Is the Green-Robed Guy the Protagonist? - Episode 4: Yongzhong Residence
The guy in green clothes is the protagonist, right? -4 Yongzhong residence.
Lately, Uncle Gongming had been too busy for our usual one-on-one chats, but for some reason, he summoned me to the western wing at the worst possible timing.
"You called for me?"
Uncle Gongming shot me a sharp glare.
Aunt Huang was there beside him.
"Haa... Her manners are getting worse by the day. This is a real problem, my lady."
"Isn't it only natural for a woman to lean on her husband's kindness?"
Just like always, they were flirting away.
Uncle Zhao Yun picked up on the awkward vibe and stayed outside.
I desperately signaled an SOS to Uncle Zhao Yun, who was loyally standing guard out there, but he just waved enthusiastically, leaving me feeling a bit down.
"So, what's up?"
Aunt Yueying responded to my snippy reply in her soft voice.
"Ahem. Even so, Soyoung? No matter how casually your father treats you, you must show respect. Treat him with the same deference you give me. Only then will the family stay harmonious. Isn't that right, dear?"
"My lady speaks truly. With such a wise wife, I can entrust the household to her without worry. I count myself truly fortunate."
"As expected of my husband! So devoted to the home and making everyone happy—how could my love for you ever fade?"
They started flirting again, and my head began to throb.
"Anyway, the reason I called you here is—"
"Is what?"
"Today, you seem... a bit off. Did something unpleasant happen?"
"Oh, no. I've just had a lot on my mind lately, so I must've acted out of turn."
My head had been hurting lately. Especially around Uncle Gongming.
Truth be told, I never wanted him serving under Liu Bei in the first place.
It was making me feel a bit sentimental.
"Then what have you been thinking about?"
"Hmm... How to make the country harmonious."
Uncle Gongming gave a faint smile at my answer. Lip service always works.
"I nearly misunderstood you. So, what must be done to make the country harmonious?"
I pondered for about three seconds.
"Honestly? I think someone unifying the land and ruling long-term is the way to go."
"Then who do you think should pacify these chaotic times?"
This obvious question again.
Here we go again. Seriously frustrating.
"General Liu Bei, obviously? Why even ask? Isn't it a given?"
"Why raise your voice like that? But since your intent aligns with mine, I am overjoyed beyond words."
Zhuge Liang looked like his mouth had caught on his lip, but honestly, it rubbed me the wrong way.
I could already see the hell we'd go through under Liu Bei.
More than that, when would Uncle Gongming ditch this obvious-question habit?
"Yet I thought you'd surely say Cao Cao, but your intentions run deep—unpredictable as always."
"Soyoung's clever, so she must've guessed her father's mind to win his favor!"
Not even close.
"So you believe the master of this dragon is Liu Bei."
Uncle Gongming picked up a dragon statue from the corner of the western wing and placed it proudly on the table.
"It has no master. No one can unify the land alone."
"Does that mean no one can rule the realm?"
"Uncle Zhu Ping once told me—whoever takes the land, what does it matter? The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. I hate war."
"For the great cause, sacrifices are inevitable. Sacrificing a few prevents greater losses. If a mother is only doting, she'll breed unfilial children. Without ruthless war, no great cause can succeed."
I asked in disbelief.
"Am I the unfilial one?"
Uncle Gongming froze for a moment. "...Pardon?"
"Nah, probably not. Aunt Yueying isn't just doting."
Huang Yueying, who'd been quiet, reacted to the splash damage.
"Ahem. Our Soyoung seems tired. Perhaps you should hold back a bit, dear?"
Time to tie this up properly.
Aunt Yueying had been crossing lines lately.
Maybe I should make it public.
"Hold on? You two sit tight. I have something to say."
I dashed out of the western wing and yelled at Uncle Zhao Yun.
"Uncle Zhao Yun! Come in for a sec?"
Zhao Yun hurried over.
Lately, things had been grating on my nerves more and more. I wanted everyone to share my thoughts, point by point.
"Mom's been overdoing it lately, right? Like, what do you call it? Pretending to be coy? 'Soyoung, men like this'? Stuff like that."
The two men turned away and cleared their throats.
They knew exactly what I meant.
"Ahem!! Darling? Being chaste means protecting yourself, right? I'm just teaching you practical ways for a woman to navigate the world."
I couldn't deny Aunt Yueying was an overly meddlesome noble lady, but most of her "tips"... sorry, but they reeked of cheap romance tropes.
"Dropping your handkerchief to flash a bit of cleavage, tripping to fall into his arms, sneaking up for a back hug, gazing deeply with a smile, and..."
