The room quieted a bit when the pair entered, but it quickly returned to normal. San could feel everyone's eyes back on her. She hoped they didn't expect a repeat performance from this morning. Instead, she held her head high and let Lu Ba lead her to the table. Lady Sun, she noticed, was sitting beside one of her brothers. The other was in deep conversation with Sun Jian. Two more women were seated across from Lady Sun. They merely bowed their heads in San's direction when she passed by. Lu Xun was at another table discussing something with an officer but jumped up when he saw San and Ba.

"Lady Zhao, is something wrong? You look pale."

She bit her lip, unwilling to say what was on her mind. "I'm just hungry, I think."

"I hope you do not mind, but we decided that the best place for you would be with the Lu family. They have agreed to let me sit with you as well. I need to discuss some things with you."

"Shouldn't we wait until we're in private?"

Xun shook his head. "There is no need for all of it to be private. Besides, Lu Ba is involved in this as well, so it makes sense to keep him informed of our conversation." The two men exchanged glances. San had a feeling that there was something else at work here. But she was an enemy. They wouldn't tell her outright. She would have to do some sleuthing later.

San took a deep breath as the two led her to the table. Lu Meng bowed his head to her but said nothing. Lady Lu smiled and gestured for San to take the place beside her. "I hope this is alright, Lady Zhao, but I requested that you come and sit with us this evening. You seem ill at ease here and I would like to make your stay more comfortable."

"Your people seem just as uncomfortable with me," San said, eying the rest of the room. "Am I that much of a threat?"

Li Tai glanced at her husband. His face gave nothing away. "No, not a threat. People are curious, as I am sure you know. Did no one give you the same looks back home when you rescued my son? I have difficulty believing that."

"La Ba was not permitted to eat with us while he was a prisoner," San said. "Most of the looks and comments I received were positive. I saved a man's life. He, in turn, saved mine. Those that were negative didn't come from worthwhile people."

San looked up in time to see Lu Meng smile a bit. "Yes, we have heard about your encounter with Ba's would-be murderer. Is it true that he was a member of Liu Chan's bunch?"

Ba choked on his drink. "Dad!" he hissed.

San held up a hand to stop him and shook her head. "We never really confirmed it."

"But you suspect that it was."

"Yes. But it's wrong to spread rumors when there is little truth in them."

Li Tai chuckled and let her thin hand rest on San's again. The teenager didn't realize how tense she was. "Enough of this talk," Li said. "We have three days to discuss such things. This situation is stressful enough. Why don't we just enjoy our meal? Lu Xun, I believe you had some things to ask our guest. Perhaps now would be the time to explain what is happening, preferably in a relaxed manner." She glanced at San, who was staring at her. "Is something wrong, Zhao San?"

"I think you were cut from the same cloth as Lady Mei Li, mother," Ba said. He was smirking over his plate.

"A compliment," Li said. "The wife of Zhao Yun had created quite a name for herself over the years. I have heard stories of her beauty, grace and courage. Every woman in China should do well to emulate her."

Lu Meng looked up at his wife. San noticed the harshness of his face soften as his eyes met Li's. It was the same look her father gave to her mother every time they thought they were alone. "And yet you speak nothing of yourself," said Meng.

"Shu was quite informed about your own tale, mother. Well, the parts that they wanted to hear. Saving the leader of Wu is a big deal even in other territories." Ba slipped San a wink, causing the familiar blush to rise to her cheeks again. She tried to focus on her food.

"I did what was required of me. The reward was far greater than I deserve." Li Tai still held her husband's gaze.

San turned to the woman next to her. "You saved your leader. I think that the love of a man and the birth of a son is a very just reward."

"I think, Lady Zhao," Lu Meng said, shifting his dark eyes to San's face, "that you are far wiser than you give yourself credit for."

Lu Xun, who had been mumbling to himself throughout the conversation, jerked his head up. Something in his eyes startled San. He looked around the table, embarrassed, and he straightened himself as if nothing had happened. "My apologies. Jiang Wei's letter has tested many of my previously laid plans."

Li Tai nodded. "It is quite alright, Lu Xun. Is there anything we can do to help right now?"

He turned to San. "Lady Zhao, how informed are you of Jiang Wei's current ideas on the peace situation?"

"Well," she said, pushing her food around her plate, "he's told me of the desire to come up with a new treaty after the last alliance failed." San refused to look up. She didn't want to argue with the Lu family about who was more at fault in that situation. "He was vague with the details although I would assume he is looking for some kind of marriage arrangement. Most of these treaties seem to follow that pattern. There has been some difficulty in laying out the plans in Shu, as he's been away from court for a while. The rest was contained in the letter."

"I see. You are correct, Lady Zhao. Jiang Wei does indeed wish to use marriage as a way to cement an alliance."

"Does he have people in mind?" Lu Meng asked.

Lu Xun nodded. "He has given me a few names to consider. He also informed me of the current marriage troubles in Shu and how that has been affecting his decision. As I said, he is forcing me to rethink plans I had already laid out."

"What kind of marriage troubles?" Li Tai asked.

