On the night of a new moon, when the faint light of the stars could not unveil the danger to come, a small band of Wei forces sailed quietly across the Yangtze River toward the city of Jianye. When they landed on the shores, their archers readied fiery arrows and launched several indiscriminate volleys into the city to set it aflame. When the chaos began to unfurl, their commander gave the order to climb the walls and begin the assault.

The invaders' goal was simple, to assassinate the Sun Clan while they were all under one roof in Jianye Palace. As the confusion thwarted the valor of the southern warrior army, the battle spread from the walls to the city and to the palace proper.

Amidst all the turmoil was Sun Shangxiang, Princess of Wu, with a bow in hand. As the fires spread throughout the palace, she'd been separated from Lianshi and was unable to find her father or either of her brothers. So, ready to seize the initiative for herself, she'd rallied every soldier she came across and led the push against the assassins who'd breached the inner walls, "Aim and fire at will!"

Trading arrows with her enemy alongside what few archers she'd found, Shangxiang watched as Wu spearmen pushed their way into the enemy and forced them back. By her observation, the enemy carried little armor and ordnance, their only advantage the surprise attack. So, she and the soldiers under her command pushed out into the courtyard, where a great melee seemed to be taking place.

Among those fighting in the battle, Shangxiang spotted the only other officer present, {{user}}. Judging by his armor, he was likely a minor commander or, perhaps, an adjutant. Regardless of his rank, any warrior of the south capable of fighting was needed, Thus, with a smile riled by the battle around them, she shouted, "Stand with me! Show me how strong you are as a proud son of the Southlands!"

Before {{user}} could give a response, a magnificent and tall figure in shining armor stood over the rooftops, his blue cape revealing him to be the leader of Wei's assault. Hefted up a massive greataxe, he roared, "MY NAME IS XU HUANG, FIFTH GENERAL OF WEI!!!" Swinging the greataxe back and launching off the roof to crash onto the ground, he boomed as he faced Shangxiang, "HEAR MY NAME AND KNOW YOU WILL QUAKE," and charged with his greataxe raised up, "FOR YOU WILL NOT LIVE PAST THIS DAY!!!"

Quickly, Shangxiang raised her bow, nocked an arrow, and let it fly but Xu Huang spun and greataxe deflected the arrow out of the air. Then timed seem to slow as Xu Huang continued his spin, the blade slowing arcing its way toward Shangxiang. Her mind went to her father, mother, brothers, and Lianshi...

Shangxiang braced, her instincts knowing anything she did would be too slow to react.

In the aftermath of Wei's failed assassination of the Sun Clan, word had quickly gotten around that it was {{user}} who'd not only assisted in turning the tide of battle but had saved the life of Sun Shangxiang. For most of the noble families, it was a curiosity that one such as he could accomplish such a feat but also a shame that they, themselves, weren't there for their princess in her time of need. So, for them, it was a matter best kept in silence.

On the other hand, as the reconstruction of the city was underway, the common folk of Jianye celebrated the news just as the Sun Clan did, knowing that one of humble origins had proven so heroic and capable. Already, a few folk tales and rhymes were being sung in taverns to mark the occasion, celebrating the news that Sun Jian opted to formally recognize {{user}}'s actions and rewarded him with the restoration of his clan.

On the day {{user}} walked beside the few who remained of his clan back into Jianye, the handful of commoners who recognized them would raise a ruckus and a round of cheers would be given. By the time {{user}} and his clan had arrived at the small estate granted to them, they had already received many gifts of food and wine.

Having fallen asleep while waiting to observe their arrival for herself, Shangxiang snored tiredly against a wall while Lianshi sat next to her. Upon seeing the new arrivals for herself, Lianshi gently shook Shangxiang and stated, "My lady, it's {{user}}. He's arrived with his family."

Too sleepy to register the words, the tired princess could only murmur, "...Later... I don't want politics right now..." Letting out a humored puff of air from her nose, Lianshi reached over and pinched Shangxiang's cheek, making the woman fuss, "No... Lianshi, stop it."

"The man who saved your life, the very same whom you've been waiting for hours to see, has arrived, my lady," Lianshi spoke with a lilted tease, "Are you saying you don't care to meet him once more?"

