AU: Wah! i'm back! .. sorry for the late update it was christmas and new year family gatherings and everything ... HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!
here's the new chapter! please please please review review review! thank you very much!
the character here Xing is not copied from the fanfic To be Loved, i just made the name up but i never thought that it was a name already, sorry sorry!
i don't known any of the characters except shin shui and rei xou ... that's all enjoy enjoy!
The sun is not yet raising but Zhou Yu is already awake, Xiao Qiao was in his muscular arms, sleeping peacefully. He didn't slept well, of course who will, you're going in the battle field, not sure if you can go back alive, his worried, what if they got defeated the Shu army will invade their homes, rape their wife and daughter. To prevent those from happening he have to win no matter what, to keep his beloved wife safe and away from greedy and lustful people.
Watching her sleep makes him feel at ease, he want them to stay like this, peaceful and at each other's arms, but he have to be realistic, the world they live in is unstable, its chaotic; many people wants to become higher than everyone else it disgust him. Brushing her bangs away from her round face, smiling at her with a close view of her he felt he have the best sit in the house.
His gazing was interrupted when he heard a knock on the door, slowly sliding out in the bed not to wake her up. Opening the door "Yes?" the peasant bowed "My Lord, there is someone here to visit you" raised a brow "Visit me? At this early hour?" glancing at his sleeping wife, making a decision "Alright I will be there shortly" closing the door, he dressed in his armor but he didn't tie his hair, letting it lose.
Before leaving the room he glace at her sleeping figure, he want to say goodbye before they left, he knew if he didn't Xiao will be worried sick about him. Letting out a sigh he left the room, on the way to the lobby. The peasant bowed opening the door for him, revealing a woman facing back at him, he walks inside the peasant close the door to give them privacy.
Xiao Qiao was woken up when she felt that she was alone in the bed "Yu? … Zhouie?" she called weakly but no one respond, she stood up "Oh" her eyes widen "Oh no! Maybe they left already!" quickly she pull herself together, wearing only a thick robe she ran out of the room and go straight to the lobby "Oh! Why he didn't wake me up before he goes! When he gets home, I'm gonna kill him!" she thought while running.
Xiao heard this noise along the way "That … that was Zhou Yu" she mumbled, running fast to the lobby, getting curios about those she heard, even though she didn't heard it clearly. She ran inside the door of the lobby, she saw Shin and Zhou Yu staring angry at each other. Eyes widen while seeing Zhou Yu mad, she never saw him this mad before "Zhou Yu?" she murmured, he heard her and turn his attention to her, Shin stare at her. The three of them are staring at each other.
"W-what's going on?" Xiao asked in a puzzled face while staring at Zhou Yu and Shin
"I am the new hired lady in waiting for you Lady Zhou" Sin bowed gracefully to Xiao, Zhou Yu frown
"Lady in waiting?" she turn to Zhou Yu "You hired a lady in waiting?"
"Xiao I…" Zhou Yu couldn't finish his sentence
"He hired me because he was worried leaving you alone for a while Lady Zhou" Shin said interrupting them
"Oh I see …" Xiao sighs, then turns to Zhou Yu again "You really don't have too, I will be fine by myself" smiling at him
"Could we talk Xiao" he held her hand and then glace at Shin "Privately please"
Shin bowed and left the room, closing the door to have their privacy. Xiao looks up to him "Don't get close to her" giving her cautions "Why?" tilting her head
"Just trust me Xiao"
"I thought you hired her?"
"I…"
"Zhou Yu?" cupping his face "Is there something wrong?" she starting to get worried
"I'm fine, yes I did hire her, but I am still not sure" holding her hand on his face "That's why I still need you to be cautious"
Nodding "I see… but didn't I told you before I can take care of myself"
"I just want to be sure" pulling her into a hug "You are my precious wife"
She returns the hug, but still it's bothering her. When she asked him if he hired her, first he can't answer then now he answered giving her warnings. Why did he hired a lady in waiting for me then tells me to keep away from her? I can't understand.
"You're leaving my lady?" Xing ask while helping Shin pack her things "Yes but I am going alone" curious and confused she asked again "Will I will be going too as well?" hearing this make her freeze "And will the young mas-" Xing continued but interrupted when someone knock at the door.
Opening slowly, revealing a child, which is in nine years old of age, the boy have a long chestnut brown hair, fierce brown eyes and pale white skin, it resembles Zhou Yu. "Ryu!" Shin called approaching the young boy, kneeling in front of him, holding him in the shoulders "Where are you going?" he asked looking straight to her eyes "I will be gone for a few days, it's not that long, be a good boy and always listen to Xing alright" Ryu stare at Xing, she smiled at the young boy, turning back his attention to Shin "Alright" putting his tiny arms around her neck, pulling her into a hug "Be careful" he murmured. Shin returns the hug whispering something to the boy.