San looked up at the same time as Lu Ba, and she could see the concern she felt reflected in his eyes. She motioned for him to go ahead and explain the situation. He turned to face his mother. "Liu Bei's son is betrothed to the daughter of one of his officers. There's been a hiccup in the plans, however, and now he wishes to marry another."

"Who?"

"Me," San whispered to Li Tai. She felt raw and exposed, telling her the truth. It didn't help that Ba was obviously distressed over the situation. He was going to break the table if he gripped it any harder. It also didn't help that she caught the glance between Li Tai and Lu Meng, something between confusion and concern. "May I ask, Lu Xun, how much of a problem it is to rework your plans here in Wu?"

He rubbed his temple but still offered her a smile. "I fear our problems are much the same as yours, Lady Zhao. We have been working through marriage negotiations ourselves. This treaty request has come at a poor time for both kingdoms, it seems. But it is not anything that cannot be fixed. Lord Sun Jian and I will discuss this further and see what we can come up with."

San glanced at Ba, who was only becoming more agitated. "Your marriage negotiations?" Why did she feel so bitter about it?

Lu Meng opened his mouth to comment, but his wife beat him to it. "Please understand, Lady Zhao, that we had been talking about this long before Jiang Wei made contact with Lu Xun. Lu Ba's marriage will be put on hold until this issue has been settled between Shu and Wu. Do not trouble yourself over it."

"I see," San said icily. Ba was staring at his plate. She held back comments that she desperately wanted to make. Lu Ba hadn't mentioned anything about marriage negotiations when he was in Shu. Clearly they had been going on before he participated in the raid. She had been wrong; he didn't have any feelings for her. Maybe her mother was right. Maybe he had just been bidding his time until he could make his escape. She had been a fool.

"Enough of marriage talk," Li Tai said, trying to lighten the mood. "I have heard stories from my son about the way you fight," she said to San. "I am most curious to see the Dragon's daughter in action before you leave us. Perhaps you will give me a demonstration of your abilities tomorrow if you are up to it."

She would not let them see her cry. Especially not now, after she had proven herself to be so strong.

The rest of the dinner had gone well. Sun Jian asked everyone to raise a glass in thanks for Lu Ba's return. Lu Xun had hurried off afterwards, mumbling something about meeting with Zhou Yu. Both Lu Meng and Li Tai disappeared shortly after as well, arm in arm. It was a mirror image of her parents back in Shu. Zhou Xun claimed Lu Ba's attention towards the end of the meal. San left them to talk, unwilling to intrude on their conversation.

It was Lady Sun who offered to escort her back to her room. Something about San's face had worried the princess, who spent the entire walk back trying to figure out the problem.

"San, is something wrong? You look troubled."

"Its…nothing. Eating in the Tiger's den is unnerving. That's all."

"Give me some credit, dear. You do not keep your feelings buried very well. Did someone say something to you earlier?"

"No. We were discussing the contents of Jiang Wei's letter. Some things that Lu Xun said caught me off guard."

Shang Xiang's face fell a little. "I overheard Zhou Yu discussing some of the same things. I have heard about your possible marriage to Liu Bei's son. I am sure, too, that you know about Lu Ba's arrangement."

"I wasn't given details."

"Then I will leave it to Ba to give them to you. But San, do not trouble yourself over them. Nothing has been finalized, and my father and Lu Meng are fair. They will give him a chance to voice his opinion."

"What makes you think I care about Ba's impending marriage?"

"Lady Zhao, the answer is written all over your face."

It was all too much for her to take in. Her father had been right all along. This was a battle that required cunning and mental strength far more than anything physical. Were they playing with her? Everything in Wu was too similar to the problems in Shu, too close for it not to be coincidental. And yet she couldn't see anything out of place. Lady Sun had told her that Ba would explain everything. But what if he never did? What if he had been biding his time, using her as a way to get back home?

Then there was her father's letter to Jiang Wei. San had never gotten a clear answer from Wei about why he would ask such a thing. How could he be so kind to his prisoner while having another motive? It didn't sound like the Little Dragon at all. Zhao Yun was fair and just. He weighed everything carefully to find the best option. What would killing Ba solve? Did he not realize that asking someone, anyone to do such a thing would break his daughter's heart?

Her own words flooded the rest of her senses, and she could no longer hold back a tear that had formed in the corner of her eye. She did have feelings for him. Every moment came rushing back. All those times that she had been close to him and wanted to be closer, all those times when she blushed to herself, thinking about what it would be like to kiss him…she had been blind. "No wonder I can't let him go," she whispered to herself. Her voice was broken and ragged.

Voices outside drew her to the window. Even though it was dark, several people were still wandering about in the light of the torches. She sat on the bench beneath the window and watched the growing commotion. A small crowd was in the process of gathering. San noticed in the dim light that her room was situated near one of the back gates. A test, she thought. They want to see if I'll try and slip out. Despite the turn of events over dinner, she smiled. Even Wu's trust only went so far.

A few faces in the crowd stuck out to her. Both women who were sitting with Lady Sun earlier were there, as was Li Tai. In fact, most of the group was female with the exception of a few male guards. Some kind of ritual? Soon, she could hear the sound of clapping and whinnying. No, someone is coming home. She dimmed the lights in her own room and returned to her vigil. No one needed to know that she was watching them.

