Look at that, we're almost to the end.
Lu Xun: That's so sad.
Yes, it's very sad dear Lu Xun.
Lu Xun: No it's sad because I'm not in this chapter.

Gee, a little self-centered aren't we?

Oh and sorry for the confusion kiki, yes Zhou Yu says that line. "Qing Wan replied silently" is her reaction towards what Zhou Yu was about to say. Sorry!

And Zhou Yu's girl, I think you're thinking about the second Han dynasty. The Han Dynasty where Three Kingdoms take place happened over 1800 years ago. I forgot the order of all the Dynasty's but there were two Han Dynasty's in China.

Anyways this chapter is going to bounce in and out of flashbacks, and I loathe flashbacks. Hope it's not too confusing.

Chapter 33: Truth

Jiang Wei sipped his tea quietly in his office, reading over important scrolls and reviews from the last campaign. Jiang Wei was in charge of combining all these reports for an in-depth one about the incident with the Mist Forest. "Things you have to do." He sighed, "Mei Yi, can you please prepare my ink and brushes?" he called out the open window to where the elderly lady was sweeping the leaves from the pavement.

"Yes my lord." The woman nodded, placing the broom on the tree she walked out of his sight. Jiang Wei put his arms in the air for a big stretch and tidied up his table a bit. He was prepared to be working here until tomorrow morning at least. Minutes after, he heard a loud knock outside his door.

"Come in." he called out, not bothering to look up. "Mei Yi, I won't be eating much tonight, so please prepare something simple." He said to her while reading his scrolls.

"Of course my lord." He heard an unfamiliar squeak, looking up he saw Zhao Yun leaning on the door. "Anything else you want my lord?" he tried to imitate the elderly woman but choked on his own spit.

"Zi Long! You're…you're!"

"Not drunk?" the man laughed, closing the doors and sitting on the closest chair. "Lord Liu Bei banned everyone from selling liquor to me. Quite upsetting, but it's not going to last long."

"You mean you're only going to be sober today?" Jiang Wei raised his eyebrow, Zhao Yun nodded. "Well then, I should make the most out if it."

"Yes, so how has it been? I'm sorry for leaving all the business to you."

"It's alright, I'm used to it." Jiang Wei joked, "So how does it feel to be sober?"

"It sucks." He replied quickly.

"You missed Lord Gan Ning."

"What was he here for?"

"Gan Ning was here to hand me all the reports from the Wu generals about the Mist Forest incident, I have to prepare a full scale report to our Lord now."

"Fun." He yawned, looking around.

"My liquor cabinet isn't in this room, forget about it."

"I wasn't looking for that."

"Oh I also gave him back Qing Wan's bag." Jiang Wei noticed Zhao Yun freeze at hearing that name, "Yes, Qing Wan left it here."

"Oh." He replied coldly, not wanting to hear about her. "So?"

"I also heard a lot of things from Gan Ning about her, would you like to hear?"

"Not really." He replied, but Jiang Wei and him both knew that he was dying to hear information about her. Jiang Wei nodded and started to read his documents again until he noticed Zhao Yun begin to fidget, "Just tell me." He said suddenly.

"Cheng Qing Wan you mean?" Jiang Wei teased, "She's the elder twin of the adopted daughters of Sun Jian. Their father was the great bodyguard Cheng Shang, who died protecting Sun Jian from an ambush that Huang Zu prepared. Qing Wan and her sister Xiang Wan, entered Wu when they were four."

"I don't want her biography, I want to know."

"About her history with Lu Xun?" he smirked, "Well Qing Wan met Lu Xun when she was 18 years old, Lu Xun had recently enrolled as Sun Quan's secretary at 21. According to Gan Ning, the two hit it off really quickly, and secretly dated for about 3 years. Sun Jian found out about it and was happy, he granted their proposal to get married."

"Then why didn't she?" Jiang Wei let out a sad sigh.

"Remember Zi Long, 8 months ago that campaign led by Ma Chao and Pang Tong?"

"Yes, it was to attack Wu, but an ally treaty came out of that."

"That day." He said slowly, "Was the day of their wedding. Their wedding was cancelled and Lu Xun was attacked after the treaty by bandits. He had amnesia, and married another woman named Er Ling or something. Qing Wan got angry, and she left home to where we met her." Zhao Yun was silent; he now knew what Qing Wan meant back in Jing Province when she told him that he had harmed her life just as much. Now he was regretting all the things he said to her in Jing, but the fact that she was from Wu and Wu was responsible for Hua Yi's death tugged at him.

"Oh." Was his simple reply.

"That's it?"

"What's it?"

"A simple 'Oh?' for a woman you love?"

"Who said I loved her?" he snapped, "Why would I love someone who was responsible for."

"Zi Long, we talked about not to mention this anymore."

