Mansions of Ye Qiao (Open)

[Ye Qiao]

It has been a year since Qiao last visited her mansions due to  her duty's to the Wei court that kept her busy. As she approached the gates the two rookie guards stopped her from entering her mansions. Rookie guard to the left ordered "No entry on the orders of Lady Ye Qiao" Xia Mei Qiao's oldest maid comes from the back and states "Lady Ye Qiao is standing before you let us in or die." The rookie guards looked confused and nodded no. Qiao dismounted her black horse and attacked the two guards with Hei Long. Before the guards could react the black blade cut them in two. Qiao looked at her newest victims and simply replied "Xia Mei clean this up and post new guards" to the gate before entering through the gates to the courtyard.
To the left of the gate was Ye He La Na Mansion Qiao's main home. To the right of the gate was the Han Ke La Ma Mansion her lovers mansion. Further down the courtyard was the Xia Lan Xing De Mansion. In the middle was three graves Qiao's parents and Ce her lover.
As Qiao made her way towards the Han Ke La Mansion to visit the massive library for clues on who or why her parents had to die Xia Mei approached her and knelt before Qiao before saying "My lady we should host a banquet to lure in your family members to kill them." Qiao simply nodded and entered the mansion.
Five hours later Qiao left the mansion after finding no new clues. She orders the guards to let people in and  lead them to the Ye He La Na Mansion before she entered the mansion.     

[Ye Qiao]

The banquet finished without much trouble. Almost all of the guest's had left leaving Qiao alone with her cousin sister Xiao and her grandfather Si Ti. Little did the two know that Qiao had ordered Xia Mei to poison their wine. The poison was  slow acting hiding Qiao's crime. Qiao whom was siting at the  head of the table got up and ordered the guards to surround Xiao and Si Ti. "Hahahahha...kill them." Qiao ordered with glee. The guards attacked  the two victims already drunk and poisoned offer no resistance and was killed.

Qiao then ordered the guards to kill every maid except Xia Mei. The guards nodded yes and left the main hall of the mansion. Qiao then searched the freshly killed bodies for anything and found a coded message and a black turban. Qiao then turned to Xia Mei and simply asked "Xia Mei what does this means." Xia Mei who was behind Qiao replied "I do not know my lady." Suddenly a guard entered the main hall and said "A man named Ce wish's to see you." Qiao looked at the guard in anger and harshly answered "Ce huh hes dead he has been for several years so why are you lying before I simply remove your head from your shoulders." The guard fearfully answered "I...I...I am no...t he gave this golden symbol to prove its really him." Qiao took the symbol from the guards hand and looked at it. On the golden symbol was a black dragon her family's crest. Shocked Qiao ordered the guard to let him enter.


A few minutes a man entered the blooded main hall and said "Wei Wei I have returned." Qiao looked at the man and gave the golden symbol back and replied "Welcome home my love" before leaving the main hall for her bedroom.

[Ye Qiao]

Its has been several days since Ce has returned to Qiao's life. Many questions arise why did Ce go missing after the ambush? The coded message with the black turban? Qiao called Ce to the main hall which had been cleaned with the tables removed leave a single black throne in the back. Qiao was sitting on the throne waiting for her man to arrive to answer the many many questions she had. After several minutes Ce entered the room and knelled before Qiao before saying "I know you have many questions ask away I owe your this much. Qiao called Xia Mei to give Ce  the coded message before asking "Decode this." Ce looked at the paper before replying "Wei Wei, this message was a order from the black turbans. It reads "Master Si Ti I hear by order you to kill Ye Qiao your granddaughter."" The emotion on Qiao's face changed from a stern look to a look of pure anger. Qiao in anger responded "Ce how did you know what the garbled messaged meant. I hated my grandfather anyways I am glad hes died." Ce only answered "I was part of them for awhile. I faked my death to get out of working for them. They are the ones who killed your parents and aunt and uncle. Before you ask I do not know who the leaders are." Qiao replied "Your faked death put me in a deep depression that only recently I got out off. For once stop thinking about you and think about me and my feelings. I will forgive you this time next time you will be killed.