Xing watch them curious what she have whispered to him. Xing is a fourteen year old girl, she start serving Shin Shui a year ago, she's already with a young boy Ryu. Before she served her, she was a peasant wondering around the streets of Lujiang, begging arms from rich people. Her mother was ill she was the only one taking care of her. Shin was touched in the young girl's story. Paying all the medical bills just to help her. In order to repay her, Xing told her that she will serve her as a lady in waiting, Shin refuses but she insisted. Shin taught her everything she knows in serving. Bowing, pouring tea, serving food and many more. But ever since she never heard Ryu call Shin Mother or even Mama. When she asks about this matter to her, Shin would change the subject forgetting the previous question. But she remember clearly that she introduce him to her as her son.
Xiao Qiao watch in the balcony the army getting ready for the campaign, making last preparations, making sure everything is working, making sure everything will go according to plan. Consumed by her thoughts, still cannot moved on, on what have happened earlier. She have not notice her sister sneaking behind her. "Boo!" surprising her, Xiao screams and jumps in shock "DA! Don't do that!" laughing at her "You're face was so serious, it's not like you" stepping in the balcony with her, viewing the army "Why are you alone?" letting out a deep sigh.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I heard from my lady in waiting that Zhou Yu hired one for you" turning to face her
"Wow" sighing "News travel fast!" said with a bothered face
"Well sometimes it can be a good thing, sometimes it's not"
"… Yeah"
"So is true?"
"Yes, it is"
"So where is she?" eyes searching around the room
"She went home to get her things; she's not from the castle"
"Oh! A stranger?"
"I'm not sure … it's like they knew each other"
"Maybe that's the reason why he hired her" giving her an encouraging smile and then claps her hand "Oh! His so romantic!"
"I don't think so" crossing her arms and then pout
"Xiao don't be selfish" pinching her cheeks "He cared for you that's why he did this"
"I told him clearly that I can take care of myself, I don't need a lady whatever"
"He wants to be sure, now just deal with it and be thankful that he cares for you, rather than ignore you, okay?" explaining to her younger sister so that she can understood. Da Qiao protest as well when Sun Ce gave her a lady in waiting, she felt like a child and worthless but he explained to her why he did that, and then she soon understand why.
A sound of the trumpets was hears all over the castle, it was the signal of the departure of the army. The Qiao sisters hurried down stairs to say goodbye to their beloved husbands.
"It's time" Shin mumbles hearing the trumpet as well. Hurrying so that she can catch up. The gates are opening, revealing the army and that the back is the high officials together with some officers. Eyes searching for someone, worried and nervous, her eyes widen sighting what she was looking for Zhou Yu. He just got up in his horse, smiling in relief watching him from afar, and then continue running.
The sisters finally reach them "Wait!" Da yelled while panting behind her was her sister panting as well. The sworn brothers look at their backs "Da!" Sun Ce immediately dismounts from his horse and ran to his wife followed by Zhou Yu.
"Did you ran? I told you not to do that" hitting him in the chest "How dare you! Your just gonna leave without saying anything? How cruel are you?" crossing her arms, frowning at him, he just give her a smile pulling her into a hug "I'm sorry … please forgive me" whispering "Please come back safe, we will announce the great news together" returning the hug "I will" hugging her tightly "Together we will tell them."
On the other side, Zhou Yu held Xiao in her shoulders "You alright? You really don't need to ran" looking up to him "You were about to leave, of course I have to ran to catch up" his lips curl up into a smile "We were waiting for you to come down here, before we can go" eyes widen "You were?" pulling her into a hug "Of course" she returns the hug "Take care my love" whispering to her "I will, please come back safe and sound" kissing her in the temple "I will."
Emotionless while watching the couples say goodbye to each other, clenching her fist and silently cursing, glaring at them "You're happy days … are counted" she murmured.
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu wave goodbye at their spouses and then set off going in the front of the army. Raising his tonfas "Today we will march to take back Ying province!" Sun Ce yelled with pride, the army raises their weapons and groans loudly. Pointing his weapon forward, the army starts marching. The people in the city cheer for them and pray for their safe return.
The court ladies stare and examine her while being introduce "This is Shin Shui, Lord Zhou Yu himself hired her to be Lady Zhou's lady in waiting" bowing gracefully "Please take care of me, I will work hard" one of the ladies stare at her nervously, Shin notices her, giving her a glare, as if she was ordering something.
"Have you heard?" "Yes I did" "Did Lord Zhou personally hired her?" "Yeah, maybe there related or something?" "I don't think so … maybe they have something else" "They kinda bit look alike" "She's so beautiful!" "Lord Zhou Yu and Shin could make a perfect couple rather than that brat" Shin Shui's arrival has brought a huge fuss all over the court ladies. Hearing these rumors she grins.
