AU: Hi! *wave hands* i am sorry it took so long, if you can notice i skip some of the previous chapters from the original version, but the story is still the same ... please please please review review review! thank you so much!
Summary: Filthy rumours were going around the castle and Xiao Qiao is the main topic. The day came she can't take it any more and she snap out! What will Zhou Yu do?
It was a rainy night when they arrived back. It's not definitely a good day. Xiao Qiao went straight to her room, while Zhou Yu met with Sun Ce, while the sworn brothers talk about what have happened, Da Qiao bust the doors open "SUN CE!" she shouted she pause when she realized that her husband is not alone, she cover her mouth "I-I'm so sorry" she bowed in embarrassment the people in the room stare at her in shock of her arrival. Sun Ce stood up "Okay let's take a break for a moment."
Xiao Qiao was very tired, it was a very long journey, even thought she is tired she can't sleep, for some reason there is something bothering her. She was already dressed in her night gown; she was just lying in the bed. Bored she roll around the bed, it was pretty big for her to sleep alone, she haven't notice that she was in the edge of the bed and fell down with a loud thud.
"Aw that hurts!" she whimpered, not moving from her current position, she started to like being in the floor. Without knocking Da Qiao came in, searching "Xiao?" she called peeking in the door and then step in "Xiao!" she screamed seeing her sister in the floor "Wha, what happened are you alright?" asking in concern "Hmm I'm fine" she smiled at her.
"What are you doing lying in the floor?"
"I was rolling around the bed then I fell"
"Did you jest fell right before I came in?"
"Nya, I fell for about five minutes ago"
"Don't have plans to get up?"
"Nope!" she said proudly
"Uh Xiao get up" Da Qiao helped her to stand up and sat in the bed, Xiao shove the dust on her gown "Aren't you tired from the long journey?" Da asked while watching her, Xiao sat beside her "I am" Ad tilt her head.
"Well then get some sleep sis"
"I can't sleep"
"Why is that?" Da gasps "Don't tell me"
"Tell you what?"
"You and Zhou Yu did it!"
"DA!"
"Why? There's nothing wrong with that? You did go into a honeymoon right?"
"Yeah we did, but nothing happened"
"Nothing?"
"Nothing"
"Nothing?"
"Nothing"
"Nothing?"
"Not-Ah stop it!"
"What do you mean nothing?"
"Nothing, we just sleep together, tour around the city nearby"
"That's all?"
"Oh yeah and we visited his mother's grave"
"And?"
"Hmm" she pout while thinking "Yup that's all"
"What kinda honeymoon is that?" Xiao just blink at her sister
"Uh, it can't be helped Lord Zhou Yu is a very honorable and mannered person, I wonder maybe his …"
"What?"
"Homosexual?"
"Uh Ah! We almost-" Xiao cover her mouth, she almost said it
"Almost what?"
"Nothing!"
"Xiao!"
"Ah sis look at that is so late already, why don't we continue this tomorrow!"
"Xiao!"
"I'm getting sleepy" Xiao pulled her and pushed her out of the room
"Xiao wait a minute!"
"Night sis! See you tomorrow morning!" she smile widely and close the door.
"XIAO QIAO!" Da yelled at the door.
The next day came, Zhou Yu was in his office, finishing the plan to get back Ying province. Finally satisfied at his work, he leans back at the chair and stare at his finish plan. He notices that it was already morning, the sun is about to rise, took out a deed sigh "It's morning already?" after realizing, he felt like the whole world is on his back. He was about to sleep in his desk when someone knock on the door.
Bringing his posture back "Come in" the door slowly open, revealing a small figure "Zhouie" she called in a very soft voice, he stood up and slowly walk to her "Xiao" noticing she was still in her night gown "The morning breeze is cold, why you felt your room only wearing that?" he took off his robe and place it on her "I was worried about you, you were over doing it again" she pout "From the looks of your face you didn't sleep again" said in a serious manner.
