No one reaches out to you for compassion or empathy so you can teach them how to behave better. They reach out to us because they believe in our capacity to know our darkness well enough to sit in the dark with them. Of course, there's a ying to every yang, a silver lining to every cloud. Sharing your life with anonymous strangers makes you more vulnerable than expected, but it also teaches you an important lesson: Vulnerability creates strength. We're taught to view vulnerability as a sign of weakness. It's equated with fragility, with being soft and meek. But once we put ourselves in a position in which we're vulnerable, we learn to morph that into power and confidence. We learn that we can't be shaken. We learn to tune out the nay-sayers. We learn to reject negative ideas that others try to bring into our lives. We learn to prove them wrong. We learn to view ourselves as strong. We learn to "reject the gift," we learn to stay true to ourselves.

_________________________________________________________________________

They all moved to the bedroom and continue their conversation there...

"Does Bai Yi know she not hers?" Dong Hua asked Feng Jiu's mother.

"He does. He knows Xiao Jiu is Zhe Yan's, but he made Zhe Yan swear that he will be known as her father to everyone with the condition for us not to be together again. Xiao Jiu grew up thinking that Bai Yi is her father. However, their relationship has never been affectionate. She feels safe with Zhe Yan, that's why she always goes and confides with him. Bai Yi can not deny this from her. This way Zhe Yan always been close to Xiao Jiu."

"Does Bai Zhen know about this?" Mo Yan questioned Zhe Yan.

"No, he doesn't. Everyone thinks he is my mate, but in reality, he is my companionship. We have never engaged in any sexual relationship as many believe. He has been by my side as my student and a dear friend for thousands of years. We share a special relationship but not romantic in nature. We really don't care about what people think of us so we let everyone assume what they like. He is very protective of Xiao Jiu too and has helped me comprehend the fox carefree lifestyle sharing with me all the fox tribe secrets. That is why I'm knowledgeable of their kind. He's not gay but have chosen a path of celibacy as a preference. Bai Zhen is a kind soul and a loyal friend." Zhe Yan confessed.

"She has greatly suffered because of me. I regret being away from her during the past three months. I greatly miss her. I should have told her..." Dong Hua lowered his head and clenched his fist in anger.

"Dijun please, calm yourself. Xiao Jiu knows how much you love her. She knows the challenges that your marriage poses, and the sacrifice you made just to be with her. She has vowed to be with you no matter what. Please don't doubt her feelings for you." Feng Jiu's mother pleaded.

Dong Hua kept silent but, in his mind, he said: "I don't doubt her feelings for me, I doubt my competence to make her happy. This is unknown territory to me and without her as my emotional guide, I can't manage to think clear or feel strong. She has been in control of my heart ever since we met each other; she has been the only one who had broken my ill-fated life. That's how much power she has over me. I misunderstood her in the past and I'm making the same mistake again. I will make sure that she knows that I need her in my life. I won't push her over. I can't lose her." Dong Hua grabbed Feng Jiu's hand and kissed it.

"Dong Hua, you won't lose her, but you need to know of a possible dangerous scenario that might occur when I remove my seal from her. You need to be ready for it." Zhe Yan warned him.

"What kind of scenario?" Mo Yan asked.

"When she ascends, it will not be a normal ascension. She will not ascend like normal immortals do. It will be extremely painful physically and emotionally. Xiao Jiu went into seclusion thinking that Dong Hua rejected her, so her current mental state might be unstable. We don't know if she fell into depression again. You need to find her Dong Hua to make sure she will not choose a different path." Zhe Yan explained.

"What path?" Dong Hua asked Zhe Yan.