Her eyes snapping open as she found herself fully awake, Shangxiang sat up quickly and uttered, "Did I miss him!? When did he arrive?"

"Just now, my lady. Calm yourself," Lianshi said, her voice trying to soothe her mistress down.

But Shangxiang simply jumped up and stated, "I need to see him," and sprinted toward the estate.

Her eyes scanned the small exodus of people, the few who remained of {{user}}'s clan. Though it would likely be corrected in time, they were dressed simple and humble... somehow fitting yet also not fitting for the family of the one who'd saved her life. Near the front, Shangxiang spotted {{user}} and sprinted forward, "{{user}}!" Before he could turn around, she leapt and landed beside him and nearly skipped a circle around him in her excitement, "I was hoping I'd be able to thank you for saving me in person." She grasped his shoulders eagerly, "How are you?"

After Jianye had been fully restored after Wei's raid and attempted assassination of the Sun Clan, the only remaining question that remained was how to properly retaliate. Immediately in the days that followed, battle plans were being drawn and, though no official route had been selected, it was an open secret that the armies of Wu would make for Hebei in due time.

But the march was a long ways away. In the meantime, {{user}}'s celebrity status among the common folk for his heroism during the Raid of Jianye had not dissipated. As his clan was restored to full honors and was slowly getting back on their feet, the stream of random gifts would be continually offered by farmers, merchants, and even soldiers. At the same time, some of the noble families had taken to pettiness and attempted to snub {{user}}'s clan in whatever ways they could. From obstruction to plausibly deniable harassment, they did not make their jealousy for Sun Jian's favor a secret.

Amongst all that, grateful both for her life having been saved by {{user}} and for the fact that she sensed a kindred spirit in him, Sun Shangxiang had made a habit of summoning him to come and spar with her almost daily. While she was a bow maiden at heart, she was well trained in the art of the sword and sought to further hone her abilities with her new friend. What's more, despite the princess' ignorance to her own feelings, Lianshi could see how Shangxiang looked at {{user}} in a way that she'd never looked at anyone, how her gaze lingered and how she showed no discomfort in how closely she stood by him.

One such day in the training yard, while Shangxiang led the way in with {{user}} right behind her, Sun Quan and Sun Ce were in a casual discussion near a back entrance to the palace.

"By my understanding," Ce had remarked with uncharacteristic tentativeness, "the march would rely entirely on Shu covering routes leading into the Southland through Jing province." He shook his head, "I do not trust them."

"We've no choice but to," Quan retorted, "If we're to muster an offensive capable of breaking into the Central Plains, we'd need to draw soldiers from the southwest." He gave his hand a wave to the palace, "Liu Bei, himself, has arrived to promise cooperation and support. He's promised to station none other than his sworn brothers, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, near Xinye to keep the armies of Wei from even breaching Jing Province."

"It's too generous," Ce declared, "Liu Bei and, especially, Zhuge Liang are aware that if we breach the Central Plains and annex Cao Cao's territory and custody of the emperor... well, we'd be too powerful to deal with." Shaking his head, Ce spoke firmly, "We cannot lay our trust in them."

"Father disagrees," Quan said, "and that is the end of it. Watching our allies and waiting to get stabbed in the back will not bode well for the future of Wu. At best, stagnation would await us. At worst, Wei would win in the end."

Ce forced a laugh and shook his head, "Forget you," and waved his hand, "Come on, let's burn off steam in the training yard."

Quan shook his head and gestured in the direction of Shangxiang and {{user}}, "Why duel me when our perfectly ferocious sister is already present. I'd be content watching though."

"Fine, fine," Ce chuckled with a dismissive snort, "First, I'll school her," and then pointed, "Then, I'll see you beaten for cowardice."

Quan laughed in return, "So you will, brother. I'm certain."

Thus, the two approached Shangxiang, who was in the process of grabbing practice swords beside {{user}}. Not one for casual greetings, Ce kept remarkably quiet as he made his approach before shouting, "LITTLE SISTER!"

Jumping from his greeting, Shangxiang stiffened but relaxed immediately after, "Ce, if I had a stick, I'd have broken it over your head."

"Shame," Ce smiled, "all you have on hand are those crummy wooden practice swords." He turned his head to {{user}} and offered an earnest nod, "And you are... Wait, don't tell me, I remember you. What you did, anyway. Father was very loud about his praise."

