A/N: Sorry for the massive delay with this. I have been sick and was unable to sit at my computer for months. I am feeling much better now, but unfortunately I have zero time to sit and type like I use to. I do try to type whenever I get a free moment, but it is far and few in between. I am definitely not abandoning this story though, but I cannot guarantee how soon updates will be coming out. I also apologize that the length of this chapter isn't as long as usual. As I have said, I do not have time to type and it took forever just to get this much out. Thanks to everyone who messaged me to make sure I am okay. It was appreciated.
Zhuge Jin – Ziyu
Lu Meng – Zǐmíng
Zhuge Liang – Kǒngmíng
Zhou Yu – Gōngjǐn
Lu Su – Zǐjìng
Cao Pi – Zǐhuán
Cao Chong – Cangshu
Xiahou Yuan – Miàocái
Cao Cao – Mèngdé
Xiahou Dun – Yuánràng
Shi Huan - Gōngliú
Zhuge Jin followed Lu Su's servant to the backroom where Lu Su usually held his meetings. He had been led to this very room a week ago, when he met with Lu Su to convince him to meet his brother and here he was again, summoned by Lu Su following said meeting.
The servant pushed opened the door and stepped aside to allow Jin to enter. He did so and could hear the servant shuffling to close the door behind him. Jin saluted Lu Su and his ever present shadow Lu Meng.
"Ziyu! Good to see you. I trust you are well?"
"I am, and you?" Jin replied as he settled himself in one of the seats Su reserved for his guests.
"Oh yes, yes. I am quite well," Su replied as Meng placed two cups before them and served them wine. Su nodded his head to his student before focusing his attention back to Jin.
"I must admit, I am surprised that you hadn't tried to meet me the day I returned."
Jin smiled. He had no need to do such a thing. He knew his brother's powers of persuasion better than anyone. He was the one who taught him, after all.
"I felt it would have been rude to accost you the moment you returned. I also know you to be a man of strong character. You would speak to me when you were ready, I could not force you to do otherwise even if I wanted to," Jin said smoothly before taking a drink from his cup.
Su smirked before taking a drink from his own cup. Such a silver tongue Jin had. It was no wonder that he was able to talk him into meeting with his brother in the first place.
"I can see why you wanted me to me with your brother. His ideas are quite similar to my own, though we do disagree on one point."
Jin lifted a questioning brow but remained silent, allowing Su to continue.
"He believes Liu Bei should head the third kingdom. I disagree. I believe that Liu Qi would be a better leader."
"You are correct, Liu Qi would be a better leader," Jin agreed.
Su's eyes widened in surprise.
"I must say, I honestly did not expect you to agree."
"Why wouldn't I? It is the truth. Liu Qi is a more competent leader. Like his father, he is honorable, proud and a strong willed man."
"Then you agree that Liu Qi should be the leader of the third kingdom and not Liu Bei?"
"I do not."
"But you just said—"
Su raised a hand to halt Meng's complaints. Meng nodded to his master and clenched his teeth together to prevent any further comments from slipping past his lips. Su propped his elbows up onto the desk in front of him and folded his hands together.
"Ziyu only said that Liu Qi was a better leader. Not that he thought he was the better choice to lead the third kingdom. I am certain he will explain to us why Liu Bei would be the better person to lead the third kingdom."
"Perceptive as always," Ziyu remarked with a smile.
"And you are a flatter as always. Now that we are done stroking each other's egos, would you mind explaining your reasoning?"
"Of course. We agree that Liu Qi is the better leader, but Liu Bei is more malleable."
Both Meng and Su shared a look before returning their gazes to Jin.
"So we want Liu Bei because he will be easily controlled," Su stated.
Jin nodded in affirmation.
"And your brother is okay with this?"
"Kǒngmíng knows the man he serves. Liu Bei is an effective symbol for the people. Beyond that, he cannot be trusted."
"So Liu Bei will be a figurehead and your brother will be the one truly running the third kingdom," Meng stated.
"That is correct," Jin replied. Meng frowned prompting Jin to speaking up again.
"Are we truly any different? Our drunken lord takes no part in the governance of our people."
Su pressed his lips together into a thin line. He couldn't deny that fact. Their alcoholic lord could not be trusted to lead so they did it for him. Essentially he was what they wanted to make Liu Bei.
"And how do we know we can trust your brother?" Meng asked.
Su would usually rein Meng in by this point. His blunt nature could rub some people the wrong way. However, he kept silent as he the same thought. He could always rely on Meng to say the words he had in mind.
"You could trust that he would do what is best for the land. Like us, he wants peace and he will do what needs to be done for it."
"Including working with us?" Su pressed.
"Especially working with us," Jin confirmed.
"To ensure that Liu Bei will not flee when things get rough, I have suggested a marriage alliance."
"That is a good idea," Jin replied. "We could also use her to keep an eye on him and as another hand to guide him into doing what we want. Who were you suggesting we use?"
"Lady ShangXiang."
