My Three Kingdoms is not right

After the court assembly ended, Liu Bei, holding the newly bestowed seal of the Left General, followed the eunuch leading the way through the corridor.

The square bronze seal in her hand gleamed with a deep blue light in the sunlight. The tortoise-shell pattern on the seal knob was cool to the touch; it wasn't too heavy, yet it made her fingertips tremble slightly.

General Zuo.

Commander of the capital's military guards.

When Cao Cao recommended her for the position of Left General, she knelt at the foot of the steps and heard the emperor's clear voice proclaim her name. She felt her throat tighten.

It took Liu Bei a long time to rise from a humble weaver of mats and a seller of shoes to where she is today.

"General, please wait here for a moment." The eunuch stopped in front of the side hall and bowed, saying, "His Majesty will arrive shortly."

Liu Bei composed himself, straightened his clothes, and entered the room, where he saw General Dong Cheng already standing to the side waiting.

Liu Bei was not surprised that Dong Cheng, being a relative of the emperor, enjoyed the emperor's trust.

The two greeted each other, and soon footsteps were heard.

The emperor changed out of the crimson gauze robe he wore during court assemblies, and looked like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl again, with a somewhat slender figure.

But as someone who ascended the throne at the age of 8 and reigned as emperor for many years, she exuded the air of an emperor in every gesture.

"My dear ministers, you have been waiting for a long time." Liu Xie gestured for the two to sit down.

Liu Bei thanked the emperor, sitting upright with his back ramrod straight.

Liu Xie said in a gentle voice, "Minister Liu is brave and skilled in battle, and has repeatedly achieved great feats in suppressing rebellious forces. I am very pleased with him."

Liu Bei quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely fulfilling my duty."

"There's no need for you to be so modest, Minister Liu." Liu Xie smiled slightly. "When Minister Cao recommended you for the position of Left General, I did not hesitate because I trusted your character."

She paused, glanced at Dong Cheng, and then looked at Liu Bei: "The safety of the capital is of paramount importance. Minister Liu is a member of the Han imperial family, of the same lineage as me. With you here, I feel much more at ease."

Liu Bei felt a surge of warmth in his heart, rose and knelt in gratitude: "Your Majesty's trust is something I could never repay, even if it meant sacrificing my life."

"Please rise quickly, Minister Liu." Liu Xie stood up and offered a helping hand, then picked up a precious sword from the table.

"This sword is three feet and four inches long. It was used by me when I was young to practice martial arts. It has been with me for many years. I will give it to Minister Liu."

Liu Bei took the sword with both hands, feeling its heavy weight pressing down on his shoulders.

"Lord Liu, you should make good use of this sword," Liu Xie's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to echo between the two of them, "to protect the capital and deter the villains."

Liu Bei bowed again and solemnly replied, "I will obey Your Majesty's command."

Liu Xie was all smiles, seemingly quite satisfied with Liu Bei's reaction.

She chatted with Liu Bei and Dong Cheng for a few more minutes, asking about their experiences during the campaign against Xuzhou, before dismissing them on the pretext of being "busy with court affairs."

As Liu Bei walked out of the side hall, he held the sword in his arms, his steps heavier than when he had come.

The emperor bestowing a sword upon a person signifies immense trust and expectation.

But there seemed to be another meaning hidden in those words.

The two walked side by side along the path outside the palace wall. The eunuchs and guards tactfully followed at a distance, leaving room for conversation.

Dong Cheng spoke first: "Xuande, His Majesty truly values ​​you highly."

Liu Bei humbly replied, "Your Majesty's kindness is overwhelming; I am truly flattered."

Dong Cheng smiled and lowered his voice, "Does Xuande know what kind of sword you are holding in your arms?"

Liu Bei shook his head: "Please enlighten me, General Dong."

"This sword was forged by Emperor Shun in the first year of the Yongjian era, and its name is 'Anhan'," Dong Cheng continued, noticing Liu Bei's pause.

