A/N: Hey all. Sorry this one is so late. Tried to get this out before the holiday at least. It is shorter than I would like it to be, but if I made it as long as I wanted, it would've taken longer to get out. Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday.
Zhang Liao – Wényuǎn
Li Dian – Mànchéng
Yue Jin – Wenqian
Jia Xu – Wénhé
Zhang He – Jùnyì
Xu Shu – Yuánzhí
Cao Zhi – Zijian
Cao Pi – Zǐhuán
Cao Cao – Mèngdé
Cao Chong – Cangshu
Xiahou Dun – Yuánràng
Shi Huan – Gōngliú
Yuan Shang – Xiǎnfǔ
Yuan Tan – Xiǎnsī
Yu Jin – Wenze
Guo Jia – Fèngxiào
Jia Xu - Wénhé
"So Yuan Shang has fled. Yuan Tan wasn't even useful in preventing his escape," Cao said in disgust.
"I am sorry that I have failed to capture him, My Lord," said Zhang Liao with a lowered head.
The fist Liao had clenched at his side tightened. He couldn't believe that he hadn't realized the deception of the enemy troops earlier and prevented Shang's escape.
Cao waved a dismissive hand towards Liao.
"Please. I do not blame you for this. If fault should be given, it is to be laid at the feet of Yuan Tan for his failure to attack when I gave him explicit instructions to do so."
Liao was surprised by this response. He thought Cao would be as harsh on him as he was being to himself.
"Thank you for your leniency, My Lord."
"Leniency?" Cao repeated with a quizzical look in his eyes. "There was no leniency to give, Wényuǎn. You should know by now that I am not in the habit of forgiving incompetence. Had I felt you truly displayed it, you would know. That was not the case. This was something that was beyond your control.
"I…understand," said Liao, but the look on his face showed that he still had doubts and at some level probably still blamed himself for Shang's escape.
"You are wound much too tight, Wényuǎn. I do not think you are doing enough to keep him relaxed, Lingqi," said Cao as he leveled a lewd stare in her direction that made it quite clear what type of relaxation he was referring to.
Lingqi was lost for words. Such talk in front of everyone was mortifying. She wanted nothing more at that moment than walk out of that meeting and bury her head under a pillow until her embarrassment died down. Lingqi chanced a glance around to the other generals; while she was not use to the risqué talk, the others were. They did not seem the least bit phased by their lord's inappropriate behavior. At least that was something and it made her feel marginally less embarrassed. Liao was also not use to Cao's vulgarities and fully intended on speaking up for his wife, but Cao had already moved on leaving Liao no room to refute the wholly inaccurate claim.
"Regarding the actual cause of Yuan Shang's escape…Yuan Tan, he needs to be dealt with. He has transgressed against me one too many times."
"And what of Yuan Shang?" asked one of Cao's advisors Liu Ye.
"I will deal with him after I have dealt with Yuan Tan," Cao replied.
"Father, allow me to deal with Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi," said Pi.
Cao regarded his son in surprise. Truly he has become a man of action. Even though he was proud, he wasn't going to just agree simply because he asked.
"Why?"
"We cannot allow Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi to gather in strength. If we split our forces, we can take care of all three brothers at the same time. This war has dragged on long enough. This will ensure that we bring it to an end sooner."
"Hmph…and you think that you are capable of doing this?"
"I am," Pi replied.
"And who would you take with you to complete this task?"
Pi looked over their forces. He wanted to select those that would respect his orders. He knew that many within the army still only saw him as Cao's whelp.
"Mànchéng, Wenqian and—"
"My Lord, I humbly ask that you allow me to join you," said Zhang He as he gave a graceful salute to Pi.
"Why?" Pi asked as he folded his arms in front of his chest.
"There is someone currently being held captive by Yuan Xi. I promised that I would rescue them. I would like to make good on that promise."
"This isn't a rescue mission. I have no intention of going out of my way to save anyone and I will not have you running off to do so either."
"Take him with you," Cao said with a smile.
This should be a fine test of Pi's abilities. Zhang He is still relatively unknown and whether he is trustworthy was still up for debate. It was clear that Zhang He only wanted to go for his own purposes and Pi would have to be able to keep him in line. Cao was very interested to see how Pi handled this.
Pi looked at his father with narrowed eyes. It was clear what he was doing. He would not back down from this challenge. Instead, he would rise victorious from it.
"As you wish, Father," said Pi in a clipped tone. "I also wish to take Wénhé and Dian Wei with me."
"Take Liu Ye with you as well."
"Me, My Lord?" Ye asked in a surprised tone.
"Yes. You are, after all my Master of Records. I wish to know every detail about this battle," Cao said as he eyed Pi, a glint of mischief in his eye. "Do not leave out any details."
Liu Ye looked between Cao and Pi. It was clear that Pi was not happy with his addition to the group while Cao seemed positively delighted. It was obvious that Cao was purposely antagonizing his son and Liu Ye certainly did not want to get in the middle of it but he knew better than to argue. He bowed to Cao then to Pi.
"I will do my best, My Lord."
"Very well. Set out immediately. I expect good results."
Pi saluted and headed out, the men to accompany him following behind.
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"Jùnyì! Jùnyì!" Shou called out as he hurried over to his friend while he was preparing his horse for travel.
"Ah, Ju Shou. Come to bid me farewell?"
"I came to warn you."
"Warn me?"
"I know you intend to rescue Zhenji,"
"Indeed. My beautiful butterfly has suffered long enough under that barbarous husband of hers."
"Yes. I know that, but you cannot defy Lord Pi's orders…if you do, where will you go? The two of you won't last long if you make an enemy of Lord Cao."
"I appreciate your concern, Ju Shou, but I must rescue her. I cannot allow any further harm to come to her."
"Of course and I wouldn't suggest you do. I am merely telling you that doing it by yourself isn't the way to do it. Instead, have Lord Pi help you."
"He made it very clear that he will not assist me."
"That is only because he does not know who it is you wish to rescue! Lord Pi is young and unmarried. If you promise him Zhenji's hand—"
"No! She has already suffered enough under one husband. You ask that I thrust my butterfly into the arms of another?"
"Lord Pi is not as cruel as Yuan Xi. He may not be the kindest man, but I believe he will treat her well."
"So take her from one husband and whore her to another. That is your suggestion? My butterfly needs to fly free, not be held down by someone that won't appreciate her!" Jùnyì argued. It was rare that a frowned graced his beautiful face, but one adorned it now. He did not like what Ju Shou was suggesting one bit.
"How can you be so sure that he will not appreciate her?! Not every man is like Yuan Xi. He is wealthy and he has the best chance of all Lord Cao's sons to become heir. If she marries him, she will be well off. Don't you want that for her? As someone who claims to be her friend you—"
Shou paused mid rant and looked at his friend with a scrutinizing eye. "I can't believe I never asked this before but, Jùnyì …do you love her?"
"Of course I do. How can one not love someone so beautiful inside and out?"
"I meant as a woman. Do you love her as a woman?"
"What does her being a woman have to do with it? If she was a man and had that same beauty, I would love her just the same."
Shou pinched the bridge of his nose. He could not tell if his friend was purposely being obtuse or if he really did not understand what he was hinting at. He would have to be very blunt to get the answer he desired.
"Jùnyì, is the reason you are against telling Pi of Zhenji because you desire her for yourself?"
Jùnyì let out a melodious laugh which was partially obscured by the back of his right hand that he held daintily in front of his mouth.
"Heavens no! Zhenji is a dear friend and nothing more. I see her as a sister rather than a lover. My intentions for rescuing her are pure, I assure you."
