Chapter 30: An Unwelcomed Gift

The Next Evening....


The coronation banquet continued in another great reception hall. Everyone was back except the members of the demon clan. Ye Hua reinforced security at the gates to ensure an incident free evening. After yesterday event, everyone was trying to have a good time.


Feng Jiu accompanied her family. Dong Hua stayed at Tai Chen Palace. He wanted to give his little fox time to spend with her loved ones. It was his unique way of leaving his treasured wife in the care of reliable people. After all they are now related.


Feng Jiu felt at ease surrounded by her family. Her parents were at her side at all times and so were her uncles. It felt like a family reunion to her. She was happy for her aunt. They chat for a while before she spends some time with her Kun Lun brothers. Her happy mood came to an end when she was able to listen the conversation nearby from other people at the hall.


The Bai's were the center of attention and subject of conversation of all. Celestials were discussing how strategically were extending their dominion to the heavenly realm. They have now both of Qing Qui queens in imperial positions in Nine Heavens. Infuriating the rest of the regions into political struggles, some of their rulers want to propose future marriage alliances so they can partake of the same prestige as the Bai Clan. Some of their princesses were beautiful, but couldn't compete with the Bai's beauties. They were famous to be the most beautiful women in all realms. However, that didn't prevent them to move forward and gain power and reputation. Everyone wants a piece of the heavenly pie.


Feng Jiu became revolted and concerned after listening to their plans. Feng Jiu got up from her table and graciously walked to talk to her aunt. She approached the throne.


"I need an audience with the Heavenly Lady." She told the attendant. Bai Qian was notified and she got up from her throne and descended to sit with her niece in a nearby private area.


"Gugu, I need to talk to you about something important that I just heard around."


"Talk to me Xiao Jiu."


"Have you ever considered to share your husband with other women? It seems like now uncle Ye Hua has the legal right to take as many wives as he wishes being now Heavenly Lord."


"I'm aware of that law but I haven't discussed this issue yet with Ye Hua. Why you bring up this subject now Xiao Jiu?" Bai Qian asked Feng Jiu confused.


"There are monarchs among us here, that are jealous of our family allegiances with Nine Heavens. I've heard from some of them that they are planning to send marriage proposals to uncle Ye Hua and probably to my husband as well so they can take side consorts. I will definitely will not share Dijun with another!!!! He's mine only. I don't care if it is a legal right that they have here! Have you considered passing an amendment to this law for future rulers?"


"Now that you mention it, I might have to talk with Ye Hua about it and find a solution before is too late. I'm with you Xiao Jiu, I will not share Ye Hua with another wife. It's our Qing Qui custom to have monogamous marriages. You haven't changed that, have you?"


"Of course not Gugu. But I'm afraid that a dogmatic loophole can be found within this law if the amendment is passed by uncle Ye Hua, it could be overwritten by the Heavenly High Court Counsel. People here in Nine Heavens are indeed thorny and corrupt. I'm going to discuss this issue with Dijun and see what can we do."


"Has uncle Ye Hua expressed to you the need to have a harem?"


"No, he hasn't."


"Neither Dijun. Let's have a serious talk with our husbands and soon. I'm afraid this banquet is not going to end well if this keep going on. I will go around and casually engage conversation with some of them here to see how many monarchs we're against it."


"You do that Xiao Jiu; I will keep my ears open too." Feng Jiu nodded to Bai Qian.


Ye Hua noticed that his wife and grand niece were involved into a undisclosed conversation that changed their expressions abruptly. He could discern that the subject was motive of their attitude change. Bai Qian silently sat on her throne besides him and kept quiet. Usually when she's like that it means something is up and she is not happy about it. So, he carefully addressed her: "Qian Qian, what is the matter, you are different. Aren't you having a good time? Do you want to leave? If so let me know and I will end the banquet."


"Don't be silly Ye Hua, I'm fine."


Ye Hua was not convinced. Bai Qian cleared her throat. "There are many kingdoms here represented in our banquet Ye Hua. We are fortunate to have them witnessed our coronation."


"I know." Ye Hua absently said.


Bai Qian wants to get a reaction from him so she decides to push the issue further. "I can't help to notice many beautiful princesses here tonight." She told him while staring at his face.


"I haven't notice them. My eyes are only to my beautiful wife." Ye Hua grabbed Bai Qian hand and kissed it. Bai Qian's face blushed.


"I feel so fortunate that my wife is the most beautiful woman of all realms. Nobody can compare to your beauty Qian Qian. Why are you worry about these princesses?" He kept kissing her hand.


"My husband sure knows how to say the right words. I'm not worry about them; I'm concerned about your needs Ye Hua."


"My needs? What do you mean?"


"Yes, your needs Ye Hua. You might be interested in starting a harem."


"I see. You worry that I will choose from the princesses that are here tonight and take side consorts."


"I'm certain that some has caught your interest."


Ye Hua sighed and held Bai Qian hands staring at her: "Qian Qian, I don't wish to have a harem at all. I know that is in my right to do so, but I won't. My only desire is to share my life with only you by my side."


"What about if you are forced to do it, would you change your mind?"


"Who will dare to force me?"


"The Heavenly Counsel. We didn't include a monogamous clause in our marriage contract Ye Hua. I didn't think this thru. This can create a problem if other kingdoms want to establish future marriage alliances with you."


