Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors/Rot3k. Koei Co licenses the games.
A/N: Phew, finally get the last chapter up after days of planning and hardship. This final chapter got a little inspiration from the movie Pavilion of Women. I think readers are going to hate me from this final chapter.
Romance of the DW Pairings
Cao Pi and Zhen Ji
Looking at the face of the people around the hall and at the courtyard, they all stare at her with serious looks. As something had happened earlier before she left to walk outside.
Lady Ren appears arguing with the crowd about Cao Pi's cruelty and his illegal ascension to the imperial throne. That was the same woman that Pi bashed years ago because she isn't pleasing him enough, not to mention, Ren grew up in the same hometown as the Wei emperor in Yan. Most of her comments are blaming Zhen Ji's presence for making such a man so ludicrous to have hurt her reputation.
All the bad deeds about the emperor is sadly true, but it didn't affect her marriage at all. Well at last alittle bit. At first, she thought Cao Pi was a kind and caring person, but that was then, her beauty had saved herself of joining with the Yuan family for execution at Ye. Now, Cao Pi went through numerous activities and all of them are either mediocre or not good at all. Well, it makes no different to how Yuan Xi fared before as You province's governor, just right after…so much past memories continue to haunt her.
Crime is very common in living at Wei. Since Pi didn't bother to handle the order leaving the job for officers to carry out the orders of lowering crime rate. Still her presence continues to see the faces of many watching her dissatisfied.
"Fine, I deserve to be treated with no favor. I let my husband do as he please to make the common folks lives a living hell. Just like Cao Zhi," Zhen Ji thought.
"Miss, I want to give you this rose just as a gift. Please take it and don't feel so hard on yourself just because of those rumors spreading around the capital," the man said.
"Thank you, kind sir. I will repay you with my respects," Zhen Ji bowed. However, the crowd soon looked harsh as she hurried to get back into the castle after a day walking out the courtyard and the town.
"So what is my dark prince charming up to this afternoon?" Zhen Ji said.
Cao Pi is sitting on his throne with the audience awaiting new orders from their imperial highness. After Guan Ling incident, he wants to think about recovering the humiliation on that previous battle by Sun Shao and Xu Sheng, but many had argue Cao Pi to make a memorial of Wei's most beloved commander Zhang Liao. Sima Yi is standing there making small mumbling next to his collegues Deng Ai and Hao Zhao.
"Cao Zhen, any news on the Shu army approaching Chang An?" Cao Pi asked.
"As the rumors of Zhao Yun's army movements told, we see no presence of the Shu army according to my spies. They may have returned to Han Zhong," Cao Zhen reported.
"Hm, I have long prepared to attack Shu and now they hesitate and retreated. Hahaha, I thought this Zhao Yun have the guts to lead his army to Chang An alone without Zhuge Liang," Cao Pi amused.
"I heard Zhuge Liang called off the march and ordered Zhao Yun's army back to Han Zhong," Sima Yi said.
"So, the attack was threat, however this Zhao Yun knew well that he could not stand a chance against me without Zhuge Liang," Cao Pi laughed.
"I wouldn't say that if I were you, imperial highness," Huang Quan shrugged. He had just assigned himself in Wei's service, however like Xu Shu, he did nothing for the Cao family than just listen to their amount of arrogance.
"Though, I never bother asking you your opinion, admiral. Meng Da is stationed at Shang Yong, so we will crush Shu anytime, just as long as they knew there is nothing they can do to stop me from their half strengthen selves after Yi Ling," Cao Pi said.
"The Mengs are leading a rebellion against Liu Chan, so we don't have to fight," Guo Huai said.
"No, but I would love for Meng Huo to crush Shu, not only that , but also join my ranks. The Anti-Shu campaign is still going on," Cao Pi said.
"But, can we trust them, your imperial highness?" Cao Zhen was concerned of the alliance with the southern tribes who are so far away from their borders.
"Why trust the savages, my lord? They're not going to succeed against Zhuge Liang," Sima Yi said.
"Tell that to our Qiang allies genius," Cao Zhen said.
"Enough, both of you, I make the predictions here, understand?" Cao Pi argued.
The two men bowed in apology of their ridicule. Sima Yi and Cao Zhen don't get along very well considering how their talents go by. Soon, Lady Zhen appears heading towards the throne standing next to the Wei emperor.
"Good afternoon, my lord," Zhen Ji bowed.
