Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors/Rot3k
A/N: Looks like I'm losing my touch with writing. Here's the Yue Ying's arc.
Romance of the DW Pairings 2
Zhuge Liang and Yue Ying
A chilled moon luminously shines the dark sky. There is little lightness left to overcome the darkness of the country. Zhuge Liang's victory in the 4th Northern Campaign renews the hope to restoring the Han. However, Yue Ying has not seen her husband returning after the battle.
"Mother, when is father coming back?" Zhuge Zhan dragged his mother's sleeves looking worried.
"In time Zhan, he's still carrying out our late lord's wishes hoping you won't carry this burden in the future," Yue Ying said. She smiles to her only son and went the room taking out a book that contains everything about Kongming's Long Zhong plan.
How long has it been when her husband and great teacher met Liu Bei after three visits? When fate as ascended her great teacher, the only thing left in her life is to follow him. She wishes to learn more from him and begs to join him on his journey along with Zhuge Jun.
Flashback at Long Zhong…
As they depart from the now empty house, Zhuge Liang's enthusiasm engulfs his confident to carry out the grand strategy. The risk is very high and can put the life of the very woman who follows him in danger. He wonders if bring Yue Ying is a good idea or a bad idea. But his marriage brings fruition to his prophetic life.
"What is troubling you, Master?" Yue Ying asked.
"It's about us. I'm grateful to have you join me, Ying, but…what will you do if something happens to me?" Zhuge Liang looked at her with a pale frown.
"Everything is going to be fine! Your acclaiming wisdom and divine attitude is what inspire me to live. You will succeed, Kongming," Yue Ying stated. She glances at her beloved and Zhuge Liang looks calmly her while thinking about reliability.
"And what if I fail?" Before Yue Ying can reply, Zhuge Liang speed up his horse to Xin Ye leaving Yue Ying behind slowing the pace as she gaze at the background of his presence.
Yue Ying put too much faith in her lover for him to succeed and she dare not to believe he will fail on his Long Zhong plan.
Flashback ends…
"Sigh…we have come this far and only the Heavens favor my husband's sincerely. Sima Yi is a traitor of his own kingdom. Zhuge Liang can not rest till that man perish," Yue Ying thought.
"Mother…" Zhuge Zhan whispered with an icy tone.
"Why don't you get some sleep, my son? It's going to be late and we'll continue your studies tomorrow," Yue Ying told him.
Zhuge Zhan went to his slumber while his mother takes one more look at the book. She thinks about all those times in the past. The glory days were the best, but also the hardest. And finally right now, half of the ministers are questioning about her husband's 5th expedition. It's already draining the economy in Shu, but Qiao Zhou is looking for an advantage to demote Kong Ming's rank if he failed. Just like last time on the incident at Jie Ting and Zhao Yun's death. Why will no one believe in her husband anymore? Is this what the outcome will be for the future of this land?
Another Flashback….
Zhuge Liang got demoted again after the horrifying failure of the 2nd northern campaign. Yue Ying was with him to only witness the backlash and Hao Zhao's triumph. Needless to say, the Shu army outnumbered the Wei army greatly at Chen Cang.
"Kongming, are you all right? Jiang Wei told me what happened when you got mad and left us ashamed of our defeat. Why go so far to start destroying the weapons we invented together?" Yue Ying comfort her husband with a gentle touch on his shoulder after she spoke.
"I committed the deaths of many men due to my patriotism. Never have I been humiliated that way. The 2nd northern campaign was a failure because of my blind vision!" Zhuge Liang wimpered. He sobbed softly covering his eyes on his face. This is the Zhuge Liang no one has ever seen him so let down and very emotional.
"Zhuge Liang, we all make mistakes. I realize this after Ma Su's death, no one, not even Sima Yi are perfect. We're after all only human and it's normal we learn from our mistakes and try better results on the next campaign," Yue Ying said.
"It's unforgivable, Ying. Using a massive army to my advantage, it's like the same faults Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and our late lord once tried. The entire council will be questioning my potency and the future generations will know me as a laughingstock, inferior to Sima Yi on insight," Zhuge Liang continued grieving over his failure. Then Yue Ying moved his head and buried on her chest as she felt the sadness of her lover mumbling the words, "Heavens, what have I done to it's people?"
"It's ok, my husband. We all make mistakes because it is part of the will of the heavens," Yue Ying sighed. She strokes the sleeping dragon's hair gently wondering about what she just stated to her husband. Staying true to her feelings for Zhuge Liang, she knows him better than anyone in this army.
Will there be another northern campaign? They returned to the capital after the defeat and no plans of a third northern campaign came. Fortunately, after several arguments and debating, the third finally came underway. Many of his supporters willing to help the Prime Minister with everything they got and later on at the fourth northern campaign, they finally succeed back to where they once left off in the first northern campaign. The capture of Chang An is at hand.
Flashback ends…
She placed the book back in the shelf and head towards her room. From there, she lay down on her bed and watches the moonlight out of the window. Suddenly, the star shot from the night sky she watched. She gasped wondering what this could mean? Yue Ying close her eyes and fall asleep hoping the star she saw wasn't a bad omen.
