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Sun Shang Xiang bit her lip. She guessed that she had gone a little too far by asking how much they loved her and now, her two friends were glaring daggers discreetly at each other. The both of them had confessed at the same time that they really loved her and so the rivalry began between Lu Xun and Gan Ning for her love. It was obvious to the rest of the officers and even Sun Jian had troubles quelling their rivalry. Lu Xun knew when it was appropriate to keep his anger in check but Gan Ning was a totally different person. Being the exact opposite of Lu Xun, he didn’t do as well into keeping his anger at a level.
But that didn’t mean he wasn’t trying. In fact, Lu Xun had been helping him too. Lu Xun wasn’t really one to hold the grudges but a small friendly rivalry wouldn’t hurt would it? That’s what Sun Shang Xiang thought and now it was a total mess. She had to blame Sun Ce for even bringing it up. Once he had gotten wind of the fact the young strategist and ex-pirate had fallen in love with his baby sister, he challenged them into contest of who would be able to get her hand in marriage. Lu Xun, being the younger, had been embarrassed but what Gan Ning did after had made their relationship sour greatly. Mainly that Gan Ning refused to keep his trap shut and even told everyone that Lu Xun, disobeyed orders during an attack but turned out successful had made rage stir within the youth who growled angrily and punched him in anger.
Now the battle was getting a little too personal. Gan Ning was furious at him for the punch and bloody nose. A heated argument followed soon after and Lu Meng had to grab Lu Xun’s by the arms from attacking the ex-pirate as he taunted. But Gan Ning was at fault at the same time for hitting too many of Lu Xun’s sore points. But it had been the final straw when Gan Ning started speaking about families. With an enraged cry, Lu Xun broke free from Lu Meng and punched Gan Ning repeatedly while yelling that his whole family was dead from the recent surprise Wei attacks. Everyone became deathly quiet as a deadly aura was practically surrounding Lu Xun as he glared murderously at the fallen Gan Ning who finally realized his mistake. The younger man left for his quarters and refused to come out after, while Gan Ning received a reprimanding from Lu Meng, who knew his student well.
Sun Shang Xiang had reached her destination, Lu Xun’s room. But everyone highly doubted that even the princess would be able to get him out of his room. To her surprise, Xiao was outside and seemed to be pleading to the door. She heard muffled replies and Xiao stamped her foot angrily.
“It’s not you’re fault! Gan Ning was being stupid and why should you feel remorseful for an act of impulse to uphold you’re family and save it from slander?!” Oh, so that’s what they were talking about. Shang Xiang came up and looked at Xiao who pressed her index finger to her lips and the muffled reply from the teen strategist was soon heard.
“The actions I did were rash and if I were to lose my temper in battle, I would risk the safety of others and the victory of the kingdom.” Shang Xiang could see the pain in Xiao’s eyes as she continued to wheedle and talk to Xun.
“But you’re not at fault! Sure, we do not know about you’re family nor have you told us you’re history, but we respect you for own family secrets but you should not be hiding! Gan Ning already knows he wrong!” But not even that could calm him and Shang Xiang placed her hand on Xiao’s shoulder before she could scream out at him again and gently squeezed it.
“Let me try.” Xiao nodded her head slowly as Shang Xiang gently pushed her to the direction of Da Qiao’s room. Pausing for a moment, the Wu princess gently knocked on Xun’s door and another muffled reply was heard.
“Please Xiao…I know you want to help but I want some time alone…” He was….crying? Now this worried Shang Xiang greatly for Lu Xun rarely showed sadness and kept to himself so well that he didn’t really show much feeling. She twisted the doorknob but it was locked.
