The years had passed by her like a light breeze. Bai Fengjiu noticed the years less so now than she used to. She hadn't seen her Gugu in over two hundred years and as for the man she dared not think of, even longer.
She had been crowned when Ye Hua had died. She had always felt the weight of the debt she had to him for stealing the soul gathering lamp for Mo Yuan, even though it had been that exact lamp that brought him back in the end. So, she had taken the crown, not just for the debt she owed him, but also her filiality to her Gugu.
Bai Fengjiu had never seen someone as heartbroken as her Gugu. She had gone mad with rage, isolating herself in the mortal realm with fourth Uncle. She wondered if it was harder for your love to perish, or to know that he was alive, but never able to be with you. She hid her heartbreak well, wore it like an armour around her heart. Foxtails love for life, and she was no exception.
She had settled into her role rather well. But part of her mourned the mischievous girl she used to be, back when she had snuck into the halls of Taicheng Palace to repay her debt, or when she had disobeyed her father and gone to the mortal realm. As the years had gone on, she had found herself pondering on these times less and less. Si Ming had stopped visiting and her life had become a steady beating drum of authority.
However, this steady percussion was interrupted one day, when Migu came dashing into the Fox Den.
"Little Jiu, you have to come now! There is activity at Ye Hua's tomb!" He called to her. She immediately stood, When she had gone to Mo Yuan, wanting to save her Gugu from a life of misery, he had been skeptical.
"You are so young, and you are fated to love another." He told her and she sighed.
"I am a Foxtail, I will never love another." She responded and he sighed. He knew the stubbornness of her family from years of experience with Seventeen. If she was going to do this, he would help her.
"I know how to summon fate for you."
She had stood and looked at her name, next to that of a man she had never met.
"I am sorry. I hope fate will find you another match." She told him, taking the mystical knife to the stone. She wept as she scratched her name from the three lives rock, fating herself to never love. But that was the deal she had made, her love in sacrifice for her Ye Hua. It was a price she was willing to pay. She knew she could never love the man she was fated to be with, because Dong Hua Dijun had stepped in the way of her fate, altering her forever.
Mo Yuan told her to wait after she made the sacrifice. She had expected him to council her on her decision, but he seemed to know he could not sway her. For a hundred years she had continued, jilted in heartbreak, and thinking that she had sacrificed for nothing. But now that there was activity at the tomb, she felt her soul come alive with purpose.
Si Ming had never been happier than when the little princess, now little queen, had caused trouble around Taicheng Palace. Ever since she had left, it had been rather boring. Everyday, he would write his fates, sip tea with Dijun and then they would take a walk to look at the lilies. It had been hard at first, watching how Dong Hua ached, not only from losing his essence, but also from losing his love. The day her godly trial had come and she had become a high Goddess, he saw pride in the Dijun's eyes. But that quickly was replaced with indifference.
Si Ming was sure Dong Hua believed that the little princess was the one depleting his energy. But Si Ming had a feeling that he was wrong about all of it. He had left the mortal world too early because of his deep love for her and Si Ming had an intuition that she had a role to play in his replenishment.
It was an average afternoon in the palace when Zhe Yan came crashing into the main hall.
"You must come with me now." He ordered. Si Ming raised his eyebrows, waiting for Dong Hua's reaction and how he would punish such rudeness. But, to his surprise, he stood and nodded.
"Take us." He ordered Zhe Yan. Si Ming was confused as he followed Dong Hua. It seemed that he was privy to some information that Si Ming lacked. But all of his thoughts fell silent when he saw Dong Hua's stride stunted. He followed his line of sight and saw her, the little princess, looking exactly as she had the day she had entered the palace, pink dress, nervous as a newborn bird. He was sure this was the last place she had wanted to come, after the Dijun had rejected her so finally.
Si Ming watched as Dong Hua regained his composure. When she turned and saw him, Si Ming thought he might cry, seeing the warmth in her smile. He felt the pain radiate from Dong Hua. She had known him for such a short amount of time, but she had affected him more deeply than Si Ming had ever seen anyone do before.
"Dijun, it is good to see you again." She told him and smiled at him.
"Let's go quickly." He responded, ignoring her.