The morning after…
There shall be news to how the campaign is going. Yue Ying went to cook breakfast for her son. As she gather indigents for her receipt, the sound of horse mounting comes from outside.
"That must be the returning troops from the Northern Campaign. Has the Prime Minister possibly return?" Yue Ying thought to herself. She panicked a bit and slowly walked out of the house.
Is Zhuge Liang back or perhaps Jiang Wan is here to confirm the news on the expedition? She remembered last night the sight of the fallen star; it could mean anything to the outcome of her husband's career.
Wei Yan is suppose to withdraw his troops to the main force heading its way to the capital, but he oppose Zhuge Liang's warning of not allowing his wife to learn the true. The reason to his appearance is a mystery.
"Wei Yan, What are you doing here? Did the Prime Minister send you to tell me the news about his expedition? More importantly, where is my husband?" Yue Ying turns her worried expression into a strict looking glare at the least likable person to Zhuge Liang.
Wei Yan begins to put the words into his mouth, but he hesitates before the wife of the Prime Minister when she stared at him annoyed.
"I'm asking you a question and you must answer to me. Your reason being here is significant for importance," Yue Ying lectured.
Wei Yan takes a deep breath and reveals the news to Lady Huang. He has no regrets not heeding the Prime Minister's last words.
"Zhuge …Liang.." Wei Yan spoke low toned.
"Speak up in high pitch. I can't hear you in that tone," Yue Ying tone turns very cold at Wei Yan. She and Kong Ming never got along with Wei Yan.
"Zhuge…Liang…is …Dead," Wei Yan clearly confirmed.
"What?" Yue Ying face changed after what she just heard.
"Prime…Minister…Dead…" Wei Yan grieved. It is surprising to see someone like Wei Yan showing emotions.
Yue Ying does not believe what she hearing, but then the thought hit her when she read the falling star last night.
"How did he die?" Yue Ying asked. Her voice almost whispered as if she does not want Wei Yan to reveal her tone.
"Illness…last…night…" Wei Yan said.
Yue Ying squeezed her fist hard as she looked down on the ground thinking about everything her husband did learning from his failures. Why must heaven take him away? Does the heavens forgive her husband's mistakes?
"Forgive...me… I…must…leave…" Wei Yan bowed and prepared to leave the late Prime Minister's home.
He takes one more look at Yue Ying, feeling guilty of telling her about Zhuge Liang's death. He knows the consequences of disobeying the final order of Zhuge Liang. The wind blows as his death is near. He got on his horse and went back to the main army.
Yue Ying tears dropped as she quietly went back to her house, but not before she discover an unusual meaning to Wei Yan's visit. Did he disobey the order of not telling her about Zhuge Liang's death? What is going on? Why wouldn't her husband want her to know that he died? Yue Ying always forgive Zhuge Liang , no matter how many times he failed his expectations, but not revealing his death and her concerns of Wei Yan's reaction.
"Wei Yan, wait!!" Yue Ying shouted. But, the man had already vanished from the dusty winds. She hurried to her horse. Heaven knows this is a ruse, which explains the posthumous order of Zhuge Liang. Wei Yan's life is in danger and judging many of his deeds, he's still not liked by others in Shu and suspected him of becoming a traitor.
Meanwhile….
When Wei Yan returned to the main army, Shu soldiers from Yang Yi's unit surrounded him and Ma Dai was behind him with the late Ma Chao's Silver Stallion spear. He struck Wei Yan on the back with it viciously showing no emotion on the falsely accused general.
"The traitor is dead!" Yang Yi shouted.
Once Yue Ying arrived at the scene, it was already too late. Wei Yan is dead and everyone shows no grieve in such a contributing officer. Yue Ying choked even harder than the news of her husband's death.
"Why…?" Yue Ying icy whispered. Ma Dai looked at her in confusion. Yang Yi on the other hand thought it doesn't matter.
"It's Zhuge Liang's orders; Wei Yan did not return as he was going to defect to Wei," Yang Yi revealed.
"He went to my house and told me…told me about my husband's death and this is what the Prime Minister repays me!!?" Yue Ying scowled. She faced to Yang Yi's sadistic look. Yang Yi hates Wei Yan more than anyone else in Shu than to claim the right of succession after Zhuge Liang died.
Ma Dai look puzzled for a moment as he turn to see the pool of blood spill on Wei Yan's lifeless corpse. No wonder he felt for the ruse and it's odd that Wei Yan would go to Yue Ying to inform the late Prime Minister's death.
Yang Yi ordered the troops to return to the garrison leaving Ma Dai and Yue Ying alone. It was the first of many things shows Shu-Han's corruption that will lead to it fall.
"I thought he would revolt…" Ma Dai sighed.
"But, he didn't and you know as well as I do that Yang Yi and Wei Yan are not friends as they both helped my husband make it this far. Wei Yan was never the emotional type and now he finally realizes what emotions is as it cost him his life. Both my husband and Wei Yan are dead and I have nothing left to live for," Yue Ying sobbed.
"Forgive me, Lady Huang…" Ma Dai said. Holding Yue Ying on his chest, they both grieve the loss of their heroes. Shu has no more power left in this imperfect world.
Next Pairing: Liu Bei and Sun Shang Xiang