Chapter 2: Past to Present

Pi had stolen a horse from one of the soldiers at the inn and rode off into the night towards Xu Chuang. If the men were heading there to join an army, it meant that his family was already in danger. He had no choice to leave, and only felt bad for not leaving sooner.

With a horse, his trip was already cut in half as he arrived back in Xu Chuang in the middle of the night. His brother had obviously set up some sort of defense, and that the enemy troops had not yet attacked. With his sword by his side, he quickly galloped is ways to the front gate. "Halt, who goes there?"

"Silence fool!" Pi shouted, "Do you not recognize your own Lord?"

"Master Cao!" he quickly apologized, "You have returned! There is much that has happened!"

"Quickly then, let me in and summon my brother. Has my father returned?"

"This is best left to Young Master Cao to explain. Please." The doors opened, "Summon the Young Master!" he shouted as Pi returned home.

"Brother, how I am relieved that you are well. Mother will be pleased when she awakes."

"Zhi, tell me what has been happening." Pi had finally changed from his travelling garbs and into his royal silk ones. He sat in the chair usually reserved to his father, as technically he had the most power of all the men.

"Father has left us in charge of Xu Chuang."

"He what? How many men do we have?"

"Less than half a million."

"And he's left us to defend this entire city?" Pi stood up, furious with his father. "Why would he do that? Does he not care for his sons? His wife?"

"He said he believed in the two of us, reinforcements are being sent by Uncle Xiahou."

"Blasphemy, how did you set up the defensive parameters?" a large map was laid out on the table. "Very well. Maids! Prepare some tea. Servants! Call the generals! We will hold an emergency meeting!"

-
Mei Hai spent her days praying day and night, as the news of the men heading to Xu Chuang was not good. She had simply assumed he left to go fight Cao Cao's army, but did not want to say good bye in such a difficult way. "Mei Hai…" the inn owners approached the young girl, "We have bad news."

"What?"

"Cao Cao's army at Xu Huang defeated the remainder of Yuan's." the tears formed in her eyes, "Oh Mei Hai."

Pi marched through the city of Xu Chuang proudly as the smell of slain men and victory were in the air. His father had just arrived a few hours prior, and he was excited to show his victory to him. "Your father will be proud." Lady Bian smiled, "At both of you."

"It is all brothers doing, I would have never been able to."

"Now Zi Jian," Pi said sarcastically, "You and I worked hard. Father should know."

"Lord Meng De!" Lady Bian shouted, running towards her husband. "I am so glad you are safe."

"My wife," he greeted, "My sons, you have done well to protect this city. You have made me very proud."

"Father." The two sons greeted, "Was your journey safe?"

"Of course! Your Uncles have told me of your brave tales and important valor. Only the Cao men would be able to complete this."

"Congratulation on your success at Guan Du as well," Pi pointed out, his thoughts suddenly dawned onto Mei Hai.

"Yes, of course. Hurry, to the castle! We must celebrate as a family!" he roared and headed towards their home, "And I have a present for you Pi, when we arrive."

-
The festivities were high at the Cao estate as the best was prepared for the men of the hour. Pi had spent most of his times seated at his table, making small talk with those who had approached him. Under his royal robes, his hand had firmly grasped onto Mei Hai's talisman, his thoughts constantly going back to her. There was just something about her that made his heart beat. If only he wasn't Cao Pi, the son of the future ruler of China. Then he would have married her right away, willing to spend his life in that small inn where they met…

"Son!" Cao slapped his son the back hard, "Son why are you moping! Get up, get up! Your father has brought you a present."

"A present?" Pi slipped the talisman pack in his pocket and followed his father.

"My son, you are turning 18 soon. You are already a man! It is time for you to settle down."

"What are you talking about?"

"There are a few women in the world who are of legendary beauty. The infamous Qiao sisters and the wife of Yuan Xi, Lady Zhen."

"Yes."

"Well, the Yuan clan is dead but Lady Zhen is left."

"What are you talking about, Father?" the door suddenly opened and there was a beautiful woman sitting quietly at the tea table.

"Lady Zhen." Cao pushed his son into the room, "Meet your new husband, my son, Cao Pi Zi Huan."

-
Things changed quickly in the next four years for the Cao family. Yuan Shao had finally been defeated and the Cao family resided in Ye as their base of operations. Cao Pi had grown up a lot in the past few years, gaining important allies within his father's advisors. It was just last week when his father announced that he was the official and only heir, and it made Pi realize the potential of his power. "Zi Huan," Lady Bian approached him, "Have you heard anything from your wife yet?"

"She will be arriving soon to Guan Du." Pi said without much care, "I told her to stay in Ye, but she said she had to come for Fathers birthday."

"If your Father did not dote on her as much as he did," Lady Bian smiled lightly, "Why didn't you travel with her? You should not leave your pregnant wife's side."

"I had to settle something in Guan Du." He stood up from his desk, "Excuse me mother, I think I'm going to find Zi Jian and spar."

-
Mei Hai was picking herbs along the hillside when she noticed a convoy gathered in the middle of the road. "My Lady! Please be calm! Oh, where are we going to find a doctor?" someone screamed. Dropping whatever was in her hands, she rushed over to find a pregnant woman in distress.

"Are you alright?"

"Who are you?" the maid screamed, "Who let this filthy peasant in?" Swords were suddenly drawn at her.

"If you want me to save her, you better put those away." Mei Hai glared, "Mam, where are you feeling the pain?"

"My legs, my legs."

"Your legs?" Her face looked relieved, "You're probably just having a muscle spasm. I have some ointment to help you."

"You can't trust her my Lady."

"Shut up." The woman snapped, looking at Mei Hai, "Anything to help, please." Mei Hai reached into her kit and poured some of the ointment in her hands. With permission, she raised the dress of the pregnant woman and massaged the leg area gently. Within minutes the pregnant woman had calmed down, her pain quickly disappearing. "Much better."

"You must have been sitting for a long period of time."

"We have been on the road for a bit, I must admit."

"How far are you in the pregnancy?"

"Almost eight months." The woman laughed at Mei Hai's twisted face, "I know, it's unwise for me to travel this far in. But it is my Father in laws birthday, I must attend."

"In Guan Du?" she nodded.

"Are you a doctor young lady?"

"Nope, but I'm closet to one in this part of the road." She stood up and wiped the dirt off her pants. "I help run an inn not far off from here, I've seen a lot of injured people in my life time so I know a bit."

"You are a kind young woman, your husband is glad to have you."

"Husband? Oh, I'm unwed."

"Unwed? Child how old are you?"

"21."

"You should be having children now." The woman smiled, "This will be my first that has not suffered from a miscarriage." She put her hand on her stomach.

"And you're still traveling?"

"Watch your tone!" one of the maids glared.

"Silence," the woman look at Mei Hai, "What is your name?"

"Oh, people around here call me Mei Hai."

"Mei Hai…have you always lived in such a deserted part of the mountains?"

"As long as I remember, I mean I'm just a simple country folk. The city is not for me."

"I'm going to be in Guan Du for the remainder of my pregnancy, why don't you come with me?"

"Come with you?"

"I'm just going to say, I'm afraid if I have another one of these attacks I won't know what to do."

"I…"

"My lady, that is not smart."

"Shut up."

"Guan Du is such a beautiful city, I would like you to come. Of course I'll pay you handsomely."

"I…" she thought for a bit, it would be nice to go into the city for a bit. "One question, I hope not to offend you in any way, but who do you serve?" the woman looked shocked.

"How rude of me!" she laughed, "My name is Zhen Ji, I am the wife of Cao Pi, son of-"

"Cao Cao." She finished the sentence off for her.