Yang Xiu had successfully extricated himself, which meant the stay-behind lot was among theirs. There was one fewer chance to leave.
Just then, Zhuge Liang lowered his head to glance at his bamboo lot, then smiled faintly and gently laid it on the table.
"It seems I won't have to stay either."
His bamboo lot also bore the word "go."
Now Sima Yi, Fa Zheng, and Lu Su all grew nervous, tightening their grips on their bamboo lots.
"Brother Zijing, let's reveal ours together."
Fa Zheng swallowed and spoke to Lu Su with some nervousness.
Lu Su slowly nodded.
Then they both took out their bamboo lots, placed them together, and turned them over at the same time.
Both bamboo lots bore the word "go."
For a moment, everyone's gaze focused on Sima Yi, whose expression turned particularly ugly.
Yang Xiu laughed heartily. "Sima Zhongshu, it seems the heavy responsibility of staying behind in Chang'an can belong to none but you!"
Sima Yi said nothing in response. He merely rose and walked out of the side hall without a word.
"Ah..."
Yang Xiu froze at the sight. He had only made an offhand joke; he had never expected Sima Yi to be so unable to take one.
Zhuge Liang rose. "I'll go talk to Sima Yi."
With that, he too got up and followed him out of the side hall.
Watching the two figures disappear through the Grand Secretariat's doorway, Fa Zheng said helplessly to Yang Xiu, "Dezu, that mouth of yours."
Yang Xiu flushed, too embarrassed to say anything.
After leaving the side hall, Sima Yi went straight to the Grand Secretariat's offices, returned to his seat, and picked up his brush to begin reviewing memorials.
Zhuge Liang followed him all the way there. Seeing Sima Yi absorbed