Suddenly a guard entered the room gasping for air "my lady forgive my intruding but we are under attack by men wearing black turbans please escape." Qiao got up from her throne and replied "Xia Mei, Ce go help the guards I will kill any who dares to enter this mansion." The two of the left the mansion to attack the black turbans. Three hours later the two of them returned bloodied. Ce replied "Qiao we won there is nothing to be worried at as long as your trusty maid is here and your trusty man is hear to protect you." Qiao who was back sitting on her throne replied coldly "Good let them come they will all be slaughtered if they dare attack me again." Qiao got up and left the mansion to the very bloodied and corpse filled courtyard.

In the courtyard Qiao saw the rest of her guards cleaning up after the attack. One guard came up to her and said "my lady one one man escaped. He called himself Zhou." Qiao looked at the guard and coldly answered "Zhou huh, Xiao's foolish husband no matter he will die. Guard tell the rest of the guards to prepare for a war." The guard nodded and left. Qiao, Xia Mei and Ce then proceed to leave the mansions from the gate to return to the Wei court.
 

[Cao Pi]

183AD
Early Spring
A few households away from The Qiao Family residence

There was a freshness in the air, but it was cool. Perhaps even cold if you were from the south. His pale complexion only complimented his deep green eyes. We sat crossed legged on the floor, a fine rug beneath him in completely stillness. Every now and again he would move slightly to turn over a page in the novel before him. That was until he was disrupted. 

"Hmm.." Cao Pi rolled his eyes, placing the book he was reading on the oak table before him and arising to look upon the city from his balcony. There was a commotion, and bothersome noise coming from one of the 'nicer' estates. He stretched, and narrowed his eyes on the location from observing for a few moments. It appeared several men were trying to enter the estate by force. How entertaining. The young man leaned into the balcony his eyes glimmering with interested his long claw extended grappling at a nearby apple before sinking his fangs into it. The succulent juice eased into his mouth, as he crunched down hard again and again his eyes ever watching the action. 

The men trying to break in were losing their patients, the household servants protested and made excuses "She isn't home, kind sir" they whimpered and cried. It wasn't long however before the men and women of the estate were tossed aside and wolves went sniffing. They were clad in armour and meant business, equipped with swords. "Interesting." Cao Pi muttered, unfortunately for him his prime view disappeared as the guards entered. The various other buildings around blocked what was happened. 

He he wasn't about to miss out on the fireworks however, and therefore the young Cao leisurely began to make his way to the Qiao residence, taking the stairs out of his own families estate and into the city, collecting a few necessities on the way including his notorious dual blade. 

[Ye Qiao]

Qiao was in her bedroom trying to get some sleep before heading to the market for supplies for the upcoming trip to Xuchang. The loud noises at the gate woke her from her deep sleep when her head maid entered the room and said "my lady we have a situation outside some armed men are causing trouble at the gate."

Qiao looked at her maid in anger and replied "Don't just stand there keep them busy in till I am ready to be outside." Xia Mei laughed before leaving the bedroom to complete her orders. Qiao then got up from her bed and put on her black dress and grabbed her swords.

When she grabbed her swords the commotion outside grew louder. Qiao knew the men had entered the courtyard. "I just hope those fools don't damage those graves. Qiao then proceeds to leave her bedroom and the mansion.

When Qiao arrived outside she saw armored men with swords pushing around her servants. She put one hand on Hei Long her favorite sword and asked "Sirs I must ask you to leave before I snap." Qiao was annoyed at the men because they disrupted her sleep, force there way in  and pushed around her servants and nobody push's her servants except for her.

    

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi swayed through the streets, as much as he would like to go alone he was joined by an entourage to protect him when leaving his estate. He signed. It had always been like this. He learnt not to argue anymore. The Qiao Estate was only a short walk and arrived a few minutes after witnessing the commotion. Upon arrival, the young man pushed through the gathering crowd outside who had come to watch.

