Bai Li wasn't sure if she was unfortunate or lucky, but Bai Qian was already asleep by the time she was able to check in on her. Instead, she returned to her room to find Ye Hua there with a chess board all set up. Apparently, he wanted to finish one of the games they had started.
"Since your fourth brother is back, he has taken my study room. I can't read my documents tonight, so you'll have to play chess with me." He said as he placed another piece on the board. "The last game we played you barely managed to beat me. This time I will win for sure." Bai Li was determined to win. If she did then they would be tied, she would have won just as many games as he did.
Ye Hua smiled at her competitive nature and after a few more plays he spoke again. "I'll have Migu pack some clothes for you. Come with me to the Celestial Palace tomorrow." Bai Li looked up at him before looking back at the game. "If you win this game, I will."
It was a horrible feeling to be defeated. She could see the amusement in Ye Hua's eyes and he brought her to bed so she could rest. She had nearly won the game when in one move, Ye Hua turned the tables. She let out a deep sigh and decided that if she was going to journey to the Celestial Palace tomorrow she was going to be well rested.
Bai Li awoke to her sister grinning down at her. "I heard you were going to the Nine Heaven with the Crown Prince." She just rolled her eyes and sat up. "Yes, it is one of the few places I have not visited. Why? Jealous?"
"I'm more worried that you won't want to return. Who else am I going to get to do all the paperwork for Qing QIu." Bai Qian teased. She had noticed how close her sister and the Crown Prince were. She wondered if Li LI had realized that she was in love with Ye Hua.
Bai Li took a deep breath and looked at her sister with a serious face. There was one thing she had to do before she left. "Qian Qian. You really should speak with Li Jing. You need to let him say what he feels like he needs to say so you both can have closure." She watched as Bai Qian huffed and turned away from her. "You know I am right. I will be close by to make sure nothing happens."
Ye Hua was waiting for them outside. Together they all walked down to the pavilion where Li Jing was still waiting. "We won't leave until your finished." Bai Li assured her sister before giving her a little push.
They were close enough to hear but not be noticed. Bai Li watched as Li Jing offered her sister the Soul Jade. The stone would have been useful in the past, but Mo Yuan no longer needed blood from her heart. She was a little shocked to hear that her sister had once thought about marrying Li Jing.
Bai Qian told Li Jing everything she was feeling. He had never thought about all of the things Qian Qian had to go through. The Ghost Lord only thought about himself and his hardships. Love was about sacrifice. Sacrificing time, sacrificing independence and sometimes even sacrificing one's own life.
Li Jing was not completely ignorant. He knew that the reason why Bai Qian was not too upset with him marrying Xuan Nu was because she never really loved him. But then again, if he had truly loved her, he never would have betrayed Qian Qian. Her sister surprised her when she used a soft tone to remind Li Jing that they couldn't change the past.
Bai Li watched as her sister came over to them. "I am proud of you Qian Qian." She gave her sister a big hug. She knew it was not easy for her to do this. Qian Qian usually ran away from her problems. "It looks like it's about to rain. You two should get going." Bai Qian smiled at them. "Crown Prince. Take care of my sister."
The Celestial Palace was pretty, but Bai Li couldn't help missing the greenery of Qing Qiu. "Where is everyone?" She couldn't help but notice that there were no guards or anything guarding the place. Even the Fox Den wasn't this empty.
"The Supreme Venerable Sovereign began a sermon today. I suppose they have all left to attend the assembly." Ye Hua took a step towards her making her heart skip a beat. "I heard that when Yuan Zhen had his trial in the mortal realm, you helped Bai Qian discuss Daoism."
Bai Li nodded with a humorous smile. "Poor Qian Qian never liked to study. When I was at Kunlun, I read many books and discussed many subjects with Mo Yuan and the disciples. I am afraid the only thing my sister learned was fighting and smooth talking."
Ye Hua laughed at her memory of her sister. "In the past dozens of millennia nobody has been a good match to debate the Supreme Venerable Sovereign. It is quite lonely at the top. Now that you are here, you can debate with him." Bai Li shook her head and rolled her eyes at his playful flattery. "I am sure you are just as capable as I."
They continued to walk for a bit before she finally saw the door sign reading Xiwu Palace. "Is it true that you set up your own residence at just 30,000 years old?" Bai Li asked as she read over the sign. "That's correct." She was impressed. At 30,000 years she was busy reading all of Zhe Yan's medical texts. "I am over 100,000 years old and I still have yet to set up a residence anywhere."
Ye Hua held out his hand. "Li LI." When she set her hand in his he pulled her close. "I'll bring you inside." Be proceeded to pick her up princess style and cloud jump into Xiwu palace.
When her feet were firmly settled on the ground she took the chance to look around. It was far prettier than she initially thought. The courtyard was covered in peach trees. "So we have to jump to get in?" She raised a playful eyebrow at Ye Hua who just laughed. "To walk in from the front, all the halls high and low would have been alerted. All the commotion would have been annoying. It wouldn't have been as convenient as jumping in."
What he said made sense to her and she didn't like commotion. "Duly noted."
She glanced around some more. She wondered what hall was his. From the way he kept Fourth Brother's room it was no doubt orderly. "Oh!" She spun around to face Ye Hua, tapping him lightly on the arm with his fan. "Have you finally caught up with all the documents? I remember you couldn't do them last night."
Bai Li had to bit her lips not to laugh when the Crown Prince let out a deep breath at the reminder of all the paperwork he still had to do. It was nice to see a more relaxed side of him. She wondered if she would get to see more sides of him while here. "So where will I be staying? We came in secret so I didn't know if you had time to prepare a room."
