Zhuyue has been hit plenty of times before. When she was learning how to wield a blade, she took her fair share of hits; When she first met Xiulan and Xiaolian she took a few hits and especially since meeting Dun, she has had the misfortune of taking many hits. Oh and don't forget her father. Her father had always been quite generous with his beatings. The main difference in all of those encounters and this one was that she had the benefit of having her adrenaline flowing through her veins. Once she sensed danger, her flight or flight response would activate and she would be able to face anything that came her way. It was just the way she was wired, any pain she received was dulled when she was in the heat of the moment. At this moment however, she didn't have such a luxury. She heard a whistle as the cane whipped through the air before connecting with her back. She jerked in response to the hit letting out a hiss of pain and squeezed her eyes shut, forbidding herself from shedding any tears.

Yuan Shu reminded her of her father. He wanted to hear her cry, wanted her to scream out. She remembered how frustrated her father was when she decided to be stubborn and stop giving him what he wanted. First she tried to not scream only to be beaten even harder by her father until she finally did.

Another whistle as the strike hit her back and she threw her head back, her eyes still screwed shut and teeth clenched. She let her head roll forward once more and blew out a breath just as another hit struck against her back.

After finding out that not making a sound wouldn't work with her father, she tried another tactic. She would pretend that it wouldn't hurt her at all, poke fun at him and hopefully throw him off.

Another strike hits her back. How many has it been so far? She thought to herself dully and hoped someone was keeping count.

She tried to hold on to the memory of when her father would beat her, how she would laugh out loud at his strikes and goad him on. She could see his face grow beet red in frustration as he realized his punishment wasn't working on her. Even when he tried to beat her harder, Zhuyue would just antagonize him even further till he got so frustrated he would give up on hitting her altogether. She still took her hits but it was decidedly less than normal and the frustration her father would walk away with? Priceless.

Another hit stroke her back and Zhuyue let out a loud grunt. This bastard was making sure to hit the same spot as best he could, digging into her skin as much as possible. Yuan Shu reminded her of her father in so many ways. The most notable being that noble arrogance they both held; The thought that they were above you and you needed to worship the ground they walked on. Would he react the same way? Even if he didn't, it would be fun to get under his skin a bit. Why should he be the only one having fun?

Another strike hit Zhuyue's back and she barked out a loud HA! She could hear the mummers around the crowd around her possibly questioning her sanity. Yuan Shu was stunned. Did she laugh? Surely he had misheard this, who would laugh during punishment? After a period of hesitation, he struck her again. Another laugh floated to his hears, this one longer, clearer. She was insane, she liked being beaten? He lashed out at her again, his grip on the bamboo cane faltering the resulting hit holding less power than his previous ones.

"My Lord." Zhuyue said suddenly stunning Yuan Shu once more. She hoped that her voice sounded stronger than she felt. "Would you be so kind as to aim your next hit a little to the left? I have a terrible itch." Yuan Shu sneered. She was making fun of him. He swung with all of his might, breaking the bamboo cane against her back. She jerked at the hit and let out an low hiss. "You missed My Lord, are you unaware of where your left is?" She asked before dissolving into a fit of laughter. Yuan Shu let out an undignified yelled and threw the remains of the cane onto the floor.

"ANOTHER CANE! GIVE ME ANOTHER ONE QUICKLY." A dutiful underling ran off to do his bidding, giving Zhuyue a much appreciated reprieve from the pain. Cao Cao stroke his chin as he watched the proceedings. She was a smart girl throwing Yuan Shu off the way she did but she was playing a dangerous game. It could be entirely possible that she would wind up getting beat worse than she would have if she just remained quiet. It was a gamble and so far it worked in her favor, he only hoped that it continued to pay off. He looked in his peripheral to his cousin who stood stoically as his eyes were glued to Zhuyue. He could see the muscles in his cousin's arms tensing and he knew it was taking all he had to hold himself back. The underling returned, bearing another bamboo cane which he immediately handed to Yuan Shu. Before Yuan Shu can resume his beatings, he overheard the man who gave him the cane give a report to Yuan Shao. Cao Cao also listened in earnest to the news, stroking his chin thoughtfully. It seems that Sun Jian has apparently ordered his men to pull up camp. They were doing so in such a hurry you would have thought demons themselves were hot on their heels. Technically, this shouldn't have rose as many eyebrows as it did as the coalition was unofficially over. All armies took a bit of a beating in the last battle and no one was willing to pursue Dong Zhou to Chang'an. What made this so curious was that everyone had planned on breaking their camps down tomorrow. The fact that Sun Jian was doing so in such haste was curious. Yuan Shao ordered him and a few of his other guards to detain Sun Jian and bring him to him immediately.