"I've heard you put quite a show around the common folks," Cao Pi said.
"Lady Yan was there…" Zhen Ji revealed.
"And she's still going on and on about me bashing her? Why don't that tramp just fine another guy to bother with…" Cao Pi laughed.
"Women…" Cao Zhen groaned.
"One of the official drew a picture of your recent activities in Guan Ling," Zhen Ji continued.
"Well, I'm not interest in seeing it. You know as well as I do that Guan Ling was fluke," Cao Pi said.
"Liu Xie's former ministers are there also," Zhen Ji goes on.
"Not even going to comment on that. What do they want now? Serve me? They'll leave themselves jobless if they continue mourning a dying dynasty. What's done is done. I want to announce everyone who is still mourning the departure of the Han dynasty…." Cao Pi stood up off his chair.
Everyone from able ministers, tax collectors, royal guards captains and generals stood to look at their lord's official statement of congress.
"Stop living the past and face the facts of the future! Wei is here to stay, serve me or serve the dirt! Anyone who wants to resist me for a coup will be infested with my pleasure of toying your lives! I am the emperor and only one and worthy above all. And those who I control are children to me as myself I am your father and son of heaven!" Cao Pi said.
Everyone remain silence and they understood their position and responsibilities of the Wei house and Cao authority. Sima Yi isn't surprised of the lord's speech, he'll best live long enough to make himself clear or it'll be too late to realize who dares to oppose him.
"You all are dismissed…" Cao Pi returns to his sit and thinks about what is going to happen. The more annoyance he hears, the more his wrath upon innocence beckons.
"Zhang Hu is weeping hard for the lost of his father. Do you care to give the people and Zhang Hu's condolences to Zhang Liao," Zhen Ji advised.
"Why do people even sympathize Zhang Liao and not me? I was robbed at Guan Ling and could have won that battle if it wasn't for those childish tricks from a son of a reckless dead ruler like Sun Ce," Cao Pi argued.
"You want my opinion on Guan Ling? Your own leadership lead Wei's defeat and Zhang Liao saved your live. It's the only thing left he can repay you before he died," Zhen Ji criticized.
"So, you…you blame me for Zhang Liao's death? What an impossible woman!" Cao Pi laughed.
"…." Zhen Ji look down upon herself failing to reason her husband on the great general's love from the people of Wei.
"Don't get me wrong, I envy Zhang Liao and will pay my respects to him tomorrow," Cao Pi said.
"So you will carry out a memorial tomorrow, right?" Zhen Ji assumed.
"Of course, the memorial going to be tomorrow and after that…" Cao Pi puts his hand on his wife's chin.
"Can you do the people a favor for your deeds as their royal highness? Just say, Zhang Liao is your favorite officer," Zhen Ji begged.
"My favorite officer? I don't even have one to begin with, just be happy that I'm appointing the memorial," Cao Pi said.
"But…" Zhen Ji tried to protest.
"It is the word of the emperor…even a wife must act accord to my decisions," Cao Pi finally change his attitude to the famous cold stared dark prince.
Zhen Ji has no objections and she bowed to one who is superior to her, even women. No, she didn't fear this, but feared of their love for each other is falling apart fast. She didn't love him like a perfect husband, but a friend, a bad friend.
Later the next day at Luo Yang, Zhang Liao's memorial is taking place and thousands of people and those who spectulate the fledging dragon's strength at Shou Chun all give their deepest respects paid. By the near need of the memorial…
"I promote Zhang Liao the title posthumous….Forthright Lord," Cao Pi announced.
"…." Zhang Hu stood shocked while he stopped weeping the lost of his hero and turns to one that could have been with fiery anger stare..
"My lord…" Man Chong turns at his imperial highness in shock the same, as are all the other Wei veterans.
"So...that's how you feel…" Zhang Hu began.
"Hu, let it go," Yue Chen tried to calm his sworn brother down.
"After all these years of service, you see nothing more in my father than just a mere general, a peasant!" Zhang Hu's fury ignited.
"Hu!" Yue Chen keep Zhang Hu back from trying to get things out of hand.
"You see this, your so called imperial highness? This…this is the cause worth dying for! And he deserves better!" Zhang Hu said.
"My lord…change the title," Man Chong advised.
"…." Cao Pi is just watching the loud mouth of a common officer's complains with no intention of changing the title.
