A/N: Wheee! Evilness! talks like Willy Wonka in that scary tunnel where the chicken's head got cut off in the lil riverboat The plot is ever thickening . . . and Wei is ever scheming . . . will the plot ever come together . . . will Ra ever stop talking . . . in this creepy way . . . or will she get on with the story . . . YES! YES SHE WILL!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!

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Hua Wan

Chapter 9

"The Dreaded Ring of Wedding Bells"

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The throne room of Cao Pi was dark and quiet. Quiet except for the pitter-patter of soft slippers walking, someone was awake. Light streamed into the two ceiling high windows and cast their light on the marble floor like spilled ink. A foot entered into the range of the light, and Cao Pi was able to be seen. The young commander stood still and looked out the window, his fox-like eyes gleaming. The pitter-patter again started, as he walked out of the light. A moment later he turned, and walked back again.

"You're going to wear that floor out," a cool voice whispered from the shadows.

"Zhen Ji, go back to bed," the commander snapped.

Lady Zhen, the wife of Cao Pi, stepped out of the shadows. Her eyes gleamed in the light like a cat's. She stared at her husband in a bored, uninterested way.

"Your restlessness is waking up the entire city. Why are you up?" she said, ignoring his command.

"I'm thinking," he said, his pacing annoying Zhen Ji greatly.

"Why don't you just leave it to Sima Yi, honey? Come to bed and sleep for once. I've found you in here three nights in a row. The bags under your eyes are so big, they make it look like someone gave you a black eye," his wife said to him with concern.

"Sima Yi is my strategist, but I still am the commander. I rule Wei, and I will rule China, and I shall get the credit. My father listened too much to that man, and Wei almost disappeared. I will bring it back," he said, stopping his pacing and walking up to Zhen Ji and looking into her round brown eyes. "The alliance with the other kingdoms is building our economy back up with all the foreign trade. There is no hunger in the land, my people are returning to their homes. Wei is growing. It will continue to grow, until it is a land suitable enough for gods. Then, my wife, we will overthrow Shu and Wu. Destroy them. And revenge and triumph will be much sweeter, knowing that they were crushed because they built us up. They tried to befriend the lion, and in turn the lion ate them."

"We rule this land, together," whispered Zhen Ji as she hugged her husband, "but only after you come to bed."

She grabbed him by the ear, and pulled him away. The young emperor yelping in his pain and humiliation as his own wife scolded him loud enough for the world to hear. For two years Wei grew with the trade and help of the two kingdoms of Wu and Shu. Growing and expanding back to its once powerful state, and all the while Cao Pi just sneered. Smirking with the thought of ruling what he believed his. Shu and Wu's friendship was growing. Sun Quan and Liu Bei no longer competed for land and grew used to the fact that the land was divided in three. Only the Wei leader Cao Pi seemed to want to unite the land. There were only two unhappy people in these lands. The young daughter of Gan Ning and the young stable boy Zhou Lin still were heartbroken. Zhou Lin's family had found him a nice young girl to marry. She lived on a farm on the outskirts of the capital of Shu. She was very beautiful and kind, but Zhou Lin only looked at her and saw Hua Wan. In Jiang Yi, Gan Ning was getting used to the fact that his daughter would leave him soon. The wedding of Liu Shin and Hua Wan was only three weeks away, and a dreadful three weeks it was for the soon-to-be-bride. There would be no proper wedding ceremony, her being Liu Shin's second wife. That fact made it worse for Hua Wan.

((Hua Wan's POV))

I stood looking at the beautiful silk gown my mother had laid on my bed a few hours ago. It was made of the most beautiful white silk I had ever seen. I was not a wedding garment, but just for the day I arrived in Shu to meet my husband-to-be. Mother said I looked stunning in white. I didn't want to look stunning for Liu Shin. I wish my husband-to-be was someone else. Even after all this time I could still remember him. We barely knew each other for a week, but both of us had known that we had been meant for each other. I was thrown out of my train of thought as several hand maidens rushed in, followed by the Qiao sisters and –to my surprise- Lady Sun Shang Xiang.