Yuan Shu gave a test swing to the new cane in his hand. He wouldn't let her throw him off this time. He brought the cane down on Zhuyue's back once again and she laughed. She was grateful that he couldn't see her face because she was sure that her face displayed the complete opposite of mirth.

"You missed again. Look..." She jerked her left shoulder a few times. "This is the left. Just hit that side to get the itch. Go on, I believe you can do it." Some of the men gathered began to let out chuckles. Yuan Shu let out a frustrated scream and went berserk, smacked at her back with wild abandon. He was swinging so wildly that he actually missed her back completely a few times, striking her buttocks, legs and even her head at one point. She gritted and took the abuse as best she could, reminding herself to not cry. She heard another snap, the bamboo cane broke again when he somehow completely missed her entirely and struck the post instead. The pain she was in was unimaginable, but she knew for a fact that throwing him off made less severe. Yuan Shu was currently throwing quite the fit, screaming that she was demented!

"Brother! No more! I want her tongue cut out immediately!" Yuan Shu screamed at his brother. Yuan Shao pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. This was ridiculous.

"Brother, we cannot change the punishment after you have administered half of it."

"But she is enjoying it! She isn't suppose to enjoy it! That defies the logic of a punishment!" Shu replied.

"Brother, please. Perhaps this is enough for today. We should just let this-" Yuan Shu drew his sword and raised it in the air threateningly.

"NO! NO! If you will not take action I will take action! I will cut that whore's treacherous tongue out!" That moment was the last thing Yuan Shu would remember before the world around him descended into darkness as he fell in a heap at Dun's feet. The atmosphere instantly tensed, Dun just struck a noble. Shu's guards drew their weapons while the warriors under Cao did the same.

"Y-you beast!" Shao cried pointing a finger at Dun. "How dare you strike my brother! How dare your filthy hands touch someone of noble birth!" Dun ignored him, turning his back to him and began untying the binds that held Zhuyue. Cao Cao decided this was the time to step in.

"My Lord, while I understand your anger you have to understand that he had no choice in the matter. Lord Yuan Shu was acting a irrational and would have violated the terms that we agreed upon. Not even gold would be able to assuage such an insult. My cousin though rash stopped him from making an irreversible mistake." The two men glared at each other in silence, testing the others will. Yuan Shao looked away first, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with Cao's gaze bearing down on him.

"This is not something I will forget, Cao Cao." Yuan Shao said with a hiss, throwing his head back in a dramatic fashion before ordering his men to retrieve the fallen body of his brother. He would deal with Cao Cao at another time for now he had to deal with that rat, Sun Jian.

"I assure you that I will not forget this either, Yuan Shao." Cao Cao bit back as Shao made his way through the crowd. Dun had fully untied Zhuyue from the post, the crowd already dispersing seeing that the show was over. Wordlessly he fixed the coat over her chest to continue preserving her modesty before scooping her up into his arms, making sure to keep the arm beneath her back as high as he could to avoid her wounds. She gasped and he could see her face contort in pain at the sudden movement but otherwise she didn't complain. Yue Jin and Li Dian made a move to go to Dun and Zhuyue only to be halted by Cao.

"I know you have concern for her, but it will have to wait. Approaching Yuánràng right now is not a good idea." Both men nodded slowly. "Break down the camp to the bare essentials." Cao continued. "I want to be gone from this place at dawn." Both men bowed to Cao Cao and left to complete their task. Dun walked forward, moving slowly to ensure that he didn't jostle Zhuyue too much. He and Cao Cao locked eyes for a moment, a silent agreement to talk about what happened after he had a chance to take care of Zhuyue.

Diaochan fiddled with her thumbs as she sat in the carriage across from the woman she had seen help the young girl who was struck by Lu Bu earlier. Previously, Diaochan thought the woman was a mere hand maiden but the fact that she was riding in the carriage dispelled that theory. She let her eyes roam over the woman as discreetly as she could. She was much too young to be his mother so possibly his sister? Perhaps both of them were his sisters? This one obviously being the older sister. Truly it didn't matter who the woman was. If she was important to Lu Bu, it would be in her best interest to get to know them. Smiling a sweetly as she could, Diaochan spoke to the woman.

