((A/N: Hello again, all. Wow, I've been doing pretty well as far as updating is concerned… now let's just hope it remains that way. Now, next order of business… I do not own any portion of Dynasty Warriors, so please do not come after me with the law books.
Xiahou. I'm glad you felt some of the emotion in that last chapter. Hoorah!
Da HecKlaR- My my, you're following the story, it seems:hugs:
Zhugeliangsgrl- Really? You're a Zhuge fan? Because I never would've guesed… X3 Anyhow, thanks for reviewing and I'm really happy that you are interested.
Thanks to you all for reviewing, it means so very much! A little side-note for this chapter… most girls were married at age 13 at this period in time. So… yeah…))
Chapter 3 : Arrivals and Decisions
-Zhuge Liang's POV-
The carriage ride was passed mostly in silence, I had rummaged around for a scroll and read it for some time, but the constant bumps made it hard to concentrate, and I found myself lifting the side flap and gazing out at the country side as it tumbled along. I was out in unfamiliar territory now, out in the thick, lush-green of the bamboo forest on a thread-thin little path of white dirt. I must say the route was quite picturesque, and I have returned many times to that place and wondered it was just as beautiful then as it is now. But now is not the aim of this tale- not yet. Then was when it all was starting for me, and then is where I'd like to place the focus.
"Uh… Lo Ban?" I looked towards the man at the reigns of my carriage. He was a man with skin like the white of a turtle's stomach, tall and handsome and thick-armed. He was a servant to my uncle, and had agreed to bring me all the way down to the school where I was to be taught. After that, however, I was on my own- as many boys are when they arrive at their first educational structure.
"Yes, Young Lord?" He did not turn to look at me, did not show even the faintest interest in the fact that I was speaking to him. His voice was monotone and unnerving. I wanted a bit of comfort, a bit of kindness, but he did not seem willing to afford me any.
"Um… this school…" I tried to think of something to say, but I couldn't. I wanted to tell him to turn around, to take me home- back to the mahjong table and my aunt's pale face and little Zhuge Jun and arrogant Jin. I didn't mind the plowing and the tilling- I could do it, honestly I could! And I could do better- oh so much better- I'd be perfect, just let me go back!
Of course I did no such thing. Shame is the only thing that comes of turning down opportunities and denying gifts if they are truly good. "How long until we get there?"
"Do not ask too many questions, Young Lord. Do you know what happens in schools if you act a fool?" He mustn't have noticed that he was basically insulting me to my face, because he continued right on- tone never changing, still not taking the time or extra effort to glance over his shoulder to where I held a flap of fabric aside to get a clear look at his back. "They take a switch and they switch you."
"Switch me? You mean… hit me with it?" I was fairly certain that Lo Ban was merely attempting to shut me up.
"Yes, hit you with it." He said simply.
It was clear he was just annoyed with my presence and wanted a bit of peace and quiet. Lo Ban probably did not want to be escorting me here and there anyway, and it was just as well. As I thought about it, I didn't want to speak to Ban either. So in a state of mutual disaffection, we sank back into silence and I let the flap close, leaning back into the wooden back of the carriage. I searched through my bag of school supplies and texts for a moment, replaced the scroll I had removed earlier. I was closing the bag up when an odd clacking sound caught my attention.
I looked down into the bag, peered around the contents and at last stuck my hand down into it and searched around. Something cool came up against my fingers, and I clasped it and pulled it from the bag- feeling the other objects shift to accommodate the movement of my fist.
When I at last discovered what I had clasped, my mind went rather numb. I laid it in my lap, and it seemed to glow against the brown fabric of my black-bordered student robes. It was a necklace- a string of nicely carved and rounded beads. Green, glistening jade and red-brown, earthy jasper. I remembered these. My mother had given them to me. My real mother. Young. I was quite young when I had received them, but I remembered.
'Prayer beads?' I had asked quizzically.
'Worry beads,' she had replied, running her warm hand over my cheek and smiling at me. I had tumbled with the older boys over an insult, and they had given me a black eye. She patted my head and continued. 'So if anything makes you worried or angry or sad, just click the beads together. It's a comforting sound.'
A week after I had received the beads, my mother never came home.
