A Fated Love
Chapter Five: The Proposal and the Rival
The morning sun rose as the bright rays of sunshine came through the branches giving light to the forest, Da Qiao slowly opened her eyes seeing Sun Ce just staring at her.
She yawned and then said "Lord Sun Ce how long have you been awake for?"
He replied "Not long, and please don't be so formal as to call me lord we are more than strangers."
Da Qiao smiled and nodded "Alright then and you can just call me Da Qiao without the formalities they're not needed right?"
Sun Ce nodded "Right" he paused suddenly realising something of great importance his facial expression changed to one of sadness.
Noticing this Da Qiao said "What is wrong? Have I said something to offend you?"
Sun Ce shook his head and replied "Da Qiao I have to go away for a while to battle, I'm going to miss seeing your beautiful face"
Da Qiao's expression turned to one of concern as she looked at him "Do you really have to go?" He nodded in reply "Don't get me wrong I love battle, the adrenaline rush being able to fight for Wu usually I wouldn't act like this it's just I love you more than battles itself"
He paused a second realising how much his love for Da Qiao had changed him, he never believed that could happen that a man's love for a woman could change a man so much.
He never believed in love at first sight till he saw her.
Sun Ce nodded to himself after considering what he should do next; he then took one of her hands and took a small box out of his pocket with his free hand.
Taking a deep breath he opened the box revealing a small silver ring with a small beautiful and very valuable white diamond. He opened his mouth nervously and began to speak.
"Da Qiao I know we haven't known each other for long, but I feel like I've known you for so long and your beauty has captivated me. I love you more than anything, even more than life itself. I would gladly do anything for you which drew me to the conclusion that I should ask you this one question in hope you'll say yes."
He paused for a minute nervously preparing to say those life changing words, finally ready he asked "Will you marry me?"
Da Qiao looked at him with tears running down her face, tears of happiness yet she felt an uncertainty, that maybe she wasn't as sure she was. She was prepared for this yet it still came as a shock it was as if she never knew.
The minutes passed as Sun Ce began to worry, Da Qiao took a deep breath reassuring herself in thoughts that it was the right thing to do.
Finally managing to reassure herself enough Da Qiao replied "Yes, I will marry you."
He held her in his arms as tears continued to fall from her face, gradually after the moment of excitement they began to walk back to her house as Da Qiao did not like riding on horses much and it was safe to walk all the way now as it was now the light of day.
Once they reached her house Sun Ce held her in his arms one last time before departing for his battle against rebel forces.
He left on the horse he had sent for waving to Da Qiao as his figure slowly faded away into the distance.
Da Qiao walked into the house immediately seeing her eager sister's face Xiao asked with great interest. "So Da what happened? Do tell! Did he ask you the one question of great importance?"
Da Qiao nodded "Yes he did ask me the question, my hand in marriage. I did say yes" She slowly outstretched her hand to show Xiao the ring on her finger.
Xiao gasped "Oh my Da that ring is so beautiful it's fit for a princess. I bet you're happy"
Da Qiao nodded and smiled "Yes of course I'm happy I love him after all" Yet something inside her felt strange like maybe this wasn't the right decision.
Da Qiao's thoughts: (Was it really right to say yes? Do I really love him? I must love him I feel it in my heart, like I would do anything for him. But is this love? I've never been in love so how would I know? It has to be right anyway if my heart does not declare its love for Sun Ce completely without a doubt I can always reject the offer of marriage when he returns. But I'm sure that won't happen.)
Xiao smiled not noticing Da Qiao's doubting "Well Da what happened exactly was it a romantic evening?" Da Qiao blushed a lot at this point.
"He kissed you didn't he!?" Xiao's excitement was unstoppable as she began to jump up and down.
Da Qiao still blushing looked at her with shock "Xiao how did you know that!?" Xiao smiled and giggled girlishly "I could just tell by how much you blushed when I asked about your evening with Lord Sun Ce."
