A marriage written in the stars

The unrequited competitor

Wow just want to say REAL sorry about how late this is. You know life? Yeah, he kinda caught up on me unawares. So stuff is happening and thus, it's unlikely I'll have a new chapter up until December. BUT that means that WHEN December comes I should be more productive so...good news and bad news?

As for more specific things, an FYI for you all and mini-spoiler but no, Qiao Gan is not gonna make a physical appearance again in the story as I have it in my head. He might make a flashback return but not a physical one

(And yes, Liu Shan and Qiao Gan resembling each other is not a coincidence you'll find out why when the day comes ;) )

But that means that YES, I DO have an ending for this story planned (maybe 15-20 chapters but could be more) and YES, the ending IS HAPPY! So don't worry guys, there won't be (much) heartbreak. I mean, there WILL be. A little bit. But not at the end where it matters. Like...in the more insignificant areas. You know, for character development? Ah, that old rascal, character development.

Anyhoo, I don't own KOEI, DW or any of these semi-historically based people. Because owning other people is technically illegal. At least, it is where I am.

Chapter 4: The unrequited competitor

It was afternoon, just after lunch, when Liu Shan best likes to nap. Or more precisely, it is one of the few times he is able to nap—the one hour gap he gets between lunch and his next lesson is the only free time he gets today. He enjoys these moments, especially if the day ahead is busy. But for today, he has little. For just one short moment, he just wants to be lazy.

He closes his eyes and he starts to drift off. The melody of the birds starts to fade, the world before him is dark, and everything material fades into nothingness.

"LORD LIU SHAAN!!"

The emperor is rudely awakened. But he calms himself from his panic and relaxes and tries, once again, to sleep.

"My lord! Where are you?"

Huh? That's not Xingcai's voice.

"Ah! There you are, my lord." He pretends to be asleep. "My lord?" He gives a slight snore for effect. He gets a groan in response and suddenly he is lifted from the ground. His eyes are now VERY much wide open.

"G-GUAN PING?!" Liu Shan doesn't know what's more surprising. That it's Guan Ping searching for him or that Guan Ping lifted him into his arms like a newly-wed bride. Nevertheless, Liu Shan cannot help but cling to his neck in fear.

"My lord, Xingcai has given me specific instructions today and I shall not fail her."

"P-put me DOWN!!" Guan Ping hesitates. "NOW!" Liu Shan shrieks. Guan Ping sighs and he sets the emperor down. Once feet touch land, Liu Shan breathes a loud sigh of relief, a hand on his chest to still his beating heart. "D-don't ever do that again, please."

"I-I am sorry, my lord." He bows, blush tinting his face. "But I thought it would be better to carry you. You might run away."

"W-well as long as you promise not to carry me again, I won't run away." Guan Ping nods hesitantly and starts walking, his eyes not escaping his lord. True to his word, Liu Shan follows obediently. Liu Shan sighs, and turns his head back to the garden, focusing on his little napping spot underneath the tree. It was perfect too, the leaves had covered his face and the wind was soft and it was such a lovely temperature too. No napping today, it seems he thinks as he follows Guan Ping out of the gardens.

"Xingcai was correct, as always." Guan Ping comments in his stride, eyes turned everywhere except the emperor's face. "You were planning on napping in the garden today."