Feng Jiu woke up in her aunt's fox den where Bai Qian was reading the rules of marriage between the heavenly tribe and fox tribe. Her father was pacing back and forth. She turned her head to see her father staring at her furiously. Her eyes went wide.

"BAI FENG JIU!" Feng Jiu got scared. Bai Qian came running upon hearing her brother yell. Bai Feng Jiu turned into a fox and tried to run. Her father chased her.

"Sorry father, I won't go out to play again." She yelled back.

When she ran out of the den and spotted her uncle, she hid behind her.

"Bai Zhen. She deserves to be punished. Stay out of it."

"Calm down second brother."

"You run away whenever you want. You couldn't even wait until your aunt's wedding was over. And above all, you always injure yourself and others and put shame on Qing Que."  

A cry escaped her as she heard her father yell. "Please don't hang me upside down." she squeaked.

"Second brother. She hasn't recovered yet. Let her rest first. You can punish her anytime."

Bai Yi, her father gave out an exasperated breath and walked away furiously. Bai Zhen picked up Xiao Jiu and took her inside. 

"Do you know who saved you?" Bai Qian asked Feng jiu.

"Saved me?...No"

"Dong Hua Di Jun." 

The memory seemed to rush back to her mind.

"Di jun?... I did meet him but...Do I owe him again?"

"Yes." 

Feng Jiu sighed. Repaying your debt is so hard for me Di Jun. How come I always owe you so much?

"Don't try to repay the debt again. You know what happened last time." Bai Zhen said concerned. "Plus, you know, you can't do anything to repay him."

She nodded and lowered her sad eyes. Her eyes caught the bell Dong Hua had given her as a token of affection when she stayed near him as a fox.

"Okay, don't be such a mood killer Feng jiu. Your sullen face is making me sad. Tomorrow is my wedding."

She nodded and gave her aunt a crooked smile.

---

Her aunt had fallen asleep while reading the rules. So, she tried to quietly sneak out. In all this chaos she had forgotten about Yan Chiwu.

What should I do? That stupid demon must be worried. I must go.

She crept around without making noise but then she bumped into Ye Hua who was here to meet Bai Qian. He surely couldn't go a day without seeing her. 

"Crown Prince." Feng Jiu cupped her hands and whispered. He raised an eyebrow. A-li, Bai Qian's son came rushing in.

"Feng Jiu sister, I missed you so much." He hugged her.

"Shh." She bent down and hushed A-li and checked on Bai Qian who was still asleep.

"I have to go somewhere urgently. Let me see you later, en?." She waved at them and ran away.

"Feng Jiu sister I want to go with you." He clung onto her with a cute face. 

She looked over at Ye Hua expectantly. He raised his head in approval. There was a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Okay." She whispered and smiled and thanked Ye Hua once again before leaving.

---

"Di Jun you're back." Third Prince Lian song barged into Dong Hua's palace where he was drinking Tea. He quickly arranged a game of Go to talk over.

"If I didn't know you I'd think you were genuinely happy that I am back."

"I am! Let's play."

"You are going to lose anyway."

"My skills have improved recently."

"Is that so?"

"Di jun" Si ming came in and greeted Di Jun.

"Oh, you're here third Prince." He glanced over at the prince, he shrugged.

"Have you completed the task?"

"Yes. Your Majesty. I found the one absorbing souls is a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python. Demon Lord Xu Yang has reported more souls that are missing. It's targetting weaker souls but in huge numbers in the demon realm. And recently it absorbed the soul of the fourth prince of the East Sea too."

"Demons?"

"Aren't all pythons in seclusion?" The third prince asked.

"Except one." Dong Hua murmured with a knowing look. 

"Are you going to the east sea again?" Stars lord Si Ming asked.

"No, I'll go later. Have you done what I told you?"

"Yes,"

"Di Jun why are you taking interest in the matters of the state?" Lian Song asked. Di Jun eyed him with his power gaze. 

"Ayya forget about it for now. A few days ago I saw the little princess of the Qingque. Do you know her Si Ming?" he blabbered to escape Dong Hua's unnerving gaze.

"Yes, I'm friends with her highness." Si Ming awkwardly glanced at Dong Hua.

"How come you are friends with Cheng Yu's friend and I'm not?"

"Bai Feng Jiu?" Dong Hua asked. The third prince and Si Ming were surprised for a moment.

"Yes. I heard she was an unrivaled beauty before but I didn't believe it until I saw it. Have you seen her Di Jun?"

"They said she was beautiful...hmm. Third Prince, why don't you focus on your woman?"

"Di Jun, I do check girls out but my heart beats only for one." he gave out a boyish grin. Si Ming shook his head.

"Her highness is very lively and known for her mischievous nature. I heard the fox king wants to marry her off soon." Si Ming said and glanced repeatedly at Di Jun.

"Oh," Dong Hua said. 

"Once she added tura grass in Lord Qing Chi's soup. And he had loose motions for four days. He was very furious. She apologized and only showed her original form and was forgiven."

"She is indeed spoiled by the fox king. But how did that old brat forgive her so easily?" Lian Song said. Dong Hua stared at the jade necklace. His eyes were different. It was as if he found something interesting.

"Her original form can be resisted by a few. She just needs to act cute. She even fooled me before." He laughed and bit his lip when he realized what he was about to say. Dong Hua looked at him. "She even beat up a man who was continuously pursuing her. And it was no ordinary man. It was lord Chu yen from the netherworld."

"Is she that powerful?"

"She is skillful. Plus how could a man who loves her injure her?"

"She is bold." Third Prince commented. 

"She is the future Queen of Qing Que at such a young age."

"She indeed deserves the title as a beauty but she's inexperienced. She would grow up at her own pace." Dong Hua said in a matter-of-fact way. Si Ming and Lian Song were so shocked by Di Jun's sudden comment that their mouths won't close. 

"Third Prince, your turn." Di Jun motioned Lian Song to make his move.

"Yes, Di Jun." Si Ming left and they continued to play. Dong Hua seemed a little out of it but he still won.

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