Zhang Liao - Wényuǎn
Cao Cao - Mèngdé
Xu Chu - Zhòngkāng
Xiahou Dun - Yuánràng
Xiahou Yuan - Miàocái
Liu Bei - Xuándé

Guan Yu - Yúncháng
Zhang Fei - Yìdé

Zhang Liao - Wényuǎn
Zhang He - Jùnyì
Cao Pi - Zǐhuán

Cao had deemed their business within Xu Province as complete and ordered Bei to get his forces ready for travel. Ordered. The word left a bad taste in Bei's mouth but there was nothing that could be done. He did as he was commanded and his camp had been broken down. He and his people would be soon ready to travel so he took the opportunity to see the progress Cao's people had made.

Instead of going into their camp, he decided to watch from a distance. Tensions were high between the two parties and he didn't want to unnecessarily stir up trouble between the them. Bei couldn't help but be impressed with the speed in which Cao's people had readied their own camp for departure. He would have thought that with such a large force it would have taken a longer time but that was not the case. They too were almost complete in their task. Cao trained his people well. They moved quickly and efficiently.

Liu Bei managed to spy Zhuyue and Xiahou Dun as they argued with each other. Dun was trying to convince his wife to take the carriage and she adamantly refused. Despite being with child, she didn't want to be coddled and wanted to ride her own mount as usual. Bei wondered what it would be like to have such a feisty woman as a wife. Wife...He cast his eyes away from the bickering couple to the ground. The pang of regret washed over him anew at the thought of his deceased wife.

"My lord?"

Bei looked up to the stern face of Zhao Yun. He could tell that the news he was about to receive was going to be bad. Bei had tasked Yun with looking for Diaochan. When he returned to their tent after visiting Lu Bu, Diaochan had been missing. He thought that she was angry that he hadn't been showering her with affection and decided to sleep somewhere else but after Lu Bu's execution, she could not be found within his camp. They sent forces to look within Xiapi but she could not be found and he had asked Cao if he saw her and was given a rather cryptic response that made him feel uneasy.

'I know not where she is but perhaps that is one person that is better left unfound,' Cao had said to him. When Bei asked him what he meant by that, Cao had simply turned his back on him and walked away to get his forces ready to depart Xu Province.

Now Bei feared that instead of simply running away, Cao had stolen Diaochan from him and he sent his trusted vassal Yun to get to the bottom of the matter.

"Do you have news of Diaochan?" Bei asked in a quiet tone. Yun nodded in response.

Bei rose a hand to stop him from speaking another word and motioned for Yun to follow him.

Bei led him back to what was left of their camp. They soon found themselves near a copse at the far edge of the camp. Bei swallowed hard, before speaking.

"So tell me...has Cao Cao taken my Diaochan?" he asked in a low tone. Despite the privacy he had, he still feared that someone might overhear them.

"Cao Cao does not have lady Diaochan," Yun replied. The look on his face told Bei that there was more that he was holding back from saying.

"So you found her then?"

"I have," he replied.

"Where is sh-"

"I am sorry my lord, but the lady Diaochan is no longer of this world."

Bei felt as if he had been fallen into a river in the peak of winter. There was a moment of shock followed by a wave of numbing pain. Another had been taken away from him? So soon after the other? Why have the heavens given him such misfortune? Had he not been a good man? What did he do to deserve this?

"W-what...how?" he managed to stumble out.

"Beheaded. Her body was sloppily hidden on the road between our camp and Cao Cao's."

The road between his camp and Cao Cao's. These words repeated in his mind over and over. Cao Cao had to have known about this. He had to have had some hand in this. Bei clutched his fist.

"Cao Cao...you bastard..."

"I don't think he did it, my lord," Yun interrupted.

Bei's eyes focused on Yun, blazing with anger.

"How could you say that? I told you what Cao Cao said to me when I asked him about Diaochan! He had to have known! He did something to her! He couldn't have her so he killed her. She wouldn't give herself to him so he killed her for it! That is what happened!" Bei said angrily, abandoning all pretenses of secrecy.

Yun looked around uneasily. Thankfully, the others were busy packing up the rest of the camp and paid no attention to them. He looked back to Bei and saw past his anger. He saw a man in pain. A man who had just lost his wife and child and now his lover. He wondered if he should continue on with his report. He had no doubt that the rest of the information would hurt his heart even more yet remaining silent could cause a dispute between Cao and Bei, and that would be a war that Bei would not win.

"I spoke to some of Cao's men," Yun began.

Bei remained quiet and waited for Yun to finish, his face twisted with a mixture of pain and anger.

"Lady Diaochan came of her own will to Cao's camp," Yun continued.

Bei recoiled as if he had been struck. Diaochan went to see Cao on her own? That can't be. They had to be lying.

"Impossible. They are lying. Cao's men would lie for him," Bei said quickly. Yun frowned and shook his head.

"I don't think they are. I didn't mention this before because I thought nothing of it at the time but I caught lady Diaochan attempting to enter Cao's camp before. She had a bundle with her. She told me that it was gifts for lady Yue and I believed her."

"If that is what she said it was, that is what it was!" Bei exclaimed. "Why do you doubt her?"

"Because I found a bundle very similar to what she carried that day next to her body. There were no gifts inside. It was lady Diaochan's belongings."

Bei exhaled. He felt as if the air had been stolen from his lungs. So Diaochan planned to leave him? Worse yet, she planned to go to Cao Cao? If what Zhao Yun says is true, then she planned to leave him even before they found out the fate of his wife. Why? He couldn't understand it. He showered her with love and attention. Certainly, the closer they got to getting his family, that waned but only because he worried for his family.

Yun remained quiet as Bei's eyes stared at the ground. His face contorted every so often as he thought. It was clear to see that this news brought him pain and Yun felt badly that it was he who laid it at his feet.

"No. I'm sorry but I don't believe it. There has to be an explanation for what you found. Those clothes...she was not carrying it because she was running away...perhaps she went to share it with lady Yue. From what I know, she has been wearing men's robes thus far."

"My lord..." Yun began but was cut off by Bei.

"No, I will speak to Cao. One of his people had to have harmed her, whether it was on his orders or not I do not know but I know it had to be one of them. I will get to the bottom of this."

Bei stormed off towards Cao's camp with Yun following behind him; his pleas begging him to reconsider his actions falling on deaf ears.

Bei found Cao standing besides members of his family, engaged in a conversation.

"Cao Cao, I must speak with you," Bei said the minute he was close enough to him.

Their talks ceased immediately. Cao, who's back was to Bei looked over his shoulder to him.

"That's twice you have spoken to me as if we are on the same level Liu Bei. I forgave you the first time but this time, you better have a damn good reason for doing so."

"Diaochan is dead," Bei replied angrily.

"And how is that my problem?" Cao replied flatly as he turned fully towards Bei.

"I demand answers!"

"You presume to demand something of me?" Cao asked, his tone mildly amused with one of his brows arched up. He folded his arms across his chest and looked over Bei. His veneer of calm was already shattered. It seems he was finally pushed past his breaking point.

"She was last seen in your presence!" Bei retorted angrily, spittle flying from his lips.

"Was she?" Cao replied as he turned his head up towards the sky and feigned thought.

By this time a considerable amount of attention had been drawn to the spectacle. Several generals from both sides as well as Bei's sworn brothers had gathered around them.

"There you are brother! What's going on?" Fei asked.

He paused and looked between the two men. It was easy to see the tension in the air, most of it sparking from Bei's direction. Fei focused on his brother and could see the naked pain on his face.

"What happened brother? What's wrong?" Fei's asked as he quickly went to his brother's side.

"Dioachan...It's Diaochan...she is dead."

Fei's face registered shock upon hearing this news. Yu's however, did not. He turned his head from his brother and looked to the heavens asking silently for forgiveness once more. Bei, so wrapped up in his own misery did not notice that his trusted brother did not look the least bit surprised at this news but Yun did. His eyes followed Yu and his brow furrowed in uncertainty.

"What happened?!" Fei exclaimed again.

"Your brother is obviously distressed. You should take him somewhere before he says something he regrets," Cao said.

"I only wish to know the truth. Am I not entitled to that?"

"I have no truth to give," Cao replied in a nonchalant tone.

"You claim to be a man of virtue but I see you are no better than Lu Bu! You scheme to steal a man's woman and when she turns you down you have her killed!" said Bei.

Many eyes turned to Cao, surprised by this sudden accusation and curious to see how he would respond. In turn, Cao closed his eyes and took a deep breath to reign in his anger. He told himself that Bei was speaking from a place of grief. He had recently lost his wife and child and now his lover. What man wouldn't react irrationally? It was several minutes before he opened his eyes and focused them on Bei.

"You are hurting. This has been a trying week for you. You are not thinking rationally. For that reason and that reason only I will not remove your fool head from your shoulders. But I will say this one time and one time only. If you dare speak like this again, I will kill you."

"That said, since you are so determined to know the truth, I will tell you. I will tell you of what I so nobly tried to shield you from before. Your woman was a whore. She came to my tent in the dead of night seeking protection from you. She claimed you beat her and asked me for sanctuary. I denied her because I am NOTHING like Lu Bu. I do not take women that belong to other men. I have no need to do such a thing. I sent her on her way back to you. What happened to her afterwards is of no concern to me."

