{17} Calling her Xiao Bai

"Xiao Bai!" Dong Hua tried to wake Feng Jiu up. She squeezed her eyes shut. She clutched at her forehead. Her head ached. The pain decreased as seconds passed by but didn't really disappear. Whenever she wanted to open her eyes her pain became more intense.

"Xiao Bai." This time she heard him and forced open her eyes. Dong Hua looked more worried than he should have. It was the first time she had seen creases on his cold and peaceful face.

"What did you call me?" she asked in a weak voice. Her lips trembled.

Β Dong Hua constantly removed the poison from her body before it could spread. Thankfully Tang Yin hadn't planned on killing Feng Jiu. Or she would be able to.

"Xiao Bai." (little Bai - she is the smallest in the Bai family. They call her Xiao Jiu and he calls her Xiao Bai) he repeated. "Can you sit up?"

She nodded slightly. Dong Hua helped her sit. It was late in the evening and the only light was of the full moon. She could not sit feeling dizzy hence she could only lean her head against Dong Hua's chest.

"It's the full moon and there are remains of dark energy here. Soon all spirits would gather and fight for the bits. We have to get out of here soon." He said. She tried to stand up but couldn't. Her ankle was bleeding and moreover, it had been sprained. But the pain only emerged now. After all, she was too busy to notice her pain. Dong Hua heard some wolves howl and clenched his teeth. He picked up Feng Jiu from the ground in his arms. She gasped.

The faint pain in her head reemerged and forced her to close her eyes.

---

"Mochi." (dumpling/rice cake in Chinese) Bai Qian beckoned to Li and he came running and straight away locked himself in her embrace. She smiled and patted his head.

"Mother. Are you missing Father?" He asked. Somedays she would think about how did she give birth to a cute son like him?

"Why would I? It's only been a few hours since he left. Why would I miss him already?" She pouted. Obviously, It was a pity that Ye Hua had to leave after the wedding and they didn't have the chance to go on a honeymoon. Anyhow she knew that he'd make it up to her when he returns and that thought made her somehow happy and somehow shy.

"Mother, can I go to sister Feng Jiu? I'm bored."

"Okay, I'll go with you. I'm also bored."

"Mother you're crafty. You don't let me in when you play with father but now that I want to play with sister Feng Jiu you want to go with me." Li said. She huffed.

"Okay. Go with the maid then. And tell Feng Jiu to learn any of the four arts or have another set of blind dates. The choice is hers."

"OKAY." He said enthusiastically and ran out of the room.

"He's too cute and blunt. Who does he take after?" She mumbled to herself.

Li was running towards Feng Jiu's room when Lian Song stopped him.

"Where are you running to?" he asked. He jogged in his place.

"Greetings Third Prince. I'm going to play with Sister Feng Jiu."

"Oh. Sister Feng Jiu? Okay, let me take you."

"Why do you all want to go with me? I am big enough to go alone." He said. Lian song chuckled.

"Oh, Feng Jiu sister..." Li pointed out and began to run.

She was in Di Jun's arms. All they could see in the dark was Di Jun's silver hair and purple robe and he was carrying Feng Jiu.

"Wait." The third Prince stopped him again. "Is that Dong Hua? Woah this is big news." his eyes were sparkling as he looked at Dong Hua actually holding the young princess of Qingque.

"Why is it big news?"

"Because he's Dong Hua Di Jun. Haa I knew it." He shook his head. An ancient god and a little fox. As unbelievable as the combination was, Dong Hua, having an interest in someone was the same.

"Feng Jiu sis..." Li called out but Lian Song stopped him.

"Don't disturb them. How about you meet your cousin tomorrow." He suggested.

"But why?" He pouted yet again.Β 

Why were the adults so bad...

---

Dong Hua ensconced Feng Jiu on his bed and left to bring some medicine.
When she opened her eyes, she saw her in a familiar environment. She sat up feeling much better.

What happened now? And this is... Di Jun's room...

Then the memories came back to her one by one. And those of Tang Yin made her a little sad. She wondered who the lady was and if Dong Hua had a past affair with her. She kept up with all news about him and read every book which featured ancient history only to find something about him. She thought he had only fallen for Ji Heng. But now the image of Tang Yin. So beautiful and powerful. She couldn't hear what they said to each other. What she saw was Tang Yin stepping close to Dong Hua. She wasn't sure why she was attacked by her or why she attacked Di Jun.

Maybe to settle an old score, given that Di Jun didn't fight. Does Di Jun really owe her as to not even fight against her? Or does he still love her?

All the overthinking had made her feel sick again. Dong Hua entered with a bowl of medicine and handed it to her without a word. She said a small thank you without meeting his eyes. He tried to analyze what she was thinking. His gaze was fixed on her.

She coughed severely. Her place was not as cheerful as before. A faint line remained on her forehead as she collapsed on the bed again. She looked slightly pained. Dong Hua moved his hands in an incantation that flew up to Feng Jiu's head. She visibly relaxed.

He helped her sit against his chest again and fed her the medicine.

She drank one sip but almost spat it out. Dong Hua patted her back slightly. She looked up at him, her soft eyes staring at him.

"So bitter." She pouted.

"It's only effective that way." He said solemnly.

"But... I'm... afraid of bitterness." She whined and coughed severely again. A bit of blood seeped out from the corner of her mouth. She quickly swept it away and her eyes turned glossy. Dong Hua's eyes darkened.Β 

"It's okay. It's good to spit out the toxic blood."

"I know." Feng Jiu said in a hoarse voice feeling slightly embarrassed by her weak state.

He thought for a while and then took the bowl from her and added sugar to it.

"It is just to calm your Qi. It might be anxious because of the dark magic. Then drink another potion tomorrow."Β 

She nodded. He handed her the bowl again and that's when she looked at him. She gasped. His clothes were covered in blood from several areas.

"Di jun... you're bleeding." She said pointing it out to him horrified.

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