"Xuande is a member of the Han imperial family, and so am I. His Majesty places high hopes on us because he considers us as one of his own."

"The world is in chaos now. Although there are many capable ministers in the court, those who are talented but lack virtue will only bring disaster to the court." Dong Cheng looked into Liu Bei's eyes and said meaningfully.

"There are some things Your Majesty cannot say outright, but we, as your subjects, must understand them in our hearts."

Liu Bei's heart sank slightly.

She certainly understood what Dong Cheng was saying.

Cao Cao held absolute power, while the emperor, though residing in the highest palace, had virtually no real authority. Dong Cheng was trying to win him over so that they could "assist" the emperor and oppose the powerful Minister of Works.

"Thank you for your guidance, General Dong." Liu Bei cupped his hands and said, "I am deeply grateful for the country's favor and will do my utmost to repay Your Majesty."

Seeing her respectful attitude, Dong Cheng nodded in satisfaction: "Xuande is indeed a wise man. Come to my residence another day when you have time, and we can talk in detail."

"must."

As Liu Bei walked out of the palace gate, he watched Dong Cheng board the carriage, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

She lowered her head and looked at the "Anhan" sword in her arms.

The sword was not drawn, yet she could already feel the biting chill.

The emperor trusted her, bestowed a sword upon her, and regarded her as one of his own trustworthy people.

Cao Cao took her in when she was defeated, provided her with troops and provisions, and first recommended her as the governor of Yu Province. Today, he has recommended her as the Left General, giving her the means to establish herself in the court.

On one hand, there is the duty between ruler and subject; on the other hand, there is the gratitude for being recognized and appreciated.

Both sides had expectations of her.

But if these two expectations are not aligned, what should I do?

She was lost in thought when she suddenly heard a voice coming from below the steps.

"General Zuo, please wait."

Liu Bei looked up and saw a servant bowing to her, saying, "The master is waiting in the carriage. Please come forward, General."

Liu Bei was slightly taken aback. Following the servant's gesture, he saw a magnificent vermilion carriage parked not far from the palace gate, surrounded and protected by elite armored soldiers.

Her heart skipped a beat.

It was Cao Cao.

Recalling Dong Cheng's hint earlier, she felt that the imperial sword in her arms was burning hot.

Suppressing his inner unease, Liu Bei straightened his clothes and strode to the carriage. Just as he was about to bow, the curtain was lifted from the inside. Cao Cao peeked out, his phoenix eyes smiling, and beckoned to her.

"Xuande, get in the carriage, I'll take you home."

"This..." Liu Bei's heart was pounding. "How could I dare to trouble the Minister of Works?"

"There's no need for such formalities between us," Cao Cao said with a smile, beckoning her to get in the carriage.

Liu Bei dared not refuse any longer and boarded the carriage.

The vermilion-lacquered carriage moved slowly, its wheels rolling steadily over the bluestone road outside the palace gates. Inside, thick brocade cushions were laid out, and incense burned in a bronze censer, its smoke curling upwards, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Cao Cao leaned against the armchair, his crimson brocade robe making her skin appear as white as snow in the dim light of the carriage. Her phoenix eyes were slightly closed, and her expression was languid.

"What did the Emperor say when he summoned Xuande to the palace?"

Liu Bei's heart tightened.

"Your Majesty commended Bei for his diligent service," she carefully chose her words, trying to keep her voice steady, "and said that Bei is a member of the Han imperial family, and bestowed this sword upon him as a sign of imperial favor."

Cao Cao raised an eyebrow and casually extended his hand: "What kind of precious sword is it, Xuande? May I borrow it for a look?"

Liu Bei smiled gently and presented the "Anhan" book with both hands.

Cao Cao took it and examined it for a moment, then drew his sword from its sheath with a whoosh.

A flash of cold light appeared inside the carriage, and Liu Bei felt a chill instantly rise up the back of his neck.