Bei sucked in a deep breath. It was just as Yun had said. But it couldn't be. His mind wouldn't allow him to just accept this as fact.

"And I am suppose to take your word for it? You could be lying to cov-"

"Enough," Cao said. He was no longer able to check his anger. He was getting tired of being called a liar and being question in such a way in front of his men.

"I have told you the truth. I have proof of my words, tell me Liu Bei, do you have proof that your woman was as virtuous as you believe?"

Bei balked. He didn't have proof. He only had his words and what he knew about her. Yun had called her loyalty into question as had his sworn brothers previously. Cao could see his resolve wavering and decided to press his attack.

"Tell me, you say you know she came to my camp the night before she died...what reason would a pure maiden do such a thing?"

When Cao said the words 'pure maiden' his voice was dripping with sarcasm. It angered Bei to hear that Diaochan's virtue was being called into question by Cao. He knew her...didn't he? When he replied, his voice cracked slightly, voicing the doubts he was beginning to have even if his words said otherwise.

"S-she went to bring clothing to lady Yue."

"Ha! Not likely," Zhuyue exclaimed, breaking the thick tension that had surrounded the group.

"You think this is funny you bitch!" Fei sneered as he took a few threatening steps towards her. "My brother just lost his love and you laugh?"

Dun was immediately in front of her, his weapon already in hand ready to defend the mother of his unborn child.

"Brother, enough," Yu said. He pulled his brother back and sighed. It was his silence that was causing this to escalate this far. He had to say something. Yu opened his mouth to speak but before he could utter a word, Zhuyue spoke once more.

"How loudly Master Bei's dogs bark. I will tell you why I laughed little dog."

Fei growled ironically giving more credence to Zhuyue's insult and moved to approach her once more. He was again stopped by his brother Yu.

"I found it funny that lord Bei truly believes that Diaochan would go out of her way to bring me clothing. She had to have told him of our past disputes. The last time we met, I dragged her by the hair behind my horse. I doubt that she had so easily forgotten that. Had that woman come within two feet of me, she would have died. She knows that. We were not friends and no paltry gift would have changed that. If she slinked into our camp at night, it wasn't to visit me."

Bei's heart ached. Zhuyue's words pierced through his already breaking resolve and he began to realize the truth he tried to avoid. Diaochan truly had meant to leave him. She meant to leave him for Cao Cao and in his ignorance and impetuousness he had brought this embarrassing fact to light in front of many who would otherwise have no clue.

Bei couldn't find the words to reply to Zhuyue, her words instead sinking into his own mind. He found himself remaining silent and to defend his honor, his brother Zhang Fei spoke for him.

"So you had reason to kill her!" Fei yelled as he pointed an accusatory finger in Zhuyue's direction. "You said so yourself, you hated her!"

"Liu Bei, control your brother or you will find yourself losing more on this day," Dun warned. "I will not have him accuse my wife of something she did not do."

"You think you can take me blind Xiahou?" Fei taunted as he drew his own weapon.

"Enough!" Cao said in a booming voice.

"Do you see the chaos you have wrought, Liu Bei? You are asking if I or any of my people had anything to do with your woman's death. I will tell you plainly that the answer is no. I do not know what became of her after she left our camp nor did I care. She was no longer my problem once she left my boarders. Instead of looking for her killer among my people, you should look amongst yours."

Bei finally seemed to snap to life. He had no choice but to believe Cao Cao's words. He did not have proof that he was involved in Diaochan's death and despite having his doubts, he had no choice but to accept Cao's words as truth...at least for now. Bei saluted Cao Cao.

"I...It seems I have made a grave error. As you said I spoke from pure emotion. It has been a trying week for me and I was not thinking clearly. I ask that you forgive my actions this day."

"Be sure that your men are prepared to leave for Xuchang. I have no desire to stay here any longer," was Cao's reply as he turned his back and walked away from Bei.

Bei could not have hope for a better response. He didn't realize until he began to think clearly but his accusation could have jeopardized much. He and his army are currently without a land. Cao could have very well chosen to abandon them and he would have been in the right to do so after Bei's behavior. Bei frowned feeling disgusted with himself. He needed to do better as a leader and as a man.

Diaochan. He truly did love her. Yes their relationship had been on shaky ground in the past few months, but his love for her didn't diminish. It seems that the same was not true for Diaochan. A part of Bei's mind still tried to rationalize why she sought Cao Cao out so late at night, unaccompanied but there was no excuse. He could only accept the painful truth. His brothers had been right. Diaochan hadn't loved him at all.

=#=

Zhuyue groaned as she dismounted. They had been traveling for hours and her body ached terribly. Of course while riding, she hid her discomfort from her husband and the others but now that Dun had gone off to oversee the setting up of the camp, there was no longer any need to put up a false pretense.

She hobbled over to a secluded area away from prying eyes. She found a relatively dry patch of grass laid down with a contented sigh as her muscles relaxed. She noticed movement in the corner of her eye. Someone was trying to very stealthily creep away.

"Where are you slinking off to? Stay."

The figure froze as commanded. Zhuyue waited for a few moments but noticed that whoever it was just stayed rooted in the spot where they were caught.

"What are you doing?" Zhuyue asked as she pushed herself up on her elbows and turned to look at the person in question.

Lingqi shifted uncomfortably under Zhuyue's gaze. When Zhang Liao went to assist with setting up the camp, she thought it would be best to avoid others. She hadn't felt entirely comfortable with her new allies as of yet. Lingqi had come to this spot to be alone and was surprised when Zhuyue tottered over. She intended on slipping away unnoticed but things did not go according to plan.

"You are Lu Bu's daughter."

Lingqi's face contorted in disgust. It was an action that came so natural she didn't even notice it. After hearing of all the crimes committed by her father, Lingqi began to see him in a different light. Learning of the atrocities he committed forced her to look over her life as his daughter and she realized it wasn't a happy one. He was never there for her as a father should be. He never showed her love and the concern he showed for her well being was only to suit his needs. As the days rolled on, the image she held in her head of her father was tainted. The man she once held on a pedestal now made her sick to even be related to him.

Zhuyue knew the look Lingqi wore on her face. She had worn it herself many times. It seems that like her, Lingqi wasn't exactly daddy's little girl.

"Sit," Zhuyue commanded.

Lingqi, not wanting to rock the boat moved to do as she was told. Zhuyue gave an exasperated sigh and laid back on the grass.

"Not there. Come closer. I'm not going to hurt you."

Lingqi hesitated for a few moments before moving closer to Zhuyue and sitting. The two women sat in silence. Lingqi wasn't sure why Zhuyue had called her over and as the time ticked by, she was becoming increasingly antsy.

"Damnit, I'm sorry I have been trying to remember your name but my memory has been awful lately. I have no idea why. Tell it to me and swear to not forget it again."

"Lu-" she paused. She was going to introduce herself as Lu Lingqi but that was a name she wanted to distance herself from. "Lingqi," she replied after correcting herself.

"Lingqi, I won't forget it again," Zhuyue said with a yawn as she sat adjusted her position. Gingerly she placed a hand on her stomach and yawned again. "I'm Zhuyue or rather Yue since I got married."

Zhuyue noticed that Lingqi chose to omit her family name. She remembered when she began to do the same thing. She wanted to distance herself from her father as much as she could and she imagined that Lingqi wanted to do the same. She saw so much of herself in this girl.

A comfortable silence fell over the pair. Lingqi still didn't understand why Zhuyue called her over. It couldn't just be to ask her name. She decided to try and figure the woman out so she decided to ask her a question.

"You serve lord Cao?"

"I do."

"Y-you actually fight battles under his flag?" asked in a surprised tone. If this woman could fight freely for her lord, perhaps she would be given the same opportunity.

Zhuyue sat up and looked at Lingqi.

"Is that strange?" she asked as she looked at the girl. "Surely you have fought for your father. You fought in this recent battle didn't you?"

Lingqi looked down to her feet as suddenly feeling ashamed. Zhuyue obviously did not know her past and she wasn't inclined to share such details with a relative stranger.

"Ah, your father wouldn't let you fight. He did seem surprised when he saw you lined up with the rest."

Lingqi bit her bottom lip as Zhuyue spoke. She did not confirm or deny her words.

"I wonder...was it because he was worried for you or was it another reason?"

Lingqi remained silent and Zhuyue sighed. She was pushing too much and the girl was withdrawing.

"Yes, I have fought battles under lord Cao's flag as I am sure you will, unless your husband-to-be has other plans for you," Zhuyue said deciding to change the subject to make Lingqi more comfortable.

Her attempts did not fare well however as Lingqi looked utterly flustered.

"Haven't had that talk with your man as of yet have you?"

Lingqi shook her head no.

"Have you two spoken at all about what he expects of you?"

Lingqi shook her head no once more.

"So I guess your engagement was a surprise then?"

"Yes," Lingqi in soft tone.

"Do you dislike him?"

Lingqi lowered her eyes to her feet once more.

Zhuyue had pushed too hard once more. She sighed and gave Lingqi a tired smile.

"We will never get to know each other if you keep quiet like that so I have an idea. Why don't you try asking me a few more questions?"

Lingqi considered this. It would be the perfect opportunity to try and get answers to some of the questions that had been plaguing her since they left Xu province. While there was no guarantee that Zhuyue would answer all of her questions, it was better than knowing nothing at all. While the questions she truly wanted to ask burned at the forefront of her mind, Lingqi decided it would be best to ease into those topics. She imagined Zhuyue would be more forthcoming if she made it seem as if she was interested in getting to know her as a person rather than just pumping her for information.