Shou sighed in relief. Things would have been significantly more difficult if Jùnyì had feelings for her. He could not in good conscience have advised him to give her to another man if that was the case.
"Well then Jùnyì, if you have no feelings for her then you should want what is best for her and what would be best for her now would be to give her to Lord Pi."
"Zhenji is precious to me. I do not want to take her from the fangs of a snake only to throw her into the jaws of a tiger."
"Look at Lord Cao. All of his women are well taken care of; I am certain that Lord Pi will do the same."
In the distance came the call for Pi's group to move out. Their time together was at an end. Shou had one last chance to make Jùnyì see that his way was the only possible solution.
"Look at your options: Disobey Lord Pi and both of you will be on the run until you are killed or you can give her a chance at a man that will treat her well…as she should be treated. The choice is yours, Jùnyì."
With that Ju Shou walked away leaving Jùnyì alone to ponder what his next steps should be.
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Zhuyue placed her now fed and slumbering child down to sleep. He would be out for a few hours which would give her plenty of time to get some training in. She closed her eyes and listened to the chirping song of birds perched in nearby trees. It was a beautiful sound that would make anyone appreciate the peace that surrounded them, but Zhuyue knew such peace was only a façade. Her family and friends were fighting for true peace and she wanted to be there fighting alongside them.
Zhuyue summoned her handmaiden to watch over her sleeping infant and went out to the inner courtyard to train. For four grueling hours, Zhuyue trained hard with the singular goal of getting back into fighting form. Her body ached in a way she had grown familiar with over the years. She wiped a bead of sweat from her brows before stretching out her sore limbs. It was grueling work getting back to form after her second child, but she was determined to do it. While she loved being a mother, she was a warrior at heart and she wasn't prepared to give up her blades for swaddling clothes.
"Oh lady Zhuyue, are you done training for the day?" asked Xu Shu.
"Yes," she replied as she wiped at more sweat that trickled down the side of her face with the back of her hand and turned to watch Shu as he crossed the inner courtyard over to her.
"Why?"
"Oh…it's nothing really. I was just thinking about training with you. Though I do not wield my sword so much anymore, I still like to make sure that my skills are adequate."
"Why don't you use your sword much anymore?" as asked as she walked over to the stone bench at the other end of the training area and picked up the cloth she left upon it. She dabbed at the sweat still trickling down the side of her face as she awaited his answer.
"I've chosen to focus my energy on my studies instead," Shu replied.
"I see. So why didn't you come train? You said you were thinking about it, what gave you pause?"
"It wasn't you if that is what you are thinking. From what I can tell you are an excellent fighter. The issue lied solely with me."
"So what was your issue?"
"I wasn't sure if I should train. I wasn't sure of the point of it anymore."
"I see…tell me Yuánzhí, what are your plans?"
"Hmm…I have been thinking about that. I know I cannot stay here forever. You have already been more than generous letting me stay here as long as you have and even more so for letting my mother stay here for as long as you have. I intend on taking her with me and moving to a new home, this time somewhere a bit safer, but I am not sure where that will be just yet."
"I have already told you, there is no need to thank me. Madame Xu has done much for me. This is the least I could do to repay her. You are welcome to stay here as long as you need until you figure things out. I assume you will be getting a job as an advisor?"
"Oh…I do not think that would be a good idea."
Zhuyue's brows wrinkled in confusion. "I do not understand. Did you not just say that you gave up the sword for your studies?"
"Yes."
"So?—" Zhuyue gave him an expectant look, waiting for him to fill in the blanks.
"I've given up the sword for scrolls true, but I am not so knowledgeable that I can become an advisor to anyone. I still have much to learn."
"Then…what do you plan to do? How will you support yourself and your mother?"
"I…I haven't figured that out just yet," Shu said as he lowered his head in shame.
Zhuyue frowned. "Don't take offense, Yuánzhí, but it seems you don't have much figured out."
"I cannot take offense because the words you speak are true. Beyond finding my mother, I did not have much else planned. I do not know what I want to do or how to go about doing it."
"You reminded me of someone."
"From the look on your face, I would gather it is not a person you are fond of. May I ask who it is?"
"My husband's brother, Ling."
"In what way do I remind you of him?"
"Your lack of ambition. Ling was also content to live an apathetic lifestyle, spoiled by his mother."
It was now Shu's turn to frown. "I wouldn't describe myself in such a way."
"Neither would Ling," Zhuyue replied. "Please excuse me; I must go tend to my children."
Shu could feel an emotion he had not felt in sometime, but one he was painfully familiar with. He could remember feeling it when his former masters told him he would be a brilliant strategist if he just pushed himself more; if he had ambition. When his former colleagues would sing his praises in one breath but tell him he could be so much better if he applied himself in the other. Now this woman who he barely knew spoke the same words to him. A mature man would take the criticism and improve himself, but Shu was still lacking the maturity needed to do such a thing. Instead, he felt annoyed, just as he had when other told him the same.
Shu headed back to his borrowed room with his mood severely dampened. For today instead of facing his problem he would ignore it; He would lock himself in his room and pour him attention into his scrolls so he can forget about this glaring imperfection.
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Zhuyue laid her son down to sleep and left him in the care of her handmaiden just as she had for the past week. She headed out to the inner courtyard for training and was surprised to see Shu already there, though he was not training. Instead it seemed as if he was waiting.
"You are up early," Zhuyue remarked as she began to stretch out her muscles.
"Yes. I thought we might train together today."
Zhuyue turned her eyes to Shu. He tried to keep his voice measured but she could hear a tightness in his tone that denoted that he was barely keeping it under control. His body was taunt and ready to spring. He didn't want to spar. He wanted a fight. She remained silent as she continued her stretching trying to rack her mind over what she might have said or done to rile him up so. Her mind went back to the last conversation they had about his ambition. It seems he did not agree with her opinion.
"I suppose we can," she said at last, her stretching now done.
Shu did not smile, did not speak. He merely picked up a training sword and took his position across from her. Zhuyue followed suit picking up her duck blades that she had specially made for sparring. The two bowed to each other and the fight began.
Shu made the first move. Based on how wound up he was, Zhuyue wasn't surprised that he attacked first. He attacked from the left. It was slow and easily blocked. Zhuyue wondered if he was purposely going easy on her because she was still a bit out of shape due to childbirth.
Shu attacked again, this time from the right. It was faster than the last strike, but still easy for her to block. He really was taking it easy on her. He attacked once more from the left. Just like the last attack it was a bit faster, but still nothing she couldn't handle on her worse day.
Zhuyue was ready to complain about Shu taking it so easy on her when he unleashed a flurry of attacks. Left, right, left, right; it was a predictable pattern but one done at such a speed that Zhuyue could barely keep up as her body was still sluggish from being out of practice for so many months. It was only because Shu's attacks were so predictable that she was able to block at all. Unfortunately for her, Shu was well aware of this fact and he feigned an attack to the right. Zhuyue, keeping up with the pattern moved to block the attack and realized too late that it was a feint. Zhuyue tried to answer the new attack coming from the left but she was too slow. Shu's training sword slammed right into the left side of her neck.
Zhuyue let out a hiss in pain and gingerly touched the spot where she had been hit. She could feel the skin beneath her fingers already becoming raised and swollen. It would leave a bruise for a week or so, but it didn't seem like it would be anymore than that so Zhuyue wasn't overly worried. Shu on the other hand looked absolutely mortified. He dropped the sword and stared at Zhuyue with eyes filled with regret.
"Lady Zhuyue! I-I am so sorry!"
"There is no need to be sorry. That blow would have lopped my head off. You won fair and square."
