For once, Xing Cai and Ma Chao did not meet at the Peach Blossom Cliff.
"Where shall we go today?" asked Xing Cai as she and Ma Chao stood outside the training grounds where they had just finished their daily training. It was a nice sunny day, and Xing Cai thought it best to use it to their advantage. It was nearing the end of Summer, sunny days might not come as often during Autumn.
The two returned their weapons to a rack. Ma Chao wrapped an arm around Xing Cai's shoulders and pondered a bit. "Let's have take a stroll somewhere."
"A picnic!" piped up Xing Cai. Ma Chao smiled.
"A picnic it shall be then," answered Ma Chao.
"I'll go get the things we need. And we should take a shower; training in this heat makes us sweat quite a bit. Meet you here in two hours, okay?"
Ma Chao nodded and waved a goodbye as Xing Cai jogged off to her room. Xing Cai was one of the most talented and sweet woman he had ever meet. He felt extremely fortunate to have met her, and now, to be dating her too. Ma Chao smiled to himself. They had been together for three months now. Three months was enough time during those times of China. Ma Chao wringed his hands together as he entered his own room for a shower, wondering when he should ask Xing Cai to marry him…
XXXXXXXXXX
Sitting on a mat under a pear tree were Ma Chao and Xing Cai, leaning against each other, observing the scenery. This time, the scene was a river with some trees on the other side and a haze of orange coming through the trees from the sun. A bird settled on a tree on the other side of the bank.
"It's a wonderful day, isn't it, Chao?" asked Xing Cai.
"Every day is a wonderful day when you are beside me," answered Ma Chao, clasping Xing Cai's hand in his. A light laugh escaped Xing Cai's lips.
"You and your cheesy words!" said Xing Cai.
"Something wrong? What, don't you like them?" replied Ma Chao.
"I like them!" said Xing Cai. She turned around and wrapped her arms around Ma Chao's waist. "They're just a touch on the cheesy side. But that's the reason why I like them."
Time passed, and Ma Chao and Xing Cai decided to pack their things up and walk along the side of the river. They held hands, swing them back and forth as the paced the side of the bank. Ma Chao was carrying all the things they had brought, so Xing Cai was free to move about.
"Oh look Chao! It's beautiful!" exclaimed Xing Cai, pointing to the sunset, just as it was about to leave. The last rays continued to shine though, as if refusing to leave. Ma Chao embraced Xing Cai and rested his head on her shoulder.
"Yes, it is beautiful. But you will always be even more beautiful," answered Ma Chao quietly. "And your beauty will last forever." To him, it wasn't sweet talking, it was the truth. Xing Cai looked to the side at her lover.
"But when I grow older, I fear my beauty will leave…" replied Xing Cai in a teasing manner.
"No matter how you change, you will always be the most beautiful one to me," said Ma Chao. "I am forever yours."
Xing Cai giggled. "Of course you are!" Xing Cai kissed Ma Chao gently on the lips and they savoured it for a short moment before breaking away. Ma Chao hugged Xing Cai again and sighed happily as he watched the sun's final rays disappear to signal it was night. Although the sunset maybe be stunning, it would always leave at a certain time. But in Xing Cai, her beauty would never leave, however old she would get, for beauty comes in many forms. The purest form of beauty rests in one's soul, and that beauty would never dissolve because of age, not in Xing Cai.
XXXXXXXXXX
Autumn was Ma Chao's favourite season. It wasn't too cold and when trees shed their leaves, it felt like it was a time for renewal. He and Xing Cai had been together for four months now, and finally, Ma Chao decided to ask Xing Cai to marry her.
Ma Chao walked up the path to the Peach Blossom Cliff with jaunty steps, gripping a small box in his hand. What would Xing Cai say? Maybe she had been waiting for him to ask her the whole time! He pushed past the foliage and saw Xing Cai, already there, observing the familiar valley below. With quiet steps, Ma Chao surprised Xing Cai by wrapping his arms around Xing Cai's waist so suddenly.
Xing Cai gasped. "Chao!"
"Hello my love, have you been waiting a while?" asked Ma Chao. He talked with an excited tone, would Xing Cai notice it?