"Did you hurt yourself in the last battle?"

Zhuyue gave her a quizzical look so Lingqi decided to explain her reasoning.

"The way you were walking earlier. You looked as if you were injured."

Zhuyue laughed.

"I was only injured by my foolish pride. I would appreciate it if you did not mention what you saw to anyone, especially my lord husband."

Lingqi did not understand her response nor why she wanted to keep her injury a secret but she nodded in agreement anyway.

"You are married?"

"I am to my lord husband Xiahou Dun. You were there when Liu Bei made an ass of himself about Diaochan right?"

Lingqi nodded her head yes. "Well that was my lord husband," Zhuyue said with a proud smile.

"He is lord Cao's cousin."

Lingqi remembered him. He gave off a rather frightening aura. She truly thought he and the big bearded man were going to fight, especially when he called him Blind Xiahou.

"Did you truly hate Diaochan? You sounded as if you did..."

Zhuyue laughed at this. "She wasn't worth hating. If anything I pitied her. When I looked at her, I saw what I could have become had I allowed my father to have his way with me. The girl knew how pitiful her life was and instead of changing it, she thrived in it just as a maggot thrives within the bowels of a overripe carcass. She was disgusting and death couldn't come soon enough for her."

Lingqi considered Zhuyue's words. Pitied Diaochan? She didn't pity her. She hated her. Hated her because she stole love from her father that was rightfully hers. At least that was how she felt once before. Now she wasn't sure how she felt. When she heard that Diaochan had died she felt absolutely nothing at all.

"Did you join lord Cao because of your husband?" Lingqi asked eager to move past this topic.

"Hmm, yes and no. I joined because I wanted a way to get away from my father. I wanted to fight. My husband was the one who recruited me to fight for his lord but we did not fall in love and get married until after."

"Get away from your father?" Lingqi repeated softly. She was surprised to hear that.

"Yes. My father...was not a good person. He used me as a tool and never truly considered me to be his child. When my lord husband showed up at my home I saw an opportunity to leave and I took it."

Lingqi was surprised to hear Zhuyue being so candid about this. She freely gave this information away to someone she barely knew. She did not understand why but she did not want her to stop either. It made her realize that the two women were closer than she had originally thought. She wanted to know more. She needed to know more.

"Your father let him take you without marrying you?"

"Not exactly. He complained but my lord husband is not a man easily deterred. He took me against my father's wishes. My father still tried to meddle but lord Cao put an end to that."

"Put an end?"

"The same way he put an end to your father...though perhaps not quite as gruesome."

Lingqi went silent once more. So her father was truly dead. She knew that had to be the case but to hear it so bluntly made it real in her mind. She wasn't sure whether she felt relief or sadness about this news. Rather than sort through her feelings, she chose to ignore them completely. It was easier for her that way.

"Had your father committed a crime?"

"You mean had my father done something to warrant being killed by lord Cao? Yes, he had thought I do not know if lord Cao truly knew the extent to his crimes as I had known. He was not a good man and he earned his death."

"You don't...miss him?"

"Did you miss the part when I said he was not a good father and never treated me as more than a tool to be used? He beat me regularly and told me I was a curse upon our family. He despised me and I assure you, the feeling was mutual. No. I do not miss him. Do you miss your father?"

Lingqi frowned at the question. She wasn't sure how to answer that. Part of her still did and another part didn't. She couldn't. What was there to miss? He was barely there for her when she was growing up and the times he was there, it wasn't spent paying much attention to her. He never trained her because he claimed he was too strong for her and would hurt her so that role went to Zhang Liao. Liao was also incredibly strong but he was still able to train her without issue so why couldn't her father?

Lingqi could remember running to her father when he returned home from battle with a bright smile ready to show him how much she had improved the moves she painstakingly practiced. She would try her absolute best and he would watch her with an uninterested eye and tell her that she needed to do better. Not once did he tell her she was doing a good job. In fact, she wasn't sure if he ever said the words I love you to her. Maybe that was the problem. She wanted her father to acknowledge her. To love her. She wanted her father to know that she existed as more than just a political tool. Maybe part of her heart still waited for that acknowledgement but now that he was dead, it would never come.

"Part of me does...but I don't want to. He...he wasn't a good father."

"It will pass," Zhuyue replied softly. Lingqi looked at her and saw for the first time a hint of sadness in the woman's eyes. They truly were more alike than she had thought.

"What about your mother?" Lingqi asked.

"What about her?"

"What is she like?"

"I don't know. She died when I was born. My father blamed me for her death...I never got to know her. I know she liked to sew. When I was younger, I found a lot of things she had embroidered by hand. She was very talented. When my father found out that I found them, he was furious and burned it all. He said that my filthy hands soiled them. I only managed to keep a few handkerchiefs but that was taken from me as well..."

"By your father?"

"No...by someone else," Zhuyue replied in a dark tone to match the look in her eye as she recalled the treachery of Xiulan.

"I...I'm sorry..." Lingqi replied.

"I'm not. As a result, I got my daughter Xiaolian...and I consider that much more precious than some silly old handkerchiefs from a woman I never knew."

Lingqi tilted her head in confusion but Zhuyue did not offer any further explanation. Lingqi decided to let the subject drop. It wasn't truly her business anyway. Honestly, she was surprised that Zhuyue had been as forthcoming with her life story as she had been. It made her feel more comfortable around her. It was good to know that there was someone just like her around. Did Zhuyue somehow already know this? Is this why she wanted to speak to her?

Lingqi took a deep breath and decided that this would be the time to try to get some information. She only hoped that Zhuyue would continue to be as forthcoming as she has been.

"Do you know what happened to my mother?"

Zhuyue frowned and Lingqi's heart sank. Her mind began to interpret the meaning attached to that frown and each thought was worse than the last. After a few moments of silence, Zhuyue finally spoke.

"Were you close to your mother?"

Were...past tense...so her mother is dead then?

"Y-yes," she replied as she tried to unsuccessfully swallow down the lump that had formed in her throat.

"I am sorry to tell you but your mother is no longer of this world. "

So lord Cao had killed her mother too? Why? She hadn't done anything wrong! She was as much of a victim of her father's rule as Lingqi was so why? Why let her live but not her mother?

"It seems she was poisoned," Zhuyue continued.

Lingqi looked to Zhuyue with wet eyes. "Poisoned?" she whispered. That didn't make sense. Why would Cao poison her mother? Why give her such a painful death. Or...did her mother kill herself? No, that doesn't make sense. She was with child. She wouldn't have killed herself. She wanted to live.

"We do not know who killed her but it seems that your father was betrayed."

Tears began to streak down Lingqi's cheeks. Betrayed...It seems that the discontent of her father's men was worse than she thought. Of course she heard the whispers amongst the generals when they thought she wasn't listening. They weren't happy with her father's rule. The last few months of his rule were tremulous and fraught with in-fighting. Instead of addressing the rumors, her father chose to drink and stay by her mother's side. It was a despicable end for a warrior of her father's caliber and when she took to the field, part of her wanted to regain the honor he had so easily thrown away.

"Two more deaths on my father's hands," Lingqi said as she wiped the dew from her cheeks.

"Two?"

"My mother was with child...though it wasn't my father's. He thought it was...but it wasn't. She did not know that I knew...but I knew."

"I see," Zhuyue replied. "Did you know who's it was?"

"Gao Shun...he died in the last battle," she replied with a hint of sadness. "I saw them together once. Kissing. I never told anyone. I knew if I did, my father would kill them both," Lingqi continued.

It felt good to finally get that secret she had been dragging around off of her chest. What surprised her was the person she opened up to. She did not truly know this woman for long but for some reason, she felt completely comfortable with her. Perhaps it was due to how similar they were?

"What will lord Cao do with me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will he truly let the daughter of Lu Bu join his ranks?"

"If you are useful, yes. Lord Cao respects talent, no matter where it comes from. He will not waste a possible resource. As long as you can prove that you are loyal, you will have no problems."

So that's the kind of man Cao Cao was? It sounded too good to be true especially considering how she and Liao have been treated thus far. Lingqi felt like nothing more than a pariah since joining Cao's forces.

"Give it time," Zhuyue said as if reading her mind. "It will get better."

"There you are."

A small smile spread across Zhuyue's face at the sound of her husband's voice. Lingqi hurried to her feet and saluted Dun as he approached. He looked her over briefly before focusing his attention back on Zhuyue.

"What are you doing over here?"

"Enjoying a conversation with our newest member; Say hello," Zhuyue replied as she slowly got to her feet. Dun moved to help her but Zhuyue shooed him away.

Dun looked the girl over once more then mumbled out a hello.

"Don't mind him, grouchy is his normal disposition. You'll get use to it," Zhuyue said with a smile as she teased him. Dun pinched her bottom in reply making Zhuyue yelp in surprise. She spun around and punched him in the chest in retaliation which only elicited a smile from Dun.

Lingqi couldn't help but smile at the two. They seemed to be in love. She wondered if she would ever get to such a point with Liao.

"Hungry?" Dun asked his wife.

