Okay, like I promised a new chapter after I re-wrote chapters 1-12. Haha. I split up the old Chapter 12 into Chapter 13. So if you wish, you should read 12 cause I added a new scene that will connect to the storylater on. Sorry, and thanks to the people reading/reviewing. Your reviews mean a lot D. I hope I can write more good chapters for you all to read?
xx
Disclaimer: Dynasty Warriors belongs to Koei. Lalal. La Dee Daa.
Chapter 15: Battle Scars
"You're finally home." Jiang Wei rose from the chair in the main room of the mansion, Qing Wan looked up to see him dressed in his sleeping robes holding a book in his hand. "I was getting worried that something happened." He smiled peacefully.
"Was my absence disturbing your rest? I'm really sorry. Lord Ji."
"Nono Qing Wan, remember to call me Bo Yue, and you didn't disturb me. I just wanted to make sure nothing happened. Luckily Xiao Ling came and told me you were at ZiLong's home." Qing Wan stood there silently unsure of what or how to explain to Jiang Wei the new feelings she was developing for the Tiger General.
"Well Bo Yue…" she stuttered saying his name. After all they only knew one another for less than a day, "The proposal…" Jiang Wei's eyes lit up hearing her mention their plan.
"Have you decided?"
"I…I'd like to help out. I think Lord Zhao Yun has more potential…than being a drunk slug…" she scratched her head , confused at what she was talking about. Jiang Wei chuckled and nodded happily.
"The Kingdom of Shu…would liketo thank you." He fell to his knees softly and bowed.
"Bo Yue!" She shouted, springing to him and lifting him from his knees. She felt a tad guilty because her true intentions were different from Jiang Weis'. "That that is too much."
"You're helping restore a great general, I hope you'll succeed."
"I hope…I do too."
"I'm going to go rest now Qing Wan, but from now. You'll be living as a guest under my house, feel free to spend, eat, and do whatever you want. Treat it like your home." He gave her a light tap on the back and walked out of the room. Qing Wan bowed her head gently until he was out of sight, she looked around at the astonishing mansion she could now call a temporary home.
"Is this really the right thing to do?" she whispered to herself while walking down the dark hallway towards her bedroom, the wooden doors creaked silently as she stepped into the chilly room. Spring was ending soon and fall was approaching, soon it would be close to the Autumn festival held yearly in every major city. "I wonder how they're doing at home." She wondered, dressing into her pajamas. She sat on the stool in front of the vanity table and combed her long hair. "I wonder what they're planning." She placed the comb down, "Whatever, it's not my problem anymore." Sticking her head outside the doors to see if anyone was around, she returned to her room and blew the candle out.
xx
Jiang Wei sat down at the breakfast table and looked around, it was almost reaching mid-morning yet he hasn't seen Qing Wan all day. "Mei Yi." He called out to the elder woman who came running, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Yes Lord Jiang?"
"Have you seen Lady Ji?"
"Lady Ji? She woke up much earlier and stepped out of the house already." Jiang Wei frowned.
"Where would she of gone so early?" he questioned, "We were supposed to go to town today, she's still new to this area, she could get lost really easy you know. Well thank you Mei Yi, you can go back to your work now."
"Yes Lord Jiang."
"Guess what!" one of the housemaids screamed, running into the living room. "Lord Jiang, guess who I saw outside at the market!" she squealed, her basket of vegetables threaten to spill.
"Stop jumping and say it." The man frowned on how much freedom he gave the girls.
"I was buying celery from Da Chen when I saw Xiao Ling and Lady Ji!"
"Xiao Ling of Zhao mansion? With Lady Ji?"
"And I saw Xiao Ling handing a key to Lady Ji!"
"And…"
"That means Lady Ji's taking care of Lord Zhao again!" Jiang Wei dropped the chopsticks he was holding and laughed.
"That's good, hopefully we'll be seeing the old Zhao Yun again."
xx
"Lord Zhao?" Qing Wan said knocking on the door, "It's me, Qing Wan." In a matter of secounds the door swung open with a not fully dressed Zhao Yun, a blanket wrapped around him. His hair wasn't in his normal ponytail, but let down loose covering his eyes. Qing Wan stepped back at his ghostly appearance.