"No!" Shu exclaimed louder than he intended. His guys shifted to the sword he had dropped on the ground. "I injured you. I…went too far."
"Injuries happen during training, Yuánzhí. As long as it is one you can walk away from, there is no need for such remorse."
"You don't understand," he replied sadly.
"I understand perfectly. You weren't too pleased with my words yesterday and wanted me to eat them today. Mission accomplished. I shouldn't have underestimated you. Silly me for thinking you were more scholar than warrior," Zhuyue replied with a chuckle.
"N-no…that's not—"
"What? Not true? Your anger was rolling off of you in waves. It wasn't exactly a murderous intent you were giving off but it certainly was a pissed off one."
Shu was stunned into silence. He could not deny Zhuyue's words because they were true. He did want revenge. He wanted to prove to her that he wasn't as aimless as she thought he was. He wanted to show her just how accomplished he was. But did he do that? What did his victory do beside gain him shame? He knew that she wasn't at peak condition and fought her at his best anyway all in the name of revenge. Revenge…was that the only thing that drove him? It was his desire for revenge that drove him to avenge his friend and nearly cost him his life. He saw how dangerous the road of revenge could be back then and gave up his blade for scrolls, but years later he fought for the same petty reason. Has he truly not grown at all since then?
"You look really tortured Yuánzhí . I assure you; you did not hurt me as much as you may think you did. I am not so fragile."
"It should not have happened. Please…please forgive me," Shu said as he bowed to Zhuyue.
"Tell you what, give me a rematch when I am in better shape and we will call it even."
"I'm sorry, but I cannot. It was a mistake to do it this time. I will not make the same mistake twice."
"That so? Then you are not forgiven."
"Lady Zhuyue, please be reasonable and see it from my perspective."
"I see that you will not allow me a chance to avenge my loss to you because of some internal issue you have, one that is not my concern."
Shu sighed. "And you truly will not forgive me unless we have a rematch?"
"Correct," Zhuyue replied as she put her training blades away. She wanted to take care of that bruise forming on her neck before she did anymore training.
"Very well, Lady Zhuyue. Just let me know when you are ready."
"Good. And I warn you now, if I suspect that you are holding back in the least, I will never, ever forgive you."
"I would not disrespect you in such a way."
"Then I look forward to our rematch," Zhuyue said as she left to go tend to her bruise.
Shu was left alone in the inner courtyard to think of all that had just transpired. He kept replaying the incident in his mind and he wondered how he allowed it to get this far? After ten minutes he had given up. It was no use thinking about this. Every reason he came up with was one he did not like. He rather put it out of his head and deal with it another time…just as he had always done. With a heavy sigh, Shu picked up his training sword and placed it with the others. He wanted to retreat to his room and lose himself in his scrolls and push this unpleasant memory out of his mind as long as possible. He was about to do exactly that when a voice nearly scared the life out of him.
"Oh, I thought Lady Zhuyue would be here," said a servant after opening the door from the main house.
Shu could see Chong and standing behind him, his ever present caretaker Jun.
"Greetings Master Cangshu, Lady Jun," Shu said with a bow.
"Ah… Yuánzhí…I am surprised to see you outside of your little hidey-hole."
Shu's brows furrowed. "Hidey-hole?"
"Sounds much more interesting than room, doesn't it?"
"It certainly sounds more childish," Shu grimaced.
Chong chuckled. "I actually wish to speak with you about something, but we should present ourselves to the lady of the house first. Where is she?"
"She went into the main house not long ago. You must have just missed her."
As if being summoned, Zhuyue appeared in the doorway behind them with her youngest son in her arms and her oldest son by her side. Chong, seeing his namesake let out an excited squeal and abandoned his mother's side to go by his.
"Why are you in my house?" Zhuyue asked as she adjusted her hold on her youngest son.
"Oh, my lady Zhuyue, I'm sorry. I thought it was okay to let them in—," said the servant with a bow.
"Of course it's okay," Chong interrupted. "Your lady is just teasing. Zhuyue, you are awfully cruel to your servants."
"I am not—," Zhuyue stopped herself. Chong was teasing her and she was walking right into it. Instead she looked at her servant.
"Can you please get some refreshments for our rude guest who shows up without any prior warning?"
"Yes, my lady," said the servant with a bow.
"So why are you here? You didn't even bring Qinghe with you. You know that's the only reason why I ever let you in, right?"
"Lies. You let me in because I am your favorite cousin. Why else would you name your son after me."
"How many times do I have to tell you? We did not name Chong after you."
"Lies," Chong said again as he poked the nose of the child in question eliciting a giggle from him.
Zhuyue let out a sigh, but there was no real bite behind it. In truth, she really did like Chong and Jun and enjoyed their company. She was surprised when they first came to visit her and even more surprised when she found out how many times they visited and checked up on their kids when she and Dun were at war. Zhuyue wasn't exactly sure why he did it; perhaps Chong really did think they named their son after him. Whatever the reason, she was happy that he was looking out for them.
"You know, Zhuyue, if I didn't know that you loved us so much I might almost believe you do not enjoy these visits as much as we do," Chong said with a grin as he mussed the younger Chong's hair up earning a playful swat from the child.
"So delusional," Zhuyue replied.
"It's part of my charm."
"How do you put up with him, Jun?" Zhuye asked with another sigh.
Jun giggled. "What can I say? I love him."
Chong smiled up at Jun before returning his attention to Zhuyue.
"I know this was an impromptu visit, but we needed to get away for awhile."
Chong's tone had changed. The jovial tone it normally held was noticeable absent.
"Get away? Did something happen?" asked Zhuyue.
"I will leave you three alone to talk," Shu said with a hasty bow. Since Zhuyue's re-emergence he had been eager to retreat to his room. His eyes kept darting to the puffy red welt on her neck.
"There is no need for you to leave," said Chong. "Besides, I told you that I needed to speak with you as well."
Chong sighed. It was clear this wasn't a topic he enjoyed speaking about, but he was determined to push on.
"Have you met my brother, Zijian?" The emphasis Chong put on the word brother was instantly noticeable. Zhuyue and Shu could almost taste the disdain he had for him.
"The children of Cao are many. To be honest I only bothered to remember the ones I see regularly," Zhuyue replied.
Chong chuckled at this. "You are right about that. Father seemed to be dedicated to populating the land with his seed. This particular seed was sown with Bianshi. He's popped up at a few of father's important events, but he most likely wouldn't have bothered speaking to you if he didn't think you were worth his time. Zijian likes to consider himself to be a man of culture and would not deign to associate with anyone he considered to be beneath him."
Zhuyue scoffed. "He's one of those then."
"Afraid so," Chong confirmed. "To get to the point, he is here. Apparently father ordered him to move to Xuchang as a potential heir to his legacy."
"But what of Zǐhuán? I thought Mèngdé was leaning towards him."
"So did Zǐhuán," Chong replied with a frown. "But apparently father has decided to keep his options open."
Zhuyue gave a thoughtful hum as she shifted her child so she could hold him more comfortably.
"What about you? Do you think he is a good choice?"
"He's an asshole," Chong said simply.
"That's…blunt."
"I see no reason to mince words regarding him. He certainly does not bother to do so with me."
Jun put a supportive hand on his shoulder. Chong placed his hand over hers and intertwined their fingers.
"Zijian thinks it is pretty assured that he will become father's heir and he has been acting as such, which means he goes out of his way to let everyone know how superior he is to them. He seems to be very keen on letting me know how inferior I am to him, especially—" Chong waved a hand over his legs as he spoke.
"—In my current state," he concluded.
Zhuyue frowned. This Zijian sounded like a truly detestable man. She did not look forward to meeting him.