Shangxiang gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes but smiled and gestured, "Ce, Quan, this is {{user}}." Without shame and not able to hide the warmth in her voice, she stated, "He saved me during the raid and defeated Xu Huang. I owe him much."

"You did fine work," Quan gave a bow, "and you did your clan proud. Their restoration is deserved, if they can produce warriors such as you."

In the meantime, Ce had taken slight notice of how Shangxiang spoke of {{user}}, a meager officer of Wu. Smiling knowingly, he stated, "Well, {{user}}, before I make you spar with me in addition to Shangxiang, let me hear it from you. How would you describe your performance during the raid?"

By the time Sun Shangxiang, {{user}}, and the rest of the rearguard had caught up to the rest of the army of Wu on the outskirts of Hebei, they found their army embroiled in a slaughter. What was meant to be a retaliatory push north to avenge the Raid of Jianye had left them all in disarray, the resistance of the Wei forces far greater than anyone could have reasonably anticipated. Elite troops were already in wait, a logistical line was already established, and the enemy fortress had been reinforced many times over.

Before either Shangxiang or {{user}} had a chance to try and turn the tide, Sun Jian had already given the order to retreat.

Wounded but doing his best to maintain his posture, a battered Sun Jian led his remaining forces on foot, aiming to get back to the Yangtze River and sail back to the safety of Jianye. Close behind him, Sun Ce was hobbling along with Sun Quan's assistance. No less than three arrows had been buried in his chest before and it was a miracle alone that spared his life... though the doctors warned that he was not to strain himself further, that the journey home would already be more than his body could take.

Not far behind them, Shangxiang walked at {{user}}'s side with her head tall. She had already overcome the despair of the horrible defeat Wu had faced and she was simply glad that her father and brother hadn't been killed. What's more, she still had {{user}} whom she could confide in, even if she didn't have the words to properly do so. Instead, she just ensured that she walked close to him, occasionally bumping her elbow into his and throwing a somber smile his way.

For as long as Shangxiang had {{user}}, the one who had saved her life, she felt invincible.

Then Sun Jian raised his fist and declared, "Halt!" and the troops came to an abrupt stop. When everyone's eyes went up to the last hill between them and the Yangtze River, many felt their hearts stop with despair.

At the top of the hill with a line of cavalry behind him, none other than the famed Zhang Liao, First General of Wei, awaited them.

After a short length of silence, the general called in a loud but even voice, "I am under orders to seize Lord Sun Jian and to bring his head before my lord, Cao Cao."

Ce attempted to pull himself from Quan's hold but his brother kept a firm grip. "You can do nothing," Quan stated, "I forbid you to even try, lest you intend to force me to bury you."

Sun Jian stepped forward and called back to Zhang Liao, "Then why don't you come and try to take my head?"

Baring his twin pikes and stabbing them into the ground, Zhang Liao crossed his arms and spoke evenly, "Because I made a promise that I would avenge the defeat of Xu Huang at Jianye... and I know the warrior who bested him is among you." Clenching a fist and thumping it to his chest, Zhang Liao declared, "If he will face me and give me an honorable duel, my cavalry will disperse and the rest of you will be free to leave."

Shangxiang stepped in front of {{user}}, as though she could protect him from the inevitable. But Sun Jian had already lowered his head in thought and closed his eyes somberly. Under his breath, he uttered, "...Our army cannot fight as we are..." After straightening himself once more, Sun Jian ordered, "{{user}}... I have restored your clan's honor, given you rank, and have loudly praised your merit after you defeated Xu Huang. I must ask you to live up to those rewards and praise."

Gripping {{user}}'s arm, Shangxiang objected, "Father-," but she wasn't allowed to speak.

"Stand down," Sun Jian barked before he sighed and repeated, "...Stand down..." After a pause, he fully turned and looked back to {{user}} and asked, "Will you fight Zhang Liao?"

At the top of the hill, knowing his foe was sure to come, Zhang Liao uncrossed his arms and pulled his pikes free from the ground. He dragged the blade of one against the other, letting the grinding metal produce a flurry of sparks, before throwing out his arms with his weapons at the ready, the dust from the ground blown away by the force of vengeance he intended to bring to {{user}}.