"Hello." The woman didn't respond. In fact, she didn't even acknowledge Diaochan. Instead, she kept her head turned towards the window of the carriage, watching the scenery pass by as they made their way to Chang'an. Diaochan faltered a bit at this but pushed the discomfort away, determined to make an effort to get to know this woman.

"My name i-"

"I know who you are whore." The woman snapped cutting her off finally turning to face Diaochan, her face twisted in anger. Diaochan raised her hand to her mouth and gasped shocked at the sudden hostility the unknown woman was displaying. "Don't try to get friendly with me." She continued each word dripping acid, causing Diaochan to flinch as if she was physically hit . "You aren't the first whore Lord Lu Bu has taken to his bed and you won't be the last but let me tell you this, when he is done with you I will still be around. I am the mother of his child. I survived the rest of them and I will survive you to!" She turned away from Diaochan and returned her gaze to the window.

Diaochan was left stunned. She dropped her hand from her mouth and looked down, utterly shocked by everything she just heard. Lu Bu was married and had a child? She didn't know! So that girl, she was his daughter? She looked young enough to be. She felt her eyes water and she squeezed them shut to prevent her unshed tears from falling, not wanting to cry in front of this woman. She didn't want to let her know she got to her. If Lord Lu Bu was already married, why was he so interested in her? Suddenly, Diaochan felt dirty. She knew some men frequently took other women as their lovers but, Diaochan never thought that she would be the other woman. She always envisioned herself as being the wife not the courtesan. Her heart ached and she wanted nothing more than to give into her despair and cry. Would Lord Lu Bu never marry her? She sighed and wished that this ride would be over.

Dun laid Zhuyue face down onto the bed upon arriving at their tent. He examined the wounds on her back feeling anger rage within him as his eyes took in the inflamed red whelps that littered her once unblemished olive skin. Shu had got a few good hits in managing to draw blood. Punching him felt good, but it wasn't enough. He wanted to gut that coward and watch his life drain from his body.

"Stay here." Dun commanded. Zhuyue didn't respond, choosing instead to try to get in a more comfortable position. Dun walked out of the tent in search of medical supplies for her. Around him, the others were making quick work of breaking down the camp. It was a good thing Cao made the call to leave. If he had stayed within the presence of the Yuans' for another day, they were going to die.

Dun re-entered the tent and saw that Zhuyue had slid under one of the furs on the bed and laid the robe he had given her beside her. Her head turned in his direction upon hearing him enter the tent. He sat beside her wordlessly preparing to treat her wounds.

"I didn't cry." She said breaking the silence between them. Dun gently moved her hair that had fallen to her back to the side causing her to shiver at the feeling.

"I know. You decide to laugh instead." She chuckled softly at that which dissolved into a low his when Dun touched the cloth to her back to clean her wound. "What was so funny?" Dun asked, deciding this would be easier for her if she was distracted.

"Yuan Shu." She replied simply, hissing again as he cleaned another wound.

"Going to elaborate on that?"

"He reminded me of my father. Gets off on showing others his power. But it isn't power that was earned, it is power that he was born into. It was pathetic and that made me laugh. I think they would be allies if they met."

"Probably so."

"Is it bad?" She asked, tilting slightly to try to look at him. Dun pushed her back down and continued his work.

"You'll live."

"I figured I would. I meant-"

"You'll be stronger for it." He said cutting her off. She considered his words in silence as he she felt him smear a sticky cool substance over the wounds. She squeezed her eyes shut bracing the pain.

"Tell me about those two you insisted on bringing." Her eyes flew open in surprise at this question. She tried to twist around again to see his face only to be pushed down by Dun once more. She hmphed at this but remained still.

"You mean Xiulan and Xiaolian?"

"I guess?" He said, working on the last wounds on her back.

"What do you want to know about them?"

"They were always your servants? They grew up in your household?" He asked? He was truly only mildly interested in this information but he needed something to keep her distracted.

"No. I met them about three years ago."

"How?" He asked, moving now to the wound on her arm to clean it. Zhuyue hesitated in answering this question. She wasn't exactly sure whether she should share the story with him. "Well?" He pressed, picking up on her silence. Zhuyue exhaled and answered.