"I have already prepared chambers for you." Ye Hua said as he walked over to her. She wondered if he had the room prepared long before she actually agreed to go. "Good." She paused. There was one other thing she needed to ask him. "About Mo Yuan?" Bai Qian had asked her after they returned from Grand Ziming Palace if Ye Hua was going to do anything with the knowledge he now had. "Nobody else will know."
She was relieved to hear that. "Thank you."
"Come. Let me show you where you will be staying." Ye Hua took her hand and began walking further into the palace. The hall he had chosen was beautiful. Young peach trees and flowers filled the small courtyard. "Did you choose this hall because of the peach trees?" she asked him admiring the beautiful blossoms on the tree.
Ye Hua looked over at the trees as well. "I planted these 300 years ago. Only this year have they finally blossomed for the very first time." Bai Li reached out to touch one of the blossoms. "That's a long time. Did you ever think about asking Zhe Yan?" Zhe Yan tended to ten miles of peach trees and they stayed blooming all year round.
She decided to look inside the large building that would be her new home for the next few days. It was large and well maintained for not having a regular resident. "The Hall of Beautiful Youth. It suits it." She took a few more steps inside. It was beautiful, but there was a heaviness that weighed on her and has since the moment she stepped foot into the building. She would probably spend most of her time outside or visiting A-Li.
"High Goddess, have some tea." The maid spoke from behind her. Bai Li looked at the young maid and could help but notice she seemed upset. "Your Highness!" The maid exclaimed having finally looked up for her bow. She then dropped to the floor and grabbed Bai Li's hands with tears in her eyes. "Your Highness, it really is you! I have waited for you for 300 years. You've finally returned!"
Bai Li looked at the maid with wide confused eyes. She tossed a glance to Ye Hua to see if he was as puzzled with the maid behavior as she was, but if he was he didn't show it. "Crown Prince's Soul-gathering Lamp truly is a sacred item! Your Highness looks no different at all" The maid had a bright smile on her face. It almost made Bai Li not want to let her know that she was mistaken.
"I think you're confused. I am High Goddess Bai Li of Qing Qiu." She told the maid gently.
The maid looked at her confused until Ye Hua finally addressed her. "Nai Nai. This is High Goddess Bai Li of Qing Qiu. She will be staying here for a few days. You will attend to her. Stand up." When she finally stood up, Ye Hua continued. "She will be going to the Lord of Numinous Treasures' Heavenly Spring. Go make preparations."
Nai Nai left looking crushed. "Rest for now. I'll bring A-Li here." Ye Hua said as he too left leaving her alone in the suffocating hall. The whole ordeal made her realize that the hall she was staying in was the one Ye Hua's mortal wife lived in. She wondered if Ye Hua was using her as a replacement for his deceased wife, who she must bear a striking resemblance to. Why did that thought cause her heart to ache?
Bai Li did take a brief nap. When she woke she decided she had enough of the hall. It was weird there was no sense of time in the Heavenly Realm. It was always light out. It would take some getting used to.
"Did A-Li's mother like peach blossoms or the Crown Prince?" she asked, noticing Nai Nai cutting some of the branches. "My Lady. After she left, the Crown Prince planted peach trees all over the hall." Nai Nai looked over at her. "She left right after the young prince was born. I was the one who raised him."
The maid obviously cared for and missed her mistress. "Mother!" A-Li came running towards her. She smiled at the small boy and bent down to give him a hug. The crash of a tray though had both her and A-Li looking over at the maid. "Nai Nai, what's wrong?" A-Li asked the dear maid.
Nai Nai just shook her head. "It's nothing. My hand slipped. Please forgive me."
Bai Li wondered if it was hard watching her take over the role of mother. She seemed like such a devoted maid. She felt A-Li pull on her. "Mother, I want you to hold me." She gently padded the boy on the head. "I can't hold you right now." Her body was still weak from her injuries. She could barely hold herself up sometimes.
"I know. You're going to have another baby, aren't you?" Her eyes went big at the boy's question. "That's what's written in the books. It said there was a madam who was with child and her family wouldn't allow her to hold a child from another family because they were afraid she would…. Yes, disturb the fetus."
She flicked the small boy on the forehead playfully. "Aren't you a little young to know those things?" Her comment must have made Ye Hua curious as he spun A-Li around to look at him. "A-Li. Who gave you that book?" Though Ye Hua already had an idea who was the culprit. "It was Cheng Yu who lent it to me." A-Li said innocently causing his father to sigh, his hunch correct. "Cheng Yu again."
Bai Li laughed softly. "I would like to meet this Cheng Yu."
"Even if she was pregnant, why would you be blushing?" Nai Nai asked the young prince, causing all eyes to look at the young boy's red cheeks. "I'm delighted. If Mother has a baby then I won't be the youngest in Heaven anymore." Bai Li could understand the problems with being the youngest. Thankfully, Feng Jiu came along and her title of youngest was transferred.
Ye Hua walked over to her and took her hands while looking into her eyes. "Li LI, why don't we have one as soon as we are married?" His question and the sincerity of it made her heart flutter. "I could be convinced." Bai Li teased with a light blush crossing her cheeks. Her answer seemed to have stunned Ye Hua which made her nearly break down into a fit of laughter. Her comment was totally all worth the embarrassment.
She managed to calm down before speaking up once more, shifting the topic. "Why don't we all go to the Realm of Supreme Purity?" She looked to Ye Hua to see if he agreed. He nodded his head and made a sound of approval. She took A-Li's hand and followed beside Ye Hua to the spring.