"As you well know phoenixes signify wisdom and great ruling power. When she was born, we knew she was destined to rule. Phoenixes have the capability to shift from good to evil when we met the right conditions or are pushed to choose otherwise. Her core is strong but is also pure just like her heart is. Xiao Jiu virtues always been a kindhearted, full of goodness, innocence and naivety. But she also stubborn and tenacious. Her mischievous character can turn destructive since her natural element is fire. And as you know fire can serve as a purify agent or an instrument of devastation. Her powers will intensity her nature and personality. The element of fire has great power for forging will and determination. It is our inner light as well as a living symbol of the divine fire that burns in every soul. Like other elementals, this means that fire has a form in the earth plane and in spiritual realms. We need to be careful how to approach her after she ascends. We don't want to push her to a dark path. She might have started her metempsychosis cycle; to be transformed and rebirthed into another life as it moves from a person's body when it is ready to enter a new life cycle. And right know we don't know where her spirit is at this time. It would be ideal to nurture the good in her, before she gets out of control influenced by grief. You need to find her Dong Hua and let your love guide her to the right path; you are the only one who can bring her back." Zhe Yan alleged.

"I will find her." Dong Hua confidently said.

"I know you will, but when you do, don't tell her this. It will cause another traumatic episode in her life and I don't want to hurt her like that. She is been doted all of her life and I don't want to destroy the family image she grew up in. I prefer to be known as her great uncle that she loves the most rather than an estranged father that couldn't recognize her as my own." Zhe Yan sadly said.

"Zhe Yan you always have acted as her father. You helped us raise her to the wonderful young woman that she is today. Don't underestimate her love for you." Feng Jiu's mother said to Zhe Yan.

"Mo Yan will oversee guarding and monitoring my body while I search for Jiu'er. And you Zhe Yan will monitor her vitals and changes. Bihai Cangling poses all the restorative energy for us to nurture when we return. You could also search for special herbs here to create the medicine you need for Jiu'er. She needs to be ready for her accession trial, I will help her."

"Just be careful Dong Hua remember that fate will not be kind to neither of you. Center your power and reinforce your core strength. Don't let guilt or other negative emotions control you. Whatever you see happening when you find her, be ready to act affectionate towards her. She might be stuck on a trial and she might have tried to contact you already. Let your love guide you." Mo Yan said.

Dong Hua laid next to Feng Jiu and held her hand into his. He closed his eyes to pinpoint his little fox location. She was weak, but her spirit was trying somehow to communicate with him. He felt their connection reestablishing again. "I'm coming my love I will find you Jiu'er" He could hear her voice faintly calling his name in the distance: "Dong Hua..."

Back at Nine Heavens...

Si Ming was worried about Dijun and Dihou current situation. Him and Lian Song carried Dijun's orders. After that he went to check their fate scrolls for any changes. Surprisingly there were a new entry on their records.

"This can't be happening now!!!" Si Ming breathed out in anguish. Fate was playing her game and the cards have been shuffled and dispensed.

"What will I do now?" Si Ming asked himself.

天堂之王：女王白鳳九和文昌勳爵愛情審判

HEAVEN'S DECREE: QUEEN BAI FENG JIU AND LORD WEN CHANG LOVE TRIAL

Feng Jiu's consciousness was somewhat active, she felt a soulful tug that swallowed her into a tunnel and then a bright light engulfed her being. Awareness, mindfulness, realization, perception, all these instincts submerged her psyche. She felt alive but for some reason couldn't move completely. Feng Jiu's eyes fluttered but felt disoriented, her eyesight was blurry. Little by little she was able to regain focus on her background. She distinguished that she was laying down on a lavish bed but was not familiar with her surroundings. The peculiar room was exquisitely decorated, not to her sense of taste but it was different. She could perceive that she was what it seems to be an imperial bedchamber. Suddenly her recognition wakened, and she looked at herself and saw that she was wearing minimal clothing, just a loose long chemise. She felt someone stirred next to her. Her cognizant stated that it was her husband. "Who else could it be?" She then remembered that she was not in good terms with Dong Hua. Feng Jiu tried to get up from the bed but was dazed, she couldn't get up. A male voice startled her: "You are awake my queen, please don't try to get up and rest some more."

Feng Jiu gasped when she heard the unknown voice. "This doesn't sound like Dong Hua." She turned to see who it was... "Oh no"

"What is the matter? Are you all right? Come here let's us rest for a while." A pair of strong arms grabbed her and pulled her close to an unknown chest. Feng Jiu immediately pulled away from his embrace.

"What's wrong?" the man surprisingly asked.

Feng Jiu couldn't believe her eyes, the man in front of her was Wen Chang.

"Where am I? Why are you here sleeping next to me?" Feng Jiu furiously glared at him.

