Limitless

By

TheWritingKat

Loosely based on historical events, events in novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Koei games. All characters belong to their respective owners.

There are just too many people I want to thank for reviewing my last chapter and continually following this story. I'm very, very sorry I haven't updated in like 3+ years. Seriously. There is not a valid enough excuse for such lateness. Because I detest reading the author's notes at the beginning, I'm going to have the bulk of my announcements at the end. Thank you all and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 15 – The Wolf's Return

The Missing

In this midnight hour, I found you right before me.

A most inexplicable shock

Long time no see! We are not complete strangers.

When and where did you go missing

(Ah so hard to remember!)

All this time before you showed up again?

You bring to this space an unusual atmosphere

Your demeanor is proud and uncompromising,

As if you can't care less, as if you came from the Wei & Jin Period.

My hands are sweating now

For I am unable to find a space

To accommodate you properly - for which I feel ashamed.

But I can't forgive myself for past mistakes.

-It was only because of a cold spell,

I left you buried, gone missing.

In this midnight hour, you, being gone for so long,

Cast a contemptuous look at me; your faint sneer

Sends a permanent chill down my spine.

By Yang Xie

In the year 204, eleven years since the death of Cao Cao's father Cao Song, and the resulting invasion on Xu Province, times had only gotten more difficult for Cao Cao. The same could be said about the lives of China's citizens. One life in particular, Zhang Chunhua, currently struggled with seeing Sima Yi standing before her. She likened the moment to how Cao Cao must have felt to have been caught trying to assassinate Dong Zhuo, or Liu Bei's trepidation in trying to assassinate Cao Cao. Perhaps it was too outlandish to compare such notable events in history to an awkward meeting between herself and Sima Yi, but that meant little to her.

"Greetings, Lord Sima Yi, Lord Sima Kui." An expected bow was given, dipped low to cover up the rage in her brown eyes. A light frown was evident on Sima Yi face as he noticed something quite different about Zhang Chunhua.

Light, nearly unrecognizable bruises littered her neck. It wasn't as if his was drawn to her neck normally, rather he found it odd she was wearing make-up when she never had before. Even more, he noticed how much attention was paid to the neck area alone. Any amount of make-up at all made her look out of place, taking away from her child-like features.

Chunhua began to grow irritated at the man's silence. With a huff she straightened her posture and shot him a haughty look. She would later look back on this moment as Sima Yi's subtle way of trying to sabotage her. It would be many, many years and a particularly bad spat between them before she would learn he was actually genuinely concerned - as concerned as a man like Sima Yi could be. It was Sima Kui's light elbow jab that finally made Sima Yi speak.

"Lady Zhang." The acknowledgement was just that, an acknowledgement. The way a solider might acknowledge a pebble in his boot. However, a different set of eyes watched the exchange with an animalist smile gracing his lips.

"Oh, that's right you two know each other," said the voice of Sima Kui, whose voice was several octaves too high. Both parties winced.

"We should all have tea together!" Sima Kui's hand found home on his elder brother's shoulder. Chunhua felt lost and a bit overwhelmed. A feeling she was beginning to experience frequently since her arrival at court.

"That would be lovely, Lord Sima Kui. Unfortunately I am running errands for father at the moment."

"A shame, real pity." Sima Kui never lost his fox-like grin. "I hope you won't mind me stealing my brother away then."

"Please do." There was unmistakable venom in her tone as Chunhua made quite the effort to look anywhere but at them.

If the comment insulted them she hadn't noticed, at the moment she was trying to make sense of this sudden turn of events. The brothers slipped past her without a word, until-

"The offer still stands, for another day of course. I want to learn so much more about you, Lady Zhang." Chunhua turned towards them and bowed low, once again more to hide her bemusement.

With that said the brothers continued on their path leaving a shaken girl in this wake. The girl in question straightened up and glared at the spot they once stood. Fate was not kind, karma was cruel, the ancestors were wicked, and the gods were unfair. Damn the warmth in her cheeks every time Sima Yi was around her. An illness she would soon need to cure if Sima Yi's stay was a permanent one.

"Oh, who was that?" Purred the voice of the lovely Guo Nuwang.

The constant interruptions had begun to wear on the young teen. She hadn't lied; she did have errands to run for her father, as well as some personal errands of a more devious nature. Perhaps she was somewhat fortunate enough to run into Guo Nuwang now rather than later.

"Good evening, Guo Nuwang," Chunhua strained turning watching the older female graceful stalk towards her. "That was Sima Yi, brother of Sima Kui".

Guo Nuwang's face held a knowing and smug smile. Chunhua had seen that look many times before on Sima Yi's face. For once she wished she was the confident one. No false front needed, but that would take some time and much practice.

"Quite handsome, that Sima Yi. You two seem to know each other, might you be so kind and introduce me the next time we meet?" A strange foreign pain struck Chunhua's body. There was no logical way to explain Chunhua's sudden hatred for the beautiful woman - at least not to her.

