Disclaimer: I don't own DW/ROT3k.
A/N: Finally, after a week and a half on playing Romance of the Three Kingdoms 11, I've beaten it the first time and unlocked Xing Cai(aka Empress Zhang Shi). Of course, we're now at the end of the Brilliant Star's arc.
Romance of the DW Pairings 2
Liu Chan and Xing Cai
At the banquet in Cheng Du Castle…
Empress Zhang hadn't ate anything during the feast and she still had her eye on Lu Xun. The distinguish man's mood is so naughty to her. Is he so proud of his position that cost the blood of her lover?
"So tell me, Lu Xun? How did the expedition go on occupy Xiang Yang?" Jiang Wei asked.
"Well, we made little progress, but never have I challenge myself against the best minds of Wei. Man Chong is by far my greatest challenge. He's crafty and underrated though. You had Sima Yi on the other hand and Jia Kui who figured out Zhou Fang's false defection plot. I don't know how long my army can still concentrate the offense while we strengthen our naval defense formation," Lu Xun stated.
"I see," Jiang Wei rubbed his chin. He's acquaintance of Lu Xun's leadership. Sooner or later, Jiang Wei will lead his army after the preparations are complete. Hopefully if Lu Xun could stay alive, they'll work together to bring down Wei and the Sima fraction.
"I've heard you're preparing to make your move. Is this approval to you, your majesty?" Lu Xun turned to Liu Chan who rarely understands military.
"That's up to my administrators Jiang Wan and Fei Yi, but here Jiang Wei had studied many books from the late Zhuge Liang. So, I hope for the best of his abilities. But, may I have your opinion, Prime Minister Xun?" Liu Chan gives a puzzled look at Wu and their leader nodded, then Liu Chan speaks out his concern, "I wanted to make peace with the kingdom of Wei and establish an union with three states. Does this look like a good idea?"
Xing Cai gives a glare at her husband. Why did he bring up that ridiculous peace talk!? Does he think this man's opinion will be valid?! This is the same man who brought her live a living hell, Guan Ping's death and Yi Ling!
"Your majesty! This is not the time to bring that up," Jiang Wei wided. Lu Xun is in a state of confusion, does the Emperor of Shu really intend to make peace with Wei let along have Sima Yi and many ministers of Wei take advantage of Liu Chan's non influential rule?
"Please, let me hear from Wu themselves, Jiang Wei. Now, what do you think Lu Xun?" Liu Chan is waiting.
"Liu Chan, just what the hell are you talking about?" Xing Cai thought. When a handmaiden asked to pour her wine, she refused and still put her attention at her husband.
"I…I don't know what to say. But, there's one thing about my lord. After the death of Zhuge Liang, he's changed…" Lu Xun frowned.
Everyone, but Ding Feng, Zhu Ran, and those who joined Lu Xun to the invitational remain silence. It's true; Sun Quan is a changed man.
"What do you mean he changed?" Jiang Wei got intimidated of hearing this news.
"…." Lu Xun turns to his son Lu Kang. He wonders if after he's gone, will Kang take the burden of Wu's future?
"Let me tell you all this. I'm not proud of my merits in the services of Wu, except the gratitude of supporting the Sun family and my wife. Also, Jiang Wei?" Lu Xun's eyes become serious.
"Huh?" Jiang Wei puzzled wanting to know what Lu Xun had in mind.
"I maybe the only talented mind of Wu, but that is not certain. I have political rivals within my kingdom. Quan Zong and Zhuge Ke, they're more favored by my lord. Quan Zong took Hei Fei by surprise and Zhuge Ke exceed in tactical operations. I don't know how long I'll hold my position as viceroy, but I fear, those two don't know what they're up against, but Sun Quan keeps on praising them," Lu Xun said.
"Quan Zong and Zhuge Ke, eh," Jiang Wei thought.
"Oh, so the Hero of Wu is showing signs of regrets. Why am I surprised of hearing this?" Xing Cai thought.
"My lord is getting reckless and cruel. I've tried to warn him about interceptions from Sima Yi if we're not cautious of reaching Xu, but he scold me for the first time…" Lu Xun shook his head.
"Hmph! And here I am suppose to sympathize you?" Xing Cai thought.
"You better do something, he has no idea what Sima Yi is capatable of. If they take back He Fei, Wu will never continue to take the offense," Jiang Wei said.
"My sentiments actually," Lu Xun nodded.
"Hmm," Liu Chan thought about what this will go through.
"I'm no longer Sun Quan's favorite general, but still given the position of Prime Minister," Lu Xun sighed.
"Because of Yi Ling…" Xing Cai finally speaks out after a hearing all the timid conversation.
