The next morning Bai Li was surprised to find herself in her own bed, well the one she was currently staying at while in the West Sea. Not even Qian Qian knew when she returned. She found out that Ye Hua had returned to the Celestial Palace. She forgot to ask him last night if he would forget her suggestion to find someone else to marry. She would have gone to visit him, but she was needed here. Between Bai Qian and now Feng Jiu, who decided to visit after having finished her commitment in the mortal realm, she had no doubt she would be busy keeping them out of trouble.
Of course she should have realized that trouble often finds them. When retiring to bed that evening Bai Li heard a familiar voice call a name no longer being used. "Si Yin?" Die Feng's voice could be heard just beyond the door. "Speak up! What are you doing in the West Sea?"
She watched as Bai Qian stepped out of the room. She too slowly made her way to the open door. "Senior…" Bai Qian spoke softly. "I am seventeenth." Die Feng lowered the hand he had pointing at Bai Qian. Before he walked up and grabbed her. "You're Seventeenth?"
"I was too naughty then and I took Master's body with me. I was too ashamed to see all of my seniors." Bai Qian's voice was full of shame and tears started filling her eyes. Senior just pulled her into a big hug, finally relieved to find the wayward brother he had been looking for for over 70,000 years. "Seventeenth, you've kept us searching. 70,000 years and I've finally found you."
Bai Qian patted his back and let a relieved smile appear. "Senior." He pulled back to look at her. "Why would you disguise yourself as a woman? The maids said that Zhe Yan's emissary is staying here. Could that be you? You've been in Ten-mile Peach Tree Woods for the past 70,000 years?"
Bai Li's light laugh drew his attention to the doorway she was standing in. "Do you honestly think my sister is a man?" She walked over to Senior with a big smile on her face and a playful look in her eye. "I am Zhe Yan's emissary and the one who has, for the most part, been living in the Ten-mile Peach Tree Woods. She has been living in Qing Qiu."
"I only disguised myself as a man to train in Kunlun Mountain." Bai Qian explained. Senior seemed really surprised. He must have honestly thought Qian Qian was a man. "I'm Qing Qiu's Fox King Bai Zhi's daughter, Bai Qian. I've deceived my seniors. This is all my fault."
Bai Li decided to introduce herself as well. "Senior, in case you haven't guessed, I am the youngest daughter, Bai Li of Qing Qiu."
Die Feng just kept staring at Qian Qian in shock. "You really are a woman?"
"Yes." Bai Qian said with a roll of her eye. "You...you deceived us for so long. Qing Qiu's Bai Qian… and Qing Qiu's Bai Li… No wonder hundreds of years ago when Qing Cang was said to break out of the bell once again it was Qing Qiu's Bai Qian who sealed him up. She brought peace to the realms once more." Senior looked over at them again with a smile. "Only a disciple of Kunlun Mountain could have done that."
Bai Li huffed. "I sealed him too. How is it I didn't get any credit?"
Die Feng let out a laugh. "Good! Well done!" His face suddenly turned serious. "Seventeenth, Sister, answer me. Where is Master's body? Do you know that the divine energy has soared in Kunlun Mountain? It's a sign that Master will soon return."
"There are signs in Kunlun Mountain already?" Bai Qian asked him. "You already knew that Master is returning?" Die Feng thought only those at Kunlun were aware.
"We did. Mo Yuan's body showed signs of his return hundreds of years ago and recently his soul has reemerged. It is currently resting in your brother's body." Bai Li watched as Seniors eyes grew big. "We have a way to speed up his recovery."
Bai Li explained how they were going to use the Soul-gathering Lamp. She did not mention needing the divine fungal grass to make the elixir or that it would cost her half her cultivation to make it.
Over the next three days either Bai Qian or Bai Li watched over the lamp. Feng Jiu would often come in with food and wine, which only one of them drank while the other one stayed alert. Feng Jiu was quite happy to hear of her second aunt's happy romance. Bai Qian and Little Fox took great amusement at her embarrassment. Though after Second Brother came, Bai Qian and Bai Li got to tease Feng Jiu over the fact that he tried to see if Senior would marry her.
Poor Little Fox was now going to have to deal with suitors. Second Brother was determined to get her married. Lucky for her she gets to choose among her suitors. When the third day had passed. Bai Li went quietly off to bed. She would have to retrieve the divine fungal grass and she would need to be completely healed.
When Bai Li woke two days later, she was surprised to hear that Zhe Yan was waiting for her. She was even more shocked when he pulled out the elixir she needed to help Mo Yuan. She didn't know what surprised her more, the fact that he knew that she was going to sacrifice her cultivation or that he sacrificed his own. Zhe Yan had one last surprise for her, which did come until later that day. Migu came to see her carrying the Soul Jade. Zhe Yan had apparently asked Migu to go to the Ghost Realm to retrieve it as payment for a favor Li Jing owed Ye Hua, who saved his life. The stone would protect the prince's soul while they used the elixir to jumpstart Mo Yuan's soul.
"Li Li!" Bai Qian came running into the room. "You have to check on Master's spirit." Her sister looked more confused than worried, but it seemed important. "What's wrong?" Bai Li asked as she followed her sister to the crown prince's room. "I was checking on Master and noticed something. Use your magic to look at Master's soul."
Bai Li summoned her powers and forced her soul into the prince to examine Mo Yuan soul. The cultivated immortal energy surrounding him was powerful, enough that Mo Yuan would wake up sooner than she expected. What was more surprising was that the cultivation and it was not Zhe Yan's it was Ye Hua's. Ye Hua had retrieved the divine fungus and was the one to make the elixir.
The shock of seeing Ye Hua's aura distracted her, causing her soul to fly back into her suddenly. Her soul shook at the impact and her body trembled. She jerked forward and covered her mouth as she vomited blood.