Fengjiu had been so angry with Zhe Yan when he had taken her to collect Dong Hua Dijun. She had waited outside and mentally prepared herself. It had been almost three hundred years, but seeing the walls of the palace again, she thought back to the time she had spent there, the fun she had had, the love that had blossomed within her. She attempted to keep it sealed, in the most shameful corner of her heart. She hoped that removing her name from the three lives rock would render her incapable of love. But, when she saw him, eyes wide, halted in shock, she was knocked off of her centre with adoration. She had forgotten the softness of his skin, the depth of his eyes. But she had covered it all to greet him properly, only to be shunned. She understood and walked behind Zhe Yan and Dong Hua with Si Ming, her old and loyal friend.
Si Ming was so happy to be with the little princess again. He had never met anyone with such a positive energy as her and she always made him so happy. Not only that, but she made Dong Hua happy, which in turn, made him happy. Dong Hua didn't show it as they travelled to the tomb of Ye Hua, but Si Ming could feel his energy vibrating around him for the first time in over 200 years.
Mo Yuan greeted them at the entrance of the tomb.
"I can feel him." He announced, sending her a look and Fengjiu felt her breath hitch. There had never been any precedent for this. When Ye Hua had sacrificed himself, every realm had mourned. And if there was any way for him to be coming back, she couldn't imagine the joy that would fill the realms. The fact that she was responsible for that brought her a great amount of joy.
"How long?" Dong Hua asked and before Mo Yuan could answer, the crystal coffin began to rise into the sky before them. Everyone took a step back and Dong Hua instinctively placed an arm in front of Fengjiu, which she and Si Ming noticed.
"This cannot be happening." Si Ming whispered as the clouds began to part in the sky and the black robes began to levitate into the sky. Fengjiu looked to Mo Yuan knowingly and he nodded to her.
Zhe Yan supported the newly awoken Ye Hua as he stumbled to his feet.
"Qian Qian." he whispered again and again.
"Little Jiu, go and find your Gugu. Meet us in the peach forest." Zhe Yan ordered and Fengjiu nodded, pulling Si Ming along with her into the mortal realm.
"Why have you brought me with you?!" He asked, huffing.
"Because no one knows this realm like you! Now help me find Gugu!" She whined at him and he nodded, not being able to deny her, leading her to an old tea house.
Qian Qian stood when she saw Little Jiu and Si Ming.
"What's wrong?" She asked, knowing that Jiu would never come to the mortal world to find her unless it was important. She watched as Jiu burst into tears.
"Oh Gugu, it's wonderful! You have to come now!" She cried, pulling on her hand. But Qian Qian would not move until Jiu told her what had happened, but the minute Ye Hua was mentioned, she was pulling on Jiu's hand to leave.
Dong Hua watched as Ye Hua paced back and forth waiting for Bai Qian. He thought back to all of the times he had paced in his mind, wondering when he was going to see Jiuer again. Once a hundred years had passed and she hadn't bustled through the door with a tray of tea, he had lost the hope in fate throwing them together. His name was not on the three lives rock and that was that. Often he thought back to the pain in Jiuer's face as she attempted to carve his name next to hers, failing every time.
Everyone left when Qian Qian returned. Fengjiu walked in the peach blossoms with Mo Yuan.
"Was it worth it?" He asked and she nodded, smiling.
"He will be a wonderful leader." She told him and he sighed, wondering how such a young soul could be so smart.
"You are still so young. Do you not want love?" He asked and she sighed.
"I have had my love." She replied simply.
"Can I ask you a question?" He asked and Fenjiu invited him to ask.
"When you were with her, why didn't you ask for his name to be put on the rock?" He asked and she had often thought of this herself. But, when she had made the decision to bring back Ye Hua, the idea of asking Fate for anything else had never crossed her mind.
"Dong Hua did what he did to save the world. I believe I have done the same." She told him and he was so impressed by the young girl.
"You deserve so much praise." He basked in her wisdom and she shook her head.
"I just want a peaceful life." She told him and he sighed.
"You are always welcome at Kunlun." He told her and she kept that invitation in the back of her mind, to utilize at another time.
Si Ming heard it all. He felt his heart drop when he connected the dots. Somehow, she had erased her name from the three lives rock. All of this for your Gugu? He thought to himself. He had believed that Dong Hua had been the most important thing in the little princess' life. But it seemed that she loved her Gugu the most.