"Oh, I know look. Don't worry my dear, I won't pursue it…." Chunhua stared blankly as Nuwang trailed off, lost in thought. It was time to move on to much more important things.

"Guo Nuwang, do you know the name of the woman who my father spent his time with?" Chunhua was direct, reigning in Nuwang's attention. When she gained her full attention she continued.

"He writes poems to someone, the most lovely of poems, when he's well enough to write. I wish to meet the person who makes my father compose such lovely words." Guo Nuwang blinked owlishly while Chunhua remained stoic.

It was a lie, her father never wrote poetry a day in his life. Of what she knew of him, he had always enjoyed working over any hobbies offered. But as she was finding out there were many things she did not know about her father.

"Could the poems not be about you?" Chunhua laughed lightly, her girlish laugh betraying no hint of hate in her heart.

"It's far to intimate to be about me."

"I see..." There was something wicked in Nuwang's eyes that day, something even the teen missed.

"Well I know of one woman who got around, with many of the older men… No offense meant. I forget you're not use to such behavior from women." It seemed more of a personal jab at herself, but Chunhua had come to expect Nuwang's blunt and unusual mannerisms.

"None taken, Guo Nuwang," Chunhua replied quickly and impatiently.

"Oh, but wait that is the majority of women in the court!" Nuwang giggled fiendishly.

The humor was lost on Chunhua. So much so a glint of something most foul passed over her eyes. Nuwang could not help but frown slightly. She made a note to watch out for the young woman, there was something a bit off about her.

"I can only imagine… But I apologize for bothering you, Nuwang. I'm on a few errands for my father and I'm skirting my duties as a daughter," Chunhua voiced, the glint gone in a blink, replaced by a charming façade. Nuwang smiled weakly, unable to shake the feeling of dread.

"A woman's duty is to her man or in your case her father," Nuwang recited, before deciding to tease the girl one last time. "Yet it seems like you won't have to serve your father for much longer, as you have your hands full with many potential men. I'm almost jealous!"

There was hardly potential in her pick of suitors, or choose of suitors for that matter. If Sima Yi even still counted as one of them, he was nothing more than a moronic buffoon, coasting on the accomplishments of his family name and Cao Zhen was no different. Any of her previous suitors probably forgot her already, not that there was much prospects with them. No, she was fated to marry some idiot or die at a young age due to her father's scandal.

What a lovely ending to such a menial life, she thought to herself. The thoughtful frown on Chunhua's lips informed Nuwang of her slight depression.

"There was a reason I sought you out, Lady Zhang." Chunhua tried not to look bored.

"Cao Zhen has been asking me about you. He seems very interested in seeing you again." The truth behind her words was questionable. Cao Zhen seemed very uncomfortable around Nuwang, the last time she saw them together.

At this point Chunhua wanted to demand to know Guo Nuwang's reasons for showing such interest in her life. This notion of friendship was beyond suspicious for a teen that lacked friends from a very early age. What further enraged her was that despite Guo Nuwang's lower personal standings, she was still her superior in almost every way.

"I see… That is very nice to know."

"I expect him to call on you tonight… It's a little gathering with the Cao men, but I'll let him explain it to you. Good day, Lady Zhang." Nuwang flitted out of the room as she beautifully as she had arrived.

Zhang Chunhua sighed heavily leaning against a pillar, scanning the now empty hallway. Gingerly she lowered her sleeve, feeling the pain returning in full force. The burning sensation and soreness was not helped by her low bows. Applying a light pressure to the wounded area, if only to ease the pain, she sighed at her unfortunate luck.

A trip to the healers would be needed before she visited Xun Yu. For now, like everything else, she would have to take it in strides. Thinking on Sima Yi, she wondered if he could be managed, if she handled the situation well. After all he was no stranger to the court life, and she still needed to find the woman responsible for her father's slow coming demise. He could be ruthless, no doubt, and gone was her desire to put him in his place.

Yes, perhaps Sima Yi could be of use to her.

"So brother tell me, how was your trip?" Sima Kui asked pouring his elder brother a cup of tea.

Sima Yi ignored the question to study his younger brother's personal room. Scrolls were lined neatly on the selves; tidy, but that was probably through lack of use. The décor, much like the halls outside, was donned in ancient looking paintings and lyrics. It reminded him of his father's study room only much more gaudy. The room was clearly meant to impress any visiting guests.

Being a tool of another person certainly had its advantages, Sima Yi noted.

"Admiring the room, brother?" The younger asked. "I was given this room by Cao Zhen. Perhaps one day you can have a room just like it."

If that was meant to be a jab, Sima Yi was not impressed. The room was hardly large enough to do extensive long night study sessions, too distracting with all the paintings. Sima Kui was just another copy of Sima Fu it seemed.

"The trip was uneventful. I rode with a man named of Guo Huai," Sima Yi explained, barely hiding his disappointment.

"Guo Huai, Guo Huai. Never heard of him."

"It's of no consequence," Sima Yi replied sipping his tea. Sima Kui's tea was phenomenal, truly fit for an emperor.

