Light and Shadow

Chapter 19 - Yang Xiu's Plot, Pt. 1

"Sounds stressful. I'm glad that I'm not too involved in politics, especially since you have guys like Yang Xiu to watch out for. I don't see how you do it." Xiahou Dun stated.

"Well, it certainly makes you hypervigilant. It's not for everyone." Xun Yu said.

Xiahou Dun turned to look at the man. He was looking at the floor, refusing to make eye contact. He had a sad and distant look in his eyes as he had his hands neatly clasped together in his lap.

"Yu, you better be alive when I get back. Don't let anyone bully you. Okay?" Xiahou Dun said seriously.

"General, I will be fine," Xun Yu replied softly. "I'm really tired and need to finish this report for tomorrow. Can I ask for your assistance again?"

"Sure. What do you need?" Xiahou Dun inquired.

"Can you slap me or something? I feel tired and that might help wake me up." Xun Yu answered.

Xiahou Dun frowned. Although he sometimes wished that he could slap some sense into Xun Yu and make him want to get better, he refused to do so. He knew that would never work, and he was afraid that it would hurt him.

"I am not slapping you. Sit right here, I know just the thing." Xiahou Dun said.

He watched as Xun Yu nodded before getting up and leaving momentarily. After a few minutes, he returned with a cup of cold water and splashed it on Xun Yu's face.

"Did that help any?" Xiahou Dun asked as Xun Yu looked at him in shock and wiped his drenched face with his hands. "What? You asked me to do something, so I did."

"I think it helped somewhat. Thank you." Xun Yu replied as he stood up and moved to sit behind the desk.

He then resumed writing the report and finished it less than half an hour later, with Xiahou Dun still watching him. He then waited for the ink to dry and carefully closed it.

"General, you didn't have to stay and wait on me." Xun Yu said.

"Yes, I did. I am walking you home. I am not about to risk letting you pass out in the street." Xiahou Dun replied.

He then grabbed Xun Yu's hand and started walking with him to his house as Xun Yu quickly picked up the report and put in into the chest of his paofu. The two made it to Xun Yu's house without incident, and the two bid each other goodnight before Xiahou Dun left and returned to the barracks. Xun Yu walked into his room and happily laid down on the bed to fall asleep for the night. He awoke a few hours later to the light of the rising sun and quickly got ready for the meeting that was to take place in less than a couple of hours. He washed his face, changed into his proper Minister attire, and placed the report securely in the chest of his robe. He then lit some lavender incense to calm himself and relax somewhat before the meeting.

Since our Lord is leaving for a long and difficult battle, every Minister will be there, along with a few of our highest-ranking generals. I am going to have to read the report out loud, and I am going to have to read his edict aloud as well. I should probably drink something before then. I guess a cup of water would be fine. Why am I stressing over this? I have done this numerous times before, but I guess it's difficult to get used to. Having everyone's eyes on you is nerve-wracking. I am always afraid of stumbling over my words or making a mistake, but, fortunately, no one else sees that fear; they only see me giving the report and reading the edict, not the fear that I feel.

At least Guo Jia, Xiahou Dun, Cheng Yu, Xun You, and Jia Xu will be there today. I can look at one of them if I need reassurance; however, I am afraid of what could occur at today's meeting. Yang Xiu is going to try something, and I need to make sure that I protect Cheng Yu. I have to be ready for anything. And after this, I will meet up with Sima Yi since he wanted to meet at around noon today. Hopefully this meeting does not drag on for that long, but it is hard to tell. Xun Yu sat at the table in the living area for a few more minutes before walking into the kitchen and drinking a cup of water. He then walked back into the living area, snuffed out the incense, and left for the palace.