Nyaa, sorry for the super late update!! School sux T.T Enjoy chapter 29!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 29

Reuniting

Early afternoon, the main road towards the Wei capital of Xu Chang…

By sunrise, Sun Xuan would be within the damned walls of Wei again. But this time, she would be far from alone. After finally reuniting with the familiar faces of Wu, she sat within the Empress' carriage. The gentle rocking had quickly placed both Li Xian and Cao Li into a deep slumber; neither having any rest since they had abandoned the Wei palace.

Xuan cushioned Xian's head on her lap as she gently stroked the child's hair. She watched the girl's face change as she dreamt of a world of tranquility and bliss. A place where everyone smiled and everyone lived a fairy-tale life, and a place that would never be a reality.

As the fanciful carriage rocked to and fro on the uneven road, Xuan watched from the small window at her side; watching the sun fall beneath the canopy and watching the blossoms of Winter Chrysanthemums portray their not only beauty but also, strength.

A gentle flower that is able to weather harsh times of winter to see the light of spring; to survive the harshest times and finally be able to see peace once again.

Now, in Xuan's mind, it was the deadliest winter yet and the blizzard had yet to come.

Lady Wu sat silently across from her. Her expression was refined and her face was as ageless as Xuan had remembered. She glanced inwardly from the window and then observed her hands clasped on her lap. As her face remained undeterred, Xuan could see the woman's red lips quiver and her hands tremble.

She had spoken little since Xuan had entered the carriage with her. She remarked Xian's innocent beauty and Li's ingenious deceit against Quan. It had alarmed Xuan that the woman was so endowed to see through the ruse and then again she wasn't surprised. The Empress knew of the cloudy future her kingdom would face if Wei wasn't stopped.

"Your Majesty…" Xuan murmured keeping her eyes low as Lady Wu placed her elegant eyes on her, "I apologize, for I must know..."

The Empress remained unreadable as she waited for Xuan to proceed.

"I must know why your Majesty will not stop the Emperor from traveling any farther into Wei" Xuan inquired as if she was accusing the Empress, but Lady Wu seemed completely impervious. "Your Majesty knows of Wei's plots, you knew all along. Why allow the Emperor to put Wu into harms way?"

Finally Lady Wu held her hand in the air as hearing enough. She passed a reassuring glance to Xian and Li before peering upon Xuan again. She heaved a small sigh and replied, "I am not one to dissuade the Emperor of anything"

"But, you stopped him from killing Shang Xiang!" Xuan retorted, relinquishing proper language for the Empress, "Why not stop him now?"

Wu Guotai remained still undeterred as she kept her eyes on Xuan. A long pause came before the Empress replied simply, "What is the past is the past. What my son orders now is how law will dictate"

"Lady Wu…" Xuan fell to her knees on the carriage floor after carefully placing Xian on the padded seat. She placed her hands on the Empress' and her eyes were pleading. "…Lord Cao Pi is dead"

Lady Wu appeared to be a little more nervous as Xuan said this but she kept her lips pursed.

"I know Cao Jin was involved in the Wei emperor's death…" Xuan added in a whisper, squeezing the Empress' hands, "He has death planned for us all, I can feel it. He is a madman…he has used our marriage for his sick plan"

"He is a madman, that is for certain" Lady Wu replied, stroking Xuan's hand, "And I believe that heaven will smile upon us, but we must believe in our own strength first" A small smile formed on her petite face.

Xuan fretted, Lady Wu's words baffling her. Tears formed behind her eyes and she begged, "Please…"

Lady Wu lifted her hand again, biding Xuan to not speak. "There is no more to be said; there will be no thwarting fate. Now, rest your mind, we will be camping for the evening. My son wishes the soldiers to look their best" With that said, the Empress stared forward as if her mind and attention had been completely dismembered.

Sun Xuan hesitated, squeezing the woman's fragile hands but felt no return. Finally, she resumed her seat and stroked Xian's hair and prayed. Prayed that something, a heaven bestowed miracle, would save them.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, a road towards the village of Hanzhong…

Known for its infamous agricultural values, the region was already depicting large rolling crop fields. The rich, nourishing soil growing stalks of bamboo and rice as the spring warmth returned. Humble cattle and horses roamed the pasture, grazing throughout the day.

As their horses trotted along down the dusty rural road, Sun Shang Xiang watched a russet calve leap crazily through the field. It was quick to turn to the security of its mother. Elsewhere, two dun colored horses galloped alongside the aged fencing, whining and bucking as they rejoiced the brisk air and the soon arrival of spring.

Ahead of her, Gan Ning cantered the ebony mare in a few circles as he waited impatiently for Shang Xiang to come. The black cloak, now unnecessary, was draped over the horse's rear.

As they continued further down the path, night began to descend and they would be arriving in Hanzhong before midnight. With each knock of the hooves against the gravel road, brought them closer to Liu Bei. There they would attempt plenty of pleading and persuasion.