Sima Kui, surprisingly, let the comment go. So Sima Yi continued with: "So what have you been doing to keep yourself busy?"

"I plan on furthering my own status here by putting myself at Cao Zhen's disposal." Rather blunt, but typical between the brothers. His plan was not unexpected in the least, but he chose his sponsor poorly.

"Cao Zhen is a fool. Your time would be better spent seeking favor from Cao Pi, even Cao Zhi." The statement only made his brother chuckle.

"Let the brothers fight for support from their peers. In the end, no matter who wins, the chosen heir will have forgotten all about those who helped him to win his father's favor," Sima Kui replied evenly, savoring his tea with great contentment. True, there would probably be an overhaul of men that once served under Cao Cao, but to forget about some entirely? An emperor who forgets his promises is no emperor.

"Hardly ambitious, brother," the older brother teased. Sima Kui set his cup down, smiling with his famous fox-like grin.

"I leave that to my older brothers. I may not be as selfless as Boda, certainly not as driven as Shuda."

"Aren't you forgetting someone?"

"I could never forget about you, Zhongda," Sima Kui paused once more, taking a cued sip. "I just don't want to inflate your already oversized ego."

An awkward moment of silence passes between the brothers, Sima Yi was first to break the silence with a chuckle then a fit of laughter. Sima Kui followed suit. Their string of laughter continued before Sima Kui said something that quickly soured his brother's mood.

"So brother, do tell me. What do you know of Zhang Wang's daughter?" How was it everything always came back to her? That beautiful, intelligent, brat – his thoughts betrayed him, his mouth did not.

"That bothersome child? Nothing." Sima Yi did not appreciate the knowing glance his younger brother gave him.

"Really? The letters from-" The growing scowl on his older brother's face told him not to continue.

"Anyways, he has taken a liking to her." Sima Kui folded his hands on the table in a calculated manner.

"He?"

"Cao Zhen."

"That's hardly prudent, further evidence of his foolishness." From a logical stand point it is fatuous to pursue a woman whose father was dwindling in favor.

"Perhaps, but Cao Zhen desires her." An awkward silence passed over the brothers.

"Surely there's something you can tell me about her – Zhang Chunhua. Anything would be appreciated." Sima Yi did not scowl as before instead he appeared thoughtful.

"What do you wish to know?" Sima Kui's fox-like smile appeared.

"Previous suitors?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"Guo Huai-"

"The man you were riding with? A common solider sent off the war no doubt. How strange…"

"Yang Xiu-" Sima Kui laughed.

"That big-mouthed fool? That problem will solve itself." Sima Yi stayed quiet.

"Is that all?"

"All who is worth mentioning." That should have been the end of it.

But Sima Kui, being a Sima by every right of the name, and therefore being somewhat vitriolic in nature, added: "Do you think our brother is not worth mentioning, or even you?"

"Irrelevant." He did not rise to the bait. Regardless, Sima Kui chuckled as his smile intensified.

"For the sake of learning more about her, I hardly think it's irrelevant."

"You've been in court for far too long, dear brother." His smile faltered slightly.

"We do what we must when we live in the shadows of others." It was Sima Yi's turn to be vindictive.

"You're starting to sound like Sima Fu." Sima Yi's smile turned wolfish. "Congratulations you've just moved up from a gossiping woman to a jealous little boy."

"And how is he, our dear brother Shuda? Still adhering to father's every word?"

"He serves a under a different master. Hardly much different than your situation, don't you agree?" Sima Yi's words were beginning to wear on Sima Kui.

"And whom do you serve, elder brother? There must be a reason you chose to come to the capital?"

"I have my reasons." Serving Zhang Wang in anything he needed, his father would say.

"Oh, yes I am very keen to find out or father will be kind enough to tell me. But enough of politics would you like to meet Cao Zhen? The man you seem so keen on insulting." Sima Yi looked down at his rapidly chilling tea.

"Not in the slightest, but tell me. What do you know of Cao Cao's sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi?" A wicked smile slipped back onto Sima Kui's face.

"Ever the ambitious one, dear brother. How about a little game then? I'll tell you something you want to know then you tell me something I want to know." How childish, Sima Yi noted.

"Very well. Who is more favored by Cao Cao?"

"At the moment, Cao Zhi. Something about their shared enjoyment of writing poetry." A bold move favoring the younger, a move that led to the ruin of the Yuan clan.

"What do you think Zhang Chunhua find desirable in a man?"

Intelligent, witty, ambitious.

"Hard-working, handsome, and wealthy." Sima Kui frowned at each word.

"Who is favored with the people?"

"Cao Pi, of course, very generous with those in court." A strong ally to make.

"What sort of trinkets does Zhang Chunhua enjoy the most?"

Probably scrolls, maybe weapons, and tea.

"Gems, silk, and silk robes." It could be true for all he knew. Somehow Chunhua seemed slightly more practical though.

"Who does the emperor favor?"

