"Daughter, are you alright?" Liu Bei asked worridly. Mei Xin was still confined to the bed so she only sat up.

"Yes I am, lord father…Tell me about this 'choosing' of yours. Do you have any idea of what you are doing to your men?"

"I have no-"

"Don't play dumb with me, lord father. This morning, you and Lord Ma with Lord Zhao speak so loud that I could hear every word you three said. Tell me what you think, do you seriously intend on pairing me with your former enemies?"

"I am only thinking about your safety. What I said is true. I, as your father, will not let my daughter's purity taken by a random unknown man."

"I understand but do you seriously consider Lord Ma and Lord Zhao as strangers?"

"…"

"I think lord Pang Tong and master Zhuge is talking something other than worthy of my love. When someone is finally worthy of my love, they do not have to have status or riches. It is the one whom I decide or rather "desire" for myself. Lord father, you have taken care of me since I was little as a father should. You know my personality well enough."

"Yes. But whom is it you desire?"

Mei Xin beckoned Liu Bei over and whispered whom she "desired" and also her plans.

Later at the Grand Hall…

Liu Bei gathered all his generals and strategists for a special announcement. Even the family members such as the concubines and children came. Once all of them were here, Liu Bei sat on a grand yellow chair. (XD, it's supposed to look like a throne or something…)

All his generals and strategists kneeled and paid their respects.

"At ease, my friends. I have gathered all of you here for a special and happy announcement. Come, my daughter."

Mei Xin appeared with a blue dress and butterfly patterns adorned with jewelry pieces on top of her hair. Mei Xin's face was expressionless.

"I know announce that my daughter, Liu Mei Xin, will be married to my general, Ma Chao, in the eighth of the sixth month!"

Liu Bei started clapping and was then followed by others who were either reluctant or happy for Mei Xin.

Ma Chao walked to Mei Xin and took her hands.

"Let's go somewhere more private." Mei Xin said, leading him to her chambers.

At Mei Xin's chambers…

"You should know why I brought you here, no?"

"It is about this marriage. Correct?"

"Halfly. I've overheard your conversation with my father and Zhao Yun. Apart from our marriage, what do you think about this disease of mine?"

A moment of hesitation passed before Ma Chao spoke. "I think that is important that we cure this disease."

"Who do you think is most capable of curing this?" Mei Xin asked and finally making eye contact with Ma Chao.

"…"

"Let me reword that. Who do you think is worthy of my love?" Mei Xin said.

"I can not say, for when searching for someone worthy of your love, you search for someone you desire. I have no say on who you like. You and only you can make this decision."

Mei Xin smiled at his good answer.

"We still have two months before we are married. Before then, you may come visit my chambers at night. Might as well start sleeping next to me just to get used to it!" Mei Xin was able to tease.

Ma Chao blushed slightly at the comment. After a moment of silence, Ma Chao asked something he had longed an answer for.

"Mei Xin, who is it you desire?"

In a split second, Mei Xin appeared next to Ma Chao and whispered, "You, Mengda."

The next day…

Mei Xin was practicing archery with Shang Xiang.

"Mei Xin, you're so tense today. What's happened?"

"Nothing really."

Shang Xiang was grinning and asked, "It's your marriage right?"

"I'm pretty neutral."

"What do you mean? Marriage only comes once in your life!"

"Not for men. They have multiple wives and concubines. You were lucky to be only the third wife of father. Besides, you were my age when you married him."

"What does my marriage with your father have to do with anything? Also, you should spend some more time with your future husband instead."

"I want to enjoy my freedom for the last two months. Even though I expected that I will be married someday, I don't feeling like losing my freedom as a single woman that fast. As wife to a man, I have to tend to the household."

Shang Xiang eventually agreed to her reasons.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao listened to their whole conversation.

*sigh* I haven't updated the story in such a long time! Remember, at least one review or else I won't continue the story!