"I just got lost track of time, I'm sorry if I got you worried about me" he explained, Xiao noticed that the room was in a mess, papers where scattered around the room, scrolls and pile of books, maps and ink spill "Wha-what happened in here?" she giggled. This was the first time she saw him in this state, he was always very neat and organized at everything. "I'm sorry I will clean up" he smiled, for someone who didn't sleep he was very fast at cleaning. Xiao wanted to help but everything she picks up he will took in from her. He don't want Xiao doing much for him, he was raised to do everything on his own. For Xiao Qiao she felt a bit sad about it, her sister tell her on how she help Sun Ce with this and that. She wanted to something for him someday.
She watches him clean up, picking up the books, rolling open scrolls and picking up crumpled papers. Now the room is clean "Wow your really fast!" Xiao complimented "Thank you" he sat beside her, leaning his head to her shoulder "You forgot something" she point at the open scroll lying on the desk, Xiao stood up first rolling the scroll close "Here you go" she offered it to him, he took it with a smile in his face "Thank you Xiao" he surprise her with a kiss in the cheek "I have to show this to Ce-" he got interrupted when she took the scroll by force on his hand "Xiao please giv-" "Will you get some rest first, my god, it's so early in the morning, you think he's already awake at this hour?" she scold him.
Shock was written all over Zhou Yu's face, he can't believe he got scold by his young wife. He smile and raise hands in defeat "You're right, I'm sorry" Xiao's face is still the same, frowning "You said sorry a few times now and yet you still repeat them" she was looking straight to his eyes and then look away "Please … you're killing yourself, forcing yourself to the limit" realizing what she said, it was all true, he was workaholic, staring at her while frowning, made her look mature, but still have her innocence and childish charms. She is growing and he doesn't even notice it until now.
He nod, they leave the scroll in the office in his desk, holding hands they go to Zhou Yu's room. They just got married so they haven't arranged their room together. Zhou Yu collapse at his bed as soon as they got there, Xiao watches him and smile in relief. About to leave but he called her "Xiao" she turn around "Yes?" he stood in sitting position "Sleep here with me" her eyes grow wide "What?" he chuckle "You said earlier it's still early in the morning, why don't you sleep more here with me" she was still shock. Is he behaving like this because he didn't get any sleep? She thought "Okay" she answered quite nervous. Zhou Yu smile like a child given what he wants.
The sun rise and the people in the castle are starting to wake up as well. Da Qiao came to see if her sister's awake to continue the conversation last night, opening the door slowly. Puzzled seeing no one was in the room "Where could she be?" she asked herself.
Another meeting was brought up, Sun Ce and the officials are waiting for Zhou Yu but they were waiting for about thirty minutes and yet no one came, Sun Ce excuse himself to the room and go personally to find his sworn brother. He first check Zhou Yu's office, he saw the scroll in the desk, he examine it "This is the plan" he said but not fully understand how is it gonna be. Rolling the scroll close, he left the room to check Zhou Yu's room. Of course he didn't knock opening the door quite violently "Zhou buddy? You here?" he said in a loud voice, his eyes widen seeing that the couple are sleeping in each other's arms "Oh my bad" he left and close the door silently. The couple was in deep slumber, both of them didn't sleep very well, she can't sleep worrying about her husband while he is working on his strategies. They start the meeting without the Wu strategies, Lu Xun take his place for the moment.
The rumors about Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao continued their honeymoon spread fast in the castle, even throughout the castle walls and into the city. A long raven black haired girl pause her stroll hearing the rumor "My … Zhou Yu …" she murmured.
