Xing Cai daubed her lips with lipstick and fixed her headdress. Right now, it was the worst moment of her life, having to marry Liu Shan, a man she held absolutely no love for. She was dressed in a fine scarlet silk qipao which just covered a bit of her crimson flats. When the maids checked that everything was in place, they placed a red cloth over her head which covered her face so that no one could see. Which more or less pointless because everyone knew Xing Cai. But a tradition was a tradition and it was made to be upheld.

When the maids checked everything was through and neat, they escorted Xing Cai out. The day was nearing noon. After the marriage, they would have lunch, followed by another extremely long party which included dinner before everyone left. And then she would have to spend the night with Liu Shan. Xing Cai shook her head, forcing herself not to think of it so soon.

The red cloth was not transparent, but you could make out the people in front of you. Xing Cai arrived at the marriage style decorated hall, flanked on both sides by maids. They all left to wait on the side when Liu Shan dismissed them. Music and chatter filled the hall, and Xing Cai felt a little dizzy. The music with all the gongs, people were talking too loudly, not to mention Liu Shan saying things she wished would come from Ma Chao instead of him. Xing Cai nodded weakly when Liu Shan said something along the lines of, 'I'm very happy, aren't you?'

When Zhuge Liang and Yue Ying arrived in some celebrative clothes, everyone fell silent. Liu Shan left Xing Cai side to stand at the front.

"Dear family and friends, I am most pleased to see that you have all arrived to celebrate this special day of I and our dear Zhang Xing Cai's marriage!" exclaimed Liu Shan. Everyone clapped when he finished. "Now then, there will be more time for chatting and eating later. Let us proceed with the ceremony."

While everyone was applauding a very self absorbed Liu Shan, Zhuge Liang and Yue Ying talked quietly with Xing Cai.

"Cai, I thought you were with Ma Chao…" whispered Yue Ying.

"Well…" struggled Xing Cai.

"Are you sure you want to go ahead with this?" asked Zhuge Liang.

Xing Cai took a deep breath and replied with forced confidence. "Yes, I will. Duty comes first. My father would be proud."

"Do you think so?" answered Zhuge Liang.

Xing Cai faltered. She never had thought if her father would have supported her marriage with Liu Shan rather than with Ma Chao. She had always thought that duty to the kingdom and its ruler meant she was doing her job and maintaining the name and pride her father had created for their family.

"If you want to go through with this, then I will honour your decision," said Zhuge Liang. "I just hope you won't regret it."

"I…I won't."

Xing Cai felt Yue Ying's hand on her shoulder. "Be strong, Xing Cai."

Xing Cai nodded and all three of them disengaged from the conversation when Liu Shan drew near.

And so, the ceremony commenced. Both groom and bride had to kneel before Zhuge Liang and Yue Ying who were seated. A faint blush could be seen on Yue Ying's cheek, for their ruler was bowing before her. With the first bow which they had to do on their knees, they also had to offer tea. Zhuge Liang and Yue Ying took it gratefully. Both Xing Cai and Liu Shan discarded the trays to the awaiting maids before standing up. A voice on the side drawled out, "Finally, bow to each other, groom and bride."

The two stood up and faced each other. They were about to bow when the doors to the hall were flung open.

In strode Ma Chao at a furious pace, giving off an aura which seemed like an angry red. "Xing Cai!" he shouted. "Don't marry him!"

Xing Cai heard Liu Shan snarl beside her before barking orders to the guards to restrain the Tiger General. Obviously, that was not an easy job for mere guards. The first one that got up to Ma Chao got his face punched in almost instantly.

Zhao Yun stared at his friend from the audience, his face void of emotion. He knew Ma Chao would come and gatecrash. Zhao Yun closed his eyes and shook his head. Ma Chao was only running into his own death by doing so.

Ma Chao took on a number of guards. They surrounded him before pouncing with batons. Ma Chao ducked a swipe then shoved a guard away with a strong kick. "No one can stop me!" Ma Chao yelled when he had defeated all the guards. But he was on his knees after the fight; taking on so many guards at once unarmed had ebbed away a lot of his strength. With an outstretched hand towards Xing Cai, he exclaimed, "Please, come back to me…Cai…I love you!"

