AU: how are you guys ! so sorry for the super late update ... school starts and everything gets worse XD hahaha edits made by ElGato44
thank you very much for the reviews ! please keep it coming ! XD ahahaha ... review review please thank you very much !
The next day came, and Da Qiao was on her way to her sister's chamber, dressed up, ready to go out to the city. She knocked at her door, calling her but she received no answer. Feeling anxious, Da Qiao pushed the door open violently "XIAO!" she yelled. After searching around the room, she saw Xiao still lying in the bed. "Xiao" she sighed in relief.
"Hey" Da poked her, trying to wake her up. "Xiao, Xiao! Its morning already" she said in the sweetest voice. This tone of hers always woke up Sun Ce but it didn't affect Xiao Qiao. Xiao Qiao pulled a pillow over her face to block her sister's voice.
"Wake up!" Da slapped her bottom. "Ahw that hurt!" Xiao whimpered loudly.
"What happened to you? You always wake up early than me," Da Qiao said leaning against the headboard while rubbing her distended belly. Xiao responded with a mumble. "Did you stay up late last night?" she asked, Xiao stood up still eyes closed. "I didn't," Xiao said in a stern voice.
"Then why you look so worn-out?"
"I'm just tired," she opened her eyes and went to the bathroom. Da Qiao was left in the bed confused why her sister was acting like that. "Woke up in the wrong side of the bed are we?" she sighed as she stood up making her way to the door. "Xiao, when you're ready, come meet me in the dining hall. You know were going to the market today!" she reminded her before leaving the room.
Ling Tong, Gan Ning and Lu Xun were in the front gate. As usual Ling Tong and Gan Ning were debating about something while Lu Xun was trying to calm them down. It was hard being a peacemaker. The bickering continued until a woman came to them.
"Excuse me, milords" she bowed gracefully greeting them, the three men froze seeing such beauty. "Well, well milady what can I do for you?" Ling Tong said approached her, putting his playboy persona on for the woman. "Hey no fair! I saw her first!" Gan Ning protest.
"Please excuse them," Lu Xun said in embarrassment. "Its fine" she smiled at the young boy. "What can I do for you, my lady?" he asked. "My name is Yan Shui, I have a message for Lady Xiao Qiao," she stated her purpose clearly, and Lu Xun was aware that this involved his supervisor. He don't what to butt in since it was clearly involving a personal matter.
Gan Ning and Ling Tong froze hearing Xiao Qiao's name. "Wait who are you again?" Gan Ning asked. "I am Yan Shui, sister of Shin Shui," she presented the letter, "I am here to deliver this to Lady Xiao Qiao at the request of my … sister." Her eyes narrowed, and she stopped abruptly not wanting to let them know Shin Shui's state. "Oh" the two nods looking at the letter. "Please follow me, I'll take you to her," Lu Xun said smiling at her "Oh thank you," Yan Shui placed a hand on his shoulder, and kissed the young boy's forehead. "Such a nice boy."
The young boy flushed. Ling Tong and Gan Ning stared, shocked and jealous. Lu Xun glanced at them, pulling an irritated face and then he set off following Yan Shui. "Well isn't Lu Xun lucky or what?" Ling Tong said eying him. "Yeah," Gan Ning sighed.
Once they approached the palace, Lu Xun turned to the woman. "Please wait here for a moment. I will call her," Lu Xun said politely as he excuse himself. Yan Shui bowed and examined the place. "Oh how beautiful," she said, seeing the well maintained garden in Jiang Dong. Da Qiao happened to walk by and see her. "Who is she?" Da asked herself, approaching the lady from behind. "Excuse me, may I know who you are?" she asked abruptly, straight to the point. Yan Shui turn around, quite stunned. "Oh excuse me, I am Yan Shui," she bowed greeting the wife of the Litter Conquer. "Yan Shui?" Da Qiao repeated, "The sister of Shin Shui."
"Yes milady, you knew my sister?"
"Yes, she was the one who ruin my sister's life," Da Qiao got worked up again. "I am Da Qiao, the older sister of Xiao Qiao," she continued placing her hands on her waist.
"I see," Yan Shui bowed again, "In behalf of my sister, I apologize."
Da Qiao quickly calmed, not feeling at all like holding a grudge against a woman not involved in her sister's plight, "Oh…"
Lu Xun knocks on Xiao Qiao's door. "Lady Xiao, there is someone here to see you," he announced. Zhou Yu happened to walk by, and heard Lu Xun's voice. He paused to get a glance at Xiao Qiao. He guessed that she will avoid him after what happened yesterday. It was embarrassing but he was a bit happy that Xiao ran to him.