"Extremely," Zhuyue replied honestly. This response made Dun smirk. She has been trying to put a brave face up since finding out she was with child but when it came to the topic of food, she never hid her intentions.

"Come on then."

"Would you like to join us Lingqi?"

Lingqi hesitated. She wanted to speak with Zhuyue some more but she was hesitant on being around the others. She saw the looks they gave her and Liao. They weren't trusted as of yet. If she ate with them, it would most likely be an uncomfortable experience.

"No thank you. I'm not hungry."

"I see," was Zhuyue's reply. She smiled at Lingqi and saluted her. "Well then, I hope we can speak again."

Lingqi returned the salute and watched Zhuyue and her husband walked off. Her stomach rumbled in protest at her decision to not join them for a meal. Lingqi gave her belly a few pats to reassure it that they would get food soon enough.

Lingqi did not have to wait long as Liao appeared shortly after with food in hand. Lingqi happily accepted and began to eat.

"When you are done, I will take you to your tent. I made sure it was close to mine so if you-"

"We won't be sharing?" Lingqi asked in surprise, cutting him off.

"I thought it would be best if you had your own tent. It isn't appropriate for a girl to sleep in a tent with a man she was not married to.

"But we will be married soon right? No one seemed to care before."

What was she saying? She wanted her mouth to stop but it wouldn't. It just kept saying what she was thinking.

"I have been thinking about that. I know I put you in a bad situation. I apologize for that. It was the only way I could see to save your life. But do not worry, I will not force you to marry me. We will delay our vows and once I gain some recognition fighting under lord Cao's flag, I will tell him that I have reconsidered my decision to marry you. You will be free. I only ask that you bear with me for a while."

"So you truly don't want me..." Lingqi mumbled silently. So silently Liao barely heard her.

"Lingqi..."

"Just tell me. I think I need to hear it."

Liao pressed his lips into a tight line and remained silent. He was unsure of how to proceed. Lingqi looked at him, eyes pleading. He finally let out a sigh and spoke.

"It is improper of me...to...ask such a thing of you. I watched over you...as my student for so long...to have eyes for you in any other way...it is not right."

"Damn being proper!" Lingqi exclaimed angrily surprising herself and Liao. "Tell me. I need to know. If you do not want me, I will steel myself for that. I will put it out of my mind. But if you do...I want-no, I need to know. Please?"

"We...have traveled far. You must be weary. Let me show you to your tent so you can rest."

"Wényuǎn...please?"

Liao could hear the pain in her voice and it hurt him to know that he caused it. It was the last thing he wanted to do.

"Lingqi, you have gone through much recently. You lost your father, your home and...there are things you do not yet know."

"Such as the death of my mother?" Lingqi asked. Liao's face registered momentary shock before relaxing back into its neutral stance.

"So you know. I'm sorry I did not tell you sooner. I didn't want to burden you so soon after the loss of your father."

"I am not a little girl anymore Wényuǎn. I don't need you to protect me."

"You are stronger, Lingqi. I do not doubt that, but there will never be a time in which I will not protect you."

"So that's it? You will always see me as that little girl you have to watch out for. You will never see me as a woman."

"Lingqi-" Liao began but Lingqi held up a hand to stop him.

"You are right. I am tired. Please take me to my tent."

Liao nodded and they walked in silence to the tent he had set up for her.

"My tent is over there should you need me," Liao said as he pointed to a tent not far from her own.

Lingqi did bother to look in the direction he was pointing in nor did she reply. She instead ducked inside of her tent leaving a perplexed Liao standing outside.

=#=

Zhuyue was frustrated. They had been traveling for three weeks but they were not close to their goal. Cao opted to play it safe by traveling slowly with their army due to reports of a possible ambush by Yuan Shao's forces. Cao wanted to ensure that his people were well rested and able to fight at a moment's notice. As a result, it was taking them forever to get back home and Zhuyue was on her last nerve. She missed Xiaolian and the rest of her family. Traveling was getting increasingly difficult the more time they took as well. Her stomach was getting more pronounced as time went on and with the extra weight came extra problems.

When Cao had called for the army to stop and rest for a few days, Dun had disappeared leaving Zhuyue alone. She was livid that her husband had left her to set up their tent on her own. Spewing obscenities under her breath, she struggled with the task until she got frustrated and tore down what little she managed to set up.

"Are you okay Lady Yue?"

Zhuyue turned to see Lingqi standing a few feet away, obvious concern written on her face.

"No. I am fucking frustrated. My stupid fucking husband went to I don't fucking know where and this fucking child is making my fucking life miserable!"

Lingqi gasped and covered her mouth shocked to hear Zhuyue speak in such a way. Zhuyue sighed, seeing that she probably scarred the poor girl with her sudden outburst.

"I'm sorry...I just...I'm not having a good day."

"I-It's okay," Lingqi managed to get out, still a bit in shock from hearing a lady speak in such a profane manner.

Zhuyue offered her a weak smile. "You'll understand when you go through it."

Lingqi frowned. After the last conversation she and Liao had, she didn't expect that would happen. She loved Liao but after speaking with him that day, she was sure the feeling wasn't mutual. She doubted that she would find someone else to love and to be honest, she didn't want to, so she resolved to devote her time and energy to becoming a better warrior. If she was a respected warrior, who would care if she was unmarried?

"Do you want me to help you?" Lingqi asked as she looked at the sad remains of the tent Zhuyue had destroyed.

"Tch, I should leave this mess for my dear husband to find."

As if being summoned by the mere mention of him, Dun's deep voice came from behind them, startling both women.

"What are you doing?" Dun asked as his eye looked over the remains of the tent then to Zhuyue.

"What am I doing? What were you doing? How could you leave me to set up the tent all by myself?"

Dun looked at Zhuyue as if she had grown a second head.

"What are you talking about?"

"You just disappeared the moment the call to set up camp was made! Why would you do that?"

"I went to talk with Mèngdé like I always do. Why the hell would you think that translates to Zhuyue set up the tent?"

"Well...I... if I didn't do it I would have to wait forever for you to get back and do it!" She retorted after a few seconds of floundering for an answer.

"Zhuyue...we have servants that set up our tents. I don't even set up our tents. You do know that right? I'm sure you do. What the hell is wrong with you lately?"

Zhuyue looked to the tent remains and then to her husband.

"We do have servants for that...don't we?" She looked up to the sky and tried to figure out why she thought she had to do this on her own. Lately her memory had been so frantic and it was frustrating her. How could she forget something so basic? Zhuyue let out a frustrated sigh.

"I blame your child. Since you put this thing in me my memory has been terrible."

"You are going to blame our unborn child on your sudden bout of insanity?""

"I swear if you do not want to end up like this tent you will shut up."

"I'm terrified," Dun replied flatly. "Come crazy woman, Mèngdé has called for a meeting."

Dun looked over to Lingqi who had been standing on the sidelines quietly watching their exchange.

"You as well."

Lingqi saluted and followed them to over to the war tent that had already been set up. Cao and the other generals waited inside. Lingqi noticed Liao immediately. They hadn't really spoken since she asked if he wanted her. She avoided eye contact and chose to stand next to Zhuyue instead of taking her usual spot beside him. They waited for a few more generals to join them and the meeting began. Cao quickly outlined his plan for the next few days.

"While we did get word that Yuan Shao may attack us as we travel, I believe it may be a feint. He could have started this rumor because he is aware of my tactics. He knows that I would travel more carefully with my army to avoid being taken unawares which would delay us in getting to Xuchang."

"Therefore I will lead a smaller force back to Xuchang using an alternate route. My son Pi will lead our main force to Xuchang."

There were murmurs amongst the generals at this decision but Pi paid them no heed. He stood before his father and saluted.

"As you command father."

"You are to maintain the current pace we have been going. If Yuan Shao truly does have eyes on us then it will be imperative that you keep them on you. If the smaller force is discovered, we will undoubtedly suffer heavy losses."

"Understood."

"As for who will be traveling with me-" Cao paused to look around the tent to his generals.

"Zhòngkāng, Yuánràng, Miàocái, and Fèngxiào. You will join me. Zhuyue, you of course will be with us. I imagine all this traveling has been quite taxing on you and it will only get worse the longer we take.

He noted the surprise look Zhuyue had given him.

"Oh please. Do not think you were actually successful in hiding your discomfort during our travels. Lingqi-" The girl straightened up at the mention of her name.

"It seems you and Zhuyue have been getting along rather well. As stubborn as she is, she will not admit when she needs help but she does. You will be assisting and protecting her while she is with child. Of course, should anything happen, Yuánràng will be there as well but his focus must be on fighting for all of the army. Until she is able to fight for herself once again, your focus will be to protect her at all costs. Wényuǎn speaks highly of your skills so I trust this shouldn't be a problem?"

"No my lord. I will protect her with my life," Lingqi replied.

She was both surprised and pleased to be given a task from Cao. It was the first time someone had trusted her with a job. If she showed that she could do well in this task, she was certain she would get others. She was equally surprised that Liao spoke positively of her skill. It showed that he truly did care for her. Unfortunately, it isn't the type of care she wanted.

"Liu Xuándé and Guan Yúncháng," Cao continued, "You will join us as well."

Liu Bei wasn't surprised by this. He knew that after his previous outburst, Cao wanted to keep a close eye on him. Though if he had to be honest, he didn't like the idea of leaving Zhang Fei alone. The last time that happened, he became the catalyst that started the spiral of misfortune Bei had been dealing with until now.

