Crouching Dragon: The Journey of Zhuge Liang sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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“…That you are less than flattering regarding Liu Biao or Sun Ce, seeing both as ‘walking corpses’,” Yueying continued unabated. “And we both know that if the situation in Jing province ignites, the fact that I am the niece of the governor’s wife might mean that you are forced to serve as an adviser, or we could have vital supplies confiscated, or the invading army could target us. …I want to know if we will be together, safely together. Fate has a way of breaking families up. I do not want us to be separated, if it can be helped.”
“…Sadly, you’re right,” Kongming sighed. “My two sisters, I barely see them… I remember them, scurrying about, when I was young… now, they are wives to busy men, mothers to children, housekeepers, and I don’t see or hear from them.”
“And your elder brother is hardly quick to write, he is so embroiled in the events in Jiangdong,” Yueying suggested further. “I worry what will happen to us, I worry whether your children will see you, whether you will be a being of flesh to them, or a few ink characters on some pieces of paper.”
“But my poor estimation of Liu Biao does not trouble you…?” Kongming asked.
“My aunt is self-serving; we are family in name only, and strangers in actual fact,” Yueying replied honestly. “Liu Biao married her for her looks, not her charming personality.”
“…A truly remarkable woman, you are,” Kongming chuckled. “Yes, I’m worried too. I haven’t sought out a lord and master because I want to avoid the fighting… but that will be impossible, and I know that. …Your mother must sigh, sometimes, at your marrying a man who knows what he has to do but lives in denial.”
“Like me, Mother married for something more than power,” Yueying sighed sadly. “Father is good, kind, honest, outspoken, knowledgeable, funny… that’s why she chose him. Sometimes he seems oblivious to the world around him… an act. He isn’t looking for a high position with a warlord, but Mother doesn’t care, he has enough to keep them both. …No, Mother is very glad of our marriage.”
“…Do you worry that I am a ‘man of no promise’…?” Kongming fretted.
“Of course not,” Yueying giggled. “I’m happy here, if that’s what you want… but if you do end up in some capital, serving a powerful lord, or you are summoned to fight on the front line… then I will remain at your side, no matter what.”
“My thanks,” Kongming said quietly.
“We have been married for over a year now,” Yueying said as she prepared tea. “And soon, I shall be giving you a child, I hope. The world is changing, as you said… one day, war will come here to visit us… what will you do…?”
“…Greet it,” Kongming replied, “as with all guests, welcome and unwelcome… and decide how best to entertain it.”
“…Sun Ce worries Cao Cao, I hear,” Yueying prompted.
“He’ll die for it,” Kongming supposed. “For now, Cao will try alliances-by-marriage… but eventually, he’ll deal with Sun Ce, when he has the freedom.”
“And where is your own favourite, Liu Bei…?” Yueying asked knowingly.
Kongming grimaced as he replied, “It is widely believed that with the defeat at Boma, Liu Bei will not remain with Yuan Shao; he has reunited with his generals from the Yellow Turban days and…”
“…And…?” Yueying prompted after a short silence.
“…And is said to be retreating in this direction,” Kongming admitted at last. “He is most likely intending to seek refuge with Liu Biao in Jing province. So yes, once Yuan Shao is gone, this region may then be set upon by Cao Cao.”