Chapter 106: If My Lord Will Have Me, I'd Be Honored to Call You Father-in-Law

Liu Xie was caught off guard by Lu Bu’s sudden arrival.

It had been less than two hours since their previous audience; why did he rush back so soon? Could there be more matters unreported?

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Xie instructed his eunuchs, “Escort the General of Chariots and Cavalry to the side hall. We shall join shortly.”

With that, he rose and placed the Imperial Jade Seal into its wooden box. Then, with practiced ease, he disheveled his once neat attire, removed one shoe, and tilted his crown slightly—each action flowed smoothly like water.

“Ah, just right,” Liu Xie nodded in satisfaction after completing his preparations. He promptly jogged towards the side hall.

Still some distance away, he began shouting loudly, “Fengxian! Fengxian!”

Hearing the calls from within the side hall, Lu Bu turned to see Liu Xie approaching, disheveled clothing, crooked crown, and wearing only one shoe as he stumbled hastily towards him.

“Your Majesty?” Lu Bu couldn’t help but stare in bewilderment at this sight.

“Feng—”

Before Liu Xie could finish his sentence, he stumbled too hastily, accidentally stepping on the hem of his imperial robes. Losing balance, he pitched forward.

“Watch out, Your Majesty!”

With swift reflexes, Lu Bu darted ahead and caught Liu Xie just in time, preventing him from face-planting onto the ground.

After steadying Liu Xie, Lu Bu, filled with concern, asked, “Is Your Majesty alright? Why such haste?”

This was precisely the reaction Liu Xie had hoped for! With a nervous laugh, he said, “We… We heard Fengxian arrived and, overwhelmed with joy, ran faster than we should have.”

Lu Bu was taken aback and took a closer look at Liu Xie’s disheveled appearance - rushing over in such distress moved him deeply.

“I never expected Your Majesty to hold me in such high regard! Upon hearing my arrival, you disregarded even the dignity befitting an Emperor!”

The behavior and conduct of an Emperor were strictly governed by protocol. Liu Xie’s hasty appearance clearly violated the imperial decorum and risked tarnishing the Emperor’s dignity. It was precisely this disregard that touched Lu Bu immensely!

It signified that, in Liu Xie’s eyes, their bond surpassed any formalities or imperial grandeur, treating Lu Bu not as an outsider but someone truly valued.

“Your Majesty, I am humbled!”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Lu Bu knelt before Liu Xie.

Although the fall earlier had been purely accidental, seeing its impact, Liu Xie decided to let it pass. As he helped Lu Bu up, he said, “There’s no need for such formalities between us as ruler and subject.”

“Attendants, bring a seat for the General of Chariots and Cavalry!”

Soon, someone brought over a cushioned chair.

Lu Bu, feeling honored yet apprehensive, hesitated, appearing somewhat bashful about taking the offered seat.

After Liu Xie took his place on the throne, he asked, “Fengxian, what brings you to the palace today?”

A look of discomfort crossed Lu Bu’s face as he glanced at the eunuchs and palace maids standing nearby, seemingly reluctant to speak openly.

Liu Xie noticed this and addressed them, “All of you, please withdraw. We wish to have a private conversation with the Protector-General. Do not enter without Our express permission.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The eunuchs and palace maids promptly left the side hall.

Quickly, only Liu Xie and Lu Bu remained inside.

With no outsiders present, Lu Bu relaxed and earnestly spoke to Liu Xie, “Your Majesty, I must confess, Xuande has informed me of your predicament under the control of that old traitor Yuan Shao in Yecheng.”

“The brothers Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao—one usurped the throne by declaring himself Emperor, while the other mimicked Dong Zhuo’s tyranny by holding the Son of Heaven hostage—both are traitors to their core!”

Liu Xie was startled by these words.

Had Liu Bei already informed Lu Bu about his captivity under Yuan Shao? No wonder Lu Bu displayed such disdain for Yuan Shao today.

It seemed evident that Lu Bu remained fiercely loyal to the Emperor, refusing even to grant Yuan Shao any respect. Realizing this, Liu Xie knew exactly what he needed to do.

His eyes reddened, tears streaming down his face as he wailed dramatically, “Fengxian, our suffering is unbearable—!”

Lu Bu’s expression instantly shifted, filled with shock and fury.

What despicable act did that old thief Yuan Shao commit against His Majesty, causing him to weep upon seeing Lu Bu?

Between sobs, Liu Xie lamented, “That vile Yuan Shao, lacking all decency, sent beauties to us hoping we would sire an heir. Then, he planned to depose us and install a new Emperor. He also forced us to marry Lady Zhen, aiming to gain favor with her influential clan. Moreover, he forbade us from leaving the imperial palace, threatening to break our legs if we dared defy him! Fengxian, we are so terrified… sob…”

As Lu Bu listened to Liu Xie’s tearful account, his anger surged, nearly bursting at the seams.

“Ahhh!”

“Yuan Shao, that treacherous old thief! How dare he humiliate Your Majesty!” Lu Bu’s fury boiled over, and with a forceful punch on the ground, the stone tiles beneath his terrifying strength cracked open.

He had initially thought Yuan Shao merely disrespected the Emperor, using his name to command the feudal lords. Never did he expect Yuan Shao to be so despicable, even contemplating deposing and replacing the Emperor!

How was this any different from Dong Zhuo?!

Liu Xie choked back sobs as he continued, “A-and the position of Great General… It was meant for Fengxian, but Yuan Shao forced us to issue an edict appointing him instead. We truly didn’t want to…”

As he spoke, tears streamed down his face, covering it with his hands.

“I’ll go slaughter him right now!” Unable to bear any more, Lu Bu’s anger surged, ready to rush to Yuan Shao’s residence and tear him limb from limb!

Damn! I’ve gone too far! Liu Xie, startled, hastily grabbed onto Lu Bu’s arm, sobbing, “Fengxian, don’t act impulsively!”

“Even if you kill Yuan Shao, your life would still be at risk. If you were to perish, our Great Han would lose its pillar holding up the heavens. Who could we then rely upon?”

Lu Bu growled, “How can I endure such humiliation inflicted upon Your Majesty by that vile Yuan Shao?”

Liu Xie clung tightly to Lu Bu, refusing to let go as tears streamed down his face. “Small impatience can ruin grand plans! By enduring hardship and nurturing determination, even three thousand soldiers of Yue could conquer Wu! You must bear with it, Fengxian!”

Under Liu Xie’s persistent persuasion, Lu Bu finally calmed himself.

Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his fury and solemnly declared, “Your Majesty, I have now joined forces with Liu Xuande. Together, we will establish our foundation in Yangzhou and Xuzhou, gradually growing stronger.”

“Before long, we shall march northward to rescue Your Majesty from this turmoil!”

Upon hearing these words, Liu Xie’s face lit up with surprise and gratitude, almost incredulously asking, “Is this true? Is Fengxian not deceiving us?”

“If there is any falsehood in my words, may I be denied burial upon death!” Lu Bu swore solemnly on the spot.

He had firmly resolved to eliminate the traitor Yuan Shao once and for all!

“Fengxian, you truly are the backbone of the Great Han!” Overwhelmed with joy, Liu Xie began to tear up, gripping Lu Bu’s hands tightly. “Throughout our tumultuous life, we have yet to encounter such a capable minister. If you do not object, we would honor you as our father-in-law!”

Lu Bu was utterly taken aback by Liu Xie’s proposal.

Why does this…sound so familiar?

Wait, but that’s not the main point; the key issue here is that His Majesty just expressed a desire to call him ‘father-in-law’?!