Two years had passed, and the child Xing Cai had carried had already turned two.
Ma Cheng...thought Xing Cai as she cradled the newly born.
"What shall we call the child?" asked Liu Shan.
"Liu Cheng. It's a nice name," answered Xing Cai airily.
"Ah, I think so too," said Liu Shan. He looked down at the baby with a rare expression of care. "Hello Liu Cheng, welcome to the world..."
Xing Cai felt bad lying because this was about the child whom Liu Shan thought was his son. His heir to the throne, someone who did not actually have any blood relations to him.
"Da…da…" muttered little Liu Cheng.
"You want daddy?" asked Xing Cai, shaking a cute toy in front of the child's face. "I'll go get daddy for you." Xing Cai stood up and headed towards Liu Shan's room which he said was for 'work'. But Xing Cai was sceptic; did Liu Shan do any work?
She was just about to knock on the door when she heard the voice of Huang Hao the eunuch from inside the room speaking with Liu Shan. Xing Cai knew the eunuch was bad influence for Liu Shan, everyone knew it. But Liu Shan was stubborn and rejected any accusation of Huang Hao being a bad man. But what she heard was worse than anything she would have expected from Huang Hao.
"My lord, the Prime Minister is well favoured by your generals, you must be wary of him," said Huang Hao, but it was only a mutter to Xing Cai as she pressed her ear up against the door, trying to catch every word.
"I know that, Hao. Everyone loves him! It really irritates me! They would rather take orders from him than I! Am I not the ruler of this kingdom?" said Liu Shan angrily.
"Zhuge Liang may revolt some day when he has gained most of the people's trust…" answered Huang Hao. "But he is one of the smartest men alive. Disposing him would render the kingdom of Shu weak in the area of tactics."
Huang Hao lowered his voice even more, and Xing Cai struggled to hear the words.
"Call him back from the battle he is currently fighting. We shall see if he intends to revolt by whether or not he listens to your word, sire."
"Mmm, a good idea…"
Xing Cai frowned and charged in. "Lord Liu Shan, you cannot listen to him!" she shouted.
Both Liu Shan and Huang Hao turned to the sudden intrusion, and Liu Shan scowled at Xing Cai.
"Whatever happened to privacy in this world," muttered Liu Shan. "Get out Xing Cai. We men have business to speak of."
"Business such as wrecking what advantage we have over Wu in the current battle which the Prime Minister is leading? Liu Shan, you cannot call him back at such a vital moment! Can you not see that this eunuch you say is loyal to you has been bribed to persuade you to call Zhuge Liang back?" continued Xing Cai.
Huang Hao looked shocked. "Bribed? I could never be bribed to do something to harm our sovereign and kingdom."
"I know what I know! Do not make me sound like I am some idiot! I make the decisions. You, have absolutely no say in this," growled Liu Shan in reply.
Xing Cai stared at him and could not believe what was happening. Liu Shan was quite evidently rejecting her; he trusted the eunuch more. "I married you for the kingdom. I don't care where you go and with what women you spend your nights with. But you, right now, are putting the whole kingdom in peril. I cannot allow that to happen! You must listen and think about the citizens! If the army were to withdraw now, the Wu troops will press on with their attack and enter this city, our home!"
"ENOUGH!" yelled Liu Shan. He stood up and thumped over to Xing Cai. "I've had enough of your talk. I know how to think, I don't need you to guide me through it!"
"Think about the citizens, think about us, think about yourself! Do you want to be subjected to the rule of Wu?" Xing Cai pressed on, she had to try and dissuade Liu Shan from listening to the eunuch.
"My lord, she is only a woman…do not listen to her," muttered Huang Hao.
Xing Cai had had enough of the sexism in the world, in what Liu Shan said, and even the eunuch! "A woman I may be, but I am trained in battle and in strategies and tactics," snarled Xing Cai. "Liu Shan, I would be more competent to sit in that throne and rule Shu than you would!" It was rare for Xing Cai to lose her temper, but she could not hold it in any longer. Liu Shan was not anything like a ruler. He just had fun all day, and now, he was contemplating about listening to an obviously bribed eunuch.
"How dare you say that, woman!" hollered Liu Shan. He raised his hand and moved it to slap Xing Cai. But she was too fast for him. Her hand streaked out and stopped Liu Shan's before countering with a swift, hard strike to Liu Shan's cheek.
Liu Shan winced at the slap. Having been brought up as a spoiled brat, he was not very tolerant of pain. "Bitch! You dare defy me?!"
