AU: ahhh *sighs* sorry late up date ... its because my school having a stupid event! anyway here's the new chapter! enjoy ! thank you for the reviews ! please please please review again ! thank you ! :D
"Zao shang hao! Lady Zhou! Rise and shine!" Shin loudly spoke, opening the door on Xiao Qiao's room, to wake her up "Oh Shin!" she yelled while in the covers, Shin opens the curtain, letting the sun light came in the room "Milady the storm have passed away, the sun brightly beautiful, it's a good day to take a stroll in the city" speaking while staring at the city "Shin, what did you eat for breakfast?" mumbles in covers "Milady" she walk towards the bed and sat on the edge "A piece of bread and a cup of tea milady, why you'd ask?" tilting her head "Don't ever eat those again, it made you hyper! You distracted me in my slumber! I was having a nice dream!" Xiao spat at the covers, Shin lowered her head down "I'm sorry, Lady Zhou, I didn't mean-" a surprising pillow hit her in the face "Got Yah!" Xiao said in a cheery tone and then laughs "Milady?" Shin almost yelled at the surprise attack "Oh I got you good!" she giggles at her successful prank "Very funny Lady Zhou" she smiled and chuckle.
"Sis, come on please!" Xiao begging her older sister to join her taking a stroll in the city, using her huge puppy eyes and charms "Come on sis!" insisting her to come but Da Qiao crossed her arms and keep her head up high "Xiao, I told you, I don't want too!" pouting at her sister, she stamp at the wooden floor "Could you tell me the reason why?" Da glance at her "I just … don't!" and then keep her head high again, avoiding to be caught in Xiao's puppy eyes "Why? Don't you want to be with me anymore?" pouting "Xiao, you have a lady in waiting right?" facing her younger sister, she nods "Yes, I have" pinching her cheeks "Well then why don't you take her along with you?" and then walks away toward the mirror and brush her hair, Xiao followed her and hold her in the shoulders "Oh sis! Please pretty please!" making her puppy eyes again, letting out a sigh "Xiao, I have to do something important at the moment" she held her hand "You understand right Xiao?" smiling at her, Xiao nods "I understand" giving a disappointed look.
Not successful convincing her sister she walk out of her room, closing the door behind her and started strolling. While walking she notice that her lady in waiting was missing, she started looking around "Where is she?" scratching her head. When she can't find her anywhere she continues on walking alone. Praying that she won't cross any court ladies, but she prayed too late. Thinking of a way not to be seen she hides in the bushes.
"Have you heard?" "Yeah but I only got a few details" "Well then, it was told to me that they talk there for about an hour" "An hour? Was that too long for a talk! Oh maybe they did do more than talking" "Yeah maybe perhaps" "But do you think Lord Zhou Yu's a, you know!" "Maybe no but it's hard to believe that he has no experience!" "Yeah so Lady Xiao Qiao's was not the first" "Well that's a relief" "I wonder who was it, she was lucky!" "Oh you bet!"
The court ladies soon disappear in thin air. Shocked, confuse and hurt, feelings mixed, Xiao stood up revealing herself from the bushes. She again recollects what the happenings were but she can't do it anymore, it hurts too much for her now. Rumors were going around that her lady in waiting and her husband have a secret affair, that were the reason why he hired her, some say that they were related but the strongest and more believable rumor was the secret affair. "Do they? Were they? Did they? But since when?" Xiao mumbles, not in the right mind she walks in the corridor not knowing where she is head, without noticing she walks out of the castle.
"Have you heard?" "Shin Shui have a son!" "How old was it?" "I heard it was about nine" "They live near the castle" "Do you think its" "Maybe" "Have you seen it?" "No not yet" "Oh my Lady Xiao Qiao was left behind?" the ladies laugh "Next time I got out I will search for that child" "Oh let me come with you!" "Oi me too!" the ladies were making another commotion about a new gossip they got.
Many peasants had been bumping on her accidentally but she doesn't react, her mind was flying away, still walking not wanting to stop "Maybe I can reach him by walking like this" she thought. The citizens of the city were staring at her "Was that Lady Xiao Qiao?" "She's one of the Two Qiaos right?" the whispering of the crowd were a bit loud, she can hear them all "She's married to Lord Zhou Yu" "How lucky that brat is!" eyes were tear hearing the criticism of the crowd "Where is she going?" "Maybe to find someone to bed with" heart aches "Why did Lord Zhou Yu even marry her?" "Maybe Lady Da beg for it, she was pathetic, needs someone to baby sit perhaps" "But why it has to be him?" clenching her fist "Stop it" she murmurs, but the commotion just got louder and louder, she stop walking, tears falling from her face then fall in the dusty ground.
