Chapter 3: A New Life
Disclaimer: I. Definitely. Do. Not. Own. Dynasty. Warriors! And the warriors featured in the game ALL belong to Koei (lucky Koei). Any characters that you have never seen in any DW series belong to me, ok peeps?
(Soz about the last two chapters as I realised that they didn't have any writing courtesy of me at the end of the chapters!! Silly Meee! I'll remember this time okay loveys?)
I grabbed my hair accessories and placed them in the wicker box that was inside my carrying case. Today was the day I had been waiting for; I was going to Wei!! I was so excited although I felt sad about leaving my family, friends and most importantly, Hong. Ever since I had left him that day I couldn't stop thinking about him. His image popped into my head whenever I had a spare moment. I didn't want to leave him but I knew I wanted to go to war more. I was thoroughly confused. I looked around my now empty bedroom, trying to remember if there was anything that I had forgotten to pack. My eyes caught on something beautiful, shiny and golden standing on my mantelpiece. My present from Hong! How on earth could I have forgotten that? I took it and wrapped it up in some cloths to make sure that it didn't get damaged on the journey. From my home town, Cao-Wei's home ground was around five hours away on horseback. At least the journey would allow me time to think things through. Finally, I grabbed some paper and my favorite quill. I knew that they would have paper and quills in Cao-Wei but I figured that I wouldn't feel as homesick if I had my own equipment. I was suddenly overcome with emotion and sat down on my bed in an attempt to calm down. Just then, my bedroom door opened and my little sister, Xiang Yan, came into the room and sat beside me on the bed. She looked up at me, her lovely, big eyes looking concernedly into mine.
"What is wrong Jing?" she asked me, her chubby hands stroking my face tenderly. I smiled at her, reaching down and pulling her into my arms for a cuddle. She hugged me back, her small arms just able to reach around my body. We stayed like that for a few minutes until I heard my bedroom door open again. It was mother.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" she asked me, coming to sit down on my already crowded bed as well. I nodded and she embraced both of us, smelling sweet like cinnamon and oranges. "I am fine" I confirmed. "It is just that I will miss you all so much!" My already watery eyes starting shedding tears down my face. Seeing me cry, my little Xiang Yan became sad too and soon enough, she was also crying. Mother cuddles us tighter, trying to calm our sobs down at the same time. Eventually I calmed down, feeling good to have released myself and told someone what I was feeling. Suddenly I heard a knock on our front door. I rushed to open it thinking that it was the carriage-man, to tell me that he was here to deliver me to the lands of Wei. But it wasn't the carriage-man, it was Hong! He was standing there looking as gorgeous as ever and holding a bouquet of blue roses. He handed them to me, a shy smile on his face. I took them, leaning in to give him a kiss. He held me and we stayed like that for quite a while although it had felt like time had stopped and it was just me and him in the world.
"I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye one more time" he whispered to me. I smiled and stroked his long, wavy hair with my fingers. "Thank you" I told him. "And the roses are beautiful as well". We held each other once more, breathing in each other's scents. I kissed him again, stroking his face softly as our mouths connected. He broke away first, a saddened look on his face.
"Hong, what is troubling you?" I asked him, concerned. He shook his head and hesitated before answering my question.
"Shen Jing, my sweet, do you regret what happened between us that afternoon when I gave you your present?" I shook my head straight away to enforce the point.
"Of course I don't Hong. It was the best thing that had ever happened to me" Hong smiled, and I could tell that he was reassured now.
"I will wait until your carriage arrives before I leave if that is okay with you?" he asked me, taking my hand in his and gently squeezing it.
"I'd love you to wait" I told him. We went inside and my mother and him began to talk. Thinking of my little brother, I knocked on his bedroom door.
"Come in!" his sweet little voice called out. I carefully made my way inside, stepping over the toys that he had been playing with.
"Hi Jing" he smiled at me. I smiled back, moving over to sit on his bed. Huan reminded me of father so much. The long hair in a high ponytail, the light green eyes that gleamed when he was excited, the handsome face. He was oblivious to being watched as he sat down to play with his toys again. I was sitting there just watching him play for around ten minutes before I heard the sound of hooves and wheels pulling up outside.
"Jing your carriage is here!" my mother called out from the front garden. I grabbed my suitcases and made my way outside followed by my family and Hong. The carriage-man got out and brought my bags into the cab. Suddenly, I was engulfed my many hugs all at once.
"Stay safe my little darling" mother whispered to me, bringing me close to her. "I will" I reassured her.
"Please write to us and tell us about all the cool weapons that you see there!" Huan said to me, hugging my waist tightly. I promised him that I would and went to cuddle Yan.
"I'm gonna miss you Jing" she told me. "Could you please send me some presents while you are there?" I smiled and promised her that I would as well. Finally I made my way over to Hong. We hugged as if it was our last time. It could be our last time...