"You are joking? You don't know who I am?" Wen Chang sweetly smiled at Feng Jiu; he lifts up his hand to caress her face when Feng Jiu hit it away from her.

"Don't touch me." She pulled away further from Wen Chang. Her heart was beating too fast for her. "Where the hell am I?" she asked herself.

"Seems to me that my queen needs to be reminded who is her king!" Wen Chang sternly said.

"Get away from me!!! Get out!!" Feng Jiu was shouting.

"You can't throw me out from your room you are my queen. Quit acting up." Wen Chang playfully said.

"Help, somebody help me!!!" Feng Jiu found herself corralled by Wen Chang. He firmly held her hands and gaze her eyes with his black stone eyes.

"Li'er, calm down."

"I'm not Li'er, and you are not my king!" She was trying to free herself from his strong grip.

Wen Chang let go of her hands, he wickedly smiled at her face and forcibly kissed her. Feng Jiu broke the kiss and slapped Wen Chang's face hard. Wen Chang held her face with force.

"Let me go you brute." Although she was weak, she remembered herself defense moves that his fourth uncle taught her. And with no effort she kicked him hard on his shin. She saw a sword near her bed and grabbed it.

"If you come closer, I will not hesitate to use this." She was huffing at this point but held her the sword firm.

"You dare to draw your sword against me? This is a capital offense punishable by death. I will not hesitate to send you to prison or execute you if that is your wish." Wen Chang angrily said to her.

"GET...AWAY...FROM...ME!!!!" Her eyes were full of menace.

Wen Chang unbelievably smiled at her "My little tigress is enraged, are you jealous because I have spent time away from you? Don't worry my queen, I always come to you to warm your bed when you get cold." He laughed mockingly. "But as you wish, I will leave you to be so you can calm down. I will come to you tomorrow night so be ready for me. Sleep well my queen." He got up and left her room.

Feng Jiu locked the doors and held her chest, she began to wonder where she was. Her room only had two windows she opened them to find a way to escape and saw how high she was. She started to hyperventilate and lost control of her emotions. After a while she remembered her laoshi breathing lessons. Feng Jiu sat on a lotus position and started to meditate. She needed to curb reactivity to her negative thoughts and feelings, which, were disturbing, upsetting, and hijacking her attention from her focus. Eventually she was able to calm down. She went to her vanity to look at her face, only to find out that her appearance has change a bit. She no longer had her phoenix flower on her forehead, and her hair color was now black. But she still had her lotus flowers on her wrists and the regal seal too. She breathed relieved of these findings.

"I must be on a trial on the mortal realm. I need to find out how can I get out of it. I don't think I have enough cultivation now to use at least a small portion of my powers. I need to find Dijun, but how? Feng Jiu, you need to concentrate and find a way." She remembered her ring and the bells. "Wait they are on my immortal body wherever it is now." She whined of frustration. "Think hard Feng Jiu there must be a way to communicate with him. But does he even care if I'm missing? He hasn't contacted me for the past three months. He's still behaving like his old self. Oh Dong Hua I miss you." Feng Jiu sat down, and tears formed in her eyes. She was feeling exhausted, and fatigued. She exerted herself fighting Wen Chang. Her forehead was throbbing, she could feel pain where her birthmark used to be, her strength was leaving her body again; everything around her was spinning around until she passed out.

Morning time came and she opened her eyes, to her surprise she was back in bed but when she looked up, Feng Jiu saw Wen Chang with a bowl on his hand. He looked concerned. "Your maid found you on the floor unconscious. She alerted me; I immediately came, and I've been taking care of you ever since. Please forgive my brutishness." Wen Chang said with a low voice.

"What happened to me?" Feng Jiu was frightened.

"We don't know. The royal physician came over and checked you, he said that you are malnourished. He thinks because you are so weak that's why you passed out. That also explains why you were acting strange. You need lots of rest to recuperate. I asked the palace chef to make you a nurture soup to help you gain your health back. Here let me help you." He delicately placed some pillows behind Feng Jiu for her to sit comfortably.

"I can feed myself" Feng Jiu protested.