"I haven't the foggiest. I would think Cao Zhi, much less ruthless."

"Do you care for her?" Sima Yi's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as his brother's widened.

"No." The answer was quick and unwavering.

"Now that's a bit cruel don't you think? After all she went through and you being a previous suitor." That word was being used too loosely.

"I have no interest in perusing her. I will not stand in your way."

"Good. Then you can help me in my endeavors." To help Cao Zhen win over Zhang Chunhua. This was beneath him.

"I have no time for your matchmaking games. I have more important things to concern myself with." Sima Kui grinned.

"Come on, dear brother. I can help you with your own ambitions."

"No."

He would have no part in continuing his feud with Zhang Chunhua. He had enough to deal with at the moment and so did she. And no woman deserved a man like Cao Zhen, not even Zhang Chunhua.

"How unfortunate…" Sima Kui looked annoyed, but shrugged and grinned brightly. "In good faith, you can come with me to a gathering tonight for a few of the members of the Cao clan. Cao Pi should be there, I believe he is trying to gain favor from his family."

The brothers shared a cruel smile, and sipped their tea as Sima Kui went over the details and the plan.

"Master Xun Yu. My father has sent me to deliver you this missive," Chunhua spoke. As usual he paid her little mind not looking up from his work. An awkward silence floated between them making Chunhua think she spoke too softly for him to hear.

"My lord-"

"Set it down in front of me. On my desk." He never even looked up. Chunhua stepped forward and gingerly set the missive off the side so not to interfere with his writings.

"I am sorry for interrupting you, my lord." With that said she bowed deeply and turned to leave.

"Wait, before you go I have a question that needs answering."

Chunhua began to sweat. Why did the man always have to phase everything like the next words uttered would be something dire? It did not help that he stopped his work to stare at her with no readable emotion on his face.

"Did you enjoy the seeds?"

"Seeds?" Realization overcame the teen and nodded. The Gingko seeds he gave her, the ones she later made Bao Shen dump.

"I did… We did my lord." A polite smile etched across his lips.

"Very good and your shoulder?"

"Better." Hardly, but after a trip to the healers, and much "persuasion", she acquired numbing medicine.

"And your father?"

"Resting… Always resting."

"Nothing new then," the statesman commented.

"No, my lord." He nodded and gave Chunhua a hard look.

"What do you know of the rumors surrounding Lady Zhen Ji?" For once she would like to have a chat with Xun Yu that did not feel like she was being tested.

"I have not been in the capital long enough to hear rumors concerning Lady Zhen." A diplomatic answer, one she thought he would find acceptable.

He did not.

"Then what of the rumors you've heard?" There were so many.

"That she is beautiful." He frowned so she told him the truth. "People gossip that her newborn is not Lord Cao Pi's son, that her late husband is the father."

She hoped this was not a test. Perhaps one day she would not have to worry about currying favor, but for now she was indebted to the man. Until Cao Cao returned from the North he was her warden.

"I see. How unfortunate." He resumed his hard stare.

"Tell me, Lady Zhang Chunhua. What do you know of Sima Yi?"

Gods, everything always came back to him!

Before she could answer he added: "He just arrived today, perhaps you've met with him already. His family is friends with yours, correct?"

"Correct."

"I know of his older brother and younger brother Sima Kui. Sima Yi, however, I only am familiar with his works."

His works? Sima Yi wasn't just loafing off his family's success? Was that his reason for coming to the capital to accept a position in court? A tiny smile shone through. What a hypocrite. In the end he was nothing more than idealistic scholar, who thought himself better than the rest only to realize he needed to serve a master.

"A shame he doesn't take a position under Lord Cao Cao," he mentioned. The words caused Chunhua to frown again.

"So my question is… Is he a friend of yours?" Her throat went dry and her ears burned. Friend? Sima Yi?

"He is… A family acquaintance. We met a few times back in Henei." Chunhua tried desperately to look stone-faced when she answered. "We were never close."

"A shame. Still there is never a bad time to make new friendship… with people from home." The statement seemed entirely different from what he told her previously about watching who you 'ally' yourself with.

"I say this because I know what it's like to be homesick." The words were surprisingly sincere. "Perhaps not as much as you, but a good family tie to home can keep any man or woman sane."

Zhang Chunhua really didn't know how to take that. There was a harsh pang in her heart thinking of home. That was her domain, her fortress, but like all greedy rulers she wanted to see more and look where that got her. Not that she really could have foreseen her current outcome, she reasoned logically.

"Thank you for your worry, Lord Xun. I had hoped to get to know Cao Zhen though." The words felt like stones in her stomach.

"That would be just as wise, Lady Zhang." He gave a statesman's like smile and resumed his work.

"Give your father my regards." A dismal, thank the heavens.

"I will and thank you, my lord." With great relief Zhang Chunhua bowed and left the statesman. In her hurried state, Zhang Chunhua collided with a person just outside the room.

