Everyone at the market were delighted to see their queen back. They all bowed and smiled at her. Offering her their best produce, the best pieces of meat, the best of everything. They were happy due to the upcoming wedding celebration; it was a great honor for Qing Qui people. The market was a lively place and Feng Jiu felt at ease being among her subjects. She studied their trade, surroundings, moods and saw great potential among her people for growth and development. She wanted to repay their kindness towards the Bai Clan for their many years of service to the royal family. She had some work to do after her aunt wedding.

While shopping for groceries, a tall young immortal noticed the queen, her beauty took his breath away. He could not contain his feelings, so he decided to approach her and introduce himself.

"Your highness Queen Bai Feng Jiu, what a great pleasure is to see her highness lovely presence today. My name is Cang Yi, from the Eagle Clan at Zhi Yue Mountains, it is a great honor for this humble servant to finally meet her highness in person." Cang Yi bowed to Feng Jiu.

Cang Yi was a tall young man, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Feng Jiu noticed his handsome features. "Please rise, Lord Cang Yi" Feng Jiu told him. Migu sighed he knew Cang Yi has been inquiring in the past during her absence from Qing Qui about the queen. He wanted to meet her for a long time.

"Thank you, your highness." Cang Yi smiled at Feng Jiu. She noticed Cang Yi's smile, "hmm he has a nice smile", she thought.

Migu interrupted the awkward moment. "Your highness we should return, Gu Gu is waiting for us."

Cang Yi noticing that his time was cut short, decided to speak to Feng Jiu: "Your highness will you please concede me a few minutes of your precious time?" he pleaded.

Feng Jiu noticed that he was well behaved and couldn't send him away coldly, so she looks at Migu and said: "Please Lord Cang Yi speak, I need to return to my aunt, I have a busy agenda ahead of me. What can I do for you?"

"I would like to request an audience with your highness to discuss a proposed arrangement that was previously sent to your elders long time ago. I still yet had received a response." Cang Yi innocently replied.

"What kind of proposal?" Feng Jiu grew suspiciously staring at Migu hinting him to intervene.

"I understand that your highness is busy at this time, should we meet tomorrow evening at your fox den to discuss this matter in detail?" Cang Yi boldly proposed.

Before Feng Jiu could response, Migu interrupted again and said: "Her highness agenda unfortunately is full, she doesn't have an open space until further notice. We would gladly send a response soon." And with that he took Feng Jiu's arm and dragged her away from Cang Yi. Leaving him with a somber look on his face.

"What was that all about Migu, is there something that I missed when I was away?"

"Your highness, during your training at Kun Lun Mountain, many marriage proposals were received. Your father and grandfather are considering Cang Yi as your prospect prince consort but decided to wait until your return. He insisted on seeing you several times but was repeatedly refused. I am afraid he is here in Qing Qui to press the matter with the council elders. So, get ready for it your highness, because it seems that he will not easily be dismissed this time that he finally met you in person."

"Let's see about that, who do they think I am, a piece of property that can be sold as they pleased?" Feng Jiu started to strategically plan how to get out of this one without getting into trouble.

When they finally arrived at the fox den, Feng Jiu instructed Migu not to reveal Cang Yi encounter with anyone. He agreed to it, but admonished Feng Jiu to be careful. He knew Feng Jiu was up to something. He knew her so well. An unknown entourage sat at the cave entrance. Feng Jiu thought that it was for her aunt wedding preparations, so she did not paid attention to it. She went immediately to the kitchen to start dinner.

Later on, at the fox den's study, Bai Yi, Bai Zhi, and Bai Zhen met with Cang Yi. They were discussing the marriage proposal that he sent long ago. They were all going over the marriage contract. Migu happened to listen outside the door. He had a tea tray to serve to all of them. When he decided to enter the study and saw Cang Yi he stared at him intensely to the point of making him uncomfortable. Migu decided to hang out in the study to gain the outcome of this secret meeting. He needed to watch out for his mistress back.

"Cang Yi we would happily consider granting you my daughter's hand in marriage." Bai Yi said to Cang Yi.

Bai Zhi furrowed his brows and interjected. "Bai Yi, son, before we agree to this proposal, we have to consider Xiao Jiu's opinion on this matter, after all she is the one who will get married."

