Ch 8 – The Wedding Begins
Zhang He was still sobbing in the chair, thinking about how disgraceful he was for not making use of the chances he was given. His make-up would be smeared too, but that didn't matter any more. It seemed like he had forgotten reality for this small period of time that he had to reflect on things. Sometimes he wondered if she felt the same, but knew that it wouldn't be possible.
His thoughts were shoved back, deep into his mind when a messenger came in, out of breath. It was obvious he had run to the room as he leaned against the door frame to regain his composure. Zhang He looked up from his knees to see the messenger look up from his own position.
"Lord Zhang He…" The messenger was about to go on, but seeing his superiors tears streak his face stopped him. Zhang He blinked and then unfolded his legs and sat normally in the chair while wiping the remains of tears from his cheeks and eyes.
"Yes?" The butterfly general asked as he finished wiping away the tears. The messenger hesitated, wondering what he should say.
"Umm…is everything alright my lord?" He asked, wondering why someone so strong would be crying at a time like this.
"Hm? Oh, um…yes, everything is fine. Eheh…just tears of joy. I'm happy for Lady Zhen, really I am." Zhang He replied, standing up from his chair. "Now…what was it that you came to tell me?"
"Well…Lady Zhen told me that she wanted you to be the best man for the wedding." He answered. Zhang He's eyes widened.
"WHAT!? But…I still need to fix my make-up, get some decent clothing for this celebration and make sure I look all right!" He panicked. "Tell her that I accept and that I'll be right there! Just give me a few minutes!" He continued, running to his own corridors to get ready. The messenger widened his eyes as his superior flew by, almost completely knocking him over. Then he sighed and bowed.
"Yes my lord…I'll let her know." He spoke, hearing his echo in the empty room. He sighed and ran out the door to meet up with Zhen Ji to let her hear the news. He knew that Zhang He and Zhen Ji were close friends, so his acceptation would make her very happy.
Zhang He quickly found some nice formal dress clothes and reapplied his make-up, making sure he would look alright. He fixed his hair, changed and dashed down the hall to make sure he wouldn't be too late.
Zhen Ji had decided to sit down against the wall of the hallway and wait for the messenger. When he finally arrived she slowly stood up, careful not to step on her dress and slip like she had earlier.
"What was his response?" She asked even though she knew the answer.
"He accepts. He told me to let you know that he will need a few minutes to get ready." The messenger bowed and then began to walk. "Let us continue to the main hall." Zhen Ji nodded and began to walk with him.
Zhen Ji arrived at the main hall, but she was in a daze, thinking about things and how they were turning out. She didn't know what would happen if she told Cao Pi that she didn't want to marry him anymore. She could be executed for all she knew. She walked down the hall that had now become more of an 'isle'. She looked to the sides to see all the Wei officers standing on the sidelines and then she looked in front of her. There, she saw her fiancée and next to him Zhang Liao, Xiahou Dun and Zhang He.
Cao Pi waited anxiously, waiting to grab his brides hands and hold them in his, wanting to feel her cold touch that mirrored his own. She was so beautiful in her gown, her hair flowing loosely behind her. He hadn't seen her with her hair down and now that he did see it, her hair reached all the way to her lower back. Her long, black hair matched the silky look of her dress.
Zhang He watched as Zhen Ji passed him and the other two men to be side by side with Cao Pi. He blinked and smiled as he saw her stop at the end of the hall. The man who was conducting the wedding was Cao Cao, who oddly enough, was wearing his own formal clothes.
The wedding had started and Zhang He waited for it all to end. He felt his shield that helped keep his feeling tucked inside start to crumble as we watched the one he loved face the one he served. He closed his eyes and tried to close out the pain that was growing in his heart. He swallowed harshly before opening his eyes again. Why did he feel this way? Shouldn't he be happy for his friend that she found someone? No…he shouldn't. Not when he knew it would hurt her so much. He wanted to let her know that this choice that she was about to make would cost her a piece of her…but would it? It didn't seem like she cared for this man.
Zhen Ji stared icily into her soon to be husbands eyes, watching his own glare shine through her. Cao Pi smiled as she just scowled. The frail beauty of Wei was so close to rejecting this marriage…but she couldn't do it.
"Cao Pi, my son, do you take this woman as your bride?" Cao Cao spoke. He didn't sound at all professional, he sounded more like a tape recorder than anyone who would speak at a wedding.
"I do." Cao Pi answered, his words clearly stated.
"Lady Zhen Ji, do you take my son, Cao Pi as your husband?" Cao Cao asked again, this time in a bored fashion. He obviously didn't like weddings…
This question took longer to answer. Zhen Ji tilted her head down to gaze at the floor and think hard. She closed her eyes and sighed. She still didn't answer…maybe she truly wasn't ready to marry anyone just yet. Or maybe other feelings that she held were getting in the way.
Zhen Ji's throat went dry as she said nothing. Cao Pi gave her a confused stare, his small smile fading into a concerned scowl. He didn't understand what was taking her so long to answer. He thought that she had said she loved him and couldn't wait to marry him. He thought that he had truly found love; a love that he could have that had that same intense icy glare that he held. He had truly fallen for her, but if she had only said she loved him because she wanted power, he would be infuriated.
Zhang He watched in anticipation, also waiting for her reply. Something was definitely wrong; normally a woman wouldn't take so long to respond, so why was she taking so much time? Was she too nervous? No…like he said before, Cao Pi only lusted for her body and her beauty. On the outside, Zhen Ji was beautiful and looked like she would be easy to please, but this was not true. Zhang He knew this woman for so long and he knew that when she had gotten married to Yuan Xi she was happy. He was a soft, gentle man like Zhang He himself…just not as graceful.
Everyone else's jaw dropped. They all looked to each other, giving small glances of confusion. Cao Cao had actually taken an interest in this wedding after all. He straightened up from his slightly slouching position.
"Lady Zhen? Did you hear me?" Cao Cao asked as he waited for his own answers response.
"I …"
MUAHAHAHA!! That has got to be the worste cliff hanger I've made yet. I'm so evil...but oh well. REVIEW!!!!!!!!