Chapter 34: Journeys and Renovations

Occasionally, I would visit the graveyard in my heart, knowing that some people that were buried there are still alive. I could not help wondering: How many people buried me, too, in the graveyard of their hearts?


"Can you please take me to your mother resting place?" Bai Yi asked Wen Chang.


Wen Chang looked at Bai Yi earnestly. "Sure, I'll take you there tomorrow. Meanwhile where are you staying at?"


"I'm staying at the inn near here, down the hill."


"Do you want to stay here? I can make arrangements for you if you prefer."


"I don't want to impose. You are not in any obligation to do so."


"I know, but now that I know who you are to me, it would be disrespectful from my part to deny you at least hospitality. Please accept it from my part. We have time to work on the rest." He padded his shoulder and smiled at Bai Yi.


Bai Yi stayed at the Shīzi palace. The next morning Wen Chang took Bai Yi to his mother resting place as agreed. "This is her zhěngtǐ shì. I built it here as this was her favorite place to be, near the baihe fields. When she wanted to be by herself, I often find her here, meditating."


"It was her favorite flower. It always carried her scent. I clearly remember it." Bai Yi said with glazed eyes.


"Remember that living are only guests in your story – the same way you are only a guest in theirs – so make the chapters worth reading." Wen Chang told Bai Yi.


"She used to say that to me." Bai Yi absently said.


"And to me too. I will give you a moment alone. Take all the time you need. I will be at the carriage waiting for you when you are done." Wen Chang walked away from the field, leaving Bai Yi at his mother monolith.


"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. You have always been in my heart Xibu, I hope that if we meet again in our next lives, we can enjoy our love like we wanted. I searched for you for so long and couldn't find you. I'm sorry for not able to explain to you what happened before. I just found out about our son. You have raised a fine young man, I just met him. He is gifted, capable, valiant, noble, handsome and straightforward. He sure looks like you. He has your eyes Xibu, your penetrating glare. He has worked so hard for his people; he inherited your servitude behavior. He's a fine ruler Xibu, but I'm sure you knew that already." Bai Yi smirked at his last line.


"I miss you so much Xibu. Thousands of years have passed and I never forgot our time together. You will always be the love of my life. My heart aches just to know that I won't be able to hold you in my embrace or inhale your sweet aroma again. But I will treasure them in my memory as long as I exist." He grabbed his chest and cried for a while.


"I promise you Xibu that I will try to make amends with our son and make up for the lost time. I don't know how I will achieve this but I'm sure Wen Chang will help me on this journey too. Thank you for him. Until we meet again my love, wait for me, would you?"


Bai Yi placed a white lily flower on top of the monument. A soft breeze came from the flowers field and impregnated him with the sweet aroma of the baihe flowers. He closed his eyes and imagine his beloved touching his face one last time. He wiped his tears and left. He finally got the closure he was waiting to have. 



Wen Chang was waiting for him just like he said he would. He looked at him and smiled. "Thank you" Bai Yi said.


"No need, I'm sure she would have liked that too. Come let's go, I want to show you around our region. I want you to see my mother's legacy." Weng Chang said.


"I will like that, let's go then." They rode off to a journey of discoveries and possibilities.


On the Western Qing Qui Region...


It has been a month since Bai Yi left his home. His wife was busy doing some chores and enjoying her quiet time at home. After she finished them, she thought about making a gift to his beloved Feng Jiu. She wants to make her daughter a special dress. "Now that she is Dijun's wife, she should wear clothing according to her new Dihou status. Only the best materials are suitable for this!" She imagined the design with all the details. Being a master seamstress, she didn't waste any time on the design phase.


"My sweet Xiao Jiu has grown so much, I'm so proud of her. I'm so glad that she was able to obtain her happiness." She smiled while thinking about how lovely Feng Jiu would look with her new dress. "I will pick some new hairpins for her too. Dijun would love her new look." She concentrated on the design and confectioned her dress to suit her. She knew Feng Jiu didn't like elaborated dresses, but this one was the exception. She put all her heart on making this a special dress for his daughter. It is said that when you are making clothing for someone else is to embellish their confidence, beauty, character and strength. Feng Jiu new status embodied all of these traits. Her mother knew she was born to rule.


Feng Jiu's mother drew a pattern for the dress that includes the robe, cuffs, belt, overlap (lapel pieces that hangs on the edges of the front of the robe) and collar.


She then proceeded to pin the fabric to the pattern pieces, right sides together. Cutting two pieces for the first pattern, two pieces for the second pattern and six pieces for the third pattern. After that she folded the first and second pattern pieces (robe and sleeves) in half lengthwise. She marked the fold line on the backside of the fabric with a pencil and then unfold the pieces.


Next, she stitched the robe pieces together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. She lined up the fold line on the sleeve pieces to the fold line on the robe pieces. Pinned them together and then stitched. Open the seam allowances.