"He's best friends with your father! He's a leader of the five great generals of Wei! He was the Hero of Hei Fei!" Zhang Hu was removed from his presence dragged by Yue Chen and the proud vassals of Zhang Liao from Shou Chun. "Tell him, Xu Huang, tell him that my father deserves better!"
Xu Huang could only watch as small tears came down his face. All the people who attend the memorial felt sympathize by the son's feelings, but they dare not to protest the emperor's voice.
"My father saved your worthless life my looord," Zhang Hu's voice echoed out of the crowd.
"This young man's tongue is inappropriate your imperial highness. Shall I sentence his punishment?" Wang Lang asked.
"……" Cao Pi is still looking at those who dislike his choices; it won't matter anymore because that's final.
"It appears my respects has been pay due. Lets get back to the castle now," Cao Pi ordered. Before he go, he takes out Zhang Liao's Celestial Blade or Blue Wyvern as it called and place it next to the Fledging Dragon's grave.
Back in the castle, it's more of the same annoyance Cao Pi is hearing from the ministers and his right hand Cao Zhen.
"Riots, protesters, thievery, all are the problems occurred in this kingdom," Xun Chen said.
"And why should I care? Those people are civil disobedient and stupid that couldn't live the life I made for this dynasty. Please, is there any news that interest me?" Cao Pi said.
"My lord, the former Han emperor, Liu Xiu has a proposal for you with a gift of three most beautiful women today," Wang Lang said.
"Oh really! Now that's something I want to hear, send the envoy," Cao Pi ordered.
Zhen Ji overheard the news, but this is the feeling that started to tremble the imperial court and her life. She met Lady Guo, Li and Yi. However, she soon left the audience earlier not knowing that her son Rui is with Cao Pi. It's no longer a happy family from her point of view.
"He thinks I'm going to be acquaintance with those women, never. Why did he push himself down to this level and not support the people of Wei?" Zhen Ji thought.
"My lady, wait. Why don't you stay alittle longer with us? I know it's hard to accept this, but we are living in nobility. Please don't make this any more difficult between us and the lord," Zhang He said.
"No, I think it's over with. There is so much I have to do at Ye, please excuse me, Juniyi," Zhen Ji said.
"Lord Cao Pi knows about your affair with Cao Zhi," Zhang He revealed.
"Zhang He, lets keep this between us, Cao Zhi loves me, but it's a mutual relationship. I sympathize him as my husband tried to make his life miserable. This isn't something I'm paying him back," Zhen Ji explained.
"Uh huh…" Zhang He thinks about it.
"Argh I'm having a headache, good night Lord Zhang He," Zhen Ji bowed.
"Are you sure you're alright, my lady?" Zhang He look worried of his best friend.
"I'm fine, tell the lord that I'll escort myself back to Ye," Zhen Ji ordered.
"Will do…" Zhang He bowed.
He did so and Zhen Ji went outside to await her carriage. Tonight was heretic, she lost communication with her husband, and the people continue to disfavor her. The twenty years of marriage was about to fall. Though, she would have stop worrying about dying in the beginning and just die for a good reason to avoid having her life turned into this direction. Sure, life is so unpredictable at times. Love can be unpredictable and imperfect.
"My lady, your imperial highness want you back into the castle at once. It's important," a guardsman said.
"Sigh…" Zhen Ji returned to the imperial hall. There she sees many people gazing at her and Zhang He is looking at her sad muttering an apology.
"At your presence, my lord," Zhen Ji bowed.
"Alright, since everyone is here. I will like to make an announcement. The education officials will be working with me on my latest work Perception of an Emperor. This news masterpiece which novelize the will of the heavens," Cao Pi said.
"Perception…." Zhen Ji rolleyed.
Everyone applause, but Zhen Ji just glares at her husband as if something hit him on the head. Perception of an emperor; is he already aware of the bad deeds he run into? It's about time she make her move.
"Bravo, my husband! Truly you are one and supreme to the will of the heavens. If I may be so please to tell everyone about our lords darkest and deepest secrets!" Zhen Ji began.
"What…what is she talking about?" Guo Huai whispered to Liang Xi.
"Our lord is the most cruelest, cowardly, superstitious, and disgusting noble ass!" Zhen Ji shouted. "What acts did we see in him on his ascension as an emperor!"
"No…Lady Zhen, don't…." Zhang He whispered.
"Yeah, he gave Zhang Liao a crappy posthumous title. Never accepting any petitions from the people because they're being civil disobedient, put his own brother through hardships, I swear that man doesn't learn a single thing about brotherhood!" Zhen Ji said.