"I'm sorry." Zhao Yun moved his bangs from his face, exposing a warm smile. "Come in." he coughed walking back into his room.
"Why aren't any of your windows opened?" Qing Wan frowned entering the damp atmosphere, "You'll get even more sick this way." She pushed the windows wide open.
"It was cold last night." The Shu general laughed sitting on the table, "Would you like some tea?"
"I'm fine. Thanks." She replied turning around to see empty bowls. "You've been taking your medicine?"
"I have to." He grinned, taking a sip of the tea he poured for himself. "Or I'd be get yelled at by you Lady Ji." Qing Wan blushed and sat down across of him.
"Call me Qing Wan." She smiled, helping herself to tea after all. Zhao Yun scratched his head.
"Then you better not call me Lord Zhao. Zi Long is what everyone calls me." They stared at one another for a bit before breaking into small fits and giggles. "Hai." He sighed, "Thank you Qing Wan."
"For what?"
"For visiting me and taking care of me while I was sick. If it wasn't for you—"
"No." she shook her head, "I should apologize, it's my fault that you're like this."
"Well, I admit I did go a bit wonky cause of you, but now I know. You're not Hua Yi." He pushed his long brown hair back and smiled. Qing Wan stared at the man, feeling her face go redder by the secound.
"What do you mean?" she fiddled with her fingers, avoiding looking at him.
"I could tell." He bent down under the table where he saw Qing Wan's eyes looking down. Surprised Qing Wan rose her head quickly, hitting her head against the table. "Are you alright?" Zhao Yun asked quickly, rushing towards the girl.
"I'm fine. I'm fine." She grabbed onto her head and winced. "So what did you mean, you know I'm not Hua Yi. Well of course I'm not but yeah."
"Well," he pointed to her leg that stuck out from her dress. Qing Wan looked and covered it up quickly blushing.
"I was uh mountain climbing and…"
"Nono, it's because of that." He laughed, "Hua Yi has a birth mark right there." He touched her ankle, causing her to turn twice as red as before. "Yet, you only seem to have battle scars." He trailed the marks with his hand, Qing Wan moved her leg back. "I'm sorry." He shook his head, "Were you in the army?" Qing Wan stared at him silently, she didn't want to tell him that she got these scars at a campaign she was in 3 years ago with Lu Xun against the Nanman. After all, it was Shu who successfully controlled the Nanman at the end. "It seems," he smiled, "That you were stuck by a trident and perhaps a rapier?"
"How'd you know?" she said surprised, covering her mouth quickly. "I mean, no."
"You see," Zi Long pointed to the scars, "It may have faded a bit, but they still form the shape of those simple weapons." Qing Wan nodded amazed at his war talents. "So, where you in the army?"
"No." she looked up, "I just got these scars from um. An accident."
"An accident?"
"It's nothing important." She added looking around the room to see if she could change the subject. Zhao Yun noticed her reactions towards this and chewed on his bottom lip, a bad habit he had achieved when he was younger.
"So, where do you stay now?"
"I stay at Lord Jiang's house."
"Bo Yue, does he treat you well?"
"Lord Jiang is a wonderful person, he was the one who helped me decide a few things." She smiled; Zhao Yun couldn't help but feel a pinch of jealousy, all though he knew in his heart that he had to wait for Hua Yi. "Say Lord Zhao, you think when you get better. You could show me around town?" she asked suddenly remembering Master Li's daughter mention his name. She knew it was bad to use it for this reason, but the hairpiece was so important to her. She had to do it.
"Of course!" Zhao Yun exclaimed, "I'd be happy to show you around." He said excited before coughing horribly into his blanket again.
"But I think we'll have to wait a bit." She smiled.
XxEnd Chapter 15
Eeh boring eh? Xx. But I promise it's something important that will connect to the story O.O;.
Maybe…YES IT WILL! Once again thanks to the people who took their time to read this:D
Now…-drools over DW5 graphics-
(Lu Xun: You just think I'm cool cause I have abs XD!)
Shut up o.o;
XReika