"Bianshi doesn't say anything about her son being like that to you?"
"She tries…but Zijian doesn't exactly respect her word."
Chong sighed. "It has become rather unbearable living there, Zhuyue and I am not the only one chaffing under his boorish behavior. He seems quite keen on reminding Jun of her…past affiliations and he treats the servants awfully. The only one who escapes his scorn is the Emperor."
Shu shifted uncomfortably. He did not know Chong well, but from what he did know of him, he seemed like a decent man. He and Jun certainly did not deserve such treatment.
"I wish there was something I could do for you."
Chong smiled. "I didn't really come for a resolution. I just needed a break from him and maybe to vent a bit. Thank you for allowing me to do both."
"You can't just stay there though. If Mèngdé is serious about Zijian potentially being his heir you will be stuck with him for a long time."
Chong sighed. "I am aware. There is not much I can do. The best option would be to build a place of our own, but I do not have taels of my own since my accident. I have been living off of my father and the pittance Jun makes for taking care of me would have us living in a hut."
"There has to be something—"
"Put it out of your mind, Zhuyue," Chong cut in. "Like I said, I did not come for a resolution. I just needed to whine to someone other than Jun. The poor girl needs a break from my complaints."
"I don't mind," Jun said softly.
"You are much too good to me," said Chong as he squeezed the hand he was still holding, earning a soft smile from her.
"Now to the other reason why I am here," Chong said as he turned his attention to Shu. "I wanted to ask to study under you."
Shu did nothing to hide his surprise at this request.
"I do not think I would be a good—"
"Spare me the false modesty," Chong interrupted. "I know some of the names you have studied under and with and I have heard the respect your fellow scholars held for you. If you do not want to teach me simply say so, but do not insult me by saying you are not capable."
Shu remained silent for a few moments. Everything he thought to say was just an excuse as to why he wasn't capable of teaching him. These platitudes may work on most people, but the determination in Chong's eyes told him none of them would do.
Shu gave up trying to dissuade Chong and instead decided to find out his reasoning. "Why me? You could easily hire a competent scholar to tutor you in the art of war."
"Because you aren't doing anything, are you? Most of the time you are locked up in your room doing heavens knows what. Teach me and it will give you something to do…at least until you find a more permanent solution. I do not expect you to do this for free. I will be more than happy to pay you."
"This family has a proclivity towards being rather blunt don't they?" Shu muttered.
Zhuyue smirked at the implication knowing that she was at least partly responsible for that observation.
"I can't speak for anyone else, but I prefer to be direct. Leaves less chance for misinterpretation," said Chong.
"I suppose I can appreciate that," said Shu with a frown. "I still am not sure if I am the right person for this role, but if you believe that my meager skills are suitable for your needs then I will be happy to instruct you in what I know."
Zhuyue only half listened as the men went over the details for their new arrangement. Though Chong told her to put his and Jun's predicament with his brother out of her mind, she found that she could not. Zhuyue knew what it was like to be in a place with people who go out of their way to make sure you feel less than you are. Her thoughts soured as her mind went to Ai and Shan. She understood Chong's feelings all too well.
"Stay," she said suddenly.
For a brief moment she was shocked to hear her voice. She wanted to say the words, but her mouth had run off before her brain had given it much thought. Everyone was looking at her now. She would have to either follow up with what her mouth started or pretend that she had misspoke.
"Stay?" Chong repeated. "I suppose we could stay for lunch. We aren't exactly in a rush," he said with a half shrug.
Zhuyue paused. Chong's misunderstanding of her words gave her an out. She could easily go along with Chong and make it seem as if Chong's misinterpretation was her exact meaning. It would be so easy to back out now, but Zhuyue already knew she wasn't going to.
"I mean stay here," she clarified.
"Zhuyue, I told you—"
"To put it out of my mind and that you did not come here for a resolution, yes I know," she interrupted.
"But I cannot put it out of my mind and since I have a resolution, I am offering it to you."
Chong regarded her in silence for a few moments. He could see the fierce determination in her eyes. It warmed his heart that she cared so much for him and Jun, but he wasn't quite sure she understood the weight behind her words.
"I knew behind that frowning face of yours that you were a kind woman, Zhuyue," Chong said with a small smile.
Zhuyue scoffed. "Don't spread that around. So will you two be staying or not?"
"I am sure I can speak for both of us when I say I truly appreciate your generosity—,"
Jun nodded her head in agreement.
"—but I do not think we can accept it."
"Why?"
"Because we couldn't put that burden on you and Yuánràng. My father can be a very petty man. If I were to move out, I'm sure he would take it as a personal offense and cease supporting me and Jun. We would have no way save up enough teals to eventually move out of your home. We couldn't do that to you."
"But you can't just keep going with this the way they are," Zhuyue argued. She could see his point and was utterly frustrated that there was nothing she could do to help them.
"We can and we will. We are not so delicate as to break from a few scathing insults. We have weathered it thus far and we will continue to do so…though I do hope you wouldn't mind that we continue to visit just to vent every once in awhile," Chong accompanied his last sentence with a small smile that did nothing to assure Zhuyue that they would indeed be alright.
=#=
"We need to stop! How many times do I have to say it you lummox!"
Xiahou Yuan frowned. He had been enduring insults like these for over an hour now. Oddly enough, Cao's daughters seemed to be content to only hurling insults at him and not his brother or Shi Huan.
"We just stopped an hour—"
"I did not ask you that!" snapped Cao Xian, the oldest of the three sisters.
Yuan muttered a curse under his breath and maneuvered his horse over to his brother who rode ahead of the carriage.
"Brother, they are asking to stop again."
"Ignore them," Dun replied.
"Easy for you to say! You are up here, safe from their insults."
"Do the insults of three little girls really bother you so much?"
"Tch, they aren't girls, they are fucking harpies…and really it is only two of them that are really being pains in the ass. The youngest one is as quiet as a mouse. She is my favorite."
"That's great, get back to your position."
"They are just going to ask to stop again! Brother, they are not warriors. They are not use to traveling for long periods of time. We can't keep this pace up and expect them not to complain."
"So we stop every hour? We aren't going to get anywhere like that," Dun said angrily.
Yuan knew the underlying reason why Dun was in such a hurry to get home. He had a brand new baby to meet. Hell, he wanted to get home to his wife and children. He would love nothing more than to ride as hard as they could day and night to get back to their loved ones, but they had a job to do and Yuan was not one to shrink on his responsibilities. He knew Dun to be the same way, he just had to remind him.
"I know, but we don't really have a choice. I don't really feel like hearing Mèngdé bitch that we didn't treat his harpies right because you just know they are going to complain."
Dun let out a few explanatives under his breath which let Yuan know that his brother had realized he had no real choice in this matter. His reunion with Zhuyue would have to be delayed just a little longer to ensure that Cao's daughters are transported safely and comfortably.
"Fine, we rest."
"We'll get home eventually, brother. Just got to be patient," said Yuan.
His words only earned a grunt from Dun, but he wasn't expecting much more. Yuan stopped his horse to allow the carriage to pass by him. As it did, Cao Xian called out to him through the lattice window.
"I swear if you don't stop this carriage soon—"
Yuan had to bite the curse that almost slipped past his lips. He put on a huge fake smile and replied as sweetly as he could.
"Don't worry. We will be stopping in just a bit."
"We better," she huffed before settling back into the carriage.
"Bitch," Yuan muttered as the carriage passed by.
Not long after, Shi Huan who had been guarding the rear caught up to Yuan.
"What's up?" He asked as he approached.
"Scout the area out, would you? Going to stop soon.
"Gotcha," Huan replied as he spurred his mount on to get a look at the surrounding area.