Xing Cai's heart clenched. She too loved him, but her duty to the kingdom had to be fulfilled. Nor could she let Ma Chao be hurt by the law. Xing Cai speculated that Liu Shan was going to call on a general to subdue Ma Chao next, and so she stepped in before he could do anything. With a growl, Xing Cai marched up to Ma Chao and pulled the red fabric off her head. She forced herself to glare down at the kneeling Ma Chao. Could she really do this?

"General Ma, leave. Now," said Xing Cai coldly. "You are not welcome here if you are going to prevent this marriage. Get. Out." Her voice had risen to a yell as she pointed out the door. She could not believe she had just said that, but she had to follow through with it now.

"No," answered Ma Chao.

Xing Cai stared at the man she loved dearly.

"I'm not leaving. Not without you."

Xing Cai let out a groan. How she wanted to just leave the place with Ma Chao. But she could not. Why was Ma Chao so stubborn? Xing Cai sank to her knees, her eyes level with Ma Chao. She shook the man's shoulders. "Why don't you leave?" she asked desperately, but she knew there was absolutely no purpose in asking it. And to Xing Cai's dismay, Liu Shan had ordered Wei Yan to contain the 'beast', as Liu Shan put it.

"Get off me Wei Yan!" screamed Ma Chao. He looked back at Xing Cai with pleading eyes. "Do not go through with the marriage. You won't find any happiness in it." With a final lunge, Ma Chao caught onto Xing Cai's hand. "You know I love you. I would do anything for you, Xing Cai."

"Get the barbaric fool out of here and into a cell, Wei Yan!" shrieked Liu Shan. Despite the struggles coming from Ma Chao, he was tired after fighting all the guards, and Wei Yan hauled him off, forcibly ripping Ma Chao away from Xing Cai. Ma Chao lost grip of her hand. "No," uttered Xing Cai so softly only she could hear it. Her hand clenched into a fist, longing for Ma Chao's touch. "Don't take him." She watched in despair as Ma Chao was dragged out. Tears trickled down her face. They weren't going to kill him were they? Xing Cai would never forgive herself if Ma Chao died because of her. Never.

The commotion had shaken everyone. But Liu Shan did not seem affected, after screaming all those orders. "Now Xing Cai, maybe you would put that cloth back over your head and continue this marriage?"

"Yes, my lord," she replied with a shaky voice.

With that, they finished off the bow and they both said something of an oath to forever love each other. That would be impossible, thought Xing Cai.

Throughout the whole day, Xing Cai could do nothing but think of Ma Chao. Liu Shan was toasting with everyone, downing many cups of wine.

"Xing Cai," said someone beside her. She looked around and saw her mentor, Zhao Yun.

"Oh, Zhao Yun. Hello," greeted Xing Cai, her thoughts still on Ma Chao.

"Am I correct that you are thinking of Ma Chao?" whispered Zhao Yun. Xing Cai nodded slightly. Zhao Yun had been a mentor to her since a very young age. She could trust him with some of her secrets.

"Yes…what do you think Liu Shan will do to him?" she replied, just as quietly.

"I'm sure he won't be too severe. Ma Chao has, after all, done a great deal in helping us build this kingdom and restore the Han." Zhao Yun noticed that Xing Cai had touched any of the food. "Eat something. It won't do you any good if you don't eat," said Zhao Yun. Xing Cai had just been sipping tea through the whole night.

"I'm not hungry," replied Xing Cai. How could she have an appetite with Ma Chao's fate unknown?

"Chao would not want you to starve yourself. And..." Zhao Yun looked over to Liu Shan. "If you are sad, Liu Shan won't be happy. Brides are supposed to be happy that they are getting married."

"I'm afraid he already suspects so, and if not, then he already knows," said Xing Cai with a sigh. Then she picked up her chopsticks to get a small bun which she nibbled. Zhao Yun smiled slightly. At least she listened to him, unlike Ma Chao.

It was getting rather late. Xing Cai's maids bustled towards her and told her to make preparation for the night. Xing Cai sighed. It was time. She took a last look at Zhao Yun, then left to her marriage room.

