[No title provided]
Heodo was a fine place. Beyond the fact that land prices on my turf were skyrocketing, it was simply a great spot for living. "Come on over!" You could tell just by watching the people go about their daily lives. Heodo brimmed with vitality, much like Jingzhou. No, it carried a raw desperation etched into every corner. If Jingzhou's folk had fled the mud pits for barren wastelands, Heodo's residents were the ones slathering themselves in that mud to reclaim the earth. What let them breathe easy like this? I'd come to Heodo myself to find out.
"Tasty, Liang?"
"It's decent."
I'd brought Zhuge Liang along. She'd heard the old tale of my trip to Henei with Sima Yi, swinging by Heodo on the way, and said she wanted to see it too. She still despised Cao Cao's army, no change there. But unlike the raw hatred and fury from the Xuzhou Massacre days, it was more like... roadside trash or a pile of shit. That's what Cao Cao's forces were to Zhuge Liang.
"Heodo seems like a good place?"
"It does, at least. The people here don't look like they'll be butchered anytime soon."
Zhuge Liang had sized up Heodo from an invader's perspective—terrain, walls, the works.
"It might be easy prey from afar, but those walls are solidly built. They won't crumble from a few taps like Shouchun. If they do fall..."
Zhuge Liang drew a circle, then traced a shape bursting outward from inside.
"It's structured to collapse from within."
"I see."
She foresaw rebellion or something similar, but that didn't mean I had any reason to tip off Cao Cao's crew. This was her insight. Leaking it would be a massive betrayal.
"Let's head to the manor. Gotta introduce you to the folks there."
"Ah, uh, sure."
Rarely flustered, Zhuge Liang straightened her clothes.
"...All set."
"Spruced up like this, you could pass for a noble lady."
"Before coming to Jingzhou, my family was known in scholarly circles."
"Really? To me, you look..."
I ruffled Zhuge Liang's hair and pointed to my manor.
"Just like a princess from some kingdom."
"...So that's how you've reeled in so many women."
"Me? Ha, if I was seriously trying to charm women, I wouldn't say stuff like that."
Princess? Pfft, any girl swayed by that would have to be pure-hearted and naive as hell.
"So how do you plan to win a woman's heart?"
"Simple. One drink, and it's all sorted."
Drunk Geum Taeyang. No one could stop me. Man or woman, after a round, we'd wake up the next morning bound by sticky ties.
"Too early for you, Liang."
"I'm of age now."
"Hey now. Didn't the heavens decree my coming-of-age at twenty?"
The heavens, the stars hanging like flowers—they all said it. Nothing till twenty, or the skies would rage, and the Azure Emperor would draw his blade against any who broke the law.
Words from my late master.
"Sima Yi hits my age benchmark next year. Then she can finally throw one back for real."
"You gonna drink with Sima Yi?"
"She's been itching for it."
"......"
Zhuge Liang fell silent. Two years Sima Yi's junior, the era might call her adult, but not the heavens. Blue sky, yellow sky—didn't matter. There's always a sky above the sky.
"How many folks in Jingzhou do you drink with?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. Never saw you drink much at Suyeon Academy."
"Ha, hahaha."
Thank goodness. Seemed Zhuge Liang had no clue about my boozing.
...Better that way.
"Seo Seo for one."
"...Seo Seo?"
"Scholars by trade, but off the clock, we're same-age pals."
After that Heodo visit with Sima Yi and Seo Seo, things leveled up with her. She pushed for drinks, and in private, we agreed to be buddies. In front of the other disciples, she still treated me as master, though.
"Next?"
"Sima Hui for starters."
Sima Hui became my drinking buddy soon after I joined the academy. Running it solo, she found me a cure for boredom; I shared cups out of gratitude for her welcome.
"And more?"
"Plenty."
Look beyond Xinye, and they're everywhere.
"In Jingzhou, I tipple with my adoptive mom Cai Xuan now and then. Same with Aunt Cai Mao—listen to her gripe about Liu Biao over drinks. Usually the three of us."
"Three...!"
Zhuge Liang's eyes went wide.
"Handling two on your own? Must be tough."
"Two? Three or four's no sweat."
"......You're overflowing with vigor."
"Can't keep up sometimes. Anyway, we're here."
I gripped Zhuge Liang's shoulder and pointed.