Zhang He smacks his head in embarrassment. She's really going at it with the emperor. No woman in this court would ever dare question the emperor's authority.
"Well, look what we have here. Three little cute kittens, sitting right there when I, the great cheetah waiting to scratch their backs. What accomplishments have you three done that no other woman couldn't?" Zhen Ji asked the three newly wives of Cao Pi. They didn't answer anything, but just stare at her coldly, Lady Guo is most furious of the lady's attitude.
"I see, you please your men better than myself. Well, stud, they're a waste of effort to our kingdom's reputation," Zhen Ji mocked.
"……" Cao Pi almost ignored everything she said.
"What is wrong with me? Am I the cause of Wei's reputation? I love those people and only I understand the meaning of the word love. You, your imperial highness, lacks such knowledge that put my position as your wife in shame," Zhen Ji argued.
Everyone remain silent and put their attention to the Wei ruler. He's still not saying anything, rather mutter the words "Why did she even bother?"
"Let us sovereign the moment, our lord sparred my life in favor of marrying him. Even thought, he was going to kill me. My looks and all are the reason why I was brought to the Cao Family. Now see those three women right before your eyes? They were brought the same thing how our lord's motivation is," Zhen Ji said.
"Woman, you're crazy…." Hua Xin said.
"I am crazy! Because I'm married to a guy possessed of bad deeds! Wants nothing more than to please himself. Wei is all about you and not the heros who worked hard to have founded the kingdom with your most heroic father, Cao Cao, the true Emperor of Wei!" Zhen criticized.
Half of the crowd mumur and agreed. She nod and smirk at her dark prince charming. Then continue the debate against her soon to be ex husband.
"Now, you want to know his secrets? My husband never brushes his teeth. And everyday I've been getting bad gingervittis…" Zhen Ji groaned.
Sima Yi, Deng Ai, and Hao Zhao spit their drinks trying not to laugh in front of the lord, with whispered words of damn.
"Is that true?" Xu Huang whispered to Zhang He. Zhang He just didn't say a word.
"Yes, you see, I'm suffering illness and don't know long I'll be getting better. You see, my husband has the worst kisses a woman ever taste. You three should do well to remember that," Zhen Ji said.
"My lord, that wrench is crazy. All she is telling are lies!" Lady Guo protested.
"If I'm lying, may I ask how much you know little about Pi Pi," Zhen Ji grinned.
"Ji…." Cao Pi warned.
"All I know is that you are the wrong wife for him. You make him look miserable by making it hard for yourself to accept his majesty's word!" Lady Guo said.
"What word? Like the infamous catch phrase he said to me when I was in bed with him, Let your petals bloom beneath me!' That means, 'I'm superior to you woman!'" Zhen Ji corrected.
"Ji….." Cao Pi again trying to stop her.
"How about we have a judge of our cup size? Look at mines and look at yours. Oh, I felt sorry for you Lady Guo, because no way you could possibly be rivaled to my weapons of love," Zhen Ji mocked.
"Ji…." Cao Pi getting irritated by the nonsense.
"Oh, one more thing, he never promote me as his empress, yet begging for my counsel at times I take advantage of his horrible indecisive and I act mean like him sometimes, if it can make that spoiled brat happy," Zhen Ji sighed.
"ZHEN JI!" Cao Pi finally erupt his wrath upon the impossible woman.
"Yes, my lord? What? Do you want another score with me in your filthy presence? How about some nature sex? It's famous for our Chinese heritage. Those are the perception of an emperor," Zhen Ji smiled.
"Get out…." Cao Pi ordered.
"My word…" Xin Pi shocked.
"Excuse me?" Zhen Ji changed her tone back to normal.
"Get out…." Cao Pi's voice rose.
"Oh yes, get out. You might think I'm just playing with you. Hahahaha," Zhen Ji laughed. But nobody is laughing with her.
"I said get the hell out of my house!" Cao Pi wrathfully ordered her.
"Oh, so it's finally over between us. Then I shall take my leave back to Ye. You know, why do I even bother?" Zhen Ji assumed. She heads back outside and entered her carriage. Her tears started to drop, as the road to Ye is a long, but mournful one.
As the whole crowd that were gathered in the audience await for their ruler's next orders, he sat back in his chair angry and disappointed of the rude awaken upon his court. Lady Guo went to comfort him, but he didn't respond, however, Guo's hands felt peaceful to him.