"Lady Zhou!" hearing some calls her she pause "Lady Zhou!" there is it again, turning around finding the one calling her "Lady Zhou!" Shin wave her hands so she can saw her "Shin!" she smiled seeing one call her "Shin!" she ran towards her lady in waiting, finally reached her Xiao gave her a hug "Shin, Shin" burying her face in her chest, returning the hug, brushing her hair "There, there Lady Zhou" speaking softly "Shin, I can't take it anymore" she started crying "Milady, please don't say that be strong these are all trials" comforting her "It's too much, I can't handle it anymore" trying to speak clearly in her sobs "I'm here Milady, I'll stand by your side no matter what" looking up to her "Y-you will?" eyes written with hope "Yes Milady" hugging her tightly.
"Oh look at this" Xiao picks up a jeweled hair clip, examining it with a smile on her face, Shin watches her quietly "Its beautiful isn't?" she asked showing her the clip "Yes it is" nod and smile in respond "I'll take this please" Xiao handles the clip to the vendor, she smiled and took the clip, putting it in a box. Shin hand her pouch to pay for the item. After doing some shopping, the two ladies decided to take a break for a moment. They were wondering around the city for a while and yet Xiao Qiao only bought the hair clip, it can be seen in their faces that they are tired from walking but still Xiao don't want to go home yet.
They eat lunch at the ordinary restaurant, two bowl of rice and a whole plate of noodles. "Milady, we've been wondering around the city, are you not tired yet?" Shin ask in concern "Yes i am tired" Xiao nods "But i have to find something that will fit my sister and zhou yu" she added
"Something that will fit them?" she repeated
"Yes, if you don't know Zhou Yu's birthday is coming and Da already celebrated her birthday but I haven't got her anything, so i am here today"
"Oh i see"
"If you're tired, you could go home first"
"Oh no milady I am just fine, i was concerned for you, please do not worry about me"
"Hmm i see" and they continue on searching in the city.
Finally after thirty minutes Xiao finally saw something, eyes widen while walking towards it "Oh my" she sighs, Shin just followed her, Xiao picks up the large fan, decorate with flowers. While examining it, the vendor said "Oh Lady Xiao Qiao, what a pleasant surprise" greeting her with a smile Oh it's you!" smiling back at the old man. Shin eyed the old man like a criminal you don't want to be acquaintance with. "It's been a long time, you we're this big when I last saw you" placing his hand in his chest, showing how Xiao were small at that time "Oh yeah, it has been a long time! How are you?" she giggled. The vendors and shoppers eyed them.
"I am good, good! How about you and your sister?" the old man let them enter his shop, giving them seats and offer them tea, Xiao took the tea but Shin refuse "Well were doing well, thank you" Xiao answered and take a sip of the tea "Well then what brings you here?" the man take a seat in front of them "Well oh!" she gasp "I almost forgot! I would like you to meet my lady in waiting Shin Shui" bowing gracefully "Oh how fascinating" the man said "Where here to find gifts for my sister and Zhou yu" Xiao continues "Who is zhou yu?" questioned the man, face blushed and she looks down "M-my husband" said shyly, laughing "Oh my I never thought you're already married! You really have grown aren't you!" giggling "Yeah" after a short chitchat, Xiao announce that she should leave, giving the old man the payment for the purchased item, but he didn't take it "Eh please I insist" Xiao place the money at his palm "Take it as a gift from me to you and your sister" he gave her another large fan, identical to the one she bought "here, take this" Shin raised a brow seeing the elegant fans together. While walking back to the castle Shin asks.
"Lady Zhou, who was that man?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, he was a family friend of the Qiaos, he is making fans, hair clips, brushes and many more"
"Oh well he is certainly a professional, i mean, his works are very elegant and beautiful"
"Yes they are! That's why he is quite famous for it" Xiao smiled.
"She's crying in the streets? How pitiful" "What an attention seeker" "Can she do more than cry?" "What a cry baby" "Why did Lord Zhou Yu married a stupid girl like her" the crowd murmured.
Da Qiao was in the infirmary, looking nervous and happy at the same time "Lady Sun" the physician called; looking up "Yes?" he walks towards her "No need to be anxious, it will be fine" holding her hand in support "T-thank you" she held her abdomen "It's my first time" the physician chuckles "You did the same thing when Lady Sun, Lord Sun Ce's mother was first find out that she was carrying the Little conquer" laughing at the event that repeated itself.
