Warlords: Three Kingdoms

"You'll gain nothing from acting out either." Xiaomi answered. "Maybe the people on the streets will stare. Who knows." she sighed rolling her eyes at the man. She reached in the bucket pulling out what appeared to be a rope, she continued tying a knot to the handle of said bucket.

Looking up at the man she commented on a few things he had said. "Diplomacy to myself is nothing besides a truce. Even if they want peace, they'll always be people on either side who will want to gut one another." Thinking back, maybe she could do something to get something out of him. Xiaomi casually smirked and again asked the man how to get to Zhao.

"If I apologize...Will you tell me how to get to Zhao?" she asked, hoping he would reply favorably.

Waving his hand in dismissal to her offer Yu said, "Forget the apology, getting it now would seem that you're doing it simply for my sake." Considering her question Yu summoned a mental map in his mind and answered, "There are may ways to get to Zhao from here." He started, "I'd recommend you follow the road east and then north on the fork of the road to reach Sai. Follow the road North through Sai into Di, and turn East to follow the road into Wei. Once in Wei, continue East until you hit the city of Jinyang whereas you will turn North, and then East to follow the road. You'll reach Zhao that way."

Then, with a curious look on his face, Yu asked, "What business does the daughter of an official in Han have in Zhao? Would you be traveling alone? The roads are unsafe, especially for a woman like you to be traveling alone." He said with a concerned look on his face.

"I mentioned myself wanting a life of luxury..well I intend to establish myself within that province away from this province." Xiaomi proclaimed. "It does seem like a taxing journey but it must be accomplished." she confessed.

Responding to his second question, Xiaomi brushed her hand through her hair and answered. "Yes, I'll be traveling alone. You wouldn't be worried for little old me would you." she ended, letting out a slight chuckle toward the end.

Yu looked thoughtful at what he had heard and grinned, "The bird migrating from its nest huh?" Yu chuckled, "Well, I figure that if someone tries to rob you, you would just go 'No, you can't.' and they'd end up carrying you on their shoulders." Yang Yu laughed freely, something that he had not done in a while. It was a strange thing, for someone that is usually so serious. Perhaps it was just because usually, he was always in a work state of mind. To interact with someone without any baggage behind it felt good.

His laughter faded into a grin as he said, "However, what kind of man would leave a lady alone after knowing that she plans to travel far by herself. You're not the kind of woman who cares to be protected by a man are you? Nevertheless let me walk with you at least part way, for even I am going back to Jiaodong." Yu then started to walk, assuming that Xiaomi would follow.

"So..." Yu started, "What is your plan on getting your luxury and wealth? What are your talents? Your skills?" Yu asked curiously.

"Let's be quicker..he should be looking for me soon." she muttered while quickening her pace towards the city gate. "I am behind schedule because of YOU and your rambling."

"Men have their own special weakness." pointing to Yu's pelvic area "Would be painful if say someone maliciously bit it wouldn't it?" she laughed while she seemed to be enjoying herself. "My skills..you can say I learned a few things from my family. Politics, propaganda and administration are among these so called talents that I've acquired." Xiaomi replied.

Letting out a small grunt, she remembered she hasn't exactly thought of a plan. She focused on leaving first before that. "I haven't thought of what I'd do. Once I leave here, then I'll probably think of something." answering Yu's question. Closing in on the gate she asked Yu something. "Where is Jiaodong?" looking up at him.

"He? Who is this 'he' that you referred?" Yu asked curiously, ignoring her accusation of him being the cause of her lateness, "I'd think my rambling helped you a bit, especially the part where you didn't know how to get to Zhao." Yu chuckled heartily. Then, the woman continued again to surprise him with her coarseness, breaking perhaps almost every stereotype there was of her gender. At first, Yu sat there dumbstruck hearing what she head said, before he finally broke into laughter, "You are one of a kind aren't you Xiaomi? I'd like to see the face of the people that raised you." Yu laughed once more.

His laugh quickly faded into a thoughtful look as she listed her skills and "so called talents." Glancing to the side at the woman, Yu entertained a new thought. She's one of a kind, that's for sure... The woman was something special, more intelligent and interesting than most men he had met. His Lord is looking for an administrator, and a politician. For military administrators they had a few, Yu the best among them, but they lack the much needed civil administrators.

Then, to his great shock a realization dawned upon him. Yu did not only want her for her Lord, but for personal reasons. He could not remember when was the last time he'd feel this light and free with anyone but his brother, and he can't even be this free with him! The realization troubled him, fearing that the feeling would interfere with his ambition. Yu pushed the thought away.

"Jiaodong? It was part of the Qi empire, once. It sits on the east border of the land, up north. From Zhao, it's almost straight East." Yu explained simply.

"He?" she responded. "'He' would be my father. If I'm gone for too long..he sends someone to fetch me. Quite disgusting of him to honest." Xiaomi finished before looking over her shoulder. The bucket of supplies was in hand being dragged as they neared closer to the gate.

The thought of failing to escape the city, she clenched her fist and issued an order to Yu, "Knav--No, Yu. Escort me to Jiaodong! I expect you to take me their quickly and efficiently without trouble." Xiaomi barked waving him forward not wanting to waste a second. "It'll be best if you just silently comply, as if you are seen by any of my fathers lackeys, the thought me being kidnapped by you would sicken me." she commented showing a great displeasure on her face of that thought happening.

"Fetch you?" Yu asked in a strange tone, "But you are a grown woman." If he had to put an age to the woman, he would say that she was around his own age. He opened his mouth to say even more, but before he could deliver further words, Xiamo yet again suprised him, leaving his mouth open in awe.

"Huh? T- to Jiaodong? Of course! Let's go!" As he trotted quickly following the woman, a thousand thoughts ran through his mind. Why this sudden change? I thought she was going to Zhao? What am I to do? Yu was not going to protest however. In fact, her decision had gladdened his heart. If she is going to reside in Jiadong, then he could visit her easily. Up to this point, Yu had feared the moment that they had to depart from each other, which was part of the reason he offered to walk her part of the way. Everything was happening so fast, and Yu's feeling was confused, not sure of himself. It wasn't a bad feeling however.

In his heart, as he fell in beside Xiaomi, silently he thanked the heavens, and Pan Bu wherever he was for not being present in his village so that he could have the fated meeting with Xiaomi.

"To Jiadong it is!" Yu laughed delightfully.

[I honestly haven't enjoyed an RP like this in a long time... I have to go to class now. If you want to start the RP again in Jiaodong Provincial RP thread, otherwise I'll post there a bit later!]

Chinka

In front of the 'Blue Moon', a sturdy grey mare came to a stop, its rider glancing at the inn's sign and dismounting smoothly. Handing the reins to a stablehand, he stepped through the doors into the establishment, pausing a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dimmer interior.

The man was old, his stern face etched with lines and his beard a silvery-white. Yet his eyes were clear and sharp, and light, impeccably-maintained armour covered his form with no sign of discomfort. A burnished helm with a distinctive red crest and a fine spear across the back completed the picture of a veteran soldier.

Presently, the old man strode over to the counter and addressed the owner of the inn. "Do you have a guest named Cheng Dang here?" he asked without preamble.