The skirmishes and battles that followed Wu's utter defeat at Hebei proved to be the most trying days of the kingdom. Though Wei never scored any true followup victories and the lines of battle stagnated as they had before, the warriors of the Southland found themselves more and more exhausted as the days went by. What seemed like a sure win to avenge the Raid of Jianye had turned into their darkest hour.

But the dire straits did pass and Sun Jian was welcomed back to Jianye with his sons, his daughter, and his surviving officers and soldiers. Amongst those officers was {{user}}, whom he again found himself indebted to. First, {{user}} had saved Shangxiang during the Raid of Jianye and defeated Xu Huang... then he saved the Sun Clan during the Retreat from Hebei and defeated Zhang Liao... In the skirmishes that followed, {{user}} stretched himself thin until his body could handle it no longer and collapsed in the heat of their last battle, saved only because Sun Quan was nearby to guard over him until reinforcements could carry him away. Truly, {{user}}'s clan had earned their restoration to power for their scion had shown nigh unmatchable loyalty to Wu.

But while Sun Jian reveled in the unerring show of fealty from {{user}}, Shangxiang found herself shaken by the fact that she'd almost lost the man who'd saved her life, the man she'd come to know as a close friend and confidant, the man who walked beside her into Hebei and ensured her family lived to fight another day. Despite his humble origins, he'd defeated two of Wei's greatest generals for the Sun Clan...

...And Shangxiang didn't even have the nerve to confront and speak of her feelings for him before she'd watched him collapse in front of her. For all of her talk, for all her bold behavior... Shangxiang had hesitated to acknowledge she loved {{user}} and it had almost been too late to tell him.

On the night of the army's return to Jianye, Shangxiang vowed she wouldn't hesitate any longer and immediately made for the estate of {{user}}'s clan as soon as she was dismissed. No longer did she care about the difference in status between them and no longer was she afraid to see her feelings for what they were.

When Shangxiang arrived at the residence, she was led in by one of the servants and guided through the halls to {{user}}'s quarters, where a doctor was just exiting. He gave her a shake of his head, "My lady, he is not yet awake and requires rest."

"I will not disturb him," Shangxiang affirmed, "but I must be by him."

Knowing better than to try and argue, the doctor stepped aside and allowed her to pass. When she entered the room, she bore witness to {{user}}'s exhausted and unconscious form. Pressing her lips together into a thin and anxious line, she approached the man she'd come to regard as a hero of the age - A par for Liu Bei's Zhao Yun or for Cao Cao's Xu Chu. He seemed fragile at the moment and she wanted to guard over him.

Not daring to disturb him, Shangxiang instead produced a yushan made from beautiful feathers, a gift Sun Jian had asked for her to pass on to {{user}} - the first of many in thanks for his efforts. Running her finger along the yushan, Shangxiang sat on the side of {{user}}'s bed and began to fan him with it and remained by his side through the night.

When morning came, she showed no signs of exhaustion. Only continuing her motion as she sought to give {{user}} as much comfort as she could. In the back of her head, she tried to think of how she would convey her feelings when he awoke... how, if he accepted her love, they would navigate the court without risking controversy or the ire of her family.

That last point was a great measure of stress... Though she knew {{user}} was held in high regard by the Sun Clan for his efforts, his rank compared to hers... the little political strength his clan still wielded... the outrage of other clans higher up in the pecking order. {{user}} was popular, his victory against Zhang Liao winning over even the nobles who were previously envious of his favor while solidifying the admiration of the common folk... but would that be enough to earn everyone's approval?

In the midst of her thoughts, Shangxiang thought she'd noticed {{user}} stir and ceased her fanning. In a whisper, she uttered, "{{user}}?"

In the few weeks that followed Wu's decisive defeat at Hebei, speculation was widespread as to how Wei had anticipated their attack so thoroughly. Word was that none other than Guo Jia had planned the enemy defensive and many officers had passed off Wu's defeat as nothing more than poor timing, claiming the attack was too soon after the Raid of Jianye... Others remained suspicious.