Everyone left the hall back to his or her quarters while Lady Guo went to see her father. She is about to plot something in order to get the impossible woman out of the Wei emperor's life for good.
"Father, I think you're going to like this. The emperor and his wife's relationship are crumbling. If I make this chance to completely wipe her existence off the face of this kingdom, he'll promote me Empress of Wei," Lady Guo said.
"Sounds like a golden opportunity my dear, proceed the plan," her father said.
And she did so first by ordering a few men to carry out her scheme. First she have one man send to Ye in order to seek inside Zhen Ji's room with the dagger planted next to her bed. Later, one tried to poison a cup of drink for the emperor's next banquet. The rest of the men begin to prepare carry out the final plan of Lady Guo's scheme. Once the whole plan is set, it is already two days and she decide to head for the emperor's bedroom to awake him.
"My lord, how is your sleep? Hope you're not getting any more nightmares about your wife, but I have an urgent matter I must speak with you," Lady Guo said.
"Huh, what is it that's troubling you?" Cao Pi said.
"Actually, it's something that will trouble you, my lord. Someone plotting to assassinate you and I am here to lead you to that person responsible for it," Lady Guo said.
"Who dares to assassinate me! Bring me this pest at once!" Cao Pi ordered.
Zhen Ji hadn't sleep for the entire night after the incident and she is still outside the courtyard blowing her flute for hours. She suddenly stops when a group of men came to her presence.
"My lady, you are ordered to be escort to Luo Yang. The Emperor wants you intermediately," the officer said.
"What's going on?" The officers are dragging Zhen Ji like she's being accused of something.
"Sir, I found the weapon laying on her room," the other officer reported.
"What…I never have anything hidden in my room. What did I do wrong?" Zhen Ji asked.
"My lady you are accused of a plot to assassinate the imperial highness," the leading officer stated.
"No…I swear I didn't think of such a thing!" Zhen Ji said.
"But, the weapon was on your bed, is there any explanation about that?" the officer questioned.
"I never plotted on harming the lord, but if the dagger was on my room, then perhaps I'm protecting myself from robbers," Zhen Ji explained.
"Well, we'll see about that from our lord's response, come along with us, my lady," they escort her to the capital. She leaves nothing, but her flute she keeps with her on the way there.
The solution in the capital is a lot worst than in Ye, the people are all staring at her and are her closes friends. When she meets face to face with the dark prince, there's going to be hell to pay.
"Zhen Ji, what is the meaning of this!" Cao Pi said.
"My lord, please let me explain. I never plotted to assassinate you. Although, I dreamt of it, but never wanted to do such a thing," Zhen Ji said.
"You're brave woman, stupid, but brave to come out with such honest explanation. So the weapon laying on your bed is just self defense, right?" Cao Pi assumed. And Zhen Ji nodded as she turns face to face with the wicked young woman, Lady Guo.
"I knew you're behind this, Lady Guo. Is it jealousy that made you plot to plant that dagger in my room?" Zhen Ji asked.
"What nonsense, you know I never think such things of harming the lord, besides I care about him, while you just rouse your mouth at him disrespectfully," Lady Guo said.
"Enough, both of you," Cao Pi said as he continued, "I will think about what to do with you, in the meantime, you will be sent to the room till I order you back here."
Zhen Ji went to the room under house arrest. After a few hours, the officers opened the door to escort her back to Cao Pi.
"My lady, the lord wants you," the officer said.
"Great, more crap just to make me puke," Zhen Ji thought.
At the banquet, Cao Pi's anger is still seen holding the cup filled with wine. The ministers had joined him in this banquet, even Lady Guo again.
"Enjoying your pleasure, I see," Zhen Ji said.
"What is more pleasurable than…poisoning my drink!" Cao Pi shouted.
"Oh boy, keep it up. You're starting to get on my nerves now, Zihuan. You know I never do such a thing at you. I am a virtuous woman at heart and not a spoiled rich brat like you with that truly wicked woman next to you who is trying to make me look like I am evil with such a bad reputation," Zhen Ji sighed.
"….." Cao Pi grunted.
"Just stop acting innocent wrench and confess!" Lady Guo argued.
"I confess…that you are the most wicked, evil, bad seeded version of me. I'll never have that portrayal like you, Lady Guo. Just get on with my execution. I'm no longer afraid to die. And should of died before you took me as your wife, Cao Pi," Zhen Ji said.