It was late in the afternoon when Zhou Yu woke up, rubbing his eyes, clearing his vision. Xiao was leaning in his chest; he put her away gently on his side, not wanting to wake her up. The rumors are getting worse by seconds, and they don't even know about it. Nothing happened to them yet, Zhou Yu was waiting for her to turn in the age of eighteen like her sister, for he have the know that a young women ages seventeen and below carry a child might die in labor, he don't want to have a child without a mother so he is resisting and respecting her. Not letting his sexual cravings take over. He dressed in a new outfit, fixing his hair into a ponytail before leaving he checks his wife's sleeping figure.
"Where is it?" he got mad not seeing his work on his desk, he work all night and then it will be gone with the wind. It was truly disappointing, Sun Ce happened to walk by his office and glace at the door hearing some chatter inside the room "Zhou! You're finally up" he greeted
"Did someone came in here? My scroll is missing"
"Yes"
Zhou Yu turn around "Who?" frowning
"Me" Sun Ce walk closer to him and pats his shoulder "I took your scroll, we started the first meeting with you"
"What? How did you understand it?"
"Lu Xun of course, he have trouble understanding it but we manage"
"Why you didn't wake me up?"
"Oh come on you were busy" he laugh mocking
"Busy at what?"
"Busy at making your own family"
"You really are stupid, just because we sleep in the same bed, it doesn't mean something always happened"
"Come on! There's nothing to be embarrassed about it!"
"I'm not embarrassed, you got it wrong"
"Wrong? Zhou there's nothing wrong about it!"
"Yes there is"
"What? Wait, don't tell me you don't want to do it?" he raised a brow
"I- ahh" Zhou Yu rub his forehead
"So you don't?"
"No"
"No?"
"No"
"No?"
"N-Oh shut up!"
On the other side of the castle "have you heard? Lord Zhou Yu and Lady Xiao Qiao have …" court ladies favorite past time is to talk, criticize and judge other people's life in short gossiping. Making someone have a terrible image, passing wrong messages or news could lean into some severe situations. "I have heard that Lady Xiao Qiao is the one who force Lord Zhou Yu to do it" "Really? Wow I never thought she was desperate to be laid!" court ladies laugh mockingly and very irritating.
The current Lord of Wu Empire and his officers have continued their meeting, now that the strategist is present. It has been decided that they will leave in four days to get back Ying Province in Shu Empire's grasp. They will need five thousand men and five hundred reserve troops over all they will need five thousand and five hundred men for their campaign. Gan Ning together with Ling Tong have already started gathering men, Lu Xun and Lu Meng are mastering the plan made by Zhou Yu, making reserve plans incase that the first plan will failed. For them failure is not an option. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu gather men outside the city. The caste grounds became a training ground once more. Even though it is a busy day, court ladies still manage to have their favorite past time.
Xiao woken up by the howl's of men training in the castle. Blinking, clearing her vision, stretching her arms yawning. She stood in sitting position, she was alone in the room, examining the room she notice that this room was bigger than hers, the curtains theme with the colors of the wall, sword case in the edge of the room, desk, two book shelf and one wardrobe. The room was fit to the owner.
She fix her hair to ponytail, she still wear the robe the Zhou Yu gave her earlier this morning. She fixes the bed before leaving the room. Humming while walking, she woke up in the right side of the bed. It was already half the day when she woken up, she happens to passed by the rooms of the court ladies whom were having their break. She overheard the chattering.
"Well I think she poisoned Lord Zhou Yu just to marry her"
"I can't believe it he married her! She's a mere child"
"Yeah a stupid and clumsy one"
"He's more suited to Lady Da Qiao"
"Yeah she's more suited to a peasant"
Xiao's eyes widen hearing them, her heart broke into million pieces. She can't believe it. The first time she and her sister came to the castle they were very friendly and welcoming, she never thought of them to talk behind their backs, or maybe only her back. Xiao Qiao is still young yet she is trying to cope with everyone, trying her hardest to understand things, because of her friendly personality she trust person very easily and this broke her.
