Chapter 33: Fear Yuan Shao? Not a Chance!

After experiencing the awkwardness of being ignored, Liu Xie decided to remain silent and quietly enjoy his food and drink at his designated seat.

Although the cuisine of this era paled in comparison to what he was accustomed to in later times, having lived through it for some time now, he found it quite palatable. He relished every bite.

Moreover, the graceful dances performed by the women in the Great Hall added to his dining pleasure.

Their attire was remarkably revealing, providing ample visual enjoyment.

In ancient times, conservatism applied mainly to virtuous married women. However, performers like geishas, dancers, prostitutes, and courtesans had little association with such notions.

After all, in a feudal society, women were merely objects for amusement; the concept of dignity did not apply.

Midway through the feast, as most guests had nearly finished eating, Yuan Shao suddenly rose and addressed Liu Xie, “Your Majesty, I heard that you inadvertently caught a cold recently? Are you feeling unwell?”

“Hmm?” Liu Xie, still enjoying his meal, paused in surprise.

What’s this? A cold?

When did he get sick?

Before he could respond, Yuan Shao clapped his hands and announced, “Attendants, His Majesty is indisposed. Escort him back to his quarters to rest!”

As soon as he spoke, two guards entered the Great Hall.

“Your Majesty, please come with us.”

The two guards positioned themselves, one on each side of Liu Xie.

Realizing that Yuan Shao and all the ministers in the Great Hall were watching him, Liu Xie understood he was no longer needed for the upcoming discussion.

“Very well… Then we shall retire to our quarters.”

Liu Xie set down his chopsticks, uttered these courteous words, and rose to leave with the two guards escorting him out of the hall.

Could he really refuse when Yuan Shao ordered him away? He had no choice but to play along with this “sudden illness.”

As they watched Liu Xie depart, Guan Yu, seated behind Liu Bei, furrowed his sword-like brows and whispered, “How dare Yuan Shao be so disrespectful?”

He could clearly see that Liu Xie was being forced to leave. It was evident Yuan Shao did not want him present any longer! Even Guan Yu found it unacceptable to treat the Emperor like mere company to summon at will.

Liu Bei retracted his gaze, pondered briefly, then put down his wine cup and stood up, addressing Yuan Shao, “Yuan Xiong, my brothers and I are feeling quite weary and may not continue accompanying you tonight.”

Yuan Shao responded somewhat displeased, “The feast is only halfway through, yet Xuande wishes to leave already? Are you suggesting your brother has neglected you?”

With an apologetic expression, Liu Bei replied, “Not at all, Yuan Xiong. My tolerance for alcohol has always been low, and today I’ve indulged too much; truly, I cannot handle it anymore.”

“Well, alright then.”

Though regretful, Yuan Shao knew it would be inappropriate to insist further. Thus, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei departed from the Great Hall together.

“Dage, why are we leaving already? I haven’t even had my fill,” Zhang Fei grumbled after they exited the Great Hall.

With his exceptional tolerance for alcohol, today’s banquet wine barely affected him, akin to drinking water. He remained completely sober.

Liu Bei, exasperated, replied, “Third Brother, didn’t you see how Yuan Shao chased away His Majesty? Why should we embarrass ourselves by staying longer?”

“Moreover, given his blatant disrespect towards His Majesty, it would be uncomfortable for me to remain.”

It was clear that Yuan Shao intended to discuss matters with his ministers privately. And he showed no intention of keeping Liu Bei and his companions; otherwise, he would have made more concerted efforts to retain them instead of offering just token pleasantries, allowing them to depart without further ado.

“Tsk, so infuriatingly indirect,” Zhang Fei muttered, disdainful of Yuan Shao’s behavior. If he didn’t want them around, he could have simply said so, rather than beating around the bush.

Then, Zhang Fei asked, “Dage, we’ve been in Yecheng nearly a month now. Will Yuan Shao lend us troops or not?

“If not, let’s go to Gongsun Zan instead. He’s your former classmate, and you two share a good relationship. Surely he’d be willing to provide us with soldiers.”

Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei were classmates, having studied under Lu Zhi together.

Naturally, borrowing troops from Gongsun Zan would be easier for them.

However, the only issue was that Gongsun Zan controlled Liaoxi region, encompassing Yōuzhou in the north. Requesting troops from him and then returning south would be quite cumbersome.

This is precisely why they approached Yuan Shao instead, given their proximity to his territory.

“Let’s wait a bit longer,” Liu Bei suggested. “If Yuan Shao still refuses to lend us troops after the New Year, we’ll head to Yōuzhou and seek assistance from Gongsun Zan.”

Liu Bei had carefully considered the situation. Currently, Yuan Shao’s primary excuse was the unsuitability of launching military operations during winter, promising reconsideration after the New Year. Thus, Liu Bei decided to patiently await that time.

“Dage, where do we go now? Back to our residence or find somewhere to have some wine?” Guan Yu asked, as it was still early in the day.

Smiling slightly, Liu Bei replied, “Of course not. We’re going to see His Majesty.”

“What?” Zhang Fei and Guan Yu both exclaimed, taken aback.

Meet the Emperor?

Though unsure of their brother’s intentions, they chose to support him, following closely behind as they headed towards the imperial sleeping quarters.

After being escorted back to his palace by guards, Liu Xie quickly washed up and lay down on his bed. However, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

His mind was consumed by the events that unfolded at the banquet tonight.

In front of Yuan Shao and those powerful individuals, he felt utterly insignificant, like a mere ant. This sense of helplessness overwhelmed him with dread.

“My fate is not my own,” Liu Xie murmured, opening his eyes to gaze at the ceiling beams within his chamber.

He yearned for control over his destiny instead of being treated as a puppet, vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation.

But how could it be so simple?

Liu Xie sighed, pulled the blankets tighter around himself, and turned to try sleeping again.

Suddenly, voices reached him from outside his quarters.

“Your Majesty, your humble servant Liu Bei requests an audience.”

Liu Xie’s closed eyes snapped open immediately. He threw off the covers, sat upright, and looked towards the door.

Three figures stood outside.

Tsk, even during New Year’s Eve festivities, there isn’t a single guard or attendant to announce visitors.

Being Emperor seemed devoid of any grandeur.

“But what brings them here?” Liu Xie wondered, puzzled about the unexpected visit from this trio. Nonetheless, he draped a robe over himself and stepped out.

Upon seeing Liu Xie hastily dressed, Liu Bei immediately apologized, “Apologies for disturbing Your Majesty’s rest. Please forgive our intrusion.”

“It’s no bother,” Liu Xie smiled, assuring them he didn’t mind. Curiously, he asked, “Isn’t the banquet still ongoing? Why did Imperial Uncle leave so early?”

Could it be that Yuan Shao expelled them too? Unlikely.

If Yuan Shao dared to do such, Zhang Fei would have undoubtedly punched him first.

Liu Bei shook his head, “Not at all, but upon witnessing Your Majesty being escorted away, I grew concerned and felt compelled to seek an audience with you.”

To check on him? Liu Xie was taken aback, slightly touched. He reassured them, “There’s no need for concern, Imperial Uncle. It’s just a minor cold; nothing serious. With some rest over a few days, I’ll be fine.”

However, before he could finish, the impulsive Zhang Fei interjected, “Why deceive us, Your Majesty? Clearly, that traitor Yuan Shao overstepped his bounds by forcibly taking you away!”

“My dage couldn’t bear it, which is why we left together - me and Erge!”

Zhang Fei found it puzzling that Liu Xie, clearly not ill, would lie about being sick instead of speaking the truth. What fear should they have of Yuan Shao!