Watching Gugu smile up at Ye Hua was all that Fengjiu needed to see to know it had been worth it. Dong Hua had left the Fox Den before she could send him off and in a way, she was glad for it. Her heart yearned when she saw him. But it was protected by the knowledge that he was not the only one with a loveless fate.
It was not long until Gugu and Ye Hua were summoned up to the heavens and the Fox Den was once again empty. Fengjiu squeezed Gugu tightly.
"I am so happy for you." She whispered to her, feeling the fruits of her sacrifice.
"The light has returned to my life." Gugu told her and she felt the weight lift from her shoulders.
Once she was left alone, she sat and pondered her actions. She knew that order would be restored and that she could now relax back into her duties as Queen. She feared it would be a boring life, one without marriage or children, only the dull ache of a love unrealised. But, she had experienced her love, she had revelled in it for that short time. She sighed and sipped her tea, wondering if she would fall into a walking slumber for the next thousand years, destined for a life of boredom.
Si Ming plunged into deep thought when they returned to Taicheng Palace.
"What are you thinking of, Si Ming?" Dong Hua eventually asked, uncomfortable with the pensive energy in the room.
"So much has happened in one day, I think I will take a walk, if you will allow me?" He asked and Dong Hua waved a hand, wanting him and his deep thoughts to leave him in peace.
He was still in shock, hours after hearing of the little princess' sacrifice. He had to confirm it for himself. He walked to the three lives rock, desperately hoping that he would find her name. He searched and searched, checking four times, before huffing and letting his head fall into his hands.
"What have you done?" He asked aloud and wondered if the happiness of her Gugu was of such high importance, or if she really did believe that Ye Hua was a leader worth sacrificing her love for.
Dong Hua felt a shift in himself that day. He had pushed it to the back of his mind. But once he was alone, he allowed himself to contemplate his health. For the past 300 years his essense had been reduced to ten percent of his usual power. He had not cared so much, until he had begun feeling ill. His thoughts became foggy, he could no longer give sound council, so he isolated himself, turning away from current affairs.
However, after seeing Ye Hua again, after experiencing the joy of those around him in that moment, he felt a surge of vitality. He thought back to all of the factors that could have caused this and couldn't identify anything he had previous knowledge of in his extensive studies of cultivation. He wondered if the energy surrounding Ye Hua had worked some to begin healing him, but there was barely enough essense to bring him back. For the first time in a very very long time, he was confused.
The heavens burst into celebration. Feasts and games filled the lives of the gods. Ah Li, Qian Qian and Ye Hua basqued in the glory of his resurrection. Their marriage was scheduled for one week's time and the world had never seemed so peaceful.
Everywhere apart from Taicheng Palace, Si Ming was plagued with the knowledge that the little princess had made the ultimate sacrifice for the bliss of the realm, and Dong Hua was in a state of confusion about his partially returned essence.
"When will you tell me what has you in such deep though?" Dong Hua asked Si Ming, pulling him from his contemplation.
"You do not need to concern yourself." He pushed off the interrogation.
"That is for me to decide." Dong Hua ordered and Si Ming sighed.
"To be honest, I think the information will hurt you." He told him and watched as Dong Hua's brows furrowed.
"When have you known anything to hurt me? Now tell me." He demanded and Si Ming sighed.
"I cannot tell you who. But someone erased their name from the three lives rock to resurrect Ye Hua." He watched as Dong Hua's eyes grew wide.
"Are you sure?" He asked in a whisper, hoping that Jiuer would not be so foolish.
"I have already looked for her name." He reported.
"And?" He asked.
"It is not there." He confirmed and Si Ming let his mouth fall agape as he watched Dong Hua shed a tear for the first time in their acquaintance.
"She cannot know the burden she has taken on." He told him and Si Ming sighed.
"I think she considered it for a long time." He thought aloud.
"How do you know? How did she do it?" He asked, pacing around the room.
"I overheard her speaking with Mo Yuan, he was the one who helped her." He admitted and watched as rage grew in Dong Hua.
"I will kill him for helping her." He promised himself and Si Ming jumped up to his feet.
"You saw the little princess yesterday. Did she look sad?" He asked, in hopes of calming the Dijun.
"She doesn't know what she's done. Of course she is happy now. But in ten thousand years, when she still has no husband, then what?!" He called out, throwing his arms in the air.
"I think you know why she did it. I will leave you now." Si Ming felt guilty for sharing the little princess' secret. But he knew he could not hide it from Dong Hua.