"I can't just not mention it Bo Yue, I don't understand you. Why are you telling me to go with someone who's affiliated with your own sisters death?" Jiang Wei paused, "I mean, I know you want me to be happy but why her? Why not Jia Ling or something." He noticed Jiang Wei's eyes grow darker hearing that name.

"Zhao Yun…" he sprung from his seat and looked at him tearfully.

"What? What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry." He said quietly, "I'm sorry for hiding the truth from you, I'm sorry for telling everyone to lie. I'm sorry for making you so miserable these years." Zhao Yun looked at him strangely.

"What?" Jiang Wei took a deep breath.

"I promised Lord Gan Ning not to tell you, but I want you and Qing Wan to be happy." He said quietly, "Hua Yi's death…had nothing to do with Wu." Zhao Yun was taken aback on the news he just received. For the past four years, he had hated innocent people and ended up hurting someone he cared for very much.

"What? Bo Yue, explain to me." He shouted, Jiang Wei sat down and sighed again. Angrily Zhao Yun rushed over and grabbed the man by his shirt collar, "TELL ME BO YUE." He shook him before noticing what he was doing to someone who had been supporting him for the past years. "Please," he released his collar, "I want to know the truth. Stop hiding it from me, please." Jiang Wei breathed heavily and closed his eyes again.

"I'm sorry, Jia Ling." He whispered, "The secret has to be told."

"Jia Ling?"

"The person responsible for Hua Yi's death," Jiang Wei paused, "Was Jia Ling."

"Excuse me?"

"When you went to Chang Ban that year…"

Flashback

"Brother Bo Yue." Jiang Wei heard a little squeak from outside his door, looking outside he saw Jia Ling hiding behind it.

"What is it Jia Ling?" he asked her, noticing tear stains across her face. "What's wrong?" he got up and approached the girl who shrunk back quickly. "Jia Ling?"

"I'm sorry!" she cried, hugging herself in a small ball. "I'm sorry to you! To Hua Yi and to Zhao Yun! I'm sorry!" she screamed.

"What are you sorry about?"

"Arrest me!" she suddenly thrust her two wrists at the man, "Lock me up! I can't stand it anymore!"

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Wei took the girl by the arm and led her into his office, "What's happening?" The tear filled girl stepped back.

"I killed Hua Yi! I'm in charge of killing Hua Yi!"

Present

"Why?" Zhao Yun said softly, burying his head in his hands. "Why would she kill her? She's Hua Yi's best friend!"

"Yes, Jia Ling grew up with me and Hua Yi. She was the daughter of a famous banker, but when we were young her father grew corrupt in money and cheated the Emperor. My father, who was very close to him, was in charge of arresting him. Jia Ling's father regretted his actions, and wished for my father to help raise her. Perhaps my father was too tired of raising two children already, he just didn't want another one. So he made Jia Ling Hua Yi's book buddy."

"I've heard of that but that doesn't mean anything. Why would she kill her because of that?"

"You know how beautiful Hua Yi is." Jiang Wei smiled remembering his own sister, "Everyone loved her, adored her. Boys all wanted to court her because not only was she beautiful, she was the daughter of the judge. I noticed ever since I was younger, that Jia Ling would always build up her anger in her. She was jealous you could say, but who wouldn't? Someone not only beautiful, smart and talented but was kind at heart."

"Jealousy? She'd kill Hua Yi for jealously?"

"Wait until I finish. When I came to Shu, the Wei army was furious with me and tried to kill my sister. Jia Ling risked her life and said she was Hua Yi and was arrested while Hua Yi escaped safely to Shu…"

"Did something happen?"

"No, she told them the truth and Cao Cao let her go. She then served under Cao Cao as a maid and then…she met you." Zhao Yun looked at him surprised. "When you were in Chang Ban saving our little Lord she was also there helping the Wei soldiers. She fell in love with you."

Flashback

"You what?" Jiang Wei asked surprised and a bit enraged. "After all we've done for you, you're telling me that you're in charge of Hua Yi's death? Why Jia Ling? Why?"

"Because I love Zhao Yun, and I don't want Hua Yi to have him! Hua Yi's had everything! Even when we were younger! If it wasn't for your father who arrested mine, I could have had just as much fame as Hua Yi! Maybe even more!"

"You're jealous? You'd kill your best friend and hurt Zhao Yun and me because you were jealous? Why? Why would you do that?" he screamed knocking down various things on his desk. Jia Ling cried more as she fell onto the floor, defeated from the pressure.

"I thought if I killed Hua Yi, I could have Zhao Yun…I could be the next Hua Yi…but I can't." she shook her head.

"How can you love Zhao Yun? You don't love Zhao Yun as much as Hua Yi will!"

"I do and I did!" she snapped, "I met Zhao Yun before Hua Yi, and I fell in love with him before Hua Yi. When I first came to Cheng An to attend the wedding, I was happy but once I learned it was with the man I had been looking for…I couldn't take it anymore. Hua Yi's taken too much from me!"