"Guards, get this pest out of my sight…" Cao Pi sighed.
"Mother!" Cao Rui arrived.
"Honey, I leave it all to you. Mother is no longer staying in this world. Be good," Zhen Ji said.
"Mother!" Cao Rui tried to stop them from taking his mother away, but Cao Pi stopped him.
"I pray you have good fortune, my lord! That woman is your perfect match in hell!" Zhen Ji echoed.
Those were her last words until the emperor has order her execution by sentencing her suicide at the river by the cliffs tomorrow. She spends her last hours in the room thinking about what happened and what is going to happen. She begins to write a letter to Cao Pi before tomorrow's execution.
By the morning on the next day, the letter was placed at the table until the guards begin to lead her outside. She seen the people sadden by her early death and believe she is innocent.
Now she is at the cliffs near the river waiting to take her fall, but she stand still and turns face to face with the two officers watching.
"Take the fall!" The first officer ordered.
Zhen Ji keep a few inches back and carefully not trip herself or her plan of escape won't come to fruition.
"One woman dead, the whole kingdom falls…" Zhen Ji thought. She then jump until an errie silent lead the two men to see if she took the suicide. They search the edges of the cliffs, then hurried down to the river in search of her body. However, to their expectations, her body can be found anywhere near the site. Could she have survived?
Back in the castle…
"What do you mean she disappear? She probably was dragged miles away from there. Keep searching," Cao Pi ordered. He went to the room where he once send Zhen Ji to and found the letter left on the table. He reads it.
Outside the castle at a darken night…
Lady Guo is not too happy about the news of Zhen Ji's sudden disappearance from the execution. However, she's gone and will never see her face in front of the emperor. Soon she'll be the empress and bear his child. However, she's been hearing famine voices on her walk back inside the castle that struck her in fear.
Beyond the winds…
Two people were on their horse and one of the spoke to the other.
"My Lady, are you sure you can make it to Han Zhong alone without me? The journey may be difficult, but once you reach to Han Zhong, there is a checkpoint where the Shu soldiers inspect visitors," Xu Shu said.
"Don't worry, I'll make it there. And thank you for supporting me all this way, Master Xu Shu. Can you do me a favor, give this flute to Cao Zhi, it may come in handy to protect him as it protects my life, please?" Zhen Ji said.
"I will, Madam and what of Lord Zhang He?" Xu Shu questioned.
"I'll meet him in the battlefield soon. Farewell, master," Zhen Ji waved and rode quietly through the deserted winds to Yizhou. At least, she won her freedom.
Meanwhile, Cao Pi is still reading the letter like many times he did sitting on this throne next to Lady Guo now Empress. Everyone is silent toward the demise of the living goddess of river luo. Her words on the letter continue to doom the emperor and the fate of the kingdom of Wei.
Cao Pi,
When you read this letter, don't bother giving me a memorial for my demise. For several years of our marriage I come to realize from your point of view that the earliest dynasties the perpetuation of sacrifices to the state and handing down of blessings to descendants were all due to empress and consorts. For this reason, you must carefully select such women in order to promote moral education in the palace. Now that you have assumed the imperial throne, you really should raise and promote a worthy and good woman to manage the Six Palaces. I consider myself ignorant and lowly, not equal to the offerings of grain-filled vessels
I assure you that my demise will put a end to this nuisance. You Cao Pi will soon seal your own fate and the kingdom of Wei being the evil kingdom whom your bad deeds has cause a major influence with the officials and consorts alike and people like Lady Guo. You are too close mind to see the true in your people.
My final words are there is one person, and only one person I knew best who is alot better than you are. You will not defeat this person because the heavens favor him and I favor him more since my childhood. But, we were always apart because of people like you. Farewell...
Cao Pi wrathfully sends troops to search for Zhen Ji's body, but when they return, there is no evidence. He ordered Zhang He, Xu Huang, Cao Zhen, and Xiahou Ba to search near Shu borders, but border guards ambushed them with the newly invented arbalets. Hearing from his spies that the Shu army technology has advanced above Wei/Wu's standards, it enraged him. He uses up all his funds for nothing to support the needs of the people and the military. By the year, 226 after a whole year in searching for Zhen Ji's body, he loss his way of humanity and commit suicide. Her disappearance has greatly affected the entire court leaving the duties of the kingdom to their son Cao Rui.
Fin