"I know, but I want to do it. I felt horrible for the way I treated you yesterday. Please let me take care of you as a good gesture to retribute my bad behavior towards you." He was looking at Feng Jiu with pleading eyes. His face and gaze softened; his guard was down.

Feng Jiu was analyzing her current situation. She knew she couldn't trust him, but she didn't have the strength or stamina to fight him again, so she gave in. "Is it bitter?" She innocently asked.

Wen Chang tenderly smiled at her. "Just a bit, but I brought your favorite sweets to counteract the bitterness. Here, peach candies" He gave her one to taste.

"You are so pale Li'er, please drink the soup first." He fed her the soup until she finished it all.

"Thank you." Feng Jiu said.

Wen Chang sweetly smiled at her. Feng Jiu felt uncomfortable around him. "Please leave I am tired already."

"I know you are tired, but to ease my mind let me watch over you for tonight. I promise I would not harm you." Wen Chang tenderly said.

"What's wrong with him? She thought. "I want to be alone; I don't trust you." Feng Jiu glared back at him.

"I will not sleep in your bed; I will sleep on the couch. Go on and go to sleep, I will be reading my reports here." Wen Chang said and ignored her.

Feng Jiu wrapped herself in all the sheets forming a cocoon, that way she felt safer. She stared at Wen Chang until tiredness overcame her. She fell heavily asleep and started to dream.

In her dream she was inside a cage crying out "Dijun, where are you? I need you to come for me, I'm held against my will. Please save me. Dijun you promised me to never let me go but you didn't come for me. Dijun I love you, please find me."

"Jiu'er, my love I'm coming please wait for me." Feng Jiu heard his voice and cry out louder. "Dijun, I'm here, please come and save me. Dong Hua, Dong Hua. Please don't leave me alone."

Feng Jiu was running a fever at this point. Wen Chang had summoned the doctor again. "She is hallucinating. Her body temperature is too high she needs to be submerged in the coldest water that you can find. Quickly your majesty before we lose her." The doctor urged Wen Chang.

"The garden pond is always covered your majesty, so the water should be colder than the rest." Her maid suggested. Wen Chang not wasting time grabbed Feng Jiu feverish body and carried her to the garden pond, he jumped in the water with her. He held her close to him for a while. The water temperature was cold enough to bring her fever down. Feng Jiu was shivering and mumbling incoherently. Wen Chang just held her and calmed her down until she quiet down and felt asleep in his arms.

"Your majesty please change your clothes before you get sick" his steward said, I will instruct the maids to take care of her highness while you change your clothes.

Wen Chang brought Feng Jiu back to her room and the maids took over to dry her up and change her clothes while he did the same. The doctor stayed with Feng Jiu to monitor her health.

Three days later...

Feng Jiu finally was able to open her eyes. "You gave us quite a scare your highness. His majesty personally has been taking care of you." Feng Jiu maid told her.

"Where is he?" Feng Jiu ask her maid.

"His majesty is sleeping on the couch. He hasn't moved from here for the past three days." She replied to Feng Jiu.

"Please don't wake him up. He needs his rest too." Feng Jiu instructed her maid.

"Yes your highness. Let me bring your medicine." The maid left to fetch her medicine leaving her alone with Wen Chang at her room. Feng Jiu was weak but was able to sit up by herself. She was wondering why her body was reacting so feeble.

"Why am I getting sick so fast? I feel fine for a bit and then I pass out. My head keeps throbbing. Why is Wen Chang on this mortal trial with me?" Feng Jiu was determined to find out exactly where she was. Then it hit her. Feng Jiu remembered the conversation she had with Fate at the Zhu Xian Terrace: "Regardless if you believe or not, your fate remains the same. Aren't you afraid of the judgement you and your beloved will face for going against heavens will? No one can escape it. It was interesting to see that you felt the threads of destiny tangled to your fated husband when you met him. The threads don't lie Bai Feng Jiu. Consider that."

"This is her handiwork; her way to separate us. I will not fall into her trap." Feng Jiu was resolved to find a way out of her current situation.

Wen Chang stirred up and yawned. "You are awake, how do you feel?"

"I've heard that you been taking care of me for the past three days. So thank you."