Da Qiao replied "Xiao the kiss it was wonderful, it being my first kiss just made it even more special"
Xiao began to calm down "That's great Da well I suppose I best be off to town, I'm going shopping care to come?"
Da Qiao sat down and said "No thanks Xiao I'd just prefer to stay here, I'm rather tired I went to sleep late last night."
Xiao nodded and waved to her as she left the house through the front door.
Da Qiao remembered the events of last night and how wonderful it was, the minutes passed as her eyes slowly closed as she fell of to sleep in the chair with her head resting on a small cushion.
Meanwhile in the kingdom of Wei
"Damn you wretched traitor, you were seen in Wu by my spies! Don't lie to me the evidence is plentiful to suggest you were defecting to the forces of Lord Sun Jian."
Cao Cao shouted angrily at the officer that lay at his feet.
The officer replied "Oh please, my lord have mercy I was there for your benefit, I was trying to trick Lord Sun Jian into thinking I defected and then I would betray them and give information to you. I would never betray you and the kingdom of Wei"
Cao Cao looked at him with great distrust "I will spare your life if you have any valuable information that can aid me in any way"
The Officer with a terrified look on his face began to search his mind for any bits of information picked up in Wu, suddenly finding the only piece of information there was he stood up and took a deep breath.
"My Lord Cao Cao this information may not aid you in war but maybe in future prospects, I hear you need a wife, One of great beauty a woman who can stand by your side and give birth to a son so that he may continue the Kingdom of Wei in it's glory.
I have seen this woman my Lord her name Lady Da Qiao of Wu, She is of such heavenly beauty all of Wu is captured by such beauty.
Lord Cao Cao if you could try and get her to fall in love with you then indeed she would be secured as a wife.
Just think about it you would be Lord Cao Cao with the woman of such great beauty as his wife all men would envy you."
Cao Cao sat on his throne with his hand on his chin looking at the terrified officer. "You have intrigued me I shall consider it for now you must leave me traitor"
With that Cao Cao clicked his finger and called out to the empty hall "Take him away" From the shadows guards immerged and quickly dragged him away.
The terrified officer shouted out plea's of mercy as his body was quickly dragged away, Cao Cao sat there thinking about the traitorous officers words.
Footsteps came closer and closer to the hall as a figure within the shadows immerged into Cao Cao's view, it was Cao Cao's most esteemed strategist Sima Yi. "My Lord Cao Cao does something trouble you?"
Cao Cao replied "Well the traitor told me of this great beauty in Wu Lady Da Qiao, It is true I am looking for a wife. Some woman of great beauty to marry and give birth to my son, my other son is useless to carry on the kingdom.
Do you think I should pursue this and see Lady Da Qiao as a possible wife?"
Sima Yi waved his fan up and down "Well my lord it would be of great advantage, you my Lord would be taking something from Wu by marrying Lady Da Qiao, If she gave birth to a son then you would have a certain heir to the throne of Wei someone who you could have full faith in not like your son Cao Pi,
He does not have much leadership within him he is too soft that way.
I would advise you my Lord to pursue Lady Da Qiao in hopes of making her your wife kidnap her if you must once you have, try to make her feel love for you. Once so then Wu shall not challenge us knowing the Lady loves you, they will be soft not wanting to attack you as it would cause great distress for Lady Da Qiao and maybe even death. Wu would be in mourning if that were to happen. If the lady refuses still then forcefully marry her in any case you always get what you want"
Sima Yi evilly laughed a force of habit that happened each time a cunning plan was made.
Cao Cao nodded "Then it is agreed I leave for Wu now I must find a disguise though, I will need my bodyguards disguised too. They are needed to help me capture the Lady in bringing her back to Wei."
The bodyguards appeared dressed as soldiers of Wu they walked out of the palace and waited outside by the horses.
A few minutes later Cao Cao appeared dressed also in a Wu soldiers uniform he confidently climbed on his horse with the bodyguards getting on there's as they set out for Wu, Sima Yi seeing them off.