Chapter 9 Wei
Zhang He finished his exercises by stretching his long legs, bringing each one back to touch the back of his head. With a flourish he started off towards the training ring. Honestly, enough was enough. There was no way his little sister was going to be in any more battles.
As he stalked up to the small enclosure he could hear his sister's beloved voice raised in laughter. "Oh Xu Huang, you are quite the devil."
As he arched one glossy eyebrow, his friend's voice reached him. "Madam Zhen Ji, I understand of your desire to help your lord, but I must protest. A battlefield is no place for a lady such as you. What if you are ever injured?"
Zhang He rounded the corner, his soft boots crunching on the gravel. The man in question had his back to him, as he placed his axe on the ground.
"Men are beasts in battle. I would personally feel responsible if anything happened to you." Xu Huang stood up. "Please I beg you to talk to Lord Cao Cao and have him relieve you of your duties in battle."
"I think not my general." Zhen Ji sauntered over to him. "I will help my lord to rule all the kingdoms." She stopped in front of him. "How else will I keep my eye on you?" She ran a finger down his chest.
Xu Huang's face flushed a brilliant shade of red as he took one small step back.
She gave another laugh as she leaned forward, her hands reaching up to pull Xu Huang's face closer to hers. He gave no indication of resisting. "Besides, no one can touch me on the battlefield. They would have to catch me first. My speed is unrivaled by anyone in the three kingdoms."
"Except me, madam." Zhang He climbed over the fence, landing on the other side without a hair out of place.
"Of course Zhang He, no one is as fast as you." She sent her brother a glare full of promises of future pain for interrupting her 'session'.
"Finally! You're here." Xu Huang raced past Zhang He, putting the clawed man between himself and Lord Cao Cao's daughter-in-law.
Zhang He had to smile at the man's reaction. His sister was well accomplished at putting men at their ease. She seemed to have the opposite effect on the axe man though. In fact, his usual courage seemed to dissolve around the woman, leaving him with a constant blush on his face that had caused him to fall out of favor with Cao Pi.
"Zhang He, you may leave. Xu Huang will train me in some new moves today." His sister gave him a pointed look.
So it was to be a seduction. No wonder the poor man was forever running with his tail between his legs. How long had his sister been able to hide her flirting? More importantly, how long before one of Cao Cao's many relatives found out about it? Xu Huang was too good of a man to loose just because of one of her whims.
"I believe Xu Huang has shown you more than enough moves for today. Wouldn't you agree?" Zhang He crossed his arms across his chest. "His battle skills lie in his strength. While yours are more similar to mine." He emphasized the last part while giving his sister a look of disapproval.
Zhen Ji sighed. "I suppose you're right." She turned to the axe man. "Would you please consider giving me another lesson tomorrow?"
Blushing, he bowed low. "As you wish, lady." Turning he picked up his weapon and all but ran from the training grounds.
As soon as the man was gone, Zhang He turned to his sister. She was staring off in the direction that Xu Huang had gone.
"Zhen Ji-"
"He's quite handsome, and very brave." Her words were almost a whisper.
"But-" Zhang He was interrupted again.
"He would make a horrible ruler." Her voice cracked. "Zhangie, I'm sorry." Her lovely eyes filled with tears as she turned to her older brother. "But he treats me like a lady and respects me. He makes me laugh. Do you know he tries to stay near my troops just to protect me in battle?" Her slender hands tightened around her flute.
Zhang He took a step closer. "No, I didn't know about any of that." When had his sister grown such a romantic soul?
"I can't have him, can I?" She shook, a leaf in a hurricane.
He sighed. All he wanted was his sister's happiness. "No. Not unless Cao Pi were to die in battle. And even then I doubt it. Cao Cao has taken a fancy to you."
She fell into a heap on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
He went to her, putting his arms around her, trying to comfort her as well as he could. What made it worse was that he could not help her. No, that horrible Wei Yan had started her down this path.
Zhang He's eyes grew cold as he thought of his hated enemy. The current whereabouts of the man were unknown, which was for the best. Once he discovered what hole the masked freak was hiding in, he would personally kill the abomination for once and for all. After all, wasn't it the man's fault that he could not even claim his only blood relative as his own?