The startled look on Jin's face spoke volumes and caused Su to chuckle.
"I know. Lady ShangXiang isn't exactly wife material, but we will never have to question her loyalty. We can trust that she will keep tabs on Liu Bei for us."
"And take him out if necessary," said Meng.
Both men looked at him in surprise.
Meng shrugged. "I can't be the only one who thought that?"
Su sighed. "I would rather not make Lady ShangXiang an assassin, even if she is capable."
"Sorry Master," Meng said with a bowed head.
Su shook his head, dismissing the apology. "You weren't wrong in your thinking, but you must remember, just because an opportunity is available, doesn't mean we must always take it."
"But why would this not be an opportunity that should be taken? If Liu Bei betrays us, would it not be best to have him taken out? And who could get closer to him than his wife?"
"Because despite our Lord Sullying the name, the Sun family is one of honor. To ask Lady ShangXiang to do something as lowly as assassination is unthinkable, even if it would make our lives easier," said Jin, answering in place of Su.
"I see. I am sorry to suggest for Lady ShangXiang to do such a thing."
"No apology necessary. As I said, your thinking wasn't wrong. Honestly, if she were a different woman from a family not as prestigious as the Sun family, it would be an ideal plan; but as it stands, that is not an option for us," Su replied.
"Back to the topic at hand," said Jin, bringing the attention back to him. "Am I correct in assuming that we agree?"
Su nodded. "I concede that Liu Bei would be better for us."
"Do you think you can convince Master Gōngjǐn of this?"
Su blew out a breath. "I will certain give my best effort to try and do so."
"That's all I can ask," Jin replied.
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"Pul-eeeeeeese can we go?"
Zhou Yu's arm was suddenly grabbed causing his brush to swipe haphazardly across the scroll he had been working on leaving a black streak in its wake. He let out a sigh as he set the brush down. He would have to do this over now.
"Oops."
At least she had the decency to seem remorseful.
"Well since you are finished now, can we go?" she asked as she grabbed hold of his arm once more in a feeble attempt to pull him with her.
'Not quite so remorseful', Yu thought to himself as he pried the younger of the Qiao sister's fingers from his arm.
"Now now Xiao Qiao, I have told you once before that we can go for a walk after I have finished my work."
"But it is taking foreeeeever," Xiao whined as she grabbed hold of Yu's arm again.
Yu sighed and pried her fingers from his arm once more. When she tried to grab for it again, he dodged out of way making her pout at her failed attempt.
"That is because you keep interrupting me," he chided.
Xiao frowned. "It's because I'm so boooored," she said before sighing dramatically.
"I know and I am sorry, but I truly have to finish this."
"Ugh, it isn't fair! Why can't Lord Quan just do his own work?!" Xiao said angrily as she stomped her foot.
"It is not my place to question why, Xiao Qiao, merely to serve."
"It was so much better when Lord Ce was here," she said softly. "You were happier and didn't have to work so much. Sister was much happier too."
Yu frowned and gave Xiao's head a soft pat. "We all were, my love. We all were. It is because of my Lord Ce that I work so hard. I will not allow what he worked so hard for to go to waste."
"I understand," Xiao replid with a small frown adorning her small lips.
"I promise once I am done, we can play all you like."
"Really?" she asked hopefully.
"Really," he confirmed giving her head another pat.
Xiao smiled and threw her arms around Yu's neck. He chuckled and returned the hug. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before pulling away.
"Now, will you leave me to finish my work?"
Xiao nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! I'll just go hang out with sis until you are ready."
Yu nodded. "Very well. Give her my love."
"I will!" Xiao called out in a sing-song voice before skipping happily out of the room.
Yu sighed. His wife could be quite a handful at times.
Taking advantage of the moment of peace he had to himself, Yu started his work again on a fresh scroll. With no distractions, he was able to complete it relatively quickly. He was reviewing his freshly inked message to ensure there weren't any errors when a servant announced the arrival of Lu Su. Yu instructed the servant to send him in while he busied himself with putting his writing implements away. He had just finished when Su was escorted in.
Su saluted Yu who returned the gesture before smiling at his long time friend.
"I saw your beautiful wife on the way here. She seemed…chipper as always," Su remarked with a smile.
"I'm sure she was," Yu replied with a sigh as the servant handed him the cup of tea he had just prepared. Just thinking of his wife made him tired. That woman was a font of boundless energy. Finished serving the men their teas, the servant moved to a corner of the room and sat with their legs folded beneath them, their hands resting in their lap and their head down. Should Su or Yu require any further service, they would be available.
Su chuckled as he took a sip of his own tea.
"You said you needed to speak with me?" Yu asked as he set his cup down.
"I did," Su replied as he set his own cup down. "I recently had a meeting with Zhuge Liang."