Bei stepped forward and saluted Cao. "I am glad to accompany you, but I shall be taking Yìdé with me instead of Yúncháng."

Cao glared at Bei as he made his declaration. He didn't ask if he could take Fei, he told Cao he would take him. It seems the that he has not yet learned proper deference to his power. Cao was right to want to keep an eye on him. Even though he was a spineless man, he showed glimpses of something more and that something needed to be watched carefully.

Cao was slightly disappointed that it wouldn't be Guan Yu to joining them. He wanted to use the time to get closer to the man. Yu was an exceptional warrior and Cao felt as if he was floundering his potential under Liu Bei's leadership. He couldn't very well deny Bei his request without revealing his hand so he did the only thing he could and waved a dismissive hand towards Bei, noting that he allowed the request.

"We leave in the morning. Rest up because going forward, the travel will be hard."

The generals saluted and began to filter out of the tent.

=#=

The night passed uneventfully and morning came. Those who were preparing to leave were up before the sun peaked over the horizon and prepared for their journey. Much to Zhuyue's dismay, Lingqi took her duties as her new guard very seriously. The girl was at their tent just as she was shaking off the last vestiges of sleep. It annoyed Zhuyue how bright eyed and ready for the day she was while she herself moved at the pace of a bloated slug.

Before long, the horses were prepped and they were only waiting on Cao Cao to begin their travels.

"Are you sure you can do this?" Dun asked as he pulled Zhuyue close to him, mindful of her growing belly.

"I'll be able to handle it, don't worry. I'm not quite that big yet. Besides, I have the best inspiration to get home as soon as possible."

"Mhm, I actually can't wait to see how she will react when she sees you. Maybe she will even crack a smile," Dun remarked with his own small smile.

"How do you think she'll react when she finds out she will be a big sister?" Zhuyue asked with a smile as Dun's calloused hand ran over her stomach. It was a habit he had developed since learning that the child was his.

"Hmm, good question. Guess we'll find out when we tell her."

Zhuyue shifted her attention Lingqi who was standing a few feet away from them. The girl watched the pair longingly wishing that she was able to have something similar.

"I think she will like you, Lingqi."

Zhuyue's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Lingqi flashed her a sad smile in reply.

"Hmm, what's wrong? Nervous about going off on your own without Wényuǎn?"

"W-what are you saying?" Lingqi asked flustered. "I am capable of being without him, my lady. I just...was thinking about things."

"Oh...so you are thinking about how much you are going to miss him? You have time to run and give him a quick kiss if you want," Zhuyue teased.

Lingqi face went red, flustered from Zhuyue's comments. Zhuyue had taken up teasing Lingqi regarding Liao since she wouldn't give her any information on their relationship. She told the girl that since she refused to divulge any information, she would draw her own conclusions about their relationship and she had been doing so ever since. Lingqi had learned that Zhuyue had and incredibly dirty mind for a lady.

"My lady, please," Lingqi said with a groan.

"Oh...looks like you do not have to say good bye to him. Seems like he is coming with us."

At first, Lingqi thought this was just another jest by Zhuyue, but the look on her face told her otherwise. She spun around to see what had captured Zhuyue's gaze and saw Liao walking a few steps behind Cao.

"We are ready to leave. Wényuǎn has asked to accompany us and I decided to allow it," said Cao as he mounted his horse.

From atop his horse, Cao gave out instructions on who would be riding where. Yuan and Dun would ride beside Cao while Zhuyue, Lingqi and Jia would stay in the middle. Liao, Chu, Fei and Bei would guard the rear.

"Zhuyue, are you sure you can do this?" Dun asked once more. Zhuyue nodded and he studied her to see if he could see any hint of deception. With a sigh, he gave up and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead.

He looked to Lingqi.

"Watch after her."

Lingqi saluted and Dun returned it before heading off to mount his own steed. Everyone mounted and ready, the journey to Xuchang began.

=#=

Zhang He sway to the music as he followed the hypnotic song to its source. He already knew what he would find at the end. To this day he had not found anyone who played the flute quite as beautifully as Zhenji. As predicted, he found her sitting in the palace garden with the moonlight her only company. He opened his mouth to greet her but froze when he saw a purplish bruise adorning her otherwise flawless face.

"Oh my beautiful butterfly who dares bruise your beautiful face?" Zhang He asked as he cupped Zhenji's face with the tenderness of a man looking after his lover. He spoke to her softly but he quaked with an anger rarely seen in him.

Zhenji gently pushed his hands away and put distance between them. She knew that He meant nothing by his actions but if caught by her husband, she would receive another beating and one was more than enough per day.

"You know who did it she replied softly.

"And what was the brute's reasoning this time?"

"The same as always. He felt the need to take his failures out on someone other than himself."

He sighed and lowered his head slightly holding three of his slender fingers against his face.

"How utterly ugly that man is. How he could mar such a beauty...it is unfathomable! Tell me my dear; Give the order for me to sink my claws into his miserable chest and it shall be done."

"And where will we go if you did so?"

He looked up with a charming smile. He gestured to the pale glowing orb that hung above them.

"We could go anywhere we want! Who would not want beauty like ours?!" He asked ending his speech with a dramatic pose.

Zhenji giggled softly at his antics. He always had a way of making her laugh.

"It is a nice dream but we both know it isn't true. Unlike you, I do not have skills to survive in the world. Beside playing my flute, there is little else I can do."

"Do not sell yourself so short my dear, you have been getting much better at fighting."

"And I thank you for taking the time to train me in secret but let's be honest...I am not good enough to be truly useful in battle. You...you could go anywhere. There are many generals that would want your talents as a warrior. I envy your freedom...while I sit as a bird trapped in a gilded cage."

"Again, you sell yourself short my dear. There are many men who would kill to marry a woman such as you."

"But while my husband draws breath, I am tied to him. There is nothing I can do."

He leaned closer to her and spoke in a whisper.

"Then say the word my dear and I will kill him for you."

The way he said it was different from all the other times. Whenever he spoke of rescuing her from her prison it was always made in jest. A fantasy to give her hope. This time however, he sounded as if he would truly do it if she so commanded it. The words hung on her lips waiting for the slightest push to tumble out. Her troubles would be over and she would be freed from her hell but she knew that it wouldn't be quite so easy. Yuan Shao would never let her go.

"How much I wish I could say the words...but I know what would come after. It would not be a happy ending for either of us. Better that I remain the trapped little bird."

He frowned and looked towards the sky. With the glow of the moonlight kissing his features, Zhenji was struck by how beautiful of a man he truly was.

"You look sad today. What happened?"

"This life that I currently lead. It has no beauty. It is ugly and twisted. I have tried to find elegance hidden beneath the petty squabbles and foolish pride but what I find is more grotesque than the last. I cannot thrive here...I do not know how much longer I can last here."

Hearing there words tore at Zhenji's heart. Zhang He was her only friend here and if he chose to leave, she would truly be alone. Once again the urge to take He up on his offer hung on her lips causing her to press them tightly together to ensure they did not accidently slip out. As much as it pained her to lose her only friend, a part of her felt relief that at least one of them would be free.

"Jùnyì, would you listen to me play a song?" These days, He was her only audience. There was a time when her husband and father in-law would listen to her play but the novelty had apparently worn off. She was delighted to find a listener in He because after all, what good was music if it could not be shared?

"I live for your songs my beautiful butterfly. Please, play."

Zhenji gave him a soft smile before bringing the flute to her lips.

=#=

Just as Cao had promised, the journey was a hard one. Cao moved at a brutally fast pace and Zhuyue was immensely thankful whenever he would stop to allow the horses time to rest. Zhuyue rested against a tree and rubbed her inner thighs. The act wasn't lewd by any means as the robe she wore completely covered any hint of bare skin but she felt completely exposed under the gaze of Zhang Fei. She had caught his wandering eye on her more than once and it wore on her nerves.

Lingqi stood in front of Zhuyue, right in Fei's line of sight, completely blocking her from view. She saluted Zhuyue.

"Do you need anything my lady?" She asked.

Zhuyue smiled up to the girl. "You have already done enough," she replied. She couldn't be sure but she swore she heard Fei suck his teeth in annoyance at his view being blocked.

Perhaps it wasn't her imagination at all because at the very moment, Lingqi looked over her shoulder with a look of contempt.

"He's disgusting."

"That he is," Zhuyue agreed.

"I have caught him looking at me as well. Why did Liu Bei become sworn brothers with a man like that?"

"Liu Bei isn't exactly known for his good judgment."

"I suppose you are right. He did trust my fath-I mean Lu Bu-after all."

"So he did," Zhuyue replied with a thoughtful hum.

Lingqi was trying so hard to separate herself from Lu Bu's legacy. She truly wanted nothing more to do with that man. Zhuyue could remember those days, when she wanted to pull herself away from her father's name and all that he stood for. Sometimes looking at Lingqi was like staring at a painful reflection of herself and what she had endured to become the woman she was today.

"Have you spoken to Wényuǎn?"

Lingqi frowned and turned slightly to the side to Zhuyue could no longer see her face. Zhuyue laughed softly. Despite becoming more comfortable with each other, Liao was still the topic that Lingqi remained silent on.

"He stares at you every time we get a minute to rest you know."