"Father, Xiao Jiu has reached marriageable age, she needs to consider a consort to assist her with her duties. I am considering her future here." Bai Yi responded.

"You are not the only one considering her future here. As to Cang Yi being an excellent candidate, we need to hear if Xiao Jiu will agree to it. She is a queen now and her opinion is valuable to the council board since she is a one of the primordial members." Bai Zhi said.

"If we make a decision without consulting a primordial member of Qing Qui council it will go against our own laws." Bai Zhen interjected.

Bai Yi considering that they were lawfully bound by their own policies, sighed, and finally said to Cang Yi: "Lord Cang Yi, please let us discuss this matter with our beloved queen before we reach an agreement."

Cang Yi face fell, but without expressing his disappointment, he agreed to further wait for an answer. "I understand that your laws and customs are different from ours, so I oblige to your request." He wanted to reassure to them that his interest in the queen was genuine and sincere. And with that the meeting concluded.

Cang Yi left the fox den but decided to stay close to Qing Qui to have another opportunity to meet with Feng Jiu in an open environment.

"Second brother we need to be careful, we need to make sure that this Cang Yi is not more interested in gaining an alliance with Qing Qui with other benefits. Everyone knows now that Qing Qui realm has the Heaven realm backboard due to Qian Qian marriage to Crown Prince Ye Hua. Gaining political power, expect more marriage proposals to come in. Everyone will love to grab a piece of Qing Qui's affluence thru a marriage alliance. We have to be cautious." Bai Zhen reminded him.

"I have considered that Bai Zhen." They stepped out of the study and went to the kitchen to eat. Feng Jiu had made a banquet for her family. Bai Qian was happy to taste again her niece cooking.

"Thank you, Xiao Jiu, you always know to cook what I like, dinner was delicious."

"Gu Gu, I am glad you liked it. I knew you missed my cooking while I was away, how did you manage to survive with me, eh?" Feng Jiu smiled at her.

"I had Ye Hua cooked for me, his cooking is okay, but it cannot compare to yours." Bai Qian smiled.

"Crown Prince cooked for you?"

"Yes, he likes to do it only for me and Ali"

Everyone was happy to hear that Crown Prince takes good care of their beloved Qian Qian, while enjoying Feng Jiu's meal. Her mother was proud to see that her daughter inherited her culinary skills and surpassed hers.

"Xiao Jiu, you have made mother proud. I hope in the future the lucky fellow who will become your husband will treasure you forever." Her mother happily said.

Feng Jiu gave her mother a sad smile, she knew her comment was sincere, but she could not respond to her. She knew that her family wanted to see her happily married, but she could not accede to it. She only can love one man.

"Thank you, mother. Feng Jiu excuse herself from the table, please enjoy the rest of your dinner." She curtsied to her family and left the dining room. Everyone looks confused at Feng Jiu but continue eating. Her mother sadly watched her daughter leaving, she regretted her comment knowing her daughter's heart belong to one man.

"One day she will find her happiness" Bai Zhen said. 

Migu followed her and quickly shared with Feng Jiu her father intention of deciding to grant Cang Yi her hand in marriage. She needed to act quickly.

Feng Jiu was at her room, thinking about her time at Kun Lun, she already was missing her peaceful time she spent with her laoshi and her brothers. She was remembering her nightly chats with Zi Lan. Tonight, would have been a perfect night to talk to him. She started to feel uncomfortable again. To calm herself down she decided to take a stroll to put her mind at ease. A full moon was adorning the sky.

She went out and sat down at the bench hut near the lake, the moonlight was beautifully reflecting the lake creating a mirror effect. It was mesmerizing. Feng Jiu conjured a tea set and started to brew some tea.

"I wished to be happy for once. My aunt is finally having her wish come true, I am so happy for her. They can live out their love freely. If only my wish will come true too." She sighed.

Nothing lasts forever is a common phrase that sounds quite different since you send me away, love me again, don't punish me, please tell me how to live with the cold in my soul. How do I do without you? People say time heals everything, but thousands of years are too few. Because I'm sure that although you live long for the world, I dream that you will come back because you do not know how to be happy without my love. Please come back to me...." She long sighed while contemplating the moon.