Yu arched a brow arched slightly, but he said nothing, opting to wait for Su to explain further. For the briefest of moments, he felt a pang of jealousy. Like many tacticians he knew of the brilliance of Zhuge Liang. To get to speak with such a man would be an honor. How had Lu Su come to have a meeting with him and why? Last Yu heard of him, for some inexplicable reason, he had chosen to ally himself with the gormless Liu Bei. Whatever the reason, he trusted Su implicitly, so if he had a meeting with Zhuge Liang, he knew it was for the benefit of Wu.
"He had a proposition for us," Su continued. "He wished to join forces with us against Cao Cao."
Yu raised a hand stopping Su from continuing. He looked to the servant in the corner.
"We have no need of your service any further for now. Please return to your regular duties.
The servant bowed his head low before standing and hurrying out of the room.
Yu waited until he heard the retreating footsteps of the servant before regarding Su once more.
"Zhuge Liang…he has allied himself with Liu Bei, has he not?"
"He has," Su confirmed with a nod of his head.
"I am surprised at you, Zǐjìng. Surely you know such an alliance would not be beneficial to us. From what I hear, Liu Bei and his people are nomads with no home to call their own. His paltry forces would be of no help to us in attacking Cao Cao."
Yu could have said a lot more about why an alliance with Liu Bei would not be in Wu's benefit, but he did not bother. He was sure Su knew it all. There was no need to slander the man any further.
"It would not be just him. He has allied himself with Liu Qi."
This news gave Yu pause. Liu Qi was certainly a bigger force than Liu Bei. How had that particular alliance come about? Very curious.
"Is that so? Why?"
"I wondered that myself. It seems that Cao Cao was behind Liu Cong's rise to power. Liu Qi fights for his stolen birthright. It seems that Liu Bei and Liu Qi are friends, stemming from Liu Bei's relationship with Liu Biao. He wishes to help Liu Qi to regain his rightful position and for his own benefit as well."
"And what benefit is that?"
"Do you remember my idea of splitting the land?"
"Yes, of course. We spoke of it recently."
"Well we were not the only ones who had the idea and as you suggested, splitting the land in three would prove to be more stable than my plan to split it in two."
"I am guessing Zhuge Liang was the one who came to the same conclusion as we have."
Su nodded in confirmation.
"Your original idea included Liu Biao, but after his death, that became impossible, especially as Liu Cong made it clear he had no intention of dealing with us. I suppose we now know the reason for that. He is beholden to Cao Cao."
Su remained silent; letting Yu's brilliant mind work through the information he was given. He knew it would not be long before he came to the correct answer.
"You have said that Liu Bei works for his own benefit. Surely he does not believe he should be the third power? The better idea would be for Liu Qi to succeed his father in our plan."
"I agree with you, as does Zhuge Ziyu. However, he and his brother have managed to convince me that Liu Bei would be the better choice."
"I am interested to see if you can convince me of the same."
Su chuckled, but he was prepared for the challenge. He spent the next hour outlining his and Zhuge Liang's plan and the benefit of it to Wu. Through it all, Yu remained silent, absorbing every tidbit of information Su relayed to him.
"So? What do you think?" Su asked after he finished outlining his plan.
"Hm" was his only reply.
Some might consider that reply to mean Yu had not been convinced, but Su had known Yu long enough to know differently; and he was right. Yu did like the plan. With their current inept leader, Wu would remain stagnant. Sun Quan did not have the strength needed to conquer the land in order to tame it. He may share the same blood with Sun Jian and Sun Ce, but he lacked their will. That said if they were to proceed with an alliance with Zhuge Liang, he would need to be watched. That man was clever and Yu did not doubt that once Cao was out of the picture, he would turn his sights on Wu.
"We will have to convince the others," said Yu.
"Between the two of us, I have no doubt we will be able to do so," Su replied.
"Then let us discuss how we should do so. I believe we should move forward with this plan as soon as possible. Cao's recent growth is concerning. He needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later."
Su agreed and the men began to talk in earnest on how they would convince the other tacticians. Unbeknownst to them, the servant that Yu had previously dismissed still lingered outside of the door. Having heard all he needed to, the servant silently slipped away.
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Shi Huan slipped silently into the home he shared with Hua. She hadn't noticed his presence as she was working away trying to mend a torn robe, pricking herself more often than not. He watched her for a few moments, proud of how far she had come. Initially, Huan offered to do the housework and cooking as he knew Hua came from a privileged life, but she insisted on learning. Huan did his best to teach her and she was an eager student. Her first attempts were disastrous, but she never gave up. Now, she was able to pass as a typical wife which did wonders for their cover. In fact, it was because of her efforts that she was able to connect with other housewives and eventually get him a job as a servant in Zhou Yu's household.
"Hua," Huan called softly, causing the woman to jump at the sound of his voice cutting through the silence.
"It's Nuan," she admonished. Huan rolled his eyes. Out of all the names she could have chosen, she decided to choose one so similar to his own. He tried to convince to go with a different name, but she refused.
"There is no need to call you that when we are alone, is there?"
"I suppose not," she replied with a small smile as she put down the robe and walked over to him.
