Feng Jiu was shocked upon hearing the news. "I'm pregnant?"

Zhe Yan saw how unsettled her reaction was. "Darling, please, regulate your breathing. I'm here."

Feng Jiu stared at Zhe Yan and started to cry uncontrollably. Zhe Yan tenderly hugged her. "Sweetheart, I'm here, my kittling. Don't you worry." Zhe Yan patted her back to comfort her. He was a bit worry about her emotional state. Feng Jiu continued to cry her heart out until she felt she could talk.

"Fùqīn...I'm not ready to be a mother." She told him between sniffles.

"My darling daughter please calm down first. Don't be afraid, I know you will be an excellent mother. You are smart, dedicated, caring, gentle and filial. I thought that you will be happy about it. What is the matter kittling? Please talk to your old man." Zhe Yan hold her chin up and wiped her tears away. "There; let's have a chat."

"Fùqīn. Dong Hua and I decided to wait to form a family. With the uncertainty of the events that are coming I don't know if this is the ideal time to have this baby."

"Is this the only reason you are so afraid to be a mother? I know you Xiao Jiu, and I can sense that deep inside you are hiding something else. Tell me please." Zhe Yan inquired.

"I...will not know where to start fùqīn..." Feng Jiu lowered her face.

"Look at me sweetheart. You don't need to hide from me. You and I have had deep chats before. Let's not make an exception now. Tell me what is really bothering you. Is it Dong Hua?"

"No fùqīn, he's been really wonderful to me. He's been wanting to have kids with me. Is just..."

"Just what Xiao Jiu?"

"Is just...that I don't want our child to live what I went thru... with Bai Yi.... Or have Dijun turn cold towards me again, I couldn't bare it. I'm afraid of being rejected again." Feng Jiu started to cry again.

Zhe Yan felt pained hearing his daughter telling her fears and insecurities. "My sweet Xiao Jiu. I'm so sorry about the fact that I didn't did enough to prevent you from hardships on your earlier days. For that I will bear that guilt for the rest of my days. But I want you know that I always watched over you ever since you were little and gave you all of my love and protection when I could be with you. I know that the relationship between you and Bai Yi has not been the greatest. But I firmly believe that Dong Hua will not be like Bai Yi. He is different now darling. He will not turn back on you, that I can attest to it. Please listen to what I will say. Is perfectly normal to be afraid of parenthood. You are still managing your insecurities and other emotional issues that are part of your healing process sweetheart. But you aren't giving Dong Hua the benefit of the doubt or enough credit in your relationship. I know that he is trying to mend up his past mistakes. He's been showing you that he has changed. You need to trust him more and help him heal too. He needs you just as you need him. You are made for each other my darling. In regards with Bai Yi, please know that he's probably trying to deal with shame and guilt as well among other things. He's not the most emotional fox in the family. So, give him time to mend his ways with you. I will not let him hurt you again. That is a guarantee.

I understand that before you make that life-altering decision of becoming a parent, it's important to think about if you're really ready. You may want one and be at a good place in your life, but how do you know if you're ready for a baby? This is especially important considering that, as a female and with your status, you are often pressured to believe that it is natural and expected to have children. You aren't supposed to take the time to wonder if it's really right for you personally, or if there are actions you need to take before you can be emotionally ready for such a responsibility. The broad idea is that females are supposed to have maternal instincts from the get-go and feel incomplete until someone calls you mommy, and something is fundamentally wrong with if you simply aren't interested. Lots of women do want children, but lots of women don't want kids or are really conflicted. And there is nothing wrong with any of these viewpoints. When not wanting kids is treated as an abnormality, it often shames people into ignoring their reservations about raising children. But it's really important that you acknowledge and understand every single reservation that you have instead of brushing it under the rug because you want to be "normal" or please your husband. Raising a child is the hugest deal and you need to recognize it as such. If you decide to have this one and more in the future, even still, if you're not sure if you will ever be ready to have kids at all. I do know it is not a priority for your happiness at this point, but I haven't pondered it as seriously as probably your husband. But it's important to stress about it for the right reasons and to have appropriate expectations for parenthood responsibilities. There is nothing wrong with just not wanting kids. Women are thought to be broken if they don't desire children, and it's hard to tune out the societal voices demanding you adhere to gender norms. But acting under pressure and not maternal desires is absolutely terrible for both you and a child. Ambivalence can be a result of emotional issues that probably you aren't completely aware of, such as unresolved grief, resentment or insecurities. I know that you are working on unresolved emotional conflicts lately that are perhaps trigger points to your unbalance emotional state now. There are a variety of emotions you face just from the new hormones shooting through your body alone. With anxiety on top of it, it can spur a variety of mixed feelings. Let me ask you this, did Dong Hua pressured you to become pregnant?"