It didn't take long for Huan to complete his survey. They found Huan waiting for them further up the road where he led them to a relatively safe spot for them to rest. Yuan dismounted and offered to help the sisters out of the carriage, but it was only the youngest sister Cao Hua who took his offered hand. The others regarded him with scorn and began to complain to him and Dun about forcing them to travel for so long.
Hua distanced herself from her sisters. She had to endure their complaints in the carriage and she certainly did not want to continue doing so now that she was finally free of it. Hua looked towards the group. It seemed as if Dun and Yuan were distracted by her sister's scathing tongues. She took the opportunity to wonder deeper into the forest. With each step, her sister's voices became smaller and smaller letting her know she had wondered a good distance away.
Hua found a large tree and leaned against it, enjoying the sounds of nature in lieu of her sister's squawking. She took a deep breath enjoying the smell of nature around her. She had the urge to remove her shoes and run her toes through the grass but she knew she would be scolded by her older sisters for doing so. They detested nature enjoying the luxury of man-made comforts instead and as their sister she was expected to be the same.
Hua let out a soft sigh and rested her head against the trunk of the tree she leaned against. In truth she was happy for the stop. It delayed them from reaching Xuchang and a fate she desperately wanted to avoid. Perhaps she should just run. Would anyone even miss her if she was gone? Hua looked into the distance where the forest grew denser. If she hid there, perhaps she could avoid being found.
Hua pushed off of the tree and took one hesitant step towards the inner forest. Another step, this time more sure than the last; dreams of freedom strengthening her steps. A third step. She wanted to do this. She needed to do this.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Hua let out a startled scream at the sound of the sudden voice. She spun around and saw the man from the restaurant, the one she thought was the owner. Had he followed them? Why was he here? She remembered that he spoke with Dun and Yuan, but she hadn't known what they were speaking about.
"Who are you? Why have you followed us?" she asked angrily. Embarrassed, saddened and angered that she had been caught.
"My apologies, my lady. I am Shi Huan, styled Gōngliú," he replied as he saluted her.
"I apologize for not introducing myself earlier."
"You are the restaurant owner?" she asked remembering him from earlier.
"Sadly I am no longer. It burned down not long after you ate there."
"Oh. I'm sorry…but maybe it was for the best? The food was very bad."
Huan laughed. "Well a cook is not my normal line of work. I serve your father."
"Oh," Hua replied. "That explains why you followed us."
"Indeed it does. If I may ask, why were you trying to run away?"
Hua hesitated. She did not know this man. She had no reason to tell him anything. Besides, she couldn't risk news of her attempt to run away getting back to her sisters or worse, her father.
"I wasn't trying to run away."
"Oh…because it looked to me like you were."
"Well you are wrong!" she protested, her mouth scrunching up into a pout showing her young age.
"Oh, my apologies," said Huan with a chuckle. "Of course you weren't trying to run away. You must be excited to go to a place like Xuchang. It is much bigger than where you came from, right?"
Still pouting Hua folded her arms across her chest making her look even more like a petulant child than the young noble she was.
"I was fine where I was," she replied.
"But certainly it must be excited to see new places, right? And you get to spend time with your father as well."
Hua unfolded her hands so that she would wave one of them dismissively towards Huan. She accompanied the action with a scoff, one she learned well from her older sisters.
"Father isn't brining us there to spend time with us. He is using us to gain more control over the emperor."
"I…see…," said Huan softly.
Given their age he suspected they might be used eventually for political marriages, but he did not expect him to target the emperor. It was true that while he had Xian mostly under his control, the emperor did have bouts of independence. Using his daughters, Cao could curb that effectively.
Huan cleared his throat. It was obvious Hua wasn't happy about this arrangement given the fact that she was ready to attempt to run away into a forest in the middle of nowhere; he thought he should try to cheer her up a bit.
"It's not so bad. One of you may become an empress!"
The look on Hua's face soured further. This was apparently not the correct thing to say.
"I have no intrest in being an empress. Even if I did, my sisters would have something to say about it. They may seem friendly to each other now, but believe me, they are both plotting on how they can win the Emperor's favor."
Hua looked as if she wanted to say more but she stopped herself and leveled Huan with a hard glare.
"How did you do that?"
"Do what?" Huan asked innocently.
"Make me blabber like this. I don't even know you and I'm telling you everything!"
Huan chuckled. "I've been told I am easy to speak to. Perhaps that is it. You have no need to worry though, I am very good at keeping a secret."
Hua continued to pout not entirely assured of the sincerity of his words.
"Tell you what. I'm good at—" he paused as he struggled for a delicate way to describe his skillset.
"—slipping from people's minds. If you truly have no interest in being the Emperor's wife, I could give you some pointers to make him look past you."
"Even if he doesn't choose me as his wife I would still be his concubine. Father intends to give us all to him regardless of who he chooses. The only point of contention is which of us will have more power than the others."
"Hmm, well even as a concubine I know a way you can still avoid giving him your affections…if that is something you want to do."
"Truly?"
"Truly."
"Why? Why would you help me? You don't know me and I have nothing to give you."
Huan shrugged. "If you are desperate enough to run away into a forest in the middle of nowhere, you really do not want to do this. I guess I feel a bit bad for you and want to help you."
"I don't need your pity," she said sulkily.
Huan chuckled. "Don't think of it as pity. Think of it as me helping out a friend."
"Friend?"
"If you don't mind being friends with a lowly person such as myself, sure."
For the first time since their conversation began Hua smiled. "I am not my sisters. I don't look down on others because of their station. If you can truly help me as you say, I would gladly accept your friendship."
The two spoke for a while longer before being called by Dun. Hua returned to her sister's side feeling much happier than when they first departed. Maybe going to Xuchang won't be so bad after all.
=#=
Cao Pi looked over his shoulder and saw his "shadow" still lingering behind him. Since they had started out, Zhang He had kept a close distance to him. Pi would have been wary about this if Dian Wei wasn't riding by his side; still he was getting a bit annoyed and wanted to find out what he wanted once and for all so he could stop hovering around him.
Pi slowed his steed and Zhang He slowed as well. Pi let out a frustrated growl and turned in his saddle.
"Would you spit it out what you want already? Having you hounding my every move is annoying me."
Taking the hint Jùnyì urged his horse to move forward and join Pi at his side.
"Please accept my most sincere apologies, My Lord. I just wasn't sure how I should approach you—"
"Regarding your kidnapped friend."
"You see much, My Lord."
"As I have told you before we are not here on a rescue mission."
"Yes, but perhaps if I told you who she was—"
"Her?" Pi asked with a raised brow. "You intend to rescue a woman?"
"Not just any woman, My Lord. She is the most beautiful woman in the land."
Pi let out a disbelieving scoff, but Jùnyì only smiled.
"You don't believe me. I guarantee if you were to see her, your opinion would change. Yuan Xi keeps her locked away because he is extremely jealous of how many eyes turn her way when she enters a room. Just being in her presence can steal your breath away."
Pi rolled his eyes. He could hardly believe that there was a woman THAT beautiful let alone one married to the notoriously hideous Yuan Xi.
"So you wish for me to help you rescue this woman because you have desired her for yourself when you were under the Yuan service?"
"No. I wish for you to help me rescue her because she is a dear friend of mine and a perfect…a perfect wife for you." Jùnyì said. It was hard to say, but as Ju Shou had said, this was the best option.
Pi let out another scoff. "You expect me to believe you wish to do all of this for my benefit?"
"And why not? From what I have heard, you are to be the next heir. It would be wise to gain favor with you early…and also…you seem to be a decent man. I wish for my—for the dear butterfly currently trapped by that beast to be free. She would have a beautiful life with you."