"Hello Hua Wan! Isn't it lovely? Lady Sun came all the way from Shu to help with your new wardrobe!" squeaked Xiao Qiao in excitement.

"New wardrobe?" I asked surprised.

"Yes! You're to be fitted for new clothes. You're becoming a wife and a lady of Shu, you're moving on into a new life! Plus, your clothes now will be hard to carry all the way to Shu. The new clothes will be made by a tailor in Shu," said Da Qiao, "That isn't all. You'll be basically getting new everything! You of course are going to be taking with you items of your own to last you until everything that is being made or ordered has arrived at your new apartments."

"New apartments are being built and adjoined to Liu Shin's quarters. By the way, if they are not finished in time you will stay with Liu Shin," said Shang Xiang.

I sat on the bed and let them talk. Why did everyone but me delight in the arrangements of a wedding? Especially when I was the one that was getting married, and I wasn't too happy about this whole ordeal in the first place. Ever since Dad told me about it the day Sun Quan wrote to Liu Bei, I've been even more depressed than before. The three women must have sensed that I wasn't really thrilled and stepped out quietly. I heard their whispering outside my door. I sat on my bed and fingered the beautiful dress. Amazing chaotic patterns of leaves, birds, and flying fish were embroidered in purple on its surface. I looked out the door frame and I could see Da and Xiao whispering with my mother. Shang Xiang was standing off to the side, staring at me. She bit at her bottom lip as if trying to decide something. She walked back into my room and sat next to me.

"Hua Wan . . . I know that you aren't exactly ecstatic about going to Shu. I wasn't either. It turns out for the better, trust me. I love Liu Bei, and I would of never of fallen for him if my father hadn't arranged it. You'll understand over time . . ." said the Lady Sun.

I nodded, too depressed for words. She gave me a halfhearted smile and got up and left. I sighed and watched the sun set for the rest of the day. That is what my life consists of these days. Complete boredom. And so did the rest of the three weeks. The day finally arrived that I was to travel to Shu, and stay there for the rest of my life. Never -or rarely- to see my family again, I rode away on a light gray mare to my new home. There were several guards and handmaidens riding and walking behind me, and Sun Quan and Lady Sun rode in front. The little mare danced around as she walked along, stirring up some dirt. I smiled as she tossed her head around, shaking her mane. She turned her head around and gave me a look.

"Hum?" I asked the mare.

"Brriiieheheh," the little horse responded.

I patted her neck and nudged her with my heel and she turned back around. I felt very out of place on top of that mare in such a lavish gown. Mainly because it was towards the end of fall and it was freezing outside. I looked up at the cloudy sky. They made the day seem even drearier.

((In Shu, Zhou Lin's POV))

I walked along with my two younger brothers by the castle wall. We had heard about something new being built there and had gone to see what was going on. We hopped over the wall quietly and tried to make it look like we belonged there. I saw a young boy pushing a wheelbarrow of food and pulled him aside.

"Excuse me, what are you doing?" I asked.

"Taking food to my family. They're helping renovate the apartments of the new princess, sir," said the child.

"Liu Bei's getting a little old for more children?" I asked jokingly.

"Sir, don't you know? Prince Liu Shin is getting married to a woman from Wu. One of their general's daughters. She's the new princess," the boy corrected me.

"Oh really? Which general?" my youngest brother asked.

"I don't know, sir," the boy said, "May I go?"

I smiled and shooed him off. There was now a pain in my gut, like the kind you get when you know something terribly wrong is going to happen.

"What's the matter Lin? You look like someone died," said my brother Zhou Fai.

"Well, Fai, I feel as if someone has, but I know in my head that it's all nonsense. Common, you two head home. It's getting chilly," I said.

"Aren't you coming?" asked Fai.

"No," I said.

"Why not?" ask the youngest, Sying.

"Don't argue with Lin, Sying. Or we'll both pound you," ordered Fai.

The two turned to go over the wall, but stopped as they were cut off by several guards.

"What are you doing?" asked one of the guards as he glared down at my brothers.

"We were just visiting our friends that were working. That's all, sir," I said, stepping in front of Sying and Fai.

"Very well . . ." muttered the guard with an air of uncertainty.

