Zhou Yu and Cao Pi walked through the corridors before stopping in a secluded spot where Zhou Yu fell deep into thought. Judging from his expression, Cao Pi gleaned something was weighing on him.
“Are you worried about the issue with General Polu?”
This line of inquiry suggested to Zhou Yu that Cao Pi might know something more.
Zhou Yu simply replied, “The recent news from General Sun does not seem very good.”
“Not only is it not very good,”—Cao Pi smiled, shaking his head a little helplessly—“he found the imperial jade seal in Luoyang.”
Zhou Yu was stunned into silence. Cao Pi watched him with anticipation, studying his face in the hopes of learning something. But Zhou Yu was completely frozen as he thought back on the exchange he just heard between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao. A piece of jade, but not simply a piece of jade… Damn it, he should have thought of this possibility long ago.
“Yuan Shao wants his older brother to bring Madame Sun to Shouchun,” Cao Pi said. “Are you familiar with the Sun family?”
“Y…yes.”
Zhou Yu pushed aside his original hesitation at being so open with Cao Pi. After all, why was Cao Pi here, at Yuan Shao’s side? He was likely a hostage… The two of them exchanged looks, and Cao Pi’s eyes filled with amusement. Zhou Yu immediately understood—right now, the two of them were allies.
This kid’s future is limitless, Zhou Yu thought.
“Has Yuan Shao discovered that you eavesdrop on his conversations?” Zhou Yu asked.
Cao Pi watched the dragonflies in the courtyard and reached out to catch one. “He isn’t on his guard around me at all; he treats me like a child.”
Zhou Yu began to chuckle, and his mood improved greatly.
“Sun Ce and I are childhood friends,” Zhou Yu said. “What he’s tangled up in is not trivial. I have to think of a way to deal with it.”
“They’ve already sent people to escort Madame Sun here, so she won’t be able to escape. I’m still planning how to get out of Shouchun. My dad said he’ll send someone to retrieve me, so there’s a strong possibility we won’t be able to leave right now.”
“Let me handle it,” Zhou Yu promised. “I’ll figure out a way. What did Yuan Shao tell your dad?”
“He sent my dad to fight his battle for him,” Cao Pi said, helplessly. “Plus, he’s holding me hostage here.”
Zhou Yu stroked Cao Pi’s head. “You’re too cunning, you little brat.”
Cao Pi had been paying attention ever since he heard Yuan Shu introduce Zhou Yu to Yuan Shao. Additionally, he knew of that months-old incident when Zhou Yu had sent Cao Cao out of Luoyang. Cao Pi quickly confirmed Zhou Yu was an ally. And now he had secretly revealed all of Yuan Shao’s plans to Zhou Yu, so the two of them stood on the same ground.
In less than the span of time it took to drink a cup of tea, Cao Pi had made a careful and complicated conclusion. Zhou Yu couldn’t help but admire this child.
“I must write a letter first,” Zhou Yu sighed, his worries weighing heavily on his mind.
Cao Pi nodded and followed Zhou Yu back to his quarters. While Zhou Yu composed his letter, Cao Pi regarded Fei Yu curiously. Though he seemed dependable, in the end, he still had the heart of a child. He played with Fei Yu for a while.
“Is this a falcon?”
“Yes,” Zhou Yu said. “It’s the only one of its kind in the entire world.”
Cao Pi replied, “It was probably highly treasured by the Sun family patriarch, right? It must have been difficult, taming this bird.”
“That’s correct,” Zhou Yu responded. “I need Sun Ce to come to Shouchun as fast as possible. Only then can we get you out of the city without alerting Yuan Shao.”
“My father returned unscathed all thanks to you,” Cao Pi said, smiling. “Now you’re saving my life as well. I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“Fate controls the course of our lives, and success is up to the heavens to decide,” Zhou Yu replied. “I am doing no more than following the will of the heavens.”
Zhou Yu released the white falcon, and it shot out, vanishing into the sky. A patch of fiery clouds hung on the horizon, as if they were an extension of the endless fires of war, stretched across the skyline itself.
Twilight fell, and Zhou Yu closed the window. He would’ve never thought that many years later, on an evening much like this, Fei Yu would bring back memories of a time so long ago.
“How about I show you a great beauty, Zhou-dage24?” Cao Pi asked, speaking as if he were deep in thought after lifting his brush and penning a few lines.
“No need,” Zhou Yu replied.
“She’s gorgeous.”
“No matter how beautiful, I’ve seen greater.”
“She’s even prettier than you.”
Zhou Yu almost choked on his tea, but Cao Pi continued, “It’s a pity she’s already married; otherwise I would marry her.”
“How old are you?” Zhou Yu responded. “Knock it off with that kind of talk.”
“My dad said every person possesses a love of beauty.”
Zhou Yu blinked.
Later, Zhou Yu brought Cao Pi to the Eastern Gardens, where the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were drinking and chatting. A young woman sat there, her face half covered, a gaggle of serving women surrounding her. When she turned, her features were clean and beautiful under the flickering oil lamps. With her allure alone, she could bring ruin upon entire cities and countries.
When she saw Zhou Yu she bowed slightly, before addressing Cao Pi. “Where did you go?”
Cao Pi smiled. That innocent expression didn’t match the precocious personality he displayed earlier.
“Cao-gongzi spent some time reading books in my quarters,” Zhou Yu explained.
The boy introduced them. “This is Zhou-dage.” Then, to Zhou Yu, he said, “This is Zhen-jie.”
As he’d led Cao Pi here, Zhou Yu learned Yuan Shao also brought his son and daughter-in-law with him. His daughter-in-law was this picture in front of them, Zhen Mi.
Zhou Yu didn’t dare to look at her too long, but Cao Pi smiled happily.
“How is she, Zhou-dage?”
“Stop your nonsense,” Zhou Yu whispered awkwardly, “before I have to take the fall for your actions.”