Bai Qian rushed to her side. "It is Ye Hua's isn't it? Senior recognized it right away." Bai Li nodded. He did this so she wouldn't. She couldn't help but wonder how badly he was hurt. She needed to go see him. To see for herself that he was alive.
"I need to see him." Bai Li stood up and left before Qian Qian, Senior or the now awake crown prince could say anything. She was a little frustrated when the guards wouldn't let her in right away. They had to send someone to request permission. The maid that returned told her that Ye Hua has been busy with his duties. Secretly she prayed that that were true, but Ye Hua was like her in the regard that they would never let anyone know they were injured. Especially the ones they love.
Ye Hua was sitting sipping tea when she arrived. "You're here? Have a seat." He was acting like nothing was wrong. She was familiar enough with Ye Hua to know he usually used his right hand when sipping tea. And she could instantly recognize Zhe Yan's magic. His battle with the four magical beasts cost him an arm.
She approached him to look over it. But he caught her hand before she could reach his prosthetic limb. "What is this?" She looked down to see the blood she threw up had stained her sleeve. "I threw up blood. You are the one who got the divine fungal grass and made the elixir. When I soul casted into the Crown Prince of the West Sea, I found your cultivated energy. How much do you have left?" Bai Li could feel her eyes watering up.
Ye Hua just turned to her and smiled. "All right, I did make it." He stood and moved over to his bed. "Some time ago, the Heavenly Lord sent me to the Eastern Sea. I remembered that you needed the divine fungal grass so I got you a few blades."
She didn't say anything. Her mind kept going over what it must have been like. She was going to have to coerce Zhe Yan into telling her how bad he was. He had to know since he made the prosthetic arm. She felt herself getting irritated.
"Don't worry. I was born with more cultivation than most deities. The Heavenly Lord also transferred quite a lot of his to me once. It was a breeze for me to make the elixir. It's nothing serious." Ye Hua tried to ease her worry. Unfortunately, she knew enough to know he was lying through his teeth and innocent looking smile.
Bai Li walked over and sat down near him. "You have been using your left hand when you would normally use your right." He seemed to be a little disappointed that she realized the problem with his arm. "I was too careless. When I was retrieving the divine fungal grass I was bitten by the beast, Taowu. It's not serious at all. The Medicine King took a look at it. I will recover in a few months."
She debated about bringing it up the fact that she knew, but decided that he would tell her if he wanted her to know. "Ye Hua, you obviously don't want me to worry." She gave him a watery smile. Ye Hua turned to face her and smiled gently. "Li Li, what is there to worry about? However, the eldest prince of the West Sea took that elixir some time ago. His condition might be unstable. Yet you choose to come to the Nine Heavens at such a time. Things could go wrong."
She knew that it must be hard for him not to show how weak he was and he didn't want her to see so he was trying to get rid of her. "Qian Qian is there should anything happen. But I do have matters to attend to in Qing Qiu. I leave now." She barely made it out the door when Ye Hua started coughing. He was not in good shape based on the sound of it. She took a deep shaky breath to try and hold back her tears. She had a High God to intimidate.
Zhe Yan apparently had a guilty conscience and was working hard on his peach trees. When she found the high god he was drinking. "Tell me what happened." She crossed her arms as she stared down at him. Zhe Yan kept sipping and looking at his wine. She narrowed her eyes. "I will leave and take Fourth Brother with me. Now that Mo Yuan is soon to return, I can drag him all over the realms leaving you to tend to the woods by yourself."
Zhe Yan looked up at her and eyed her carefully. "I promise you." She added so he would know how serious her threat was. Zhe Yan let out a big sigh and stood up. "You are a vicious little fox." He shook his head before he started his story. "Although your husband is young, he's a very prudent planner. He had you keep a close eye on the Soul-gathering Lamp for three nights while he reported to the Heavenly Lord how it is against the celestial law for divine fungal grass to exist in Yingzhou of the Eastern Sea. He listed a great many reasons. He asked the Heavenly Lord to send him to Yingzhou to destroy all the divine fungal grass. The Heavenly Lord read his report and believed his reasoning. He agreed to his request."
He took a few steps forward as he recanted the tale. "But when Ye Hua returned severely wounded he thought that his grandson ended up in such a bad shape because of those four mythical beasts guarding the divine fungal grass. He regretted having overestimated his grandson's ability and not sending more men to assist him. It's because of the report that the Heavenly Lord would never have thought that Ye Hua ended up in this predicament for your sake. Tell me. Did he not plan this all out very meticulously?" Zhe Yan had taken a seat at the makeshift stump take during his story and now sat across from Bai Li.
Bai Li let out a sorrowful chuckle. "I should have known he was going to do something like this. He was so concerned when I told him I was going to go. He kept saying that I need to watch over the lamp for three days and that I should use that time to recover." Bai Li narrowed her eyes in slight irritation. "But what he failed to anticipate was my ability and knowledge of medicine to see through his lies. I am not as easily deceived as Qian Qian. I knew from the moment I saw him that you made him a prosthetic arm. Perhaps in a few thousand years he will be able to move it, but not in the months he told me. How can he be so silly?"
"He regards himself as your future husband. He wants to protect you, even from yourself. He knows you well enough to know that if you knew that he used up most of his cultivation you would do something foolish, like transfer yours to him without the divine fungal grass." Zhe Yan gave her a knowing look.
She knew he was right. She would risk being possessed if it meant helping him. If she had seen him in the extremely weakened form he had to have been in immediately after, she probably would have. "He knows me enough to know that but not enough to know that he can't easily fool me."
"But I'm very impressed by Ye Hua's responsible attitude. He has a very tough personality, much like a young goddess I know." He tossed her a look indicating that he meant her. "At 70,000 years old he slayed the four beasts all together. He has a very promising future." Zhe Yan let out a dramatic sign. "It's just that his elite cultivation is all gone. What a pity."