"We're here at last!" Sun Ce eyed the mountains "We need to prepare for battle Ce" Zhou Yu came from his back "Yes your right buddy, I can't wait to get home" turning to his sworn brother "Me too" they both walk down the path that leads to their main camp. Zhou Yu was talking to Lu Xun and Lu Meng, pointing at the map and then at the strategy that he made, placing the army in position, reserved troops and man in the front lines.
"Please wait here and I will get you some warm to drink Milady" Shin said while helping Xiao to pull the covers on her, nodding like an obedient child she is, Shin left closing the door silently. Xiao Qiao felt small, unwanted and worthless, she wanted to disappear but she can't, opening her hand, staring at the ring, their wedding ring "Why did you marry me?" questioning the ring, she was about to cry again "Don't be sad now my love, I'm here, I will never leave you" Zhou Yu's words suddenly came in her mind. Remembering all the good times she had with Zhou Yu, all her worries and pain go away, finally she manage to smile, forgetting all the hurt she felt.
"Lady Xiao Qiao hit Shin in face" "What really!" "I always knew something is wrong with her" "But why did she hit her?" "It was said that she distracted her slumber" "That's the only reason!?" "How mean!" "So really have that shitty attitude" "How fake she is!" court ladies have talked about the incident like it was done on purpose but that was supposed to be prank. Xiao Qiao's image changed in one day, from innocent girl to sluttish girl.
After two days Xiao Qiao decided to lock herself in her room for a while, this immediately reached to Da Qiao. Only wearing a night gown she rush to her sister's chamber with a worried face and nervousness, her husband strictly told her not to move around but hearing this news she got all worked up. Running fast while her servants try their best to catch up on her, spotting Xiao's door she pause and breath, finally her servant catch up "L-lady Sun please" said while panting, ignoring the concerned lady she hurriedly knock on the door "Xiao! Xiao Qiao!" yelling her name at the door. The door opened fast "Lady Sun-" Shin greeted but interrupted when Da Qiao pushed herself inside the room, thinking that Xiao order Shin not to let anyone get in, walks inside hurriedly, finding her sister, spotted her at the bed "Xiao!" she called angrily, putting her hands in her waist walking towards her "Why are you not leaving this room?" Xiao in shock blinks at her "Xiao answer me!" getting mad and worried at the same time "Sis" standing up "I'm alright, there's no need for you to worry" panting her at her back "You didn't answer my question!" her voice got high, Shin and Da Qiao's servant stare at her "Sis, calm down" realizing that she's over reacting, she looks down. Xiao knew her sister got embarrassed "Could you please give us privacy" turning at Shin, the two servants bowed and closed the door. Guiding her to take a seat on the edge of the bed, Xiao spoke first.
"Are you alright? Did you already calm down?"
Nodding "Yes, Xiao"
"Good" smiling at her
"Xiao, why you lock yourself in here, from what I heard from my servant, you were here for two days straight, why is there something wrong?" placing her palm at her forehead, checking of she had a cold
Xiao remove her hand "I'm totally fine"
"Then why?"
"It's just, I" hesitate to tell the true reason
"Xiao" holding her hand "You can tell me, I'm your sister right? I can understand" looking straight through her eyes, letting her feel that she's not alone
"I … I missed Zhou Yu" she lied again
"Ohh Xiao" pulling her in a hug, placing her temple at her chest, brushing her hair "There, there they will be home soon." Leaning on her, burying her face, hugging her tighter, Da Qiao felt it is something else, she didn't ask and just wait for her to tell her what is it that bothering her like this, or perhaps making her depressed. Xiao's feelings are fragile, it can easily be broken, but the mask she wears is firm so emotion can easily escape. It's true she missed him, but the true reason was the rumor, the rumors.
"I can't believe it he married her! She's a mere child" "A stupid and clumsy one" "She's more suited to a peasant" "I thought she's very innocent and all but I guess not she's more than a whore." "It was told to me that they talk there for about an hour" "An hour? Was that too long for a talk! Oh maybe they did do more than talking" "Shin Shui have a son!" "How old was it?" "I heard it was about nine" "Do you think its" "Lady Xiao Qiao hit Shin in face" "How mean!" "So really have that shitty attitude" "How fake she is!" "Why did Lord Zhou Yu married a stupid girl like her"
It repeated in her mind countless times, she can't take it anymore, covering her ears, tears flowing down her cheeks, now she's clenching her own hair "Stop it, stop it, please stop" she mumbles "How fake she is!" "A stupid and clumsy one" "Stop" she whimpered "She's more suited to a peasant" "So really have that shitty attitude" "Shut up!" now she's yelling "Why did Lord Zhou Yu married a stupid girl like her" screaming she snaps out "Fine … I'll show you the person you all gossiping about" said in a husky tone.
AU: WAH! its starting X3 ... please review review ! thank you so much !