"No. He had expressed his desire to have children but we agreed to wait."

"In that case then when did you stopped taking the peach contraceptives?"

"I think that with all that went on before and after my ascension trial, I truly forgot to take them."

"I know that you two have been sexually active since then, so there is a possibility that conception happened during that time and neither of you noticed it. Which points out a more serious question for you Xiao Jiu, do you want to keep this baby?"

Feng Jiu hesitated to answer not sure of what to say. "Fùqīn I don't know. What should I do?"

"The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath. Facing an unplanned pregnancy is something no one ever imagines having to do, and it is certainly overwhelming, no matter your circumstances. After all, an unplanned pregnancy is exactly that — unplanned — and it can be difficult to know where to go from here. Raising a child is a great commitment that lasts years and requires patience, love, and wholehearted commitment to being a parent. Whatever the reason, remember that this is your child, conceived in love. It is a part of both of you. No matter how unexpected, a child is always a precious gift. Make the adjustment toward a positive mindset, but don't try to rush yourself into the adjustment. No matter how you feel, you have such a pure heart Xiao Jiu and you have always persevered in everything that you put your mind to. Not to mention that you are not alone. You have me, I have always been your number one backer. You have your mother; she will be on your side no matter what. And finally Dong Hua. That old ice rock will melt completely. He loves you so much that I'm sure that he will support any decision that you take regarding this pregnancy. However, he has the right to know. You need to tell him. Don't keep him in the dark Xiao Jiu, it could damage your relationship and I'm sure you don't want that. I can't make this decision for you darling. I can only guide you and hopefully you will make the right choice that is the best for both of you. Either way just know that I'm here for you. Do you want me to come with you when you talk to him?"

"No. I have to resolve this with Dong Hua fùqīn. Thank you for the advice. As always, I feel better after talking with you."

"I love you my dear. I want to see you happy no matter what. Let me know how it goes with Dong Hua okay kittling?"

"Sure thing fùqīn."

"Please be careful Xiao Jiu, take good care of yourself from now on."

"I will, don't worry." Zhe Yan hugged her and gave her a sweet kiss on her forehead.

"Now go and have a good chat with your husband. If you need me, I'll be here for you."

Feng Jiu left Zhe Yan's house and took the scenic route to return to his beloved. She wasn't sure how to handle this conversation but knew that after talking to her father, she felt better.

"Little one, please don't be mad at me for not being sure." She patted her stomach. Feng Jiu arrived to the fox palace and decided to sit in front of the lake to calm herself before talking with Dong Hua. The lake looked inviting so she took of her shoes and dipped her feet on the water. She reflected for a long time on the progress they had made so far in their relationship. "Dijun is not the same as before with me. Fùqīn is right, I should give him credit for the sacrifice he made just to be with me. We have come a long way since then. I vowed to work things out and be with him no matter what. How can I doubt his love? Feng Jiu you need to grow up and focus on continuing your mission to help Dijun. He needs his Jiu'er. There is no room for insecurities. I'm his Dihou now. I thought I knew what love was before you, but whatever I had experienced in the past paled in comparison to the utterly unconditional love I immediately felt for you my little bundle I now will cherish you forever. Little one your father will love you so much, he's been waiting for a long time to see you. Hang on tight there okay? I will make sure that you are loved and protected."

Dong Hua sensed that his little fox was nearby, he went to look for her and found her at the lake. He was afraid that she ends up falling asleep near the water and drown. "My mischievous little fox, she is so lost in thought. She looks so beautiful; I hope that she's okay." He went her way with his famous slow regal pace. Feng Jiu felt his presence but decided not to turn around and face him.

Dong Hua sat on her back and placed his arms around her. Feng Jiu smiled and held his hands. "Is my Dihou all right? You took your time to come back to me." He kissed the back of her hair inhaling her sweet scent.