Zhao Yun watched her leave. Xing Cai was miserable, Ma Chao was in jail, and Zhao Yun…he felt useless for he could not help his friends. He glanced at the chubby Liu Shan, happily slugging his wine away. Why must it always be the good people who suffer? thought Zhao Yun. Life was not fair. That much was certain. With a heavy sigh, the Dragon of Changshan ate in silence.

XXXXXXXXXX

The maids placed everything in the room in order. It was decorated in, yet again, bright red. The blankets were made of silk and shone like a flat ruby in the light. Xing Cai sat down on the edge of the bed with the red cloth draped over her head. She remembered how she had asked her mother what happened in marriages. Her mother replied that the bride was to wait patiently in the marriage room for the groom. And then they would consummate the marriage. Xing Cai did not know what that meant at that time, but she did now.

The maids left Xing Cai alone in the room, which gave her space to think of Ma Chao. She fidgeted as she wondered if the guards would treat him well. But it was Ma Chao, one of the five tiger generals. The guards couldn't possibly treat him badly, could they?

All of a sudden, Liu Shan crashed through the door. He didn't look stable at all, he looked like was going to fall over anytime soon. He stumbled in a circle before managing to close the door. "Xing Cai…" he slurred. "You have made me such a happy man today. I promise you'll have whatever you want, my wife."

What I want now is Ma Chao, thought Xing Cai bitterly. Liu Shan stumbled towards her and pulled the red cloth away from her head.

"Ah, you are very beautiful," said Liu Shan with a giggle. Xing Cai looked at him stoically.

"My lord, I think you are rather drunk," said Xing Cai. She stood up and helped him to a seat. "Maybe you should sit down."

Liu Shan flicked her arm away. "No, I don't want a seat. I want you, Xing Cai!" It was rather sudden when Xing Cai felt Liu Shan's lips crushed against hers in a sloppy kiss. Liu Shan had a heavy stench of liquor about him.

Xing Cai did nothing. She did not continue the kiss, nor did she back away from the man. She felt his hands on her, pushing her down on the bed. Xing Cai looked at the ceiling, expressionless.

"You're mine…" muttered Liu Shan as he undid the buttons on Xing Cai's qipao. Then, Xing Cai felt the hands stop moving over her. She looked at the man and figured he'd probably had too much to drink, for Liu Shan had rolled over and dozed off.

Xing Cai felt relieved. She picked herself up and fixed up her askew clothing before pushing Liu Shan fully onto the bed and pulling the covers of him. Should she sleep with Liu Shan? She was his wife after all, and so she might as well get used to it. Then her thoughts wandered to Ma Chao, and she made up her mind. Despite being married to Liu Shan, Xing Cai had a strong will to stay true to Ma Chao, even though she knew they were never going to be together.

And so, Xing Cai pulled out a chair and slept in it, with her head resting on the table. All she had to do now was to wake up earlier than Liu Shan.

Ma Chao, I hope you're alright…

XXXXXXXXXX

Liu Shan shook his head in an attempt to shake a headache away. He must have had a lot to drink because he was suffering quite a hangover. He peeled open his groggy eyes to see Xing Cai come in with a tray of food for them both.

"Oh, good morning, my lord. I brought breakfast," said Xing Cai as she set the tray down. She had changed her clothes back into her usual daily clothes, having discarded her marriage dress beside the bed, in an effort to pretend that she and Liu Shan had already consummated their marriage. She even pulled off Liu Shan's shirt to make the act seem realistic. However, Liu Shan did not seem to be thinking about that. He walked up to her and sat down at the table. "It's a little bit chilly," stated Liu Shan. Xing Cai handed Liu Shan one of his usual shirts which were tailor made to suit him. She put the shirt on for him, for that was what a wife should do for her husband.

When they both finished their breakfast, Liu Shan cleared his voice. "Um…Xing Cai."

"Yes my lord?" asked Xing Cai while stacking the dishes back onto the tray.

"Do you harbour any feeling towards that Ma Chao?" asked Liu Shan bluntly. Xing Cai stopped her tidying.