"What makes you think I even want her? What if I do not find her nearly as attractive as you make her out to be?"
Jùnyì threw his head back and let out a melodious laugh. He knew the possibility of Pi not being attracted to Zhenji was nil. She was a bewitching beauty and all men wanted her and it drove Yuan Xi positively mad with jealousy. His butterfly was a beautiful woman, inside and out.
"She is quite possibly the most dazzling beauty I have ever seen. If by some sheer chance you do not find her worthy to be your wife, then I offer you myself in her stead."
"Excuse me?" Pi asked with a frown.
"I swear that I will serve you loyally till the end of my days."
"Do we not already have that oath?"
Jùnyì let out another laugh. "Come now, Lord Pi. You know as well as I that the hearts of men are fickle. Though we all serve now, that feeling can change in a few years. How many who serve under your father now previously served under another?"
"My father recruits loyal men. Their hearts aren't so easily swayed."
"So was it all rumors we heard then? Of the defect of Liu Bei, Chen Gong
Pi had to concede his point.
"I swear that I will never falter in my loyalty to you. I will serve you until the end of my days."
"Me? Not my father?"
"It is you that are doing me the service of rescuing my dear friend so it is to you my loyalty would be bound. As long as your loyalties lie with your father, so shall mine…but this is a moot point; I know for certain that you will want her."
"Hmph, we shall see, Jùnyì. You have yourself a deal."
=#=
Zhenji was wary when Yuan Shang first arrived. Her husband Yuan Xi was in a foul mood on the best of days and she was certain that his brother arrival would only serve to make it worse, especially since he was bringing trouble along with him. To her surprise, Xi welcomed Shang with open arms. He threw a feast for his brother, listened to his plight and vowed to help him in any way that he can. When she had left the two of them, they were enjoying their third jar of wine.
Knowing that her husband was a terrible drunk, Zhenji excused herself and headed to bed. She hoped in doing so he would opt to go to sleep rather than bothering her. Zhenji had been asleep for less than an hour when she was shaken awake. As she awoke, her senses were immediately assaulted with the stench of alcohol. Alarmed, her eyes flew open and she attempted to sit up only to find that she was being held down. She couldn't see the face of her assailant, but she knew exactly who it was.
"L-lord husband? What are you—"
"I saw you," Xi growled. A strong wave of alcohol flooded her nostrils.
"Saw me? My Lord husband, what are you—"
"I saw the way you looked at Xiǎnfǔ. The eyes you were making at him. You find him attractive don't you? You think he is more handsome than me, don't you?!"
"I do not know what you are talking about, My Lord," Zhenji protested as she attempted to squirm out of his grasp.
"LIAR!" he shouted as his grip tightened on her wrists.
"Since you love him so much you can fight for him."
With those words Xi released her and left the room leaving Zhenji to wonder exactly what he words meant.
=#=
Cao Pi's army was descending on Xi and Shang in You Province with alarming speed. Xi and Shang received news of the attack in the late afternoon and they had attempted to rally their army to prepare for the new threat. They drove their men hard as they feared for their lives, but doing so made them grow frustrated with their tactics. The soldiers were denied dinner, a meal that would undoubtedly be the last for most of the men and anyone found taking even the smallest of breaks was severely punished. Morale was already low within the army and their attempts to prepare for the new threat only made things tenser.
In the midst of all of this was Zhenji. When Xi got word that Pi's forces were on the march towards them, he immediately went to his wife's room and woke her. Hung over and still in a foul mood from the previous night, he instructed her to quickly dress to put on a performance.
Unaware of what he truly meant, Zhenji dressed in her finest silken robe and ensured that she looked absolutely flawless before stepping out of her room. Her husband looked her over when she appeared before him and Shang and with a hateful sneer he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the castle and onto the bustling courtyard where his and Shang's soldiers hurried to and fro to get things ready for the impeding siege. It was at that moment that Xi's words from last night rang in her ears.
'Since you love him so much you can fight for him.'
This was the performance he was talking about. He truly meant for her to fight.
"If you flee, I would kill you," Xi threatened before leaving her alone to face the enemy with the other soldiers.
Zhenji was stunned. She always knew Xi would be the death of her, but she didn't think her end would come in such a way. She clutched her flute tightly. Most women would cry if put in this position, but Zhenji had no tears left to shed. After years of emotional and physical abuse from Xi, she was truthfully happy that it would soon be at an end.
"My Lady?"
Zhenji looked up to a soldier who did not hide the puzzled look he had on his face upon finding her outside of the safety of the castle walls.
"Why are you out here? You should be inside where it is safe."
Zhenji gave the soldier a warm smile.
"My Lord Husband has told me my place is on the battlefield and should I attempt to flee it would be the death of me."
The soldier's mouth dropped open in disbelief.
"My Lady…I do not mean to cast doubt to your words but…surely this is some sort of jest, right?" he asked once he had regained his wits.
"I wish it were so," Zhenji replied with a sad smile. "But my fate is to die this eve," she said as she turned her head towards the night sky. The moonlight kissed her skin making her look like an ethereal beauty.
"It is a beautiful night. I do not mind meeting my end on such a night," she said in a soft whisper.
The soldier couldn't help but stare. Her beauty was truly breathtaking, especially bathed in the moonlight. She was a woman that needed to be loved and protected. Yuan Xi was a terrible husband for such a beautiful creature. It was hard for the soldier to pull his eyes from her but he forced himself to do so. He looked over to a group of men that were standing not far from them huddled in a group.
"My Lady, please excuse me for a moment," the guard said hurriedly as he rushed over to the group.
Zhenji pulled her eyes from the sky to stare at the soldier as he spoke animatedly to the others. Several of them cast glances at her as the soldier spoke to them. Finally the group walked over to her. Before Zhenji could speak, they all dropped to their knee and saluted her.
"My Lady Zhenji, we swear that we will see you safely through this battle. As long as one of us still breath, we will ensure no harm comes to you."
"No. I cannot ask such a thing of you. My fate is sealed. Please see to your own safety."
"My Lady, Lord Xi is a terrible man and a worse Lord. He treats us poorly, but asks us to bleed for him…to die for him."
The soldier hesitated before speaking again. It was clear he was ashamed to admit what he was about to say.
"He does not deserve our loyalty. He does not deserve our lives. We…we were going to desert the moment the battle started and leave him to fend for himself. We would rather suffer dishonor than to die for such an unworthy man."
Zhenji was shocked to hear this soldier's words but she certainly was not surprised. She knew how cruelly Xi treated his men. He and his selfish brother deserve to be left to fend for themselves. It was a wicked thought she knew, but she couldn't help herself. If she were to die, it was at least a relief to know that he would not be long for this world either.
"But you, My Lady," the soldier continued. "You have given us something to fight for. Allow us to retain our honor. Let us fight for you!"
"Please, stop saluting me. I am not worthy of it."
"But, My Lady—"
"I will not refuse your offer," she interrupted. "After such an impassioned speech I cannot. But I will not allow you to fight for me. We will fight together."
"You are a good woman, Lady Zhenji…much too good for the like of Lord Xi," the solider said as he and his companions rose to their feet.
Zhenji smiled softly and looked towards the night sky once more. It truly was a beautiful night.
=#=
Pi army descended on Yi's castle with the fury of a storm. To his surprise, they met very little resistance. Those that did not outright surrender were cut down with little to no effort. Pi left his men to deal with the stragglers as he forged ahead for his true prey.
As Pi and his men moved further in he heard a curious sound fill the air. At first he thought he was imagining things but as he got closer to the curious sound, there was no doubt that he was hearing the enthralling sound of a flute.