Huan gathered her in his arms and pressed a light kiss against her lips. He tried to pull away but Hua pushed forward, capturing his lips once more. It was several moments before they broke apart, Huan still holding her closely.
"What are you doing home so early?" she asked as her hand ran up and down the length of his arm.
Her question seemed to bring him back to the reality of the situation. He distanced himself from her causing her to frown.
"We need to pack and leave immediately."
"Why? What's happened?" Hua asked, fear evident in her voice, her eyes widened in surprise by his sudden urgency. "H-have we been discovered?"
"No, but we got what we came for. We need to return with this information as soon as possible."
Hua did not relish the thought of going back to Xuchang. She always knew they would one day return, but she had grown to love the life they had created for themselves in Wu.
"We…we cannot just send them a message?"
"Definitely not. I am sure I do not need to explain why."
"No," she muttered. "You don't."
Huan gathered her in his arms once more. "This is not the end for us, Hua. We will not be separated. Your brothers have promised and furthermore, I refuse to let it happen. I happen to be quite fond of you."
Hua smiled. "I am quite fond of you as well."
Huan pressed a brief kiss to her lips once more before pulling away once more.
"Now make haste, Hua. We need to leave a soon as possible. I am sure my absence will be discovered before long. Pack light so we can move quickly."
Hua nodded and set off to pack for their return trip to Xuchang.
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The sound of steel hitting steel rang out across the field as Li Dian and Zhou Yun's weapons met. Dian wore a small smile on his face while Yun's own retained the stoic expression he normally wore. The men broke apart from each other only to meet again and again. Dian was grateful that Yun had offered to train with him. He normally trained with Yue Jin, but he was busy helping his wife-to-be and his soon to be father-in-law get ready for their impending move to Chenliu. It was good to face someone new. He and Jin had fought each other so much, Dian could almost predict exactly how his long time friend would move. While still entertaining, the sparring matches between them started to get a bit stale. It was good to mix it up a bit. Of course he could have probably trained with his soon to be father-in-law, but he saw how Dun and Yuan trained and honestly wanted none of that. It was absolute madness. He wondered if they remembered that they were allies and were just training.
A safe distance away from the men were their intended wives. The women looked on as their men clashed; Xiahouji wincing every time Yun's weapon met Dian's own and Xiaolian simply studying the fight for ways to improve her own style.
Xiahouji clutched Chang'e close to her chest as her eyes followed the intense action. The bunny did not protest, use to its owner's somewhat stifling affections by now. Xiahouji's heart beat wildly in fear for Yun. Her mind told her that this was just training, but her eyes and heart did not seem to believe that at all.
"I can't watch this anymore," she said softly as she turned from the men and to her friend Xiaolian.
"Come on, Xiaolian. Let's go. We should be practicing for our…our—"
Xiahouji couldn't finish her sentence. She felt her face heat up at the mere thought of her impending marriage ceremony. She buried her face fuzzy bunny, nuzzling it for comfort.
Xiaolian knew what she meant, but she was content to pretend as if she did not. She hated the tedium of wedding preparations and she was content to watch the guys train.
"D-do you think about the w-wedding night?" Xiahouji managed to stammer out once she had gotten over her earlier embarrassment spell.
"No," Xiaolian replied simply. She had been trying to avoid thinking about her marriage at all. She remembered her parent's wedding and saw how uncomfortable her mother was being the center of attention.
"B-but you know what w-we have to do, right?"
Xiaolian sighed. Of course she knows. Thanks to Xiahouji she had went through that ridiculous ceremony more times than she cared to count.
"I don't mean the ceremony," Xiahouji said as if reading Xiaolian's mind. "I-I mean a-after."
Xiaolian cocked her head to the side at this. After? No one ever really spoke to her about after. They were so focused on making sure Xiaolian knew what to do during the ceremony that no one ever mentioned what would happen after. Xiaolian understood that Dian would live with them now so she would see him a lot more, but besides that she couldn't understand what had Xiahouji in such a flurry.
"W-we have to consu…consu…oh my," Xiahouji said as she buried her face back into the bunny she clutched in her arms.
Well that wasn't helpful. Perhaps she could just ask Dian. After all, he was involved in the ceremony as well. Surely he would know.
Perfect timing. They had just finished their training and were making their way over to them. Dian wore a tired, yet satisfied smile as he approached. Xiaolian held up a cloth and he took it gratefully to wipe the sweat dripping off of his face. Xiaolian watched him as he wiped down, her eyes glued to his every motion as a flutter blossoming in her stomach. She squashed it down in annoyance and averted her eyes. She felt this feeling before, but it had been getting worse lately and she didn't understand why. It was only when she was around Dian. She wasn't sure who to ask about this because she did not understand how to explain it. With a frustrated sigh she stood up and looked to Xiahouji who had also handed Yun a towel, though she made sure to avert her eyes as she did also. Xiaolian wondered if she had the same fluttery feeling as she did which is what made her avert her eyes. Then again, Xiahouji always seemed to have difficulty facing anyone.