"Jiu Gue, it's been long, you have become more pitiful with time." A male voice interrupted her alone time.

"Xiao Yan? Is that you big brother?" She jumped out of her seat and happily hugged him.

"Jiu Gue me me, let me look at you, wow you have grown! Look at you, you are not flat chest anymore"

Feng Jiu twirled around and laughed. "Yes, I have. Heeeyyy!!!" Feng Jiu pushed Xiao Yan.

How were you able to pass our borders?"

Xiao Yan huffed and said: "Your borders need better protection. It was easy for me to come in with no trouble. You need to take care of that Jiu Gue."

Feng Jiu was happy to see her big brother. Specially tonight when she needed to talk to someone she can trust. "I was just thinking about your twin brother Zi Lan, we became friends."

"That brat! How is he?"

"He is doing well; he was my sparring partner during my time at Kun Lun."

"Aaayiaaa that is good to know at least he is good at something." Xiao Yan laughed.

"Why are you here Xiao Yan? I'm happy to see you but you never come to see me unless is important."

"I've missed you Jiu Gue, isn't that a good reason to come and see you?"

"I know, but we are always been careful when we meet. You caught me by surprise, that is all."

"Don't worry, I promise you that I've been extra careful this time. I just wanted to see you; it has been a long time. I heard you became queen, and after you went into seclusion, and then after went to Kun Lun Mountain. I wanted to make sure that you are doing well. Then I come here and hear you spouting nonsense to the air. What's up with that? Is my little me me in love?"

"Unrequited love." Feng Jiu sighed heavily.

"Oh, I understand then." Xiao Yan pouted at Feng Jiu.

"You too eh?"

"Such a pair we have become" Feng Jiu laughed. "We should toast to it"

"Who is the lucky bastard? Do you want me to teach him a lesson? I can fight him you know that."

"I'm afraid this one is out of your league Xiao Yan."

"Tell me who is it?"

"The one and only former ruler of all realms Dong Hua Dijun."

"Old Ice face?" Xiao Yan laughed.

Feng Jiu laughed at his expression, "Old Ice face?"

"That's what everyone calls him behind his back. Every fairy wants him, even my beloved."

"Your beloved? Who is she?"

"Red Demon Princess Ji Heng."

"I haven't met her yet."

"She is the love of my life, but she doesn't notice me at all. But that does not stop me for loving her. One day she will come to her senses and will responds my affections."

"Well I wish you all the luck you deserve Xiao Yan. You deserve to be happy too."

"He, he, he, he, so tell me how bad is it with you and Old Ice face?"

"Well, at least we were able to be together in the mortal realm for 20 years. So, I had my time with him." Feng Jiu proudly smiled.

"Huh? And that was enough to keep him with you?"

"Unfortunately, no. We foxes once we love a person, is for a lifetime. Dijun has no love fate with nobody, so we cannot be together. I will love him for my entire existence, even if that is not enough."

"I envy you Jiu Gue, at least you were able to live a lifetime with your lover. Me in the other hand cannot come near her, she avoids me like a plague."

"Aww but you are a cute plague, come here." She hugged him while patting his head. They laughed and glared at each other reminiscing their time apart. They spend the rest of the night catching up with their lives. Once it was dawn, Xiao Yan bid his goodbye to Feng Jiu.

"Until next time Xiao Yan. I was glad that you came to see me."

"Please don't wait a millennium to contact me. I am here for you always. If there is trouble, please let me know how I can help you. I am your big brother from another mother, he, he, he, he."

"I will take you on that." Elbowing him.

"Take this Jiu Gue" he placed on Feng Jiu's hands a luminous red pearl. When you need to reach me just use it. I placed some of my cultivation on the pearl. It will let me know so we can meet in our special place. I will wait for you there. Please take good care of yourself Jiu Gue and let me know if I need to scare away some vultures. I have heard that are flying around here." Xiao Yan laughed.

"Deal Xiao Yan. Thank you for thinking about my wellbeing. You are the best big brother. What would I do without you? Next time I will bring you some of the sweet carefree cakes that you love to make it up to you, deal?"

"I will take you on that! Don't forget it! See ya!" And he walked away in his stupid silly walk.