Following, she folded the overlap pieces from the third pattern in half. Pinned each piece inside the edges of the robe pieces and sew them in place.


She knew Feng Jiu's measurements by heart since she had made dresses for her before. She knew the distance between Feng Jiu's hip and shoulder and marked the distance from the middle inner of the robe pieces to the overlap pieces and marked it again. Then, she extended the mark by two inches to the right, straight down four inches, and connect the line diagonally to the left overlap marking. She continued in cutting this section from the fabric.


After that she folded the collar pieces and sewed them in place. Leaving a 1/2-inch of collar edge loose. She pinned the loose edge to the cut out in the robe to match up the center of the collar to the center of the robe. She then stitched the collar to the robe.


Subsequently she folded the cuff pieces in half. Sew the cuffs to the ends of the sleeves of the dress. She sewed the side seams from hem to cuff inside the robe. Then pressed the hem of the robe under at 1/2-inch and then fold another 5/8-inch. Stitched the hem in place.


Lastly, she finished all the embroidery of the dress and continued to fold the belt in half and sewed it along the long side only. She turned the belt inside out and fold the loose edge inside. She stitched the loose edge down. Steamed the belt flat.


Oh, I can't wait to see her on this master piece! She happily acclaimed. I will choose an auspicious date to gift this to her.



Meanwhile at Nine Heavens...


Star Lord Si Ming was at his library organizing some of his scrolls. So much work has accumulated during the past days. He was trying to catch up with his writing that many scrolls needed to be put back to his archives. He was distracted and was not aware that someone has come in.


"Star Lord Si Ming." A male voice startled him.



"Dijun?" He blinked twice. Si Ming got up and bowed to him. "What can I do for your majesty?"


"I want to see Feng Jiu's fate scroll?" He demanded


Si Ming was surprised to hear Dijun's tone. Also, to hear him calling his wife by her formal name. Ever since he got closed to her, he never addressed her like by that name again. He became suspicious. He knew that asking him will be putting his life at risk, but he wanted to be sure about it.


"Dijun may I ask why the sudden interest on her highness fate scroll?"


Dijun was silent, he was glaring Si Ming with menace. "And when do I have to give explanations to you? I gave you an order give me the scroll!" Dijun's aura was eerie. Si Ming was sensing something strange about it.


"Forgive my imprudence my Lordship, but her records are sealed for a powerful reason. I'm afraid I can not divulge her information to no one...not even to you Dijun." Si Ming resolve was firm.


"Aren't you afraid to meet your doom Star Lord Si Ming?" Dijun said with a deadly tone staring frantically at Si Ming.


Si Ming send an alert telepathic message to Lian Song to come to his library, before Dijun grabbed Si Ming by his neck and threw him against the book cases, knocking him unconscious.


When Lian Song arrived, he saw Dijun absorbing Si Ming's aura. Lian Song knew that this immortal was an impostor and immediately charged at him. But before he could grab him, Dijun disappeared on a red aura. He then saw how frail Si Ming looked.


"Si Ming, Si Ming, wake up!!! Are you alright?" Lian Song shoot an energy bolt at Si Ming's heart to revive him. He was weak, he lost some of his cultivation. Whoever that was, it was an impostor.


"Si Ming talk to me, what happened?" Si Ming opened up his eyes, and gasped for air.


"Si Ming are you okay? Please tell me what happened?" Lian Song desperately asked him.


"I was attacked by an impostor. Someone duplicated Dijun's form and wanted to take Dihou's fate scroll."


"Did you give it to him?"


"No. He wasn't able to find it."


"Where is it?"


"I have it hidden along with Dijun's fate scroll in a safe place. They are not here at the library. Dijun asked me long time ago to hide the scrolls on a safe place just in case. Maybe he saw this day coming and as premonition gave me that order."


"Come let me help you out, let's go and have you checked by the Medicine King. We need to inform Ye Hua about this." Lian Song summoned the Medicine King and he checked Si Ming. Luckily, he was alright, he didn't suffer no major injuries, but his lost cultivation needed to be repaired. He was ordered to rest for a while. Making sure that Si Ming was resting, Lian Song enforced security at Si Ming's residence to prevent another attack.


"No one is allowed to come in without my authorization, are we clear?" Lian Song ordered them.


"Yes, Third Highness!"


Lian Song left to talk to Ye Hua about the incident.


"Third Uncle, what a surprise!" Ye Hua was happy to see Lian Song but noticed that he was worried about something.


"Ye Hua we need to talk about an incident that just happened. Someone who looked exactly like Dijun attacked Si Ming at his library. Fortunately, I came on time."


"A breach here! Any ideas of whom might have been?" Ye Hua asked Lian Song.


"Not yet, we have to enforce our security here at the gates. I will conduct a full investigation right away."


"What was the impostor after?"


"Dihou's fate scroll."


"Was he able to get it?"


"No, the real Dijun gave orders to Si Ming long time ago to hide their fate scrolls. Fortunately, the scrolls were not at the library. I have to go to Qing Qui and alert Dijun."


