The story of Hua Ling's banishment spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. Li heard many different versions of how she had been banished from Wu, some still making Li herself out to be the bad guy in the situation. But none of the stories even came close. Only those who had been present at the time knew what had really happened, and they refused to speak of it to anyone else. In fact, those had in been there seemed to be treating Li Tai differently, almost like they were still trying to apologize for every doubting her innocence. Li continuously told them that she forgave them, even though there was really nothing to forgive. But Sun Jian in particular seemed to treat her with more dignity and respect and humility than before.

But Li could not bother herself with things like that now. Despite the rumors rapidly spreading throughout the capital, the mood was extremely happy and excited. Word of Li Tai and Lu Meng's engagement spread just as fast, and neither of them could go anywhere without someone giving their blessings and congratulations. It seemed like everyone was happy for the new couple.

Even Lady Sun was beside herself with joy that her friend was getting married. Everywhere Li went to make preparations for the wedding, Sun Shang Xiang would follow. Sometimes the Qiao sisters would also join, but for the most part, it was just the two of them.

"I don't think I can't wait much longer for this!" Lady Sun exclaimed one day. The two had been shopping down in the market for cloth for Li's dress, and the woman at the booth was busy trying to find a special bolt of cloth that she swore she'd misplaced.

"Well, you'll have to," Li answered, grinning. "I don't know why you're the anxious one. Weren't you complaining about marriage and such on the first day we met?"

Lady Sun laughed. "Oh my, you're right. But remember, I was complaining about my getting married. No you. I am just so happy for you, Li! After this whole thing with Hua Ling, we all need something to look forward to."

At the mention of Hua's name, Li's face dropped a bit, but it perked up as the woman returned with a bolt of fire red cloth. She handed it to Li and hurried over to help another customer. "Wow, I understand now why she saved this," Li said breathlessly. "It's absolutely beautiful."

"And so well made," Sun Shang commented, running her hands over the red silk. Taking a corner, she held it up to Li's face and pretended to study her carefully. Li Tai laughed. "I declare this fabric to be the one for you. No question." Hearing this, the saleswoman hurried over to the girls. Despite her offers for a discount, the girls insisted on paying the full price for the fabric, as it was very well made, in perfect condition, and she had apparently been saving it for a royal wedding.

Li paid the woman, and she bowed low to the two of them, her eyes beginning to water. "You are both true Ladies of Wu. I thank you very much, and I pray that you both live long and happy lives." They thanked her, and with their purchases under their arms, made their way back up to the palace.

"I don't understand why she got so emotional," Sun Shang said after they left. "It was only fair to give her the full price."

"She is probably very poor with a family to provide for," Li answered. "And as members of Sun Jian's court, we can demand things like this from her without paying for them. It is one thing to be feared by your people. It is another thing to be respected by them, and yet another to be loved by them."

"Why were you not a member of our court earlier?" Lady Sun asked, getting a laugh out of her friend as they came to the end of the dirt road, finally reaching the palace.

Water. That's all Hua Ling wanted was water. She had been wandering around for several days without food or water, and soon she was going to drop dead from exhaustion as well as hunger and thirst. She silently cursed Sun Jian and the kingdom of Wu. But mostly she cursed Li Tai. Hua knew that her intention was not to let her enemy die out here in the middle of nowhere. But right now, she wished that Li Tai had sentenced her to death. It would have been quicker than this painfully slow death that was now eating her from the inside.

By the time the sun had fallen from the sky, Hua was no closer to anything than she had been earlier. Still, she stumbled on. She was not going to go without a fight. And if she made it, her first task would be to wrap her hands around Li's neck and slowly choke the life out of her. A slow death would only be fitting for the woman who was slowly killing her now.

Exhaustion overcame her, and Hua Ling dropped to the ground. She struggled to keep conscious, but things around her were moving and becoming blurry. All she wanted to do was sleep. Sleep forever. Slowly, she felt herself hit the ground and the world around her become black.

Hua opened here eyes slowly some time later. It completely dark outside, save for a small light nearby. Slowly, she turned her head to see a small fire close by. Two men were sitting on either side of it, talking in hushed voices. They frequently looked in Hua's direction and gestured towards her, but did not move from their spots. They must have water, or food, or something, Hua told herself. Mustering all the strength she had left, she lifted herself up into a sitting position. One of the men looked over and pointed in her direction. The other nodded and walked over to Hua. In his hands was a bowl of water, which he handed to her.

"What is a woman like you doing all the way out here?" he asked. He had a very stern voice, and the weak light showed the hardened features of a young man. Hua could make out very sharp features and deep eyes, and a mass of hair fell down his back and over his shoulders. Hua simply stared at him as she drained the bowl.

"Fine. No answers." The man rose and walked back over to his friend. When his back was turned, the friend motioned to Hua to come over, waving a plate around. Slowly, she got to her feet and made her way over to the fire. The man who had given her the water pretended not to notice her, but the other immediately filled a plate with food from the fire and handed it to Hua. She took it gratefully and inhaled the food.

The man smiled. "I'm Mao. You must excuse my friend, Cheng, over there." He pointed a little ways away, where Cheng was setting up a tent of some kind. He grunted at Mao and continued about his work. "We are returning from a very important mission, and he thinks that by being grumpy his focus will remain." Hua nodded and continued to eat, saying nothing. "So, what are you doing all the way out here in the middle of nowhere?"

"Long story," Hua whispered. "I was banished from Wu. I'm searching…..for…..something….." She trailed off, unsure of what to say to this man. He took off his cloak and put it around her shivering frame.

"May I ask why you were banished?"

Hua shivered despite the warmth. "Tried to get revenge…….it backfired…….Sun Jian released me to wander………must find a place to go……"

Mao nodded. "Revenge is a very fickle thing. I am sorry that it did not work out for you." She nodded and put her empty plate on the floor. "By the way, what is your name?" Mao asked.

"Hua Ling," she said stoically. "People call me Hua……just Hua…."

Cheng came over and took a seat on Mao's other side. "The tent is set up. What are we going to do with her?"

"I don't know. But she is really weak. Perhaps we could let her sleep in our tent. Just for tonight." Mao leaned in to whisper to Hua could not hear them. "We can leave in the morning before she rises. We'll be gone before she can remember we were here."

"Fine. But unless she proves useful, she does not return with us." Mao nodded and Cheng got up and went back to the tent.

Hua shivered again as she looked at Mao. "I can stay? One night?"

"Yes. It'll be warmer for you, anyway." Mao walked over to Hua and helped her to her feet. Slowly, they made their way over to the tent and got inside. Cheng had already lay down, and Mao gently lay Hua down in the center of the tent. As soon as he put a blanket over her, she fell into a deep sleep. Glad that she was already passed out, he lay down on the other side of her and threw the blankets over his own head. As he began to drift into sleep, Hua mumbled something in her own dreams. Annoyed, he stuck his head under his pillow and tried to shut out her mumbling.

"Li……Li, you will pay…….I will kill you for this……."

Mao shot up from under his blankets and leaned towards Hua. Across from him, Cheng had done the same thing, similar expressions of shock on their face. Slowly, they moved closer to try and hear more of what she was mumbling.

"Li……..how could you take that from me………this is your fault………I will kill you……."

"Do you think she's talking about the same woman?" Mao asked. Cheng nodded.

"It's possible. Keep listening."

The two men watched intently, waiting for Hua Ling to spill this woman's whole name. Perhaps she would be useful after all.

"Li Tai, I will make you pay……..you and your brother and you lover……….all of Wu shall pay!"