There were two lines of maids awaiting their arrival, five on each side. It made her wonder if it would always be like this. "How many maids would I get as your wife?" Ye Hua looked over at her with a slightly puzzled look. "10. Why?" Bai Li sighed realizing that this would be her life once they married. "I would rather just one or two. I have never had maids before."
"You don't have to have that many, but it is traditional." Ye Hua told her as they walked into the building covering the spring. "But what fun is traditional." She mumbled. The spring wasn't very big, but it looked inviting. There was even wine. "What kind of wine is that?" She asked watching the maids pour the different wines. "These are fruit wines. If A-Li wants some, you can give him a little, but he must not drink too much. You can also let him eat some seasonal fruit, but limit him to only half of each fruit.
Bai Li waved her fan to fend off the head while giving Ye Hua a smile. "You are so loving towards him. You have given him the love of a mother and a father." Ye Hua nodded a little solemnly. "I have been all he's had."
He took the open fan she had been fanning herself with and looked over the painting on it. "The peach blossoms on your fan look very nice but you're missing an appropriate poem. Why don't you take a soak and I'll add a poem for you? You can come to the study to find me."
A-Li was disappointed that they were not going in the spring together, but a quick pat and the promise of a song perked up his little spirit. The spring felt good on her body and she could already feel her energy start to return. She just wished the wine was as good as Zhe Yan's.
She allowed A-Li to take a sip of each wine she tried. She was shocked when he passed out drunk. His alcohol tolerance was far less than hers when she was his size. It was common in Qing Qiu for kids to drink at young ages. That is why they tend to have better alcohol tolerances. Nai Nai seemed concerned and wanted to take him to the Medicine King. Bai Li studied under Zhe Yan for thousands of millenia, she knew that all the boy needed was rest. She figured a half a day's rest should do, but it depends on how fast the young prince's body could process the alcohol.
After Nai Nai left, Bai Li tried to get more information about what happened in Xiwu palace. Turns out the palace maids and guards were replaced twice during the time A-Li's mother lived there. That is why it was so hard to find out what happened.
"I am ready to get out now. Can you lead me to the Crown Prince's study?" she asked the bath attendant. The last thing she wanted was to get lost in the Celestial Realm. She could just picture Ye Hua's face if that did happen.
The maid led her to the hall Ye Hua's study was located. Once again there were no guards or anyone in sight. It was quiet. As Bai Li walked closer to the study she started making out the sounds of a woman crying. She began to wonder if she came at a bad time and through she would try to return to the Hall of Beautiful Youth.
"Li LI. What are you doing coming and going? I've finished the inscription on the fan. Come in and get it." Ye Hua's voice called out from inside. It seemed that he didn't mind her intruding on whatever was happening inside.
Bai Li hung her head for a bit before mustering up the strength to go inside. She hated drama and it seemed that was all that surrounded her these days. Once inside she noticed the crying form of Princess Miao Qing and the kneeling form of who she guesses was Su Jin. "Here." Ye Hua handed her the fan.
She was just going to take the fan and leave, but her curiosity got the better of her. "What's going on?" Su Jin looked up to her with a mix of horror and shock. Bai Li guessed it had to do with her resemblance to Ye Hua's wife who Su Jin must have hated. There was something familiar about her eyes though. "You have beautiful eyes." She told the woman honestly. Though if she were to be truly honest, the beauty of the eyes did not sit well on her pretentious face.
Ye Hua took her hand and guided her to stand in front of the two kneeling women. "Princess Miao Qing. I truly have no place for you in Xiwu Palace. Return to the Eastern Sea tomorrow morning. If you do not overstep your bounds again I will not pursue past events. Consider it repayment for saving A-Li's life." Princess Miao Qing looked devastated at Ye Hua's words.
He finally turned to address the beautifully dressed woman on the ground. "Su Jin. You seem to value this friendship very much. If you can't bear to part with Princess Miao Qing, why don't you ask the Heavenly Lord to issue a decree to have you married off to the Eastern Sea?"
"Your Highness, I was momentarily possessed." the princess pleaded on her knees. "That's why I used a drugged soup to try to seduce Your Highness! Your Highness, no matter how you punish me, I won't resist! Even if I must be struck by 49 bolts of lighting every day I will not be afraid! I only ask that Your Highness not make me leave Xiwu Palace. My life's wish is to remain by Your Highness's side and serve Your Highness for the rest of my life!"
The princess's pleading was becoming embarrassing and it made Bai Li awkward. That and the staring that Su Jin was doing. She thought she would just leave, but it seems the action only brought attention to her. The princess rushed to her side and clinged to the bottom of her dress. "Your Highness! Your Highness! Last time, I mistook you for another. You helped me once. Please help me again! Your Highness."
Bai Li wanted to hit herself. She knew curiosity often led to trouble. Why didn't she leave when she had the chance? "Princess Miao Qing. I will not help you stay in the palace, but I will say you are not solely to blame." She turned to look at Ye Hua, who was looking a little amused. "I warned you that she had feelings for you when I heard you brought her here. I told you that your actions would sparked hope in her heart."
"But in the beginning she said she would be content just to be a maid in Xiwu Palace." Ye Hua tried to argue. "If you loved someone, would you be content just to stay by their side? Would you not try to gain their affections?" Bai Li asked him.
She finally turned to finish what she wanted to say to the princess. "Go back home to the Eastern Sea. Either cancel your engagement to the Second Prince of the West Sea or apologize to him for slandering his name. Prove that you can be honorable." With that said she left before anymore drama found her.
Bai Li didn't make it far. With no maid around she had no one to escort her back to her hall. Luck seemed to be on her side since Ye Hua came out to escort her back himself. "Say it." She told him once they reached her hall. "You have something to say." She looked over at the Crown Prince who was silent the entire walk back.