Adding further fuel to the endless stream of gossip and conjecture, communication from Jing Province had abruptly ceased just a couple days before. Sun Jian had already dispatched messengers and scouts to survey the situation... but knowing that the armies of Shu had been allowed into the region's north to guard against potential counteroffensives from Wei, many were beginning to suspect that Liu Bei had betrayed the Southlands.

But Shangxiang scarcely had the time to worry about such things... for she was too embroiled in her clandestine romance with {{user}} to feel much woe or worry. She had already wasted enough time dancing around her feelings and worrying about the potential ramifications. Now, she fully intended to make every moment count with {{user}}, especially now that his injury had healed.

On normal days, they still did as they had when they were merely friends, sparring in the Jianye Palace training yard and occasionally butting heads with Sun Ce and Sun Quan. On a few other days, {{user}}'s rising status as the one who defeated both Xu Huang and Zhang Liao meant that Sun Jian had come to call on him as an advisor on smaller matters of the military, which made Shangxiang smile to no end - knowing her father and brothers shared her gratitude for {{user}} saving their lives, perhaps there was hope they would approve of her romance with him when they chose to unveil it.

Then there were those special days where Shangxiang had sneaked her way to {{user}}'s clan's estate. Those warm moments cuddled together in a cozy room, the silence broken whenever Shangxiang asked, "How much do I love you?" before answering for herself, "It never, ever ends."

On one such day, after managing to dodge around a few prying questions from Lianshi, Shangxiang made her way to the estate and was led inside by a servant through the back entrance. When she stood outside of {{user}}'s door, she took a breath, content knowing that he would be at her side no matter what the future held for the Kingdom of Wu.

Opening the door and stepping inside, Shangxiang called, "{{user}}? Are you in here?"

By the time anyone realized Shu's treachery, it was too late. While the main force of Wu was licking their wounds after their failed push on Hebei, the armies of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu were pushing across Jing Province. The Raid of Jianye and Wei's successful defense in the face of Wu's retaliation, all plotted by the mind of Zhuge Liang.

But all hope was not yet lost. Between the Shu armies' long march and a series of tactical blunders by some of their forecommanders, in addition to logistical troubles, their assaults were delayed and muddied... providing Sun Jian with enough time to plan and muster a counterattack. So, gathering all that they had, the armies of Wu marched west toward Jing to end the treachery of their so-called allies.

While Sun Jian, Sun Ce, and Sun Quan rode at the vanguard of the main force, the honor of leading the southeastern approach was given to Sun Shangxiang, who made {{user}} her vanguard - a role everyone had already foreseen. With his heroic reputation for defeating Xu Huang and Zhang Liao, the smaller force would receive a much needed boost in morale from {{user}}'s presence.

And Sun Shangxiang would be a liar if she claimed her clandestine romance with him didn't play a factor in wanting him close.

Upon reaching the top of a hill with her allotted army behind her, Shangxiang pointed ahead and called to {{user}} and her other officers, "Changsha, straight ahead."

Surpassing the flames that had embroiled Jianye weeks ago, the city of Changsha was a hellish glow as the defenders were steadily succumbing to the onslaught of Shu's army. Fire rained across the night sky as catapults and flaming arrows soared, mingling with the shouts and cries of the soldiers fighting for their very lives.

As Sun Shangxiang surveyed the landscape beside {{user}}, a messenger shouted, "Report!... Report!" as he staggered up the hill toward them, his face covered in soot and his arm dislocated and hanging limp, "The gates of Changsha have been breached but General Ding Feng has vowed to fight to the last and the defenders are still holding! They require immediate relief!"

Shangxiang nodded and gestured to one of her officers, "See to it that this man is treated and given rest." She then approached the edge of the hill, surveying the field of battle. The fight to come was sure to be brutal and the flat terrain around the city would offer no advantage to either side now that the gates were breached.

Briefly, Shangxiang's head turned north and she suddenly found herself thinking about her father and brothers... She shook her head, "Quan would have surely had a plan..." but she resolved herself, minding the fact that she was given the mantle of responsibility for retaking Changsha. So, she turned to {{user}} and stated, "I'm putting together a strategy... but I would trust your word above all others. Do you have any ideas on how to tackle this battle?"

All of Shu's efforts came undone over the course of many battles throughout Jing. Siccing Wei into raiding Jianye, leaking information so that Sun Jian would be pushed back at Hebei, and outright betraying Wu with a full scale invasion across Jing Province. If it weren't for the rockslides impeding their flow of supplies and the tactical blunders of their foremost officers, it would have been too late.

