sun Ce now would bring him no benefit. If he was insincere with others, how could he expect sincerity in return? Besides, he was on Sun Ce’s territory; showing off might test the limits, but after the show, one must know when to bow one’s head.

“I invited you here today, Bofu, precisely with this in mind. Though Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are locked in a protracted struggle, there are matters we must act upon swiftly.”

With these words, Liu Xie gestured for the three to follow him into a side hall, showing not a hint of reluctance.

“Elder sister! Sun Ce was just forced off the stage by His Majesty! I saw it all—just one light push and Sun Ce was sent tumbling!”

Liu Xie let Sun Ce’s defeat play out before the eyes of the three women. The first to react was the pure-hearted Qiao Shuang. Her thinking was simple: now that she and her sister belonged to Liu Xie, his triumph was a source of joy for them.

“I saw it too. It’s getting late; we should return to our rooms,” Qiao Feng said, obviously still somewhat nervous before Lady Fu, worried that her younger sister might say something inappropriate, and tugged at her hand to leave.

“You must be the Qiao sisters? His Majesty has already spoken of you to me. From now on, we are family here in this palace retreat. Though I am the Empress, there’s no need for formality between us. Otherwise, this deep palace would be unbearably lonely.”

Lady Fu, having witnessed Liu Xie defeat Sun Ce, felt both delight and relief. Others might be in the dark, but she certainly was not.

From four or five years ago until just a few months prior, Liu Xie had always seemed a frail youth, unable to even truss a chicken. Sometimes, after their nightly exertions, he’d be so breathless she doubted he could ever fight a man, let alone best one. Perhaps precisely because he seemed so harmless at first, Cao Cao had let down his guard completely, allowing Liu Xie to leave Xuchang with such ease.

It was only after Liu Xie’s illness, that she noticed something had changed. Not only had he immediately cast aside Dong Cheng, who had always obeyed his every word, but his physical strength was now on an entirely different level. He ate several times more than before during the day, and at night, the vigor he displayed was many times what it had been. Lady Fu thought only she could notice such a transformation. As for the cause, she could not say, nor did she care to know. Where Liu Xie was concerned, her view was simple: just go all in.

“The Empress is right. My sister and I are new here and unfamiliar with many customs. I hope you won’t hold it against us,” said Qiao Feng. Though Liu Xie was but a puppet emperor, she knew that she and her sister’s status was far below that of Lady Fu, and so she lowered her head when the situation called for it.

“What could I possibly hold against you? We are simply companions to His Majesty, nothing more. Only when His Majesty truly becomes the emperor will any of us truly become Empress or consorts...”

“His Majesty has already forced Sun Ce off the stage—does that not make him the real emperor?” Qiao Shuang was still caught up in the excitement of Liu Xie’s dazzling display. Her understanding of the conversation was only surface-deep. Qiao Feng sighed, clearly having given up hope of correcting her younger sister.

“Perhaps, here in Jiangdong, this is His Majesty’s last chance,” said Lady Fu. With that, she turned and made her way back to her own quarters, her heart evidently filled with new reflections and newfound confidence after Liu Xie’s victory over Sun Ce.