Unfortunately, Xing Cai did not, for so many things were revolving in her head already. "No, not too long…" Xing Cai pulled Ma Chao's arms away from her. She looked at Ma Chao, then to the ground. "I…I have something to tell you, Ma Chao," she said solemnly, her face now void of emotions.
Ma Chao looked at Xing Cai with worry. "Something wrong, Cai?"
"I…" Xing Cai raised her eyes to meet with Ma Chao's. "Lord Liu Shan wishes…wishes for me to marry him." Finally, she had managed to say it. Immediately, she regretted telling Ma Chao, for his face now showed a mixture of shock and sorrow. But she could not take those words back. "Lord Zhuge tried to persuade him to choose others, but he insisted. And so, I must—"
"What? Are you leaving me?" asked Ma Chao in a hoarse whisper. "Why?" His heart thundered as he awaited Xing Cai's answer.
"I must…if it is his wish that I be with him, then I must," replied Xing Cai. She was on the verge of crying, breaking down. But she steeled herself and held on.
"Surely he would understand if you said no!" continued Ma Chao.
"I cannot. Don't you understand, Chao?"
"No, I don't!"
"It is as I always say. Duty above all else," said Xing Cai, and she too felt her heart tear as she articulated those four words. Duty above all else. She had felt such pride when saying it. But now, it seemed like it was the barrier between her and Ma Chao. The barrier between her and happiness.
"Even above your own freedom and happiness?" asked Ma Chao. He dreaded her answer. Why did he even ask, he knew what Xing Cai was like; duty was the number one thing on her list. Yet he still wanted to hear it, the one word which would torment him.
Xing Cai sighed melancholically. "Yes."
"Don't do this too yourself, Cai!" cried Ma Chao. And don't do this to me either… he thought.
"I'm sorry Chao, but I must go to him…" muttered Xing Cai.
"No…" said Ma Chao, his voice a hush whisper. He tilted Cai's head up to meet with his eyes. "Don't say yes to him."
He leant in and kissed her, hoping to bring her back from the brink of despair for both of them. Xing Cai longed to stay by Ma Chao's side, and for a moment, she let herself be taken away by Ma Chao's lips. But after that short moment, Xing Cai pushed Ma Chao away and shook her head.
"I must leave now, Lord Liu Shan and Lord Zhuge are waiting," said Xing Cai softly. "Good bye, Ma Chao." She let go of Ma Chao's hands and walked off, her tears finally falling.
"I love you Xing Cai, don't leave me!" howled Ma Chao as he watched her go, unable to do anything.
Xing Cai wiped away her tears, but it served no purpose, for her tears continued to fall involuntarily. I love you too, Ma Chao. I'm so sorry…
The box Ma Chao was holding fell from his grip and clattered to the floor. It was a small box which contained the marriage ring. The box opened on impact, and the ring rolled out and laid to a rest under the Peach Blossom tree. Why had he not asked her sooner, to be his wife? But any more contemplation would do no good. He was too late. Could a vassal attempt to win over a lady's heart from their lord?
He sank to his knees and cried in anguish. Did Xing Cai not love him? Why did he leave him?
"Duty," growled Ma Chao bitterly. Duty made Xing Cai leave him. She did not even like Liu Shan! The one she loved was Ma Chao, and the one Ma Chao loved was Xing Cai. Two people in love with each other should be together. It was that simple.
Yet Xing Cai chose duty over love. Was Liu Shan's happiness worth he and Xing Cai's pain? And would Liu Shan even be happy if his wife did not love him?
That day, Ma Chao ended up destroying all the crate chairs and tables that belonged to them on the Peach Blossom Cliff. His emotions were a mixture of anger and misery. The Peach Blossom Cliff was he and Xing Cai's secret spot. But now that Xing Cai was gone, there was no purpose to it anymore. It only served to remember how their relationship ended.
Ma Chao never went there again.
XXXXXXXXXX
Everyone knew about the relationship between Ma Chao and Xing Cai. When the marriage invitations came, with not Ma Chao's name, but Liu Shan's, everyone was worried.
Zhao Yun, being quite a good friend of Ma Chao's, went to seek him out. As he neared Ma Chao's house, he heard sounds so smashing and breaking. He knocked on the door.
"Ma Chao! Are you alright in there?" asked Zhao Yun.
"Go away!" yelled Ma Chao.