"I wanted to ask you a question. Why did you tell the princess to return to the Eastern Sea?" Ye Hua asked her. She wondered if he was mad at her and if she overstepped her bounds. "I thought you didn't want her here anymore. Was I wrong?" Could it be he really was attached to the princess? "Is that the only reason?"
Bai Li looked at him puzzled. "You didn't seem to return her affections and keeping her here would just cause you more trouble. If I am wrong, I am sorry to have overstepped my boundaries." Her answer seemed only to make Ye Hua more upset. "I asked you to go into the room because I wanted you to be jealous. But I didn't realize that you were just putting on a show."
Ye Hua took a step closer to her, his eyes downcast. "In your heart…. I have no standing. Bai Li, does your heart only have room for one person? How long will you wait for him?" He didn't even give her time to speak before he left.
She wondered what he was talking about. Why would she be jealous? She trusted him to be honorable. Why did he make it sound like she already had someone in her heart? One that she was waiting for? These questions plagued her mind as she tried to rest. It took hours for her to fall asleep.
"High Goddess! High Goddess!" Nai Nai came running into the room with a sleeping A-Li. "High Goddess." the maid laid the sleeping boy on the already occupied bed. "You said the young prince would wake up at midnight. It's past midnight. He doesn't seem to be waking up. Instead, his face is turning even redder. I was extremely anxious and could think of nothing else so that's why I came to disturb you."
Bai Li checked A-Li's pulse. "Most normal kids are better after 6 hours. However, it seems A-Li's body has a harder time than most dispelling the alcohol. The red cheeks are a good sign. You can leave him here. I will tend to him tonight so you can get some rest."
A-Li was still asleep by the next morning. Bai Li checked him over and saw signs of improvement. She debated about using one of the healing techniques to help him recover faster, but then his body wouldn't learn how to process alcohol properly if she did.
Unfortunately, she couldn't stay and tend to A-li. She still needed another soak in the spring to help her body recover. As she soaked in the spring she kept replaying the words Ye Hua's said to her. He said he had no standing in her heart. Why did that part hurt the worst? Was it because it was untrue.
Bai Li suddenly dropped down to hide her blush underneath the milky waters of the spring. She was in love with Ye Hua. How did she not see it earlier? All the times her heart raced when he was close to her or his hand touched hers. She wondered if she told him now would he believe her. Deciding that she had enough, she stood up from the spring. She would go check in on A-Li before she went to visit Ye Hua.
She just stepped into the hall when she noticed Ye Hua carrying a sleeping A-Li out of the building. "Did you give wine to A-Li? He has been sleeping since yesterday afternoon. What happened?" Ye Hua looked extremely concerned, far more than Bai Li thought he needed to be. "He has a lower alcohol tolerance than I expected, so I accidentally gave him a little too much fruit wine. He is just drunk."
"He still hasn't woken up. Why didn't you report this to me? Why didn't you summon the Medicine King to take a look at him?" Ye Hua asked her. "Why are you so anxious? I looked him over and it's nothing serious. Besides, when I first drank wine I slept for several days. Zhe Yan, Fourth Brother nor my parents were concerned. They just let me sleep. This will help A-Li build up a stronger alcohol tolerance."
She had hoped that this would help ease his worries but it did not. "You did not raise A-Li so you have been regarding him as a stepson. If he were your own son, would you still be able to say these words?" Ye Hua started moving away before she could even speak.
"That's right." The pain in her heart was causing words to come out of her heart. "I wasn't really raised with a mother, so how could I know how to be one. Perhaps the infamously kindhearted consort of yours can tend to him better. I apparently can't be trusted to care for a child."
If there was one thing she learned over the years it was the ability to mask her pain. Usually, it was physical pain and not heartache, but the same principle applied. Cover your pain with a mask of indifference and if you can't do that mask it with anger.
"You know that is not what I meant." Ye Hua told her before walking off. Bai Li knew what he meant. She was not acting like A-Li's mother would have. She let out a sad laugh. He lectured her about having someone already in her heart, but didn't he have someone already in his.
She decided that the Celestial Realm was not conducive to rest. Between the two maids she overheard this morning praising Su Jin while making her sound like an old witch and Ye Hua's condemnation of her care for A-Li she was not in a good mood. She would go back to Ten-miles of Peach Tree Woods. She at least felt at home there.
"High Goddess!" Nai Nai came running out of the building towards her. "Did you see who left the hall just now?" The maid had gripped her hand and was obviously panicking. "I saw." She felt numb at the moment. She didn't think that was a good thing, but it was better than pain. "You should punish me. It is all my fault. You treat the young prince so well. Even if my lady were reborn, she would be grateful to you. If the young prince ends up in Consort Su Jin's hands because of me then I… I…" Nai Nai cried.
Bai Li put a hand on the young maids arm. "Ye Hua took A-Li. Not Su Jin. If Su Jin had been the one to take him she wouldn't have made it out of the hall." As her words washed over the maid her body relaxed and relief flooded her face. "That's good, that's good."
"Why do you not like Su Jin?" She had a bad feeling when she met her the other day. She seemed manipulative, much like Xuan Nu. "I take it she has something to do with A-Li's mother jumping off Zhuxian Terrace?" Nai Nai bowed and her eyes lowered. "The Heavenly Lord ordered that nobody speak of that. The maids who knew about it were all sent to various deity mountains and are no longer in the Celestial Palace."