"I'm all right husband. Did you miss me?"

"Always. You are my center and when you aren't' around I'm not complete without you. I saw you here and wanted to make sure that you were not asleep. You have a bad habit on falling asleep near water." Dong Hua smiled.

"It relaxes me."

"I know it does. But I can't let you drown little fox."

"You always watching over me."

"That is because you are my precious treasure Jiu'er. What do you want to do today? I told Migu to clear your schedule since we are leaving tomorrow to the northern lands. So we have free time before we leave."

"I want to do a painting with you. I've seen your paintings at Tai Chen, you have mastered the shanshui and gongbi techniques. To my knowledge only a few have mastered them. I'm okay but not as good as you. I want you to teach me in the future. But today I want a painting that reflects our love Dong Hua.

"I didn't knew that you were interested in painting techniques little fox."

"Is one of my hidden passions. I love to integrate these techniques in my designs."

"Very well, let' s go to the studio and start our painting." Once there, Dong Hua prepared everything. Then he asked her "Where do see us little fox?"

"Hmmm, home." Feng Jiu sweetly grinned.

"Which home, we have several"

"Our first home Dong Hua."

Dong Hua understood her answer. He started to paint Bihai Canglin landscape when he finished, he asked her "What else you want to add?"

"So beautiful. I want to paint you and me, here." She pointed at the bench that Dong Hua drew near the sea.

"All right, go ahead." Feng Jiu carefully painted them where she wanted.

"Hmmm very nice, but why did you leave such gap in between us little fox?" Dong Hua pouted at her.

Feng Jiu smiled at his cute pouting face. "I'm not done yet Dong Hua, please let me finish" Feng Jiu continued to paint a basket in between them.

"A picnic basket? Hmm maybe she's hungry" Dong Hua thought.

Feng Jiu ignored him and continued painting. Dong Hua was curious and very observant of his beloved fox. He was studying her delicate features and eyeing her brush movements. She was indeed a talented artist. Her long thick lashes were distracting him to see what she was painting. When she finished, she caught him staring at her.

"Do you like it?" She eagerly asked him.

"I'm sorry little fox I was distracted. Let me see it." Dong Hua looked the painting wondering why she painted a picnic basket. Until he realized it was not a picnic basket, it was a cradle. His eyes widen and turn to her to meet hers. She was smiling at him.

"Jiu'er...this is not a picnic basket."

"No is not." She replied.

"Then.... What are you trying to convey here?"

"You are still clueless?" Feng Jiu asked him laughing a bit.

Dong Hua deliberated a bit. When he understood, his breathing trembled. "You mean... you are... expecting?" Feng Jiu broadly smiled at him

"You mean that we...." Dong Hua face was pale trying to process the news. His eyes misted with tears. "Jiu'er...are you trying to tell me that we are going to be...." Feng Jiu saw him and got a bit worried.

"Are you okay Dong Hua? You don't look all right. You are pale." Dong Hua was silent, too quiet making Feng Jiu feel uncomfortable and afraid. "You don't want..."

When he heard her voice, he reacted. "Jiu'er my love come here. Please tell me that I understood correctly."

Feng Jiu slowly told him: "You and I will welcome our little bundle of love Dong Hua."

"Our little bundle." Dong Hua absently said. He looks Feng Jiu and a wry smile was on his lips. "Jiu'er my love.... I'm speechless."

"Are you happy?" She asked him.

"Happy, can't describe what I'm feeling right now. I'm ecstatic, overjoyed, thrilled with the news. He firmly hugged her. "My little fox surprised me. Only you could do this to me. Come please sit here." He knelt down to her tummy to listen to the baby.

"Is too early Dong Hua."

"Not to me little fox. I can hear his little heartbeat. Little one, is me, your father. I want you to know that I waited so long for you. I will teach you many things when you are older. I will protect you and your mother with my life. I love you little one. Besides your mother you are the greatest joy that I have ever experimented in my long existence. I want you to know that your mother is so beautiful. I want you to be good to her while you are inside her tummy and grow healthy. Okay little one? I will be patiently waiting for you to come to our lives. You will lack nothing. You have such a crazy family but they will love you too. But I will love you the most after your mother of course." Dong Hua kissed Feng Jiu's stomach. He stayed on her tummy for a while smiling. Feng Jiu caressed his silvery hair enjoying the moment. Right there she knew she made the right choice.