"Phew! After a match like that, I'm starving!" Dian exclaimed with a smile. "Should we go get something to eat?" he asked before drinking deep from a skin of water Xiaolian had held out for him.
"What happens after the marriage ceremony?"
To Dian's credit, he did not spit the water still in his mouth out. Instead he stood there frozen in place by Xiaolian's blunt question; the water he took from the skin moving to his cheeks making them puffed like a squirrel that had nuts stored inside. His eyes shifted from his intended to Xiahouji. Predictably, she had her face buried in her bunny and looked as if she was ready to faint; Yun looked ready to catch her should that happen, but his eyes seemed to be gazing at Dian and Xiaolian, curious as to how he would answer.
Dian finally swallowed the water down with a loud gulp.
"This…wasn't explained to you?" He asked, hoping he could somehow avoid answering this embarrassing question.
"No," Xiaolian replied simply, oblivious that she had become the center of attention in their little group.
"Well," Dian began slowly. "Some of our friends and family will banter with us so we can be more comfortable with each other."
"After," Xiaolian said bluntly, interrupting his explanation.
Dian swallowed hard again and pondered whether he should take another drink to give himself more time to answer. Xiahouji was wavering now. The poor girl looked as if she was going to faint. How Yun would ever get through his wedding night with her, Dian did not know.
"You mean after they leave our room," Dian asked, despite already knowing that was exactly what she meant.
Xiaolian simply nodded.
Dian sighed. Better to just get it over with. He blew out a breath before straightening his shoulders and looking Xiaolian in the eye.
"We consummate our relationship before the heavens."
"Consummate?" Xiaolian repeated as she tilted her head in that curious way that Dian adored.
"Yeah," he replied as he cleared his throat unnecessarily. "We prove our love for each other to the heavens. It is the only way to get them to recognize it."
"Prove?"
Dian sighed. She really wasn't going to make this easy on him.
"We join our bodies…our souls, together as one."
In the corner of his eye, Dian saw movement. Xiahouji apparently could take no more. She promptly fainted and the ever vigilant Yun caught her. His eyes returned to Xiaolian to see her looking at her friend as well, her eyes wider than usual, no doubt processing everything he had just said.
"Sorry," Dian mumbled to Yun who only shrugged in response as he adjusted his grip on his little bride.
Dian wondered what was going through Xiaolian's mind at this very moment, but he hadn't the courage to ask her. He envied her bold nature sometimes.
Xiaolian gave nothing away. If she was even thinking about the topic any longer, Dian would never know. It wasn't brought up again even after Xiahouji regained consciousness. The pair went off together to have some lunch without another word being spoken on the topic.
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-A month and a half later-
Pi stalked angrily through the castle halls ignoring the bustle happening all around him. The servants had been diligently preparing for his upcoming wedding to Zhenji, but he could not care less. He had no interest in such a large, gaudy wedding. This was entirely his father's doing and a means to show off his wealth and power. So focused on maintaining an image, Cao Cao had forbade his son Cao Chong from attending. This decision did not sit well with Pi at all and he was ready to fight his father on this when Chong had advised him not to.
'Do nothing to jeopardize your place as his heir. Zǐjiàn still lurks in the shadows waiting for an opportunity to take your place.'
Pi rolled his eyes as he thought of his brother's warning. He personally no longer considered Zhi to be a viable threat. After making a fool of himself in front of their father and being dismissed as his heir, Zhi had taken solace in the bottle. He spent his days drinking himself stupid and writing terrible poetry; a far fall for the world's second best poet. Still he heeded his brother's words and did not challenge his father on excluding Chong from his wedding. Chong's advice had not steered him wrong before and he would not go against him now. Following his brother's advice, however, had soured his mood as he felt the yoke of his father's rule weighing ever heavier on him. How he longed to break from his archaic logic and rule the way he saw fit.
Pi turned a corner; his destination was Zhenji's room. Listening to her music would calm the fury burning in his soul. Pi felt the corner of his mouth threaten to twitch upward and stamped it down immediately. He was not a person that smiled, yet he found himself wanting to do so in her presence. He has truly come to love her and looked forward to her becoming his wife.
Pi entered her room unannounced. He found her sitting with her back facing him, her hands pulling a brush through her silky black hair. Upon hearing him enter, her hands stalled and she looked over her shoulder to him with a smile. She knew it was him. He was the only one who came into her room unbidden. She stood from her bed and glided over to him, her hair brush forgotten.
"My Lord," she said in a sultry voice once she was in front of him, one hand placed gently upon his chest.
Pi's hand immediately coiled around her waist and pulled her closer to him. With his free hand, he hooked a finger beneath her chin and lifted her head up so he could place a tender kiss upon her lips. Such greetings became normal amongst them. Truly the love between them blossomed more than Pi could have ever imagined.
Zhenji smiled up at him once they parted obvious love and adoration in her eyes.
"To what do I owe the honor?" she asked, content in his hold.
"I need a reason to visit my wife?"