"I beg your par-" She was greeted by the round face of the equally round general Cao Zhen, smiling at her the way a hungry man stares at a cooked fish. She couldn't help but shiver at his intense gaze.

"Lady Zhang Chunhua. I've been waiting for you." How did he know where she was? She couldn't have been with Xun Yu for more than a few minutes. The thought further unsettled her.

"There's a social gathering tonight."

"Lovely," Chunhua voiced in a single huff, trying not to look annoyed. The pain in her shoulder was beginning to pulsate.

"Respective members of the Cao and Xiahou family will be there," he continued. Now that was an interesting development. There was something to be gained from currying favor with the Cao family. From people other than Cao Zhen.

"I would be delighted if you would attend with me." Chunhua had to give the man credit, he was much more composed with his words than the last time they spoke.

"If it would please you, my lord..." His face brightened, until Chunhua sighed sadly. "However, my maid Bao Shen will not be pleased if someone is not escorting me. A female I mean. And my father…"

It wasn't a lie, Bao Shen would be very cross with her, but when was the old woman not. Still Chunhua did not want to be completely alone in unknown territory. Perhaps he needed a woman on his arm and she was the only one willing to put up with him, but who knew how things worked in the capital. So many unknown variables and with Sima Yi lurking around…

"Sima Kui has assured me your father was very willing to allow you one night unescorted with me." Damn the Sima clan. But that did sound like her father, always looking at the bigger picture in the face of rebelling against social norms, for a goal of finding her a husband.

"Oh, so it's at night?" Cao Zhen began to sweat, much to Chunhua's sadistic delight. "The implication of that…"

"I-I mean you no offense Lady Zhang. Other women will be there of course. Lady Zhen-"

"What of the men…" She thought quickly for the right words. "Is it just the Cao family?"

"And cousins and close family friends, my lady."

"Will your friend Sima Kui be there?" She half teased.

"He is welcome to, but he seems busy with his brother."

If he does come she refused to be taken off guard. Sima Yi would not get the best of her. Zhang Chunhua smiled pleasantly at Cao Zhen. Oh, she would know who dared cross her family, even if Sima Yi didn't know she had time. Patience needed to be learned.

"I'm sure we'll have a lovely time together, my lord." She for one was tingling with anticipation. "If you'll please excuse me, my lord, I need to check on my father."

"Dutiful as always," Cao Zhen replied, proudly. Oh, yes a slave to the family name in fact. They parted ways headed in opposite directions, but with a smile on both their faces.

After much fretting over by Bao Shen, which ended with Chunhua ordering her to watch over her father instead, Chunhua retired to her room for a nap. With dreams of exacting revenge on a nameless woman - a woman who she hoped to learn about in the social gathering. So with a purpose Chunhua used her handheld mirror to examine her noticeable bruises.

"Chunhua, Lord Cao Zhen is requesting your presence."

Zhang Chunhua paused in her examination of her neck, having removed the poorly applied make-up and necklace covering it. She almost didn't pay Bao Shen any mind as her fingers brushed softly against the large bruise. It really wasn't until she saw her maid in the mirror did Chunhua frown and turn around to address her.

"What is the matter now, Bao Shen?"

"Lord Cao Zhen wishes to see you," Bao Shen repeated with a frown. "I'll send him away. It's too late at night for this."

Zhang Chunhua sighed heavily. She couldn't afford to insult anyone in the capital. And now with Sima Yi back in her life, who knew what he meant do.

"No… Don't send him away." She turned around once more reaching for the make-up letting her fingers run over the jade necklace on the side of her bed. "What a pain this is, but it must be done."

For her family's sake and her own she had to curry favor with the Cao family even if she had to start with a lesser clan member, Cao Zhen. Bao Shen frowned, but said nothing simply handing her mistress a bottle of perfume before seeing to the visitor. With the grace and skill of a one-armed woman, Chunhua reapplies her makeup, perfume, and ties her hair in a loose side bun. Fortunately, Bao Shen returned to her side to fix her hasty attempt to look presentable.

"You look so pretty, little one." Chunhua scowled, repressing the childish urge to compare herself to the women of court. Bao Shen took her ward's hand in hers, initially causing the younger to flinch.

"Thank you, Bao Shen," the teen muttered taking her hand away to stand up and walk out. "I am ready to go."

"Please, be careful, little one." Chunhua huffed and walked on.

"I'm always careful, Bao Shen. It's how we're both still alive…"

Stepping outside her room, Chunhua was greeted by a well-dressed Cao Zhen, donned in was appeared to be polished armor and fine silk. Chunhua's attire was the same as it had been all day, though Bao Shen had sprayed it down with fine perfume pressed it for wrinkles. If it bothered the general he said nothing, smiling brightly at the younger girl as she smiled back.

"My lord, shall we attend your family's party," she spoke, softening her eyes. Tonight she was without her dagger and fan, but not her charms.

She watched him swallow and nod sheepishly, before turning and leading her outside and down the hallway. Suddenly, the thought of being alone without any familiar faces scares the young teen. But as she looks back towards her old nursemaid she sees nothing, but a closed door. Chunhua silently prays for Sima Yi to attend the party, if only for someone to talk to.