"I love you Shen Jing" he whispered to me. "Please stay in touch and keep yourself safe". I nodded at his request, too choked up now to say anything clearly. Everyone waved me off as I climbed into the interior of the carriage.
"So now I am on my way to my new life" I told myself. Some of the old sparkle came back to me and I squirmed in excitement. Soon I would be fighting alongside top generals on my way to achieve peace for this land of China. I couldn't wait. I waved one final time as the carriage began to move steadily onwards. I knew that I would miss everyone so much but a new area had appeared in my life. And I couldn't wait to conquer it.
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5 Hours Later (I was to lazy to right the whole of Jing's journey so I have decided to continue the story from the moment she reached Cao-Wei. Don't worry, you didn't miss anything important. So moving on...)
Finally the carriage pulled up outside a huge palace. Cao-Wei. I was excited but also a little nervous as well. The carriage driver got my bags out before opening the cab door for me.
"You've reached your destination Madam" he told me politely. "I hope you've had a very pleasant journey". I smiled and pulled out some Yuans to give him. He took them appreciatively.
"Thank you so much madam" he grinned back. "Now I will lead the way, if you will just follow me". I nodded again, picking up my large bag. We walked down the huge courtyard toward the grand gates of Wei. The gardens that surrounded it were beautiful and the air smelled sweet. We wandered through the open gates and made our way to the palace doors. Before we could could go any further, three guards stopped us.
"Where are you two going please?" the oldest looking one asked. I smiled and bowed down to them.
"Hello" I smiled politely. "I am Shen Jing and I have accepted a place here at the grand Cao-Wei kingdom as a bodyguard. I was told that Lord Cao Cao would be taking care of my arrangements from here". The guards lowered the weapons and the one who had spoken smiled briefly at me.
"Ah yes, Lady Shen Jing. Would you like to make your way with me please?" The carriage-man gave my bags to some of the guards and began to make his way out the gates, waving goodbye at me as he left. We walked through the massive doors and inside the main castle. This place was bubbling with people of all sorts of ages, all looking happy and engaged in whatever they were supposed to be doing. We walked for what seemed like hours until we finally stopped at a door with my name displayed on the plaque. My new room! I was very excited.
"This is your room" the main guard voiced my thoughts. "You can begin to unpack your things in there and someone will come and collect you to meet Lord Cao Cao in half an hour. They opened the door for me before walking off. I dragged my bags inside before looking at my new bedroom properly. It was simply beautiful. It was quite small but managed to fit everything inside it perfectly. There was a thick white carpet covering the floor and a fancy double bed in the corner. The beautiful antique wardrobe was open, inviting me to use it. There was a bed side drawer in the same design as the wardrobe. At the far side of my room there was a chair and a small writing desk with a neat stack of papers and a quill on it. This will be perfect to write my letters on, I thought to myself. I grinned and jumped up and down. "This is going to be great, I just know it is!" Slightly hyperactive now, I ran and launched myself onto the beautiful bed. It squished down delightfully under me. I lay there for a while, thinking of how much fun I knew I would get up to here in the Wei Kingdom. Glancing at the clock on the wall I quickly jumped off the bed. 2.13pm? I needed to hurry as someone was coming to pick me up at half-two and I still hadn't gotten dressed yet! Diving into one of my suitcases for the pretty dress that mother had told me to wear, I stripped off my old clothes and got dressed.
There was a knock on my bedroom door. "Lady Shen Jing, I have been asked to escort you to lord Cao Cao's office" a female voice called out.
"I'm coming!" I called back, applying one more quick coat of lipstick to my mouth. I never normally wore make up but I had decided to try and make an impression as I was meeting the Wei Lord after all. Brushing a hand through my hair, I went out into the hall where my "escort" stood waiting. She was small with dark hair and a calm expression. She was quite pretty and wore no make up. She bowed down to me when a came out. I bowed back. "I am Song Ling" she told me. "I will lead you to the Lord's office now" she told me again. I nodded and followed next to her, looking around me as we walked. We went up the stairs which led to the Lieutenants' floor. Just like in my corridor, there were doors with plaques on them which showed the Lieu's names. All of them were closed. Soon we came to another flight of stairs. Ling told me that we were now on the Generals' floor. I became excited. As we were walking along, we passed a large man both in width and in height. He smiled at us and I smiled back.
"I am Shen Jing, sir" I told him. "I am a new bodyguard who has just joined Cao-Wei". I bowed down. He bowed as well, a sweet grin on his plump face.
"I am Xu Zhu, one of Lord Cao Cao's personal bodyguards" he said. "Pleased to meet you Lady Jing".
"Thank you very much Master Xu Zhu" I told him again. We carried on walking towards Cao Cao's office. I tried to read all the generals' names that I could see on the plaques on the doors. Cao Ren, Dian Wei, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Chen Gong, Xu Zhu... the list went on and on. At the end of the generals' floor I saw a room that was a bit larger than the rest. On the door was the name "Sima Yi". I curiously asked Ling why this room was bigger than the rest which were on this floor.
