dancing-dolly : Hey everyone, it's been a while, hasn't it? I guess I owe you guys a thousand apologies since it's been like half a year since I've updated this story. And isn't it funny? Of all the times I could've updated this story, I chose to do it when I have 5 assignments going on in school. I mean, what is that? Worst time ever, I reckon. -_-


Chapter Forty-Nine : Sweet Vengeance

Sima Yi triumphantly marched into the meeting tent, victory written clearly across his face. Things had gone smoothly without a hitch. If there was one thing that he was disappointed about, it was missing out on the look of betrayal on the captive's face when the Ice Princess stabbed him in the back. But no matter – he would still get fun out of this, one way or another.

He was pleased to find all the generals present inside, probably all eagerly waiting for his return. They all stood up as he came in, and Sima Yi was secretly surprised to see the Ice Princess also get to her feet. Her expression was as blank as usual, but there was eeriness about her that unsettled him. When he came to a halt, he saw a gleeful smile flash past the commander's face. Feeling uneasy now, he looked around at the officers all staring at him. What he saw in their eyes was not what he had been expecting.

With difficulty, he cleared his throat and was about to break the heavy silence when his eyes caught something lying on the table. He felt a wave of panic run through his body and he unconsciously gripped his fan tighter. Of course, his abrupt movement didn't go unnoticed by the commander's sharp eyes. Almost tauntingly, she lifted the glass vial half full with clear liquid. Then she raised a questioning eyebrow at him, her gaze harsher than a blizzard storm.

"Master Sima Yi," she said in perfectly flat tone, "I – well, we – have found something very interesting while you were gone to the negotiation."

"We have something to say about that so-called negotiation as well," one of the generals, Zhang Liao, spoke gruffly, "but first things first; Master Sima Yi, doesn't this vial belong to you?"

Sima Yi had no idea what was going on and he was not liking the situation at all. Everyone was staring him with blatant accusations in their eyes, beyond mere suspicions. He couldn't even deny that the vial wasn't his, because he was the only one in the camp that possessed those special glass vials. "Yes, that appears to be mine. But just what is going on here–"

Obviously his confirmation was a bad thing because the temperature inside the tent dropped till the coldness penetrated right through to his bones. Before he could ask what was going on again, the butterfly general let out a mirthless chuckle.

"Ha, what is going on? Your ingenious mind must've guessed by now? This," he pointed to the vial in the commander's hand, "was found at the entrance of our prince's lodging. An unknown liquid with no distinctive colours or smells. What do you have to say to that, Master Sima Yi?"

Then it hit him. They were all suspicious. Suspicious that he had poisoned the prince of Wei. But it couldn't be as simple as that. He sensed a deeper plot than what it appeared on the surface. No doubt the princess had pulled some strings while he was gone. He silently gritted his teeth; this was not looking good for him.

"Preposterous!" he lashed out at Zhang He, faking anger while his mind rapidly searched for a way out. "How dare you even suggest such a thing? That I'd somehow threaten the life of our prince! This is ridiculous!"

"Calm yourself, Master Sima Yi," Li Dian, another officer present, butted in. "We're not accusing you of anything. We are merely stating that the evidence is pointing generally to your direction."

"So tell us, master," Zhang He said mockingly, "what would your vial full of unknown liquid be doing near the prince's lodging?"

It only took a moment of silence for Sima Yi to figure everything out. He vaguely remembered the single empty vial on the table. Either the princess or Zhang He must've sneaked in some time – probably Zhang He when the camp was in disarray from the fire – and took the vial. The liquid in that vial was probably just water. Sima Yi realised that this was a very clever plan; using his own weapon against him. Cao Pi was suffering from an unknown illness, which could very well be from an unknown poison. There was no way he could prove that the liquid was water – if it even was water. He could applaud at the deviousness. However, that meant that he was in a very big trouble.

"And to add to that all," Zhang Liao's usually-kind voice was harsh as he opened his mouth again, "I heard that this negotiation wasn't even a negotiation. You used trickery and deception. A disgrace to us all."

"This is war! There is no such thing as honour on the battlefield! Lies and deceit – all just words! Do you not understand?" Sima Yi almost yelled in honest frustration, his cool demeanour finally shattering into million pieces. Did the imbeciles not see? This was the easiest way to achieve victory! In one swift act, he had captured the Wu's commander for this battle. Now all they had to do was flood the He Fei Castle with sheer force and take control! Why did it matter how they gained the victory?

"Princess, if I may make a suggestion," Zhang He said, casting a nasty look towards Sima Yi, which the strategist readily returned. "I think we should put him in custody for now – not locked up or anything, but just confine him until things clear up a bit."

"Confinement? Me? That's utterly ridiculous! How dare you do this to me, you ungrateful imbecile?"

The butterfly general matched Sima Yi's fury with his own. "With utmost ease! The circumstances are such that it is only natural that we suspect you! That glass vial is not something that everyone has!"

"That's because not everyone knows about the practicality of chemicals! Those glass vials can contain… can contain…" Sima Yi trailed off as if something had just occurred to him. Wait, he thought, unaware of the eyes watching him from all around. I'm not the only one…

"The medic," he whispered, more to himself than to everybody. This was his way out. "The medic also has glass vials for his chemicals!"