Bai Li stood up and looked at the old phoenix. "Zhe Yan can I have some of your elixirs for enhancing the spirit and essence? I know I can't let him see me worried, but I would at least like to be by his side."
"Perhaps it would be beneficial for you to go. You still remember that soothing presence magic I taught you?" Zhe Yan asked her. When Bai Li was younger she wouldn't tell anyone that she was in pain and insisted she didn't need healing. To help her without her knowledge, Zhe Yan used to cast a soothing presence magic around himself. That way whenever she was near him the soothing magic would ease her pain. "It might not heal him, but it should alleviate some of his pain and discomfort."
She nodded her head. If Ye Hua did notice the soothing magic, she would say that it was for herself or a new magic she learned recently while tending to the eldest prince of the West Sea. Bai Li made sure to grab the elixir from Zhe Yan's place before she returned to the Celestial Palace.
Ye Hua was in his night robes when she cloud jumped into his room. It was rare that she could see him so unguarded, especially lately. "Why are you staring at me like that?" His voice broke her from her thoughts. "You just looked relaxed. It's refreshing." It might not have been the complete truth, but it was close enough.
He turned to walk back to the bed. "Didn't you have duties to tend to in Qing Qiu? Why have you slipped out to come to see me in the middle of the night? Has something bad happened to that prince?"
"Qian Qian is taking care of the Die Yong and I already handled matters in Qing Qiu. When I was busy working on paperwork, I realized it must be harder for you since your arm is injured. I thought I would stay and help you in whatever way I can." She wondered if he could read her lies as easily as she read his.
"Li Li." Ye Hua patted the spot next to him. "Come here."
It seems in her haste to get here she had neglected to realize one thing. It was night and the hall she usually stayed in wasn't ready to receive guests. "You probably will rest better without me." She let out a nervous chuckle. "Why don't I stay with A-Li tonight and visit you in the morning?"
She turned to leave but had to stop when the candles next to her went out, forcing her unprepared eyes to adjust. Before they fully adjusted she felt Ye Hua's arm circle her shoulders to pull her back against him. "Now that I have only one arm you can push me away if you aren't willing."
She realized she was being a little ridiculous. They had already been intimate and her soothing presence would help him sleep. She gently touched his only functioning arm. "So long as I am not a bother." He pushed his nose into her hair. "You are never a bother."
She crawled in the bed and under the covers. Shortly after settling she felt the bed dip slightly behind her when Ye Hua climbed in the bed. The blankets were pulled off of her. "Would you like to sleep on the edge without a blanket tonight? Or would you prefer to lie in my arms under the blanket?" Ye Hua asked her. She turned around to look at him. She could feel the redness creep into her cheeks as she pressed her lips together. "I didn't want to accidentally hurt you."
Bai Li felt him scoot closer to her and pull her into his chest. "You already know about it all? You are as you have always been. You don't like to see people hurt." She pressed her face into his chest and took in his masculine scent. "I know and I don't." was all she mumbled. "Are you asleep?" She heard him whisper. "Almost. You need to rest too." She felt his arm come up to hold her and his lips press softly against her forehead. So far he didn't seem to notice the soothing magic surrounding her. Perhaps it will allow him to get a good night's rest. She doubted he had one in a while.
He was staring at her when she woke the next morning. She could tell that his complexion had improved slightly. There was a bit more color to his face and lips. "Did you sleep well?" She knew that he hadn't moved at all during the night. She was worried he made a slight coughing noise, but it didn't seem to bother him too much.
"I definitely slept well with you by my side. What about you?" He asked. She wasn't going to tell him that her worry over his health kept her up some. "I slept well. I am surprised that A-Li hasn't come by to visit yet." She didn't see him last time she was here either. Knowing Ye Hua he probably sent A-Li away while he recovered. "There's an assembly at Sacred Mountain. The Lord of Numinous Treasures is at the assembly as a speaker. Cheng Yu has taken A-Li there for some fun. I've sent Jia Yun to fetch him. He should be back tomorrow." He confirmed her suspicions.
Bai Li had a hard time imagining A-Li staying put at an assembly. She didn't like to sit still when he was at Qing Qiu. "I can't imagine A-Li sitting and listening to an assembly at all, let alone for fun." The thought alone made her laugh.
"A-Li only went there for the sugar cane." His response made more sense. He took really good care of his son. "You take good care of A-Li, not just physically but emotionally too." She smiled at him.
Ye Hua turned to look at her a little more. "Why would you say that?" Bai Li caressed his cheek for a brief moment, admiring the man who she loved. "You didn't want him to see you so badly injured and cause him to worry, so you sent him away." His only answer was a slight laugh. She cuddled into him more and felt him rest his head atop hers. They stayed like that for a good portion of the morning.
Bai Li's soothing presence magic seemed to be helping Ye Hua sleep and rest. She had also managed to sneak some of Zhe Yan's elixir into his tea. Though she was pretty certain he knew. Either way Ye Hua was now able to take strolls outside and they had been spending a lot of time in the gardens. Ye Hua even had his documents and her brought there so they could work on them.
Ye Hua was currently working on a tactical formation strategy and Bai Li had to say she was impressed. "You are very skilled. I remember studying tactical formation while I stayed at Kunlun Mountain and yours are very excellent." She let out a laugh. "Poor Qian Qian hated studying it and now can't look at any tactical formation strategies." He stopped and looked over at her with a smile. "What else did you learn?"
She paused to think about all the scrolls she read. "I read a lot while I was there. My sister was constantly goofing off with Xuan Nu, Li Jing or Sixteenth, which left me a lot of spare time. It would probably be easier for me to count the books I didn't read."
"Mother! Mother!" A familiar little voice called. Bai Li and Ye Hua turned to see A-Li walking towards them dragging a heavy looking bag. "A-Li is back and it looks like he tried to bring home all the sugar canes there." She giggled and moved to help him. Ye Hua's hand stopped her. "Let him do it."
