Sun and Moon I

-Are there any news from the men I sent out?- asks the young Emperor, gripping tight on his armrests -As for the last report sent, those inside the Cai Army have managed to set distrust for her around some of the soldiers- the young man rises his eyebrow and then hit the fist against the throne -That's not enough!!! We need her to crumble! If we don't ruin her name completely and break down everyone's trust in her... Then nobody will object once she overthrows me!- he screams as the veins pops out of his neck.

Ying SheGu mentally rolls his eyes but bows down instead, not showing his annoyance so not to ruin his loyal facade -Then what does Your Majesty suggest to do?- the young ruler smiles content and fixes his posture -Buy out more men, from all the currently dispatched Armadas, no matter the price they ask for, I will give them! Threaten them if you have to... A capable man should befriend her and report to me her actions, I will surely find fault in her... She must have one weakness afterall!- the Emperor stands up, all red on the face -She's one of the biggest threat to my position and I must eliminate her!-

...

Qin Luo removes his upper clothes and throws them over to Nan -The General is so generous, taking his time to train with our Chuangzhu- he laughs beside me, looking at my cross armed figure -Right?- he winks toward Zhou -Pretty sure they already saw eachother plenty of times by now- he comments not actually hinting to anything intimate, I roll my eyes and proceed to grab a spear -You two really have a lot of time to spare apparently... How about 20 runs around the camp?- Nan widens his eyes scared, now that he was found gossiping about me, and scratches his neck -Mhn... I'll go tend to the weapons, surely there is a lot of work waiting for me... If you'll excuse me hehe- and he quickly leaves while dragging Zhou behind him.

Looking ahead I see Qin Luo grabbing a bow and tying some protections around his forearms, while still leaving his torso completely naked for everyone's eyes to enjoy. He finishes tying the knots when I reach his side and the assistant leaves -Are you ready? I won't go easy on you, I feel quite confident in this field- he smirks while taking out a water pouch, he drinks from it and I find myself staring at his Adam's apple while he gulps down thirsty. Some water spills out and falls down his throat till his developed pectoral muscles, joining the drops of sweat over his skin. Although it is now autumn the sun is still burning hot during the day and it would be impossible not to sweat when training wearing a full armor.

-Tz, how presumptuous of you... Think I will let you beat me? You'll be begging me quite soon- I squint my eyes amused at his confidence and he let's go of the water pouch, cleaning his chin with the back of the hand half laughing -I wouldn't want it to be any less challenging anyway... Let's go then! First the forest then the hills- he turns around with his ponytail swinging in the air, rises one arm on the horse's reins and hissing himself up in one single motion -I won't be waiting for you... Ah!- he rises on his thighs a starts galloping, the reins around one arm and the bow in the other

-Ah that man sure is feisty today!- I laugh while hopping on my own horse and running behind him.

...

We stop by a small lake to let the horse drink some water, I removes most of my heavy clothes and put them away on my horse. Qin Luo lays down on his own horse, the legs crossed over the horse's back and his head resting over and arm upon the animal's neck. He breathes slowly, finally calming down after the training, and I can notice his abs rising and lowering at each breath... Something on his skin carhed my eyes, a white mark over his rib cage on the right side, but I cannot focus too much on it as he speaks up -You still best me in the end... Both in the track, the target and the weapon trainings- -You had any doubts?- he scoffs at my question -Of course no, but it was still worth it for me- he looks at me with the side of the eyes and I shut up, not knowing what to say... He wants to train or do anything else with me even if he ridicules himself, just to be by my side.

He quickly catches up on my mood change and jumps down the horse -We could still try one more training tho!- -It's already sunset, it will get cold soon Qin Luo. It's not safe to go out at night afterall- -Lai'Er, we're alone. Stop calling me in a formal way-

-Sure, Ge- I smile and he presses his lips together, blushing as he turns around to hide it -Well, it's not like I risk anything when I'm with you, right Lai'Er?- he faces me again with a cheerful expression.

At that same moment his horse pushes him with the head and he comes clashing on me... We fall down on the ground laughing, he places one hand on the ground and one behind my head to prevent me from hitting the ground -Are you hurt?- -No, let's get up- I shake my head and try to stand up but a muffled whimper echoes in his throat -Lai'Er... Let me get up first...- he whispers painfully as I realize where my thigh just brushed against, I curse myself in my head for being so careless and making things difficult for him.

He drags me back up with him -I, uhm... Sorry- he says ashamed -Ah... Let's go over there to rest untill dinner time, shall we?- I change subject for him, pointing toward a small hill.

...

We lay down on the warm grass, looking above us. The sky is turning pink already and the sun is meeting the horizon's line... I turn to look at him, he seems quite troubled so I decide not to bother him and focus instead on that white mark on his right ribs

-It's a burn mark- he says, breaking the silence -This is the character of the Luo family, these are the motto of our family... "Honour above all"- he says those words as if it hurt him -My father marked me with incandescent iron a few years back... He thought that it would have helped me to get my shit together- he remins silent for a few seconds, gathering the courage to continue -I am the disgrace of the Luo's family afterall- his expression darkens

-This one I did it myself instead- he points to one more scar -"Meaningless existence", I added it after I finally acknowledged my son and understood how much of a terrible human I have been- he turns on his side, hiding away those marks.

On his left ribs more marks can be seen, I feel my heart sinking at the thoughts of that much pain... A pain I know too well, being considered a disgrace and having your skin mutilated because of it... Looking at those marks, each old whip scar seems to reopen and the skin beings to burn in all the other places my mother hurt me.

Unconsciously I reach out and caress those scars, wanting to read them but Qin Luo sucks in his breath and grabs my wirst -Today you're being impossible to handle, Lai'Er... Stop provoking me- he pushes my hand away and reveals the marks, my eyes wide both from his words and the characters on his skin.