His thoughts went back to that day long ago, when the real Zhen Ji had been headed for Yuan Shao's home. Along the way they had been attacked by a group of men lead by Wei Yan and his whore. All had been slaughtered except for Zhang He and his young sister.
Later, while kneeling before his lord, Zhang He waited to tell his liege of his disgrace. To his horror, his sister had entered the room on Yuan Xi's arm, dressed in an outfit from the dead woman's chests. He had sat there, too shocked to talk, as his sister was hurriedly married to his liege's son. Afterwards it had been too late to tell the truth to his liege, her life would have been forfeit.
His sister explained why she had done it later to him, in the privacy of her new room. She heard that he would be executed if Zhen Ji were still not alive. So she had allowed them to believe that she was the bride to be.
His hands clenched into fists at the thought of all the times she had come to him in tears over the years. Her last husband had been horrible, with this newest one no better. Bruises marred the porcelain flesh where none should be. He had even heard rumors that- No! -he would not think of that. Even Cao Pi would not pass his wife along like a common whore to any man who he wished to reward.
Zhang He pulled his sister closer to him as her sobs lessened. He would have approved of a man like Xu Huang, with his gentle ways, to be his sister's husband. Especially since his sister apparently adored him. But there had been no choice. Instead, her life was to be one of misery. There would be no faerie tale ending for her. He would have to live with his sister whoring herself in marriage to men she didn't love for their continued survival. While he could not change that, he could find the monster responsible for all this and end him.
Yes, soon he would find Wei Yan. When he did, the monster would pay.
***
Chapter 10: Back to Shu! Zhuge Liang doesn't trust Wei Yan. Yue Ying is entrusted with watching him. Expect a day full of horses, a bad poem, and...a baby?!
*** Answers to Reviews (because Wei Yan said he would rip my intestines out through my nose if I didn't)
*** Gingivere the Shadowreave: I'm sorry to hear about the funeral. There's not much I can say to make you feel better *huggles*
Glad you like the subplots. I fear I'm taking a left turn into the land of threesomes, yaoi, S&M, and various other interesting sexual things. Oh well, it won't get X-rated but it might look close in some places unless I can control Xiao.
I know I'm making Zhuge Liang out to be the bad guy a lot. Oh trust me, the nasty private flames I've gotten! But I need for people to feel a little sorry for Wei Yan since the first thing they do *covers his ears* is talk about him being a horrible evil person *lets go of his ears*. Glad you like the way I portray him because I LOVE the way that you portray him. *big bunny eyes* Is the surprise the Zhu Rong/Wei Yan ficcie? *bounces* or are you going to update Bring Me to Life? Or what about Moonlight Madness? ^_^
Don't worry about me and Nessie. I can take her in a fair fight! (If only she wouldn't pull me underwater and try to drown me.)
From: Ramza Lionheart: This chapter had to go up so that the way Sun Shang Xiang bribes Da into helping her makes sense. Err, you didn't just see part of my plot *covers that part up* Wei, as you can see, is next. After that is Shu, then back to Wu for some Sun Shang Xiang goodness. *sweat drops* She's going to be a little-err- she's going to try to make daddy mad in the next few chapters. She's going to be very good at it too. Because there are only two things that get daddies VERY angry with their little girls. She's going to try to do those two things. Someone please hold Sun Jian back as I will be hiding from Sun Shang Xiang's fans. Hiding behind Lu Meng is a distinct possibility.To be honest never seen the English Patient. I don't watch romantic movies. Though I admit to reading medieval romances.^_^ I'll try to update overseas, but not sure how it will turn out. I'll check things out if I can but I doubt I'll update any.
Yukira Tsurama: Yes, Xiao is a tad bit annoying in that chapter. I think she's a tad bit obsessed with Zhou Yu. *shows you the shrine for Zhou Yu that Xiao has erected in her house* Evil Xiao! Evil! I think I portrayed Da just a tad bit more realistic. I'm torn over getting her together with Sun Ce, or with a Wu General or a Wei general. We shall see whom she ends up with. Well, actually I'm having the same problem with Sun Shang Xiang. WAH! I have three options for her as well. I might need to put out a poll. *sigh*
Zhang He finished his exercises by stretching his long legs, bringing each one back to touch the back of his head. With a flourish he started off towards the training ring. Honestly, enough was enough. There was no way his little sister was going to be in any more battles.