“Xun! Open up, NOW!” She ordered but still nothing. She growled and kicked the door multiple times and successfully kicked it open. She mentally reminded herself to get someone to replace his door, walked in and closed the door behind her. The sight that greeted her cause her heart grief and disheartening. There he was, huddled on his bed while hugging his knees close to his chest, head buried down. His hat lay forgotten on the ground and his usually clean room looked disastrous. Papers were strewn all over the floor, his writing utensil were a mess and there signs of the venting of anger with the evidence of his Twin Sabers slash marks. Her heart ached to see Xun in such a state as she sat down on the bed next to him and rubbed his back gently. His body was trembling as he racked up controlled sobs and was clenching his fists too tightly.
“Xun…come on…look up…please. I know this went too far with Gan Ning to say such things of you’re family and what you did was an act of defense for the name of you’re family.” Shang Xiang could see his fists clenching tighter, as if he scorned himself for portraying himself as weak in front of her. A few moments of silence ensure before he spoke.
“I…come from the small village of Wujun. The lord of Wujun…is my father. Eight years ago, we were attacked by Cao Cao who slain my mother in front of me. My father fell apart after her death and he sent me with Lord Lu Meng to be drafted into the Wu army.” Shang Xiang was surprised that he started speaking but stayed silent so as to listen intently. His mother…was slain before his very eyes? Eight years ago and he would have been but mere nine years of age! She allowed him to continue on to the recent events.
“Then, I received word of attacks on the borders and decided to try and neutralize the situation and set off to Wujun with Lord Lu Meng. By that time, Cao Cao had arrived and we went into battle…where Cao Cao slain my father as he valiantly tried to protect our small village. I…lost my temper that day as well…” He trailed off but a grip on his shoulders encouraged him to speak further. He shuddered while Shang Xiang’s hand gently rubbed his back as he fought his tears and continued.
“I flew into rage and attacked Cao Cao mercilessly and I…lost my mind. You would have a clearer view from Lord Lu Meng rather than from my own distorted view…” She took this signal to leave as she gave him a hug and gave him a small peck on the cheeks and stroked his hair. A small red hue of red tinted his cheeks but he didn’t look up nor did he move. Shang Xiang squeezed his hand on last time and left his quarters, closing the door gently behind her. Now, she had to find Lu Meng and Gan Ning. No doubt those two would be in the same area as Lu Meng would let no one off if he hears of such arguments. She trotted off to find the two men and found them in the courtyard.
Indeed, Lu Meng was still in the process of drilling into Gan Ning that Lu Xun was the youngest in the army and his feats commanded respect. Shang Xiang waited for Lu Meng to acknowledge her, of which he could sense her very quickly.
“Lady Sun, what brings you here to listen to me reprimand this idiot of an officer?” Gan Ning protested and Shang Xiang ignored the usual jokes, motioned for Gan Ning to leave before asking Lu Meng.
“What exactly happened to Xun when his father was slain by Cao Cao?” now Lu Meng looked slightly troubled when she asked this. It must have been that bad if Lu Meng looked troubled.
“Lady Sun, you must swear secrecy for Lu Xun’s sake. He is mentally unstable since that day.” Shang Xiang nodded and swore to secrecy for the younger man’s sake and listened to every word Meng had to say.
“He had snapped. Very badly too. Even when I called him to stand down, it was as if he shut everything off and attacked blindly. His eyes had gone blood thirsty and he killed more than half of Cao Cao’s troops before that tyrant fled from the territory. He raged and his thirst for Cao Cao’s blood did not cease even when he was retreating. He gave chase and wounded Cao Cao greatly before Sima Yi appeared to help him. When he had successfully escaped, Lu Xun’s rage did not waver and he went wild with fury that he was unable to slay the man who murdered his family.” So, it was serious but Meng was not finished with the tale.
“His uncle, Lu Kang had calmed him but explained to me why Lu Xun mostly kept to himself. Boyan is considered a heretic due to the color of his eyes. His family has history of some curse that causes them to go into indefinable rage and the sudden lust for blood. He considers himself to be a threat to the Wu kingdom and thus stays by himself until that idiot of an ex-pirate had to say such irresponsible things about his family.”
