Wow, it's been two months! HAPPY BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR! May your year of 2011 be happy and may you be lucky and healthy (or at least survive 2011 XD). Also, Chinese New Year is on February 3rd! To everybody who celebrates CNY, remember to receive your li shi (Ok, I don't know how to write it out in English but you know I mean the red packets :D) ! This story has never been off my mind because a big fatass block was on me (if you know what I mean) and to be truthful, this is seriously my favorite story that I like to update on. On to the story!
"Mei Xin, will you become my Empress when I become Emperor?" the Crown Prince said.
"Your Highness-"
"Please, it's becoming tiring. Peasants and servants, I'm fine with but Mei Xin, when will you ever start calling me by Bian Shi?" the Crown Prince said.
"My apologies. My position is limited to either calling you 'Your Highness' or 'Cousin'" Mei Xin sternly said.
"I'll let this go for now. Answer my question." Bian Shi said sternly at the same level as Mei Xin.
"I'm engaged to a man already. I must reject your proposal."
"Who? Why haven't I heard of this?" Bian Shi was fuming. Nothing could stand in his way. Mei Xin couldn't say it out though. She knew her cousin well.
"You'll find out this month."
"Mei Xin, I demand to know." Bian Shi didn't look pretty when he was angry. Bian Shi didn't look pretty right now…
Mei Xin repeated herself, "You'll find out this month."
"What good is this man? I've known you since childhood. It was ME who comforted you during your mother's death! It was ME who helped you turn away the suitors."
Now Mei Xin was irritated. "Your words of comfort were 'Get over it. It happens everyday.' It was YOU who knew that I would get married one day."
"At least tell me who."
"Only if you tell me something in return."
"I swear on my inheritance to the throne and my heirs beyond."
Mei Xin wasn't amused. "Did you bed a woman named Yuen Nian Tze and bear a daughter with her?"
"I've bedded many women. You can't expect me to remember."
"I do. You gave her this."
Mei Xin took out a golden hankerchief. A picture of swans were sewn into it. Bian Shi grabbed it and examined the hankerchief.
"Where'd you get this?"
"Your daughter."
"Where is she?" Bian Shi asked.
"Do you even know her name?"
Bian Shi silenced.
"You wanted to marry me because you wanted to forget about her, didn't you? She was the only one you liked." Mei Xin said, her gaze softening for once.
"Do you know how Nian Tze is?"
"She's dead. She died waiting for you."
For the very first time, Mei Xin saw Bian Shi cry.
"Tao Hua!" Mei Xin cried out. The little servant girl opened the door, revealing herself and Ma Chao (who was eavesdropping).
Tao Hua ran to Mei Xin's side and hugged her leg.
"Come to father." Bian Shi silently said, bowing down to match Tao Hua's height.
Tao Hua didn't budge.
"Cousin, give her some time."
"No, I've waited too long to know that I've given birth to a daughter." Bian Shi said, moving towards Tao Hua.
It all happened so fast. A knife was instantly at Bian Shi's throat.
"You dare attack me? You can have a death penalty for this!"
Ma Chao went to Mei Xin's side instantly.
"Put it down, you can die for this!"
"Give her time" was all Mei Xin said.
Bian Shi hesitantly relented.
The knife was resheathed and Mei Xin stomped out of the room with Tao Hua following.
"I suppose you're her betrothed?"
Ma Chao noticed Bian Shi and quickly bowed down. "Yes your highness"
"You must treat her well or I will never forgive you. A death penalty would be at hand. However, there is one question I must ask."
"Anything your Highness." Ma Chao said.
"Would you die for her? A simple question."
Ma Chao was silent for a few minutes.
"No I wouldn't."
"And why is that?" Bian Shi's face remained calm.
"I wouldn't die and leave her alone. I would live to be with her."
Bian Shi looked off into space for a while.
"That's what Nian Tze asked me as well. She wasn't a beauty, but she was wonderful. I thought marrying Mei Xin would make me forget. I still remember that face when she fell asleep beside me…"
"Why didn't you marry her then?"
"Marriage? Hah! Between me and a lowly farmgirl? My family would never take that. I now only wish to take care of my daughter." Bian Shi continued to look off into space.
"I shall take my leave, your Highness."
Outside in the garden…
"Tao Hua? What do you think of that man you just saw?"
"He's scary! He reminds me of the guard that tried to-"
Tao Hua started to cry.
