Zhuge Liang: Emily (the writer) is out of her mind more than usual. So, she has asked or rather implied that I shall be the one to do the introduction today.

Kongming! I'll take over from here.

Zhuge Liang: …

Okay, Yes, I cut the journey short. Wow, such a short time to get where I wanted them. Hmm oh well.

Just wanted to tell you this is based loosely on the musou mode where you destroy Wu first. Also, it is NOT historically accurate nor will it ever COMPLETELY be. I use a little bit of the novel in this even though I'm not quite to some of the parts yet. DARN SCHOOL AND ADDICTIVE THREE KINGDOMS GAMES!!!!!!! Okay so I'm not that far behind.

I'm slightly one-sided about Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge: That's an understatement.

Yah well, sue me. Okay, no don't. You get the point.

By the way at the end of the last chapter was a next chapter snippet in case I confused you (unlikely). Now, this story they go to Wu (no duh!) hehehe anyways…

Ardoris: I shall get you at school if you ever see this Yeah ME yeah woot huzzah whatever. P.S. thanks for adding me to favorite story/author

Guan: You are very right. I reread the chapter and I'm like Dude this sucks! This is probably 'cause the game is kind of like that. You're passing the bridge and then you can go rescue Liu Chan. By any means you're right. Thanks for the constructive criticism. By the way, you may come along more skippiness in other chapters. But please, POINT IT OUT.

Ms. Sleeping Dragon: Thanks. By the way HE'S MINE and you can't have him. You'll see what happens… : D

Wow I took up almost 300 words!!! Oh well.

Chapter 5- Secret Stratagems

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I was alarmed.

"What?"

"Settle, Lady Yu."

"Wh-what about Master Liang?"

"Lady Yu." His tone was reprimanding.

"What?

"I know."

"Know what?"

"About your um…"

"Feelings, affections, love, infatuation, obsession? Perhaps?"

"Uh yes."

"Well, I suppose there's no more hiding it from you. You—you won't tell—"

"No, Lady Yu, but he is a strategist, it's only a matter of time before…"

"Yes. Why did you wish to speak to me of this?"

"Lady Ying only passed 2 months ago. He's not ready for—"

"I know. He may never be ready. Lord Liu Bei, I shall never love anyone else."

"I know, Aven Yu, I know. You're like a daughter to me. I simply wished to warn you. Anyway, Master Liang wishes to leave upon the early morrow."

I exited contemplating his words, and went to sleep, thinking of what he had said. Am I going to far? Am I only to be hurt? I shook off the thought. I loved him. I wouldn't—couldn't break the feeling.

"Lady Yu. Lady Yu." I felt a soft touch on my arm and looked up to see one of my maidservants.

"Yes." I said half conscious.

" 'Tis 3:00 in the morning my lady. You asked me to wake you. To—to go with The Prime Minister to Wu."

"Right. Yes." I wiped my eyes and prepared, pulling on my green armor and headband. I drew my hair into 2 buns with my hairpins.

I met Master Liang outside of his tent. I couldn't help but yawn; He smiled at my fatigue.

"Tired?"

"Very." He helped me into the carriage. I sat next to him and found myself dozing off again.

"It is a long way to Wu. Perhaps a short rest would be in order." I accepted the proposal gladly and fell asleep

"My lady."

I awoke leaning on my lord's shoulder his arm was strong, and I used it to help myself up. "We have arrived." I emerged from the carriage to the warm June air in Jian Ye. The town bustled around the beautiful pagodas and large marketplace.

"There." He pointed to a large building in the corner of town. We walked to the palace and requested entrance with the guards. 2 men emerged a couple of minutes later. One was short and young wearing a red and gold hat and carrying 2 sheathed sabers. The other was taller with hair to his shoulders and a thick red band. He brandished a beautiful sword inscribed with the old script I imagined. He threw a rather suspicious glance toward Zhuge Liang but straightened as he saw me watching.

"Lord Zhou Yu, Lu Xun a pleasure. I request an audience with you. Oh yes, and this is my counterpart, Lady Yu."

"Yes, I suppose you may enter, but the lady's sword must stay with our guards until the end of negotiations."

"Of course." I handed my sword to one of the guards near Lu Xun, and continued walking with the Sleeping Dragon. We made our way to a room upstairs, which was locked upon our entrance. Xun had attended to a separate matter leaving the 3 of us in our deliberations.

"Well, Zhuge Liang, why should Wu form an alliance with Shu?"

"Zhou Yu, you know as well as I of Cao Cao, and the current size of his forces. If we ally we can remove him. I know of one thing that may stop his advance momentarily."

"Name it."

"Cao Cao has built a tower, and he fancies 2 women—the 2 Qiao girls. Rumored to be of unsurpassed beauty. A piece was even written describing such."

"The Bronze Bird Tower Rhapsody?"

"It is."

"Might you know it?"

"I do." He recited it, but I do not recall it now. And must spare you it. I do remember how angered Zhou Yu became.

"Cao Cao shall die!"

"Lord Zhou Yu?"

"The older Qiao is the late Sun Ce's widow, and the younger my own wife." I began to see his plan and watched in amusement.

"Oh my! 2,000 pleas, Lord Zhou Yu. I've said something most unpardonable! Please begrudge me not forgiveness." It took all my power to keep from laughing.

"I shall recommend most graciously to Lord Sun Quan this alliance, for now my servant's shall show you to your rooms."

"We went to our chambers, and I requested an audience with Master Liang. As soon as I entered we began laughing.

"Master Liang, that was mean."

"Yes, well, forgive me, it was necessary."

"And Zhou Yu bought the whole thing."

"It is most acceptable that this will work."

"By any means it was a brilliant plan."

"My many thanks, in a few days we should be home again."

I moved a lock of his hair behind his ear and kissed his cheek.

"Good night."

"Good night." Once that night I awoke upon hearing an unusual noise. Soon, however, I was out again, by a blow to the head.

When I awoke, I was surrounded by blue. I didn't know how long I was out but it must've been a long while.

"Ahhhh, Lady Yu." A familiar voice filled my ears, causing me to cringe.

"Sima Yi."

"It is wonderful to see you again."

"It's my displeasure."

"Come, you must know."

"Know what?"

"How much I love you." He drew me close and kissed me. I slapped him hard and spat.

"I don't love you. All you've done for the past 5 years is torture me along with the rest of the Wei pigs"

"Oh, Lady Yu, You will love me one day."

"Never."

"Why not?"

"So many reasons."

"One."

"I love another." I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"With whom do I compete?"

"It is no competition."

"Who is it?" His anger was visible and audible.

"I—I shall never tell."

"Cao Cao wishes for you to join us."

"That is a waste of his time, and of yours in persuading me."

"What were you doing in Wu?"

"Visiting the Lady Shang Xiang." I fibbed through my teeth.

"You lie."

"What have I to gain by it?" He continued in changing the subject at every moment, effectively annoying me.

"You WILL join Wei!"

"I won't."

"Shall you die then?"

"I would rather."

"Who do you love?"

"I won't tell, and I shall never join you."

"SIMA YI, LET HER GO!!!!!"

"What?" he grew enraged at the figures that appeared before him.

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Next Chapter:I stroked his hair and knelt to his ear.

"I love you, and that shall never change."