The door finally opens. Xiao was still in a good mood and her hair was still a mess but it looked good on her. Her bangs were perfectly framing her face and her hair was down. It was curly and color auburn. To him it was perfect for her.
"Lu Xun, keep it down will you?"
She was still wearing her thin nightgown. Lu Xun stared at her, blushing, before looking away, "T-there is someone wants to meet you."
"Meet me? Who?" she asked.
"She claims she is Yan Shui," Lu Xun replied staring at a point on the wall behind her.
"Yan Shui? Sister in law…" Zhou Yu whispered, puzzled. 'What is she doing here?' he thought as he moved towards the main hall.
"Da!" Sun Ce called walking towards her while waving his hand, "Good morning!" Yan Shui stood up straight. "Good morning Lord Sun Ce" she greeted.
"Oh I didn't notice you have a guest. Good morning."
Da Qiao turned to face him. "She is Shin Shui's sister," she whispered. Sun Ce stared at Yan Shui. "Who are you again?" he asked. "Yan Shui, milord," she announced herself once more.
"Are you aware of what your sister did here?" Sun Ce asked in a surprisingly stern voice. "Yes, believe it or not, she did the same to us." she bowed again "On behalf of my sister, I apologize."
Sun Ce kept a straight face, "I'm sorry but an apology will do nothing." Da Qiao grabbed his arm. She doesn't like him being so strict. This was not like Sun Ce.
"Sister-in-law…" Zhou Yu called from down the hall, walking towards them. "Sister-in-law?" Sun Ce repeated confused.
"Yu?" Yan Shui whispered as she turned to him. "What are you doing here?" he asked with a frown. "I am not here for you," she replied, smiling at her brother-in-law,"I am here for Lady Xiao Qiao."
"What do you want from her?" Da Qiao asked, worried.
"I am here to deliver a message to her from my sister, Shin."
"A message?" Zhou Yu repeated, his voice clear and crisp despite his confusion.
"Why cannot Shin deliver that message herself," Da Qiao asked.
Sun Ce, Zhou Yu and Yan Shui were silent.
"Da let's talk for a moment," Sun Ce held her hand and moved her away from them. "Wait a minute! I'm not finish talking!" she whined. "I almost forgot! You were going to the market today, right? Well then let me come with you." Sun Ce carried her bridal style "But Ce!" she gave one last protest, before submitting defeat.
"Excuse me, Lady Xiao is ready for you," Lu Xun said behind Zhou Yu. Yan Shui bowed and followed the boy, leaving Zhou Yu to eye them in concern.
Yan Shui followed Lu Xun on their way to the inner garden where Xiao Qiao instructed him to bring her guest. "Please wait here" he politely said and bowed as he left her once again. The garden was small but it was lovely, with a small pond, an apple tree and cornered by bushes of flowers. Yan smiled and touched her stomach,"Do you see it my love?" she said. "It's beautiful isn't it?" she continued as she caressed her unborn child.
The married couple was taking a break in a little tea shack in the city.
"Wait!" Da Qiao squealed after Sun Ce just told her everything. "Please Da, keep it down!" he held her in place; pulling her back to her seat. "I can't believe it" she sighs in disbelief. It was really unexpected and a brutal punishment. "Even I can't believe it, I even checked the decrees here and it's the same," Sun Ce said as he took a sip of tea.
"How is Zhou Yu taking it?" she asked in a concerned voice. "Well, okay, I guess" he responded with a sigh. "Let's wait and see what Xiao will do if she finds out," he continued. "Oh my poor sister," she clasped her hands together, feeling anxious about Xiao's situation.
"Lu Xun," Zhou Yu called to his student when he noticed that he just past by his office. "Yes Master Zhou Yu?" the boy stepped inside his office. Zhou Yu was behind his desk, putting down some scrolls and papers. "Where did you bring Xiao Qiao's guest?" he asked as he looked up to him, Lu Xun blinked.
"In the inner garden in the east wing, Master."
Zhou Yu nodded and his eyes drew back to his work.
"I know its not my business Master but Lady Shui told us that you were her brother-in-law," Lu Xun asked. "Yes I am, she is married to my brother," he looked up again, "Do you want to ask more?"
"N-no t-that's all, Master" Lu Xun shakes his head and bowed "Excuse me" Zhou Yu waved his hand in approving his leave.
As soon as Lu Xun left Zhou Yu took a bottle of wine that Sun Ce kept under a trunk of fishing supplies in Zhou Yu's office. Sun Ce figured that the wine was safe since Zhou Yu wasn't that interested in fishing, but he didn't know that his sworn brother knew his little hiding spot. It was in his office after all, what did Sun Ce expect? Zhou Yu popped the top off and drank straight from the bottle.
AU: sorry was it a short one ? next update! it won't be hahaha ... thank you thank you! please review review ! :D