Now I spread the necklace in a perfect ring on my lap, admiring its smooth texture and pleasing hues. I picked it up then, and rolled the beads in my fingers, it was then that I noticed a small piece of paper attached to it with a white thread. I pulled off the paper and looked at it.
Saw this in your drawer. Thought you might want it.
It was signed too. I gasped and sputtered ever so slightly, then I swallowed hard and blinked my eyes.
Yours sincerely,
-Zhuge Jin
I folded my hands in my lap and bit my lip. Gods, may you bless my brothers! Clicking the beads together, I smiled lightly to myself. Mother had been right. It really was a comforting sound.
-Yue Ying's POV-
Not many women were allowed to make their own decisions about marriage, not many at all. It was a great honor and a great gift that had been given to me by my father, and with it came new senses of responsibility, judgment, caution, and independence. But it was during the next few days, perhaps, that I realized marriage really had nothing to do with love. Not to most of the well-dressed, well-spoken, or just plain high-ranking men. Marriage was a tradition, a responsibility that they needed to fulfill in order to ensure their names would remain as 'honored' as they were. So rank and wealth, I came to see, were all that mattered.
I was inundated with suitors, new ones by the hour. I suppose they figured I was merely an uneducated, defenseless little girl, and had no idea of how to handle myself- that I was gullible and usable. But I was not. Many of the suitors turned right around when they saw I was already 15. Most I refused.
But there was a displeasing and disappointing problem which I knew had been brought up to my father plenty of times. My father, being the kind and gentle darling which he was, did not say anything to me. But I knew the complaint well. I had seen the faces of my courtiers fall as their disappointed eyes gave me the once over.
Head to toe, then back again- and then they'd been a bit withdrawn. In fact, as I was returning to the study after refusing a beady-eyed suitor, I came across he and my father in the receiving room.
"She is too plain, sir," said the suitor, his voice teeming with soft sympathy. "She will never find a suitor- oh and Sir, she is so picky. Now listen to me- hear me out," I ducked behind a chest-of-drawers and made sure my skirts were not in the way, then strained to listen. Checking for hand-maids and helpers, I nestled in close to the wall and stayed perfectly, breathlessly still. After a moment, I became braver, and ventured to peek out around the cabinet.
"I come to you," continued the exquisitely well groomed man, running a hand thoughtfully through his perfectly oiled hair and frowning questioningly off at the ceiling. "A well situated, wealthy, perfectly suitable young man- and what do I seek? Your daughter's hand in marriage. With me she would be assured a luxurious life, and what of you? Why your status rises that much- well, your reputation anyway." He almost put one hand on my father's shoulder, but I saw him recoil. It was not his place to lay a hand on the Governor. "Erm, yes well, dear Governor, you have no sons. What of when you pass on, Sir? Who will assure your daughter's well-being? I assure you that I can, and that it would be for the best."
I saw my father's expression shift with consideration. Oh please don't, father! I thought desperately, hoping somehow he'd pick up my message. Oh please please please, don't make me!
My father was taking this seriously. It would perhaps be best for me, as well as for him. He gave the man the once over- head to toe, then back again. I knew how uncomfortable it made people feel to have that glance sweep over them. Father… father… you promised… you swore to me… you said I was old enough… oh, trust me, father! You said I could make my own decisions!
My father heaved a heavy, loud sound. "I'm sorry." He said at last, and gave the young suitor a stare as cold as ice. I saw the courtier shiver a bit, and take one step towards the door. "I cannot contradict my daughter's decision. Good-bye, sir."
The suitor pursed his lips. "Sir, a father having to go by a daughter's rules? I think-"
"Good-bye, sir."
The suitor turned towards the door and shot forth a begrudging look. "Too plain." He said, and then he was gone.
I stood and walked to the doorway, just as my father was turned with one hand to his forehead. "Oh, Ying…" he looked haggardly at me.
"He's right, you know," I said frankly. "I'm too plain. Which is why I've decided I want to learn."
"Y-Ying!"
"Otherwise I'll just be classy- and that's all. Father, I'm smart- I'm gifted- I've been tutored, but I want more. Let me learn, father, I can learn- you know I can!" I'd never wanted anything so badly. I was nearly in tears.
"There is no educational system for women after the age of 13, you know that." Said my father apologetically.
"I know," I replied, strolling musingly towards a window. "I have… an idea…"