Based on the heated stare she received from Su Jin, Bai Li guessed that she was the new target for the consorts hatred. Another more reason to leave. "Nai Nai. Can you find out if A-Li has woken up yet?" She didn't want to leave until she knew he was awake.
Nai Nai returned later that day to inform her that A-Li was awake and he would be staying in Zichen Hall. Part of her was happy to hear that the young prince was being taken care of by Ye Hua. She decided she would leave in the morning. Ye Hua would be busy taking care of A-Li to notice her disappearance.
"I may not be able to return right away and don't know when I can return to take care of Si Yin….I promise you that I will return." Bai Li woke up gripping her chest as pain shot through her soul. In her dreams she heard Mo Yuan's voice. She never dreamed of Mo Yuan, though she knew Bai Qian did. She wondered if her dream meant that he would wake soon.
"High Goddess, you're awake?" Nai Nai came in and set down a large bowl of water near the bed. "Wash your face first and I'll make you breakfast." Bai Li set down the brush she was writing with. She was writing down a new song for A-Li to learn. "No need. I am going to spring again."
Bai Li stood up, leaving the sealed note to A-Li on the desk. Before she could leave the building, however, Su Jin appeared. "I've been helping Consort Le Xu look after the little prince in Zichen Hall yesterday and finally get to leave this morning. I rushed off especially to greet Sister Li LI." She had a smile on her face, but Bai Li knew that every word was calculated to inflict damage to her. "I see. Isn't your greeting too informal? I may not know much about the regulations here, but calling me Sister Li LI seems to be lacking respect. I am going to be the proper wife of the Crown Prince, not to mention the fact that I am a princess of Qing Qiu and a High Goddess."
Su Jin dropped to her knees in a formal bow. "What is this?" Bai Li said having looked back at the consort. She had noticed Zhe Yan outside her hall and wanted to ask him what he was doing here, but she needed to get rid of this nuisance.
"I greeted you as a side consort would to the legal consort. This is now a greeting to a benefactor. I thank the High Goddess for looking after A-Li these months. I'm very grateful. A-Li lost his mother at a young age. It's because of your appearance that he mistook you for his mother. I hope that the High Goddess won't take it to heart if he offended you." More sugar coated venomous words came from the consort's mouth.
Bai Li did her best to act unfazed by everything the consort said. "I adore A-Li and see him like a son."
Her words were not ones the consort was expecting, so the spiteful woman changed tactics. "Crown Prince was very devoted to A-Li's mother. When she jumped off from Zhuxian Terrace Crown Prince jumped in after her. After High God Zhe Yan rescued him he stayed in a coma in Zichen Hall for 60 years." Su Jin paused before continuing her manipulative speech. "High Goddess, look. The peach blossoms in the Hall of Beautiful Youth were planted by the Crown Prince in memory of A-Li's mother. His Highness hasn't been happy for 300 years now."
A sweet smile crossed Su Jin's face, but the cunning look never left her eyes. "High Goddess, since you resemble A-Li's mother I do think that it's fate. I greeted you so formally in hope that you could marry the Crown Prince sooner and bring some comfort to his half dead heart. "
Bai Li tilted her head to look at the woman kneeling on the ground. "Su Jin. Let me give you a little advice. Being smart is useless if it isn't guided by wisdom. Wisdom comes from understanding. So for intelligence to be useful, one must know when to use it and when to not."
"I don't know what you mean?" Su Jin looked a little jilted. The consort apparently didn't like that she couldn't predict her emotions. "Perhaps you should return to your hall and reflect on it. You are dismissed." Bai Li waved her hand in dismissal and turned her back to the consort.
The consort was not nearly as smug or proud when she left. It gave her a little amusement, but some of her words did sting. "From what I just saw, Su Jin must have tricked A-Li's mother off the terrace. What I don't understand is why Ye Hua didn't kill her on the spot."
"He did it once." Nai Nai said softly. She continued when Bai Li gestured towards her. "When the Crown Prince came out of his coma he was frail and in great despair. He acted as if he were a corpse and locked himself up in the palace. He didn't even care about the little prince. However, two months after he woke up, Heavenly Lord sent Lady Su Jin into Xiwu Palace. That day, the Crown Prince drove a sword right into her chest. Heavenly Lord arrived in time to save her. She has been protected by Heavenly Lord and moved into Xiwu Palace successfully. The Crown Prince only saw her as the container of my mistress's eyes."
That confused her. "Eyes?" A heated look crossed Nai Nai's normally timid face. "She stole her eyes from my mistress!"
"I see." Bai Li spoke. "It is no wonder why you distrust her."
She let out a breath. One drama down. Now she only hoped that Zhe Yan didn't have more. "Zhe Yan." She called. She hoped he hadn't gone far or her voice wouldn't reach him. He was entering the hall's courtyard by the time she made it down the stairs.
"I think that side consort only became respectful having caught sight of you." Bai Li teased. It is funny how one of the most informal high gods could inspire such formal attitudes in people just with one look at him. "I haven't seen you act up in years. I have learned much today from eavesdropping. You're still the quick-witted insightful girl you were when Fourth Brother raised you." Zhe Yan mused.
Bai Li let out a laugh. "I never was one to be afraid to put someone in their place." She her playful ended at the thought of the woman who did not know her place. "I don't like Ye hua's side consort. She is manipulative but lacks the discernment to make her moves smart." She paused before turning her attention back to Zhe Yan. "What brings you here?"
Zhe Yan looked troubled but didn't want to speak in front of Nai Nai. Luckily the maid had enough insight to excuse herself. "It's about Mo Yuan, isn't it? His soul is starting to return." Bai Li spoke before he did.