"Er…no, of course not. Ma Chao probably thought I loved him… I…I don't love him, my lord. He got the wrong idea," lied Xing Cai with her conscience telling her she should not have said that.

"I hope you are not lying to me, are you?" asked Liu Shan, looking at Xing Cai suspiciously. Sometimes, Xing Cai thought Liu Shan was actually a smart boy. But his intelligence was never used properly. Liu Shan realised very quickly that Xing Cai loved Ma Chao, without having to associate between them. Yet he could not govern a country without something, like a bunch of girls, taking his attention away. Liu Shan was smart, but smart for all the wrong reasons.

Xing Cai swallowed. "I would never lie to you, my lord."

Liu Shan sat back, a sly smile evident on his lips. "Well, then. I'd like you to 'finish' off that Ma Chao for me."

Xing Cai's eyes widened. "Finish Ma Chao off? You…can't be serious!"

"What do you mean? Of course I am."

Xing Cai was stunned. "But…if we killed him…then…many people may defect and…and his friends won't be happy that such a valuable general was executed!" And I love him. That is all the reason I need.

"I never said to publicly execute him, did I?" answered Liu Shan, his expression held malice. "I'd like someone that I can trust and would do their job. As you say, duty above all else. I have faith that you will do it, nice and clean. I will allow you to take him to a quiet place. And then, you—" Liu Shan made a killing motion with his hands. "—him. Understand?"

He wants me to be an assassin, thought Xing Cai. This was totally out of her hands, and she did not know why or how, but something made her…nod.

Liu Shan smiled. "Good, Xing Cai." He raised his hand to touch Xing Cai's cheek. She flinched inwardly. "I will inform them to let you take Ma Chao. Now then, I will go and attend to my duties as a ruler. Farewell, I will await your 'mission complete'." With that, Liu Shan left the room.

When Xing Cai was left alone in the room, she was free to think and show emotion. She clenched the table until her knuckles went white with strain. What should she do? To not kill Ma Chao meant not fulfilling duty. To kill Ma Chao meant… Xing Cai had no idea. But she knew killing Ma Chao was not an option. She could not bear to harm him.

Xing Cai groaned. "What to do, what to do??" muttered Xing Cai to herself. Liu Shan was a horrible man. This was a test to see if she was loyal to him or to Ma Chao. He could have gotten someone else to kill Ma Chao, and not her. She would decide on the way to Ma Chao's cell. Xing Cai knew she had to go visit him either way; she had to check to see if he was alright.

Xing Cai flung open the door and stormed towards the prisons.

"Ah, there you are!" said a voice behind her. Xing Cai swivelled around, a scowl evident on her face. But it soon disappeared when she realised it was Liu Shan. He had just come out a room, with a heavily ornamented sword in his hand. He handed the weapon to Xing Cai. "Here, use this. It's a good sword." Liu Shan had a tiny smirk etched on his face. Was he trying to torment Xing Cai, corner her until she had nowhere to run? Was he trying to exact revenge on Xing Cai because she loved Ma Chao and not him?

Xing Cai took hold of the sword which Liu Shan had shoved towards her. He patted her shoulder, like in mock sympathy. "See you later," he said then walked off. Xing Cai stared at the sword in her hand. She could not kill Ma Chao, could she? Her face contorted in pain and confusion.

Ma Chao's life was not going to be ended by the blade, was what Xing Cai continued to think to herself. But doubt was inside her.

Oh father, I wish you were here to tell me what to do.

Xing Cai continued towards the prison. Whatever her decision, she had to see him. But if she did not go see him, maybe Ma Chao would have no chance of dying if his appointed assassin never went to retrieve him. This did not stop her though, Xing Cai kept on walking. She felt pained and hurt with doubt eating at her heart when she thought…

Will Ma Chao die by my own hands?

A/N: oh lol, complication? Kind of? I don't know… Ok, I shut up now.

Special thanks to AnnieS824 for giving this story its first review!! You're awesome!!

Please review! You know, just to acknowledge it or give me some feedback. I'm not an experienced writer of romance stories, as you can see.