"Is my duty as your husband." Wen Chang sweetly responded.

His words sank in disgust in her mind. "YOU ARE NOT MY HUSBAND!" She mentally glared creasing her brows.

Wen Chang carefully sat next to her to feel her temperature. He touched her forehead and Feng Jiu immediately flinched at his contact.

"Please don't touch me." Feng Jiu glared at Wen Chang.

Ignoring her reaction, he told her: "I need to know if your temperature is back to normal. You were running a fever and were hallucinating. I had to..."

"Had to do what?"

"I dragged you to the garden pond to cool you off." Remorsefully said.

Whaatttt??? Feng Jiu eyes popped out in anger.

"Don't worry nothing happened. I was following doctors' orders." Wen Chang scoffed at her. "I see that you're back to your feisty self."

"What happened to me?"

"You got really sick and were running a high fever, the doctor recommended a cold-water bath to bring your temperature down."

"Oh. So you saw me sick?" Feng Jiu was embarrassed, she covered her face with her hands.

"Mmmm, yes I did, besides me, the doctor and your maid saw it too, it was quite entertaining." Wen Chang laughed.

"Don't laugh, I know very well how I look when I'm sick" Feng Jiu scowled.

Wen Chang found her pouting face too cute. He couldn't help himself to admire her beauty. "You kept calling out your mother."

"Huh? What else did I said?" Her embarrassment was obvious.

"Just that." Wen Chang said smiling at her.

"I feel better now, there is no need for you to be in my room taking care of me. I need to get some fresh air."

"What you need is rest and plenty of it, doctors orders. He will come later on to check on you, I will let him know that you are awake. Stay in bed and drink your medicine, it will help you regain your health back." He placed the covers over Feng Jiu and reached the medicine bowl to feed her. "Here, drink" Wen Chang spoon fed her.

She obediently opened her mouth and in silence Wen Chang feed her medicine. "Good girl. Now rest I will be back with the doctor." He got up and left her side.

The doctor came and checked Feng Jiu's pulse, he told Wen Chang that her health was better, he recommended fresh air and better nourishment.

"I will personally take care of her doctor; you may leave us now." Wen Chang dismissed him.

"Yes your majesty."

"All right Li'er you heard the doctor, you seem to be better, so I will order the palace chef to change your diet. As for fresh air, I will schedule some walks to the gardens in the mornings and in the evenings so you can breathe fresh air and take some sun. I will escort your walks; we can catch up during those times."

"I prefer to walk alone, I'm not a child to be monitored." Feng Jiu protested.

"I know, but since I'm in charge of your care I will personally watch your recuperation. I worry that you might have a relapse. I want you to regain full health and follow the physician instructions to the dot. You tend to be feisty and naughty; I don't want your mischievous nature to interfere with your treatment. Besides, I have time to take care of you, that is part of my duty as your husband."

For the following three months Wen Chang has been doting Feng Jiu granting her wishes. He was extra sweet with her without imposing himself over her. Giving her the space that she needed. Every now and then he will try to brush her hand or touch her hair. Surprisingly, he saw that Feng Jiu let him. She started to feel comfortable around him and enjoying his company. He was happy about that.

One night she woke up abruptly having chest pains. It was hard for her to breathe. She felt heartbroken. "Dong Hua where are you? I miss you so much" Feng Jiu started to cry and couldn't sleep for the rest of the night.

Wen Chang came to her room in the morning only to find her desponded. "Are you feeling all right? Why are you like this? He was truly worried about Feng Jiu.

Feng Jiu saw something in Wen Chang eyes for the first time...concern, sincerity, support. She couldn't help crying in front of him. Wen Chang just hold her and let her cry.

"Whatever it is that is bringing you down, let it all out. I'm here, I will not say nothing if you don't want me to talk, just cry Li'er, come here." Feng Jiu cried in his arms, she felt cradled for the first time in a long time. Wen Chang patted her back to make her feel comfortable. Her tears stained his robe, and he didn't mind it. She felt secured in his embrace, when she realized it, she quickly broke from it. Wen Chang noticed but didn't said nothing about it.

"Is that better Li'er, how about we go to the garden and have breakfast there? Do you want eat there or you prefer to eat here?" Wen Chang sweetly asked her.