"I defy anyone who does not think for this kingdom!" roared Xing Cai. She let go of Liu Shan's hand as he cradled his cheeks, still stinging from Xing Cai's slap. Her anger started to waver, and sorrow began to make its way in. "Did no part of the late Lord Liu Bei's virtue and humanity get passed down to you? Lord Liu Bei did so much to create this kingdom and try to restore the Han! What happened? Why aren't you continuing his legacy? Everything your father did, everything these people of the kingdom did would have been for nothing because you came to rule!"
"You!" Liu Shan raised his hand to attack once again, but Xing Cai shoved him away and wiped the tears in her eyes. "Get out!" Liu Shan screamed.
Xing Cai stepped backwards and shook her head. "You…you can't be saved!" She turned and was about to run away when she remembered her first purpose of coming to him. "Liu Shan…Cheng wanted you." With that, she ran off down steps and hurtling past people as she wiped her tears. She had no idea where to go; just that she had to get out of the palace and away from Liu Shan.
Xing Cai rushed out and into the streets. It was raining heavily, but Xing Cai had did not care. She splashed through the streets getting thoroughly drenched as the rain continued to pour, falling with her tears. Xing Cai thought to herself as she crashed through the rain splattered streets. Why was Liu Shan such a bastard? He listened to no one but the evil eunuch. He was going to stop the campaign, and that would give Wu the advantage to storm in and attack them.
Everyone on the streets had retreated inside to avoid the rain. Xing Cai alone ran in the rain. She did not know where she was going as the heavy rain blurred her view. She rubbed the water out of her eyes slowed down to a stop. The rain continued to fall on her as she looked around, and noticed that she had unconsciously taken a path she had taken quite frequently two years ago.
XXXXXXX
Zhao Yun looked out the window and watched the rain fall. "What a dreary day," he murmured to himself. He brightened up a bit when he decided to go visit Ma Chao to try and stem his own boredom. He readied a bit of food and drink in a bag before opening his umbrella and stepping under the heavy rain. Zhao Yun walked slowly and carefully so that he would not get his clothes all wet. He wondered how Ma Chao was. He seemed cheerful enough in the two years after the incident. Then his mind wandered to Xing Cai and hoped she was alright and that her child was a good boy. Someone who cared for the kingdom unlike Liu Shan. He smiled at the thought of the boy, Liu Cheng. He was cute kid, and Zhao Yun had found a liking to him.
He looked up from the wet ground as he neared Ma Chao's home and the smile was wiped off his face, soon to be replaced by a look of shock. The two people he had been thinking about were standing at a distance before him.
XXXXXXX
Ma Chao heard a knock on his door and put down his hot cup of tea and went to see who it was. "How can I hel—" He cut himself off when he saw a wet, puffy-eyed Xing Cai standing at his door. "What—" He had no time to ask her what she was doing as Xing Cai flung herself into his arms. Ma Chao just stared, but soon found his arms curled around Xing Cai. He had never forgotten her, never stopped thinking about her. And he knew, with the sudden appearance of Xing Cai, his feelings for her which been weak yet everlasting embers, had suddenly rekindled into the roaring flames it once was.
Ma Chao looked up as he was about to ask Xing Cai something, but paused. He noticed a figure in the distance turning away from them, holding an umbrella to hide from the rain. He saw the swish of a ponytail and was sure it was Zhao Yun. Ma Chao felt too confused to do anything, but he knew he had to ask Xing Cai the probing questions first. He had sworn never to disturb Xing Cai or Liu Shan. But why had Xing Cai come to him, after two years? Ma Chao pulled away from the hug and gazed down at her. "Come in."
XXXXXXX
Zhao Yun could not stop feeling envious of Ma Chao. After all those years ago, when Xing Cai had rejected him, he still loved her. He wore a frown as he returned home, slamming the door when he entered and carelessly threw his umbrella aside. Zhao Yun threw himself onto his bed and shut his eyes. Throughout the years, he had constantly told himself to stop wanting Xing Cai and just get along with her as friends. But he could not bring himself to do so and he grew jealous of the others who got close to Xing Cai…Guan Ping…Ma Chao. Zhao Yun slapped a hand to his forehead and groaned.
"Stop being and idiot, Zilong!" he shouted to himself. Maybe he was going crazy. Zhao Yun sighed and rolled over on his bed. Ma Chao had sworn never to associate with Xing Cai again. But what would happen now, with Xing Cai appearing at Ma Chao's place? Ma Chao and Xing Cai were made for each other, and he knew it. Despite the bitterness of it all, Zhao Yun did want the two to be together, knowing it was impossible for him to be with Xing Cai. "Good luck, you two," murmured Zhao Yun, hoping they would not get caught by Liu Shan again. He drifted into a dreamless sleep, despite it only being the afternoon.