Abandoning his original goal, Pi led his forces towards the sound of the haunting melody. With each step taken, the music became clearer alerting him that he was getting close to his goal. Finally Pi stumbled before a sight he was not prepared for. Standing in the midst of a group of men was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Based on Jùnyì's description, this had to be the woman he was talking about. Pi tsked in annoyance. This was a bet he definitely lost.
The music abruptly stopped as Zhenji pulled the flute from her lips upon catching a glimpse of Cao Pi. The soldiers surrounding her snapped to attention and created a protective barrier around her. Zhenji stepped out of the man-made barrier and began to approach Pi.
"My Lady! No!" One of them cried as they tried to grab for her.
Zhenji easily slipped away from their grasp and continued her approach to Pi. He to stepped forward, signaling his men to stay back.
"That is odd attire for a battlefield," Pi remarked once Zhenji stood in front of him.
"I wasn't aware I was going to be in a battle when I put it on," she replied.
"Why are you out here? You do not look like the fighting type."
"My Lord husband thought it would be best to put an end to our marriage with my death," she replied cheekily.
Pi stiffened at her response. So she was married. Figures. He wasn't surprised a beautiful woman would already be taken. But her husband wanted to kill her? Why? He couldn't understand it.
"Who is your husband?" Pi asked.
"My Lord Husband is Lord Xi."
"Tch, and he leaves you out here with this pathetic group to protect you."
The soldiers behind her tensed at the insult and Pi's men responded in kind though they would not move unless Pi ordered them to.
"He left me out here on my own. These brave and kind men took it upon themselves to offer their protection to me."
"Touching. I have no issue with you. It is your husband and his brother I am after. If you and your men step aside, no harm will come to you."
"I have no desire to stop you, but I fear that your efforts will be in vein. My Lord Husband and his brother fled long ago. The men they left here were only to slow you down."
Pi's eyes narrowed as he leveled Zhenji with a piercing stare. Zhenji felt herself shutter under his gaze. She couldn't remember being looked at with such intensity, even by her most fervent admirers.
"So that is your purpose is it? To distract and lure men away from your husband?"
"I-I would never!" she protested.
"Lord Pi surely you must know that such a beautiful creature is incapable as something as boorish as lying."
"Jùnyì!" Zhenji exclaimed happily upon seeing her dear friend.
Jùnyì glided towards her and gave her his most graceful bow.
"I have come back for you, My Butterfly, just as I promised."
Zhenji a woman of poise and grace seemed to completely forget herself as she threw her arms around Jùnyì.
"I-I thought you were dead. The stories I heard…I feared I would never see you again!"
Jùnyì could hear the sadness in his voice and it broke his heart. He returned the hug and held her tightly.
"I am here, My Butterfly. I am here."
It was an emotional scene between two old friends, but Pi was not at all touched by this display. In fact, the very sight of it irritated him. Seeing another man hold her vexed him, despite her not being his in any way.
"Have your reunion on your own time not mine. I want you and Dian Wei to head into the castle interior. Search for those cowardly Yuan Brothers and bring their heads to me."
Reluctantly Jùnyì pulled away from Zhenji. He was loathe to leave her so soon after finding her, but he knew he could not disobey Pi's order for his own selfish reasons. She was finally safe, that was all that mattered. They would have time to catch up later.
Jùnyì gave Pi a flourished bow.
"As you wish, My Lord."
"And what of me?" asked Zhenji. She was hopeful that based on Pi's words she would be able to speak with Jùnyì again, but would it be as a prisoner?
"I have no desire to kill you or that pathetic rabble you call guards."
The men flinched at Pi's name calling but they made no effort to do anything about the insult.
"Surrender yourself to me and I will accept you as my guest."
"And the brave soldiers that defended me?" she asked.
"The same goes for them…of course they will have to be under guard within my camp. I do not know them nor do I trust them."
"I suppose that is fear…I only hope that you keep your promise and do not bring harm to any of them."
"I am a man of my word. No harm will come to any of you as long as you do nothing to provoke it."
"Then I surrender to you, My Lord…" said Zhenji with a bow.
=#=
Yuan Tan dabbed the sides of his face with a cloth, but it did little to stem the stream of sweat trickling down the sides of his face.
"And you are sure? He is coming tonight?" Tan asked.
Ju Shou nodded solemnly. "The moment I found out I stole away from the war council and came to tell you."
"You did well," said Tan as he wiped at his face again.
"We cannot hope to fight him," said one of Tan's advisors.
"I know that you idiot," Tan snapped. "Thanks to Ju Shou, we have a chance at survival. We will flee. We are a smaller force and can move faster than Cao Cao. If we leave as soon as possible, we can put some distance between us."
"I will go back to Cao Cao and try to delay his forces as much as possible."
"But if Cao Cao becomes suspicious—" Tan's advisor began.
"Do not worry about me. I must redeem myself in the eyes of the Yuan's family. If my death will bring about that redemption then I gladly give my life for it."
"As you should," said Tan with a nod. "Go. Do what you can to stall him."
"My Lord. You cannot be serious about sending him to de—"
"Silence," Tan hissed. "It is only fitting that he gives his life for us. He abandoned my father. This is the least he could do."
The advisor was about to point out that it was his father that betrayed him first but one of his colleagues wisely stopped him from debating the issue any further. Tan was already on edge. Further prodding would only end in disaster.
"Quickly, get our forces together. Only take the essentials, we need to leave at once."
Tan tsked loudly. "I should have known that bastard Cao Cao would have betrayed us."
The advisors looked at each other. They all knew the current fate that befell their leader was of his own making. He purposely ignored Cao's call for aid against Yuan Shang and as a result, he got away.
"Well? What are you standing around for? Move!"
His advisors sprang to life to get the meager forces that remained prepared to flee.
=#=
Tan had his forces moving at a neck breaking pace in an effort to get away from Cao's oncoming forces. He snickered to himself as he thought of the look on Cao's face when he came upon Tan's empty fort. He almost wished he was there to see it.
Still, Tan found himself in an unenviable situation. The fact is they were running blind with no real destination in mind. His first thought would be to run towards You Province and join with his brother Yuan Xi, but he knew that was the destination Yuan Shang had fled to. Surely he had already poisoned Xi against him. No, he would have to find another sanctuary to regain his strength and replenish his forces.
"My Lord! Ahead of us!" shouted a soldier. The cry shook Tan from his thoughts and in the inky darkness, Tan could make out the outline of a large force, illuminated only by the torches they held.
"Who is that? It…it can't be Cao Cao, right?"
"Behind us! They are behind us too! We are surrounded!"
Tan's mouth dropped open. 'How? How could Cao Cao have known? How could he have—'
Tan's face mophed into a sneer as he the truth dawned on him. Ju Shou, the traitor…he had to have orchestrated all of this and Tan willingly walked into the trap like a fool.
Three riders broke off from the main force in front of them and made their way towards Tan's paltry army. It was clear the riders were looking to parlay. Begrudgingly Tan moved to the front of his army flanked by two of his advisors. As he got closer, his nightmare was realized. His enemy was indeed Cao Cao and one of the men sitting on the horse beside him was that traitorous bastard Ju Shou. The third, Tan remembered as one of Cao's bodyguards.
"It seems I have lost our bet Ju Shou," said Cao with a pleased hum. "I certainly did not think they would be stupid enough to walk so willingly into our trap but here they are."
"It is as I told you Lord Cao, Yuan Tan and his brothers are morons," Shou replied.