Shang Xiang bit her lip and refused her tears to fall. So, he considered himself that way and he felt all alone. But why did this have to happen to Boyan? Was it that fate was cruel enough to steal away his family and deny him the head of the one who had slain them? She thanked Meng for telling her now continued her search for Gan Ning, wanting to set things right. It just started out as a small friendly rivalry…but it was Ce’s fault for making it look like a dire situation. She noticed Xiao coming out of her sister’s room with a few tears in her eyes. Xun was a good friend to her, listening to her as she chattered endlessly when no one else had the patience to listen to her. He kept her company when Zhou Yu was preparing for the attacks and even taught her a thing or two on strategies.
Shang Xiang growled a little, trying to find where Ning had disappeared off too and found him lying on the grass in the fields. He was staring up at the sky in deep thought. His bandana was clutched in his hands and his hair swayed about with the breeze. She wanted to kick him and yell at him for letting his jealousy get the better of him but his eyes were clouded with hurt. There were some bruises on his arms and face, courtesy of Lu Xun. She bit her tongue and composed herself before approaching him. The crunching of the grass below her boots alerted Ning of her presence and he sat up straight but his shoulders relaxed upon seeing her. Shang Xiang tried to find words but Ning had beaten her to it.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me…” He murmured and ran his fingers through his wavy hair. Shang Xiang was confused but Ning’s next sentence cleared it up.
“Why the hell was I provoking him?!” He snarled to himself and clutched his hair in anger, his bandana crumpling in his fist. Her eyes softened as he continued his self remorse and wallowed in his guilt. The rivalry had gone too far and Shang Xiang was ready to march up to her brother and give him a smack on the face for bringing this about. Ning and Xun had become close friends since the younger was brought in by Meng. Ning had taken an instant liking to the boy and dragged him wherever he needed to go, teased him mercilessly for his height and slender body frame, of which the younger was always mistaken as a girl. She sat down next to the ex-pirate and she sat in silence and he in guilt. Shang Xiang finally spoke the first words that came to her lips.
“Is it worth it…to sacrifice friendship for love?” Ning blinked at looked at her in surprise. Now where did that come out from? Shang Xiang looked serious and he thought for a moment or two.
“Well…I don’t know, you lose a friend, you gain a love. But you can also lose your love and still have your friend…” Ning was officially confused on why the princess had asked him this question when the thought struck him. She was talking about what was happening now. His souring relationship with Xun and both of their relationship with the princess. He bowed his head in shame, knowing fully that he had hurt his friend’s feelings and insulted his family. Shang Xiang looked at the horizon where the sun was setting. An odd glow emitted from the orb as it slowly sunk downwards to the ground. She loved her two friends with all her heart and it pained her to see any of them hurt. Xun was suffering so badly and would most likely hide himself away, but if she chose him, she didn’t know what Ning would do. He didn’t exactly have the best of relationships with the rest of the officers besides Xun, Ce, Meng and herself.
Fate was cruel to give her friends such fates but nevertheless, she had to choose. It was Xun, Ning or none. Her father had already had thought of marrying her off to Liu Bei of Shu, but Quan had halted the idea for the moment, to allow her to think. He knew his sister’s stubborn and carefree nature and requested to their father to allow her to find out if she loved anyone in the first place, or else the marriage would be arranged. She was thankful for Quan in buying her some time to think. Looking at Ning, thinking about Xun and the prospect of marry Liu Bei, she finally came to a decision.
Now everyone was in the hall, waiting for Shang Xiang to choose her path of life. Xun had to be dragged out from his room by nearly all the officers of which Taishi Ci finally lost his temper, broke the door down, refused to look at the look on the young strategist’s face and carried him out forcefully to the hall. Ci had dumped him onto the floor, sitting next to him and making sure that he didn’t dash out of the hall and back into his room. Xiao took the seat next to him as well and peered at her friend worriedly. He looked terrible and he was using his hat to cover his tear streaked face. Ning looked guiltily for doing this to him and Meng nudged him hard and shook his head, signaling that it wasn’t the right time to apologize as of yet.