A-Li proceeded up the steps towards them with a big smile on his face. "Mother! Mother!" She gave him a big smile. "You're back. I missed you." A-Li might not be her soen by birth, but he meant the world to her. A-Li turned to the woman standing next to him. "Cheng Yu! Cheng Yu! This is my mother! Isn't my mother very pretty?"
"So this is the famously mischievous Lady Cheng Yu." Bai Li had heard both A-Li and Feng Jiu mention her, but this was the first time meeting the immortal. It seems that Cheng Yu had not expected to meet her. She seemed really shocked and Bai Li doubted it was because of her beauty.
"Your Highness, can I touch Her Highness?" Cheng Yu asked while looking at Ye Hua. Bai Li suddenly felt like a pet by Ye Hua's side. "My mother belongs to my father. Only my father can touch her. Who are you to touch her?" A-Li's comment made both his parents laugh, but seemed to have deflated Cheng Yu's mood. "All these years, this is the first time I've ever met a high goddess. Why can't I touch her?"
Most of the women in the palace were either immortals or high immortals, even Bai Li has yet to see another High Goddess here. But she never would have thought that being one would make someone want to touch her. "You're now teasing my wife right in front of me. Cheng Yu, you're getting even bolder." Ye Hua teased the pouting immortal.
"Your Highness is so petty." Cheng Yu huffed. Ye Hua decided that the immortal female had enough attention, so he turned towards the young boy. "A-Li, what is it in your hands?" A-Li seemed to finally remember the items he was still carrying. "These are the sugar canes I brought you from Sacred Mountain."
Ye Hua smiled at his son. "A-Li is the best. Come here." He pulled his son over with his functioning hand and held him in a hug. It seemed to remind A-Li that his father was injured. "When Jia Yun came to fetch me he kept reminding me that Father's right arm is badly hurt. So I mustn't act willfully and ask Father for a hug. Father, does your arm still hurt?"
"It doesn't." Ye Hua pulled back to look at his son. "I can still hold you with one arm!" To prove hit he picked up A-Li and pulled him on his lap. "Don't move too quickly." She reminded him not wanting him to irritate any of his injuries.
Ye Hua turned to look at her. "Don't worry. Sometime soon I will be able to feel my right arm again." Bai Li had to remind herself that she wasn't going to let him know she was fully aware of his injuries. "Until then I worry about you over using your left arm. How are you going to write or paint your beautiful paintings if your arm gets overused."
"Should I paint you something now?" He asked her. "What do you have in mind?" Bai Li wondered if he would paint her some Peach Trees or a portrait of A-Li. "Her Highness is so gorgeous. Any ordinary artist wouldn't dare paint her. I'm afraid only Your Highness will be able to capture her beauty." Cheng Yu must really want to see a painting of her. It made her wonder if she would do the same if she ever saw Qian Qian.
The idea of having a portrait with her and A-Li was a good one though. "Come on, A-Li. Let's let your Father paint a portrait of us." She took Ali's hand and walked in hover to the small sitting mat in front of Ye Hua's desk. They got comfortable. "Cheng Yu. Come sit." She knew that the immortal would be absolutely static to be in the painting with her.
Cheng Yu was a very chatty woman. She had asked that she pass a message to Feng Jiu, hoping the princess would come to see her. Then she kept asking a bunch of other questions. She was eternally grateful when Ye Hua told them they could move. Even with his left hand he was a master painter. She couldn't help the laugh that came out of her mouth when she noticed he had neglected to paint Cheng Yu. It seems her future husband was a bit possessive.
"He is not used to using his left hand and it has affected his stamina." She tried to console the upset immortal. "He doesn't have enough stamina?" Cheng Yu's question made Bai Li realize she had inadvertently insulted Ye Hua's pride as a man. "What does that mean?" A-Li asked watching as Cheng Yu stifled a giggle and his father froze. "Does it mean that although Father can hold A-Li, but he can't hold Mother?" A-Li's innocent question was making her statement sound less and less like the innocent one it was meant to be.
Ye Hua slammed his hand down and quickly stood up. She found herself frozen in place as he approached her. Surely he knew she didn't mean it that way. When she felt herself get picked up and thrown over his shoulders, she realized that he was dead set on proving her comment untrue. "Ye Hua!" She soft voice exclaimed.
"Cheng Yu, take A-Li Back to his hall to get some rest." Ye Hua instruced the immortal woman before carrying Bai Li back to Zichen Hall. "Ye Hua, people are staring." She tried to get him to set her down several times during their short journey, but he pretended not to hear her.
Ye Hua carried her all the way to his bed and pushed her down while climbing over her. He kissed her lips with a passion, unlike the gentle ones he usually did. "Ye Hua" She finally was able to speak when he started to kiss her neck. "I have something important I want to speak to you about."
Hearing the seriousness in her voice Ye Hua rolled over with a disappointed sigh. "Li Li, why do you have to discuss this important matter now?" She knew it probably wasn't the best time to bring it up. She should have done it earlier. "You remember when I told you to find someone else?" She leaned up on her elbow to look at him. He stared at her for a bit before answering. "Yes."
"Back then, I overthinking some things and wasn't able to see past it." She caressed his cheek, softly rubbing her thumb along his cheekbones. "Please don't take those words as my true feelings. My feelings for you are the same as yours for me. My sister looked up auspicious dates. The second of September is great for weddings and pretty much everything. Why don't we get married on that day?" She saw tears start to gather in his eyes.
With a shaky hand he pushed her to lay next to him. "What did you just say?" She didn't know if he was shocked she had mutual affections for him or that she already chose a good date. "Fourth Brother said that he would speak with Zhe Yan about setting up a date should we want him to.
