Disclaimer: No, I don't own them, but Koei and WuOmega Force been doing a bad job with our Dynasty Warriors lately, but DW 6 will still be fun once it comes out next year.
A/N: Forgive me for the long delay; it was fall semester finals two weeks ago and now I'm about to test myself whether all that writing exercise improve my fanfiction story telling. Zhen Ji arc is approaching it end and so is Romance of the DW Pairings 2. It's finally down to two chapters left. Cao Pi and Zhen Ji is next.
Cao Pi- I've been making my appearances in both of Zhen Ji's pairings. Zhang He is just a whining little emo who lives to regret joining my father because he's in love with Zhen Ji and Xiahou Dun has been a disappointment.
Zhen Ji- Zihuan, why do you always have to act like everything you said is certain? I find it nothing wrong with Zhang He defecting which in fact I forgive him. Xiahou Dun isn't perfect, what do you expect? He's one of the toughest officers your father trusted.
Cao Pi- Dun is useless…
Zhen Ji- Whatever…
Lady Guo- You are useless as well…
Zhen Ji-……
Cao Pi- Shall we begin the chapter? It's my spotlight and I expect my fans to be satisfy with the latest chapter.
Zhen Ji- You only have fans because of me…
Romance of the DW Pairings 2
Chapter 15: Cao Pi and Zhen Ji
Xiang Yang….
Zhen Ji decided to join the southern expedition in order to find out who is causing such a disturbance among Liu Bei's officers. When she finally arrived at Xiang Yang, Cao Cao was greeted by the man responsible for Liu Zong's surrender…Cai Mao.
"Welcome, Prime Minister!" Cai Mao greeted and bowed down to his new master.
"Forget the formal greeting. Where did Liu Bei escaped?" Cao Cao asked.
"Unfortunately, he flee along with a thousand of peasants as refugees. They're heading east to Jiang Ling according to my spies," Cai Mao informed.
"Is he foolish to gather innocent lives during the midst of being a fugitive?! That Liu Bei…," Cao Cao shook his head.
"And that's not all, he is charged in several accounts of treason and not accepting Liu Zong's succession. He's a wanted man by us, Prime Minister. I beg you allow lord Wen Pin to lead a pursuit unit at chase Liu Bei?" Cai Mao bowed after he request.
"Then it's arrange; Xu Zhu!" Cao Cao called out.
"Yes, Lord Cao Cao," Xu Zhu bowed.
"Deploy a pursuit unit and have Wen Pin join you and chase Liu Bei to Jiang Ling. I'll be sending the main army later on," Cao Cao ordered.
Xu Zhu went to follow his lord's orders while Cao Cao is still with Cai Mao, Lady Cai show up and bowed to Cao Cao.
"Lady Cai, you look glorious," Cao Cao smiled.
"As you are dynamic Prime Minister," Lady Cai said. When Cao Pi and Zhen Ji show up, they two bowed to Lady Cai.
"My lady, it's just like my father said. You are glorious and I wish to see women this beautiful in Jing," Cao Pi grinned.
"You flatter me, young man. Cao Cao, your son indeed have such a way with women," Lady Cai chuckled.
"Hahaha, Pi is making me feel so old. My son, what brings you here?" Cao Cao asked.
"I heard you send an army to pursuit Liu Bei. Shall I take half of the main force to be the commander of this expedition Father?" Cao Pi hoped this will be the moment he'll capture Liu Bei and become the hero of the southern expedition as he wait for his father's answer.
Cao Cao thought about it as he pause and study his son's eyes. Cao Pi resembles Cao Cao's charisma and ambitious attitude. Ever since Cao Ang died, Pi made quick progress to deserve the right to be the successor to the Cao family.
"Ah, what's the rush, my Son? We just got here and our main force needed a break before we resume the march. I mean, this is Liu Bei we're talking about…hehe," Cao Cao nervously glanced at his son.
"……" Cao Pi couldn't bear his father's laziness, but it can't be helped. Victory is at hand and why waste time with two new useless people who failed to kill Liu Bei before they got here.
Zhen Ji and Lady Cai stare at each other. Neither one of them greet and Lady Cai got started by Zhen Ji's extraordinary looks. Guo Wang comes into play as she watches the two women interact.
"You're Zhen Yi's daughter. I can't imagine a woman like you look….perfect," Lady Cai said. Perfect, especially the small mold on Zhen Ji's upper cheek. Lady Cai could only amuse the visible amount of skin revealed on Zhen Ji's dress. Is this a social woman or whore who just happened to survive because of her looks.
