Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors/Rot3k.
A/N: Finally the time has come for Zhen Ji's arc. I've been busy with school for a while and also used up some of my free time playing the three kingdoms online game TS Online and Warriors Orochi. Before we start, please check out my Zhen Ji essay at Way of Musou forums. And now my lady, it's your turn to shine.
Zhen Ji: Why am I last?
SN: Because you're the number one female in my top 5 Koei women list, the main female in my fanfics and a mistress of tragedy.
Zhen Ji: Top 5? Who's rank second?
SN: Zhu Rong….
Sun Shang Xiang: Wait a minute, but I was before her so I demand 2nd place!
Zhu Rong: Aw, did daddy's little girl get upset.
SSX: Grrr….
Zhen Ji: They're fighting over the title of "strongest woman" again.
Zhao Yun: Thank heavens. Ma Yun Lu and Ginchiyo Tachibana aren't here….
SN: Ok, here we go!
Romance of the DW Pairings 2
Chapter 13: Zhang He and Zhen Ji
At Ye castle….
She had done the inevitable. Once Yuan Shao's former subjects had stare at her all over the palace, she felt no signs of regrets. It's the only thing she could do after Yuan Xi abandoned her. The entire family felt shame and had resent her for such a cowardly choice. She could have chosen death, but because of how caring she was with the people of Ye after Cao Cao captured the city the reaction towards Yuan Shao's remaining families. The wedding will be held at the palace tomorrow, but right now none of her own family wanted to attend the wedding especially her grandmother who witness the incident and Lady Liu now consume herself in Cao Cao's care.
"My lady, did something irritate you at this time?" Zhang He showed up bowing to her and stood valiantly.
"Zhang He, is my husband still alive?" Zhen Ji asked. The question is very difficult for Zhang He to explain and it's not because he couldn't tell her the truth.
"Lord Yuan Xi maybe alive in your memory," Zhang He thought.
Two minutes, he didn't answer her question, but think about what kind of solution he brought himself in after switching sides with Cao Cao. Looking into Zhen Ji's eyes, he knew this would happen and if he met Yuan Xi and told him about it, he'll be beyond shame and curse the two other Yuan brother's incompetence.
"I see…none of the former officers will answer to me because of Cao Cao's son," Zhen Ji got up from her chair and walked towards the door to the hall.
"My lady, Lord Cao Pi wants to speak with you. He ordered me here for some reason," Zhang He spoke hidden his disappointed look behind the charismatic confident.
"Yes, that is why you are here Jinyi. Only you should sympathy to my decision," Zhen Ji said.
"Ji, you don't deserve this…." Zhang He stopped her by dragging her shoulder softly.
"Do I deserve abundance or remorse?" Zhen Ji grunted.
"You deserve freedom. Flee this place, go far away from Ji zhou," Zhang He winced, putting his face closer to Zhen Ji's.
"And abandon my family, the people of Ye, run away as a coward just like Yuan Xi?" Zhen Ji turned her face back into the hall leaving her room.
Zhang He follow her as the two walk across the hall and Zhang He continue to utter out his concerns as he spoke, "But, you're getting married to the young lord from the rumors about your beauty not your affection to the people of Ye."
"Then let it be said that my truce was an excuse to be alive," Zhen Ji coldly replied.
"Ji, I don't see this by an excuse, but by force. It's a violation, my lady!" Zhang He urged.
"And it's a violation to storm into a fallen city massacring women and children in Ye after Lord Shen Pei's final tribute!" Zhen Ji enraged by that moment before she met Cao Pi. Ye was half flooded and it's defenses are no longer impregnable. The moment Cao Cao's forces storm in blaze of glory, that moment just took her by shock.
"That's war, my lady. There's nothing I can do to stop such an incident gone out of control. It's not your place to decide those people's fate…" Zhang He sighed.
"They're innocent people who had nothing to do with war! What does that make Cao Cao? What about that massacre of Xu I heard from Yuan Xi?" Zhen Ji scowled.