Ye Hua's eyes were really watering up and his breath was shaky when her brought his hand to rest on her cheek. "Li Li… Say it again." He asked with slight desperation. "What is it you would do with me?" She realized that he honestly was surprised she wanted to marry him. She didn't realize that he was so insecure in their relationship.
His emotions were bringing tears to her eyes. She leaned forward to give him a peck on the lips. "Ye Hua...I love you… I have for a while… I want to spend my life with you." He just watched her with shaky breath for a few seconds before turning to lay on top of her once more. He gave her a world-shattering kiss that left her breathless and wanting. "Li Li. Let's have another child." He kissed her once again, his tongue plunging in her mouth before retreating so he could nibble on her lips and down her neck.
The heat was overwhelming even after her clothes were removed. She wondered if he would always be this passionate towards her. She hoped so because it was slowly becoming an addiction.
She felt his lips press a kiss to her forehead as they lie in bed. "Why aren't you asleep?" She winced as she tried to snuggle into him. "My whole body is sore." He heard him let out a proud chuckle. If she had the energy, she would have hit him. "Li Li…." he waited to see if she was still awake so she let out a sound to let him know she was listening. "70,000 years ago, if you had had the chance to seal up the bell, would you really have done it for Mo Yuan?" She had often wished she did, seeing her sister so distraught was painful. "Yes. If I had had the chance I would have. So would any of the disciples of Kunlun and if I had ..." She dozed off before she could finish her sentence.
Ye Hua was getting dressed when she finally awoke. "You're awake already?" She asked. Memories of her confession sprung to mind and she wondered if Mo Yuan would act the same way Ye Hua did when Qian Qian confessed. "What are you smiling at?" He noticed she had a warm loving smile on her face. He walked over to the bed and caressed her face before repeating the question.
"You know. I have heard many people mistook you for Mo Yuan, but I never saw the similarities." She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Your eyes are darker and more calm. Your whole mannerism and body posture are different as well. He was very rigid while you have an elegance about you." She leaned up and poked his nose. "You both have a strong desire to protect though. Like it is your responsibility to bear the burdens of the world. Why do you have to always act like an old god?" She jested at him.
Ye Hua wrapped his arm around her and tucked her to his chest. "You can keep looking for a while longer. If you're tired, you can nap in my arms." She probably could have slept a bit more, but she also wanted to spend time with him. "The sun has already risen and I would like a cup of tea. Do you think we can get someone to make some?" He left to get someone to bring in some tea. While he was gone, she summoned the last elixir she brought with her. She was almost finished getting dressed when the maid brought in the tea. Ye Hua said he needed to speak to Tian Shu privately, but would be returning soon. She only had a brief window of opportunity to mix the elixir into the tea.
A-Li came hand-in-hand with his father. "Mother! I brought the flute music you left me." He came running to her with the wooden music sheet she wrote and his flute tucked into his belt. "Will you help me?" Bai Li smiled and summoned her Jade Flute. "Of Course, I will." He climbed into the bed and sat next to her. Ye Hua was sitting by his desk working on some documents.
She couldn't help but feel like they looked like a real family. Nor could she hold back her smile when she saw the maid hand Ye Hua some of her elixir infused tea.
A-Li and her had just started practicing when Ye Hua's mother and Su Jin entered the room. The young prince immediately left her lap to greet his grandmother. She too greeted her. While technically Consort Le Xu was supposed to bow to her, a high goddess, Bai Li decided that it was more important for her to greet her future mother-in-law.
"Your Highness!" Su Jin shouted before helping Ye Hua's mother walk towards Ye Hua's desk. "Ye Hua, you're alway so busy with work. Your tea has gone cold before you had the time to drink it. Why don't I get you a new cup of tea?" Consort Le Xu said carefully watching the tea cup.
Bai Li had thought it was a simple visit, but apparently in her rush to add the elixir the maid must have seen and had informed Ye Hua's mother. Bai Li tried to keep a straight face in case she was wrong. "There's no need to go to such trouble. This tea is at my preferred temperature." Ye Hua took a big sip of the tea despite his mother telling him not to drink it. "What is wrong with this cup of tea?"
"I'm just worried that you'll feel unwell from drinking cold tea. You've only recently recovered from a severe illness. What if you get sick again after having cold tea?" Consort Le Xu was a smooth liar, but Ye Hua knew what his mother was concerned about. "Mother, fret not. Li Li made me this tea." He paused watching as Bai Li rolled her eyes. "She added in the nourishing elixir from High God Zhe Yan. It's used for improving one's health."
Bai Li wondered if he always knew or if he just found out about her adding the elixir to his tea. "High Goddess is very thoughtful." Consort Le Xu said after turning to her. Bai Li stepped forward a bit. "I am just taking care of my future husband. I too want to see him recover quickly."
"Speaking of which, that reminds me of your wedding. High Goddess has been to the Nine Heavens twice already. Now that you don't seem to be leaving anytime soon why don't we move the wedding date forward and have it done soon? First of all that would comply with the Celestial Tribe's tradition. Secondly, this will fulfill the wish of the Heavenly Lord and Ye Hua's father. What do you think about that, High Goddess?" Ye Hua's mother asked her.
Bai Li smiled politely at her future mother-in-law. She already had plans to ask Fourth Brother and Zhe Yan to help set up a wedding date. Her parents too would have to be involved. "I may be a High Goddess, but I have elders who I would need to speak with first."
Her answer seemed to please Le Xu. "Good. I'll speak to the Heavenly Lord to prepare for the wedding in advance. After all, the marriage between the Celestial Tribe and Qing Qiu's Fox Tribe is one important occasion that is not to be taken lightly."
A-Li came running towards his grandmother, smiling ear-to-ear. "Grandmother, A-Li likes you!" The older woman knelt down in front of the boy with a playful smile on her face. "You mean that you don't usually like me?" A-Li answered as only a kid could. "I do but I like you the most today. I've been looking forward to their wedding. Then A-Li can have a reason to visit Mother."