"Some fresh air will better my mood." She responded while sniffling.

"All right Li'er whatever you want. I will order the maids to serve us breakfast in the terrace."

Little by little Wen Chang was sneaking inside her mind and heart. Healing her brokenhearted state and making her feel safe, cherished, and protected. Wen Chang did many things to make her feel special and Feng Jiu noticed. But she will always remain guarded, she couldn't love him. No matter what he did, her heart belong to her true husband Dong Hua Dijun.

"Li'er why can you see that I really care for you. My feelings are sincere. Give me a chance to make you happy. I will make the impossible to see you smile more. I love to hear your laugh. Is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day." He held her hand into his chest. "Can you feel my heart? Every heartbeat is just for you Li'er."

Feng Jiu withdrew her hand from his chest, tears formed in her eyes. "I know how you feel about me, I just..." Wen Chang didn't let her finish when he leaned down and kisses her. His lips are demanding, firm and slow, molding Feng Jiu's. "What am I doing here?" Feng Jiu opened her eyes and broke the kiss. Wen Chang stands back and gazes at her with a wicked smile on his face.

"I think I better go." Feng Jiu ran to her room not looking back.

"I will claim your heart my love in time" Wen Chang mentally said

After that incident Feng Jiu maintained her distance from Wen Chang. She put her guard up again not letting him come near her. Wen Chang respected her wishes, he didn't want to lose what he gained already.

Feng Jiu asked for her personal maid to tend to her. Wen Chang dismissed his retinue of servants and left her maid in her care.

"Finally, alone at last. What is your name?" Feng Jiu asked her.

She looked strangely at Feng Jiu "Your highness calls me Men Li"

"Very well Men Li, it seems that I lost some of my memories, I need your assistance. I will ask you some questions to see if I can refresh my memory and I will trust your answers to be truthful."

"Please ask, your highness, I will do my best to assist you." Men Li said while bowing to her.

"Very well Men Li, first question will be, how long I've been living here?"

"Your highness came to live here several months ago." Men Li eyes met Feng Jiu like if she was hiding something important.

"What is the story behind me being here Men Li?"

Men Li looked around the room before answering to Feng Jiu: "since your highness doesn't remember well, I will help you regain your memories. Your highness is from the Cheng Yu Kingdom. At the most recent war, Qin won against the Cheng Yu territory breaching the peace treaty that both kingdoms shared for hundreds of years. It is rumored that his majesty Yin Zheng killed your husband Song Xuanren Dijun and brought you here. However, no one has confirmed his death or has found his body. Your capture is the reason the war still going on. Song Xuanren Dijun generals are trying to bring you back as the true ruler of Cheng Yu. This is the reason Yin Zheng is holding you here in your room."

"So I'm not married to his majesty Yin Zheng."

"No, you are not. At least not yet. He wants to make you his queen so he can claim Cheng Yu thru marriage, but he can't proceed not until the official death decree from Chen Yu has been announced. Cheng Yu officials refuse to believe that his majesty is dead."

"So there is a possibility of me being rescued?"

"Your highness is correct."

"You seemed to be familiar with these events Men Li"

"Your highness may not remember, but I was your personal servant back at Cheng Yu. I was brought in with your highness when you were abducted by Qin's army. My family have been serving Cheng Yu kingdom for generations."

"I see. So, you are probably familiar with my husband generals and council members."

"Yes, your highness I am. However, I'm not sure where they are stationed at this moment."

"Tell me how my relationship with my husband was?"

"He doted you the most your highness, he fought hard to win your heart and make you his queen. When he finally did, he made sure that you lack nothing. You are his right hand in command. He trusts you with his life. Our kingdom prosperity is due to your majesties benevolent ruling. I believe his majesty Yin Zheng wants to have what you had with your husband Song Xuanren Dijun. He wants to win your heart first to earn Cheng Yu and expand his empire. He wants power and he will not rest until he gets what he wants by any means. You need to be careful of his schemes your highness, he's deceitful and has many palace spies including the help personnel."

"I will note that. But tell me why you are whispering Men Li?" Feng Jiu lowered her voice.