Zhang He could not put any better words to protest the marriage. He bowed and thought such argument about war would be irrelevant to his ladyship resentment. As he turn to the opposite direction of the hall, Zhen Ji remind the day she heard of Zhang He's defection.
"Why did you join Cao Cao?" Zhen Ji questioned. Zhang He stopped before he could her the reason he joined Cao Cao.
"It's just like you said, my truce was an excuse to be alive," Zhang He answered.
"….." Zhen Ji stared at Zhang He for a minute. Ever wonder why these two are alike?
"My lady, I must return to the barracks and prepare for drill session," Zhang He said.
After he left, Zhen Ji thought about her conversation with Zhang He; surely he's the only one who understand her. But, Junyi's protest sounded like she's in danger of going by the path she chooses. Had she stayed with Yuan Xi during war, Cao Pi wouldn't have found her when she went to visit her relative. Death would have been a better option, but what about those who suffered from the siege?
"So, this is the helpless whore who stole my man's heart? Look at her, she's no different to me and yet she's getting married."
Zhen Ji walk pass the feminine voice who glare at her while her deafen ears does not make her pay any attention to what the woman said. The scornful younger lady chuckled as she watched Zhen Ji enter Cao Pi's new quarters. He now governs the city on his father's behalf. Everything is his now, thanks to Zhen Ji's submission.
"I thought you wouldn't be here, rather wait until our wedding day tomorrow," Cao Pi smirked.
"Oh, shall I come at another time? There's that scornful girl at the hall who was suppose to meet you," Zhen Ji raise her eyebrow as she said.
"Ah, my servant Lady Guo," Cao Pi said.
"Lady Guo?" Zhen Ji now know that woman at the hall was her. Just want was her problem?
Lady Guo stood right behind her the moment she entered the room. Zhen Ji could tell this just made her day. The problem with that woman's attitude has to do with the marriage.
"Please to meet you, Lady Zhen," Lady Guo bowed.
"……" First she got in a bad mood with Zhen Ji and then she changed her attitude into a polite mood in front of Zhen Ji.
"You may leave now, Guo Wang. Tell father I'll speak with him about my expansion plan," Cao Pi waved. Lady Guo leaves the room not before she put a hidden glare in front of Zhen Ji's face.
"What is so special about her beauty compare to me?" Lady Guo thought.
"Just what the hell is her problem giving me petty glares? Does she hate me that much?" Zhen Ji thought.
"Lady Zhen…" Cao Pi got up and walk slowly towards her.
There is nobody else coming into the room interrupting the young governor's business. Just Cao Pi and Zhen Ji, alone in a high class room that once was Yuan Shao's royal quarters. Zhen Ji clear her throat, she couldn't have thought Cao Pi wanted to take the early pleasure before marriage.
At the Barracks...
Zhang He's training wasn't essential. He couldn't concentrate at the fullest because all he can think about is Zhen Ji. Cursing himself for what really force him to defect to Cao Cao, he tear the dummy by shatter it with his Peacock Talon. He and Gao Lan were late to prevent Cao Cao from burning the granary at Wu Chao and that's not all, Guo Tu tried to slander Junyi by having his former lord charge both of them. If he turned himself in, he'll be dead along with Gao Lan. After everything Zhang He done for Yuan Shao during the Gongsun/Yuan war, all that numbskull did was abandon him for one major defeat.
"Zhang He, is something trouble you my friend?" Gao Lan asked. He finished the guard watch around town and decided to have some sparring with his friend.
Zhang He stopped one of his claws while the other struck in the dummy. Imagine, it's Cao Pi as the dummy and he stabbed the young lord with his unique weapon.
"Gao Lan, we could have won…" Zhang He raised his voice as he continue, "We could have won the Battle of Guan Du if that numbskull didn't put me to the blame of Wu Chao loss! If only we made it there earlier, Zhen Ji wouldn't have been in this current state!"