XXXXXXX
Ma Chao wrapped a thick towel around Xing Cai's shivering body. He made a hot cup of tea for her and urged her to sit down beside the fire he had started.
"Thank you," said Xing Cai as she accepted the tea.
Ma Chao sat beside her and watched the flames crackle and flicker for a while, wondering when to ask Xing Cai the many questions he had in his mind. Xing Cai noticed his silence and spoke up.
"You can ask whatever you want, Chao," she said quietly. Ma Chao looked at her and nodded.
"Um…" Ma Chao exhaled deeply. "What happened?" he asked simply.
Xing Cai took a gulp of the tea, relishing the warmth it gave to her rain-drenched body. "I overheard Liu Shan talking to the eunuch, Huang Hao. He has persuaded Liu Shan into recalling the troops currently fighting Wu!"
"He listened to that bastard eunuch?!" growled Ma Chao. "Hmph, trust him to make stupid choices." He stood up and went towards his book shelf. "Carry on with what you have to say."
Xing Cai wondered what Ma Chao was doing, but complied. "Right…so I went in and told Liu Shan not to listen to Huang Hao, but he wouldn't listen. I couldn't control my temper and I yelled at him…slapped him—"
Ma Chao's mouth curved slightly into a smirk as he scanned the scrolls and parchments heaped up upon each other. "Good work."
"Chao!" said Xing Cai. "I couldn't stop myself…But um, anyway. He told me to get out, and I was really angry. So I ran off and…" Xing Cai looked down at the floor. "I don't know, but I think I subconsciously ran to you."
Ma Chao came back with a scroll in hand and smiled at Xing Cai. "I see," he answered.
Xing Cai gripped the cup in her hand tightly. "What should we do? Should we send a letter to warn the Prime Minister of this?"
Ma Chao opened the scroll and laid it across he and Xing Cai's lap. It was a map of the area between Wu and Shu. He pointed to a spot on the map. "They're currently fighting there…so if Lord Zhuge did retreat back this way to Cheng Du…" He traced a path across to Cheng Du. "Wu will follow, because they don't want to lose the advantage by going home." Ma Chao observed the map and the places close to Cheng Du. "We'll probably put up our defences where we can stop their advance before it reaches Cheng Du, like Bai Di castle…We'll fight Wu from there."
"He's only putting himself in danger by not trusting Lord Zhuge," muttered Xing Cai. "That bastard."
"Agreed," replied Ma Chao. He could not keep the smirk off his face; he really liked how Xing Cai was talking about Liu Shan now. "So, what we have to do is tell the Prime Minister what might be happening…though there might be no point because he'll have to answer to Liu Shan's stupid edict anyway. Then we tell the generals who are here in Cheng Du that a battle may be coming so that they can get ready."
Ma Chao rolled up the map and deposited it back to its original place. He leant back into the couch and sighed. "I don't like war all that much."
"Me neither…" answered Xing Cai in a whisper.
His relaxed posture turned tense when he felt Xing Cai slide a bit and lean against his shoulder, her eyes half closed. Ma Chao stared straight ahead and turned a brilliant shade of pink. Xing Cai's action was totally uncalled for. "Um…Cai…" Slowly, he trained his eyes on her and touched her shoulder gingerly. "Cai…I don't think this is appropriate…" Xing Cai eyes snapped open and she instantly stood up.
"Oh, sorry Ma Chao. I didn't mean too, I was just really tired," said Xing Cai.
Ma Chao bit his lip and said nothing. He could not do anything remotely intimate with Xing Cai unless Liu Shan said Ma Chao no longer had to fulfil his promise. He had missed her so much, yet he was not allowed to do anything to show it. "Are you feeling alright? I mean, you just ran nonstop through the rain," said Ma Chao. He looked out the window, and it seemed the rain had finally eased off.
Xing Cai put a hand to her forehead and shook her head. "I don't have a fever, I think I'm alright, just weary."
Ma Chao nodded. "You can sleep in my bed if you want."
Xing Cai stared at Ma Chao and failed to say anything. He smiled and walked into his room to get a blanket. He put the blanket over his couch and looked reassuringly at Xing Cai. "It's fine."
She felt a mixture of emotions, and wondered whether she was feeling a little disappointment she was not going to sleep with Ma Chao. By the gods, Xing Cai! What more do you want, thought Xing Cai to herself. "I'll sleep in your couch. I am only a guest, I should not deprive you of your own bed."