Inside there were several guards, armed with intent who faced off against a woman who was standing in front of the men and women who had been bullied a few moments before. Cao Pi stroked his face deciding whether to make his presence known or to watch how the drama escalated. Back and forth his eyes ran as they exchanged words. She kept asking them to leave, and they refused. He wondered why they were here, why they had chosen broad daylight to force entry into an aristocrats estates. It was all very peculiar.

He decided to lay low for now, concealing himself within the crowd the best way he could.

[Ye Qiao]

Qiao looked at the armored men with scorn on her face "Then sirs if you won't leave then tell me why are you here before I begin attacking." Qiao knew she would lose if she attacked now. She was stalling so that some of her guards could return to help her.

Qiao then noticed the crowd outside of the gate she hated crowds she glanced at Xia Mei to remove the crowd. Xia Mei nodded before heading to the gate.

The wind began to pick up snapping the large  red dragon flag in front of the main mansion. The flag was being prepared for the upcoming trip and was not ready yet.

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi smirked as the guards become more irritated, they were growing tired of the games. Their purpose hadn't yet become completely clear to Cao Pi although he suspected it had something to do with either the woman or her family. She wasn't from Xuchang and therefore Cao Pi didn't recognise her but he had heard rumours of her family, true or not he would have to find out.

She was playing the with sands of time, which were running low, and the young wolf of Wei was salivating from cheek to cheek. He could sense imminent bloodshed. The crowds didn't budge a muscle they knew what was coming soon. The guards were not leaving, and the woman was not surrendering. "Excellent." Cao Pi said with eager anticipating. Blood sport.

She was outnumbered. They were far bigger than her. But no doubt she knew that and was conjuring a plan. It was all so exhilarating. The young man hadn't enjoyed entertainment like this in such a long time, he became consumed with it. "Well?" he remarked to everyone before him. "What are you waiting for?". A rough tone in his voice as he condescendingly antagonised the guards revealing his identity to one and all now. There were a few gasps as his own guards pushed back the members of public to allow him through.

"It would appear these are more favourable odds." The woman was in luck or at least for now. His presence made it very clear that if the men want to take or harm the young lady then it would to be by going through Cao Pi first. A mistake indeed. But what option did they have? Turn and run like cowards? He would have them hung before dusk.

[Ye Qiao]

Qiao looked at the man that spoke and said "Hmm I see now your help is welcome." Qiao then notice the man's guards with the now mix with her own guards. Qiao knew now her plan of stalling worked and laughed as lightning appears from the clouds.

Qiao smiled and unsheathe her black sword and taunted "attack if you dare or run I don't care which one. Any who dares to attack me here will perish." Another lightning bolt flash across the sky as rain began to fall. Qiao still did not know the reason for the armored men forced entry into her lands.

Xia Mei turned her attention from the crowd to Qiao waiting for the orders to attack.

[Cao Pi]

"Hmph" muttered Cao Pi as the woman thanked him for his assistance, rather prematurely. She wasn't safe quite yet. But at least she was more polite than the regular rabble. The young man showed no emotional me prepared for combat raised his blade toward the opposing guards. As he did the Heavens opened, and a gentle trick of rain began to thunder from the skies. 


"I shall show no mercy." He warned them. They didn't look as confident when there was only woman. He smirked before taking the first move and darting forward. The flood of bodies come together as they clashed in the courtyard of her residents. Cao Pi ducked narrowly avoiding a sword to the face before following the assailant up with a kick to the ribs sending him tumbling to the floor. "Arrrrgggh!" growled Cao Pi now fully up for a fight as he swept side wards blocking a spear left and then right before spiralling back to back with Ye Qiao. 


"Duck!" He cried as he ducked and a spear followed through over his head. It return to its own before Cao Pi exchanged blows with him. Swords and spears chimed all over the place as the crowds gathered exciting at the prospect of blood. 