The pirate began to realize that Shang Xiang was falling more and more behind. As the road before them began to darken, he straddle this steed next to hers and gave her a wary stare.

"Afraid?" He asked, capturing her attention and she turned her face to look at him. Wide-eyed she was for a moment but she narrowed her eyes now on her reins, feeling the rough material.

"Of course not!" She replied curtly, "What do I have to fear?"

"Hmm, well let's see" Ning, placed his index finger to his chin in a mocking notion, "For one, you're afraid to see Liu Bei again after what? A year? Two?" He passed her a inquiring glance, "And you're gonna trick him into helping Wu, so your affection is petty"

Shang Xiang glared scornfully at him, "You are so juvenile" She sighed in aggravation as she gritted her teeth, hiding her face by glaring in the opposing direction.

"In other words, I'm right" Ning replied self-righteously. As he continued, his words became a mockery, insulting as they stung Shang Xiang's thoughts. "I guess it wouldn't matter. Liu Bei is so…" He paused to search his simple vocabulary for the proper term, "Naïve. He won't give a damn if your love came…half-assed" He said this with deception, brushing a finger crudely across her cheek.

Having heard enough, Shang Xiang swiped away his hand vehemently. She turned her face towards him and he was taken aback by the tears trickling down her round face. He had only seen her cry a few times, the most when her father and brother died.

"Do not pry into my life!" She shouted, wagging an accusing finger in his face. Both horse spooked by her perturbed screaming, "Your filthy jokes are not amusing. But I suppose you wouldn't give a damn what my emotions are, one would have require compassion to do that" The tendrils of her red bangs fell over her eyes and she pursed her lips.

Before the dumb-struck pirate could make another reply, whatever it was going to be, Shang Xiang whipped her horse towards the darkened road ahead. Her horse whined loudly as she kicked angrily at its flanks. The dust spurred from the gravel path, stirring a hazy cloud that trailed close behind her. The livestock in the pastures nearby lifted from their slumber by the commotion and their whines and bellows echoes through the night air.

As if someone had wrapped an iron grip around his stone heart threatening to shatter it, the pirate surveyed the gristly tail of her horse until the night shadows consumed it. Cursing through gritted teeth, he followed suite.

The dim view was clear through near the mountainside. Diminutive hovels were scattered sparsely on the road side. Some of the bamboo doors creaked open as the two riders galloped by. As the two turned the mountainside with the twisting road, the city was ahead the small palace in its center.

Gan Ning called her name ahead of him, hoping to stop her before they entered the city walls. Two alerted gate-keepers, held torches ahead of them to shed light. They had heard Ning shouting and the sound of hoof beats. Shang Xiang abruptly halted and her horse circled as she soothed its excitement. Gan Ning appeared soon after, remaining behind the princess.

"Lady Sun?" One older looking guard said aloud, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Let me in, I must see my husband" She demanded with a stone gaze, "It is urgent. Go now and wake him"

Ning feared, in her contempt for him, would have had him wait outside the city. But as the gates were opened and the guards ran towards the palace, she said nothing and both passed through. As the horses traversed down the cobble-stone road, people opened doors and looked into the street. Ning realized the surprised upon their faces as they laid eyes on the princess.

Dismounting at the bottom of a wide stairway, Shang Xiang removed her black cloak and dropped it at her feet. She ascended the stairway quickly, compelled by her anger. Feeling like a liar and a traitor towards Liu Bei all thanks to the pirate's 'comforting support'. Gan Ning was behind her and he grasped her hand to finally make her stop.

She did, facing him with a stone gaze and a grimace. Before he could speak, she said "If I couldn't tolerate your barbaric mockery about my life and my marriage, I wouldn't be looking upon your face now. But know this, I am not a traitor"

"I know, I know" Ning replied immediately before he sighed. Rubbing the back of his head as if his mind was drained of any tenacious, vulgar remark he could ever come up with. It was strange how he took pleasure in aggravating Shang Xiang more then any other, perhaps because he enjoyed how her face turned a great scarlet and she warned him with threats she would never do.

"Look, I uh…" Her perfect jade eyes waited for him to speak, but as he considered them, he realized he had very little to say. "I guess, I didn't consider your feelings or whatever" He said this as he rolled his eyes every which way; he was evidently forcing himself to apologize. "…And…I'm sorry"

It was slight, but the smile that formed on her face required no reply. The ex-pirate took her hand, stroking her cheek with the other. Her skin was smooth and flawless against his rough fingertips. Then, he leaned towards her face, mere inches away.

"Shang Xiang?" A disbelieving voice uttered from the palace entrance.

Shang Xiang, startled by the sudden sound, turned her head towards Liu Bei as she felt Ning's hands leave hers. Liu Bei, dressed in elegant night robes, stood peering upon her with his mouth agape and his eyes drinking in her image.

Gan Ning stood a few feet behind her now with crossed arms and a frown.

"Liu Bei…" Shang Xiang mouthed, her voice inaudible. Liu Bei ambled down the long stairway, nearly tripping several times over the long robe. The Shu servants followed close behind. He wrapped her in a taut embrace, feeling tears of joy developing in his eyes.