"No, go sleep in a bed. You look like you need it more than I do," answered Ma Chao. Xing Cai bowed slightly and thanked him. He ushered her in and pulled the warm blanket over her. "Get some good rest." Xing Cai nodded and did not realise how tired she really felt until she had hit the bed. In less than one minute, Xing Cai was sound asleep. Ma Chao restrained himself from making any sort of contact with her as he observed her sleeping figure. His brow furrowed a bit when he noticed that Xing Cai had lost weight. This was a worry because Xing Cai had already been quite slight from the start. With a great sigh, Ma Chao slid the door to his bedroom shut and got out some parchment, brush and grounded some ink. He had to write the letter to the Prime Minister soon; the kingdom could not fall to Liu Shan. He pondered the contents of the letter as he ground the ink so that he would have enough. In the light of the fire he had started for Xing Cai, he took hold of his brush and put it to the piece of parchment.
I have to warn Zhuge Liang, thought Ma Chao. Shu cannot fall to Liu Shan's stupid decisions.
XXXXXXX
As was predicted, Liu Shan did send an edict to get the Shu army to retreat. Zhuge Liang returned at once, afraid that Liu Shan would think he was disloyal. The Wu army advanced after the retreating Shu army. The stationary troops were not surprised at this though, because Ma Chao and Xing Cai had both warned all the people of the oncoming battle. They were already to meet the enemy. Liu Shan realised what he had done and started to fret, much to the many generals annoyance. Jiang Wei suggested Liu Shan lead the defensive battle in Bai Di castle, where the army would stop the Wu army.
"Look at Liu Shan now," muttered Ma Chao.
"Tell me about it," answered Zhao Yun, eyeing the nervous emperor of Shu.
"The Prime Minister will soon return. For now, I shall substitute his position. Please help me through if you don't think I'm doing the right actions," said Jiang Wei.
The other generals nodded. Jiang Wei was Zhuge Liang's student, it would only be right for him to take over Zhuge Liang's spot if the Prime Minister was away. Jiang Wei pointed at a spot on the map where the Wu and Shu armies were. "Currently, they are quite close to us. Bai Di castle is where Lord Liu Shan is and we will be defending from outside of the castle to fight off the Wu troops. We will have more troops once Master Zhuge Liang joins us with his troops, than the Wu army, so we have greater odds of winning."
"Fine plan," said Huang Zhong. "Let us prepare our troops and be at the ready."
"Okay," said Liu Shan. "Follow Jiang Wei's instructions." He glanced at Xing Cai who was sitting next to Ma Chao. "Why is Ma Chao here? I thought I demoted him to captain level."
Ma Chao bowed. "I am here on Zhao Yun's request."
Liu Shan raised a brow at the Little Dragon, the one who had saved him all those years ago.
"My lord, Ma Chao has some good ideas on how the army should be stationed to defend as best as possible. I thought it would be good for him to tell us his ideas," answered Zhao Yun. "Forgive me for not asking for permission beforehand."
Liu Shan waved his hand dismissively and turned to Ma Chao. "Well? Start talking."
Ma Chao growled at Liu Shan inwardly, but smiled outwardly. "Of course, my lord." He stood up and went to a more detailed map of Bai Di castle laid out by Jiang Wei.
"What ideas do you have, General Ma?" asked Jiang Wei.
"The stone sentinel maze is close to the castle. We should use that as a source of defence because it bars to the way to one out of the three doors to the castle. We should put more troops to defend the other two doors. Troops should be placed along with the stone sentinel maze. Then, more troops should be placed along the two paths to the two doors of the castle. Next…" Ma Chao pointed to the larger areas of land where all three paths eventually led to. "We put a larger amount of troops here to block the advance of Wu. They will most likely set up camp in this spot," said Ma Chao, pointing at the North West direction of the castle. "Liu Shan stay inside the castle and command, if that is alright with you, Lord Liu." Command, as if he could anyway, thought Ma Chao.
Liu Shan nodded. "Alright, I shall stay inside the castle. Jiang Wei, would you like to assign people to the posts which Ma Chao pointed out?"
Jiang Wei saluted and bowed. "Yes my lord. I shall take troops to defend alongside the stone sentinel maze because I know the way around it best, after the Prime Minister." He looked at the generals around him, and just managed to remember to exclude Ma Chao because he was currently a captain in the army. "So…General Huang Zhong, you can defend in the larger area to block Wu."
Huang Zhong nodded and bowed. "Understood, General Jiang Wei."