"I'm fairly average compare to talent women like yourself my lady," Zhen Ji shrugged.
"Aha! Yes you are, so why the lame sentiment, Ji," Lady Guo amusingly thought. She's loving this humiliation very much. Lady Cai did the contribution with her brother while Zhen Ji is still nothing compare to Lady Cai.
"But with this much beauty you've totally dominate me in that prospect," Lady Guo grinned.
"And she's my wife that struck me like lighting from the heavens. The most valuable achievement after the Yuan's demise," Cao Pi slowly glasp Zhen Ji's chin with his hand and gently rubbed it with lustful scorn.
"My..lord…" Zhen Ji bear the scornful lust of her husband as the thought of apathy clouds her feelings.
"I can see that she's too good for the Yuans. Don't you agree, Lady Cai?" Cao Cao looked at Lady Cai as she nodded.
Lady Guo had enough of watching a short clip of supermodel as she went across the hall wandering the castle until her lord gives her new orders.
An hour later at the palace that night…
"The Chang Jiang flowing through moonlight makes this city impressive for it's metropolitan," Cao Pi took a slip of wine while he resort musicians to entertain his observance. Zhen Ji glance at the nightly sky conserving her thoughts before and after she got here.
"During dinner, everyone been talking about Liu Bei and why he is label for treachery. But what kind of treacherous man who let innocent refugees follow him? It doesn't make any sense and what really made Liu Zong surrender to Cao Cao? That woman's mood was hideous that I assume the surrender was just a plot to catch Liu Bei's army off guard," Zhen Ji looked hard in the moon while her husband place his cup of wine on the platter his servant Lady Guo is holding and place his arms around Zhen Ji.
"Have you ever thought of moving here with me, Ji? You can stay in Ye all you like, but after this expedition, our son and myself will be moving here to further my goal as the successor by conquering the rest of the south," Cao Pi place a small kiss and motioned his lips smoothly on her neck. Has she ever felt this insecure with her body? Cao Pi has all the advantages of inmate sensation. Has this guy been smutting with girls at his age before he met her? Yuan Xi was never like this when she is engaged to him, only a starved female would want this much pleasure, this much luxery and power. But not like this.
"Forgive me my lord. I still wanted to watch over my family at Ye," Zhen Ji sighed. Cao Pi stop his teasing slowly move her face to face with him.
"This is your family, Zhen Ji. You, me, our son, this expedition and the power we gasp," Cao Pi corrected her.
"……" Zhen Ji knew from the very beginning that she must endure this solution as long as possible because there's no other option except death. But choosing death while leaving her family not notified of her safety is a selfish choice along with not repaying Yuan Xi's forgiveness by getting the remnants of the Yuan family sparred. The greatest challenge is Cao Pi's motivation. She dare not to disagree with him, but only speak her opinion on the subject.
"Your family were rich, but they were supporters of a flawed family where as the Cao family are considered the most powerful. When my father met the Han Emperor, he was destined to control the authority of this land. We're the most competent family, Zhen Ji. I know you are here with me to watch my family unify the land and bring these people to a new age of civilization. Admit it, Ji. This is the only family you can make a name of yourself. You've made the right choice I assure you, my wife," Cao Pi stated.
"What makes you think the choice I pick made me happy? You don't know how I truly feel and I'm tired of lying to my son about us…" Zhen Ji thought.
"Guo Wang, leave us," Cao Pi voice turned distorted. He's getting impatient with Zhen Ji's silence.
Lady Guo bowed and left the two alone, but before she head to the garden on the walk way to the castle, she take another look at the pair. It's pure amusement at it's finest. She could enjoy eavesdropping the conversation, but she knows her lord will have time to get her own share of the fun. For the record, her rival's fate is sealed. She chuckled and exited the garden in darkness.
A few minutes of silence and Cao Pi release his grip on Zhen Ji. He made all the preparations for their future and without a doubt on his mind, he will succeed greater than his father. He won favor of the friends of his family, got a heir to the next line, and the best woman. Now all that's left is the southern expedition and nothing will stop him from reaching his future goals. If Zhen Ji felt so doubtful then why even bother to live? He thought she'll be satisfy with everything in Cao Pi's power to make her happy. Why is she still in doubt?
"I know it, Ji. You are doubting me…" Cao Pi crossed his arms in disappointment.
"Lord Cao Pi, to tell you the true……" Zhen Ji paused before she could finish the sentence. How will she explain this to her husband? The word doesn't comprehend love and it terrify her. She respects him, but that is not love. She obeys him, but that's different to her true motivation on being his wife.