"Now now, we can't cry easily. When we cry, we become more easily taken advantage of."
Tao Hua nodded and wiped away her tears.
"Tao Hua! What's wrong?" a voice yelled out.
The girls turned to see a young boy about the age of twelve run up to them.
"Get away from her you old hag!" The boy yelled out.
Mei Xin's eyebrow twitched.
"Xie, don't be so rude!" Tao Hua urged.
"She made you cry didn't she? Why are you so nice to her?" The boy supposedly named "Xie" said.
"Because she-"
"Because she is your uncle's betrothed and your friend's mistress." Ma Chao said, coming to her rescue.
"Oh! Uncle, what are you doing here?" Xie asked, avoiding Ma Chao's eyes.
"Go to your room, now."
Xie glanced at Tao Hua again and obediently walked away.
"General Ma, you didn't have to-"
"That boy will never learn his manners until he is forced. I apologize on his be-"
Mei Xin pressed her hand onto her forehead.
"Mei Xin, are you alright?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"My lady, I shall escort you to your chambers." Tao Hua spoke up.
"Dear niece, these clothes are unbefitting of you. You are part of us know and we must-"
"It's because I am your niece that I must take care of you."
Mei Xin nodded silently and followed Tao Hua to her chambers, leaving Ma Chao.
In Mei Xin's chambers…
Mei Xin was lying down on her bed while Tao Hua started worrying.
"My lady! You have a fever! I must inform-"
"Don't" Mei Xin said weakly, "They'll cause a fight over this"
"But-"
"Tao Hua, I beg of you."
Tao Hua relented and kneeled beside the bed.
"Tao Hua, didn't you come here so you could find your father?"
Tao Hua widened her eyes and looked away.
"My cousin was always fretting over something and I never knew why. I could only hear rumors that stated His Highness was looking for a woman. Ever since I met you, you held a particular resemblance."
"That man can't be my father. He's-"
"Scary? Tao Hua, all men are scary in this world. Only certain people can tap into their better and non-scary side. You are one of those people for my cousin."
There was an awkward silence for a while. Nothing happened until, "My lady, may I be dismissed? You have a-"
"I'll be fine by myself. It isn't the first time I had a fever." Mei Xin replied, showing a weak smile.
"Thank you, my lady."
With this, Tao Hua walked outside. Mei Xin started feeling hot and went to sleep.
Tao Hua met Ma Chao right after she went outside.
"General Ma" Tao Hua said in greeting.
"Lady…"
"Please, just Tao Hua. I never knew anything until know."
Ma Chao smiled and asked "Where's your lady?"
"In her bedchambers, General Ma."
"Thank you."
Tao Hua stepped in front of Ma Chao.
"My lady requires privacy and she doesn't want anybody entering her chambers right now." Tao Hua said sternly, trying to glare at Ma Chao.
"Tao Hua, what is happening?"
"I will repeat this one last time, General Ma. My lady requires privacy and she does not want any disturbance in her chambers."
Ma Chao looked at Tao Hua and blinked several times.
"May I visit her later?"
"Depends if she wills it."
Seeing a lost cause, Ma Chao decided to visit his betrothed at night.
Nighttime…
Ma Chao secretly entered Mei Xin's chambers. He spent some time slowly admiring the handicraft and finally arrived at her bedside.
"No, mother…"
The voice was Mei Xin's.
"Father, don't!"
Mei Xin turned and Ma Chao was able to see her crying and agitated face.
"Mother, don't leave. I promise I'll be a good girl. Mengda?"
Ma Chao turned on high alert when he heard his given name.
"Please, don't leave me too. Not like mother."
Tears started falling. Ma Chao reached a hand towards Mei Xin, wanting to wipe the tears off her face.
As soon as his hand made contact with her face, Mei Xin calmed down and…smiled. Ma Chao then felt another hand touch his. He saw, in the dark, Mei Xin's hand laying on his. Ma Chao felt a tugging motion as well.
'She's asleep…right?' Ma Chao wondered.
"Mengda…"
Mei Xin peacefully went off to sleep and Ma Chao decided to stay beside her side, as to not to wake her.
YER THIS IS THE LONGEST CHAPTER I HAVE EVER WRITTEN :D HIGH FIVES FOR ME! PLEASE REVIEW!
p.s. I heard that Dynasty Warriors 7 is coming out. THREE HOOTS FOR DYNASTY WARRIORS (and the hot bishies from there LOL)