"I know how you feel, Junyi. But, think about what will happen to us if we stayed in Yuan Shao's ranks? Lucky we could have had our heads. Ever since we served Han Fu, the unpredictable always happen. Now we're serving Cao Cao, thank heavens we're still alive, that is more important," Gao Lan said.
"I would die in shame than exchange myself as a coward! Just look every other remnant see of Luo; A cowardly whore, yet she thought she did what was right for the people of Ye!" Zhang He snarled.
"Calm down, Zhang He! They're watching us!" Gao Lan restrained Zhang He before he gets livid.
"Curse them, all they think about is profit and not Ji's bravery," Zhang He shook his head.
"Zhen Ji is what kept our people hearts at ease, it's best to let it go, Zhang He. We have a duty to assign," Gao Lan said. His best friend and mentor set his training pike on the hanger and then patted Zhang He.
"Where are we being stationed at?" Zhang He asked.
"Xu Chang. The Prime Minister appointed Cao Ren as commander to attack Ru Nan. According to the information, Liu Bei's army is at Ru Nan," Gao Lan answered.
"Liu Bei's army…" Zhang He muttered. Then the thought hits him, if Liu Bei rebuilt his army, then someone behind the scenes is far more responsible for the contribution than the so called Imperial Uncle.
"When will we depart?" Zhang He took his other claw off the dummy.
"Tomorrow, could be the morning or afternoon," Gao Lan said as he was about to leave the barrack.
"Heavens no…not at Zhen Ji's wedding date," Zhang He groaned.
"I know and the Prime Minister doesn't tolerate those who do not follow his orders. It happened to Zhu Ling when he left Yuan Shao for Cao Cao before," Gao Lan reminded Zhang He what happened to Zhu Ling.
"Sigh, my lady …" Zhang He whispered. He wishes he could go to the wedding, but fate's cruelty catches up with the handsome warrior.
Later that night…
Zhen Ji honestly did enjoy Cao Pi's leisure. Her entire body felt different about it. She got exhausted from the activity. There were many thoughts about her rendezvous in Cao Pi's room. The son of Cao Cao had an amazing display of literature no doubt about it, he always brag about succeeding his father, but that's an expectation that comes in Zhen Ji's mind. What are his true intentions once he claims the succession?
"He's just like Yuan Xi's father…" Zhen Ji rubbed her head as she chuckled. The rest is emotional driving sexual tension from her soon to be husband. The cocky gentleman he was to all who serve him. But, what about that servant girl who just gave her mean glares?
A knock was heard from the door as she approaches it. Zhang He stumble upon his duty or his ladyship's happiness.
"My lady, how are you with Lord Cao Pi?" Zhang He bowed as he enter Zhen Ji's room.
"It's surely refreshing; I get to learn a lot about the lord's background. However, his personality nothing special just as I thought when he first saw me," Zhen Ji sat down on her bed crossing her hips.
"Did he…" Zhang He murmured.
"Did he what? Certainly, you're worrying about me aren't you Junyi?" Zhen Ji smirked.
"Yes, if that bastard violate you again," Zhang He gave a funny glared.
"It doesn't matter anymore, I am his, and his alone," Zhen Ji said.
"Why did this have to happen?" Zhang He clenches his fist in frustration. He's blaming himself for the choice he made at Guan Du.
"He, it's not your fault so stop blaming yourself of what immoral thing I've done. I made my choice to protect those I held dear," Zhen Ji sighed. She's getting irritate with Junyi's whining. It is not for him besmirch her.
Zhang He, knowing he can't take this anymore. It's time he reveals Zhen Ji the bad news.
"Luo, I'm not going to attend to your wedding tomorrow," Zhang He announced.
Zhen Ji was taken aback by the sudden change of subject. Just what the hell is going on? She expected Zhang He, one of the closes people she's acquainted with to play the part of her best man. Now he doesn't want to go because what she done? Zhang He presumes his ladyship demanding a reason to his decline.