As he stalked up to the small enclosure he could hear his sister's beloved voice raised in laughter. "Oh Xu Huang, you are quite the devil."
As he arched one glossy eyebrow, his friend's voice reached him. "Madam Zhen Ji, I understand of your desire to help your lord, but I must protest. A battlefield is no place for a lady such as you. What if you are ever injured?"
Zhang He rounded the corner, his soft boots crunching on the gravel. The man in question had his back to him, as he placed his axe on the ground.
"Men are beasts in battle. I would personally feel responsible if anything happened to you." Xu Huang stood up. "Please I beg you to talk to Lord Cao Cao and have him relieve you of your duties in battle."
"I think not my general." Zhen Ji sauntered over to him. "I will help my lord to rule all the kingdoms." She stopped in front of him. "How else will I keep my eye on you?" She ran a finger down his chest.
Xu Huang's face flushed a brilliant shade of red as he took one small step back.
She gave another laugh as she leaned forward, her hands reaching up to pull Xu Huang's face closer to hers. He gave no indication of resisting. "Besides, no one can touch me on the battlefield. They would have to catch me first. My speed is unrivaled by anyone in the three kingdoms."
"Except me, madam." Zhang He climbed over the fence, landing on the other side without a hair out of place.
"Of course Zhang He, no one is as fast as you." She sent her brother a glare full of promises of future pain for interrupting her 'session'.
"Finally! You're here." Xu Huang raced past Zhang He, putting the clawed man between himself and Lord Cao Cao's daughter-in-law.
Zhang He had to smile at the man's reaction. His sister was well accomplished at putting men at their ease. She seemed to have the opposite effect on the axe man though. In fact, his usual courage seemed to dissolve around the woman, leaving him with a constant blush on his face that had caused him to fall out of favor with Cao Pi.
"Zhang He, you may leave. Xu Huang will train me in some new moves today." His sister gave him a pointed look.
So it was to be a seduction. No wonder the poor man was forever running with his tail between his legs. How long had his sister been able to hide her flirting? More importantly, how long before one of Cao Cao's many relatives found out about it? Xu Huang was too good of a man to loose just because of one of her whims.
"I believe Xu Huang has shown you more than enough moves for today. Wouldn't you agree?" Zhang He crossed his arms across his chest. "His battle skills lie in his strength. While yours are more similar to mine." He emphasized the last part while giving his sister a look of disapproval.
Zhen Ji sighed. "I suppose you're right." She turned to the axe man. "Would you please consider giving me another lesson tomorrow?"
Blushing, he bowed low. "As you wish, lady." Turning he picked up his weapon and all but ran from the training grounds.
As soon as the man was gone, Zhang He turned to his sister. She was staring off in the direction that Xu Huang had gone.
"Zhen Ji-"
"He's quite handsome, and very brave." Her words were almost a whisper.
"But-" Zhang He was interrupted again.
"He would make a horrible ruler." Her voice cracked. "Zhangie, I'm sorry." Her lovely eyes filled with tears as she turned to her older brother. "But he treats me like a lady and respects me. He makes me laugh. Do you know he tries to stay near my troops just to protect me in battle?" Her slender hands tightened around her flute.
Zhang He took a step closer. "No, I didn't know about any of that." When had his sister grown such a romantic soul?
"I can't have him, can I?" She shook, a leaf in a hurricane.
He sighed. All he wanted was his sister's happiness. "No. Not unless Cao Pi were to die in battle. And even then I doubt it. Cao Cao has taken a fancy to you."
She fell into a heap on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
He went to her, putting his arms around her, trying to comfort her as well as he could. What made it worse was that he could not help her. No, that horrible Wei Yan had started her down this path.
Zhang He's eyes grew cold as he thought of his hated enemy. The current whereabouts of the man were unknown, which was for the best. Once he discovered what hole the masked freak was hiding in, he would personally kill the abomination for once and for all. After all, wasn't it the man's fault that he could not even claim his only blood relative as his own?