Clenching her fist and teeth, trying to stay calm, but after hearing those wrong and terrible lies who will just sit and watch? Her heart was consumed by anger immediately, she wanted to barge in and give the piece of her mind who ever spreads those lies, but she can't she doesn't have the confidence to face them. She just ran away as far as she could while crying out her anger.
The rumors were unable to reach Da Qiao, she was surrounded with Sun Ce's guards for an unknown reason, and she has received this news so she can't approach her sister. She went straight to her room, buried her face to the pillows "H-How could they" she whimper between her sobs.
It was past dinner when Sun Ce and Zhou Yu came back home, bring them two thousand and five hundred men. It was truly a long and tiring day. Gan Ning and Ling Tong greeted them "How was it milord?" the pirate asked, Sun Ce just dismount from his horse "It was fun, but were still short of men" he respond with a sigh "How many men you have gathered Gan Ning, Ling Tong?" Zhou Yu interrupted "Three" Ling Tong said "Three?" Zhou Yu was puzzled; Gan Ning and Ling Tong said that the same time "Three thousand" both of them laugh.
A guard approach Sun Ce from behind, whispering, Zhou Yu have notice it, Sun Ce smiled after hearing the message "Thank you" Zhou Yu read his lips, the guard bowed and leave "What was that?" he asked in curiosity "Nothing important" Sun Ce still have a smile on his face. The officers have their separate ways, Sun Ce went to his wife, Gan Ning and Ling Tong went to the dining hall and Zhou Yu went to check Lu Xun for the backup plan. He opens the door slowly, Lu Xun fell asleep in the desk, his work was finished, and Zhou Yu smiled. He sees himself when he was young in his young student, closing the door silently. He was starting to walk when a court lady approached him "Milord, excuse me" she called, he turn around "Yes?" the lady bowed and present a letter "A messenger have come, it is address to you, the messenger said it is urgent and important Milord" he took the letter, examine it "Who was it from?" he asked "The messenger mention no name" he nod "I see, thank you" the lady bowed again. While walking he is reading the letter.
My dearest Zhou Yu
It has been a long time since I write to you, how are you? Are you doing alright? I hope so. If you want to know on how I am doing, I am fine. After what have happened nine years ago, I have realize, what I did was wrong, I should have never left you, or maybe left you a letter but say it to you personally. I would like to bring back what we have, I would like to repay those times we were separated. I have always loved you, my Zhou Yu. I wish you still feel the same.
Love, Shin Shui
He pause his walking after reading the letter, with a disappointed face he crumpled the paper "Wish on my ass, my life is alright, now you will mess it up? I don't think so" he said in a harsh tone. He go to the nearest torch and burn the letter, he watch it burn while frowning at it. Taking a deep breath to regain his calm posture. Zhou Yu could not control his sudden outburst but he is trying his hardest to control it. A person who is very gentle and kind could be very horrible when got upset. A Person you don't want to mess with.
Xiao Qiao just got out of her room, her eyes were bloated, nose is red and hair is a bit mess, she walk to the corridor avoiding the same route she took earlier. Zhou Yu notice a walking person in the corridor, he saw her "Xiao!" he called her, she freeze hearing a familiar voice, she turn around seeing Zhou Yu running to her "Zhou Yu" she stare at him "Xiao" he cupped her face, seeing her in this state "What happened? Who did this to you?" he asked, she shook her head
"No one"
"What happened?"
"I-it's nothing"
"Don't lie to me"
"I-I'm not"
"Don't lie to me Xiao"
"I-I was looking at some old pictures, I missed my parents, that's all" she lied
He hug her gently "Don't be sad now my love, I'm here, I will never leave you" she return the hug but she hug more tightly "Promise me, you won't" she starting to cry again "I promise Xiao, just promise me the same thing" he lean his chin in her head "I promise" he felt his chest were wet "Xiao why are you crying again?" he wipe her tears with his sleeves "I-I'm hungry" she laughs, he smile "I am too" the couple walk to the dining hall and have dinner together.
AU: please review thank you! *giggles*