"If they don't get married, you can't visit your mother?" Le Xu had a confused look on her face. "If they don't get married, Mother will have to worry about the Celestial Tribe's regulations. She has to sneak in here to visit Father. Last time, she snuck into Father's room late at night. If she has to do that every time, it will be really hard for me to find her." Bai Li wished for a bolt of lightning to strike her, it would be easier to handle than this embarrassment. She would have to teach A-Li that there were some things that should be kept private.
Before she left Consort Le Xu gave a hidden warning to Ye Hua that they couldn't rush their relationship. Bai Li went and sat next to Ye Hua, while A-Li returned to his flute practice. "So you knew about the elixir?" She asked him as she leaned up against him.
"Even my mother knew that there was something fishy with the tea. If I didn't, wouldn't that make me seem incompetent?" Ye Hua laughed. She pulled away from him slightly and gave him a playful glare. "How long have you known? This is the first time your mother came running, so she wasn't aware of the previous times. Were you?"
He didn't answer but she could tell that he knew from the start. "You could have told me, then I wouldn't have had to sneak it in." She pouted. When he didn't say anything she looked over to see him watching her. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Ye Hua pulled her against him again. "It's nothing. I just think that my trip to Yingzhou of the Eastern Sea was worthwhile. You now speak to me much more openly." Bai Li thought about what he said. "I have never had someone to wholeheartedly rely on. And with so many people relying on me to be strong, I didn't feel secure enough to be open about my thoughts and feelings." She felt him gently kiss her forehead. "What are you going to prepare for our wedding?"
"This is an important occasion. We must discuss it carefully. Lord Dong Hua just returned recently. He has much to discuss with the Heavenly Lord. Once the Heavenly Lord has some time to himself in a few days I'll report to him about holding the wedding." Ye Hua said after some careful thought. Bai Li wondered if she should still bring it up to Fourth Brother. They might be able to get an audience sooner.
Bai Li decided to head back to Qing Qiu. She already got her and Ye Hua in trouble when she snuck in. Besides, she heard that Second and Fourth Brother were at Qing Qiu. Fourth Brother was not surprised by her wanting to marry Ye Hua soon. Second Brother, however, he seemed to have worries. His first worry was that only the Bai family seemed committed, but he seemed relieved when she told him that Ye Hua's mother brought it up to her.
His next concern however, nearly had both her and Qian Qian falling over. "I've always thought it was Mo Yuan you had on your mind." Second Brother said thoughtfully. "Why would you think that? Fifth Sister is the one who loves Mo Yuan and he, her. I have only been taking care of him because I promised him that I would look after Qian Qian until he returns. Everything I did was to protect Qian Qian, not Mo Yuan."
"She's right brother!" Bai Qian exclaimed, moving to sit by her sister. "She knew how rash I could be and everything she has done from feeding Mo Yuan her heart's blood, to resealing Qing Cang, to breaking into the Ghost Realm was all done for me. I was the one who started the mess, she just cleaned up after me, like she always has."
Bai Zi nodded his head to Bai Li. "All right. Since you clearly know what it is you seek I won't hold you back. It's just that you've been engaged for a long time. Why are you suddenly in a rush to get the wedding done?"
"Ye Hua used up half of his cultivation to make the elixir required for Mo Yuan to wake up faster. He will have a hard time ascending the Celestial Throne and the trials it requires to do so. As his wife, I would be able to take the trial with him." She explained. Even if she could help him just a little, take just a little bit of his burden, it would be worth it.
Fourth Brother was practically beaming. "She's so faithful. So faithful." Bai Zi had a smile on his face too. "All right. I'll write a letter tomorrow. I'll have it sent to Mother and Father." Bai Li stood up from the chair and gave her bothers a slight bow. "Thank You, Second Brother. I need to get back, I promised A-Li I would have dinner with him. Ye Hua has been busy so I want to be there for A-Li."
Bai Li bid her siblings and niece goodbye before returning to the Celestial Palace. The first thing she noticed when entering Xiwu Palace was that it already was decorated for the upcoming wedding. She couldn't help but wonder if this was Ye Hua's doing or his mothers. Tian Shu was the one to greet her as Ye Hua was not in his palace, but the military officer was instructed to bring her to the Crown Prince.
Tian Shu led her to the Lotus pond. Her hands traced over the railings. She always hated this place. Her voice seemed to worsen and her heart would ache. Occasionally she would get flashes of images. They were hazy so she couldn't make them out. The fog that covered the pathway reminded her of those dreamlike flashes. "High Goddess, is there a problem?" Tian Shu asked in a bow. He must have noticed that she paused. "The fog is not usually her." Her voice was even softer than usual. "His Highness has especially arranged it to be so. High Goddess, this way please." Tian Shu pointed to the direction Ye Hua was in.
Bai Li continued walking, but the thick fog made it difficult to see. However, when the fog finally cleared she was standing in front of a circular terrace and Ye Hua was standing a few steps in front of her, gods surrounding him on each side. "Greetings to Auntie" All the gods bowed to greet her.
"Li Li, come here." Ye Hua extended his arm towards her. She walked over to him meeting him a little more than half way. "Li Li. These are all the deities of the Celestial Tribe." Knowing that this was something formal, she too bowed and greeted everyone. When she was done, Ye Hua held out his hand once more. She gently took it and he guided them down the path, past the gods who were fawning over was a perfect match they were.
Once they finally passed the gods she leaned in and whispered to him. "Why all the formality?" Ye Hua stopped to look at her. "You're the Crown Princess Consort of the Nine Heavens. It should be done so." Ye Hua always treated their relationship as if they were already married. He called her his wife and A-Li's mother. "You really know how to make a girl feel special." She smiled at him. He smiled back while stepping closer to her.
