AU: he yeah people ! here is a new chapter ... thank you for your reviews .blossoms ! please review review ! i wanna know if you guys like it so far ... thank you very much !

The sun bright as usual, the weather was matching with the events in the castle. After a rough weather, a great one was waiting to lift up every body's spirits. In the city everyone was on their usual day, the stores were open, children playing in the road and the guards patrol, it was a truly fine day, except for Xing.

Xing was not showing any emotions of her doubts to Ryu, the child was surprisingly obedient and polite, after witnessing her Lady's wrong doings, she doubted her more, but is it true? Was Ryu's father is Lord Zhou Yu? She was arguing with herself. "Lady Shin Shui was a kind and caring lady I met, but after that" she let out a sighs; the young boy was watching her silently, observing her.

She shook her head "There must be an explanation why she is doing all this" she said in a low tone "Who is she?" Ryu asked innocently, Xing turn around in surprise "My young master!" she gasp "Xing, who were you referring too?" he asked walking close to her, tilting his head and smile "You see, its rude to listen to adults conversations" she patted his head "But you weren't talking to anyone" indeed the child was bright "Exactly" Xing smiled and walks away. Ryu watch her with curious eyes.

Zhou Yu was woken up by Xiao Qiao's kiss, he opened his eyes slowly. Her scent was captivating, he closes his eyes and sniffs her scent quietly, and he was more like acting to be still asleep. Xiao brush his hair away from his face, placing it behind his ear and then drawing circles in his cheek, she smiles while watching him sleep and playing with his face.

"Wo ai ni" she said silently, her gaze from his face turn to her wrist, it was covered in a new bandage, staring it with a blank emotion. Zhou Yu felt that she was not playing with his face anymore. Xiao was pulling the edge of the bandage to reveal her cut, after the last roll; she finally saw what she just done. It was still fresh, it was swelling, a tear escaped from her eyes "I'm pathetic" she whispered "No you are not" Zhou Yu stood up.

Xiao quickly hid her wrist under the covers "G-good morning Lord Zhou Yu!" she smile greeting him "Xiao, drop the act now" her smile slowly vanished as she looks down. He finally broke in her walls, he sees through her now. "For how long were you playing 'I'm alright'?" he asked in a serious manner, Xiao Qiao was not answering "Xiao" he sighs as he held her other exposed hand. She was surprise for how soft his hand could be, for someone who was excellent in swordsmanship, it was unexpectedly so soft.

"I'm alright now" she sighs as she answer not looking up "Don't lie" his hand tighten, making her whimper in pain "See you're not" his eyes narrowed "Xiao, please, I want to understand why you did this to yourself" he loosen his and look down, Xiao saw his desperation, wanting to know her more.

Behind those cheerful smiles, inspiring words and childish attitude was hurt, jealousy and envy. She knew in some way that keeping emotions were not healthy, but just to blend in she kept it all. Many people look at her as a young lady with an innocent personality and childish attitude but it was all a mask, a façade. Everything she done to change that image, to improve it to mature all failed, so decided to live up in everyone's aspect of her. Deep inside her she was tired playing, she wants her voice to be heard but when she is starting to speak, no one take her seriously. After those times, she wanted to snap out but what are keeping doing so was her were her family name and honor, and now the image of her husband, the handsome Wu strategist Zhou Yu.

"Zhou Yu" her voice change, from cheery to solemn, this make Zhou Yu looks up to her "Why did you marry me?" after saying that she felt something that was pulled out from her chest "What do you think of me?" Zhou Yu was confused and puzzled by her questions "What am I to you?" after that question she finally look at him straight in the eyes "Are you lying to me as well?" she had to asked.

The Zhou manner had a little gathering, only family and close friends were invited. It was the celebration of Yan Shui's pregnancy. It was held on the inner dining hall of the manner. The mother to be excused herself with her young sister Shin Shui. The sisters went a little walk in the gardens "What was you wanted to say to me?" Shin asked excited to know what was it "Shin" Yan sighs as she pause from walking, Shin go in front to face her.

Yan took her hands and held it tight "Shin, do not speak of this to anyone" her eyes were widen in shock "Of course sis, I won't" she chuckle as she thought it was her pregnancy "Shin, it's not about me carrying a Zhou prodigy" seeing her older sister's serious face, make her nervous.

"T-then what is it?"

"Shin Shui, f-father … he … he didn't commit suicide"

"W-what do you mean? Father was murdered?"

"Yes, h-he was"

"By whom?!" Shin was getting upset and angry at the same time

"Lord Zhou Yi" Yan said it almost whispering, Shin's eyes grew wide as tears starting to build in her eyes

"L-lord Zhou Y-yi?"

"Yes, Shin" Yan tighten her hold on her hands, putting it up "Zhou Tou confessed it to me after we got married, Shin listen to me carefully, this information must not leek out to anybody, you can't tell this even to Zhou Yu"

"Z-zhou Yu?"

"Yes, he has nothing to do with this incident"

"Incident?"

"Shin, please put yourself together"

"How could I?!" she yelled and shove her sister's hands "After hearing my father was murdered!" she point at the manner "By the person who kept us in custody!"

"Shin, lower you're voice, someone might hear you" doing the best she can to calm her down

"I can't! Yu's father killed ... papa" whimpering in sorrow she fell down her knees and continue crying. Yan Shui hugged her, caressing her arched back.

Yan Shui was hurt at first but when Zhou Tou kneeled in front of her, in behalf of his father he asked forgiveness to her, she felt that he was sincere about this apology. Explaining to her everything in full detail, now she understands how Zhou Tou felt. He has to keep this secret until he dies but his conscious cannot let him sleep after he married the child of the person his father murdered.

"No, I am not lying" Zhou Yu answered "You are my wife" answering her questions one by one "I think you are the utmost person I had met" he held her hand one more time, putting their wedding ring, Xiao's eye's grew wide, she can't believe that it was not with her all this time "I married you because, you were the one who didn't leave my side" tears were starting to form from her eyes "Yu" she sighs and look at the ring, she took out the hand she hid before, placing it on top of his hand and held it tight "I'm sorry, I'm stupid, I was selfish, I only focused on my own feelings" she said clearly "You don't need to apologize" cupping her face and kissed her passionately.

Zhou Yu remembers when he kisses Xiao on their wedding day was different from the kiss they had now. It was longer and with heavy feelings. Xiao's tears fell from her cheeks, feeling each other's compassionate to one another Zhou Yu shed a tear as well.

Shin was outside the room, she heard everything. Hands shaking as she recall some memories.