"Never," she replied with a smile, loving the way he called her wife despite them not being married yet.
Pi moved to sit on her bed, pulling her along with him.
"Play for me, Zhenji."
Zhenji nodded and stood from the bed to retrieve her flute. Pi often asked her to play and she was always glad to do so; she could see the peace her music granted him.
Zhenji sat at the edge of the bed and began playing. Pi laid back and closed his eyes, allowing the soothing tune to wash over him. He went over his father's ridiculous demands, Zhenji's soothing tune preventing his anger from spiking at the very thought. He knew Chong said to leave it alone, but he could not. Out of all his brothers, he was closest to Chong and he refused to get married without his presence. There had to be something he could do.
Pi's eyes snapped open. He did not know how long he had lay there thinking, but Zhenji never stopped playing. He sat up and Zhenji lowered her flute.
"My Lord?" she asked questioningly.
"Would you marry me? Today?"
Zhenji's brows furrowed for a second before smiling. "I would marry you this very minute if I could, My Lord."
Pi smirked, pleased with the answer. "Then let's do it."
He stood from her bed and headed to her door. He paused long enough to look over her shoulder.
"Coming?" he asked before stepping out of her room, leaving Zhenji to scramble after him.
She caught up with him in the hallway. He hadn't stopped his stride, walking with purpose to an unknown destination. Zhenji did not hesitate to follow him. She would follow Pi anywhere.
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Huan looked at the gates of Xuchang with a sense of trepidation. In the corner of his eye, Huan could see that Hua had the same feelings as he. It was hard to tell what would happen once they passed the threshold into Xuchang. Had their deception truly gone without a hitch? Would they still be together or would Hua be taken away from him and he punished for stealing her away?
"We have to trust in my brothers," Hua said in a whisper, most likely speaking to herself than him.
Huan nodded and held her hand, leading her towards the gates.
They managed to pass without issue. The guards did not stop them, nor did they give Hua a second glance. It helped that she dressed rather plainly, not at all like the noble she was.
Huan led Hua to the home he had in Xuchang. It was a modest place. He rarely stayed there so he did not need much.
"I need you to stay here while I report in," Huan said.
Hua stopped her examination of his home to stare at him. She bit her lower lip. A sign that she wanted to argue, but instead she sighed and nodded her head, realizing that it was the best decision. Huan gave her a kiss on her forehead before leaving to report in to Cao Pi.
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So far things were going well. Huan hadn't been arrested when he entered the castle and he hadn't heard anything amiss about Hua's double. He wasn't ready to breathe a sigh of relief just yet however as he had yet to report in to Pi. Apparently he had left the palace with his intended a short while ago. Not wanting to wait around in the castle for him, Huan decided to report to Chong instead.
He hurried to the Xiahou home where he knew Chong had been staying. He hoped Hua was okay being alone for so long. He feared she might get bored in his small home and decide to wonder. While she hadn't initially been recognized when entering Xuchang, he did not want to tempt fate.
Huan arrived at the Xiahou home and requested an audience with Xiahou Dun. Though his true aim was to speak with Chong, it would be rude to not speak to the master of the house first. Huan was shown in and to his surprise, he found himself in company with Cao Pi, Zhenji, Cao Chong and his caretaker Jun. The four of them were currently standing in front of the Lord and Lady of the house, Xiahou Dun and Zhuyue; one of them sprouting a face of pure annoyance and the other pure mirth.
"What did I just walk into?" Huan whispered to himself.
=#=
-Before Huan's arrival-
Cao Pi and Zhenji arrived to at the Xiahou home after taking a short detour to pick up Qinghe. Since Chong had taken to living there, their visits had become rather frequent so he was shown in without any issue.
As usual, he was shown into the sitting room where he typically met with Chong. Before the servant hurried off to retrieve his brother, Pi commanded that he retrieve the lord of the house as well. This request surprised the servant but he quickly bowed his head and went off to do as he was asked.
Zhenji distracted herself with playing with Qinghe. She could not figure out why Pi had brought them here. Certainly they have come here plenty of times before with Qinghe to visit Chong and Jun, but what did this have to do with getting married? Despite racking her brain for the answer, she failed to come up with one so she decided to put it aside for now. She trusted Pi and she knew he would tell her when the time was right.
Chong arrived first with Hua dutifully pushing him into the room. Qinghe left Zhenji's side and ran to hug Jun's legs. Jun bent down to hug her, smiling as she gave her nose a little poke eliciting a giggle from the little girl. She then went to Chong and held her arms up expectantly. Chong obliged her and lifted her up and placed her in his lap as he usually did when she came for a visit. The girl smiled and laid her head against her brother's chest contently. Chong really was going to miss her when they left.
"This is a surprise," Chong remarked as he pushed the somber thought from his mind.
"It is good to see both of you," said Jun with a smile.
"Yes," Zhenji replied softly.
"I have a feeling this little visit is all my brother's doing?" said Chong with a knowing smile, easily reading the confusion on Zhenji's face.