Rapid small footsteps had both Bai Li and Ye Hua looking up. "A-Li greets Father and Mother." Bai Li held out her arms for A-Li. "Did you miss me?" A-Li nodded. "I thought that I wouldn't be able to see you for some time."
She patted his small head. "You want your Father and I to marry right?" She continued when he shook his head. "Well I had to go to Qing Qiu to visit two of your uncles and your aunt. I asked them to make arrangement so I can marry your father soon." A-Li's eyes light up as big as his smile. "Really? That's wonderful!" A-Li grabbed his parents hands and started dragging them off. "I am so glad you kept your promise, Mother. Now we can have dinner together." Bai Li shook her head and flicked his little nose. "Silly boy, I always keep my promises."
Dinner was full of laughter and teasing. Ye Hua tried to keep feeding her food, saying that she needed to be healthy if they were going to give A-Li a sibling right away. Nai Nai came to get A-Li afterwards and take him to rest, while Bai Li and Ye Hua walked back to Zichen Hall.
"Ye Hua. My brothers said they would write a letter to my parents. If all goes well we can marry on the second of September." She told them as they walked into the hall. Ye Hua stopped and grabbed her hands. "Li Li, I'm afraid that we won't be able to make it then."
She tried to hold back her look of disappointment. "Why not?" She asked softly. "I have to withstand a heavenly trial in the Mortal Realm." He told her. "Why do you need to undergo a heavenly trial?" She knew that Lord Dong Hua did a mortal trial to repay Feng Jiu's love debt, but most trials in the mortal realm were due to a punishment.
Ye Hua sat down and pulled her to sit down next to him. "It has to do with those four mythical beasts of Yingzhou. Although I've rendered a great merit in destroying the divine fungal grass it's a great sin to have killed those four beasts. After all, they did possess half of Heavenly Father's powers. There's still much to make up for it after rendering the merit. I have to be punished. Hence, the heavenly trial in the Mortal Realm."
"How long will you be gone?" She asked him. She nearly winced as another flash came through her mind of a woman asking a similar question. "It's 60 years in the Mortal Realm until my mortal self dies. That's just two months apart from you in the heavens." His thoughts were only of her and how this trial would affect her. "But it will be a lifetime for you. What if you fall in love? What if Si Ming writes you a tragic tale like he did for Dong Hua or Yuan Zhen?" Her mind kept thinking about all the stories her sister brought back from the mortal realm.
Ye Hua gripped her hand slightly tighter to pull her from her thoughts. "Star Lord won't get to write my story this time. Heavenly Lord gave orders to leave my destiny blank. Whatever relationships I might have are entirely up to me."
"I am not sure that's better. It means if you were to find love, it would be something you chose not because of destiny." She pulled him to lay down on the bed. "Ye Hua. I want you to promise me that you won't marry or fall in love in the mortal world."
Ye Hua smiled as her playfully. "If I really got involved in such a mortal relationship what would you do?" She thought about it. She knew that if she were Qian Qian she would lock him up in the Fox Den until all he thought about was her. "I would…. I don't know." She finally said somberly. He turned to lay on top of her and look at her in the eyes. "I promise that I will not love nor marry anyone but you in any lifetime." Her eyes teared up at his words. She pressed a sweet kiss to his lips, but he turned it into something more. He pulled back to caress her face. "Li Li, let's go to bed." He then kissed her again. Slowly, the ties to her dress came loose and with it her sense of time and reason.
Bai Li wanted to see him off on his trial, but Ye Hua convinced her that as a high goddess she would be teased if she did so. She gave him one last goodbye by the gates to the Celestial Palace before heading off to Qing Qiu. She just arrived in Qing Qiu when she heard the bell of Kunlun ringing, signifying Mo Yuan's return.
"Li Li. Do you hear it?" Qian Qian came running towards her with absolute joy on her face. Bai Li smiled and nodded to her sister. Fourth Brother and Zhe Yan appeared with a puff of clouds. "Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister. Your long-awaited wish can probably be fulfilled today." Bai Zhen happily told them. "Fourth Brother, Zhe Yan, he is awake isn't he." She looked between the two men for a sign.
Zhe Yan nodded his head affirmatively. "Your fourth brother and I just rushed back from the West Sea. Die Yong had a tough night yesterday so I investigated with my soul-tracking magic. I found out that Mo Yuan's spirit isn't residing in Die Yong's body anymore. That's why I rushed back here to check on Yanhua Cave." He let out a happy breath. "Mo Yuan has been asleep for so long. He's finally picked a good day to wake up."
"Master is going to wake up?" After receiving a nod from the old phoenix, Bai Qian quickly ran off in the direction of the cave. Bai Li watched as her sister entered the cave. She wanted them to have some time together. "Aren't you going in?" Fourth Brother asked, watching her stare at the cave entrance. She shook her head. "No yet. They need time together." When the three decided to make their way in, they saw Qian Qian crying as she hugged a teary eyed Mo Yuan. Zhe Yan was the first to interrupt the intimate scene. "Mo Yuan. After 70,000 years, you finally woke up."
Mo Yuan looked a little shocked at how long he was asleep. "70,000 years…" It was a fairly long time to be asleep. "Yes. It isn't that long, but it isn't short either. Qian Qian had hidden out here in Qing Qiu for 70,000 years as well. Her and Li Li safeguarded your body to await your return."
"You kept your promise." Bai Li smiled at her old friend. "You kept yours as well." They shared a look of gratitude. Both happy that it was finally over. That the 70,000 year promise had finally been fulfilled.
Bai Li watched as her sister helped Mo Yuan to stand before they all followed the newly reunited couple out of the cave. "You must have had a hard time in the past 70,000 years?" Zhe Yan inquired to his old friend. "My spirit was split into fragments so it took me quite a lot of time to put them back together." Mo Yuan looked like he suffered greatly, no doubt trying desperately to repair his spirit to return to his love.
