Chapter 10: Path to Choose
The loud firecrackers and cymbals banged and clanged all over the castle as the day of festivities had officially begun. Wen Qin was sitting in her room, fully dressed from head to toe in her gorgeous wedding grown. From the jade and pearl incrusted headpiece that danged above her face, to her gold and silver threaded silk dress. Her arms were embraced by bright gold bracelets and rings, while her face glowed with the touch of make up. She had never dressed up in such a fashion in her life before, with such beautiful ornaments and accessories. This would be the start of her life, they had told her. Most women were not expected to continue in the army after they were married, and she was sure that her Father would use that as an excuse. He never liked her fighting on the battlefield anyways. Instead she would sit in the gardens, having tea and reading novels. Not holding swords and spears, but musical instruments and brushes for painting. Was she really ready for the life of a pampered house wife?
"They're being held up a little in the city." One of the maids had told her, "Everyone is congratulating the young master! He is finding it difficult to get to you."
"Okay." She said mindlessly, "You're dismissed."
"Are you sure you don't need anything Lady Li?"
"I…want to go out for a walk. You can tell me if they are coming."
"But Lady Li, it is unlucky for a woman to exit her home without-"
"I'm just going to the gardens, that is still my home." She moved the beads from her face and glared at the young maid. Frightened she nodded and scattered into the distance.
Wen Qin walked into the garden and turned her head to make sure no one was following. Quickly, she headed over to the back area where the fence was covered by a large shrub. She moved the shrub to the side and saw the path leading to the forest and out the town. Was she really going to do this? She wondered to herself. What if he changed his mind? What she wanted to do was horrible, and she couldn't imagine the hurt Ping would be if she went on with it. Her hands trembled and she let the shrubs cover up the hole again. "What am I doing?" she wondered to herself. She had told him it was time to let her go, yet his words still haunted her mind. A sudden breeze knocked one of the leaves off the tree as it slowly made its way onto Wen Qin's dress. "On the twenty third night…"
"On the twenty third night…you will meet me there." Tong had said to her, the two of them at the border where two Shu soldiers waited anxiously for their Princess.
"I…" she didn't' know what to say.
"Please, we both know why you have to go back, but I can't be apart from you again. Promise me you'll come."
"I can't promise you…"
"It doesn't mater, I will be waiting for you. If you do not come, then I will return to Wu and continue to forget about you. But I know, you will be there."
"Gong Ji…"
Their trip back to the meeting place where she would be returned was a four day four night trip. It was a trip that Wen Qin would never forget because she got to experience her childhood once again. She and Tong shared each others dream and it felt like all those years did not really past. As they got closer and closer to their destination, they felt reality sinking in again. Wen Qin knew that there was no point for her to hold onto these feelings she had to Tong, because at the end she was the Princess of Shu and he was a servant of Wu. There was one particular night in their four day trip that made her acknowledge the fact that they were also fighting for very different reasons. They had stopped by a border city, one that had recently been captured by Wu. The very town that Shu pulled out of because her concerns. The townspeople were a hardworking bunch, just like they were in Yuhuang. As they walked down the streets, posing as a travelling married couple, the resentment the townspeople had struck a chord in Wen Qin's heart. "That Liu Bei, he promised to protect us and look what happened." The elderly would grumble, "Wu is much larger, and will truly unite the Han before that man ever would!"
"He is nothing but a self-proclaimed Emperor."
"He's horrible!"
"I wish him dead!"
"Stop." Tong put his hand on Wen Qin and pulled her back. He knew her temper well enough. "We are in Wu territory, you can't blame people for saying this."
"But this has nothing to do with father!" she hissed, "It's because of me…because of me these people have lost their trust."
"There is no need to fret, our Lord treats them well enough." There was a strange tension feeling that suddenly lingered in the air. "You do realize that Wu will unite the Han right?"
"Not if they need Shu to pull out for such simple matters. If it wasn't for our Prime Minister Zhuge, you would have never won Chi Bi." She said sternly and the tension grew thicker and thicker.
"We…are really different aren't we?"
"I…" she paused and looked away. They were both had very stubborn personalities, and their loyalty to their respective leaders would not sway them otherwise.
"If we were together…."
"What, you'd want me to serve Wu?" she glared.
"No." Tong cleared his throat and turned, "I would be wiling to give up my country for you."
"Gong Ji…" she thought back to all the people back home and wondered if she could do the same.
"Would you do the same for me?"
"I…" she looked him in the eyes, "If it meant we could be together, I would." A small smile formed on Tong's lip as the sun began to set again. "Then why are we continuing to go?" They sighed, both knowing the answer. Her return to Shu was more of a political matter. If she was not returned, no one would be able to say what the consequences were in regards to the two factions ever working together again. Even though the chances were already slim now, both kingdoms were still minimal in power in comparison to Cao Cao.
"Let's go." Wen Qin said sadly, as they returned to their inn.
"I must go." She finally said, "They will be wondering why I am late." Tong grabbed onto her hand, "Please." She closed her eyes, trying to prevent the tears from coming out. "It's time to let me go." Wen Qin whispered, heading towards the awaiting carriage.
So, I myself haven't figured out what the ending is going to be. I was always planning to write two endings just in case everyone didn't hate my main gal enough :). Hopefully, I will get working on those and my other stories, but this one was shorter to finish :D.