Da Qiao claps her hands "Absolutely lovely!" complementing Xiao "You think so?" she twirl around the room, showing her sister the new dress Zhou Yu bought "Of course!" standing up "He really knows you" giggling she twirl again.
The head of the Ladies in waiting Rei Xou give Shin a tour around the castle, telling her the rules and regulations, nodding in respond while walking in the long corridor, suddenly Shin asked.
"Is there a secret passage around here?"
"Secret Passages?"
"Yes, like a hidden door or perhaps an underground tunnel?"
"I have served here for about four years now … I believe, none"
"Ohh I see…"
"Why asked Shin?"
"I once live in castles like this, and they have secret passages"
"Ohh … well maybe there is but only the Sun family will probably know about it"
"I see"
"I wonder when is that lady in waiting of yours will arrive" Da asked while drinking tea "I don't know … maybe Rei Xou is giving her a tour around" sitting in the edge of the bed, braiding her hair, then suddenly stare at Da Qiao, from head to toe and from toe to head
"Sis"
"Yes?" placing down her tea cup
"In the past few days, you were guarded right?"
"Yes I was"
"Why?"
Da looks nervous, thinking of an excuse to use. Xiao move in front of her, staring at her "It was … because … you know" sensing that she's hiding something "What sis?" she got mad and tap the table standing up "Xiao! Why the subject was moved to me?" change of mood, in shock Xiao place a hand on her shoulders "I just want to know … I was worried … I thought something happen to you" letting out a sigh, she took her seat "I'm sorry … I should have told you … instead of hiding it to you" said with a guilty face.
Their conversation has been interrupted when Rei Xou and Shin Shui arrive, the servants bowed at them "Lady Sun, Lady Zhou, your lady in waiting Shin Shui" Rei introduce her once more, Shin bowed again "I will work hard to please you Milady" smiling gracefully "Oh thank you" Xiao stood up greeting her, shaking her hand, Da Qiao watch her examining the new comer. "Oh this my sister Da Qiao" introducing her own sister, standing up greet her "Nice to meet you Shin" she bowed again "It's an honor to meet the wife of the Little Conquer" Da turn her attention to Rei "Could you please bring us some hand foods" Rei bowed and left the three ladies.
"So Shin could you tell us about yourself" Da took a seat, Shin nod, Xiao keep standing "Well I am from Lujiang" she started "Yu's from Lujiang too" Xiao interrupted "He is" said Shin "So you knew him?" said Da "Yes" said Shin "We're childhood friends in the matter of fact" she added "No wonder he picks to take care of Xiao" said Da. Xiao was collecting everything she heard "Why he didn't introduce her as a childhood friend to me before" she thought "Well tell us more Shin" said Da, at this time Xiao observe her keenly.
"Well I'm twenty three years old"
"Zhou Yu's twenty three years old too" Xiao thought
"I just got in the city a week ago"
"We got back here a week ago too"
"The citizens are very welcoming and friendly"
"Yes they are" said Da
"Oh and I have a son"
The Qiao sisters were shock "A son?" they spoke at the same time.
"Yes" Shin laughs "His nine years old and very quiet but his so sweet"
"Oh I see so your married Shin" said Xiao
"No milady I'm not married"
"Why? You have a child? Where is his father?" asked Xiao
"It's a long story Lady Zhou"
Later that night, a storm came down at the city. Loud thunders, strong winds and hard rain pour down the city. Xing was preparing for her slumber, folding her working cloths, when the door suddenly open with a loud thunder, she gasps in shock "Y-young master?" seeing the young boy standing at the door, his eyes were swollen, nose pinkish and his holding a small pillow, she walk towards the boy "Is there" another thunder was heard, Ryu hugged her whimpering "You're scared at the thunder" she hold the young boy "Can I sleep here with you" he asked "Of course you can" Ryu manage to smile hearing his request was granted.
Back in the castle, Xiao was watching the rain at the window with a worried face "I hope there alright" praying for the safety of the army and her husband. Without knocking Shin step inside the room with a tray of tea, the door closed soundly making Xiao gasps in shock and turn around "SHIN!" she scream her name "You scared me!" she added "Oh I'm sorry Milady" placing down the tray in the table. Shin bowed "I am really sorry" letting out a sigh "It's okay Shin" turning around at the window "Your done for the day, thank you, you could rest now" Xiao said, she bowed again "Thank you Milady" closing the door behind her.
"Don't get close to her" "Why?" "Just trust me Xiao" "I need you to be cautious" Zhou Yu's words wonder in her mind "We're childhood friends in the matter of fact" then Shin's words. It was bothering her so much, she couldn't sleep. Suddenly she remember a letter, the letter that was address to Zhou Yu, she stood up and ran to the desk, opening the drawers finding the letter but couldn't find it, then turn in the book shelf but still nothing "Where is that?" asking herself.