"When I was younger I would skip out on the lessons I was suppose to have. I would pay the teachers to keep silent and I would sneak off to the house of an old sword master that lived on our lands. He was there illegally but I swore to keep his secret if he taught me how to wield a sword."

"I have to stitch this wound. Keep talking." Dun said as he rose from the bed to get the needle and thick thread.

"About three years ago, I left my Master's house a bit later than I probably should have but I refused to leave until I learned the new technique he was showing me. On the way home, I heard screaming." She watched as Dun pour what she guess was some form of alcohol over the needle before shaking off the excess and wiping it clean. "The people have complained before about bandits pillaging homes before but my father only hired a handful of lazy guards to protect the lands. I had the skill to help whoever was in trouble so I ran up to the house. I-I wasn't prepared for what I saw."

Dun returned to her side on the bed and handed her a cup of the same liquid he used to sterilize the needle. She sat up and drank it down in one gulp, causing her to sputter as the liquid burned its way down her throat. Dun let out a chuckle at the sight and took the now empty cup from her hands. She laid back down and closed her eyes, waiting to feel the pierce of the needle into her skin.

"I saw the bodies, hacked up. I couldn't even tell how many people there were. I heard another scream and I ran further in, desperate to save whoever was still alive. I saw three men." She grit her teeth and blew out a breath through them as Dun pushed the needle through her skin. Once the pain subsided a bit, she continued.

"Three men were surrounding Xiulan."

"Xiulan is the older one?" Dun asked as he continued his work becoming a bit more interested in where this story was going.

"Yes." She responded, trying her best to ignore the pain as he wove the thread in and out of her arm. "One was on top of her. He was raping her. I never saw something like that before in my life. I heard it happened but never had I have to see such a thing in my little sheltered bubble. Something inside of me snapped. Those men...I wanted them all to die. I attacked. It was the first time I killed someone...my only time besides today. I killed two of the men but when I went to the third, he was already dead. Xiaolian...she snuck on him from behind while he was distracted with trying to kill me. She just kept stabbing him, over and over. His blood had completely covered her and he long ago stopped moving but she just kept stabbing him. When I took the blade away from her, she looked at me with these eyes. Eyes a little girl shouldn't have. Xiulan was a crying hysterically and Xiaolian was just sitting there, covered in blood as if she couldn't even hear her sister's cries. I couldn't just leave them there. I took them home with me. That day, my father found out that I had been skipping out on my lessons and he tried to beat me. After everything I saw, he just seemed like such a little man to me. A pathetic little man who needed to flaunt his power so I laughed. He became so enraged at trying to hit me that he missed most of the hits and struck other things I managed to duck behind. He eventually tired himself out; His health had already started deteriorating at that point so he couldn't exert himself too much. I hid Xiulan and Xiaolian at first and when he was too weak to do things on his own, I told him I hired on two more handmaidens. He wasn't in a position to complain at that point."

Dun remained quiet for the duration of her tale. It explained a lot such as why Xiaolian seemed to have witness death before and why Xiulan was so skittish around men. It also confirmed something about Zhuyue that he had suspected from the last battle. Her fighting style was purely adrenaline based. She would only act if she was thrown into a sort of battle frenzy. That was a good way to get killed on a battlefield. If she ever came up against someone who was calm and collected in battle she would lose that fight. It was lucky Dong Zhou hired such mediocre warriors. He would have to teach her the proper way to fight if he planned on keeping her around. Dun stood from the bed after tying off the stitching.

"Sleep." He said, his tone telling her there was no room for argument s he picked up his robe and put it back on, noting that it carried a hint of her scent.

"Thank you..." She said, closing her eyes feeling extremely wary from the day's events. Dun casted one last look at her before walking out of the tent. He made his way to his cousin's tent, he wanted to know what Cao had planned to do next. Not many people were allowed in Cao's personal tent so it was a surprise to see him standing inside of it with the bald headed man who helped them fight off, Lu Bu. Cao looked past the bald man to his cousin.

"Ah, Yuánràng come in." Dun went further into the tent, standing before his cousin and next to the bald headed man with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"As you may remember, this is the man who assisted us in the battle against Lu Bu. I asked someone to find him and bring him here. He just arrived a few moments before you did." Dun inclined his head towards the bald man and looked back to his cousin.

"Will you tell us your name?" Cao asked as he looked at the bald man.

"I've got no grand name to impress the likes of you." He replied while rubbing the back of his head.

"Still, you have a name right?" Dun asked.