She laughed when she caught his shocked expression. "Zhe Yan, you taught me magic. I studied under you far longer than any of my siblings. Besides, I felt it last night, something left my body. I am guessing it was a fragment of his soul. How did you know?"
Zhe Yan turned and walked a bit before speaking. "Some time ago, Zhen and I went to the West Sea for a matter. We ran into the Crown Prince of the West Sea there. I thought that his celestial aura was quite unusual. So I used my powers to investigate a bit. That was when I realized that there are two spirits in him. He's the one who is awake, but the one that's asleep…"
"Is Mo Yuan's." Bai Li finished for him. "I told you he would return. Does Qian Qian know?"
He nodded while putting his arm on her shoulder. "I already told her and she has already left for the West Sea. She was quite emotional, as I am sure you can imagine."
Bai Qian had been waiting for so long and there were a few times she nearly lost hope. After he didn't wake up 300 years ago, she was despondent. Bai Li was happy that her sister's wait would soon be over.
Something she remembered reading in one of Zhe Yan's medical text books popped into her mind. It was not healthy for two souls to share a body as that meant they would have to share immortal powers. "Can the prince's body handle Mo Yuan's soul? From what I have heard, he isn't particularly powerful."
"The Crown Prince of West Sea is just about mediocre. His immortal powers are used to nurse himself and also Mo Yuan." Zhe Yan had a concerned look. "As days go by, his body weakens. It will probably take another 7,000 or 8,000 years for Mo Yuan to wake up."
She wondered if the Crown Prince of the West Sea could last that long. "Why choose him? Wouldn't a stronger immortal be better? What was Mo Yuan thinking?"
"Mo Yuan surely has his reason for choosing the Crown Prince of the West Sea. He owed Mo Yuan a favor when he was still young. Let's just say that he's repaying his kindness. Moreover, the Second Prince of the West Sea is his senior disciple. We'll regard it as repaying his brother's mentor." Zhe Yan knew more about Mo Yuan's past then her and his reason did make a little sense.
Bai Li smiled. "This is wonderful. I knew he would come back. He always keeps his promise." A light chuckle of relief passed through her lips. "It's almost over." She could finally relax.
Zhe Yan too had a smile on his face as he watched her. "You look happy."
"I am. Zhe Yan. I want to see Mo Yuan and Qian Qian. Can you take me to the West Sea?" She asked him hurriedly. She wanted to get there as soon as possible. She already wrote a letter to Ye Hua thanking him for bringing her to the spring and a letter to A-Li with some more flute music to learn. "Let's go."
Bai Qian was waiting for them on the shore. Anxiously wringing her hands and pacing back and forth. "What took you so long?" She ran up to them and pulled them to the spot they would need to cross. Both Bai Li and Zhe Yan shook their heads at her antics. The Water King was very concerned about his son, who fell ill 600 years prior. So far no one has been able to cure him.
Zhe Yan hadn't informed the Water King who her or her sister was. He thought they were an emissary that was there to help their son. She was the primary one to look at the Crown Prince of the West Sea and Bai Qian was acting as her disciple.
Unfortunately for the Water King, Bai Li knew that the only way to cure his son would be to remove Mo Yuan's soul and she didn't know how to do that yet. "Can I ask that you all please leave the room? My disciple and I need to concentrate if we are to identify what is plaguing the Crown Prince." She could tell the Water King was a little hesitant to leave his son's side, but would do so if it could help.
The moment the room was clear Bai Li knocked the prince unconscious. "Let me look first, then you can." She told her sister before using her magic to peer into the prince's body. It was smokey, but eventually she was able to locate Mo Yuan's sleeping soul. "It is you. Do you know how long I have waited, how long Qian Qian has waited?" She smiled down at the resting soul. "I knew you would keep your promise. Welcome back."
She allowed her sister some time to visit with Mo Yuan's sleeping soul. She kept thinking about how she could aid in the recovery of Mo Yuan's soul. The Crown Prince was not in a good condition and she feared he would not survive long enough for Mo Yuan to recover.
Perhaps she could use the Soul-gathering Lamp to transfer some of her immortal essence to jumpstart the recovery. "It's him Li LI." She heard her sister's teary voice, "We've finally found him." Bai Li put an arm around her sister's shoulder. "Why don't you see if there is a place for you to rest. I need to ask Zhe Yan about something."
Walked outside, hoping to speak with Zhe Yan, but was told by the maids that he already left and the Water King was greeting an important guest. She debated about interrupting, but the sooner she obtained the Soul-gathering Lamp the sooner she would be able to return Mo Yuan to her sister's side. "Take me to the Grand Hall."
When the maids opened the door to the Grand Hall, she had expected to see the Water King and his guest. However, the one seated on the main bench was not the Water King, but Ye Hua. Part of her wanted to turn and run, but she wasn't cowardly and wouldn't run from her problems.
The maids shut the doors behind her, leaving her alone in the room with Ye Hua. She stood there for a bit watching him. She felt her heart clench remembering that when he looked at her and only saw his mortal wife. When he didn't speak she decided to leave. If he didn't want to address her, she wouldn't address him.
Before she could reach the door though, Ye Hua appeared next to her and grabbed her hand. He pulled her next to a crystal pillar and up against the wall. "What are…" she didn't get to finish her sentence as he pressed his lips against hers. She felt his tongue enter her mouth before he pulled back to bite her lip. "Ye Hua.." Once again she was cut off with a kiss.
He nibbled on her lips before moving down her neck. It wasn't until he pulled her dress to the side and saw her scar that he stopped. She quickly pushed him away and fixed her dress. Her downcast eye only moved to look at him when he placed his hand over her scar.
