The day had finally come. The day of her departure from her home with the man she was going to marry. Yet, Sun Shangxiang imagined it to be completely different — her eyes were set on one man, Liu Bei, the virtuous leader of Shu, the man whom everyone loved. Including her. Thinking of him always made her happy. Ever since the Shouchun battle, he kept occupying her mind. She had seen him couple of times while he visited her brother to discuss the politics of the land; and every time, he captured her attention. The perfect man, full of compassion for others, caring for the people and promising everyone a bright future. He treated her with such respect; and every time he called her "my lady", her heart would pound beyond control. He was the one for her, and even when she never cared much before about romance — being occupied with her training — she had decided that she wanted him. And it seemed he wanted her as well. The word "love" never appeared in their conversations, but sometimes people didn't need to hear it. They could feel it growing between two people.
When Shu offered alliance, Sun Shangxiang was sure this would bring her closer to her lord. Yet, at nearly the same time, a message arrived from Wei. They called for Wu's surrender. Both options were, as much as she didn't want to admit, positive for her kingdom — yet she was sure Sun Quan would make the wise choice and ally with Liu Bei. That's what Sun Ce would do, for sure. He would have never given up!
But then, he took the blue scroll and said those words that made her heart sink: "We will not surrender to Wei! We will forge an alliance with them!"
The message threw the retainers of Wu into confusion. Many understood his intentions. Shu would not survive on its own as it was. They would be better off letting their enemies in green perish while Wu gained strength fighting the Wei threat. But it was almost too much for Sun Shangxiang, especially when she saw Zhuge Liang quickly making his leave — she didn't even have time to say anything to him. She wanted so badly for him to tell Liu Bei that she was sorry.
Yet, there was still a chance for her, she believed. "He will not agree to it! He will never side with us! Sun Quan will have to ally with Shu."
Sun Quan immediately set off with Zhou Yu for Xuchang, Cao Cao's castle. She was sure that the trip would prove to be a fruitless effort, or in the worst case scenario, a hostage situation.
A couple of days passed since Sun Quan's departure. The whole kingdom anxiously awaited his return to learn the future of the land. Sun Shangxiang wanted him back already as well. Secretly, she clung onto the hope that he would announce upon his arrival that Wei refused, so that maybe her kingdom's alliance with Shu — her union with Liu Bei — could be more than just a young girl's daydream.
Lord Liu Bei would definitely accept him. He would understand that he was wrong at first. This thought clouded her mind like a winter sky. She was sure her love for Liu Bei wasn't just a mere crush. She wanted to be with him. Yet, if Sun Quan lost his nerve and sided with the menace that was Wei, it would all be over. She sometimes considered running away if such a thing were to happen, but she loved her home. She loved her people. As their brave princess, she could not break their hearts.
She spent those dreadful days practicing her archery, mostly in solitude. For the moment, she was resting in her chambers, lying on her bed and once again fretting over her beloved. Sometimes, she hated herself for being so single-minded these days, but she couldn't help those same thoughts creeping into her mind at all hours. Even the fact he was already married to other women didn't matter much to her. All this worrying made her weak, and she slowly drifted into a much-needed rest. Though, the respite didn't last long — a while later, she could hear one of her maids trying to rouse her.
"My Lady, I am sorry to disturb you, but your brother has returned and wishes to see you now."
Sun Shangxiang didn't react at first; but when she finally came to her senses, she nearly catapulted out of her bed. Thankfully, she didn't crash into her maid, since she imagined that landing on a suit of armor would hurt.
"What?! He's back? When did he return? Where is he?"
"Lord Sun Quan is waiting outside your chamber, my lady. Should I let him in?"
She nodded before realizing how nervous she suddenly was. In a moment's time, she would have her fate revealed. She was certain it would be the one she had hoped for. As the maid opened the door and left, Sun Quan entered with a troubled expression. She felt a tightness in her chest. For her, it meant one thing: he refused Cao Cao's offer. He refused surrender.
"Brother, I'm relieved that you've returned unharmed. You look worried." His face almost made her want to run all the way to Shu. "Did Cao Cao turn down the alliance? Did you?" Her tone was a bit too cheerful even for her, and Sun Quan heard it all too clear. His face paled even further.
"Shangxiang, Cao Cao and I have come to an agreement. He will side with Wu. From this day on, Shu will be our enemy."
She suddenly fell weak and could not catch her breath for a moment. She froze before she managed to get a hold of herself, and she roared at her brother:
"What?! Why would he?! He is Cao Cao, he sides with no one! I mean— No, this is all wrong. You were supposed to ally with Lord Liu Bei, not this scoundrel!"
Sun Quan had seen his fiery sister angry on many occasions, but this way beyond all limits. Her face was flushed a violent red, her fists clenched until her knuckles were bone-white. He was relieved she had no weapon in her reach. But he was not there to observe her tantrum, even if her heated words were starting to anger him as well. Nevertheless, he continued, "He agreed, and our kingdoms are to form an alliance. Shangxiang, I am here to tell you that this means you will have to perform your duty as the princess of Wu." He paused for a moment, pondering over ways to present this truth to her, but he knew that no words could make it sound better. "You will be wed. To seal the alliance between our lands."
"You want me to marry Cao Cao?! You have lost your mind! I don't love him! I love Lord Liu Bei. How dare you tell me this!? You, who married Lady Lianshi because you loved her, are saying that I must marry our enemy?!"
"You are a princess, and you must do what you have to! You are not a child anymore!" Sun Quan joined his sister in furious yelling. "But you will not marry Cao Cao! Even I wouldn't agree to such a thing!"
Sun Shangxiang felt a numbness encroach her and was completely beaten off track. If not Cao Cao himself, then who? "Are you saying that I am to become his son's wife? This is not making me feel better somehow."
"No, not him either."
"Then who am I to marry, Quan?" she asked, her mind jumping from person to person in a desperate search. If not the ruler of Wei, or his son… Then she saw the face all too clearly in her thoughts.
There was one man always by Cao Cao's side: the fearsome, proud man wielding a podao. The one-eyed general. She could cry at that instant.
Sun Quan quietly uttered. "You are going to marry Xiahou Dun."