"I do it is, Dian Wei, My Lords." He said then after a few seconds as if remembering he gave them a awkward bow. "What happened to that little lady you carried off?" Wei asked after he straightened back up, looking at Dun whose eyes snapped back to Wei and narrowed.

"That's not your place to ask." He grounded out. Cao raised his hands and stepped closer to the two men to diffuse the situation.

"Ah, my dear cousin is quite protective of his betrothed." Wei looked at Cao then back at Dun and did a clumsy bow.

"My apologies. I didn't know she was your woman. I thought she was a sister or something. I didn't mean anything by it." Dun only gave a grunt acknowledging the apology. Cao shook his head knowing that would be the best Wei was going to get.

"Cousin, I require a favor from you."

"What is it?" He asked, noting that he sound a bit more annoyed than he intended to but the day's events were still weighing heavily on his mind. Cao didn't seem to pick up on it or rather more accurately, he didn't seem to care. He was use to his cousin by this point.

"I was thinking of recruiting, Dian Wei but I wanted your opinion. See if he is someone we can use." Dun remained quiet for a few moments while he considered his cousin's words. He felt a tinge of pride that his cousin would hold his opinion in such high regard.

"Well there's no doubting his courage." Dun finally said, lifting one hand to stroke his chin. "Tell me Dian Wei, who do you serve?" Wei nervously rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, I don't serve any Lord. I just knew that Dong Zhou was an evil tyrant who brings only pain and grief. So I decided that I wanted to be a part of any battle against him." Dun gave an amused hmph at Wei's words.

"So you just joined in, without telling anyone? That's pretty odd." He let his eyes move to his cousin who nodded in agreement though there wasn't displeasure noted on his face at hearing this.

"Indeed it is. Still he could prove to be a very valuable man. Tell me, Yuánràng what do you think?"

"I'll let you know in a bit. Dian Wei follow me." Dun said leading the way out of the tent. Cao only smiled knowing the Dun was going to take this time to probably work out some aggression.

Sun Jian walked with his son in tow towards the tent Yuan Shao typically held audiences. They had managed to break down the camp in record speed and was preparing to depart when a messenger stated that Yuan Shao requested Jian's presence. Ce suggested that they leave but Jian knew that doing so would look suspicious. He didn't want Shao to know the prize he held so he went. Standing before the tent, Jian looked to his son who was sporting the same frown he had when Jian told him that he had to meet with Shao. He chuckled at his son, such in impetuous youth. He sincerely hoped that Zhou Yu's influence would one day temper his son's brashness.

"I think it would be best if you wait out here." Ce opened his mouth to argue but the look on Jian face clearly told him that it wasn't up for discussion. Letting his rebuttal die in his throat, Ce merely grumbled out a 'Yes father' and stood off to the side while Sun Jian entered.

"Ah, Sun Jian please come in come in." Yuan Shao said in a friendly tone. Jian stepped into the center of the tent, bowing to him as he did so. He noted Shu sitting in the corner of the room sporting a rather bad black eye. Jian had to suppress a chuckle at the sight but silently wanted to commend whoever gave it to him.

"You summoned me?" Jian asked wanting to move this along. He needed to get as far away from here as possible.

"Yes I did. I was curious as to why you were leaving in such haste."

"I have been away from my family too long." Jian began, rehashing the excuse he concocted in case anyone asked him this very question. "I wish to go home and see them."

"Such a devoted husband and father!" Jian could feel his anger rising at the sarcastic tone in Shao's voice. "Are you sure that is all that has you fleeing the camp and nothing else?"

"Speak plainly, Yuan Shao. I have no time for games." Jian said in a clipped tone.

"Very well. One of my men said you found something. Something that does not belong to you."

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I have asked that you speak plainly but if you insist on wasting my time I will take my leave." Sun Jian gave a short bow and turned to walk away. Yuan Shao stood from his seat and slapped his hand on the desk.

"I speak of the Imperial Seal!" Sun Jian paused in his steps and growled inwardly. It seems he has a traitor in his midst. He calmed himself before turning back around to face Yuan Shao.

"And how would I get the Imperial Seal?"

"One of my men said you found it. Are you saying it is not true?"

"Are you saying that man has more honor than I? That his word means more to you than mine?!" Sun Jian spat out. Shao staggered back, flinching from the harshness of Jian's words. Remembering his noble bearing, Shao straightened himself up and smoothed the front of his dress robe before sitting back down.