"Huh?" Lu Xun raise his left eyebrow.
"Yes, because of Yi Ling, he'll leave you aside for the responsibility of that incident! Suck it up like a guilt convict and accept your fate!" Xing Cai argued.
"Xing Cai…" Liu Chan and Jiang Wei exchanged shocking looks at the Empress as are all the Shu officers and Wu.
"…" Lu Xun now changed into his quiet mood when it comes to arguments. Unlike Zhou Yu, Lu Xun never loses his cool and he respects the opinions and talents of other forces even Zhuge Liang when they both never met in a debate.
"No, listen! This man came here to confess his faults and his own lord's ambitions so that the plot to take Jing and kill Guan Ping and his father was a cover up to make him popular amongst his people and make Sun Quan Emperor!! Have you no shame to come in here an actually sympathize us and our losses!" Xing Cai wrathfully stated.
"And your own lord declared himself Emperor," Lu Xun countered.
"…" Liu Chan shook his head. Damn not this again. Jiang Wei could only hear the outcry towards the Red Falcon.
"When he thought Liu Xie was killed according to those rumors on his abdication! These lands here were once the birth of China and ruled by those who truly ascent to the heavens! The Han was successor to the state of Qin, your government on the other hand is nothing more than another Chu and if your lord make himself the next Xiang Yu, then Liu Bei is Liu Bang!" Xing Cai boomed.
"Xing Cai, that's enough!" Liu Chan shouted.
"Shut up! What do you have against the enemies of our fathers!?" Xing Cai scorned her incompetent husband.
"My lady, that's a long time ago and it had come to pass," Jiang Wei said.
"But, it's the same damned thing happening right now!" Xing Cai objected.
"So I'm this era's Han Xin," Lu Xun thought.
"Your kingdom may be allied with us, but to me, you're traitors! Get the hell out of my castle and take your pity to the Kingdom of Wei whom your lord had also betrayed!" Xing Cai ordered.
"Your castle?!" Liu Chan widened. Did she even care about how he continued to govern the lands of Shu in agriculture prosperity? He knows she's in love with Guan Ping the day they grown up together while Guan Ping is older.
"Very well, it's been an honor to be a guest here, but I must abide your ladyship's fury. Empress Zhang, I may be responsible for your loss, but I was not the one who ordered his execution, neither was Lu Meng and Pan Zhang disrupted the discipline and patience of the military law by executing them. There wasn't an order and we tried to cover it up so that our lord did not held responsible for the deaths of them, we didn't promote Pan Zhang who captured them till after Yi Ling. I did my best to make sure renegade generals like him do not take action till the order is giving. Forgive me, it was not my fault I beg you. You have no idea how much our kingdom had loss because of our lord's greed and recklessness of positioning renegade generals in different districts," Lu Xun explained.
"You should have just released them, no matter how dangers they may be a threat to you, but they're precious to us and we have no motivation to attacking your lands!" Xing Cai shear tears at the irresponsible of Wu's discipline.
" I know, that was our original intent. My intention and not my lord's; come on Kang, we're going home," Lu Xun departed, but before he exit the dining hall, he turns to the shining star, hoping it will not fall.
"Please…leave..," Xing Cai said.
Wu left the castle and escort to their vessels.
Outside Cheng Du castle…
"I have never seen a woman who speaks so critical to our kingdom, she does remind us of Shang Xiang," Ding Feng said.
"That is Shu's Sun Shang Xiang, Ding Feng," Zhu Ran nodded.
Lu Xun didn't comment on anything after the banquet. She sure does have a point and he is very sorry about Guan Ping. It's beyond his control.
"Father, that woman is scary," Lu Kang said.
It's beyond his control…
Meanwhile, back inside the castle, Jiang Wei and Zhuge Zhan continue to study while Liu Chan and Xing Cai are with the audience at the court.
"Xing Cai have you gone insane!? Our kingdom and Wu have been amicable for years after the deaths of our fathers, they didn't come here to scoff us on our current state!" Liu Chan complained.
"So, it doesn't change anything after 20 years! And what the hell is this talk about making peace with Wei? Do you think Sima Yi will leave us alone!? Considering we're like sitting ducks to his conquest. I didn't marry you to surrender our lands to Wei. If you have some balls to speak up with the last generation of great men, then prove yourself to your people or they'll leave you behind under the impression of traitors!" Xing Cai stormed off to the bedroom leaving the whole audience whispering.
"What has gotten into you, Cai? We've been together for years and you have overcome your grieve only to backlash it and all hell break loose at the banquet I've just worked hard to hold," Liu Chan thought.