"Zixiu would have been an excellent leader," a voice whispered loudly in Zhang Chunhua's ear. She flinched as the spit hit her ear.

Just as she dreaded, her escort has left her alone with the other men, some drunker than others. As soon as they arrived, Cao Zhen saw Cao Pi and excused himself promising to introduce her to him. That was a good thirty minutes ago. Since then she had ingratiated herself with others people's conversion. She had tried introducing herself, but the men were either too drunk or didn't care. A nice change from instant looks of pity or disgust from hearing her family name.

"Who is Zixiu?" A man, who introduced himself as Xiahou De.

"Cao Ang, of course," the nameless man croaked. Zhang Chunhua hummed, looking anywhere but at the party of men she had chosen to blend in with.

To her left a group of battle-hardened men glanced at them with lewd stares, and to her right men chuckle at some humorous joke. Of course directly in front of her stands Cao Zhen chatting with Cao Pi, as they continually glance back at her. The beautiful Zhen Ji stood by her husband looking just as bored as she. That did not last, for as soon as their eyes met Zhen Ji stalked towards her.

"Pardon me, Master Xiahou, may I speak to your companion?" Zhen Ji voiced. Once again Zhang Chunhua felt like an ugly duckling next to the radiant woman. The general nodded and sulked off into the crowd.

"Thank you for allowing me to come, Lady Zhen." Zhen Ji chuckled, even her laugh was beautiful. This should have been a great honor, instead Chunhua felt sick to her stomach.

"My dear, I had no say in who would attend." In a surprising turn of events, Zhen Ji took a place beside her in direct eye line of her husband.

"Is my husband not a handsome man?" How bothersome, Zhen Ji's jealousy was not something Chunhua neither needed nor wanted.

"His achievement on and off the battlefield speak highly of his stature," Chunhua answered.

"Silly girl, I said nothing of his achievements I meant his appearance." Chunhua struggled not to sigh heavily. Zhen Ji was a ruthless woman.

"Compared to any man here, I would agree." Reaching the limits of her patience, Chunhua looked over at Zhen Ji instead of the face of a snide woman; she was shocked to see her face full of adoration directed at her husband. The intensity of the look shocked the teen.

Was that love?

A face in love - soft, relaxed, and practically glowing. Is this the face of love? Chunhua wondered. What a wonderfully awful face and yet so intriguing.

"I don't know much of you –"

"Zhang Chunhua," quickly answered, hurriedly looking away.

"Ah, Lady Zhang, is your father Zhang Wang?"

"Yes."

"I see." Chunhua could just imagine her beautiful face twisting into a frown.

"A father suspected of scandalous crime of embezzling from the emperor and a daughter who consorts with whores." Well that was certainly venomous. "The same low-born whores who got your father into his little mess."

Zhang Chunhua stiffened, eyes widened ever so slightly. Did she know the identity of the bitch that fooled her father? Had anyone been into her eyes they would have seen a dark shift in her eyes - a darkness with a glint of evil, fogged by the sudden calm of her softening eyes - the promise of twisted justice warming her heart and smile.

Ironically, the very look was identical to Zhen Ji's look when staring at her beloved.

"I am new here in the capital, Lady Zhen. I've talked to many people, which low-born whore are you referring to?"

"Guo Nuwang." She hissed the name with such venom.

"The woman who's consorting with my father?" She was so close, if Nuwang was really the one who took advantage of her father she already had a most brilliant vengeance planned.

Zhen Ji's loud laugh caused Chunhua to frown. She knew that laugh full of arrogance and delight. Sima Yi had the same laugh.

"No, no, Nuwang is after bigger fish. Tian Xu is the one who has been consorting with your father."

Tian Xu - a name that held so much power.

"Tian Xu… A friend of Guo Nuwang's?"

"I haven't the foggiest, my dear. The same can be asked of you." This was the moment Zhang Chunhua dreaded.

A choice between two potential alliances: Zhen Ji, wife of Cao Pi, or Guo Nuwang the usurper. What a lovely change of an otherwise boring evening. More time is needed; Chunhua thought to herself, I don't know enough to act.

"Like I said Lady Zhen, I am new to the capital," she answered with a smile. "I don't know many people here."

"I certainly hope you become more aware in the future. You're such a lovely young woman and these are such tiring times." No kidding.

"I hope that we can-"

"Ah, if you'll excuse me, Lady Zhang, I must return to my husband's side. I believe Cao Zhen has tested his last patience." Indeed Cao Pi had a very disgruntled look as Cao Zhen continued to prattle on.

"Of course, thank you for your time Lady Zhen." Without another glance Zhen Ji walked off, linking her arms with Cao Pi and resting her head on his shoulder.

What a scandalous public display of affection. How nice it must be for a woman to get away with such boldness. Again, Zhang Chunhua envied such boldness. Of course, Cao Zhen was more or less forced to withdraw back to her side. Both parties shared the same level of disappointment.