Sun Jian sat at the head of the table, and looked over to his daughter. She wasn’t the slightest scared of announcing who she would marry. She stood up, looked at the hall filled with officers, her eyes landed on the downcast Lu Xun and the guilty Gan Ning. She cleared her throat and began to speak.
“Thank you for coming here today. Though it would be my father to speak, I requested that I speak on my own for my future.” Da gave her a nod of encouragement, Ce was still nursing that slap she had given him earlier but winked, Quan calmly nodded as well and she continued.
“Yes, indeed I have to marry. My father had given me a choice to marry Lord Liu Bei of Shu, but I have declined that offer, though our relationship with Shu is low. However, I had been torn between my two great friends. I simply could not choose between them. One so young, kindred spirit, strong justice, quick thinking and sweet. The other robust, carefree, acts on instincts, good companion and loving. Between them, I could not choose until now.” That got everyone up and their eyes instantly traveled to Xun and Ning. Xun’s head was still downcast and Ning mouthed to the princess a ‘What?’ when he heard what she thought of him. She paused, took in a deep breath and continued.
“I have spoken with my father on my decision and he is not against it as well. And as a matter of fact, I would like Zhou Yu to…clear something up?” She jerked her head at the other strategist who coughed and understood. He had been meaning to say it but never got around to it and it sorely made her angry. The older strategist stood up and started his explanation.
“I have been meaning to speak of this but, due to unforeseen circumstances, have not announced as of yet, but the marriage between myself and Lady Xiao is not valid. The ‘wedding’ was merely to let her escape from Cao Cao but do not fret, Sun Ce and Lady Da’s marriage was a real one.” That got everyone shocked up and Xiao merely blinked. With that cleared, Shang Xiang went on.
“I have decided…that I will marry Gan Ning.” Meng spat out his tea, Ci stared wide-eyed at the princess, the other officers had comical looks on their faces, Da smiled widely, Xiao was looking at Xun, wondering if he was going to make a break for it but Ci could sense it and forced the younger man down. His expression was unreadable as his head was still downcast. Ning himself, was a little shocked that she chose him over Xun and Liu Bei. At the same time, he felt both happy and sad. Happy that he had her, but sadness for his friend who was still staring downwards. But Shang Xiang held up her hand and the chatter ceased.
“You may also be wondering why I had asked Zhou Yu to clear up the ‘marriage’ of him and Xiao Qiao. It is because my father has also decided, to let Lu Xun marry Xiao Qiao, in case Cao Cao finds out that her marriage to Zhou Yu was a fraud.” Now THAT got the young strategist’s face up. Although his face looked slightly off, he was down right dumbfounded at why he of all people, was asked to marry Xiao. Meng caught the wind and remembered something.
“I know why Lu Xun. When you were younger, Lady Da and Lady Xiao’s father had betrothed Lady Xiao to you. It must have been forgotten once they were captured by Cao Cao and Zhou Yu had devised a fraud wedding between them to chase Cao Cao away.” Now Xun had the look of utmost confusion written all over his face as well as Xiao. This was getting quite complicated and Sun Jian summarized everything.
“Lu Xun and Xiao Qiao were betrothed to each other when they were children but when Cao Cao had kidnapped them, he had no choice but to go against the promise made but Zhou Yu had made the wedding look real, when it was just an act to deter Cao Cao from taking them away.” That cleared everything up and now both teens faces were burning red. Some weight was brought off Shang Xiang’s shoulders as Xiao bravely kissed Xun’s cheek, making the rest laugh as they were trying to get this fact in.
‘Xun’s heart will mend soon enough. I have faith that Xiao will be able to heal his wounds. Bless them and for me, I can be with one man who is my true love.’ Shang Xiang smiled over to Ning, walking towards him and kissing him full on the lips. Whistles and cheers were heard and in the midst, a smile cracked on Xun’s lips as he applauded them as well. At least now, there would be peace, less heartbreak, more mending and last of all, Love to be spread. |