"People of Shu! Hear me this, if Wu wants peace can they bring Guan Yu and Guan Ping back!?" Xing Cai hallowed across the hallways towards her room.
"I never seen her like this before, your majesty. Please don't concern this upon you. It's not your fault," Qiao Zhou said.
"……." Liu Chan racing through thoughts on their marriage and childhood. It's beyond his control.
Xing Cai had waste all her time at that banquet and she brought disaster to the relations between two kingdoms.
"Xing Cai, it's Jiang Wei, may I enter?"
"You may so," Xing Cai granted.
"Are you alright? Everyone is worrying about you and your temper. We're not going to put another banquet with Wu unless you approve. It's going to be a long night with our majesty, because he's thinking about you," Jiang Wei said.
"It doesn't change anything anymore, my life is in ruins because of that banquet," Xing Cai sobered.
"If there is anything you want to talk to me about, then meet me at the study hall. I'll be glad of any help, Daughter of Yide," Jiang Wei smiled. He left the room leaving Xing Cai alone quiet and dull.
Late at night…
Xing Cai and Liu Chang didn't sleep together this time as Liu Chan decided to sleep alone and order no one to disturb him till he returns to the imperial court.
Xing Cai hadn't sleep or eat for the entire day as she stare at the painting of a group of people. It was in the time of 217 with the Liu Bei army preparing for the battle against Cao Cao. Zhao Yun, her father, Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Ma Chao, Yue Ying, Guan Ping and a host of the original Liu Bei army. Yep, the originals and the best crew, one of the strongest line up of officers that match Cao Cao's own. She can imagine the fires burning that painting up. She wonders if she'll follow suit and leave Liu Chan and Jiang Wei alone to carry the burden?
Jiang Wei is outside with Zhuge Zhan still studying the stars before they go to bed. One star was memorable to Jiang Wei's, which was once Zhuge Liang's star.
"So, the stars reveal the fate of those lives who are about to depart this world. Your father's star lays true to the philosophy, Zhan," Jiang Wei said.
"Where is my star?" Zhuge Zhan asked. Jiang Wei pointed the direction where the star that shines is the youngest one.
"That's your star, Zhan. You still have a long life ahead and plenty of time to live up to your father," Jiang Wei said.
Suddenly, another star is blinking weakly. He wonders who star could that be and it looks to be the most beautiful star among all the stars in the nightly sky.
"…" Jiang Wei wonders what could this mean.
Back in Cheng Du castle, Liu Chan gets a disturbing wake up call as he woke.
"I told you not to come in here till tomorrow," Liu Chan grumbled.
"I'm sorry, my lord, but it's urgent. The…the empress…" the guardsman reported.
"What? What about Xing Cai?! I must go see her to the room!" Liu Chan hurried out of the hall.
When he gets into Xing Cai's room, he fear what became of her. He scanned the entire room and saw a suspicious object.which appears to be…it can't be.
"Xing Cai! Xing Cai!!" Liu Chan tries to regain her conscious, but she lays motionless and dead.
When Jiang Wei arrived back inside Cheng Du castle, he heard the news and rushed to the same room later after Liu Chan wept his dead wife as was his son who came late at the same time as Jiang Wei.
"No…that star couldn't have been hers!" Jiang Wei thought.
"Prime Minister, check this out, the letter and she poisoned her own wine that caused her death," Zhang Yi showed Jiang Wei the letter and he reads it.
"Xing Cai, why couldn't you love me the same way as Guan Ping!? Why did you have to kill yourself for this!?" Liu Chan holds his wife tight feeling completely useless without her now.
Jiang Wei goes on to continue reading the letter while he holds back his own tears. The letter reveals her feelings towards the kingdom of Shu, Jiang Wei, and Liu Chan.
Jiang Wei,
By the time you read this letter, do not mourn my death, but continue carrying the dreams of all those who passed away. I am the last of those who fought to bring back glory of the Later Han Dynasty that has been corrupted and interrupted for the past years during this civil war. If you look up at that painting, there you'll see my lover and remind him of yourself and what you're fighting for. Please take care of Liu Chan while I'm gone. There's no place for me here in my castle except depression. I won't join Guan Ping, but my selfishness brought me to my own death because I admit my love for Liu Chan is not the same as my lover and if I continue to be at Liu Chan's side I'm only destroy another part of myself and my star. If you see that star earlier, then that is my star. Farewell, prodigy.
"Zhang Yi, report this to her sister and Shao," Jiang Wei ordered.
"Very well," Zhang Yi bowed.
"Jiang Wei, I heard what happened," Liao Hua arrived.
"Yes, Liao Hua, our star had fade away," Jiang Wei turns and looked at the painting.
Next Chapter: Sun Ce and Da Qiao