I grabbed the shoulders of my brothers and steered them to the gate. We walked slowly so not to appear that we were in any rush. I kept a tight grip on Sying. He was sweating with nervousness. Always was a chicken. That's when I noticed that the gate was a bad place to be headed. There –ironically as it seemed- stood Liu Bei and several escorts.

"Ah, for the love of Shu why does he have to be over there?" I asked quietly.

"What you mean?" asked Fai.

"Liu Bei, stupid. He might recognize me. Member from two years back?" I said with gritted teeth.

"What are the chances of that, Lin?" Sying pointed out.

"Not very much, but any chance at all still has me worried," I said.

"Lin you look a little different than you did two years back, just walk by casually and nothing bad'll happen," Fai said with confidence.

"Sure, and you're the one who said Wei would never fall!" I sneered teasingly.

"Beg your pardon, but Wei didn't fall, young lad," said a voice, "It was just broken up, and now it's regaining its pieces."

I immediately stopped in my tracts. Forgetting to lower my voice, one of Liu Bei's escorts responded to the taunt aimed at my brother. Sying and Fai both froze but I pushed them forward. The group of men just watched us as we rushed past them and beyond the gate, I took a sharp right and we slumped against the wall, breathing hard.

"That was close . . ." Sying said.

"Yeah . . ." I panted, "Just rest here . . ."

We sat and caught our breath from our scare. We had never expected to be talked to by an official. Exactly how I felt the first time I entered the palace grounds with Hua Wan. Meeting Liu Bei about gave me a heart attack.

"When is Lady Hua Wan to arrive?" I heard someone on the other side of the wall say.

My heart gave a jolt. My chest felt like it was about to explode. Hua Wan? Coming here? I had to of heard wrong . . .

"I-in severa-a-l hours, y-your majesty," stuttered someone else.

"Good, I don't want my son to have to wait any longer for his beautiful young bride," the first man I guessed to be Liu Bei said.

"Young? Hardly! The daughter of Gan Ning is already twenty-two!" scoffed a very hoarse sounding voice.

Hua Wan then was coming! I had to see her . . . I had to. Then I remembered her words . . . she had said we never could see each other again. Best to forget about her and what I heard. I gathered up my brothers and we left for home.

I was at work when I heard the crowds. Over time I had been promoted, and was now the owner of the stable. Fai appeared at the door of the stable.

"Lin! There are bells ringing! I heard that one of Liu Bei's son's is getting married. His foreign bride is riding through the streets! Common!" he shouted.

Giving in, I put down a sack of feed and ran to catch up with him. Fai stood on a stack of hay as he strained to see the procession. I climbed up beside him and looked up and down the street. We didn't have to wait long. We first saw the crowd being parted by red-clad soldiers. Then I saw the Lady Sun riding beside her brother, ruler of Wu. The lady and her brother were impressive but they couldn't match to the beauty that followed them. There she was . . . Hua Wan. She guided her horse expertly through the crowded and screaming streets. She was a work of art in a white gown of silk and her hair pulled back on one side. Her hair had been curled and it danced and bounced violently as her little mare pranced with excitement. That's when I heard the bells.

BONG!!!

She looked around at the crowd. I begged to the gods that she wouldn't spot me.

BONG!!!

"Please . . ." I begged.

BONG!!!

She looked my way in seemingly slow motion. Her gorgeous eyes looked into mine. Hua Wan's lips parted in a gasp.

BONG!!!

I could feel the sadness in her heart . . . she did not want this day to happen.

BONG!!!

Pain filled my heart as my chest pounded and my fists clenched tight.

BONG!!!

She looked away, suddenly looking ashamed, scared, and painful. Like her heart had been wrenched from her breast.

BONG!!!

With that last ring . . . she vanished out of sight. A tear ran down my cheek and I jumped of the hay stack quickly. Running into the stable, I locked myself into a stall and let the tears come . . . and they only came out faster and faster as my sobs grew louder and each tear burned like fire down my face.

She was gone . . . forever.

End Chapter

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A/N: I know, I know. Heartbreak and more heartbreak! WO AN NI!!!