Lingqi folded her arms across her chest, refusing to take Zhuyue's bait.

"My lord husband and I were as stupid as you two are you know? We took so long to acknowledge how we felt for each other. So much wasted time. I don't want you two to make the same foolish mistake."

Once again as if speaking about him summoned his presence, Dun walked towards the pair. Lingqi saluted once he was within range and he returned the gesture. While Zhuyue eyed him with a hint of suspicion that he was somehow eavesdropping on their conversations.

"It seems that Mèngdé's information was right. One of Yuan Shao's sons attacked Zǐhuán's forces."

"How bad?" Zhuyue asked as she pushed away from the tree.

"Not bad at all. The attack made was a foolhardy one. It was as if he was only half committed to doing it. He probably thought that Mèngdé's forces would be fatigued from travel and easily taken unaware. He learned the hard way that wasn't the case and fled the minute he saw that he was losing."

"So what happens now?"

"The plan remains the same. Mèngdé' wants to get back to Xuchang as soon as possible. We aren't too far now. Can you keep going?"

Zhuyue sucked in a deep breath and nodded her head.

As if he saw her response, Cao called for an end to their break. It was time to travel once more. Dun had left the women alone to join Cao and his brother once more. No more words were spoken between Lingqi and Zhuyue but her words about Liao stayed with her for the rest of the trip.

=#=

Xuchang was in sight at last. The guards seeing the approaching army began to open the gates. A wave of excitement rushed through Zhuyue. Her stomach fluttered making Zhuyue think that her unborn child was spurring her on. Her pain and discomfort momentarily forgotten, she snapped her reigns and dug her heel into her horse's flank to spur it on. With a whinny it charged forward.

"M-my lady!" Lingqi exclaimed surprised by the sudden burst of speed. She spurred her own horse on to follow after her.

Cao, Yuan and Dun watched in awe as Zhuyue raced past them with Lingqi following closely behind.

"Stupid woman," Dun growled at his wife's reckless antics before chasing after her.

"Guess she's happy to be home," Yuan remarked.

"I'm surprised you are going to let them get home and spread the news about Zhuyue's return and the fact that she is with child before you."

Yuan's eyes widened at the realization.

"Shit!" he exclaimed before forcing his horse to chase after them with Cao's howls of laughter at his back.

=#=

Zhuyue rode hard until she reached the family home. The minute her beast came to a stop, she was off of it nearly stumbling to the ground in the process. Her thighs ached fiercely and her legs felt as if they would give out on her but she pushed herself forward. She wanted to hold her daughter in her arms.

She headed to the entrance. As they always did, the servants went to greet their visitor. Their faces went ashen when they saw exactly who it was. She pushed past them, not bothering to explain her return and headed into her home.

"Xiaolian!" She called out as she went from room to room. She was disappointed when the girl did not respond to her call.

She crossed the inner courtyard and headed towards where her in-laws resided.

"Xiaolian?" She called out again.

To her disappointment, it was Lady Ai and Lord Shan that answered the call. The confused elders hurried to their door besides their servants to see who was calling the name of their grandchild. Ai gasped loudly upon seeing Zhuyue.

"Hello mother, father," she said quickly as she headed past them. "Is Xiaolian here?"

Still shocked, Shan pointed a finger down the hall to the room where Xiaolian currently was. Zhuyue hurried in the direction Shan and pointed, checking all doors as she went along. Dun arrived a few moments later. His mother seemed to shake free of her shock upon seeing him.

"Dun! I told you we took too long to bury her! She's come back to haunt us! We must perform rites! Ask the heavens for forgiveness! We must beg the Buddhist priest for help!"

Dun sighed while Lingqi watched on in utter confusion, unaware of the events that had occurred before she met Zhuyue.

"Mother she's not-"

At that moment Yuan burst into the home, out of breath.

"Zhuyue is alive and is having brother's child!" he shouted out before doubling over to catch his breath.

This put Ai and Shan back into a state of confusion and shock leaving Dun to curse his brother and Lingqi still utterly confused.

Zhuyue could hear the commotion behind her but she didn't care at the moment. She had reached the last door and knew Xiaolian was just behind it. She quickly slid the door open and stepped inside.

Xiaolian was already staring in her direction having heard the commotion outside of her door. She heard the call of her name from a familiar voice but instead of running outside to greet it, she remained rooted in her spot by the window. She thought that her mind had been playing a cruel joke on her. There was no way what she heard could be true. But now that she saw Zhuyue standing there before her in the flesh, she was overjoyed to see that she was wrong.

Zhuyue dropped to one knee and held her arms open towards Xiaolian. Tears streamed from the girl's eyes as her feet seemed to move on their own in staggering steps towards Zhuyue. Those steps soon became a jog as jumped into her mother's arms. She cried aloud as she buried her face in the crook of her neck.

"I missed you so much," Zhuyue whispered as she ran a hand over the girl's back, her own tears wetting her cheeks.

Dun arrived and watched the pair from the room entrance. The scene warmed his heart. He would never allow them to be separated again. He would kill to ensure that his family remained safe.

Xiaolian seemed to notice his presence. She looked up from Zhuyue to her father. She wasn't quite ready to let Zhuyue go yet so she raised her other arm out to him, inviting him into their hug. Dun resisted at first but Xiaolian insistently shook her arm towards him unwilling to back down.

"Brat," Dun remarked before finally giving in and kneeling down next to his family. The moment he did, Xiaolian threw her arm around him and squeezed both of her parents as hard as her little arms could muster. She was so happy in that moment that her heart ached and it was the best feeling in the world. There was no way she deserved to be this happy but she didn't want to reject this good fortune. She never wanted to let go of it...of them.

Zhuyue did not know how long the three of them embraced. She was loathed to let go but her her body ached terribly reminding her of the hard travel they had recently done. Zhuyue pried the girl's arms from around her neck. Xiaolian was unhappy by this action but complied choosing instead to grab hold of her mother's robe. She was afraid that if she let go that this time it would be forever and there was no way she would let that happen.

"What have I told you about hiding your face?" Zhuyue chided as she brushed back the hair that hung in front of Xiaolian's eye hiding the scar she received when she tried to protect Zhuyue from Zhang Liao's axe.

"You are a beautiful girl, don't hide it."

"You were dead. They told me...they told me.." was Xiaolian's response. Her voice held a mixture of confusion and wonder.

"I know. They thought I truly was but I wasn't quite ready to leave this world just yet. I have too much to live for," Zhuyue replied as she pinched Xiaolian's cheeks lightly in the exact way she always did when she teased her.

Normally Xiaolian would puff her cheeks out so Zhuyue couldn't get a good grip and she would exclaim that she wasn't cute that she was a warrior but this time she remained still and let Zhuyue pinch her to her heart's content.

"Okay, you two will have plenty of time to catch up. You need to rest now," Dun said as he stood, pulling Zhuyue up with him.

Xiaolian let out a whimper and stood with them, her fingers still clutching Zhuyue's robe tightly.

"Just a little longer," Zhuyue said upon seeing Xiaolian's reaction. She did begin to feel fatigue weigh heavily on her but she was willing to ignore it for a little while longer for her sake.

"No. We've been riding for hours. Remember, you aren't only looking out for yourself now."

Zhuyue sighed. She knew that what Dun said was true but she didn't like it.

"Xiaolian has her own things to attend to. I'm sure that since I have been gone she hasn't done one lesson and hasn't trained at all, have you?"

Xiaolian shrank back. It was easy to see the guilt written on her face.

"What kind of big sister do you think you are going to be like that?" Dun asked as he eyed his daughter.

Xiaolian cocked her head in confusion at the question. She wasn't a big sister. She looked to her mother for help and Zhuyue's face split into a big smile. She leaned back and took hold of Xiaolian's free hand and placed it on her stomach.

Xiaolian wasn't sure what she was feeling at first. To her it seemed as if her mother had just gained weight.

"Your brother or sister is in there," Zhuyue said softly.

Xiaolian finally released her death grip on Zhuyue's robe and used both hands to feel her stomach. She pat it lightly with both hands as she pondered this new information. So she was going to be a sister now? A big sister? She thought of her own sister, Xiulan. She wasn't a good sister. She treated her so badly. She thought of her older brother. He was a good brother. He always looked after her and protected her until the very end. If she was going to be the big sister, she wanted to be like him, not like Xiulan.

"So you see, I need you to get stronger and smarter so you can watch after them," Dun continued.

Xiaolian looked up to her adopted father with newfound determination. His words hit home. She would be stronger so she could protect them. She would get stronger so she could protect all of her family. She didn't want to lose anyone ever again. She would NOT lose anyone ever again.

"Yes. I want to be stronger," she replied.

"Good, get to your lessons then practice the sword swings I taught you."

"Yes!" Xiaolian said enthusiastically as she ran out of the room to do as she was told.

Zhuyue watched her run off with a weary smile. She leaned against Dun for support feeling utterly spent.

"I'm tired."

"Of course you are idiot. What were you thinking running off like that."

Zhuyue normally would have punched him for calling her an idiot but she just didn't have the energy. She made a mental note to do it later and felt relieved when she felt Dun lifting her off ground.

"I just wanted to see her," Zhuyue replied as Dun cradled her in his arms.

"I know," he replied as he carried her out of the room.

They passed by Lingqi who had been patiently waiting with Dun's parents.

"Zhuyue, is it truly you?" Ai asked in disbelief.