"My lord, may I refresh your goblet?" Chunhua asked. Cao Zhen looked down at his empty cup, frowning.

"Hmm, yes do that." Chunhua smiled, bowing submissively. Taking his cup she set about searching for a jug of wine. She didn't need to look far as one remained close by surrounded by a group of couples.

"You, woman, take my cup. I'm done for the night," exclaimed a mountainous man, who pushed his cup in Zhang Chunhua's hand and nearly dashed off. Humorously, the woman with him was left alone. The woman in question glared at Zhang Chunhua, and stormed off after him.

Normally such rudeness would have angered her, but a single name held back such cares. So she poured herself a drink, using the departed man's cup, and then into Cao Zhen's cup. There was one name she could not wait to learn more about. Stalking back, she returned to her duty by Cao Zhen. With cup in hand, she drank with him, not saying a word.

"Why are you smiling so?" Cao Zhen asked sullenly. What child he was, sulking when things don't go his way. What a poor skill to have as a man of war.

"I've enjoying my time with you, my lord." The answer came off so lovingly, Chunhua could have sworn she saw him blushing.

With a renewed sense of acceptance Cao Zhen asked: "So what did you and Zhen Ji talk about?"

"How handsome you looked next to Master Cao Pi." Good, let him enjoy his false praise.

"That and a woman named Tian Xu; apparently she's the talk of the court. I'm not sure who she is though." Chunhua studied Cao Zhen as his face immediately darkened bright red. What an interesting reaction.

"Do you know who-"

"No, I've never heard of her." Again a momentary glint of something dark shone in her eyes. She would not be denied such important information, not by Cao Zhen nor anyone else.

"Well, Lady Zhen Ji told me to stay away from her. The problem is I don't know where I might avoid her or even what she looks like. So I wonder who-"

"Excuse me a moment, Zhang Chunhua. I have to talk with Xiahou Shang *." Abruptly Cao Zhen walked off, downing his cup as he searched for said man.

How irksome, Chunhua thought with a sigh, sipping from the wine. It mattered not; she would get what she wanted. Like everything else in her life she would overcome it, she promised herself after all. She would just need to learn to have better patience, but that she would learn in time, she told herself. And this was the perfect chance to practice such patience.

As soon as the general was out of sight she worked her way outside onto the deck. She was of course greeted by almost tripping over a passed out man, his cup lazily rolling further and further away from his hand. His snores told her he was out cold and in the morning would probably wake up with a tremendous headache.

Besides the unconscious man, the dying flames from the torches, and the crescent moon, she was utterly alone. In a kind gesture, she set the man's cup upright, placing it next to him, and pouring the contents of her drink into his, before stepping over him further into darkness. She would not need alcohol to dull the pain in her shoulder, not tonight anyways.

For a long time she just stood in the darkness, listening to the insects, and staring out onto the darkened features of the Xuchang's groomed nature. All this meant nothing to her, not even the usual naggings in her head bothered her. Not Bao Shen. Not Cao Zhen. Not her father. Not her probable death at the hands of Cao Cao. Not even Sima Yi.

No, tonight all she could think of was the name Tian Xu.

Tian Xu. Oh, how she loved the name. What a lucky girl, Tian Xu was to have all her attention. Such a pretty little name. Chunhua gripped her cup harder in anticipation of finding out more about her. True, she knew the girl in question may not be the same woman who duped her father, but it was a start. If Zhang Chunhua was to suffer, it would be with as much control as could be afforded for her.

Meanwhile, inside the party, not long after Zhang Chunhua retreated outside, a pair of Sima brothers ended the party in search of a missing Cao Zhen. Sima Kui had an animalistic smile plastered on his face, while Sima Yi's frown countered balanced his fake cheer. No one paid much attention to the two men, as the party seemed to be wrapping up, Cao Pi and his wife having left some time ago.

"I wasn't aware you became a babysitter as well," Sima Yi said to his brother. "And here I was thinking serving in the capital meant bettering its future."

Sima Kui's smile never wavered. "We all must do our part to serve our emperor."

Sima Yi huffed; frown deepening at his brother's dog-like devotion to serving the Han. Even if Sima Kui wasn't totally selfless, he was going about fulfilling his desires in such a derisory way. So much like Sima Fu – what a shame.

"Don't look so put out, brother. Go chat with a few of the remaining ladies. Ancestors know you're too wound up." Now there was a sound plan. Unfortunately, there was a reason these ladies were the last to leave.

Of the handful of women left, were drunken men flirting shamelessly with them. The humor was that they themselves were well past their prime and haggard in looks. The only reason he even agreed to come along was for the chance to upset Zhang Chunhua again. The look of utter hate and shock in seeing him again was heavenly. Perhaps as well he wanted to question her about the bruises on her neck. No, that was not it, he told himself. He had to return something of hers, which was the truth.

"I'm going outside," Sima Yi announced. Sima Kui didn't say a word as he shamelessly chatted up a drunken Xiahou De. How disappointing Sima Kui turned out to be.

