Chapter 6: Dreaming
Zhen Ji knew she was dreaming. However, she understood that dreams were capable of predicting the future. Shelooked around. It looked like a grand hallway in one of Cao Cao’s palaces. There was one main difference though, instead of dozens of doorways, there appeared to be only two.
As she drew near to the glowing exits, she heard a swishing of garments behind her. She turned hoping it was Diao Chan; however, she was surprised to see an old man. His hair was silvery and wore a band of feathers as if it were a crown. Most odd was the deck of tarot cards he held. ‘Is he going to tell my fortune?’
“Something like that,” he replied. It alerted Zhen Ji that her thoughts were no longer private. She assumed a defensive stance. He smiled, which resembled her kind grandfather’s. “I’m not here to harm you; I’m here to guide you through your dream.” He gestured toward the doors. “This dream is a chance for you to view the results of a future decision. Curious? I’m sure those doors over there will be helpful to you.” He raised a hand as Zhen Ji started to walk toward the doors. “I must warn you. You will see some painful visions, so be prepared. Remember, your decision has yet to be made, so you still have time. Make you choice and steel you heart.”
“Who are you and why are helping me?” Zhen Ji asked, curious at why a complete stranger was in her dreams.
“I am the sage Zuo Ci. As to why… the love and devotion you and Diao Chan have shown each other has confused the gods. They are curious and want to see how your lives play out together. I volunteered to be an emissary to help you at this critical juncture.” He explained it as if it were simple as riding a horse.
“Okay.” Zhen Ji was confused. ‘A warning? A critical juncture?’ If this involved her and Diao Chan’s future together, she would treat it seriously. She walked towards the first door and looked back to the old man, but he was gone. She gathered her courage and walked through the first doorway.
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Zhen Ji looked at her surroundings. It was an immense royal garden; perhapsit was even the Emperor’s garden. It was beautiful.
“Ah,” a voice from behind startled her. It was the old man again. “I see you have entered the path of power and glory. Do you see that woman over there?” Zhen Ji looked at a silhouette kneeling next to a tree beside the pond. “She’s the Empress. Now, take a closer look.”
Zhen Ji began to walk towards the woman. As she closed in, she noticed the woman was sobbing on a small stone monument. The woman looked familiar. She nearly fell over when she realized that she was looking at an older version of herself.
The old man spoke again: “You become the most powerful woman in the land. Your sons rule the land.” A part of her longed to rule, she admitted to herself. “Yet you lose something precious to you.”
The general looked again at her distraught mirror image. The Empress was placing flowers in front of the monument. ‘It’s a tombstone…’
Then, the Empress let out another cry. “Why did I say yes to him? I never thought he would have you killed! The power is not important to me anymore! I just want to be with you again, my songbird!”
Zhen Ji’s felt as if she was stabbed and dropped to her knees. “No! This can’t be!”
Before her grief could set in, the scenery changed. She saw her mirror standing at the edge of a cliff. The woman looked up at the sky and whispered: “Diao Chan.” Without hesitation, she leapt off the edge.
Despair settled in her heart. Could her future really be that terrible? She began to sob. The old man patted her on the shoulder, comfortingly. She stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes. She knew it wasn’t real, but she was truly horrified at the thought that this was possible. It didn’t take her long before she realized who was responsible for her songbird’s death. Anger set it. She would not let him near her!
Zuo Ci spoke again. “This path is the one to the throne, but there is much pain. There is another path, yet to be seen.” There was a light in his eyes that promised something more pleasing in the other choice.
The scene shifted to a modest house. She looked around and noticed a bed. Cuddled underneath the covers was her and Diao Chan. Zhen Ji noticed scars and lines of age. None of that mattered to the general, they were together. From the gentle smile on Diao Chan’s face and the silly grin on hers, she knew they were happy and still very much in love. As they slept on peacefully, Zhen Ji’s fears dissolved.
Her resolve was set. She would do everything she could to make sure this was the path that would come about. This was the future she wanted to look forward to.
“Have you made your decision?” Zuo Ci looked at her. She nodded. “Very well. Now keep on this path you have chosen and good luck.”
