(( Disclaimer )) I do not own Dynasty Warriors.
Chapter II: Cao Pi's decision.
Stifling a yawn, Cao Pi dragged himself out of bed. Another day, he sighs, fastening the multitude of buckles on his attire. Trudging to the full length mirror, he surveyed his appearance before rolling his eyes dismissively and remembering those twin blades of his which he had left near the bed. His eyes flickered to the empty space on the bed. He was quite surprised that his wife got up earlier than he did - usually, he had to assault her with kisses to wake her up. That was something which had to be done in private, after all, Lord Cao Pi was known to be a bit distant and a public display of affection wasn't exactly in his to-do list. He sighs upon realizing this was what brought most problems to him in the first place.
The emperor of Wei proceeded to the dining hall, walking past the lavishly designed interiors of the imperial palace. He glared at some of the servants when he felt their gaze linger on his solitary walking figure. He shouldn't be surprised about that; the incident at dinner had spread like wild fire.
He entered the dining hall, which was empty save for a few generals who rose as the emperor entered. Raising a dismissive hand to indicate they should just sit back down, he seated himself and looked around, watching everybody go on about their business.
Cao Pi's eyes landed on a particular general who looked clearly out of place in a room occupied by large and fairly old men clad in their battle armor. His hair was gathered in a neat bun on the top of his head with a few strands of loose hair framing his face and he was garbed in a fine silk tunic. He watched Zhang He sip his morning tea serenely. Frowning and looking away, Cao contemplated whether he should ask for… advice. His gaze flickered briefly to where the general sat – but it was empty.
"Yes, My Lord?" A voice spoke up.
A startled, but wasn't quite visibly so, Cao Pi looked at the source. Zhang He was standing a few feet from him, looking as though he was on his way out. Gritting his teeth, Cao Pi composed himself and inclined his head, a sarcastic expression on his visage. "General. What makes you think I have any use for you at this hour?"
Zhang He's mouth twitched to a very small smirk before he bowed his head respectfully, "Well then I apologize for assuming such. If the Lord Cao Pi has no need for my services, I must excuse myself from his presence; the Lady had asked me to run a few errands, and it wouldn't do any good to have her temper flaring up once more." He couldn't help it; a small and almost inaudible snicker escaped.
Cao Pi winced before he gave in and gestures at a seat. "Sit down, General. I must ask you for your opinion…"
"My Lord? Do you not have a brilliant strategist for such? Surely I cannot compete…"
"It's about a far more…" Cao Pi paused and suppressed an eye roll, "…delicate matter."
Zhang He was enjoying himself. He donned on a fairly curious expression, "It does, My Lord?"
Cao Pi's temper was being tested at this time in the morning? Not the smartest thing to do. "General," Cao Pi's temperamental glare was given, "Did I not say that you should sit down? I do not recall giving you permission to ask so many questions. And did you offer your services just so you could change your mind?"
It took all of the graceful general's efforts to prevent a laugh from escaping. Again, he bowed his head. "My apologies, My Lord. But when I recall offering my services, it did not include being insulted. Now if I am no longer needed, I really must excuse myself, My Lord, I have errands to run."
"Insolence." Cao Pi hissed.
"My Lord," Zhang He gave him a warning glare, "You claim I have no respect, but can you say that you do? Or should the Lady Zhen Ji answer that for you? Good day to you, sire." Another bow, this time, it was the last one.
"It wasn't my fault!" Cao Pi yelled at Zhang He, startling everybody in the room, including the elder generals. Pointing at Xu Zhu, Cao Pi was shaking with fury while the heavyset man blinked at him, chopsticks that held a dumpling halfway into his mouth. "HE ate it!" Somebody snickered but stopped as the emperor whirled around angrily to see who that was. A smirk, Zhang He merely shrugged and walked on.
Still seething, Cao Pi glowered at Zhang He's form as his dangerously narrowed eyes never left the general. Slumping in his seat, he scowled and shot glares to almost everybody in the room - a silent message to mind their own business - including the newly-arrived Sima Yi. Oblivious.. or just dismissive of his Lord's foul temper, the strategist paid his respects to the emperor. Cao Pi paid no heed to Sima Yi who was busy informing him of possible campaign strategies and the like and what was the itinerary for the day was.
Finally his head started to cool off.
While contemplating, his facial expressions softened. It encouraged Sima Yi who continued to rant.
After a while, most generals had left the room to go about in their training or whatever routine, the emperor stood up without a word but with Sima Yi scrambling after him.
"Master Strategist." Cao Pi spoke up with a steady voice, looking over his shoulder.
"Yes, my Lord?" Sima Yi bowed, hiding his gleeful excitement that perhaps the man would give a new order about invading a town... Finally. His genius was to be...
"Make sure you tell General Zhang He to come see me when he comes back." Cao Pi walked on, leaving his lead strategist spluttering in indignation.
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