Silently, Sima Yi pushed past the curtains separating the outside world and stopped abruptly so as not to trip on the sleeping man. A nearly full cup stood close by his hand in case he woke up and decided to continue his drinking. It was placed in such a way that if he were a fitful sleeper the cup would not be knocked over. For some reason he found to be an unusual sight, of course not as unusual as the outline of a person in the shadow just ahead of him.

Whoever it was their back was turned from him. Normally he would have turned and left, perhaps going back to his room, but there was a haunting familiar scent about the hidden person - peonies in spring. But there was something slightly different about it, another flower seemed to try and mask its scent. He didn't have to guess the identity of the person for he, rather she, turned around and revealed a smiling Zhang Chunhua. The moon outlined that much for him.

"Hello, Zhongda," she chirped. "I see you've come once more to darken my day."

Sima Yi scoffed, annoyed by her happiness. This was not the reaction he was expecting. She giggled and said: "Don't look so upset, my lord. If my presence irks you so, you need only leave the way you came."

Contemptuous little brat! Despite her words he stepped forward and took his place beside her looking out onto the night. It was then he noticed her gripping a cup, perhaps she was drunk and happy. Was that drunken man Cao Zhen? No, if he remembered Cao Zhen, that man was far too skinny to be him.

"Tell me what do you know of Tian Xu?" Chunhua finally voiced, setting down her goblet on the railing.

"A man or a female?" The teen scoffs.

"Never mind."

"Should I even ask why?" Chunhua noticeable prickled.

"I was wondering if it was some girl you bedded. I hear she's from Henei." Sima Yi chuckles mockingly.

"You're lying, Chunhua. You despise her."

Ignoring how he knew that Chunhua muttered: "You don't know anything…"

"And I'm sure the mind of a fifteen old girl is just brimming with untapped intellect." When Chunhua didn't respond, Sima Yi was forced to look over at her. Instead of pouting he saw a smile.

"There will come a day where I will impress even you, Zhongda. Until that day, continue to snarl and bite at me like the dog you are." With an unwavering sense of decorum and grace she turned, cup in hand, and stalked towards the curtain. This sudden change startled him, as he originally believed she was slightly intoxicated.

"Wait."

She paused just as her hand brushed against the curtain separating her from a world of shadows and a world of open chaos. She slowly turned around, the same calm smile present on her face. Sima Yi stepped forward into the light and pulled out a familiar hairpin, now broken and unusable.

"Do you remember this?" She looked down at her mother's hairpin outstretched in his hand and then back up at him.

"I do."

"Then you remember what events lead to it breaking." Again instead of flushing or turning angry she just smiled and chuckled.

"A late night meeting similar to the one we are having now. Am I correct?"

"By all means take it back. Consider it a gift from me to you. You may even have it repaired at my expense." Without a word she took it and held it up to the light. It had lost all its sheen and beauty.

Leaving her to her thoughts, Sima Yi turned to look once more out at the darkness. It wasn't until he heard a clank followed by a crunch did he turn back around to see the hairpin mashed under her shoe. It was now completely beyond repair.

"It's of no use to me. I will, however, accept what was promised to my household in way of provisions. Oh, yes I would not forget that."

Again she left him speechless.

"Have a good night, my dear Zhongda."

Author's Note:

Now I know what you guys are probably thinking: "Oh great she did a full circle and this is the same crap from earlier chapters." There's going to be a bit of that, yes, but Zhang Chunhua is going to be busy with her own thing and Sima Yi is going to be busy with his. Of course, that doesn't mean they won't work together on things. I LOVE a good power couple… seriously, the more ruthless the better. Tian Xu is a fictional character, by the way. I really, really, REALLY, hate when writers add a lot of OC characters. So for those of you groaning at a new addition, I'm really sorry.

Also my newest chapters won't be like 9,000 words. It's a bit overwhelming to edit and I just don't have the time anymore. I also don't know how regularly I can update. Even after getting everything done and set after a year and a half of hell, I can't get behind in school. So I'm looking for Beta Readers if anyone is interested. That would seriously help me update faster because every time I reread my story I'm never content. No joke this chapter was going to be done by Christmas, but the day before I decided I hated a large chunk of it and cut out a lot and/or changed things.

Again I am very sorry about this horrid wait and for a chapter that doesn't even have a bit fluff. I can promise a lot more Sima Yi and Zhang Chunhua interaction in the future. I'm in a bit of a pickle with the game's portrayal of Zhang Chunhua, but I can chalk off that OCness as Chunhua before she became super scary. Always eager to know people's thought, you know if you have the time. And if anyone wants to know what I'm up to check my homepage within this coming week and I'll throw a Tumblr account together and I promise to answer back anyone who has messaged me. Again no words can excuse my lack of replies other than life and crap everyone always complains about. I thought it only fitting I release my newest chapter on New Years! I hope everyone has a better year than I had for 2013. Cheers!