"The walls have ears in this palace your majesty." Men Li quietly replied.

"Yin Zheng will never get what he wants from me. Is there a way to escape this fortress?"

"I'm afraid not your highness. This palace is well protected and heavily guarded."

"Let's see about that. Since you have access to be outside of this room, I want you to draw me a map of the palace. Memorize every entry and point of access. Every guard post, their schedules, faces, names, strong holds, and routes. You will be my eyes and ears outside this courtyard. I need you to be accurate Men Li but above all be discreet for both of our safety."

"Men Li will help her highness for the sake of Chen Yu."

"For the sake of Chen Yu Men Li. Thank you for answering my questions. That will be all for now. I will rest for a bit."

"Yes, your highness, summon me if you need anything, I will be next door." Men Li bowed and left Feng Jiu to herself.

Feng Jiu wonder about the information obtained from her maid. She doesn't have another option but to trust her at this point. She was remembering a teaching from her laoshi on survival:

"Feng Jiu, in summary, understand what kinds of problems you might be up against if you are ever held captive in a realm that you can't use your immortal powers. Start thinking now about the skills that you have learned here and how you can learn and train these skills on a mortal survival mode. Make your captors trust you. Roleplaying a weak and submissive person allows you the advantage of surprise if you have to overcome your captors. It also means you are less of a threat and likely someone they will not be watching as closely. You need to do whatever it takes to survive and be healthy up to that point.

Practice attitude, awareness, adaptability, and accountability throughout your daily regimen as these are things you don't have to be in any kind of survival situation to practice. For instance, when you walk outside from your house, take a few seconds or minutes to make that transition from inside to outside. Trust your fox senses when you go outside. Stop and smell the air, listen, and watch, then slowly transition from inside to outside. Look in the distance, not just 20 feet in front of you. Relax, practice deep breathing and start to trust your intuition more. Intuition is just like any other skill — the more you use it the better you get at it. These kinds of exercises can be done by anyone, anywhere, and will also help you prepare. They aren't a substitute for skills, but they are a necessary complement to skills.

You can have all skills but if you walk around with zero awareness and have an attitude of someone who gives up easily, those skills are worthless. Think like a survivor. Never give up hope. Holding on to hope will give you the perseverance and will to survive when others may have already given up all hope of escape. In their minds, they are already dead.

Put together a plan. Get familiar with your surroundings. Time your escape at just the right moment. But don't wait too long. Remember, the right moment might be shortly after being taken captive when you are still strong, still healthy, still have the energy to run, escape, evade. Keep these strategies infused in your mind Feng Jiu in case you get abducted."

"Training at Kun Lun for 300 years it was really worth it. Who would have thought that I would rely on these skills someday. Thank you, Mo Yan, for your teachings. I will not disappoint you!" Feng Jiu expressed to herself.

During the next three weeks Men Li discretely walked around the palace without being followed she went to the library to look for a palace map and was able to find one, she copied it and hide it in order to give it to her mistress. She then pinpointed the security posts, memorized the guard faces and names along with their schedules. When she gathered all her intel, she shared it with Feng Jiu and devised an escape plan. Feng Jiu was hopeful that her captive days were near the end.

Unknowingly to her, Chen Yu army was busy orchestrating an ambush to rescue her. Taking city after city, village after village. They managed to advance and conquer more territory with no signs of stopping. Outside the palace gates Chen Yu army already sieged the entire capital city. There was no escape for Qin army, only fight to defend their king.

"Yin Zheng give up Chen Yu' Queen, you are besieged. There is no need of a bloodbath, save your people." A male voice was shouting from the gates.

News of Chen Yu army being outside the palace gate reached Feng Jiu. Her maid told her that her husband Song Xuanren Dijun was outside negotiating with Yin Zheng for her return.

Are you happy your highness that you are finally will reunite with your husband? Her maid happily asked her.

"I want to see him, take me to a place where I can see him without being seen." Feng Jiu asked her maid.

Men Li took her to an abandoned guard post near her courtyard. She was able to see Chen Yu's army camped outside the palace gates. "Where is he?" Feng Jiu asked Men Li.

Your highness the man seating on the white horse upfront is your husband.

"Dijun?"