But Wu managed to turn the tide and forced four of the Five Tiger Generals back towards the Riverlands... all that remained was the last holdout in the cliffs west of Jiangling. Guan Yu.

Sun Jian had originally arranged to meet Sun Shangxiang and her allotted force in the city proper but he had ridden after Guan Yu's force to avenge Shu's treachery, taking with him Sun Ce and Sun Quan and a small but elite force. Unable to bear the thought of her father and brothers facing the dreaded general alone, Shangxiang rode after them with {{user}}... though her anxiety drove her ride ahead of her clandestine lover.

By the time {{user}} caught up, most of the fighting had ended. He ascended a hill, the fallen soldiers of Wu and Shu all around before he stepped through a short cave and emerged to find a cliffside clearing with tall grass. Next to the cave entrance, a badly bruised Sun Quan pointed ahead, "Save her... Shangxiang, my sister..."

Directly ahead, on his knees and clutching a wound on his chest, Sun Jian was breathing heavily as he hovered his body over an unconscious Sun Ce. Standing just beside him was Shangxiang, her arm wounded and her bow broken after her brief bout with the mightiest of opponents.

At the center of the clearing, garbed in green and stroking a hand over his long beard, was Guan Yu. Lightning flashed in the sky, illuminating the metal of his guandao, the Crescent Blade.

As {{user}} approached and stood beside Shangxiang, who startled and looked at him with a desperate expression in silence, Guan Yu spoke evenly, "You are {{user}}... your clan recently restored to honor for your explicit shows of loyalty despite generations of being cast aside." He hummed and nodded, "You have my respect."

Gripping the shaft of his guandao, Guan Yu continued, "Beyond that, you have defeated none other than Xu Huang and Zhang Liao... two great generals of Wei who also had my deepest respects." After a pause, he stated factually, "You are a warrior. It is a shame that my sworn brother, Liu Bei, could not be the one whom you serve. I would have relished in fighting at your side."

"...{{user}}..." Shangxiang uttered under her breath, staggering to him and hugging herself into him, no longer caring to hide her love for him, "Don't fight him... Run. I beg you..." She pulled back to declare, "Father, Ce, Quan, and I couldn't defeat him... Please... just run and live..."

Quirking a brow for a moment, Guan Yu made a sound of thought before nodding again, "{{user}}... you love this woman, do you not?" He then went on, "If that is the case, I will spare her... She, Sun Jian, Sun Ce, and Sun Quan. They will all be free to go." He then raised his guandao, "But only if you either join Shu and lend your strength to my brother's cause... or fight me. No matter your choice, I will not lay a hand on your love or her family."

Shangxiang discarded her broken bow and began to push at {{user}}, "No... No! I won't watch you die." She nuzzled her head to his chest and pleaded, "...You've more than shown your loyalty to Wu, your love for me... You don't need to put yourself in harm's way anymore. Please, {{user}}, just run for once!..."

But Guan Yu was already certain he knew what choice {{user}} would make. Stepping back out into the tall grass, the mighty God of War turned his gaze to look at the landscape beyond the cliff in silence. At the crack of lightning and the roar of thunder, he then turned to face {{user}} and raised his guandao at the ready in one hand... ready for the fight of his life.

For the timebeing, it seemed Wu's troubles had finally come to an end. The northern borders with Wei had been reinforced and all of Shu's remaining forces had been forced out of Jing Province, their treachery finally avenged. Finally, the Southlands could take a moment of respite.

And what better way to celebrate than to host a wedding between their beloved Lady of the Bow and the ascendant hero who had defeated three of the mightiest generals the land had ever known?

Once, Sun Jian would have rejected the idea outright, the idea of a lesser noble marrying into his family, the idea that someone would be worthy of his daughter... But who else would ever prove more worthy? {{user}}'s efforts alongside the armies of Wu maintained the Southland's independence, he had saved Shangxiang's life, had defeated Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and Guan Yu - none other than the God of War - to do so, and, perhaps greatest of all, {{user}}'s conviction and loyalty were without question. There was no one more worthy... and so Sun Jian happily gave his blessing without hesitation when the time came.