"Bai Li…. Do I have a place in your heart?" Ye Hua whispered. "You've waited 70,000 years for him. Now that he's returned… you certainly couldn't care for anyone else. It was just wishful thinking."
Bai Li watched as he turned away from her. She wanted to ask him what he meant by those questions. He was the one who couldn't let go. "You are talking about Mo Yuan. How did you know?"
"Zhe Yan told me about it. I even know that in order to make him wake up sooner you will need the Soul-gathering Lamp." Ye Hua turned to look at her once again. "Tell me. What else do you plan to do after getting the lamp?"
The Soul-gathering Lamp was only once part of what she needed to jumpstart Mo Yuan's recovery. It seems that Ye Hua was aware of that fact as well. "I will need to travel to Yingzhou to get divine fungal grass. I need it to make an elixir using my cultivation. This way Crown Prince Die Yong will only have to suffer for a few more months instead of thousands of years."
Ye Hua looked at her with glossy eyes. "You're crazy. You think that you can get the divine fungal grass so easily?"
"I am stronger than most think. I know that the four mythical beasts guarding the grass are very powerful. I remember how badly injured my father was when he fought them. I do not plan on trying to kill them, just holding them off long enough to get the grass." She might not be as strong as her father, but she was his daughter and she was not weak.
Ye Hua grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him. "And you still plan to do it? You haven't completely healed from your injuries."
"Yes. It is something I need to do." She said softly. She could not let her sister go. She made a promise to protect her, not let her run off into danger. "You would risk your life for him?" Ye Hua shouted, his glossy eyes watering even more.
She pushed him away. She could not let him stop her. "I made a promise." She paused and looked at him. Her heart clenched with the words she was about to say. "Ye Hua. I know that the Heavenly Lord plans on passing the throne to you. I won't be able to withstand the sacred blazes or holy lightning bolts with you…...Perhaps, you should find someone better suited. Someone who can give you what you want."
She knew that this would be painful, but she didn't know what was worse, the pain in her heart or the pain in his eyes. However, this would be best for him. She couldn't be his dead wife. If she wasn't in the picture, perhaps he could finally move on.
"I understand. Come to my room tonight. The Soul-gathering Lamp isn't in the Celestial Palace. I have it with me." He brushed past her as he walked to the door. He paused and after a bit he spoke again. "It all turns out to be just wishful thinking after all. How much do I owe you? Who knows what you owe me? It's all a mess now. It can't be sorted out anymore."
The moment the doors closed and she thought he was far enough away, she dropped to the floor sobbing. It was a bitter end to a love that never truly started.
Bai Qian instantly knew something was wrong with her sister, but she didn't appear to want to share. She had the servants bring in wine to coax her sister into talking. They made it though a half a bottle when Fourth Brother showed up. "Fourth Brother? You're here to grab a drink with Senior?" Bai Qian asked as she moved to sit on the same cushion as her sister, allowing her brother to take hers.
"I do often drink with your Senior but this time, I am here to visit my sisters." Bai Zhen moved to take the spot his sister vacated. "What's wrong with Little Six? Her injuries are mostly healed, but she still looks so pale." Bai Qian sighed and wrapped her arms around her sister. "She won't tell me."
Bai Li took a deep breath. She was feeling a bit more settled and knew that her siblings would keep pestering her until she told them. "I told Ye Hua he should find another bride." Both her siblings gave her a shocked look and simultaneously cried out the same question. "Why?" Bai Qian decided to add on to the question. "I thought you liked him."
"I do. I love him and that is the problem." She noticed her siblings' shocked faces. "He is still in love with his mortal wife. I am just a replacement. A poor one at that. When I was at the Celestial Palace, I overestimated A-Li's alcohol limit and he ended up sleeping for 14 or 15 hours. Ye Hua got mad and said that I don't treat A-Li like my own. I realized that he wanted me to replace his mortal wife and when I didn't measure up he got angry."
They were quiet for a bit as they let the shock of her initial words settle. "A-Li is just a child. You fed him so much wine that he got drunk and slept for 14 or 15 hours? You didn't even send anyone to inform Ye Hua. I know you are skilled in medicine, but does Ye Hua know? Then you left without saying a word about where you were going." Bai Zhen paused before addressing the other part of what she said. "What makes you think he is trying to replace you with his mortal wife?"
Bai Li stood up, feeling a little claustrophobic and wanting more space. "The things he says and does. When he confessed to me, he told me he never cooked for anyone but me. However, I know he cooked for A-Li's mother."
"What? He already confessed his feelings for you? Good. If he falls for the sister I brought up, he does have good taste." Bai Zhen stood up and smiled at his youngest sister. He remembered the day she was born and he held her in his arms. He knew that she was special and would become very precious to him. He was a little upset with Zhe Yan returned with news that Little Six had been engaged to the Crown Prince. He was so mad that he left and didn't speak to the old phoenix for quite a while.
Bai Qian took another sip of her wine. She didn't feel the need to stand and was perfectly comfortable sitting. "Li LI. Do you honestly think the Crown Prince would confess to a woman he did not love? Perhaps the fact that you bear similarities with A-Li's mother initially attracted him to you, but you are you. There is no one in this world with a personality like yours."
Fourth Brother nodded his head as well. "I almost feel sorry for him. Li LI doesn't like to let people know what she is feeling and often takes on more responsibilities than she should bear. He has a challenging and troublesome love." he teased. He then clapped his hands behind his back. "Well I feel more at ease. I leave her in your care Little Five." He proceeded to spin around and walk out of the room the two sisters were using.