His thoughts went back to that day long ago, when the real Zhen Ji had been headed for Yuan Shao's home. Along the way they had been attacked by a group of men lead by Wei Yan and his whore. All had been slaughtered except for Zhang He and his young sister.
Later, while kneeling before his lord, Zhang He waited to tell his liege of his disgrace. To his horror, his sister had entered the room on Yuan Xi's arm, dressed in an outfit from the dead woman's chests. He had sat there, too shocked to talk, as his sister was hurriedly married to his liege's son. Afterwards it had been too late to tell the truth to his liege, her life would have been forfeit.
His sister explained why she had done it later to him, in the privacy of her new room. She heard that he would be executed if Zhen Ji were still not alive. So she had allowed them to believe that she was the bride to be.
His hands clenched into fists at the thought of all the times she had come to him in tears over the years. Her last husband had been horrible, with this newest one no better. Bruises marred the porcelain flesh where none should be. He had even heard rumors that- No! -he would not think of that. Even Cao Pi would not pass his wife along like a common whore to any man who he wished to reward.
Zhang He pulled his sister closer to him as her sobs lessened. He would have approved of a man like Xu Huang, with his gentle ways, to be his sister's husband. Especially since his sister apparently adored him. But there had been no choice. Instead, her life was to be one of misery. There would be no faerie tale ending for her. He would have to live with his sister whoring herself in marriage to men she didn't love for their continued survival. While he could not change that, he could find the monster responsible for all this and end him.
Yes, soon he would find Wei Yan. When he did, the monster would pay.
***
Chapter 10: Back to Shu! Zhuge Liang doesn't trust Wei Yan. Yue Ying is entrusted with watching him. Expect a day full of horses, a bad poem, and...a baby?!
*** Answers to Reviews (because Wei Yan said he would rip my intestines out through my nose if I didn't)
*** Gingivere the Shadowreave: I'm sorry to hear about the funeral. There's not much I can say to make you feel better *huggles*
Glad you like the subplots. I fear I'm taking a left turn into the land of threesomes, yaoi, S&M, and various other interesting sexual things. Oh well, it won't get X-rated but it might look close in some places unless I can control Xiao.
I know I'm making Zhuge Liang out to be the bad guy a lot. Oh trust me, the nasty private flames I've gotten! But I need for people to feel a little sorry for Wei Yan since the first thing they do *covers his ears* is talk about him being a horrible evil person *lets go of his ears*. Glad you like the way I portray him because I LOVE the way that you portray him. *big bunny eyes* Is the surprise the Zhu Rong/Wei Yan ficcie? *bounces* or are you going to update Bring Me to Life? Or what about Moonlight Madness? ^_^
Don't worry about me and Nessie. I can take her in a fair fight! (If only she wouldn't pull me underwater and try to drown me.)
From: Ramza Lionheart: This chapter had to go up so that the way Sun Shang Xiang bribes Da into helping her makes sense. Err, you didn't just see part of my plot *covers that part up* Wei, as you can see, is next. After that is Shu, then back to Wu for some Sun Shang Xiang goodness. *sweat drops* She's going to be a little-err- she's going to try to make daddy mad in the next few chapters. She's going to be very good at it too. Because there are only two things that get daddies VERY angry with their little girls. She's going to try to do those two things. Someone please hold Sun Jian back as I will be hiding from Sun Shang Xiang's fans. Hiding behind Lu Meng is a distinct possibility.To be honest never seen the English Patient. I don't watch romantic movies. Though I admit to reading medieval romances.^_^ I'll try to update overseas, but not sure how it will turn out. I'll check things out if I can but I doubt I'll update any.
Yukira Tsurama: Yes, Xiao is a tad bit annoying in that chapter. I think she's a tad bit obsessed with Zhou Yu. *shows you the shrine for Zhou Yu that Xiao has erected in her house* Evil Xiao! Evil! I think I portrayed Da just a tad bit more realistic. I'm torn over getting her together with Sun Ce, or with a Wu General or a Wei general. We shall see whom she ends up with. Well, actually I'm having the same problem with Sun Shang Xiang. WAH! I have three options for her as well. I might need to put out a poll. *sigh*