"Send in the guard!" He called out. After a few moments of waiting, he called out again. "I said send in the guard!" Still no reply. Shao pinched the bridge of his nose. "Brother, please go get that fool of a guard. Shu grumbled before standing up to go do as his brother commanded. Jian glared angrily at Shao who felt uncomfortable under such scrutiny and wished his brother would return quickly. Yuan Shu burst back through the tent flap after a few moments.

"That fool is nowhere to be found." Shu stated. Shao groaned, he had no evidence against Jian now. How would he save face after such embarrassment? Shu seemed to detect this and spoke up on his brother's behalf. "To me this is more proof that he has something to hide!" Shao looked at Shu skeptically hoping he had evidence to back this accusation up.

"How so, Brother?"

"What kind of foolishness is this? If I had known there was someone that had damning evidence against me, why would I even bother coming here? If I knew exactly who it was, why wouldn't I have killed him long before he got to you? Or directly after he spoke with you? What you are saying makes no sense." Shao and Shu hesitated. Jian did have a point and Shu's defense was weak at best. Seeing that he had cast the seed of doubt in their minds he decided to push it one step further. "I do not have the Imperial Seal. I wouldn't even know how to go about getting such a thing. On my honor If I am lying may a dozen arrows strike me down." Shao sighed and lowered his head. After such a bold declaration how could doubt his sincerity?

"Forgive me, Sun Jian. It seems I have troubled you on foolish hearsay. That is unfortunately what happens when you listen to peasants. Pray you forget this incident." He stood and bowed to Sun Jian who returned it.

"It has already been forgotten. Now if you will excuse me I truly wish to go home to my family." Shao nodded and sat back down, watching as Sun Jian walked out of the tent. Unlike his brother, Shu was not convinced of his innocence.

'A dozen arrows strike you down eh? Be careful what you ask for, Sun Jian.' Shu muttered to himself.

Sun Jian emerged from the tent to see Sun Ce walking towards it a grin on his face. He waited until his father passed by him and fell in step with him easily.

"How was your meeting, Father?"

"They know."

"Figured so."

"Did you have something to do with the missing guard?" Sun Ce's smile told Jian all he needed to know. He clapped his son on the shoulder and smiled. "That's my boy. Let's make haste. I want to be away from here as soon as possible."

Hours passed and the tension in the carriage was stifling to Diaochan. She wanted nothing more than this ride to be over. As if the heavens answered her prayer, the carrier slowed to a stop and Diaochan flew to the carriage door as soon as it opened. To her surprise it was not Lu Bu who greeted her but a guard with Lu Bu watching from the side. She went to approach Lu Bu but hesitated, seeing Lu Lingqi standing next to him, the knowledge that she was his daughter gave her pause. A familiar voice reached her ears.

"My daughter, I am so glad to see you safe!" She searched for the owner of the voice seeing her adopted father. She smiled and ran to him, giving him a hug.

"Father. I am happy to see you safe." Wang Yun nodded and took her by the hand, guiding her away.

"There is much we need to catch up on my daughter. I have not seen you in so long."

"Yes father." She said allowing herself to be led away. She glanced over her shoulder to see Lu Bu helping his wife out of the carriage and felt her heart break in two. Perhaps what the woman said was true after all. She could feel her eyes well up with tears and she wanted to be alone but she knew her father wouldn't give her that luxury. It may have seemed like a friendly reunion to anyone else but Diaochan knew this was anything but. He wanted an update on her progress with manipulating Lu Bu and Dong Zhou. She knew her father cared about her, but he cared about the freedom of the Han more. Once they were alone, just as Diaochan suspected, he began to grill her on the details of where she was in her relationship with both men. Diaochan recounted her experiences and Wang Yun listened in earnest.

"Good. You have done well my child. It seems like they both trust you and that are ready to turn on each other. We only need to give them one more push before they are at each other's throats. I will help you as well. I will sow discourse in Lu Bu's heart to ensure he turns on his master." Diaochan shifted uncomfortably.

"I don't-" She paused and took a deep breath. What was she to say? She didn't want to do this anymore? She swore to her father that she would free the Han even if it meant her death. He took a lowly servant and treated her as kin. How could she turn her back on him now? "Yes father." She said and forced a smile. He pulled her into a hug.