Huang Yueying waved her hands frantically.
"It's good to know in advance!"
This wasn't some 2000s rom-com manga.
Time to hit Aunt Yueying—queen of being 1800 years ahead—with some tough questions.
"The 'frail act' doesn't make sense to me. Why pretend to be so delicate you can't move without help? If I wallow in loss and stop eating, I lose out. And what else? How to make a man pity you? Tease but hold back?"
Huang Yueying wailed.
"Hey!! Th-that's not for you to use! Just know it exists! Dear...! Sobs... How can our daughter be so cruel to me? I only wanted her to succeed, teaching her survival tips. Sniff..."
"Ahem... I... trust my wife... just a little. Since I trust her... I'm only a bit worried."
I could hear Huang Yueying's credit score plummeting.
Like rating agency JGY had just downgraded her right here.
"What do you think, Uncle Zhao Yun? Know what this 'tease but hold back' means?"
"Er... My fate is the spear, so I don't grasp such subtleties."
"Then why's Mom panicking?"
Zhao Yun's ears turned red as he stammered.
"Perhaps the lady is distressed at her secrets being exposed? My insight is limited."
Uncle Zhao Yun deftly sidestepped the landmines.
This should be enough, right? No more nagging now?
"When's dinner? Can I head out?"
Uncle Gongming, who'd been patting Aunt Huang, wasn't hungry apparently—he crooked a finger to stop me.
"Sit."
Looks like there's more to discuss.
What's the point? More Confucius this, Mencius that, "become a great person" lectures.
"You know I appointed your father as magistrate of Soyang. That's why I called you today."
...Huh? A chill ran up my spine.
"Pardon? Yeah? So he's coming back now?"
"Not quite, but he's diligent—no need to worry. However, with the post filled, someone must handle the duties, no?"
A jolt hit my brain.
Emergency. Emergency. EMERGENCY!!! Red Alert Level 1. Fold immediately and defuse.
"Suddenly, my heart's troubled and depressed—I'm out of energy."
Now Aunt Yueying would make a fuss, right?
"Dear? Please continue."
...Huh?
Aunt Yueying? We're supposed to be on the same side. Start the engine and fuss already!!!
"Soyoung? Listen to your father properly. I never taught you otherwise."
"Sobs... Mom? Sobs...?"
"Chin up, look your father in the eye. Steel your heart, darling."
Betrayer!!! Oh. I started it.
Feels unfair? I just stated facts. Defamation by truth? Bad law. Bad law.
It was something I'd have to say eventually.
Makes me wanna cry for real.
"Done crying?"
Clueless Uncle Gongming crossed his arms and started counting.
Couldn't just smack him. Though my head was screaming smack smack smack.
"Thirty seconds."
What now? What now? WHAT NOW???
This'll be such a hassle.
When Uncle Gongming says "as one ought," he's already decided in his head.
Zhao Yun? Where's Zhao Yun? Bring the friend shield for me!!!
"Sobs... I'm so exhausted. Uncle Zhao Yun, support me please."
"...Miss? Why so suddenly ill?"
"Body weak, no energy—feels like a deathly illness."
Uncle Gongming's patience snapped.
"Enough now. Sleeping all day in the granary must be boring, no? Why not handle Soyang's affairs? I told General Liu Bei to put you in charge—go wild."
Ah.
AH!!!!!
No.
"How could I take such a heavy responsibility?"
"Any post you want instead?"
"Hmm... How about goldfish caretaker?"
Uncle Gongming glanced at Zhao Yun and chuckled.
Goldfish caretaker must sound hilarious.
"My daughter wants to tend goldfish, so help her out, Zhao Gong."
"Yes. Not sure if any are alive, but I'll do my best."
?????
"Sorry, is this already decided?"
For some reason, the reply came from the spear, not the fan.
"General Liu Bei said Soyang's a key pass to Xinyang—best managed by someone trustworthy. Thus, capable Lady Soyoung fits perfectly."
"But it's total barren land, right? Nothing to manage."
"Perhaps a place to showcase your talents."
Hmm... Okay. Message received.
Switch to Plan B.
"Don't wanna. Absolutely not. Me? Why? Please. Don't make me. Give me one chance to skip. What would I even do there?"
Zhuge Liang chuckled merrily.
"Then just sleep like always. Perfect fit, no?"
"Um... Mom?"
"Soyoung, I believe in you! You'll do great!"
"No... " Real tears welled up.
"With tears flowing, what choice do we have, my lady?"
"She must steel her heart—sometimes be firm. Can't raise an unfilial child."
Aunt Yueying, I surrender. Forgive me.