AU: wah ! i'm here again *laughs* thank you for the reviews ! i appreciate it so much! i will try my hardest to update fast XD

please to review review ! xoxo sankyu ! XD

The morning finally came after a long evening. The castle grounds became a hospital, for aiding the wounded soldiers. Everyone was tired and still asleep, except for one person. Ignoring the tiredness and hunger, he sat beside the bed, guarding his sleeping wife. "Her wrist were cut and she was drowned" the physician's voice echo inside his head "It was a miracle that she is still breathing, when she lost a lot of blood" it continued. He stared at her, breathing heavily and slowly, his face was blank. "Why in the world this happened? And it has to be her?" he thought. A tear almost escaped from his eyes but he wiped it before it falls.

The news that Xiao Qiao is dead travel fast, some court ladies felt guilty and some just ignore it. The one who was very affected was Kochou "S-she c-can't be" she mumbles, Rei saw her in the corner staring at her palms "Kochou" she called, but she was still staring "Kochou?" Rei called again walking towards her "Kochou my dear?" touching her in the shoulder, Kochou jumps in shock "Rei?" she gasp "What are you doing? Come on and help me, there are many soldiers were wounded" the young girl nods and follows.

"Lady Shin!" Xing greeted her mistress in shock, opening the door "Yes Xing I am back!" the young boy Ryu ran to her, open arms "You're back!" hugging her tightly "Oh how sweet of you Ryu" she hugged back brushing his hair.

I don't know what to do anymore, everything I do is wrong, everything I say is wrong, maybe my birth is wrong too, but then why? Why I am still in this world? What is my purpose? Was it to be a burden to all the people I care about? I don't want that … I feel all alone, Da Qiao my sister, my beloved sister, forgive me I hurt you, because of me you almost die when were young, you're coming to me offering you're help but I just pushed you away every time I wanted somebody to be there for me. Maybe all they say is true, I am good for nothing, I pretend to be optimistic just to keep them smiling, but it's a childish action. This world is in chaos and here I am thinking the world should revolve around me! I am stupid. I-I wanted to disappear! So that … so that I could not hurt my sister again … Zhou Yu … I will never be a burden to you … any more.

He ran to the bathroom as fast as he could "Xiao!" he yelled opening the door violently. A bloody tub came into his sight; his eyes widen seeing this tragic event. He often sees blood when he is in the battle field but this is different. It is the blood of his beloved wife, Xiao Qiao. Pulling her out of the tub, exposing her "Xiao!" he yelled placing her in his lap, he removed his robe, putting it around her. Zhou Yu's heart was broke into million pieces, he called her again shaking her "Xiao ... Please don't leave me" he whispered. Her face was pale and her body was cold, it was hopeless to still believe that she could make it, but he didn't give up.

Cupping her face, he gave her CPR, mouth to mouth resuscitation, then pumps her chest three times "Don't you die on me!" he yelled while pressing on her, a tear escaped from his face "Please breath" he murmured, he gave her a huge blow, he almost lost breath for what he is doing, but he is not giving up until Xiao breaths. After three tries, he was panting "I have to do this" scolding himself, taking a deep breath and then pumps for the last time. Xiao Qiao finally gasps.

At Sun Ce's office, Zhou Yu stepped in "Sun Ce, I will investigation on what happened to Xiao Qiao" Zhou Yu clearly stated his request "No" Sun Ce simply answered "No? What do you mean by that?" he frowns and answered almost shouting

"Because you are not emotionally stable"

"Emotionally stable?" he repeated

"Yes, your anger is controlling you, I will order Lu Xun to investigate this matter" with that Zhou Yu didn't said anything anymore and left without another word. Sun Ce watched him as he goes "Damn, he is so single minded at this situations" he sighs.

Zhou Yu walked in the corridor half minded, he is consumed by his anger, he wanted to kill with his own hands whoever did this to his wife, thinking of possible suspects, Shin Shui popped in his mind, but the way she reacted last night she seems know nothing but still he want her to be questioned. After all she was the one who was always in Xiao Qiao's side. He happened to walk pass by Xiao Qiao's room, the door was left open, and he pushed the door and step inside. Observing the surroundings, there is something new, there was make up in the desk, revealing cloths all over the room and there is something missing, he checked the drawers of her desk, the one he cannot opened was now opened "This is strange" he thought, pulling the drawer, there is a notebook and a box.