"Ah, because this room belongs to the great, young strategist, Master Sima Yi" she told me with a hint of a blush to her pale cheeks, I noticed.
"So he is good then, this Sima Yi?" I wandered. Ling nodded quickly, her eyes becoming quickly animated as she talked about "Sima Yi"
"He is the best of the best" she confirmed. I nodded absent-mindfully. We walked up a final flight of stairs until we came to the top generals' and commanders' floor. This hallway was definitely the most luxurious. I looked at the fancy writing on these plaques. Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Pi... finally we came to the Lord's office, which was right at the end of the corridor. "Wow that was a lot of walking" I laughed. Ling giggled as well, smoothing back her hair as she did so. She knocked on the door, awaiting a reply.
"Come in!" a masculine voice boomed from inside. We did as we were commanded. This room was truly amazing. It me have just been an office but it looked ten times posher than my bedroom. There was even a mini fountain tricking at the far side of the room. Ling bowed as she entered and I did the same. Cao Cao smiled and came up to us. He wasn't that tall for a man (around five-feet nine, I presumed) with pale green eyes and a handsome, chiseled face. He had a small moustache and a triangular beard. His long hair was tied into a high bun and he was wearing ornate head decoration.
"Good afternoon" he said formally, offering his hand to shake. I placed mine in it and he kissed it. I tried to stop my blushes as he lips touched my hand. "I am Cao Cao, commander of Cao-Wei. And you must be Lady Shen Jing, am I correct?"
"Yes, my lord, you are correct" I smiled dazzlingly at him, flicking my hair back in a flirtatious way. Cao Cao laughed.
"I see you that you will be quite a feisty one" he grinned at me. "But I think I can handle feisty". I suddenly realised what I was doing. Flirting with my boss? What kind of madwoman did that make me? I had to stop right now...
"Now like I had written in the letter, we will see your fighting skills first and then we can choose whom you will serve from there. Understood?"
"Yes my lord, I understand" I told him. He smiled again, stroking my arm affectionately. I felt goose pimples form where he had touched me.
"You are a beautiful young girl" he carried on. "I know that most of the male generals won't mind looking after you!" I laughed politely at his comment.
"So Lord Cao Cao, when would you like me to show you my skills?" Cao Cao didn't take long to think about it and I noticed that his eyes didn't move off my chest while he was doing so. "Tomorrow morning, if that is sufficient with you?" he told my bosoms. I cleared my throat, in an attempt to get him looking at my face again before I answered. It worked and his eyes drifted back to mine.
"Tomorrow morning will be absolutely fine, my lord" I told him in a mildly seductive tone. "Now my lord, if you don't mind, I should take my leave of you. Unless there are any other matters you may wish to discuss with me?"
"No. I think that is all" he told me, smiling. Then, he leaned towards me and gave me a light kiss on my cheek. I was surprised he didn't feel the heat radiating off them with the intensity of my blushes.
"And remember Lady Jing" he told me. "If ever you want to discuss something with me, I will be happy to invite you to my chambers or my office. As long as I am not busy, I will gladly rid you of your problems" he smiled sexily at me, knowing that I knew that he meant more than just a "talk" would occur if I did decide to visit him. I decided to play his game to keep him happy.
"Of course and thank you, Lord Cao Cao" I told him in a surprisingly sexy tone, which was nothing like my natural voice. I bowed before walking out. As I placed my foot on the first stair, Cao Cao came after me, calling my name as he strode. I turned around and smiled at the Wei Commander.
"Lady Shen Jing!" he breathed as he came up to me.
"Yes Lord Cao Cao?" I asked innocently. I saw that he couldn't help but smile at the face I was giving him.
"Lady Jing, there is a party tomorrow evening, with all the important and loyal members of my team. And I am inviting you. All my generals will be there, so you will get to see who you may possibly serve in the near future". I frowned at the idea of the party, becoming slightly worried. Cao Cao noticed my expression immediately.
"Pray what is wrong Lady Jing?" he asked me.
"Well, it is just that I do not know anyone at the party apart from you my lord. Will the generals portray hate towards me because I am just a newcoming bodyguard?" Cao Cao laughed softly.
"Don't worry Jing"he comforted me. "Our generals are all very nice towards the newbies. You'll be fine". I nodded, hoping that I looked reassured.
"So will you come Lady Jing?" he asked me. "I would love it if you did". I pretended to mull it over before giving him an answer.
"Well that is refreshing to hear. And of course I shall be there Lord Cao Cao" I told him. Cao Cao beamed and patted my shoulder gently.
"I am very glad to hear that" he replied. "And I suppose I shall see you tomorrow" And with that said, he made his way back to his office. I grinned to myself as I made my way down the grand stairs. It was my first day and already the commander was inviting me to their professional parties? I could get used to this!
(So what do you think of this chapter huh? Hope it is to your liking. Many more coming soon so please wait and remember, REVIEWS!!!