"It is. We have come to get married," Pi replied smoothly.
It was time for Chong to sprout a look of confusion. "Your wedding isn't for another week brother."
"I have no interest in that farce father calls a wedding," Pi seethed.
Chong's brows furrowed. "I don't—"
Chong was interrupted by the arrival of a very irate looking Xiahou Dun and an equally irate Zhuyue. Zhuyue's irritation however seemed to melt away almost immediately once she spied Qinghe. She let out a squeal and scooped the girl from Chong's laps. Zhuyue loved her boys, but she still wanted a little girl. Of course she had Xiaolian, but she wasn't a little girl anymore.
"What?" Dun ground out.
"That isn't very friendly," Chong said while trying to hide a grin.
"Shut it. What do you want, Zǐhuán?"
"Cangshu is right. You seem angrier than usual. Did we interrupt something?"
"Yeah…you did," Dun grounded out. What Pi had in fact interrupted was the ingenious idea he had. He convinced Zhuyue that they should give their home a proper farewell before they moved to Chenliu. He planned on taking her in as many rooms as possible before they left. They had just gotten started on his grand plan when the servant had arrived and informed them that they had guest.
Both Pi and Chong looked at each other before Pi returned his gaze to Dun giving him a knowing hmm.
"I apologize for interrupting you, but we need to request a favor."
"Spit it out," Dun replied in annoyance.
"We wish to be married."
"You are going to be married in a week, aren't you?" said Zhuyue.
"That farce father is throwing has nothing to do with me. I want to be married amongst those I care for most."
"Brother, you are going to make me cry," Chong said as he wiped an imaginary tear from his eye.
"Silence your foolishness," Pi snapped thought it truly held no bite causing a snicker from Chong. Pi returned his attention to Dun. "Will you assist in this?"
Dun frowned.
"Not exactly sure what you expect me to do."
"You and Miàocái have been appointed as administrators by father. By law you can officiate over weddings. I only ask that officiate over Cangshu and my wedding."
"Uh, brother…I love you and all, but that is a bit weird."
Pi sighed. "I swear sometimes I do not know why I bother."
Chong grinned. "Okay, okay. Seems as if I bugged you enough for one visit. I'll be serious now. Honestly brother, this is all very kind, but what you are proposing…it can't be done."
"Let me get this straight. You want me to go behind Mèngdé's back and join you and your women together knowing very well that he has expressly forbid Cangshu from making Jun his wife."
Jun sucked in a breath upon hearing Dun's words and lowered her head. She felt an ache in her heart upon being reminded that she could never be wife to the man she loved so dearly. In Cao's eyes she was and always will be a whore; a whore unworthy of the son that he refuses to even acknowledge publicly. Zhuyue placed a hand on her shoulder and offered her a weak smile. Jun appreciated the gesture, but the ache did not dull.
Chong clinched his jaw upon being reminded of his father's hateful words. While they lived with the Xiahou family, it was easy to forget how his father viewed him and Jun. Dun's words were a rude reminder.
"We would not put you in such a position. You are already doing enough by simply letting us live here and getting me from under father's thumb. It is nice to be able to live freely and not be seen as simply the family embarrassment."
Pi opened his mouth so speak, but the arrival of a servant made him hold his tongue. Sensing the tense atmosphere, the servant begged forgiveness for interrupting them. Dun waved the apology off,
"Just spit it out," he barked.
"Apologies again, My Lord," the servant replied, nonplused by his master's grumpy demeanor. "Shi Huan is here and requests an audience."
Both Chong and Pi's ears both seem to perk up at the mention of Huan's name.
"Send him in," they both said almost simultaneously.
"Oh so you two accept guest on my behalf now too?"
"My apologies," Pi replied, but it is important that we speak to him."
"Brother while I appreciate the gesture, you are asking our cousin to directly to defy father, his Lord," Chong said, steering the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"But you too wish to make Jun yours, don't you?" Zhuyue questioned.
Chong averted his eyes from Zhuyue's searching own. He did not want her to see the truth. She was right. He wanted to make Jun his in every way possible. He hated that he could not. It was a thought that had kept him awake more nights than he cared to admit.
"Lady Zhuyue, t-thank you for your concern, but we could not ask such a thing of you," Jun said, her voice wavering as she spoke. It was clear she wanted this more than anything, but she would not do so at the expense of causing trouble for the two people who had already done so much to them.
The group fell into silence. The sadness was palpable in the air.
Dun finally let out a loud sigh, cutting through the oppressive silence.
"Damnit, why couldn't you go to Miàocái with this shit? He has the same power as I do."
"You are less annoying," Pi replied with such a straight face that Zhuyue could not stop the laugh that escaped her.
"What did I just walk into?" Huan whispered to himself upon taking in the scene.
"Welcome back, Gōngliú. We weren't expecting you back so soon. Did something happen?" Pi asked.
Huan straightened himself up quickly and saluted Pi. "Yes, My Lord," he replied. "Greetings to you Master Xiahou Yuánràng, Lady Zhuyue, Lord Pi, Lady Zhenji, Lord Chong, and Lady Jun."
