When news of the Grand Court Ceremony reached the Chancellor's residence, Zhuge Liang suddenly coughed. His tone held some relief, but more than that, reproach.
"His Majesty has grown up... But how could he act so rashly!"
"Is that really so bad?"
Verdant Green Maiden, who was preparing medicine for Zhuge Liang, heard him and asked in reply.
Zhuge Liang sighed. "Now the people of later generations will surely blame His Majesty!"
"That's all right. He's been blamed plenty already."
Verdant Green Maiden shook her head, unconcerned.
Zhuge Liang didn't understand what she meant, but Verdant Green Maiden showed no intention of explaining. She handed him the medicine she'd prepared, then asked, "I didn't see Guan Yu or Zhang Fei at the Grand Court Ceremony. Why didn't they come on such an occasion?"
"The Second General and Third General..."
Tears welled in Zhuge Liang's eyes again. He let out a long sigh.
"Alas..."
"After the world was unified all those years ago, their old wounds flared up, and they passed away one after the other. Their tombs are at Hui Mausoleum."
Without auspicious fortune, even the Unification of the World carried a sense of sorrow.
"Liang... should go join them, too."
Zhuge Liang sighed. Verdant Green Maiden fell silent, sitting quietly at his side.
At the end of January, Zhuge Liang passed away.
In this life, Li Miao hadn't sent a memorial of congratulations, but Verdant Green Maiden wasn't about to let him off. She told Liu Shan about the state of Dujiangyan in Shu Commandery.
Liu Shan wasn't some great ruler, but he still had some skill at handling state affairs.
And besides, Verdant Green Maiden was there to guide him.
With officials large and small from Yizhou all gathered after the Grand Court Ceremony, Liu Shan issued an