at first, my heart was like a wavering haze
on a day when thousands of skylarks sing;
It was like small clouds flying together
in the verdant river
where the fish with glittering scales swim.

but when you came one day in his shape,
I became a mad whirlwind.
I became a torrential rain,
a cascading waterfall from a cliff.

- On the Day that Shines Again (Korean poem)

"Pick the green beans for toffee and cream" Fengjiu was feeding haw berry syrup to Gungun when Migu announced that Dijun was back. "Isn't that pick the green beans for dowry?" He asked. "Yes but toffee and cream rhymes better don't you think?" Dijun smiled, there was still a part of her that remembered him and Gungun too. She was comforting him just as she always did whenever his stomach ached. "Dijun, it seems he ate too much and he has a stomachache. I have fed him haw berry syrup, he will be alright in a while." Donghua picked him up and rubbed his belly to soothe him. "Dijun if I may, you need to rub his belly this way." She placed her palm above his and showed him how to gently apply pressure on the sides of his belly. " yes exactly like this, Prince Wuji you will feel better in a minute." She assured as Dijun carried him back.

Fengjiu settled down to complete her schoolwork. School was always hard but this stuff was way beyond her abilities. She had missed a lot it seems while she was training. She would have to ask her uncle for help. She was always restless but today it seemed that she couldn't concentrate however hard she tried. Should she check up on Gungun?was he ok now?But then where was Dijun staying and was it ok to disturb him. Fengjiu it was just a stomachache, he must be ok. But he is a kid. Why are you so worried about a kid you just met today. He is with his father who can definitely take care of him. He would have asked for help if needed. You aren't a doctor anyway. He can always go to Zhe Yan if needed. Reassuring herself she tried again to focus on the task at hand. But all her efforts were in vain. She decided to beg Bai Zhen for help and collecting her books left for Zhe Yan's peach forest.

Jingwei was in hiding again and Bai Zhen had gone looking for him. Zhe Yan was sulking and hardly in the mood to help her. Resigned she settled atop a tree to enjoy the breeze. Donghua Dijun was sitting in a pavilion. He poured fragrant tea into a celadon cup and offered it to the red fox sitting next to him. He caressed her nose lovingly and she licked his hand in response. He thinks I'm cute. "

Aaaa!" She screamed anticipating the fall but it never came. The scent of sandalwood enveloped her as she was securely ensconced in Dijun's arms. What is he doing here, has he come to call on Zhe Yan? She thanked him as he helped her down. "Dijun are you here to see Zhe Yan, is Prince Wuji alright?" She blurted out. "Gungun is perfectly fine now thanks to your care." He replied caressing her nose the same way he had caressed the fox in her dream. Who is she? Is she Gungun's mother. Must be, Dijun obviously loved her. She felt a little uncomfortable at the thought. "Where are you lost little fox, too much homework?" He said pointing towards her books.

Xiaobai, Xiao huli, nobody has ever called her that. Why does it feel so familiar though. She decided she didn't mind Dijun calling her nicknames. She maybe loved this informality. Anyway, he was a friend of her grandfather and way more senior than her. He could call her whatever he liked. She also decided that she would take up on his offer to help with her homework. She couldn't ask the rest of her family anyway, they would be appalled at the amount of work she had left incomplete. He wouldn't tell her grandpa, would he? Well she could bribe him with her culinary skills. He had complimented her profusely at breakfast and lunch.

"How fortunate that Dijun himself would teach me Buddhist theories. I promise to treat you to all your favourite dishes to express my gratitude, just let me know what you would like to eat and I would cook it for you." She chirped. "Well in that case why don't you steam fish with mushrooms today, tomorrow you can prepare sweet and sour fish for me, and the next day in garlic sauce...Oh! and I liked the cakes you made this morning, maybe you can make your sorrow less cakes for me. " Dijun has had my sorrow less cakes, how? It's not likely that Lord Chengyu shared them with him. "Dijun, though I am good at making fish, I am not so good at making cakes." She probed. "But nothing that tastes better than the sorrow less cakes you make, Lian Song shared them with me once." He replied. Oh so it was the Third Prince, must have stolen from Chengyu's share.

Fengjiu finally made some progress with her homework over the course of the next two hours. She was completing her essay based on what Dijun had explained while he was lounging with a cup of tea next to her watching her progress. He was sitting rather too close for comfort peering at her handwriting. "Ow" she banged her head against his chin as she looked up at Migu who came with a missive from her grandparents. She moved farther from him. The missive announced that they were going to deal with certain issues at the border and since her aunt was about to be married, it was time she learnt how to rule. So they were leaving the responsibilities to her for the time being. They also informed her that Dijun would be staying in Qingqiu to cultivate and she must take care of Prince Wuji in their stead as they had promised Dijun. They reassured her that she was capable and they had complete faith in her. And she could take Dijun's help if at all she faced any problems.