Zhao Yun was worried. Therefore, he barged into the room, which was a complete mess. Ma Chao was slumped against the wall with a bottle of wine in his hand.
"Chao!" shouted Zhao Yun. Ma Chao glared at him.
"I said go away!" Ma Chao lobbed the bottle of wine at Zhao Yun.
"You should — Holy shi —" Zhao Yun ducked as the bottle smashed into the wall behind where his head was. The contents slithered down the wall as gravity took control. "Ma Chao! Control yourself! Xing Cai wouldn't want to see you like this!"
"What would you know?" snarled Ma Chao he thumped his head on the wall. His eyes were red and a little puffy from crying. Zhao Yun sighed and settled himself beside Ma Chao.
"I do know," replied Zhao Yun as he dug out the invitation card. Ma Chao grabbed it and his eyes widened as he read it.
"They…they're getting married in two weeks!?" said Ma Chao, stunned. Then he ripped the invitation into bits.
"Um…right, thanks," muttered Zhao Yun as he watched the remains of the card. It wasn't yours, Ma Chao, he thought. "What are you going to do?"
"What can I do? Liu Shan is our lord. Can I defy him? No, I can't." Ma Chao stood up. "This is a waste of time, I'm going to get more wine."
Zhao Yun though, would not let him leave so easily. He seized Ma Chao and pushed him to sit beside him again. "You're not going until you've worked out what you're going to do."
"I don't have a single goddamn idea!" shouted Ma Chao.
Zhao Yun crossed his arms and gazed at his friend coldly. "So you're going to give up." His friend stayed silent so he continued. "I thought you loved Xing Cai."
"How dare you!" roared Ma Chao. "I do love her. You do not know how deep my love for her is. It knows no bounds."
"Then go to her," answered Zhao Yun.
Ma Chao's head had gotten a little clearer by now. "That would mean defying our lord…"
"Can you do it?" asked Zhao Yun. Ma Chao looked at Zhao Yun with a doubt in his eyes.
"I…"
"Can you do it? For Xing Cai, and for yourself?" urged Zhao Yun. Ma Chao hesitated. It was not an easy choice. But he weighed what was more important to him. Xing Cai, or a place in Shu.
Xing Cai, thought Ma Chao. Definitely Xing Cai. Ma Chao looked at Zhao Yun with a look of resolution in his eyes. "I can, and I will."
"Then stop Xing Cai from going on with the marriage. Persuade her to go with you, for you two are the true couple," said Zhao Yun.
Ma Chao nodded determinedly. He breathed in deeply then let it all out. "Thank you, Yun."
Zhao Yun smiled. "Good." Then he looked about the room. "I'll pack up for you."
Ma Chao watched silently as Zhao Yun cleaned things up. Had Zhao Yun just told him to defy Liu Shan? The Dragon of Changshan, forever loyal to his lord? Zhao Yun had a small smile set in his face. Whatever the reason, Ma Chao would soon know. For now, he had no time to think about it. He had to come up with a plan of some sort to convince his beloved Xing Cai to leave Liu Shan. And I won't give up, not matter how complicated it may be.
He picked himself up from the ground and cleaned his room with Zhao Yun.
XXXXXXXXXX
Having just finished dinner with her husband to be, Xing Cai retired to her room. She and Liu Shan were to get married in one week. And after the dinner, she felt that Liu Shan seemed rather cold and indifferent to people around him. Xing Cai sighed as she sat on the edge of her bed. How she missed Ma Chao.
Xing Cai changed into some more comfortable clothes. She discarded the clothes she had worn for the dinner, in hopes that it would be more aesthetically pleasing so as to please Liu Shan, on a chair. Since her times as a child, she would hang with Guan Ping a lot more than Liu Shan. In fact, they only played with him because their parents told them to. Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were sworn brothers. Therefore, Xing Cai and Guan Ping could not neglect Liu Shan. From a young age, Liu Shan only liked to fool around. When Xing Cai and Guan Ping trained, Liu Shan was probably trying catch a butterfly. His attention span was tiny. Both did not like Liu Shan, but they couldn't do anything about it.
Xing Cai sighed again. She walked out onto the balcony and looked at the stars which decorated the night sky. Why did her best friend, Guan Ping, have to die? Why did Liu Shan have to ask her to marry him, of all the women in the world? And Ma Chao…what was he doing at the moment?
