"I am the Son of Heaven. Addressing you by your courtesy name expresses my affection, and it is also an honor for you."
"And you should address me as-"
"Your Majesty!"
Chapter 257: Rank and title must never be lent to others; regret for listening to Ju
Silence filled the side chamber.
Only the faint crackle of charcoal burning in the brazier and the bubbling of boiled plum wine in the cauldron broke the stillness, churning without rest-just like Yuan Shao's feelings at that moment.
"You lowborn wretch!"
Yuan Shao stared fixedly at Liu Xie, hurled his wine cup to the floor, and snarled in a low voice, "Everything you have was given to you by me! If not for me, how could you have what you have today?"
"You were nothing but a displaced vagrant! How dare you turn the false into the true and even dream of making me call you Your Majesty? What audacity!"
When he had first been brought captive to Lecheng County and seen how respectfully the others treated Liu Xie, a vague unease had already stirred within him.
Later, after he saw Zhang He obey Liu Xie's orders, that unease had deepened further. He had simply refused to admit it, still less to believe the answer buried deep in his heart.
He had chosen to deceive himself time and again, refusing to face reality and continuing to believe that Liu Xie was utterly loyal to him.
But Liu Xie's cold expression, his condescending manner, and the words he had just spoken left him unable to deceive himself any longer.
The supposed story of Yuan Xi and Lü Bu holding him hostage had been false from the start! Lü Bu and the others were following Liu Xie's orders!
This lowborn wretch before him had indeed