But before he could leave, Dong Hua suddenly appeared in the room.


"Dijun!" Lian Song bowed to him.


"I felt something going wrong with Si Ming essence, where is he?" Dong Hua furrowed his brows to Ye Hua.


"He's resting Dijun. Whoever came and attacked him, was after Dihou's fate scroll." Said Ye Hua to Dong Hua.


"I knew this day will come, that's why I asked Si Ming to hide our scrolls as a preventative measure. Lian Song I imagine you are already running an investigation."


"Yes, Dijun I am."


"Take me to Si Ming I need to repair his cultivation."


"If you don't mind Dijun I will also come with you." Ye Hua said.


They arrived to Si Ming's residence and the guards bowed to their masters, letting them in. Si Ming was resting in his bed. When he saw Dijun he wanted to get up, but Dijun didn't let him.


"At ease Si Ming, I'm here to repair your lost cultivation."


"This is unacceptable Dijun, it will unbalance your essence."


"This is not a request but a command Si Ming, lay down." Dong Hua transferred some of his essence to Si Ming. After that he scanned him again to make sure he was in a better shape they left his bedroom. "He still needs to recuperate. Come let's talk."


They left Si Ming residence and Dong Hua met with Ye Hua and Lian Song at Tai Chen Palace. Zhong Li was surprised to see his master coming in, the place was still under renovation.


"Dijun." Zhong Li bowed.


"Zhong Li bring us some tea to my study."


"Yes Dijun." He was looking to see if Dihou was coming in, but saw that was not the case, so he left to the kitchen to get the tea.


Ye Hua and Lian Song were gazing at the renovation work going around the palace.


"Dijun are you renovating the palace again?" Lian Song surprisingly asked.


Dong Hua simply stared at him and smirked a tiny bit not giving anything away. For a second, he remembered the torrid three days he spent with his beloved little fox causing all the havoc around. "I miss my wife already", he thought.


Ye Hua saw a tiny spark in Dijun's eyes. He could only guess all the mischievousness that went around the palace and the cause of the renovation. He gave Dijun a slight smirk not giving a hint to Lian Song that he heard Dijun's thoughts.


"Lian Song, tell me exactly what happened with Si Ming." Dijun quickly interjected.


"When I arrived at his library, I saw the impostor absorbing Si Ming's aura. I immediately knew it was not you, so I went to charge him, but he disappeared into a red aura. Si Ming was laying at the floor weak, so I went to assist him and summoned the Medicine King for an accurate exam. After that I went to talk to Ye Hua and informed him about the incident. That's when you appeared in front of us."


"How did Si Ming knew it was not Dijun?" Ye Hua asked Lian Song.


"My guess is as good as yours Ye Hua. We need to ask Si Ming about their interaction before the attack."


"Ye Hua you need to place a protection shield around Nine Heavens. It will help detect any strange energy that will try to penetrate it. And it will signal of any intruders." Dijun ordered him.


"Yes Dijun, I understand." Ye Hua said.


"Lian Song, when Si Ming recuperation is done, send word so I can talk to him. I need to find out the details of this incident. Meanwhile as soon as you received any details on your investigation let me know as well. I will enforce security on Tai Chen Palace and Si Ming's library as safety measure."


Zhong Li arrived with the tea. "Dijun, Tianjun, Third Prince" The three of them sat quietly drinking their tea. But Lian Song was interested to know about the renovation, so he directly asked Zhong Li about it.


"Zhong Li how is the renovation going? Did Dihou left any specific designs for the renovation? She has the most exceptional taste."


Before Zhong Li can answer him, Dong Hua interjected. "Why are you interested on my wife's renovation projects?" Dong Hua was jealous about his inquisition.


Lian Song saw Dijun's jealousy flaring up, so he took it down a notch. "May Dijun show me mercy. Perhaps his Lordship misunderstood my inquest. It is public knowledge that her highness Dihou recently revamp Tai Chen Palace. I assumed that your majesty was pleased with the end results. After all, Dihou's designs are incomparable."


"My wife can do whatever she wants with Tai Chen Palace, it is her home and canvas to design as she pleases whenever she feels like doing so." Dong Hua said.


"Understood Dijun." Lian Song's face heated up. He fanned himself with his fan.


Ye Hua was simply drinking his tea and smirking to his Third Uncle. "Uncle let it go", he telepathically said to Lian Song.


Lian Song stared at Ye Hua "Seriously, I can't, it's my curious side. It boggles me that he's so mute about the obvious." Lian Song responded.


"And what will that be Third Prince?" Dong Hua sternly asked him.


"Nothing, nothing. I will take my leave." Lian Song got up and left annoyed mumbling to himself.


"He never learns." Dong Hua smirked, watching Lian Song leaving.


"Please don't fault him Dijun, he just means well." Ye Hua said. Dong Hua smirked at Ye Hua.

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