Ye Hua's face turned serious. "I will revise our marital law protocol and see what I can do. In the meantime. Don't fret about this issue please Bai Qian. Let us enjoy our banquet." He gave his wife a small smile. Bai Qian was not convinced but she dropped the issue for now.


Feng Jiu did her rounds, so far, several kingdoms were planning to send their missives to the court soon. She was getting uncomfortable hearing their conversations. Kingdom whoring was worse than she imagines. She was glad, she was able to marry her beloved and not forced to marry someone she didn't love. "I need some fresh air" She thought.


Feng Jiu absently walked around the palace gardens for a while. She didn't notice that she arrived to the Zhu Xian Terrace. She looked at the sign above her head. Flash backs of memories invaded her mind. She clearly remembered her conversation with Si Ming many years ago when he visited her at the fox den:



"Your Highness, I'm here to offer you a humble gift."


"What gift?"


"I flipped through the historical records of the Heavenly Tribe and found something interesting. I rushed here to present this to you."


"More historical records again?"


"This historical record is not just an historical record. It holds the records of when Dijun was ruler of heaven. It might be of use to you."


"A record of Dong Hua Dijun? Is everything that's written in this historical record true?"


"Of course is true."


"No wonder...Gugu advised me to give him up too. Are you letting me read this...to advise me too?"


"I feel that you should know the truth. Dijun isn't being cruel to you on purpose. Is just that he made such decision long before he met you. Dijun is not without any feelings for you. The mortal trial he did was not to experience the life of mortals, but it was to repay you with a period of marriage. In the Heavenly Palace, his life is destined. He can't be with you. Dijun used the mortal trial as an excuse to be with you, he went against the heavens. Although it was for a brief time, what he felt for you was real. This is the truth that I want you to know."


"Dijun went to the moral realm for me?"


"That's right. At that time the Four Seas and the Eight Wildernesses wars were constantly waged. As the ruler of Heaven, Dijun established the laws of the immortals, and controlled the life and death of all realms. In order to make himself invulnerable, he personally destroyed his name on The Rock of Incarnations, is to set predestined marriages. Without his name on that, his predestined marriage will never appear in his lifetime. Hence, no matter how long he lives, he will always be single and alone. Is not that he doesn't have the seven emotions and six desires, it's just that his name if not in the Rock of Incarnations. No matter what happens, he will always have an ill-fated relationship. Young Highness, do you know what an ill-fated relationship is? Is just like what the both of you went through in the moral realm. The love between you and Dijun will never have a good ending. Young Highness listen to my advice, if you are still obsessed with this and you go against heaven's will, it won't benefit you and Dijun either. The number of years together in the mortal realm was only just a few days of fate in heaven."


Feng Jiu then remembered when she went to Tai Chen Palace and confronted Dijun. He treated her coldly. That's when she cut one of her fox tails to engrave his name on the Rock of Incarnations. That was a painful memory that she wishes to forget.



"Dijun"


"I don't want to see you again." He coldly proceeds to close the palace doors in her face.


Feng Jiu jumped into her fox form and crashed into his chest, preventing him to close the palace doors.


"Dijun, Dijun what's wrong?"


"With one fling, you used 30% of your divine essence. It was too quick and forceful."


"Don't tell me what Si Ming said is true? You lost your powers after going to the mortal realm?"


"Yes"


"Why you didn't tell me?"


"Is not a big deal."


"Why can't I make a big deal out of it? For someone as powerful as you, if you lose your powers and if you're in danger, someday..."


"What kind of danger can I face here? Because I fixed the 60 years of life and death tribulation, I returned earlier and temporarily lost my divine powers. Do you know that even I can't go against the will of heaven? But I will be fine in 2 years or so. I have clarified, now you can go back now."


"Dijun are you ignoring me because your name if not on the Rock of Incarnations?"


"How do you know about this? Did Zhe Yan, Mo Yan or perhaps your father told you? He promised me that he would never tell you."



"None of them. It was Si Ming who found the historical record of the Heavenly Tribe. Your data is recorded there. Is it true that you destroyed your predestined marriage fate in the Rock of Incarnations? Is there no room for maneuvering? I don't believe it."


"It's useless even if you don't believe. The Rock of Incarnations is to determine all predestined marriages under the sun. My name will never appear there. Not only you, no one will have a predestined marriage with me."


"I don't believe it. I don't believe your name is not on The Rock of Incarnations. Every one of my tails can be turned into a magical weapon according to our will. I'm going to the Rock of Incarnations to carve your name on it."


The sad memory brought tears to her eyes. Feng Jiu forcibly grabbed her chest. The pain felt real again. However, the result of that memory is different. "We are now together. We love each other." Feng Jiu taught, but became curious. "I need to see"



She wiped her tears away and slowly climbed the stairs again and arrived to the site, proudly stood tall as to challenge her to look for her name again. It was a provocation for Feng Jiu. She contemplated the rock for a while before deciding to act. With a wave of her hand she summoned her name and to her surprise still reads: Bai Feng Jiu & Lord Wen Chang.



Her eyes were opened wide. Feng Jiu didn't realize she was being followed. Someone behind her spoke her name.



Bai Feng Jiu...

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