Jiang Wei was actually a little hesitant of taking up his teacher's position. It was his first time as the 'strategist' and he felt a bit pressured. "General Zhao Yun, protect the path which leads to the back of castle."
"Understood," said Zhao Yun with a nod.
"And General Xing Cai, protect the path which leads to the other side of the castle," said Jiang Wei.
"Yes, General Jiang," answered Xing Cai.
Jiang Wei swept his eyes over the other generals there and assigned the rest of them to defend the large area along with Huang Zhong.
"Understood," they all chorused.
Ma Chao was about to say, "What about me?" but stopped himself when he realised he was no longer a general. Jiang Wei smiled at him.
"Thank you, Ma Chao, for your contributions," said Jiang Wei.
"No problem…" replied Ma Chao and he returned to his seat between Zhao Yun and Xing Cai.
"Um…Go and assign the troops under your command to their positions in battle," ordered Jiang Wei. "We―we shall defend our land from Wu!"
"Yes we shall!" answered the generals. Jiang Wei beamed and felt proud of himself for managing.
"Okay, you are all dismissed now," said Liu Shan. Everyone bowed to him before leaving the meeting.
Zhao Yun looked up at the morning sky as he walked towards the training ground where he was to meet up with his soldiers. Apparently Xing Cai's unit needed more people, and Zhao Yun had exactly the candidate in mind to switch to Xing Cai's unit. As he neared the people he heard the soldiers talk between themselves.
"General Zhao and Ma are here," said a soldier.
"I still feel weird having General Ma as a captain…" muttered another one as they all stood up to greet the two generals. "I can't command…I feel as if I have no respect…"
As Zhao Yun and Ma Chao neared the group the soldiers lined up and saluted. "Good morning General Zhao Yun!"
Ma Chao lined up with the rest of them and greeted Zhao Yun the same way by himself.
Zhao Yun smiled nodded. "Good morning men. We will soon be fighting at Bai Di castle to prevent the Wu army from advancing any further. Their commander will be Sun Quan, and he will be accompanied by many ferocious generals." He paused before continued. "But, we will overcome them all with our courage, skill and intellect!"
"Yes, General Zhao!!" cheered the soldiers.
"We are positioned to defend the castle via one of the three paths. Jiang Wei has told me that Xing Cai needs more people in her unit, so each unit needs to split off some soldiers into her unit," said Zhao Yun. The soldiers looked somewhat surprised and sad at this information. "But Jiang Wei said I only need to send one over so…" He looked at his good friend. "Get over there, Ma Chao."
Ma Chao stared at the grinning Zhao Yun and nodded with a smile. "Okay General Zhao. As you wish." He bowed.
"See you later Chao," said Zhao Yun, waving him goodbye. Ma Chao waved back and carried his things to where Xing Cai and her unit was.
"General Xing Cai, Zhao Yun sent me here to join your unit," said Ma Chao as he approached Xing Cai. She twisted around instantly upon hearing his voice and a smile broke out on her face.
"Ma Chao!" she greeted happily before clearing her throat and reining in her emotions. "Um, right yes. Hello Captain Ma Chao, welcome to the unit." The rest of the soldiers nodded at Ma Chao when he joined their ranks. "We will be defending the castle from its side entrance. We cannot allow any enemy soldiers find their way into the castle; therefore our purpose is of utmost importance. Understand?"
"Understood, General Xing Cai," they all replied in unison.
Xing Cai nodded cheerfully, her eyes lingering on Ma Chao. He just had to, didn't he…Zhao Yun, thought Xing Cai to herself. "We will be going to Bai Di castle in a few days time. Are we ready?" she asked.
"Yes we are!"
Xing Cai looked at them all with a look of determination. "I maybe a woman, but underestimating me will always be an unwise choice. Trust in me. To battle!"
"To battle!!" repeated the soldiers.
The army which was to move to Bai Di castle packed up their essentials, wrote letters home and started on their journey into battle.
Ma Chao sat up on his white horse, Coldfire as they trekked towards Bai Di castle. Liu Shan was supposed to lead, but being the man he was, he decided to get carried around in a comfortable carriage. Xing Cai rode her black horse beside Ma Chao's, leading her group in the army.
They arrived and set up camp somewhere close, but outside of the castle.
"Lord Liu Shan," said a messenger as he entered his tent and bowed.
Jiang Wei was telling the man of his plans for the battle, and so turned to listen as Liu Shan asked for the message.
"The enemy has appeared."
Er…second last chapter this is! Thanks for the support and criticism you guys have given me dear reviewers! Lol, writing romance *cough* very interesting.
Please review!