"Yes mother, it is me," she replied with a weak smile.

"But how? They said you were dead," Shan asked.

Dun looked around and saw that Yuan was nowhere to be found. Of course he would just blurt out the news and offer no further explanation. What an asshole. He would get him back for that.

"Later, I'll explain everything later. She needs rest. Lingqi, there is nothing more you can do here. Report back to, Mèngdé. You do not need to return tomorrow either. I'll watch over her but you should be here to watch over her the day after."

"As you command my lord."

Lingqi saluted Dun and his parents then gave one final glance at the weary Zhuyue who gave her a weak wave goodbye. She returned it before hurrying off to report in. Dun's parents were left alone as they watched their son carry his wife across the inner courtyard back into their home.

=#=

Hours passed and night had fallen before Dun and Zhuyue returned to his parent's home. He stayed by Zhuyue's side until she fell asleep and wound up falling asleep as well. He didn't realize how fatigued he had been till he lay in the bed beside her. When he woke up, he made sure that she ate and then went to tuck Xiaolian into bed. A task he hadn't been able to do in months. The girl didn't want to go to sleep, afraid that when she woke up the next morning this wonderful dream would be over.

"We'll still be here," he assured her.

"You promise?" she asked hopefully.

"Have I ever lied to you?" Dun asked. Xiaolian thought it over and shook her head no.

"Then when I say we will be here, we will be here."

Dun stood from his spot beside her bed and headed towards the door. He stopped at the entrance and looked over his shoulder.

"Xiaolian, how was it being alone with your grandparents?"

Xiaolian shrugged. "I don't know. Boring. They didn't talk to me much. Xiahouji played with me a lot. I stayed in her room with her. They talked to her but not really to me. Did I do something to make them mad?"

Dun frowned. It was as he thought. He would have preferred to leave Xioalian with Jiao as he usually did, but she had her hands full with her own children as well as impending childbirth.

"No, don't worry about it. Go to sleep. See you in the morning."

Xiaolian turned over in her bed and closed her eyes as Dun closed the door to get Zhuyue so they could speak with his parents.

=#=

"So what happened?" Shan asked. The shock had worn off and he was once again the regal patriarch Dun knew him to be.

Dun allowed Zhuyue to tell the story of her escape from the burning castle to when she joined up with Cao. His parents had remained quiet throughout the tale with the exception of occasional gasp from Ai.

Dun took over the tale once she got to the part about when they met up once more. There were things that his parents did not need to know.

"We found Ling," Dun said towards the end of his story. He figured it would be best to get this news over with before he told them about Zhuyue carrying his child.

Ai gasped once more and put her hands to her mouth. She squeezed her eyes closed knowing that her youngest son was dead.

"I see," Shan replied as he put an arm around his wife.

"We knew this was coming...though there is a difference between knowing and truly facing it," he continued.

Shan let out a sigh.

"A lot depends on you are the last of my line. You know this?" Shan asked Dun.

"I know and that's the other news we have to share. Zhuyue is with child."

At this, Ai seemed to come to life. Her eyes darted between the two of them angrily.

"How could you let your wife stay in such a dangerous area knowing that she was with child?!" Ai scolded.

Dun sighed. He knew this was coming. There was no way around it.

"We didn't know she was with child in the beginning mother. We just thought she was sick."

"And once you found out why didn't you send her home immediately?"

"Because we were in the middle of a war, mother."

"Don't give me that! Mèngdé would have spared the guards and ensured that she got back home to us safely. He's a good man."

Dun scoffed. His mother was oblivious to his cousin's more ruthless nature.

"Mother, please I am sa-" Zhuyue began only to be shushed quickly by Ai's biting words.

"Don't give me that! You are already on the way to being a terrible mother! You put your child in danger! And what of your child here? Did you forget about her? How could you let her go so long without the knowledge that you were alive?"

Zhuyue was shocked by Ai's words. On the way to being a terrible mother?

"Mother, that's enough!"

"Ai, enough!"

Both Dun and Shan spoke simultaneously, their voices overlapping each other.

"I am only saying what needs to be said!" Ai replied, refusing to back down to her son or husband.

"Lady Ai," Zhuyue began. "You know how much I care about Xiaolian. I would die for her. Same as for this child. Please do not doubt that I would be a good mother to your grandchildren."

Ai sighed. "Of course, Zhuyue. You are young and simply do not know any better. I sometimes forget you were not brought up with a mother of your own."

Zhuyue's eye twitched at the comment but she forced a smile. Ai was a good woman but sometimes she did not know how to filter her thoughts. Her words could cut deeper than a sword.

"Mother," Dun said warningly and Zhuyue placed a hand on his arm to calm him down.

"It's fine. She is...right. I did not have a mother so there is much I do not know. I hope you will teach me."

"Of course my dear. I will teach you all that I know. It will be nice to have you around the house for a change instead of running off with the men."

Zhuyue's eye twitched again. Her grip on Dun's arm tightened as her nails bit into his arm.

"Yes...mother...but once I have the child and a few months have passed I will return to fighting with the others."

Ai tsked in disproval and pursed her lips. She shook her head. She could not stay silent on this matter.

"We tolerated you playing at war child, but now that you are giving us grandchildren of our own blood, this play needs to stop. You carry the future of our bloodline within you. It is time you cease this foolishness and act like a woman."

"W-what the fuck?"

Usually Zhuyue was very good about watching her language around her in-laws but she was so shocked by Ai's words that she couldn't hold back. With her control on her anger slipping, she no longer cared about censoring her language.

"Listen! Listen to how you are speaking! You have hung around those men too long already. Enough is enough!" Ai exclaimed.

"Yuánràng, say something!" Zhuyue pleaded. Why wasn't he saying anything? That fact alone was pushing her anger to unbelievable heights.

"Listen to you! You dare call your husband by his style name? You have so much to learn. We should have said something earlier but for my son's sake I remained quiet. That ends today!" said Ai.

So it was an act? The entire time? They only pretended to accept her for Dun's sake? It explains so much. She saw the signs but she pushed them to the side as simple paranoia. Even on the day of their wedding, at one point, Dun had left her side to speak to his mother but she never knew what it was about. She never thought to ask. Now she had a feeling it was about her and the type of woman she was. Why wouldn't Dun say anything?

"Ai, relax," Shan said as he put his hands on his wife's shoulders.

Zhuyue felt a tinge of relief. At least her father in-law would speak up for her. More than what her husband seemed to be willing to do.

"Forgive her, Zhuyue. When she is passionate about something, she forgets herself. She could have expressed her concerns in a better way."

"You share her views?" Zhuyue asked. Thought she asked the question, she truly did not want to hear the answer.

"I do. We are not doubting your skill as a warrior. You saved my life. But your duty as my son's wife should come first. It is your responsibility as his wife to bear children and extend our line. We told our son the same when we first learned of his intent to marry you."

Shan's words were a blow to Zhuyue. So Dun knew? He knew and he didn't tell her? This entire time. What were the words he spoke back in Xu province then? A lie to assuage her worries? Zhuyue felt sick and for the first time in the last few months, she knew that the sickness came from the situation she had currently been thrust in and not the child growing inside of her.

"Zhuyue," Dun said in a low voice, finally breaking his silence.

Zhuyue could feel her heart beating against her chest in anticipation of his next words. He would make this right. He had to make this right. Please, make this right.

"Go back home."

That was it? A simple command? He wouldn't admonish them for their words or reassure her that he didn't feel the same way? He just commanded her to leave? At that moment Zhuyue was torn between screaming and crying. Her emotions were wreaking havoc on her and she knew the best thing she could do was get out of that situation immediately.

She stood and walked out of the door in a strange sort of daze. She did not bid her parents good night nor did she say anything to her husband. She just simply stood and walked away, back across the inner garden to their home fighting urge that kept insisting she turn around and tell them all exactly where they could take their thoughts.

She stopped at the threshold leading into their home. What was she going to do now? Her worst fears had come to fruition and she found herself forced to deal with it all alone. Her hands balled into a fist as her anger began to push back against her sadness. She wouldn't let them force her into a role she did not want. She would let them know that she would rather leave than live the life they wanted. If Dun would not stand up for her, she would stand up for herself.

Resolved she turned on heel and stomped back across the inner garden to her parents home. Her blood was boiling and she was seeing red. She was more than ready to give them a piece of her mind. She froze in her steps when she heard Dun yelling, actually yelling at his parents. She couldn't make out exactly what he was saying from where she was but she could feel the energy coming off his words. He was pissed.

'I shouldn't be here.' she thought to herself suddenly as she listened to the muffled shouts of her husband. Quickly and as quietly as she could, she left the home and scurried back across the inner courtyard and hurried inside of their home.

'He didn't betray me.' She thought with a wave of relief that brought tears to her eyes. 'He didn't betray me, he just didn't want me to hear him yell at them.' Zhuyue thought back to something Dun said to her within the first few weeks of meeting each other.

'If there is ever a problem with anyone in my family, you tell me and I will handle it.'

Even after all this time, he remained true to his word.

Zhuyue remained in the hallway, just inside of the entrance to the inner garden waiting for his return. The wait seemed to last forever but he finally arrived. She could tell he was still angry about the earlier events.