"Hua Yi took nothing from you!" Jiang Wei was now furious on how she tried to get pity by crying, but would become so evil once she talked about how Hua Yi stole things. "You just couldn't obtain it yourself and grew jealous!"

"I know," she paused, "Why do you think I'm confessing this to you?"

Present

"So, it was my fault Hua Yi died?" Zhao Yun breathed heavily.

"No Zi Long, don't think of it that way." Jiang Wei approached him but was swung at by his arm. "Zi Long!"

"It's all my fault? It's my fault she's dead!" he screamed, "Why didn't you tell me?" he looked over at the Shu tactician with tears threatening to spill out of the corners of his eyes. "Why did you have to lie to me for so many years?"

"Because."

Flashback

"How'd you do it?" Jiang Wei asked, "How'd you plan this?"

"To tell you the truth," Jia Ling chuckled. She was now in a white prisoner's uniform, her hair was all let down as she spoke to Jiang Wei through the thick wooden jail gates. Jiang Wei had taken her into the custody because he noticed something was wrong with her, she didn't function like the normal Jia Ling. Instead, he felt that she was possessed in a way perhaps with guilt and jealously. "I was sent by Lord Cao Cao to kill you and Zhao Yun."

"You were what?"

"Ever since I met Zhao Yun, I was interested in this character. I received information about him from various generals, and learned that he was under the leader of Shu. It took years, but I spent my time finding where this great man lived. Lord Cao Cao grew worried about my obsession," she smiled bashfully, "And told me to assassinate him."

"And you promised?"

"He said he would show me where he was. It was a risk I had to take, but who knew when he sent spies he also found my old friend and you Jiang Wei. I was happy that I could be reunited with my best friends and the man that I've been seeking for."

"Then why didn't you kill us? Why'd you attack Hua Yi?"

"I told you, because I had to."

"How'd you do it?"

"Simple, Lord Cao Cao had sent an assassin from Wei. They were mystics, those who study the arts of face changing and black magic. When she arrived, I lied and said her mission was to kill Hua Yi."

"So that day, you purposely caused an argument between us?"

"It was simple," she grinned, "I lied to her and said I had a crush on you, and I knew about your history with Guan Li. So I added fire to the oil."

"You-"

"You know the rest Jiang Wei." She cackled, "I don't know why but it feels so great to tell the truth!" she fell back towards the straw beds laid out for her. "So, how are you planning to kill me?"

Present

Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei walked in silence, while Jiang Wei was telling his story. He led him to the path that lead to Flower Dragon Mountain but instead he took a shortcut through the grass and they were at a small grave. A tombstone with the words 'Grave of Huang Jia Ling' sprawled across in red. Zhao Yun bent down and trailed the letters that were carved in. Raising his fist he was prepared to smash it until he froze in mid air. He didn't have the heart to disturb someone's resting spot. "Why didn't you guys lie to me though?" he asked, getting up from the ground.

"It was Jia Ling's last wish." Jiang Wei explained, bowing to the grave three times. "Even if she was in charge of killing my sister, she was still like a little sister to me."

"How'd she die?"

"I tried to pick the least painful, so I gave her poisoned wine. Then I wrote a letter to Lord Liu Bei to explain the situation, and they agreed to keep it a secret."

"This one secret caused so much problems." Zhao Yun chuckled softly, "Too much problems."

"At the end Hua Yi's body was never found." Jiang Wei frowned, "But at least she didn't die without being avenged. And now she'll be even more happy if you let her go." Zhao Yun stared at the man from the corner of his eyes. "It's been four years Zi Long, you and I both know she's dead."

"I know, but without her being avenged. I just couldn't let her go." He said as the two left the gravesite and began to climb up the mountain path. "I felt that I owed her something, killing her assassin wasn't enough, but I knew there had to be a reason behind this."

"You should let go now, she's been avenged."

"I did let go." He smiled as they reached the mountaintop. Zhao Yun walked into the small cottage house and headed towards the middle of the room. Reaching behind the giant flowerpot, he pulled out the small brown plaque that had Hua Yi's name.

"You mean." Jiang Wei said surprised that he knew about the plaque.

"I always knew, sometimes I would come up and talk to her." He wiped the dust off the plaque with his sleeve, "Now that I know the truth." He placed it back down but this time in front of the flowerpot. "She can finally go into the spot she wants." Zhao Yun went to the back of the room and grabbed out a small towel, gently he began to wipe the dust around the table. "You always liked it clean Hua Yi, I promise I'll clean it for you all the time."

xx

Okay, this got a bit too long here. I hope everyone understood this it seems a bit confusing? If it is, I'll try to explain it later on. But hopefully this 'truth' wasn't predictable, because this took a really long time to think and create! Thanks for reading!

XReika