Grandpa and grandma how could you leave me alone with Dijun. There would be a scandal if anyone hears I am all alone in the fox cave with him. And how can I ask Dijun for help in ruling our kingdom? He is here to cultivate so wouldn't he go into seclusion? Oh how will I manage all this, and how will I take care of Gungun. She scratched her head worriedly. "Xiaobai, I believe your grandfather is right. From what I have heard of you, you are quite capable. You wouldn't need anyone's help. I will be in seclusion for a few months but if there is an emergency, you can still count on me, you know." He patted her back to reassure her. She simply nodded hoping that she wouldn't have to bother Dijun. It would be a shame. Help with homework was one thing but help with managing the affairs of the kingdom quite another. Now that she knew he was here to rest and cultivate she decided not to disturb him. Her uncle would be back soon anyway. She noticed that Dijun had closed the distance again.

Reading Buddhist scrolls required breaks for one could mull over and properly absorb the sutras. Not everyone was Dijun. Fengjiu decided that it was time to visit the market. She could buy some fruits and ingredients for the dinner she had promised. Now that she was the host, it was her responsibility to represent Qingqiu. She had to make sure that her guests had the best time. Gungun could accompany her if he was feeling better, he might enjoy Qingqiu's liveliness. Jiuchongtian was after all such a boring place.

" where are you both headed" Donghua asked seeing the pair all dressed up with baskets in hand and Migu in tow. " Father, Princess Fengjiu is taking me to the market, we are going to buy fruits, mushrooms and honeydew. You continue with your books, I will bring back sweets for you." Gungun promised. "But I wish to choose the sweets myself, Gungun why don't you take father along with you." Donghua pleaded. Dijun is so cute acting like a baby in front of Gungun. "No you have a pile of scrolls left, I can see them lying on your desk. I know what you like, don't worry I won't eat the sweets, you know I don't like them so much, I promise to bring them back." Dijun could only pout helplessly at this refusal and had to get back to his scrolls and tea. Fengjiu couldn't believe her eyes. The legendary warrior, recluse and aloof god was putty in the hands of a little kid. Either the accounts of him were false or she had the lucky chance of witnessing something rarer than the red rain.

Around midnight she heard soft footsteps approaching her bed. She wondered who had entered into her cave so late at night. Migu must have come to tuck me in since grandmother isn't here. The smell of sandalwood wafted into the room. Doesn't smell like Migu though? Who dared to enter my cave that too at this hour. She tried to open her eyes but she was too tired and they wouldn't cooperate. Surprisingly she wasn't alarmed at all by the presence, if anything she felt more relaxed. She was now covered again with the quilt that she had kicked over and a warm and slightly callused hand was gently smoothening her brow. They lit her incense burner and watched her while she fell asleep.

Gungun and Fengjiu were playing hide and seek in their fox form and Donghua was lounging under a tree watching them play. "Am I hallucinating or is this happening for real?" Zhe Yan asked taking a seat next to Donghua. "What?" Dijun replied nonchalantly. "Gungun pulled her tail, and she didn't react at all, don't you find that surprising, she is so sensitive about her tail." Zhe Yan remarked. "Really, I never noticed." Donghua drawled. "Really, you must stop Gungun, she is showing restraint for now, if he keeps at it, she might bite him. I remember when she was little, Jingwei had playfully pulled one of her tails. She bit him so badly, it took me days to heal that wound. He still has marks on his arm. " Donghua got up to stop Gungun from nibbling Fengjiu's tail, but Fengjiu didn't react at all. She simply gave him a chase as she ran to Zhe Yan and jumped into his arms. "Kittling, haven't you licked me enough, tell me what is that you want." Zhe Yan asked Fengjiu smiling at Donghua's murderous gaze. Before she could turn back and respond, Donghua simply snatched her from Zhe Yan and disappeared with her in a purple mist.

Hi everyone! Hope you guys are doing well. Thank you so so much for your votes and comments and for adding the story to your reading lists. It makes me so happy to know that you are enjoying it.

Our beloved deity is a jar of vinegar when it comes to sharing his Xiao huli's affection. That's what I like the most about him. What do you guys like about him most? Please share your thoughts awesome people ❤️❤️❤️🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊 this mortal author here is looking for some inspiration.