"Jiu'er you have made so happy, I love you." Dong Hua looked right up her face.

"I love you too Dong Hua." She kissed his head. Dong Hua smile disappeared when he realized that they were facing a possible war. His priorities now changed. He got up to meet his little fox face who also realized the same thing.

"I promise to be careful Dong Hua. Please don't leave me behind. We will act accordingly. I was thinking not to reveal our pregnancy to no one yet at least not now. Only fùqīn knows about it since he gave me a medical exam and discovered it. I'm well aware of the risks."

"I don't want to leave you behind but you can't be exposed to strong scenarios like this. It is important that you get all the rest that you need. Traveling long distances will not do you any good."

"We can aura travel."

"I know we can, but about the baby? I don't want to hurt you or the baby."

"Dong Hua before you panic, why don't you have a conversation with my doctor and cover all of your scaring topics? I'm not made out of glass you know." Feng Jiu caressed his face.

"Of course, you are not made out of glass but things are different now. I know that my little fox is strong and capable. I just want to be sure."

"Then talk to fùqīn. He's probably waiting for you"

"All right I will summon him here. I don't want to leave you alone for a second. Are you okay, do you need anything?"

"I'm all right Dong Hua. Please don't worry or I will worry too."

After a while Zhe Yan was at the fox palace at Dong Hua's petition. He knew very well why he was there.

"All right Dong Hua, I'm assuming that you already know. So are you happy?"

"Very." Dong Hua said with his stoic voice tone. Zhe Yan raised his eyebrows upon hearing his answer.

"He's ecstatic fùqīn, don't mind him." Feng Jiu smiley said.

"Spill it Mr. father to be."

"All right gramps, my main concern is Jiu'er antenatal care, and what recommendations on managing a healthy lifestyle and the provision of maternal physiological changes in pregnancy, biological changes, and prenatal and potential health problems throughout the course of Jiu'er pregnancy. The risks of maternal death, miscarriages, birth and other preventable problems. She is not an ordinary immortal as you well know, so mainly what we need to know is what type commendations we should follow at this phase of her pregnancy. Can she travel? What type of activities she should avoid? Can she be sexually active and if so until when? Those type of things."

Zhe Yan breathed hard listening Dong Hua's concern about his daughter. "Dong Hua, Xiao Jiu is still young and she is unique in every way. Prenatal care is an important part of staying healthy during immortal pregnancies. I would like to monitor the baby's development and do routine checkups to help find and prevent possible problems which I doubt that there will any considering your both of your essences. These regular checkups are also a great time to learn how to ease any discomfort Xiao Jiu might experience. Every pregnancy is different so I can't be certain that she might or not have any complications or risk factors. But conception, pregnancy and delivery are remarkably complicated processes, and sometimes that complexity results in, well, complications. Not that I envision any of them, but it will be wise to be prepared just in case. A couple of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy she may experience:

· Morning sickness: Unfortunately, it doesn't just strike in the morning — and it typically starts up by about week 6 of pregnancy. Ginger tea or drops might help, as can small but frequent meals.

· Tender breasts: Xiao Jiu's breasts will change and she might be uncomfortable, so plan for loose comfortable clothing around your chest area.

· Mood swings: You may (or may not) feel up, then down, then up. It will be an emotional ride, so be ready for it Dong Hua, you need to be very supportive of her emotional needs.

· As your pregnancy progresses Xiao Jiu, you may experience plenty of other pregnancy symptoms like heartburn, constipation, metallic taste, food aversions and headaches.

· Weight gain. Your baby is still very small — which means all told you only need to gain about three to four pounds in your first trimester. If you're suffering from appetite loss, you might even lose a couple of pounds. That's OK, too — as long as your pregnancy weight gain picks up steam in the second and third trimesters. For now, just focus on eating frequent light meals of any high-density nutritious foods when you can stomach it. Try to keep a check on your caloric intake during pregnancy in check: You don't actually need any extra calories during your first trimester (though your intake will go up in the second and third trimesters). If you do end up gaining more than is recommended now, all is not lost. Just focus on getting back on track over the duration of your pregnancy.