"The Prime Minister has assigned me and Gao Lan to Xu Chang in preparing for the threat from Liu Bei's army at Ru Nan," Zhang He sighed.
"So, Cao Cao had finally decided to use your talents as a significant on joining him," Zhen Ji muttered.
"To be honest, I don't really want to do anything for Cao Cao. But…" Zhang He kneeled to Zhen Ji. Zhen Ji look puzzled by what Zhang He is doing, "I will do anything for you. Perhaps this is going to be my first contribution to my loyalty to you Lady Zhen."
"Why would you be loyalty to me when I am also loyalty to the Han? Junyi, you're fighting against the Imperial Uncle. Is that what I really want?" Zhen Ji questioned.
"You and I have the same loyalty that was intervened, that's why," Zhang He raised his face looking at Zhen Ji's expressionist concern.
"….." Zhen Ji got off her bed and walked to the small balcony in her room. She glance at the moonlight thinking about what Zhang He said when he mention intervened.
"It's true we share the same fate joining Cao Cao's army, but I'm not proud of it," Zhen Ji sighed.
"You don't have to be," Zhang He said as he joined Zhen Ji at the balcony as the two watched the stars brighten.
They watched for a few minutes in silence. Then Zhen Ji felt it was time for her to speak out to Junyi on how she really felt when Zhang He left Yuan Shao.
"Zhang He, when I heard that you defect from Yuan Shao…." Zhen Ji started talking. Zhang He slowly pay attention to what she about to reveal.
"And after Yuan Shao lost Guan Du and died of anguish. I felt my world was coming apart one by one; Yuan Xi's brothers fight over inherency, and when I thought about what happened to you, I felt abandoned, then when Ye fall and Yuan Shang's army flee, I couldn't think of what to do except staying with my family hoping they'll be alright until Cao Pi show up," Zhen Ji said.
"……" Zhang He was all too guilty to let that happen. If he saw Zhen Ji first, he'll help her flee the city to return to Yuan Xi, but that was too late.
"When he offer me to be his wife, I had no choice, however the thought of being abandoned show that I had courage to overcome that weakness, that courage was the people of this land I grew up helping them. If I choose to died, then I choose to abandon those people who are suffering from the chaos and will regret this in the afterlife. Even Yuan Xi would never forgive me on that," Zhen Ji tears started and Zhang He finally understands her true motivation.
"Luo, I take back what I said earlier. You sacrifice your beauty for Yuan Xi's sake…" Zhang He move closely to hold her tight as she wept.
"It wasn't meant to be, but the people…his family he left behind…" Zhen Ji sobbed.
"I understand now, Luo. Please, don't be hard on yourself anymore. You're not alone and I'm here for you," Zhang He said, hoping to comfort her with his words.
"Have I done what I thought was right or did the heavens scold me for whoring to save my own life?" Zhen Ji continues her despondent concerns.
"It's alright, my lady. You did the right thing and I support you for that choice. That's why I'm happy that you're still alive," Zhang He admitted. Death would be just selfish for Lady Zhen after all.
Zhen Ji looked at Zhang He's handsome, but girlish face. He looks serious when he gets manly. Only a few know the real Zhang He from the quirky girlish appearance and Zhen Ji is seeing the real Zhang He in front of her.
"I must attend to my duties by tomorrow. Good luck with your wedding, my lady," Zhang He gave a final bow and left her room.
Zhen Ji look back at the night view and feel at ease now that Zhang He supports her choice. They share a similar fate, but Zhen Ji's fate was more severe than Zhang He's.
After Zhang He left, he went to the barracks one more time where the dummy figure he tried to scatter is still there. He pictured the dummy as Cao Pi. Is he jealous or just frustrated by the outcome?
"No…all I want is happiness for Luo. I will not stump down to this guy's level," Zhang He thought. He then went to get his horse and join Gao Lan for tomorrow's duty.
Next Pairing: Xiahou Dun and Zhen Ji