A marriage written in the stars

Meteor shower

Welcome one and all to the second last chapter of this fanfic. And my god, it's been a ride. Don't get me wrong, I've loved every second of it, but still, a ride. Not that I mind. I've always loved this ship and I am so glad the story is about to come to a close. Bit of a spoiler alert but not really but next chapter is mostly just domestic fluff ALTHOUGH I may throw in a surprise. Nothing dramatic or sad or anything. Still 100% happy, happy fluff. Just different. You'll hopefully see soon.

Back to Liu Shan x Xingcai, I am in a way sad that this is the end. I've fantasised about writing this fanfiction for years and now that it's come to a close, I've got this empty feeling in my chest. It's like that feeling of knowing your now-adult kids are about to have a family of their own and you just sit there hoping they will have a happy family of their own. It's a very specific feeling but it's kinda like that.

So in closing of this rather short rant by me, I hope to the other people who ship the good ship that is Liu Shan x Xingcai to hopefully continue on the work. Whether you support in silence or with loud pride, with art or fanfics or imaginary scenarios all safely tucked in your head, I hope this fanfic gave you some ideas. This is far from a perfect ship but that's all the more reason I love it. Like a real relationship it grows. Like a flower it will bloom. I really would appreciate any comments or reviews or anything in this semi final chapter. I want to hear whatever you guys have to say about my work, any review I get is treasured and appreciated even if it's not favourable. Now that this fanfic is nearing its end maybe some ideas for the future. I'll probably talk more about that in the epilogue.

In the end, I don't own KoeiTecmo, I don't own Dynasty Warriors, and I don't own Liu Shan's heart. That last one belongs to Xingcai.

Chapter 18: Meteor shower

In the early hours of the morning, Xingcai was awoken. Hairdressers and make up artists (really just friends of Lady Xiahou) arrived at the house and quickly attended to Xingcai. They were warned beforehand by Lady Xiahou that Xingcai was not very receptive to having others do her hair and makeup so it was to their surprise and relief when Xingcai did not put up a fight. In fact the whole time Xingcai did not speak, her back straight and her gaze forward. Like a servant, she was pliable to their demands, not saying a word against their suggestions. In only two instances did Xingcai spoke at all that morning. The first was to excuse herself for the bathroom and the second was to thank them after the job was done. Her voice in those moments was quiet and lifeless.

Decked out in her emerald dress, her face white and her lips crimson, eyes big and beautiful but expressionless, Xingcai was a porcelain doll of the highest quality. Lady Xiahou choked back a weep of joy at seeing her daughter so beautiful. Xingcai merely nodded politely at her mother.

It was later in the day that Zhang Bao and Lady Xiahou slowly realized that Xingcai's stoicism was unnatural. The mother and son had paired off to quickly check up on the decorations for the room they hired, leaving Xingcai behind quietly sitting on the couch. When they returned she had not moved one bit. Her stare was fixed on the wall before her. In the silence Xingcai's brain whirred constantly. Lady Xiahou shared a look with her son. Her hold on the doll in her arms tightened.

"Sis, we're back." Zhang Bao called from the front door.

"..."

"Xingcai?"

"..."

Lady Xiahou stepped in with a nervous smile on her face. "P-perhaps you are hungry? I know you must be nervous about today but I thought I'd make your favourite: meat dumplings! Yueying has been so kind to teach me her recipe so I think today's batch will be my best yet."