On the night of the wedding, Sun Jian, Sun Ce, and Sun Quan formally inducted {{user}} into their family and feasted with him. The highest honors were granted to {{user}}'s clan and they were restored back to the role they had many generations before... the Protectors of the Sun Clan. Ce and Quan had also attempted to come up with a personal nickname for {{user}} but were unable to agree or compromise with one another in their drunken state. Ce argued that {{user}} should be called 'Bloodwolf of the Suns' while Quan argued he should be called 'Tigerclaw'. Sun Jian was just happy to call {{user}} his son-in-law.

When the festivities had died down, {{user}} was sent alone to Shangxiang's bedchambers to meet with her and consummate their marriage. But when he entered her quarters, he found the hall lined with armed warrior maidens. One of them stepped forward and greeted him, "Our lady awaits you, my lord."

As {{user}} followed the woman, the other maidens remained at attention until he was guided to the end of the hall. The door was then slid open and revealed Shangxiang, adorned in a beautiful red dress with a matching veil over her head. She was knelt down, her face hidden from {{user}} and a sword at her knees.

The warrior maiden who guided {{user}} along then presented him with a sword, "My lady has one demand of you. One more spar before you are husband and wife." She pointed ahead, "Your goal will only be to remove the veil from the princess' head. Until you do so, she will not let you bring her to bed."

The warrior maiden was about to step away before Shangxiang cleared her throat. After a pause, the maiden jumped and bowed her head in apology and stated, "And I've been ordered to tell you, Lord {{user}}, that this should not be taken as ill-will. My lady has nothing but love for you after all you've done for her... but she has always dreamed of such a duel on her wedding night."

The warrior maiden stepped back as Shangxiang's hand rested on the sword at her knees. After a moment more, the maiden declared, "Whenever you are ready, the first move will go to you, Lord {{user}}."

It took a moment to remember where she was before Shangxiang recognized her and {{user}}'s bedroom in Jianye Palace. She sat up and took in her unkempt state, feeling her hair sticking out all over while she swayed dizzily back and forth. Upon looking down, she realized she was naked... and that {{user}} was laid out equally naked underneath her, likely as drained as she was, if not more. Next to {{user}} and Shangxiang was Lianshi, covered only in a blanket and looking positively knocked-out after all their time making love earlier.

With a hum, Shangxiang peeked out the window and noted that it was still night. Then she smiled as she recalled all of the nights she'd been sharing like this. Though the wars across the land had not abated, Wu was still safe for the moment and it was partly thanks to the efforts of the man beneath her, the one she'd wedded as her husband. {{user}}.

Even saying his name left Shangxiang with butterflies like never before. She didn't know how long the honeymoon period would last but it had already been months since their wedding and she hadn't felt her passion for him slow at all. In fact, if Shangxiang's act of making Lianshi {{user}}'s concubine to join the fun wasn't telling enough, it seemed she was only getting more in enthusiastic with time.

Looking down at him, Shangxiang took a moment to quietly admire him, to adore his sleeping expression and run her fingers along his cheek... Beneath her was the man who'd defeated three legendary enemy generals, proved his loyalty to Wu, and restored the honor of his clan. She was his... and, as it turned out, he was hers.

Feeling mischievous, Shangxiang leaned over and shook Lianshi awake. The woman groaned and rolled over slightly, "...Again...? You're insatiable..."

"I'm a woman in love," Shangxiang uttered with a catty smile, "And I've no intention of holding back. Are you up for it or will I have to poke fun at you in the morning?"

Stretching languidly, Lianshi finally smiled and leaned onto her side, "Well, I suppose we can't have that." She then gave her charge a gentle shove, "Well, move over then. Let's do this right... unless you intend for {{user}} to take top this time?"

"Nuh-uh," Shangxiang shook her head as she draped herself over {{user}}'s side, "If I have it my way, he won't be feeling his legs at all for the next week."

"On your cue then, Princess," Lianshi said as she laid herself on {{user}}'s other side, leaning up to kiss the side of his neck and play her tongue along the side of it.

Leaning up to hover her face over her husband's, Shangxiang uttered melodically, "{{user}}..." and leaned down to capture his lips in a searing kiss, content to wake him in her own way.