Chapter 97: Deep Intoxication

A somewhat listless dance, coupled with the effects of alcohol and the purposeful, rhythmic guidance of the clever Qiao Feng, appeared to Liu Xie from afar as if everything was unfolding naturally and inevitably.

According to what Qiao Feng had said when Liu Xie taught him, their approach might have been a bit unscrupulous.

But Liu Xie retorted to Qiao Feng, asking why no one questioned them when they were being treated so cruelly. When they wrote blood oaths in their own names on the imperial edicts, why hadn’t they considered the possible consequences?

With just these few words, Liu Xie managed to convince Qiao Feng quite thoroughly. If others have been heartless to you, naturally you would be unjust to them in return—this was a perfectly reasonable argument.

Qiao Feng had asked in this way because, in her eyes, what Liu Xie intended to do tonight was somewhat improper.

Yet, in extraordinary times, Liu Xie knew he did not seek to seize anyone’s wealth or take anyone’s life. He merely wished to accomplish something necessary for those who would one day write about him in history.

Watching Qiao Feng and Guan Yu from a distance, Liu Xie sighed deeply.

In this era of treacherous upheaval, anyone with a bit of ability wanted to be a player in the grand game—seeking to control the future of China and the lives and deaths of its people.

Yet no one truly wished to be a mere pawn.

He himself had been the largest pawn in the realm of China for the past few years. Cao Cao, the master of the game, relying on his slaughter across the Central Plains, was now on the verge of becoming the greatest warlord in the land.

These past events, now settled facts, were utterly impossible to change.

“Now, let me change my identity,” Liu Xie murmured to himself with heartfelt words.

“Does Your Majesty wish to become a commoner like us?”

Unexpectedly, beside him, the drowsy Qiao Shuang, seemingly half asleep or in some dreamlike state, instinctively answered.

Liu Xie glanced at Qiao Shuang, who was still closing her eyes and smacking her lips, then smiled softly in reply, “I would like that, but unfortunately, I cannot return.”

Qiao Shuang didn’t respond further; whether she understood the words, Liu Xie wasn’t sure. But he was certain she did not know where or when he meant by “cannot return.”

---

Qiao Feng’s face was now quite flushed, but thankfully her speech remained clear and her manner proper.

However, the two wives of Liu Bei beside her were not faring so well.

During this time, under Qiao Feng’s strong encouragement, the two wives had offered Guan Yu countless bowls of wine in gratitude.

Guan Yu’s tolerance for alcohol was actually quite remarkable for this era, but even he could not withstand their persistent toasts. Gradually, his mind became less clear, and the two sisters-in-law before him no longer appeared as dignified as before.

After another half hour, Qiao Shuang, now fully sated, had fallen into a deep sleep—only to be abruptly awakened by a sudden nudge.

Her sleepy eyes opened to see Liu Xie still sitting beside her, barely having changed his posture.

“Your Majesty, may I leave now?”

“You may leave, but you must take your sister with you. Otherwise, she will truly be drunk. Go to Qiao Feng, tell her that I said the time is nearly up, and it’s time to return. No matter what she says, just have a maid accompany you to bring her back.”

Qiao Shuang was a straightforward person; she glanced back, then found a maid among those behind her who seemed strong enough, called her over, and headed toward her sister.

Liu Xie insisted on having a maid accompany her because he didn’t know how intoxicated Qiao Feng had become. If she was truly in a stupor, they would have to carry her back together.

Qiao Shuang reached Qiao Feng’s side and whispered something into her ear. To everyone’s surprise, Qiao Feng appeared remarkably calm and nodded, then motioned for Qiao Shuang to wait behind her.

Afterwards, Qiao Feng raised a large bowl of wine once more to the nearly-drunken Guan Yu, then—using some excuse—disappeared into the night with Qiao Shuang within the palace grounds.

Who would have thought she had such tolerance for wine? The assistant they found was truly timely!

Qiao Feng had brought Liu Xie many surprises; now he was increasingly curious about what other wonders he might discover in her.

Qiao Feng’s departure did not attract the attention of Guan Yu and the two wives. After all, her identity was not as obvious as Fushou’s, and this had long been factored in by both Liu Xie and Qiao Feng.

As the Qiao sisters passed by him, Qiao Feng gave Liu Xie a meaningful glance. From her expression, it was clear she was quite satisfied with the outcome.

---

After they left, Liu Xie summoned the only maid he had brought from Xuchang along with Fushou. Among the trusted people in this palace, besides his empress and Qiao Feng, she was the only one he could rely on.

“You won’t need to serve me or the empress tonight. Just stay here and watch. After one incense stick’s time, clear away the dancers and tell them the palace gates are closed and that I have gone to rest in some chamber—I don’t know which. Don’t say anything else. Then quietly observe where they go and report to me immediately at any hour.”

The maid, evidently a seasoned veteran who had been through life and death with them, asked no questions and readily accepted the task.

An incense stick later, Guan Yu and the two wives were still drinking and exchanging thanks, though they were already a bit unsteady.

Suddenly, many of the candles in the main hall were extinguished, and the dancers withdrew one after another.

“What... is the meaning of this? Where is His Majesty?” Guan Yu staggered forward a few steps, shouting.

“The hour is too late. The palace gates have been closed. His Majesty is exhausted from the wine and has gone to rest somewhere unknown.”

“Oh? Then what am I to do...?”

“Yunchang, since the maid has left and Lady Mi is unsteady, let us escort her back to our chamber first. You can leave afterward.”

As soon as the dancers left, Lady Mi collapsed onto a bench and couldn’t get up. Lady Gan, looking around groggily, found no one else alive near Guan Yu and could only say this.

“Oh? Sister-in-law, rest assured, Guan Yu will see Lady Mi safely to our room!”

With that, he lifted Lady Mi up, his hand unconcernedly grasping some soft part, and staggered toward their chambers.

The next morning, Liu Xie, Qiao Feng, and Fushou were strolling in the palace gardens when a sharp cry suddenly rang out from the rooms of Liu Bei’s two wives.