A carriage halted just outside of the gate. Within seconds, two young women appeared. Both of them looked to be about San's age. The taller of the two bowed to the group. The other followed, as if unsure of what to do or how she should act. The three older women bowed in return. "Welcome home," one of them said.

The taller girl hugged the one who spoke, a tiny woman with dark hair that was elegantly twisted behind her head. 'Mother, our cousins send their love. They were most anxious for news about Father's health and were delighted that he is recovering."

"This warms my heart, daughter." She turned to the other girl, who was busy playing with her sleeve. "Did you find the trip pleasing, Zhou Ying?"

The girl shrugged. She seemed tired and indifferent. "I confess, I fell into slight boredom. I miss being around my family."

"As we have missed you," the other woman said. She embraced the girl, Ying, who only grew more agitated. "Your brothers and your father will be anxious to see you."

"Father will be busy with Lu Xun working on a strategy of some sort. My brothers will likely be reading or studying and cannot have time for me. Otherwise they would be here."

The taller girl's eyes went wide, but no one else seemed to be surprise. San studied Zhou Ying for a moment. Her hair was lighter, almost a chestnut color. The woman she took to be the girl's mother had honey tresses, and both shared a shorter stature. They also shared porcelain skin and a perfect complexion. But where her mother also had perfect posture and carried herself gracefully, Ying's back was slightly hunched and she looked ready to collapse from fatigue. San felt some jealously at Ying's beauty, but she knew this girl was destined for court life, a life she would sooner kiss goodbye. She would rather be a warrior.

"Your father is currently with the council. There have been some changes since your departure that you need to be made aware of."

"Changes? What kind of changes?" Ying's eyes narrowed slightly.

Li Tai stepped forward. "We have some good news, Ying. My son has been returned to us. But with him has come some new developments from Shu. Your father may be under some strain for the nest few days while we try and rework plans."

Ying's eyes widened with surprise. "Lu Ba is alive? And he's here?" The shrillness of her voice hurt San's ears. "Wait, what does this have to do with our arrangement? Its not like Shu's plans are disrupting my own."

Her mother took Ying's hands and sighed. "We have to put your arrangement to the side for a few days, daughter. Until we solve this problem with Shu, we cannot focus on your marriage."

"I want to see Ba. Right now,' Ying demanded, pouting.

"He is with Zhou Xun," her mother said. "You can talk to him more about this tomorrow."

"There's something else here. I can see it on your faces."

The taller girl gasped. "Zhou Ying, what is wrong with you? Mother, we have had a long trip and Ying is very tired. Perhaps we can discuss this more in the morning."

Li Tai raised her hand to calm the girl. "It is alright, Sun Yi. Lu Xun will give you more information when you see him. The council should be ending soon and I know he is anxious to see you." Sun Yi blushed. She must be Lu Xun's wife, San thought. I thought Lady Sun mentioned he was married. It would explain why he was able to escort the princess to supper.

"What about me?" Ying asked. "When am I going to know?"

"Lu Ba was escorted home by a young woman from Shu. He has been in the care of her family. She is still here as a guest of Lord Sun Jian." Li Tai spoke with authority that was not to be tested. But San, smiling about what she knew was coming, sensed that Lady Lu's authority didn't matter to a young woman worried about her impending marriage.

Ying took a few seconds to respond. Color slowly flooded her face and her hands turned into fists by the time her words sunk in. "You mean to tell me that Ba returned with some Shu whore and our lord is sheltering her?"

Her mother hurried to try and calm her daughter. Li Tai simply watched. Sun Yi and her mother looked at each other with uncertainty. "Zhou Ying," Li said, "regardless of your opinion of her, she is under Sun Jian's protection and is to be treated with respect. I should also mention that this young woman is the daughter of one of Liu Bei's highest ranking officers. Tread lightly around her."

"I'm not scared of some Shu wench."

Li Tai must have given her a stern look because Ying immediately shut her mouth. "That is irrelevant. At the very least, you should thank her for sparing my son's life. She is the reason he has returned to us."

San wanted to hear more, but the three older women began ushering the younger girls inside. A part of her was glad she had listened to their conversation. Li Tai had actually defended her in front of women she had never met before. At least she had the respect of someone besides Ba in Wu. She was also positive that she would have Sun Yi as an ally, especially if she was married to Lu Xun. His interest in her seemed to overwhelm any animosity he may have. Perhaps his wife would be the same.

But the other part was still raw from supper and Ba's revelation. That beautiful, high born, rude woman was supposed to be his fiancée. San didn't have a chance.

A/N: I never really understood what it was like to have an arranged marriage until I talked with my old roommate from college. Her parents had a marriage like that. It was fascinating to talk to them about it. Their situation called for more nervousness than jealousy though, since they didn't know each other before their wedding (except for the initial meeting where they agreed to it). Oh, and the two 'unknown' women in the story were the Qiao sisters , in case anyone missed that. I don't mean to confuse people :-P