He took the book and the box, sitting in the edge of the bed, the notebook says "Xiao Xiao's property" it's her handwriting, the box accidentally fell when he flip the book open, the contents of the book scattered all over the floor, Zhou Yu's eyes widen seeing the things she kept. A dried flower, the first flower he gave to her, hairpin, his present to her 17th birthday, pink ribbon, the one he gave her and place it around her neck, scarf, handkerchief and lastly the letters, which he wrote when he was still courting her. Zhou Yu could not believe she kept this all, all this time.

"What a fool I am" he sighs, a soft knock in the door caught his attention "Lord Zhou Yu" it was his young student Lu Xun "I-I have something to tell you"

"I want to held a court meeting" Zhou Yu once again appeared in front of Sun Ce "Zhou Yu, have you gotten any sleep?" asking in a mocking manner "That's not important right now!" he get angry so easily "Look at you, still wearing your armor, Xiao is fine now, will you take it easy for a while" trying to calm him down "Do you think Xiao will be happy seeing you at this state?" he continued. Xiao Qiao always ask him if he already eaten, he always answered no, so she always ask him to eat together, she always think of Zhou Yu's health when he always forget about it. "Guess your right" he sighs "But I still ask for a court hiring" he added "What for?" Sun Ce asked "Lu Xun reported to me his findings, there was another finger print in the dagger that was found in the crime scene, so that means Xiao didn't do suicide, she was murdered" Sun Ce's eyes widen in shock, he could not believe it. Xiao grew close to him; he resembles Shang Xiang in her childish ways and charms.

"Sun Ce" Da Qiao called his husband's attention "What exactly is going on?" she asked curiously. Ever the news about Xiao Qiao spread, Sun Ce ordered not let Da Qiao know anything about it. He is scared for Da, afraid of something might happened to her and the child she is carrying when she got very depressed and stress, he took the physicians word that to let Lady Sun feel any burden, it may affect the child and her pregnancy. "Nothing dear" Sun Ce hugged her from behind, holding her belly, feeling their unborn child "Everything is fine" he whispered "If everything is fine, how come you won't let me get out of this room" leaning back her head to his chest "Because it's a mess outside and you might throw up seeing it" he answered "Is that so?"

"Lady Shin … Are you going back to the castle?" Xing asked Shin whom is just woke up "I ..." she sighs "I heard that the army is back" Xing said tilting her head, sneaking the face of her mistress "I'll be back ... It's just after what happened last night ... I guessed it was better to go home for a while" Shin held her wrist, staring at them.

The next day came and Zhou Yu's request was granted, the meeting was held in the dining hall, the people whom are present were the court ladies, Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Lu Xun and four lawyers. "Court ladies" Zhou Yu started "Do you have any idea, what are you called here for?" no court lady dares to answer "Lu Xun, please do the rest" he sit back and observe. Lu Xun stood up and walk in front of the court ladies "You are all gathered today for being suspected of the murder of Lady Xiao Qiao" the ladies were shock and all were giving violent reactions.

"What? We didn't do anything!" "We just heard it" "It was not us!" "I heard it from her!" "You're the one who said it to me!" "Shut up! Both of you were taking about it last night!" "Believe us Lord Zhou Yu, we're innocent!" the ladies made quite a noise. "ENOUGH!" Zhou Yu yelled standing up "You are not gonna be here without any sufficient proof, the source of false rumors, were no other that the court ladies, I doubt that none of you know nothing"

The ladies were interviewed one by one, most of them said "It was just told to me" and no one dares to point fingers on who was the one spreading it. It took them the whole day interviewing the ladies but there's more to come. The meeting ended but it will continue on tomorrow. Zhou Yu is eager to find who was the master mind behind all this? Thinking this through Shin popped again in his mind. Recollecting the ladies she talked to and ladies at the court he did not saw her, or even her shadow.

Rubbing his temple and letting out a deep sighs, a soft knock on the door caught his attention, facing toward the door, his eyes widen and shock but he control his emotions from coming out. It was Lady Sun, Da Qiao. "Lord Zhou Yu, may I come in?" she said in a mannered tone "Yes, what I can do for you?" he stood up welcoming her. She sat in chair facing him behind his desk and then he took his seat "Do you really mean it" she stare right into his eyes "What do you mean?" chuckling "What you have said earlier, what can you do for me?" silence field the room, both stare at each other.