Gan Ning was clearly thinking 'Oh, what a pansy…' as he watched Shang Xiang return the embrace. The bonds of jealousy tightened around him whether he realized and accepted it or not.

Withdrawing from the prolonged hug, Liu Bei placed both hands on her shoulders and from his face; Shang Xiang could see the effect of time upon her husband. His hug was strong in a sense, but she could detect his aged fatigue.

"Shang Xiang" She repeated her name, enjoying the sound of it again, "It has been so long, so very long"

Two years was indeed too long absence for a married couple, but Shang Xiang was still deciding whether to be astounded with reprieve or troubled with desolation.

"Yes, it has indeed" Shang Xiang replied dryly, smiling "But I have come with a urgent request from my brother" Already she spoke her first lie, this being about her brother who probably didn't realize her absence.

"I am certain it can wait until the morning" Liu Bei replied, more interested in her presence than her reason. "You must be tired from your journey" He bid her inside, snaking an arm around her shoulders; this, making the pirate sick.

The Shu emperor hadn't realized Gan Ning's presence and he hadn't expected him. Now that he had Shang Xiang again, Liu Bei's prayers were undoubtedly answered. As he followed the two inside, the pirate felt an uneasy sensation in his stomach.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Midnight, a temporary Wu encampment a few miles from Xu Chang…

Silence had gradually descended over the encampment as the boisterous soldiers calmed and eventually fallen asleep, most by the dying fire. The tall torches died out, leaving a trail of malodorous smoke behind.

Sitting in a wide tent, Sun Xuan massaged her hands. Across from her, kneeling on the floor where she combed her glossy brunette hair, Da Qiao had a frown formed on her face. Every now and then, the elder Qiao would deliver a critical glance towards her daughter. For some time, it seemed as if she was attempting to decipher something about Xuan.

"So" Da began, twirling her hair into a tight tress, "I hear there is quite a ceremony for your child" She stated, her expression was blank.

Xuan furrowed a brow, "I have no child. It has been but a half a year"

"Then you are pregnant?"

"No, I have no child" Xuan replied firmly as her callous eyes narrowed, "I wonder why so many have fallen under that false impression"

Da Qiao focused her eyes on Xuan for some time before setting a brush aside, "That is what Lord Jin has reported to us, of course. His Majesty, Lord Quan, is expecting a great celebration as is the rest of Wu"

Sun Xuan, although not entirely surprised by Jin's lie, gritted her teeth. She had no doubt at this point, that it was a morbid road ahead of them.

Later into the night, Xuan was stirred from her sleep. She sat up, unable to see through the darkness of the tent. She could hear Da Qiao's soft breathing as she slept somewhere within wide space. As her senses adjusted to consciousness and the lingering dark, she noticed a presence in front of her and then a hand taking hers.

She felt another hand brush her cheek and soft lips graze her own. Realizing it was Xun, she wrapped him a tender embrace. He withdrew, taking her hand tightly and helping her to her feet.

Feeling the cool ground under her feet, Xuan followed him out of the tent where the light was only a bit more vibrant from the moon overhead. He turned towards her again, his dark eyes attentive as he whispered, "Follow me, we can't be seen together"

Xuan followed him as he led her into the foliage of the trees where the light was smothered. The melted snow was freezing beneath her bare feet and she sought refuge on a fallen tree trunk. She watched Xun curiously as he looked towards the quiet encampment every now and then before finally sitting next to her.

He stared at her uneasily before speaking, "We will reach Xu Chang by midday…"

"I would take this all away if I could…I could have killed Cao Jin, but I did not" She replied, her eyes tightly shut in guilt. "I am sorry, but what can we do now…if anything?"

Lu Xun stared at her, considering her question and then looked upward and then at all sides. Like Xuan, he knew Jin's minions, the Shé, were watching and waiting to spoil any plans. He also knew that they wouldn't attack him now, not so close to Jin and there wouldn't be a point anyways. Jin wanted to purge himself of Xun and perhaps even Xuan personally.

Leaning close, he whispered his plans regarding Shu. He also explained that they would need to delay Jin's plans once arriving in the capital.

"Our only hope is on Shu and Shang Xiang now" Xun added with a melancholic tone.

Xuan considered everything he had explained and felt a shudder trickle down her spine. She was struck with alternative idea.

"Let's run away now; you and I!" She stated with excitement, but she sensed Xun's disagreement as he sighed.

"I can't…Pardon, I won't leave my kingdom" He must have appeared angry as she pursed her lips, but the reality must have finally settled in her mind as she realized that she couldn't leave her family now. "I'm sorry, Xuan"

Xun stood and offered a hand to her. She hesitated, frowning towards the nearby trees. She could see the wicked bandits masked faces in her mind and pictured her family at their mercy. Knowing no mercy would be given.

She took his hand and walked closely next to him towards the camp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yay, there together for once w Hope you enjoyed!