"I know this is difficult for you but the work you do is for the glory of the Han my child. Be proud of your efforts. You will be remembered forever for freeing our lands from the grasp of a tyrant." Diaochan nodded.

"Yes father."

"Good girl. It is time you see Dong Zhou. He was eagerly awaiting your return."

"Yes father." Diaochan replied not having the energy to fight back. She felt like a puppet being guided along by strings. It felt horrible but what could she do?

In the courtyard, Dong Zhou had confronted Lu Bu. He was yelling at the top of his lungs at the audacity of Lu Bu in taking his woman. Lu Bu was ready to kill Dong Zhou then and there if not for the intervention of Zhang Liao and Li Ju. It was at this time that Diaochan and her father re-emerged. Dong Zhou seeming to forget his feud with Lu Bu went to her side immediately and took her from Wang Yun.

"I have missed you my sweet. We have a lot of making up to do." He said with a lecherous grin as he licked his lips and rubbed his belly. "Come my dear." He said placing a hand on her butt and squeezing it in full view of Lu Bu who was seething in rage at the sight. Dong Zhou let out a laugh as he led Diaochan away. Li Ju followed quickly after, waiting until they were far enough away from the others.

"My Lord, I beg an audience." Dong Zhou looked annoyed at this but he turned to face Li Ju.

"Alone, My Lord if you would." Dong Zhou let out a dramatic sigh and commanded Diaochan to wait for him in his chambers. She bowed to him and scurried off.

"My Lord, forgive my impertinence but are you insane?" Dong Zhou glared at Li Ju.

"Who do you think you are talking to!? I should have you killed!"

"My Lord we recently suffered a great loss. We lost one of our best warriors. Wényuǎn (Zhang Liao) and Fèngxiān are the only two warriors of any renown we have left and not to disregard Wényuǎn's skills, Fèngxiān is well beyond his match."

"What's the point of this?" Dong Zhou asked irritated.

"You would turn him against you for some..." He took a breath and controlled his anger. He did not want to anger Dong Zhou but he had to convey his feelings. "You would turn your son against you for a woman. Is your bond with Fèngxiān not stronger than that of you and Lady Diaochan?" Dong Zhou grumbled at this. Li Ju decided to press the issue. "His rage is becoming to the point of uncontrollable. Soon, he may leave and if that happens, there will be no one to protect you should the coalition take up arms against you once more. Even worse, who would stop him if he turns against you?"

"So what do you suggest I do?" He said with a heavy sigh, knowing that the words of his advisor were true.

" Fèngxiān wants Diaochan. Let him have her. Better to soothe the beast than deal with its wrath." Dong Zhou frowned.

"Let me think on this." Li Ju nodded and bowed to his master.

Dun walked back into the tent, Wei on his heels rubbing his jaw but smiling. It had been a long time since he had a good fight like that. Dun packed quite the punch. Dun was in a considerably better mood as he usually was when he had a good fight. Cao only smiled and waited for Dun to deliver his assessment.

"He's tough. He'll make a good bodyguard." Cao nodded and smiled.

"Is that so? Then he's hired." Wei blinked, confused by this turn of events.

"Wait. That's it? Truly?" Cao gave him a small chuckle.

"You were given the highest recommendation." Wei looked at Dun then back to Cao and gave a clumsy bow to both of them.

"I...uh thank you for this honor. I won't disappoint you."

"See that you don't. Look for Li Dian and Yue Jin. They will help you get acclimated. We leave at first light." Wei nodded and went off to do what he was commanded. Cao waited until Wei was gone before speaking to his cousin.

"So, how is she?" He asked.

"She'll live." Cao nodded but said nothing. "About, Yuan Shu-" Cao raised his hand to stop him.

"You do not need to say anything cousin. He got what he deserved. I hardly expected you to stand by while he cut her tongue out. I wouldn't respect you if you did." Dun nodded and Cao grinned.

"Besides it would be a terrible if she lost that tongue before you consummated your marriage." Dun sighed. Of course Cao would make a kind statement completely lecherous.

"You're kidding me right?"

"Not at all. A woman with a talented tongue is worth her weight in gold. To cut it out, that is nothing short of a travesty."

"For fuck sake, Mèngdé." Dun said with a sigh, knowing he should be completely use to his cousin's lecherous side by now but still getting surprised just how perverted he could be. Cao laughed and clapped his cousin on the shoulder.

"You'll thank me for this knowledge one day, Cousin. We leave at dawn. Get some rest."