[Ye Qiao]

Qiao glanced at her maid Xia Mei to order her to attack. Xia Mei nodded before entering fray. Qiao began attacking the men with Hei Long. The men with swords began to attack Qiao with ill effects for them. Qiao said with some anger in her voice "fools so you chose death very well I could use some fun." One guard with a sword began attacking her from the side to no avail as Qiao tried to parry the attacks from all sides.

Another bolt of lightning flash from the sky as the wind picked up again bring in large sheets of rain. Seeing that their lady was under attack some of her guards began their attack against the unknown men who was attacking.

Qiao saw an opening in one of the men's defense and attack knocking him back a bit. A spear wielding men attacked her head with his spear Qiao nearly avoided the attack but lose some strainds of hair in the process as hail starts to fall.

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi shifted his weight before lunging towards an enemy guard. "Hmph... Imbeciles.." he beckoned before planting the end of his sword into one of them. The foe let out a ferocious cry in agony which only allowed Cao Pi more time to twist the blade, finishing him off. "Pathetic." he signed, taking a moment to asses the situation.

The rain had turned into hail and pitter-pattered on the ground around them. It made things harder to see. Cao Pi gritted his teeth, blocking an attack from the left and then jolting right to avoid another spear. "Ha ha ha ha, is this all you have?" he remarked taunting them for fun.

A few had already fallen there were bleeding bodies on the floor, as the water of the rain carried their blood away from their bodies. Cao Pi adjusted his footing before blocking an incoming axe centrally, avoiding his face by millimetres. Using the strength in his arms he pushed back, sending the axe towards the wielded before launching himself up in the air and roundhouse kicking the enemy.

[Ye Qiao]

Qiao dodged an spear from the right the spear  breaking  her parents grave. Qiao was now quite angry at the man who destroyed her parents grave and attacked the the spear man with all of her strength destroying the spear in two. Qiao then followed up her attack with a slash killing the man.

Taking advantage of the prone Qiao a swords men attacked from behind. Qiao in response of the sound of water moving behind her swept the mans leg taking him down and followed up with a downward thrust killing the man. "These fools are starting to get annoying guards kill them all" Qiao ordered.

A lightning bolt hit the ground near the mansions causing a huge boom shaking everything around. A little more then half of the men remained alive in the courtyard.

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi switched the blade to another hand, smacking one of the men to flood before rotating it behind him. "Hmph." He paused leaving two men on the floor humiliated. He scanned the courtyard one more time. The fight seemed pretty even for the time being as he observed the woman fighting, what she lacked in strength she made up in agility and guild. At least she had some talent.

The man prepared his body for another assault, gripping his weapon he began to sprint. When there was a sudden crack in the sky. The heavens opened and a blinding light crashed into the ground before them. Cao Pi was thrown back, up against a wall and dropped his weapon out of sheer surprise. He felt an intense pain in his chest as he watched the men struggle. One of them was burning and begged to be put out. Another had died instantly and parts of his body lay all over the garden.

[Ye Qiao]

Qiao watch with amusement when she watched the burning man screaming. While she was watching a spear man slightly snuck up behind her and attacked. The spear nearly missed her head when another lightning bolt hit the ground causing the man to miss but barely miss. Qiao turned to face the startled man and cleanly cut his head from his shoulders.

Qiao then turned to face a ax man charging at her at full speed and griped her blade tight as she lunged at the man. The lunged miss when the ax parry her blow and pushed her into a wall. Another lightning bolt flashed from the sky.

Qiao looked at the man with scorn and attacked once again this time she manged to avoided the ax and manged to push the man back. During the battle a large built man pushed through the crowd and began attacking Qiao's guards as another bolt of lightning struck the ground nearby.

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi clutched his chest, growling in pain. A few seconds later and he would have been a dead man. The thunder had done tremendous damage, and the crowd had completely dispersed by now. There were fires, and corpses littered all over the estate.. even the innocents had not been spared. He grimaced, as the sharp pain burnt him up and down.. fading a little.. unable to fully focus on anything..