"You BASTARD!" Tan spat angrily. "I gave you a chance to redeem yourself—"
"Redeem myself?" Shou shouted back. "From what? Being betrayed by your father? Having my innocent wife killed for no reason? Being sentenced to die for serving faithfully? I spit on the Yuan name and I will not rest until I see your bloodline ended!"
Tan's eyes widened in shock. "H-How dare you!"
"Oh stop with your blustering Yuan Xiǎnsī. You are in no position to do so," said Cao. "You speak of honor and redemption yet you betrayed me the second you had a chance. Your family line is a disgrace and it is better ended."
"I will not die like a dog! I am Yuan Tan of the illustrious Yuan family! I deserve better than this! I deserve respect."
Cao shook his head in disappointment. "You cannot even die like a man…how pathetic."
With no words Cao turned his horse around, the other two men following. Tan shouted at them but no one paid heed to his bellowing. Now back with his main force, Cao gave the signal and a hail of arrows rained down on Tan's forces. There was no escape from the onslaught of arrows; those who tried to run were run through by the forces that blocked the way behind them. Arrows continued to rain down on Tan's forces until not one was left standing. Cao sent his men to ensure that none still breathed and retrieve the head of his foe.
Tan's head was brought before him, his face still twisted up in mid scream as he undoubtedly cursed the heavens for his fate.
"You have done well, Ju Shou," Cao remarked as he stared into Yuan Tan's dead eyes.
"Thank you, My Lord," Shou said with a short bow.
"I feel I should reward you."
"You have slain the men that have wrong me. That is reward enough."
"Nonsense. I truly did this for me, not for you. I want to give you something just for you."
Cao signaled once more and on his order his two prisoners Shen Pei and Feng Ji were brought forward. Shou visibly stiffened at being face to face with Shen Pei once more. He thought Cao had executed these men long ago, yet here they were still breathing.
"I trust you are familiar with these two," Cao said with a dark smile.
"I am," Shou muttered, barely able to contain his anger.
They looked worse for wear. It was clear Cao did not make them feel like welcomed guests. He had never seen either man look as disheveled and dirty as they did. Their lips were cracked and bleeding from dehydration and he was certain they hadn't eaten in days.
"Shen Pei caused the death of your wife, did he not?" asked Cao.
"Yes," Shou replied in a quivering voice, the memory of his beloved wife still fresh in his mind.
"Then no man here has more right to end his pathetic life than you do."
On Cao's order a soldier offered Shou his blade. Shou looked at the object with furrowed brows before turning his glance to Cao.
"I am no fighter, My Lord."
"There is no fight to be had here," said Cao. "He is bound and cannot defend himself. This is an execution…Vengeance for undeserving death of your wife."
The soldier offered the sword once more and with a trembling hand Shou took it.
"This is how you would end me Ju Shou? In such a dishonorable way? Bound and gagged before you like a pig for slaughter? Be a man and face me as such!"
Shou thrust the blade into Pei's breast. His eyes went wide in surprise from the pain as well as shock that Shou actually had the gall to kill him.
"Was what you did to my wife not dishonorable? Could she defend herself? You call for honor when you give none?"
Shou pushed the blade further into Pei's chest. Pei let out a strangled cry with fresh blood spilling from his mouth.
"You deserve to die like the pig you are," Shou said with a sneer as he pushed the blade in one last time fully ending the life of the man that helped kill his wife.
Deep down, Shou knew this would not bring his wife back. It would not dull the pain of his loss, but seeing him dead at his feet did bring him a measure of satisfaction. Even if he would still be haunted by his wife's death, at least she would find peace amongst their ancestors knowing that both of her murders lay dead.
"Y-you monster!" shouted Feng Ji. "To think a man such as he would die at the hands of someone like you! Will you cut me down as well? Will you deny me a chance at honor? You betrayed a great man like Lord Yuan Shao in favor of this vill—"
Ji's words were cut short by the middle prong of a trident piercing his trachea. Shou stumbled back in surprise at the sudden attack nearly falling on his rear.
Cao sighed and moved his eyes from the carnage in front of him to its perpetrator.
"He was not yours to kill Wenze."
"I apologize, My Lord but I refused to hear him speak ill of you."
Cao sighed once more. "Your loyalty is admirable, but I am not so easily offended. You needn't kill someone just because they are saying unfavorable things about me."
"I am sorry, My Lord but I cannot abide by that. If someone dares to disrespect you in my presence they will pay the ultimate price."
Well Cao certainly couldn't fault him for his enthusiasm. Regardless, this was a pointless argument to have. He planned on killing Feng Ji anyway so it truly did not matter whose blade struck him down.
"Are you okay, Ju Shou?"
Shou looked up from Pei's fallen body and was surprised to see Guo Jia standing next to him. He did not hear Jia come next to him, but then again he hadn't heard much at all. He couldn't help but find himself transfixed as he stared Pei's body.
"I will be," Shou replied. "I can finally leave this part of my life behind. No longer will I have it hanging over my head…but it will take time for the wounds to heal."
"Well I am not an expert in such matters, but I do have a cure that soothes most aliments…at least for a night."
"Yes…I think I could use a drink," Shou replied.
"Good," Jia said with a smile. "Let us be off then to drink this dismal night away."
"Tell me, Fèngxiào, do you think Lord Pi was successful in his efforts to slay Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang?"
Jia let out a thoughtful hum s he looked towards Cao Cao who was instructing his men on how they were to proceed.
"For his sake, I hope he did."
=#=
"So it is in my expert opinion that we are pretty much fucked."
Pi's frown deepened. He currently sad slouched in his seat with his head propped up on his hand as he listened to Jia Xu's report. Just as Zhenji had said, Xi and Shang fled before Pi and his forces had arrived. The normal path to this problem would be to pursue the Yuan brothers, but unfortunately they chose to flee to Liaodong. Liaodong was a relatively small area ruled by a minor warlord Gongsun Kang. To get to the Yuan brothers, Pi would have to start a new war with yet another warlord just to get the two he was originally sent to capture. This was a complication he did not need.
"What kind of forces does Gongsun Kang have?"
"We don't know," Xu replied. "Gongsun Kang and his people prefer to keep to themselves. If we go to war, we would be going in blind."
Pi sucked his teeth in irritation. In the corner of the room, Liu Ye dipped his brush into the ink pot beside him and continued to jot down his notes. Pi's frown deepened knowing that Liu Ye was transcribing all of his failures for his father to read.
"So what do you suggest we do, Wénhé?"
"We have two options. One, we message Lord Cao and tell him of our plight. He can send us additional forces and we can overtake Gongsun Kang by force."
"You expect me to go crawling back to my father and admit to him that I failed?"
Xu gave him a small shrug. "Perhaps if you offer him that pretty little prize we picked up, he won't be quite so angry."
"She is not for him," Pi said with a hiss that surprised both Xu and Ye. Xu raised his hands in defense.
"Okay then. Option two it is. We attempt to entreat with Gongsun Kang."
"Very well, you will go."
"Uh...what?"
"I am certain I spoke clearly. You will be the one to entreat with Gongsun Kang."
"Right…did I do something to make you want to get me killed?"
"I am not attempting to get you killed. I have selected you to do this because I trust that you can convince Gongsun Kang to turn them over without unnecessary bloodshed."
Xu sighed. "Lucky me."
"You are lucky," Pi replied. "There aren't many I hold in such regard."
Xu was surprised by this response. Initially he thought Pi was just showering him with idle praise, but now he thought that he may actually be sincere in what he was saying. Xu did wonder why Pi had personally selected him for this excursion and now he has possibly gotten some insight into why.
"Well…if you put it that way, My Lord, I will endeavor to do my best," Xu said with a salute.
"I am depending on you, Wénhé, do not disappoint me."