"The true is that my family is too good for you, isn't that what you are going to say?" Cao Pi assumed.
"….it's hopeless, I don't know how long I have left to endure this. His statement is beginning to have a point," Zhen Ji thought.
"Hahahahaha!" Cao Pi laughed uncharacteristically.
Zhen Ji nervously shrugged at the laugh, "What's so funny?"
"You don't trust me enough I presume," Cao Pi shook his head and turn away from his wife.
"That's not it! I'm just worried about my family," Zhen Ji urged.
"You should worry about yourself," Cao Pi countered. His tone now serious with strict comment on his wife's responsibilities as a member of the Cao family.
"My son was given to you my lord as the only thing to contribute. You wanted this now let me get what I want," Zhen Ji begged.
"What is it you want that wouldn't cause the court a problem, my wife?" Cao Pi turned back to glare at Zhen Ji. He knows everyone in the court is having a problem about Zhen Ji. She does something that cause trouble, most likely something that is tolerable.
"I better make it satisfying for his desires to be successor or else…" Zhen Ji thought.
"What do you want Zhen Ji?" Cao Pi patiently waited for her response.
It may seem ridiculous to her husband, but the people would not acknowledge Zhen Ji's kind heartiness in her hometown because she's married to a bastard. She wants Cao Pi to be what she wanted for once and give the people a different opinion about her marriage.
"I want you to search everywhere for ladies of chaste beauty to make your progeny abundant," Zhen Ji said. Inside Zhen Ji's mind screamed 'ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!!?' Is this what she really wanted? Make Cao Pi expand his own lineage since Guo Wang couldn't get any children and only Zhen Ji had gave him one.
"Do you know what you're asking for?" Cao Pi stare at her puzzled by her request.
Zhen Ji hoped this could escape the consequence of her forced marriage. There would be other women that matched her and Cao Pi will no longer focus on Zhen Ji instead he'll focus someone just like her and could bear him a child as his future successor; from there Zhen Ji won't suffer worst from being a traitor to the Han.
"I know, it will bring competition to your favor. Every woman is equaled in beauty and you have plenty of options on who would next inherit your legacy," Zhen Ji said.
"What you said makes sense. Very well, Ji. I will grant your request. You do know that I wanted a great family of my own to succeed the next in line of Cao family history. Upon the arrive to Jiang Dong, my family shall achieve unification and last, but not least…peace," Cao Pi calmly rub her soft check.
"My lord, your grace is immerse," Zhen Ji glanced after she praise. Her thoughts continue to scream within her consciousness. What is she up to? There will be a time she put her whole life on the line for her beauty and if she lose, she'll positively die. Competition can be a good and bad thing. She doesn't want any part of this only finding a way out.
They spend a couple of more minutes together in the garden and went back into the castle. Cao Pi went to attend to a private meeting leaving Zhen Ji alone in guest room. He's probably going back to entertain his pleasure with Lady Guo. This gives her time to think about what is going to happen once the expedition continues in the morning.
"Zhuge Liang is Liu Bei's strategist he recruited a few months ago and is the cause of Xiahou Dun's losing battles. But Xiahou Dun said he fought someone in a duel and was tricked upon the opponent's taunt and valor. Zhang He told me it's the same person who killed Gao Lan at Ru Nan a few months after my wedding. Who could have done this and why? Compare to what is happening right now, it's impossible for Liu Bei's army to fight in such a pitiful disadvantage. Only a fool could challenge an impossible obstacle. They have no chance nor there is no hope to survive. So it has come to this…alas the dynasty will fall and I've done more damage than healing it's glory by being a wife to a cruel family no different than the Yuans," Zhen Ji thought. She take up her flute and begin a emotional instrument that chant the moonlight's sorrow.
Meanwhile at the shipyard…
"That's a lot of ships to be set on this harbor. The Jing navy is impressive," Lady Guo said.
"Cai Mao is giving the rank of Admiral, but I will be in charge of my own fleet once our training is complete," Cao Pi said.
"My lord what have you been talking to Zhen Ji about when I left?" Lady Guo asked.
"She wants me to expand my harem. Heh, never thought she would be the one interest in competition," Cao Pi grinned.
Guo Wang took this a surprise and she smirked evilly. The lady has just challenged a favoritism contest. She's messing with the wrong woman this time. Lady Zhen will soon regret it. Once Lady Guo dispose Zhen Ji, she'll be the only one left standing as Cao Pi's empress. Is there no hope for Zhen Ji to survive the chaos?
Final Pairing: Zhao Yun and Zhen Ji