"Lady Shin, I heard from the vendor down stairs that there is a commotion going inside the castle" Xing reported to Shin, while carrying a plastic bag of fruits "Is that so?" she didn't face her, still focused on her knitting "I thought you were coming back to the castle today" the young girl place the fruits in the table "I was but" Shin sighs "But what?" turning around facing her, she raised a brow and glare at her "Why are you asking too many questions? Are you questioning me? Spit it out now" scared and shock Xing never saw this expression from Shin before, she was always calm when she was angry but this time it was different "I-I was j0just curious Milady" bowing her head "I-I'm sorry i-if I insulted you in some way" she answered shaking "Xing standup straight" she did exactly was told "I don't want you asking me this questions again understand" Xing gulped "Yes Lady Shin Shui."

Zhou Yu chuckles breaking the silence "Lady Sun, what is it that you want then?" Da Qiao stood up walking toward him, placing her hands in the edge of the desk.

"Lord Zhou Yu, you married my sister Xiao Qiao is that right?"

"Yes your right"

"Are you aware of what is happening to her?"

"Yes I am"

"Then what exactly is happening to her?"

Zhou Yu wanted to tell her, both of them care deeply for Xiao Qiao but he promised to his sworn brother that he will not tell Da Qiao about Xiao Qiao's true state for it might endanger her pregnancy.

"She is sleeping" he simply responds

"Sleeping?" she repeated "I hardly see her in the past few days!"

"She is tired"

"Tired from what?"

Damn I can't think of any excuse! He thought

"From what Zhou Yu?"

"From our own activity, I guess you can already guess what it means" he shyly looks down blushing

What the heck I just said! He thought

Da Qiao's eyes widen and cheeks turn red as she step backward "I-I see" the intense situation became awkward.

"The dagger that was found in the crime scene was the famous dagger of the Qiao clan, it was passed to generations to generations, according to Lord Qiao Xuan's last will, he entrusted the dagger in the care of his young daughter Xiao Qiao" Lu Xun explained his findings "The dagger was elegant yet simple, its size was easy to hide, you can never detect one person carrying this item" he continued "This dagger was originally made for assassins but the Qiao clan take interest to it so they bought it" Zhou Yu and Sun Ce was listening carefully "Many have tried to replicate the dagger but you can still spot the original from the fake" he closed the scroll and present the dagger that was covered in plain white cloth "So this it?" Zhou Yu took it, examining it.

The next morning came. Knocking at the door violently "My my! Wait a sec" Xing yelled while walking towards the door rubbing her eyes, she open the door quickly "We are the royal guards" the man announced proudly "Y-yes what can we do for you?" Xing suddenly snap to reality, of course you can't mess with these people "Lord Zhou Yu have ordered us to escort Lady Shin Shui back to the castle" the young girl tilt her head "What is it Xing?" suddenly Shin appeared behind her "Milady!" Xing gasp "Are you Lady Shin Shui" the man asked "Yes I am, what is it?" she came closer to the door but still behind Xing.

"Lord Zhou Yu ordered to escort you back to the castle grounds"

"For what reason?"

"It is classified"

"I see…"

Saying goodbye once again to her so called son the guards take her in the carriage, with a concern look Xing could not help herself to be worried for her mistress "I don't feel good about this my lady" she whispered to Shin, giving her a pat in the shoulder "I will be alright, its Zhou Yu who order it" reassuring her, Xing nod in respond. Shin Shui step inside the carriage with head up high.

"Milord Lady Shin Shui is on her way here" Lu Xun reported "Good" was the only word came from Zhou Yu as he left his office. He made his way to his chambers, closing the door behind him, he walk slowly towards the bed. "Its going to be alright now" he whispered while brushing her hair "No one is going to hurt you or lay a finger on you, now that I am here" placing his lips on Xiao's forehead giving a kiss. It has been two days since the incident yet Xiao Qiao is not waking up, the physician always checks her but her situation is still the same, but keeping Zhou Yu's hope was she is still breathing.

"Where exactly are you taking me?" Shin asked feeling scared as the guards take her straight to the court room "Where are you taking me?" she asked again "You will see" the man respond, by his respond Shin felt more scared. Is she going to be salvaged by the guards under Zhou Yu's command but he cannot, his not that kind of a person, she thought. Her terrible thoughts stop after reaching their destination, Xiao Qiao's chamber; the guards open the door for her, as she stepped in the guard close the door immediately.

"What the" she sighs, then turn around to see what room she is in, her shock Zhou Yu was in the same room, staring at her "How are you Shin?" he greeted her smiling. A façade smile.

AU: review review thank you ! i'll update more faster next time ! i promise XD