It was very pleasing to see her sister doting on the High God. She sat close to him and handed him his tea. Bai Li also could see the light blush covering Qian Qian's face and the lingering touch when she passed him his tea.
"Zhe Yan." Mo Yuan looked at the old phoenix next to him. "During the past 70,000 years when I was asleep did anyone who looked identical to me appear?" His question had Bai Li looking at him in shock and confusion. Zhe Yan cast a glance at her before speaking. "There is one such man. Your little sister even knows him quite well." "Sister, you know him?" Mo Yan asked after setting down his tea.
Bai Li nodded, the look of shock on her face was still there but far less obvious. "Ye Hua, the Crown Prince of the Nine Heavens, and my fiance." It was Mo Yuan's turn to look a little shocked. "Your Fiance? When was he born?"
"He was born about 70,000 years ago." She didn't know his exact age, but then again she didn't even know her own. After a while you just start counting millennia. "Sister, my twin brother is snatched away by you just like that." Mo Yuan had a small playful smile on his face when he spoke.
Once again the room was full of shocked faces. "Why haven't I heard that you have a twin brother?" Zhe Yan was probably the most surprised because he knew Mo Yuan the longest. "It's no wonder that you're surprised. I only learned of it when Heavenly Father passed away." Mo Yuan told the small group how his mother nearly had a miscarriage when trying to uphold and repair the four pillars that supported the heavens. She went into labor, but was only able to keep the elder twin alive. Mo Yuan was the eldest twin. The Heavenly Father felt guilty towards the younger twin that he used up half of all his powers to create a celestial fetus, which he turned into a golden lotus. Before he died, Heavenly Father entrusted the golden lotus to Mo Yuan.
"When I sacrificed my spirit to the Bell of East Emperor he was finally awakened." Mo Yuan finished telling them the tale. Zhe Yan let out the breath he had been holding in. "I only know that after Heavenly Father passed away you've dedicated yourself to looking after that lotus. I've never once suspected where it came from. It's no wonder. That the golden lotus withered when your soul and spirit vanished. Soon afterwards, Consort Le Xu gave birth to Crown Prince Ye Hua."
Bai Li couldn't help but think that it made sense. The same comforting warmth she used to feel when sitting by the golden lotus was identical to the one she felt with Ye Hua. She didn't connect the two until now. "No wonder when that lad was born 72 rainbow birds flew around the pillar for 81 days and the misty clouds in the twilight appeared for three years. He's actually High God mo Yuan's twin brother. Indeed. Only the twin brother of Mo Yuan and the son of Heavenly Father could be blessed with such a celebratory sight." Bai Zhen exclaimed when it all made sense to him.
"The records in the Nine Heavens stated clearly that Heavenly Father only had one son High God Mo Yuan." Zhe Yan jested with a straight face and voice. "It seems that these historical records are not to be trusted. Instead of reading those records, I might as well read Si Ming's stories."
Mo Yuan stood up and started walking towards the entrance. "Sister, Seventeenth. I'd like to meet my twin brother. How is he doing?" Bai Qian stood up and walked over to him. "Master. You just woke up. You'll still need to meditate for some time to be restored to your original state." Qian Qian was obviously still concerned for his health.
"Ye Hua is undertaking a heavenly trial in the mortal realm at the moment. I have not located him yet." Bai Li took a sip of her tea. She was going to find him, it would just take some time. Once she did, she would watch over him. He had no fate for her to change, so she didn't need to be too worried. "I will bring him to see you when his trial is over."
Mo Yuan looked at her and nodded. "That's good. I'll meditate in Kunlun Mountain to await his return." The God of War turned to look at the woman next to him. "Are all your seniors doing well?"
Bai Qian looked down in shame. "70,000 years ago after you passed away your disciples searched for us for several thousand years. Then their families came and took them home one by one. They went to fulfill their dutiful roles. Kunlun Mountain is no longer what it used to be. Moreover… I don't wish Master to see what Kunlun Mountain has become now."
"It doesn't matter. We'll set out toward Kunlun Mountain now. " Mo Yuan took Bai Qian' hand and gave it a slight reassuring squeeze. "Yes, Master." Bai Qian said with a loving smile. Luckily they still have some of Third Brother's attire. He was about the same size as Mo Yuan. It would not do for Mo Yuan to return to Kunlun in his sleeping attire. Once he was dressed, Bai Qian helped him pin up his hair.
When they arrived Kunlun Mountain didn't look like the deserted place it had been just a few hundred years ago. In fact, Bai Li could sense the presence of the other disciples. "This is going to be interesting." She grinned playfully at the thought of what their reactions to Qian Qian would be. Senior probably wouldn't have said anything.
"Are you thinking about that time when I took you to the mountain?" Zhe Yan noticed Qian Qian's far off gaze. She smiled and nodded. "During the 20,000 years I'd trained in Kunlun Mountain we always kept a low profile. It's only been 70,000 years, and we now keep such a high profile?" Bai Qian said as she took notice of all the people gathered there to see Mo Yuan.
"They are just in awe. Once they heard that High God Mo Yan had returned they came to immediately worship him." Fourth Brother playfully noted, taking in Mo Yuan's displeasure at the mention of people coming to worship him. "Kunlun Mountain is formed by a protruding dragon's bone. Perhaps it's detected that Mo Yuan will soon return so it's welcoming him back with divine energy and hence attracting all these little deities here." Zhe Yan nodded his head in the direction of the mountain. "So as not to disturb half a mountain full of little deities from their fun we'd better go invisible."
Mo Yuan agreed and with a move of his hand made them all invisible. Only one of the small deities managed to catch a glimpse of him before they disappeared from sight. All the disciples must have sensed their Master's arrival as they were all lined up ready to greet him. Sixteenth had sent word to all the disciples that the divine energy in Kunlun Mountain had risen greatly and that the bell rang. So all the disciples came running to greet their long lost master.