"Oh Ma Chao, I'm so very sorry. For duty, I hurt both you and I!" said Xing Cai to the night sky.
"Xing Cai!"
Xing Cai looked behind her to find the source of the soft voice. It sounded far away…
"Xing Cai!" came the voice again. This time, Xing Cai looked down and saw the very person she had been talking about.
"Ma…Chao…" whispered Xing Cai. She felt elated to see him, but quickly subdued herself. She must not let Ma Chao feel her gladness at seeing him. It would only encourage Ma Chao's actions, and that would only mean punishment from Liu Shan. "Why are you here?"
"To see you, of course!" answered Ma Chao. It was dark, but the balcony was not too far up, so Xing Cai could see him, albeit not too clear.
"Leave Ma Chao! I do not want you to be caught!" said Xing Cai. Ma Chao looked about him and spotted some vines on a wall which reached up to the sides of the balconies. With a grin, he launched himself towards it and climbed up, towards Xing Cai's balcony. "What are you doing, Ma Chao! You will be seen!" said Xing Cai desperately. "I know not what Liu Shan would do to you if he saw you…here!"
With a small leap, by pushing himself of the vine covered wall, Ma Chao latched himself to the balcony railing, finding a secure footing area too. Xing Cai stared at him, shocked. With a nervous glance, she looked back into her room. No one seemed to be in there. Then…
"Lady Zhang, would you like me to take these clothes away? Lady Zhang?" called one of the maids from inside the room.
Xing Cai raised a finger to her lips, a gesture to Ma Chao for him to keep silent. Xing Cai re-entered her room.
"Ah, yes, please take those clothes away. And, I am speaking to my god out on the balcony. Please do not disturb me, and let no one in. You see, religion is very important. I must ask for guidance from my god," ordered Xing Cai. The maid bowed to signify that she understood and left the room. With a sigh of relief, Xing Cai went back onto the balcony again to meet Ma Chao.
"Chao…" whispered Xing Cai as she neared her. No, she told herself. She would not run up and embrace Ma Chao, however strong the urge may be.
"Xing Cai," breathed Ma Chao. He reached out a hand and grabbed Xing Cai's slender one. With a gentle tug, he pulled her closer to him. Xing Cai no longer had the will to stop Ma Chao, for she missed him dearly. They embraced each other, a hug full of want and longing.
"I've missed you," said Ma Chao simply as he breathed in her scent. They broke the embrace, and Xing Cai was about to step back, but Ma Chao held on to her hand. He leaned in and gently pecked his beloved on the lips. "Will you not change your decision, Xing Cai? For you, for us?" asked Ma Chao.
"Nothing will change, however persuasive or," Xing Cai gestured at the vine wall. "Romantic you can be. Duty is my first and foremost thing that I must fulfil on my list."
Ma Chao blinked at her, the love of his life. Something in him told him to give up, but he knew that was not a possible way for him. Someday, Xing Cai would understand and go back to him. And so, he would wait for that day to come, however long it took. "I—"
"Lady Zhang! Sorry to interrupt, but Lord Liu Shan wishes to speak to you…" called out the same maid.
Xing Cai took a sharp intake of breath. What did Liu Shan want? "Go, leave this place, and don't ever come back!" said Xing Cai in a hush whisper. Ma Chao hesitated slightly, then leapt back onto the vines.
"Good night, my love," farewelled Ma Chao. "And, are you getting married to Lord Liu Shan next week?"
Xing Cai nodded gravely. "Yes, I am."
Ma Chao looked away solemnly. Only one week's time to try and stop her from marrying their lord, or else all would be lost.
It was only after many "Go, now!" from Xing Cai, before Ma Chao finally made his way down the wall and slipped into the darkness. Xing Cai composed herself and walked back into her room where Liu Shan was waiting, seated on a chair, its direction facing the door out to the balcony.
"What is it that you wish to speak of, my lord?" asked Xing Cai.
In a cold tone, Liu Shan answered, "Who was that?"
"No one, my lord. I was merely speaking to the gods." Xing Cai thanked whoever had made the room that there were curtains to conceal the window paned door to the balcony. But shadows could have been sighted with the light and the pale coloured curtains.