"Sixth Sister." Qian Qian put a hand on her shoulders. "You were always more perceptive when it comes to love. Can't you see that Ye Hua loves you. The you who is witty, argumentative, stubborn and difficult to read. Go to him."
Bai Li slowly made her way to the room Ye Hua was staying in. She wondered if he was still mad at her and how she was going to take back her words. She looked up when she heard the clanking of bottles. Apparently what she said really upset Ye Hua. He had already consumed several bottles of wine. Which was surprising because supposably A-Li got his weak tolerance for alcohol from him.
Now that she was here in front of him, all the things she had planned to say left her head. "You're here for the Soul-gathering Lamp?" Ye Hua stood up and looked like he was about to fall over. "Come with me."
He led her into the room and sitting on its case was the same lamp Feng Jiu stole for Qian Qian on her birthday. "The lamp is here. Put this at Die Yong's bedside for three days. Mo Yuan's soul will gather there. You must remember that throughout those three days the light must not go out. You can't use your powers to protect it either. You have to keep it lit by yourself."
"I know. We'll take precautions." She knew her sister would do everything to ensure the light stays lit. Ye Hua's eyes turned downcast. "I worry for nothing. You'll certainly take good care of Mo Yuan dutifully.
Ye Hua moved away from her and over to the bed. Bai Li wondered if he was having trouble standing. Perhaps it would be best to speak in the morning when he is sober. She decided to grab the lamp and return in the morning. When she moved closer to the lamp she felt the faint traces of a mortal's aura.
"There is a faint trace of a mortal's aura. You…." She wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer, even though she already knew whose aura it was. "I've used this lamp once."
Bei Wei wondered if her sister was right. He was giving her the lamp he once used to try and bring his mortal wife's soul back. She had a feeling this item was very precious to him yet he so easily gave it to her. "Thank you." She took the lamp and started to leave but something was telling her that if she left now she would regret it.
"You have already done so much for me and my sister. Please tell me if there is anything you want." She spoke softly to him. "There's nothing I want." He looked like he wanted to say something, but decided not to. If he didn't feel like talking then there was no point in staying. "If you think of something, let me know." When she turned to walk out the door she couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't symbolic of the situation as well.
"All I ever wanted…" He suddenly spoke causing her to turn around. "All I want has always been just you." She wasn't sure if it was the nervousness or his words but her mouth moved before her mind could comprehend what it said. "But I am already yours." The moment she spoke it she felt her heart stop and wondered if you could die from embarrassment. When he stood up she suddenly felt the urge to flee "Forget I said that. I will be going."
Bai Li's hasty exit was thwarted when Ye Hua magically closed the doors shut in front of her. She stayed staring at the door debating if she should even look back. Before she managed to work up the courage to turn around, she found herself swept up princess style and dropped on the bed. She moved to sit up while vaguely catching sight of Ye Hua removing his outer robe.
Suddenly lips were on hers and she fell to the bed once more. His lips moved against hers with a passion, caressing hers while his tongue swept over them before plunging into her mouth. It wasn't until they seperated for breath that she realized she was no longer dressed. "My clothes…" Ye Hua kissed her neck once before responding. "I find them troublesome, so I took our clothes off with magic." He moved to kiss her again but she managed to get her hand up to block him. "Do you really want to be with me?"
Ye Hua grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I want to be with you." He leaned his head down and kissed her again. She let herself succumb to his loving caresses and passionate kisses. It was breathtaking. She didn't know where she ended and he began. It was even more beautiful than described in the plays that Qian Qian likes to watch.
"You're not asleep yet?" Ye Hua whispered as he caressed her cheek. She turned and snuggled into his chest, her hands tracing the scar that ran diagonally across his chest. "How is it that you got injured? From all the stories Fourth Brother has told me, you were undefeatable."
Ye Hua turned to lay on his back staring up at the ceiling. "If I hadn't purposely let them win, how could a mere mermaid hurt me."
That was not the answer she was expecting. She thought maybe he took a hit for someone or it was due to a betrayal. "Why would you allow yourself to get so badly injured?"
Ye Hua took a deep breath. "All my life, I've never envied anyone. Apart from my Uncle Sang Ji. Have you heard that he eloped with Shao Xin?" Bai Li rolled her eyes at him. "Why would I know that? Other than the fact that the whole ordeal involved my sister." He let out a laugh and a content smile appeared on his face.
"My uncle sought love and found it. It might have been a tough journey, but it ended well. The Heavenly Lord might dote on him, but he never made him the Crown Prince. Without such a title, it was easy for him to get away." He continued.
She knew even without him saying it that he took the hit so he could be with the one he loved. "Are you still envious?" Ye Hua turned his head to look at her. "Although I'm the Crown Prince, it's fortunate that the woman I love is Qing Qiu's High Goddess Bai Li." She couldn't stop the smile that crossed her face. She leaned up to give him a light kiss before she laid her head back down on his shoulder.
"Li LI." He waited until she gave a sound that she was listening. "If one day, someone took your eyes….Would you forgive him?" She struggled to compose a thought in her sleepiness, but she did manage to reply. "I am not known to easily forgive."
She was about to drift off when he spoke again. "You must remember to keep that Soul-gathering Lamp lit for three days. You can't be even one hour short. You can't use magical powers. You have to watch it yourself. Use the time to rest and recover from your injury."
"I know. I remember reading it in Zhe Yan's texts. Don't worry." In the far back of her mind she wondered if he was leaving. The thought of him leaving made her heart ache.
The emotional drama that took place during that day had finally caught up to her because soon she was fast asleep. However, her dreams were of a mortal that looked like her and a Ye Hua telling her he was leaving.