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As the lady general stirred the next morning, she looked at the peacefully sleeping woman cuddled against her. She couldn’t help but steal a kiss. Diao Chan awoke and her almond eyes gazed lovingly into aquamarine. “Did you have pleasant dreams, songbird?” Zhen Ji asked, while caressing the other woman’s face.
“I really don’t dream much… You keep me from having any nightmares, though.” She looked at the cheeky grin on her love’s face. “What about you?”
Enthusiastically, Zhen Ji spoke. “I had a wonderful dream about our future together. We were curled up just like this years from now.”
“I hope it comes true…” Diao Chan said. She looked unsure.
Zhen Ji moved to look her in the eye. “It will, I swear.” A fiery kiss was shared that conveyed all their hope.
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A couple of days later, Zhen Ji was summoned to Cao Cao’s tent for a meeting. Once she arrived, she noticed something was amiss. She regretted leaving her flute and Diao Chan at their tent. The general gave Ji Jia a significant look. The woman nodded inaffirmation; she understood the cautious look she received. Ji Jia stopped at the entrance to the tent and waited, as an unseen observer. Zhen Ji knew she was springing a trap, but she wanted to know who was after her.
She wasn’t surprised to see Cao Pi waiting for her. It wasn’t the first time he had attempted to gain her hand in marriage. The deviation fromthe normwas the eight armored guards surrounding Cao Cao’s son.
“You know I’ve been waitinga long time for your answer.” He slowly closed in. “You keep delaying the inevitable… You were meant to be my bride.”
Zhen Ji barely kept herself from laughing out loud at his arrogance. Then, she remembered the dream and anger set in. Her mind was set; he’d never hear anything remotely resembling a “yes” from her. “I do believe you’ve mistaken my silence for lack of conviction. I know my answer.” She kept her face cold and blank, which was becoming more difficult. She did not have to hide any of her feelings from Diao Chan.
He grinned deviously. “And that answer would be…”
“Never.” She ended it with a vicious growl.
Cao Pi was outraged. He reared back to slap her, but her foot found his stomach. He crumpled like a rice sack flung off a farmer’s wagon.
Zhen Ji didn’t have long to celebrate. The guards were closing in fast and she was unarmed. She kicked one unlucky guard in the groin, which swiftly removed him from the battle. Then, she followed up with a backwards kick to one guard who was attempting to sneak up from behind. Another grabbed her arm. She promptly backhanded him. He stumbled but didn’t let go. As she went for a second strike, she felt something hit her in the back. Zhen Ji staggered slightly. She went to kick at the one behind her but felt a fist collide with her side. She gasped. ‘Oh no.’ Her vision started to darken. ‘Diao Chan.’
--
Diao Chan felt anxiousness in her heart. ‘Something’s wrong.’
Taking her anxiety as loneliness, Cao Wu was trying to keep the dancer company by talking about her favorite subject, her girlfriend. “Jia’s just so wonderful. She picked some flowers for me. Then, she read a poem she wrote about me! She said so many sweet things. She’s the best! Well, I’m sure you’ll argue with me on that point, but…”
“Lady Diao!” It was Ji Jia. She was breathing heavily. The woman never looked so much as winded outside of battle.
“What’s wrong?” Diao Chan felt ice encompass her heart. ‘Have we been discovered?’
“Cao Pi has captured Lady Zhen! He insists on making her his wife.”
The next instant had Diao Chan charging out of the tent with her maces and two bodyguards. ‘I’ll save you, Nightengale.’
End Chapter 6
How is it? Have I lost my touch? Well, most of it was written a few weeks back with the initial planning over Christmas break. I hope all my emotion comes through properly. Does this even qualify as a cliffhanger?
Ever since I’ve updated the Dinner Date, I’ve felt really motivated. Perhaps my tide (of inspiration) has come back in! That or my mind’s free now that I’ve gotten through most of the school work. I can procrastinate on most of the rest of it, so I might get a little more writing done.
Also, if anyone wants me to read a story (with a possibility of review), don’t be shy! I’m not a grammar Nazi (unless you want me to be), I’m friendly, and fairly fast if it’s not a long story (A day or two). Please keep it shoujo-ai, though.This includes humor, action/adventure, and other areas where there is a shoujo-ai couples or feelings. (It’s a little hard to get interested in anything else for me.) Warn me if it's really dark though. (My last vestiges of sanity are at stake.)
Review please! It really helps!