"Is that right?" replied Liu Shan, his voice full of suspicion. "Well, I came tell you that…I have just decided to marry you tomorrow."
Xing Cai was well and truly shocked, but she forced herself not to show it in her expression. "So…so soon my lord? Why?"
"My ways do not need to be questioned, do they?" asked Liu Shan nonchalantly.
Xing Cai brushed some hair away from her face, feeling extremely bitter to her supposed childhood friend. "Ah, of course not."
Liu Shan smiled at her. "I'll answer anyway. I wish to marry you soon because I feel like it."
"As you wish then, my lord," answered Xing Cai. It was hardly a reasonable answer. But the marriage was so soon, only tomorrow. After tomorrow, she could not harbour any more feelings for Ma Chao. But that, she thought, was easier said than done.
"I will order maids to help you with your marriage clothes and the makeup. I hope tomorrow will be an orderly celebration, don't you?" asked Liu Shan.
"Of course. If I may ask, who is going to marry us, for both you and my parents are no longer living," inquired Xing Cai. In Chinese tradition, parents of the groom usually married the couple together. If the parents are deceased, then someone of trust or a relative was to marry them.
"I should think Zhuge Liang will be willing to do so. My late father trusted him very much when he was alive. I will ask Zhuge Liang and Yue Ying if they would volunteer. Any other questions?" replied Liu Shan.
"Not that I can think of," answered Xing Cai.
"Very well then. Good night," said Liu Shan. And with that, he strode out the door in an overly regal manner.
Xing Cai, feeling relieved that the man had left, slumped over on her bed. The marriage was tomorrow! But she could do nothing. Because of that, she felt weak and helpless. Somewhere deep inside her, she wanted Ma Chao to be the one to save her from the dilemma. She knew she could not wish for Ma Chao to come. If Liu Shan knew of their relationship, he would never let Ma Chao go. Xing Cai had a feeling that this sudden change of plans was because Liu Shan had suspected that she had been talking to someone out on the balcony. That was the power of a ruler.
"Good night, my love," farewelled Ma Chao. "And, are you getting married to Lord Liu Shan next week?"
Xing Cai nodded gravely. "Yes, I am."
Xing Cai wondered why Ma Chao had asked that, but soon figured out that Ma Chao was probably going to try and come up with a plan. Whatever plan it was, he would not have any time left. She hoped Ma Chao would give up. If only wishes came true.
With a heavy, troubled heart, Xing Cai drew the covers over herself and somehow fell asleep.
XXXXXXXXXX
Zhao Yun's thoughts rushed wildly as the sudden news of the marriage was moved forward to the next day. How would Ma Chao be able to do anything in such a short time? He paced his room, thinking. Then, a loud banging rapped Zhao Yun's door.
There stood and rather exhausted looking Ma Chao. He must have had quite a journey in the night. Ma Chao looked up at the sight of his friend. "Is it true that Xing Cai's getting married tomorrow afternoon?"
Zhao Yun sighed heavily and nodded. With a groan, Ma Chao slammed his hands over his face.
"Why must it be so soon? It's obviously Liu Shan's decision. Damn that man!" growled Ma Chao. His face suddenly lighted up a little. "What if I appear when they—"
"Don't you dare storm in and stop their marriage. There are guards and many of us generals will be there. You won't stand a chance! There must be another way!" answered Zhao Yun.
"But there is no other way! What am I supposed to do? Just stand here and let them get married?" shouted Ma Chao.
"I…" Zhao Yun was lost for words. "You must not go to the marriage, alright?"
Ma Chao looked at Zhao Yun, then to door before walking towards it. "I'll figure it out myself." He bade farewell to a dazed Zhao Yun and left.
Zhao Yun banged his fist against the wall in anger and desperation. He could not help Ma Chao or Xing Cai! And Zhao Yun had a very strong feeling that, no matter how much persuasion he could manage, Ma Chao would still barge in on the wedding. It was a very strong feeling. And that meant it was a bad omen.
A/N: omg, lol, romance fail? PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!! (I haven't gotten a single review!! TT_TT is it that bad?) I hope you'll leave a comment? And if anyone says it's really similar to that fic I recommended which had this pairing…yes this fic was influenced by it, I must say. I'm sad that it never got finished.