His eyes flickered as a guard nearby noticed he was unarmed and struggling. Cao Pi could see him drawing closer, and closer.. He panicked looking around for something.. someone to defend himself. There he saw it. His own weapon.. it was just a little out of reach. He rolled over onto his stomach trying to drag himself towards it.. digging his fingers into the wet soil and pulling himself. He could hear the man behind him, his footsteps.. his breath.. he extended his arm as far as he could and coiled his fingers around his blade. The footsteps stopped above him, he could feel the presence of the man.. he could feel him raising his spear to plant into back of Cao Pi.


With all his remain strength Cao Pi twisted round in agony, thrusting his blade into the intestines of the man who couild only watch in horror and shock. Cao Pi growled violently spinning his blade, knowing that he needed to be more clinical to kill the guard. He sliced into stomach, and then into his chest before removing the blade. The guard collapsed, trying to retrieve all of his organs as blood emptied from him falling to the ground beside Cao Pi.

He let out a sigh of relief as the man collapsed beside him, clutching his wound. As his eyes slowly flickered.. passing out from exhaustion and pain.

[Ye Qiao]

As the storm slowly passes there was a few men left in the courtyard alive. The Ax man attempted to attack once again when Xia Mei lunged at him from behind killing him. Qiao looked around the courtyard and saw some of her guards attacking a large built man. Qiao looked around once more and saw the man whom was helping her was out cold holding his wound.

Qiao turned her attention towards the final man the large built man. "Xia Mei tend to that man" Qiao ordered as she charged the large built man. A few seconds later the man was dead as sunlight emerged from the clouds revealing the carnage.

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi shuddered, everything was cold and dark yet he could hear everything. He could hear a woman's voice and feel her hands. Obviously she was n ally because she wasn't murdering him. He taste blood in his mouth and his chest still burnt but beyond that he was healthy. It took him a few moments to awake from his unsconsicous state.

"Ugh" he whined. His head hurt, in fact most of his body did. The remaining enemies either fled or were killed before they could escape. Cao Pi rose to his feet eith the help of the woman, using his blade to hold himself up. "Mm looks like we saved each other." He remarked. His own way of saying thank you. He was still intrigued as to who they were and why they were attacked and therefore used the time to introduce himself. "I'm Cao Pi, son of Cao Cao." if she hasn't gathered that already then she knew now "and you both are?"

[Ye Qiao]

Qiao looked at the man who manged to prop himself up and spoke "I am Ye He Na La Qiao or Ye Qiao for short. The woman who help you was Xia Mei my head maid. Qiao looked around her courtyard blood and bodies everywhere she muttered "I hate fighting within the courtyard it reminds me of that day ten years ago."

Qiao turned to Xia Mei and ordered " Find some maids within the other mansions and clean the courtyard. I want the courtyard clean before I leave for Xuchang." The head maid nodded and entered the back mansion.

Qiao then turn her attention at Cao Pi and calmly said "So you are lord Cao Pi I heard some rumors about you but I ignored most of them. As for the men whom attack me well I still don't have a reason why they would dare me."

[Cao Pi]

So the rumours were true. This was the girl who was without parents. Cao Pi gritted his teeth and looked around the courtyard. It was a complete mess. The grass was destroyed, the pond was bloodied and there were corpses everywhere. "It is a pleasure meeting you both." He wasn't a warm man or a sincere man. But like his father he admired talent and intelligent. Something both the Ye Qiao and her maid appeared to have in abundance.

"Assist the maids." Cao Pi instructed his guards. It was the least he could do. The guards followed his orders and began to clean up the courtyard. Cao Oi turned to them both "Rumours are nothing more than tales of bitter men." He smirked. "...oh you are off to Xuchang?" he asked intrigued. It was the capital of his fathers Kingdom.