"What hap-"

Zhuyue's words were silenced by his lips pressing against hers in a bruising kiss. He pushed her against a nearby wall with his hands firmly holding onto her waist. He finally released her, allowing her to get some air but the moment did not last too long. He lifted her off the ground forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist for support. He pulled the lower half of her body towards him forcing her to awkwardly hold onto the walls with her hands to maintain balance. Once he saw that she was relatively stable, he removed his hands from around her legs and used them to tear at her robe ripping it open.

"Yuánràng! Wh-"

He silenced her once more by sealing his mouth over hers. His hands pulling at her undergarments till she was exposed enough for him to slid into her. He was not gentle with his entry and she cried out with a mixture of pain and pleasure. Dun began to pump into her at a frantic pace.

Some of the servants had wandered into the halls hearing the noise and went to investigate. Upon seeing the lewd scene, they hurried away. Zhuyue removed one of her hands from the wall and pushed at his chest.

"Yuánràng! Xiaolian! What if Xiaolian sees?"

That seemed to snap Dun back into reality for a few moments because he ceased his movements and pulled her off of the wall. She tried to put her legs back onto the ground but he kept his arms hooked under them preventing her from doing so.

Dun walked them back to their bedroom. When he reached their door, he turned so Zhuyue would be within arm range of it.

"Open it," he commanded in a husky voice that sent shivers through her body.

Did immediately did as he commanded and he walked them inside of the room. He repeated the motion for her to close the door. Once done, he walked them to their bed and tossed her onto it. He wasted no time burying himself within her again. Zhuyue moaned loudly, her nails digging into his arms as he thrust into her. Zhuyue was lost in a haze of ecstasy and she wasn't sure how much more of it she could take.

"You are mine," Dun said in a deep whisper near her ear. At that moment her mind could only agree with his words, readily surrendering herself fully to him. His actions quickening. Zhuyue could do nothing but hold on to him as he brought her to climax over and over again. He finally joined her, reaching his own climax with a few shuddering thrusts.

By the time he was done, they were both breathing hard, completely spent by their whirlwind lovemaking.

Dun pulled himself out of her and sat up at the edge of the bed. He took a few deep breaths before leaving the room to get a water basin so they could clean themselves up.

By the time Dun returned, Zhuyue had managed to catch her breath. He sat down behind her and began to gently clean her. It was a clear contrast to his earlier actions.

"So...going to tell me what that was?"

"I was angry," he replied simply.

"Yeah, I got that. How does that lead to you taking me against a wall in the hall? Ugh I don't think I can look at some of our servants in the eye again."

"It was either that or kill someone. I chose that."

"Well at least you are getting better with handling your anger," Zhuyue teased but Dun was not smiling.

"I wanted to kill them," he said solemnly. He didn't need to elaborate on who 'they' were.

"After you left...when we were speaking...in that moment...I could see myself killing them. I always talk about you and your anger issues but I haven't gotten any better at mine at all."

"They are still breathing aren't they? I'd say you did just fine," Zhuyue said softly as she ran a hand through his hair. It was matted down with sweat from their earlier activities but she didn't care.

"They are my parents. They gave me life...they raised me. How am I any better than Ling when I could have such thoughts?"

"Because unlike Ling, you didn't try to actually kill them. Do not lower yourself to his level. You are a better man than him and you know it."

"Hmm," he hummed thoughtfully as he dunked the cloth into the basin to rinse it. He wrung the cloth out and continued his administrations.

"Did I hurt you?"

"I will be a little sore in the morning but other than that, I'm fine."

"I'm sorry," he replied with a frown.

"You mistake my comment for admonishment. You have been treating me so damn gentle lately...it felt good to feel you lose control."

"I shouldn't have...not while you are carrying our child. I could have hurt it."

"I'm not so fragile Yuánràng. We are both fine."

"Hmph," was his reply.

Finished with his cleaning, he went to wash himself off. Zhuyue plucked the cloth from his hands so she could give him the same treatment he gave her.

"I drew blood," she remarked as she looked over the spot where her nails bit into his arm.

"It's fine," he said dismissively. Truly he hadn't even noticed when she was doing it.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" she asked softly as she cleaned him.

Dun remained quiet for a few moments as he collected his thoughts then spoke.

"When I first told them I would marry you, they voiced their concerns to me. They told me it was a bad idea because you wanted to be a warrior. They tried to appeal to me to marry a more...traditional wife that would be willing to bear my children. I told them that you were the woman that I wanted and their worries were unfounded. You would give me children, strong children that would proudly carry on our family name."

Zhuyue listened in silence as she continued to clean him.

"They were silent about it for awhile but it came back up on the day of our wedding. My mother practically begged me to not go through with it. She even went behind my back to find women she thought more suited to the role of being my wife. I warned them then that if they said one more word about you not being fit to be my wife or the mother of my children, I would cease being their son."

Zhuyue's hands stilled at this declaration. He would truly go so far for her?

"I thought that was the end of the problem...apparently it was not."

"So what happens now?" she asked.

"I told them that they need to accept you as you are. I married you knowing the type of wife and mother you would be and they needed to be at peace with that."

"And will they?"

Dun went silent for a few seconds before responding.

"They will be moving out within a week."

"I-I'm so sorry..." she said as her eyes welled up with tears.

"Shut up," he replied.

"But-"

"Shut up!" he said once more, his tone more forceful this time around. "It was their choice to make. Not yours. Don't you dare apologize for them."

"Yuánràng it is because of me that this is even happening. All because of my foolish stubbornness. Maybe I should just-"

"Just what? Become the traditional housewife that my parents want? Rearing the children while I go off to fight in the war?"

"Yes...if it means that this family will stay together then I will do it if I must."

"The minute you do that is the minute you cease being my wife."

Zhuyue looked at Dun in surprise.

"I told you before that isn't the type of wife I want. If I wanted that, I could have gotten married years ago."

He sighed. "Stop thinking this is on you. Before I even met you, my parents were very vocal about who I should marry and when. If I didn't marry you, I would have probably distanced myself from them long ago. I thought they would have been satisfied when I finally got married but apparently not."

Zhuyue tried to believe in Dun's words but she couldn't help but feel that this was her fault and it ate her up inside.

"Where will they go?"

"With Miàocái. I spoke with him about this long ago, when they first came to me with this shit. He said he would take them in for awhile if this ever came to pass."

"What will we tell Xiaolian about why they moved?"

"The truth. I want her to know what type of people they are. And we will also tell her that she is not allowed to speak to them any longer."

"Yuánràng you can't be serious."

"You wouldn't be defending them so readily if you heard what they said about you, Xiaolian and our unborn child," Dun replied. Zhuyue saw anger flash in his eyes once more. Whatever Ai and Shan said must have been truly terrible.

"I am no longer their son. They are no longer my parents. That's final. You and our children have no need to be around the likes of them. That's final, Zhuyue. Do not defy me in this."

Dun wasn't asking. He was commanding. There was something about the tone of his voice that warned Zhuyue to not test him on this. She nodded in agreement to his demand and Dun seemed to relax slightly, satisfied at her compliance.

"Will you tell me what they said?"

"No...you don't need to know."

Dun stood and dressed himself.

"I need to go see Miàocái. Get some rest."

Dun placed a kiss on Zhuyue's forehead and headed out of the room.

=#=

"This better be good," Yuan said grumpily as he dragged himself into his drawing room. He had been blissfully sleeping when one of his servants knocked on his door informing him that his brother had arrived and requested to see him.

Yuan yawned and took a good look at Dun. Immediately he woke up seeing that something was definitely wrong.

"What happened?"

"Are you still willing to take mother and father in?"

"Shit," Yuan breathed out. He thought this might be the problem. "How bad?"

"They told Zhuyue to her face that she needed to act like real woman."

Yuan winced. He could only imagine how Zhuyue reacted to that.

"And then mother said she wished Zhuyue had just stayed dead to avoid all this 'unpleasantness'."

"Shit," Yuan breathed out.

"Father tried to help the situation by suggesting that I compromise and get a concubine to bear the rest of my children and raise the one on the way because he could not see Zhuyue as a fit mother the way she currently was."

Yuan let out a heavy sigh.

"They also reiterated their opinions on me adopting Xiaolian."

"They mean well-"

"Fuck them," Dun replied cutting them off.

Yuan sighed again. "Yeah I can't even really try to defend them against this. I don't even want to. I'll take them in but shit...I won't lie...I won't be able to see them in the same light anymore."

"Just keep them here for a while till we can get some place built where they can live on their own. I don't want them near my family any longer."

"Yeah...I get that brother. I understand. I'll keep them here for as long as you need. Are you serious about cutting them off though?"

"Wouldn't you?"

Yuan scratched at his cheek as he thought. How would he react if his parents had treated Jiao like that? There was no doubt in his mind he would have felt the same as Dun.

"Yeah...I probably would. Alright. I'll send some of my servants over to help them with the packing up. I imagine you want them out as soon as possible."

"Thanks Miàocái."

"Of course, brother. How's Zhuyue?"

"She's fine. She doesn't know the worst of it...and she won't," Dun said warningly to his brother who raised his hands in surrender.

"Not from me."

"Thanks again, Miàocái."

"Yeah, yeah," he replied sleepily.

Yuan saw his brother to the door. He yawned again feeling the pull of sleep calling him back to his bed. In the back of his sleep laden mind, he wondered how he would break the news of their new house guests to his wife Jiao.