"You have news?" Pi repeated, this time with a little more force.
"Um…yes…" Huan said cautiously as his eyed the others. "Perhaps we can speak in private?"
"It is unnecessary," Pi said dismissively. "Yuánràng and Zhuyue can be trusted."
Huan nodded. He would not argue with his lord.
"Wu intends to ally with Shu," he said quickly, not wanting to beat around the bush. This information was too vital to delay any further. Also he wanted to get back to Hua as soon as possible. He felt unease at leaving her alone for such a long period of time.
Immediately the atmosphere shifted. Hard glares were adopted by the warriors present; the same word echoing through all their minds…war.
"You are certain of this?" Chong asked, his usual jovial persona completely abandoned, replaced by the cunning strategist he truly was.
"I heard it from Zhou Yu and Lu Su directly. They only need to convince the other pillars which they believe will be an easy task."
"In detail. Tell me all of the conversation you overheard in detail," Chong ordered.
Huan nodded and relayed the conversation word for word. All present remained silent, as they absorbed the information as it was being given.
"Father will need to know of this."
"Agreed," Pi replied with a short nod. "He will need to start preparing for war now to be able to take on their combined forces."
Chong nodded but said nothing more. The thoughtful look on his face showed he was contemplating the situation at hand and what would need to be done.
"Where is my sister?" Pi asked suddenly. Huan froze, the only thing moving on him were his eyes which quickly snapped to all those present before landing back onto Pi once more.
"They can be trusted," Pi said noting the look of concern in Huan's eyes. Chong nodded in agreement and Huan nodded slowly. What choice did he have but to trust their word?
"She is at my home," said Huan.
Pi looked to Dun once more. "Will you do what I have asked?"
"So I am supposed to just ignore that little comment am I?"
Pi shrugged.
"Shi Gōngliú and Hua have been seeing each other in secret. She has no desire to be used as father's pawn and be married to that spineless fool that sits on the throne. Cangshu and I have given him permission to take her as his woman, provided he serves us."
Zhuyue looked between Pi, Chong and Huan before bursting out in a another fit of laughter. Huan was confused by this response. He swore his heart stopped the moment Pi had so casually told not one but two members of Cao's inner circle, but instead of scorn and threat of death he was met with laughter?
"I would never expect such behavior from you Zǐhuán! Cangshu definitely, but you? Never."
"I do not know if I should be insulted or please with that comment, Zhuyue," Chong said with a grin that showed he was clearly pleased.
"Enough. All parties went silence upon hearing Pi's command.
"Yuánràng, I know I have done nothing to earn your favor, but I request it none the less. Please, for myself and for my brother I ask that you grant us this. I will not easily forget this debt, I swear it."
The sincerity of Pi's words weighed heavily on Dun. He had never heard him speak with such passion before.
Dun stared at Pi and Pi returned his gaze, unflinching. This was not the same spoiled child that he once loathed. The same brat that he once refused to serve should Cao meet his untimely end. No. Standing before him was a man; a man who loved his brother and would do anything for him, even if it meant defying his father; A man much like himself. He was a man that Dun could respect; a man he could serve.
"Let's get this over with," he grumbled. He knew Cao would be pissed if he found out, but this was a problem of his own making. His refusal to put his family before his ambition caused this.
"Wait…really?" Chong asked, surprised.
"I don't like repeating myself."
"Nor should you," Pi said with a rare smile. "Thank you, Yuánràng. You have my word that I will make this up to you."
"Just don't expect anything fancy. I've never done this before."
"That's fine with me—"
"Wait," Chong interrupted.
"Cangshu," Pi said warningly.
"It's not what you think," Chong said seriously. "I would be stupid to argue against this. I can't thank you enough for giving such a gift to Jun and I and I know I am really pushing it, but can we include Gōngliú and Hua in on this?"
Huan frowned at the mention of his name. He had been trying to figure out what they had been talking about and now he was suddenly thrown in the middle of it?
Dun let out an annoyed sigh. "Seriously?"
Zhuyue took that exact moment to elbow her husband in his stomach earning her an annoyed glare.
"It is just one more, husband."
"Fine," Dun growled out which caused her to give him a satisfied smile.
"I'm sorry, but one more what?"
"You are to wed our sister," Pi answered simply.
"We can't have you just running around pretending to be her husband, can we?" Chong added.
"I—but I am not worthy," Huan sputtered.
"Cease your foolish postulations. If we thought you unworthy with our sister, we would have never let her leave with you."
"But—"
"Or are you saying she is unworthy to be your wife?" Chong asked with a raised brow.
"No! Never! I…Thank you my lords. Thank you for thinking me worthy."
"Best go fetch her then," Pi said. "It will give Yuánràng time to look up how to proceed with the ceremonies."
"Wait, we are doing this now?"
Pi nodded. "We must. Once father finds out about what Wu is up to, I fear none of us will have any time."