The generals fell into uncertainty as a new subject of accusation came up. Sima Yi knew that the idea of the medic being the assassin had its own merits as well. The medic had free access to the prince's lodging, and he also possessed the glass vials. In the camp, there was probably no-one who knew more about poisons than the medic did. The story made perfect sense. With confidence gaining once again, he looked triumphantly towards the Ice Princess. Despite his expectations, she was still smiling coldly.

"The medic…" she said lightly, barely more than a whisper. "Of course."


He had convinced himself that his decision wasn't irrational. He had made himself believed that his choice was not from impulse, but from logic. Now, he wasn't so sure. Although disorientated due to the blindfold that covered his eyes, Lu Xun could only guess that he was a captive in the Wei's main camp. So many thoughts flashed across his mind, so many worries and concerns. But he couldn't do anything. He was completely helpless, all alone in the enemy camp.

However, his despair didn't last long. With a sudden jerk, his blindfold was undone, and the bonds that tied his wrists fell loose. Able to see his surroundings for the first time, he realised that he was in a rather large tent, completely alone except for the enemy general sheathing his dagger.

"So," he said, pointing the sheathed dagger in Lu Xun's direction, "you're the enemy commander?"

Lu Xun vaguely recognised the man from back in the Fan Castle. He had been very close to the Ice Princess. What was his name? Zhang He, was it?

"You are free to leave. I have been instructed to guide you out."

That caught the strategist off his guard. "I am free to leave?"

"I am only taking orders from my commander," came the haughty reply. "She told me to let you go, and I obey without question."

"But… she would be in an enormous trouble for this."

He could just picture the generals cornering her, demanding an acceptable reason for releasing such a valuable prisoner for no price. And if she couldn't provide a sufficient excuse, then it was just frightful to imagine what kind of trouble she'd be in.

Unexpectedly, Zhang He snorted and crossed his arms, as if what he was worrying about was utterly ridiculous. "Let me tell you something," he said. "My friend isn't so stupid as to not foresee the consequences of her actions. She would've thought up of a plan for this, so it is none of your concern. I suggest that you leave so that you won't cause any more confusion to her. She's a princess – she has so much on her shoulders right now. She doesn't need you adding to the burden."

That was the last thing he wanted to be to the Wei princess – a burden. He lowered his eyes in shame – would he be making a selfish choice by doing what he was about to do? But then he noticed a strange gleam in the general's eyes. It was as if the man was looking right through him, evaluating him. What could he possibly be judging him for? But it didn't matter. Without further hesitation, Lu Xun stood up and faced the general. He knew this choice was definitely from impulse, not logic, but logic had been flung out of the window a long long time ago. And for some reason, he thought that it wasn't yet time to go and retrieve it.

"I need your help," he said clearly, staring straight into the general's eyes. And I'm doing this whether you help me or not.


"So this was all your plot."

I watched as Sima Yi seated himself on a chair. He seemed oddly calm – or perhaps he was just managing to hold on. It was so difficult to tell with him. His poker face could easily rival my own.

"Correction," I replied coolly, unable to stop myself from smiling a little, "This was all Zhang He's plot."

"Ah," was all he said.

Despite the fact that he wasn't the only suspect, the generals all agreed upon placing Sima Yi under confinement. This was a clever manipulation. Everyone knew how ambitious Sima Yi was. They also knew how cunning and cruel he could be. Although not confirmed, the suspicion naturally went out to Sima Yi, and once it was out, it was not easily retracted. So that now there were only two of us in the tent, we could speak freely. That was just what I needed.

"What is your plan now?"

"You have not got enough evidence to prosecute me," Sima Yi replied, his lips twitching into a smirk, "and same goes for the medic. Do you really think you'll be able to frame me with so little evidence?"

"No. But what we lack, we can create."

I knew he would understand. He was an intelligent man. He knew what I was plotting. Sima Yi gritted his teeth, glaring at me from his seat. "You bought off the medic?"

"Precisely. After series of torture and interrogation, he will confess that he was ordered by you to poison my brother. That is enough evidence to get you executed."

Unexpectedly, the strategist chuckled. It was a hollow sound, an empty laughter. He tapped the table with his fingers couple of times before looking resigned. "Very well. I will withdraw from this round."

Although I knew that this was the expected answer, I could feel my excitement grow as I approached closer to my goal. However, I made sure that I revealed nothing of that in my tone as I replied with a nod. "Wise decision, Master Sima Yi. Once the prince is cured, all the charges against you and the medic will be cleared. I shall declare it an unknown disease rather than poisoning, and that will be end of that."

Tap. He tapped the table once more. Then silently he stood up, and walked over to the glass vials. From the two dozen choices, he chose none. Instead, he pressed down on one of the vials. Something popped out from the desk. In it was a single vial full of clear liquid. Without a word, he passed the vial to me, which I carefully pocketed for Cao Pi. I could tell that Sima Yi was watching as I approached the exit.

"I congratulate you, princess," he said, his voice cold once again. "You never cease to amaze me."

"Thank you," I replied, matching his coolness.

Just before the tent flap closed, I thought I heard him whisper, "But this isn't over yet, princess. Far from it, indeed…"