"This is my manor."
"...Huge. Bigger than in Jingzhou."
Zhuge Liang was floored by the scale. Me, the modest academy guy, owning this sprawl in Heodo—it shocked her.
"How'd you...?"
"Disappointed? Your master got rich off Cao Cao's grace?"
"No. I'm surprised by something else."
She pointed inside the manor.
"You live in Xinye with this palace?"
"Huh?"
"Leaving a grand estate like this."
"You guys aren't here."
I patted her back and nodded inward.
"Come on in. Long walk—your feet must ache. Rest up in... "
Then I spotted a stranger in my manor—a chill ran down my spine. Massive build. Bald-headed, thick-bearded, he loomed like a heavyweight.
"S-sorry, who might you be...?"
"The manor lord?"
"That's me. Geum Taeyang."
"Pleased. I'm Dian Wei, servant of Cao Cao."
Dian Wei bowed.
"By Cao Cao's order—ahem—I'm escorting Lord Cao Ang here."
"Ah, Ang's here?"
Great. Not a power player, but bonding with Cao Cao's kin and friends was key.
But.
"Apologies. I'll visit later—mind relocating?"
"......"
Dian Wei's eyes flicked to Zhuge Liang. Fear of him? Or tension over "Cao"? She hid behind me, clutching my robe with trembling hands.
"I-I'm embarrassed to say this to Cao Cao's man, but she's a kid from the east side."
"......My deepest apologies."
Dian Wei bowed low.
"I beg forgiveness."
"...It's fine."
Zhuge Liang finally spoke.
"Water under the bridge. I'll never forget, though."
"...Chilling words. Understood. Then, to Lord Ang inside—"
"No."
Zhuge Liang gripped my hand, pointing ahead.
"Master. Have you shared a drink with this Ang fellow?"
"Drink? Oh, yeah—Ang called Cao Ang, and we three threw back a few."
Just booze. Nothing else.
"...Got it. Master, it's okay. I don't want to cramp your style with friends."
"Still."
"But... I need a break. Master, can I rest in a room alone?"
"Sure. Dian Wei, give me a sec to settle my disciple. Then I'll head over."
"Understood. I'll relay that."
I led Zhuge Liang to my quarters. Owner absent for months, yet spotless as if dusted daily.
"Rest here. Got it?"
"...This guest room's so nice?"
"Nah. My room. The one I use in the manor."
"......."
Zhuge Liang flushed crimson.
"Don't worry. I'll crash elsewhere."
"...If it's Master."
She perched on the bed, squirming.
"Your room—how could I presume? Sleep wherever comfy, kyaa?!"
I scooped her up and tossed us onto the bed. Top-grade Heodo silk and feather stuffing swallowed us in fluff.
"Plenty of room for two."
"P-people will misunderstand."
"Misunderstand what? Master and disciple."
I tousled her hair, sitting up.
"Get some real rest. Need anything, call a servant. Act like a princess—they'll indulge most whims."
This was my manor, after all.
"Who knows? You might be family someday. Good to get used to it."
"......Yes."
Zhuge Liang bowed her head. I left her to rest and headed to Cao Ang's room.
If I die, the estate goes to my disciples anyway.
Inheritance, maybe. Sima Yi had her clan's pile in Henei, but Zhuge Liang? Booted from distant Xuzhou, barely rooted in Jingzhou.
Minus Cao Cao's patrols, Heodo was great. Or she could sell high and build her clan big in Jingzhou. Y'know, like a future powerhouse—"House Zhuge." Heh, silly thought.
And.
Creeeak.
The door opened. Cao Ang sipped tea, waiting.
"Long time, Ang."
"Yeah. Feels like no time since last meet."
Cao Ang grinned, raising his cup.
"Tea?"
"Smells like booze."
"Swap water for liquor, call it tea. Grain brew."
"...Spot on."
I sat across.
"So, what's the visit for?"
"Can't just drop by for fun?"
"Feels too serious for that."
"...Right. Not fun—came to borrow your wisdom, Geum Taeyang."
"Wisdom?"
"Yeah. Well... actually."
Cao Ang smirked, reaching out.
"Mother says you did her a huge favor."
"...Mother?"
"Yep."
He touched his chest, faint smile.
"Truth is, my adoptive mom's Cao Cao."
"......."
A real princess, right in front of me.