· And finally, yes you can have sex, if you feel like it. It's fun and safe for baby — plus it has benefits for both of you. As far as travel is concerned, I will recommend aura travel. Include them inside your aura Dong Hua is perfectly safe for both of them.

· Xiao Jiu should avoid strenuous activities and stressful situations during her pregnancy. She could be physically active without straining herself. If you notice cramping or pain, immediately stop and send for me right away.

Well, I think I covered the basics here. Any more questions?" Zhe Yan asked the couple.

"I have one." Feng Jiu said. "Is it too early to tell the baby's essence? We know it will be a powerful immortal even more powerful that both of us." Feng Jiu shyly looked at Dong Hua.

"When I scanned your being, it was too early to determine. However, I will not doubt that this little one will be off the charts." Zhe Yan replied.

"Which brings another important factor. Security and protection. It will be unavoidable to hide the pregnancy further. For the same reasons we would like our pregnancy hidden for the time being. We are facing a possible war and we don't want to risk my wife and child to our enemies." Dong Hua expressed.

"I have an idea Dong Hua." Zhe Yan said.

"Which is?" Dong Hua raised his eyebrow to him.

"A stealth energy spell. It will hide the baby's liveliness from Xiao Jiu's body from everyone who comes close to her. At least until she begins to show. It will be safe for the baby. It's an ability that female phoenixes possess. I would like to remind you Xiao Jiu that you need to maintain your core temperature leveled. Your body will start changing and your core could get unbalanced, especially when you are going thru any emotional situation that will make you mad, angry or extremely sad. Is important that you to control your temper, keep it under wraps at all times while you're pregnant. Pregnancy and childbirth are very spiritual processes. It is actually believed that a woman who gives birth can walk between two worlds; giving birth is a rite of passage. The woman must surrender to the birth energy but find the connection of the physical, spiritual, and energetic power within herself. The baby inside the womb is a spirit that is taking on flesh. The fetus dreams and thinks about past lives and considers plans for this new incarnation. This is why the pregnant woman can meditate between the two worlds. The womb symbolizes the field of emptiness, which is where all things rise and fall. I will recommend that you increase your level of meditation and your Tai Chi routines to keep you stable."

"All right we'll work on that." Feng Jiu said. "Can we tell mom? I know she will be happy to know." Feng Jiu asked Dong Hua.

"When we finish our trip on the northern lands, we can summon her to visit you there. But she needs to be discreet." Dong Hua said.

"Thank you husband." Feng Jiu hugged Dong Hua tight, making him chuckle.

"Awww she will be thrilled Xiao Jiu. Don't worry she will guard your secret." Zhe Yan said.

You need your rest Jiu'er we leave tomorrow morning; I'll be over quick." Dong Hua kissed her forehead. He tenderly caressed her cheek.

"Don't make me wait long or I'll hunt you down husband." Feng Jiu said on a low voice and giggles.

"My voracious little fox. Don't you worry, I won't make you wait for long." He teasingly responded.

"I'll see you tomorrow fùqīn." She bowed to Zhe Yan.

"Rest well darling."

"Zhe Yan thank you for taking care of Jiu'er." Dong Hua serenely said.

"No need to thank me. She's my daughter Dong Hua. She wasn't this happy when I told her that she was pregnant. She's still dealing with insecurities and fears of ending up alone. Not to mention that she still feels your rejection and Bai Yi's. It pained me to see her like that. She was a mess. Dong Hua you need to help her heal. Especially now that she's pregnant. Her emotions will run wild and you need to be ready to be supportive and understanding. We don't want her to get depressed. She will greatly depend on you for support and affirmation. I guess that it will take a while until she sees that you will not leave her again."

"I'm willing to do anything for her Zhe Yan. I know how deeply I hurt her psychologically and emotionally. I want her to be happy with me. She's my lifeline."

"She feels she's not ready to be a mother, it took me a bit to curve her desire to change her mind about the baby. I knew well enough that she couldn't act with her fears. Although she's young she is strong. Don't underestimate her feelings Dong Hua, that kittling will do anything for you. And she will turn overprotective with the baby. Do you have anything to do with the pregnancy aside the obvious? Xiao Jiu told me that you both agreed to wait. Knowing what a trickster you are...."

Dong Hua remained silent.

"Deep inside I knew it. When you told me to stop giving her the contraceptive peaches, a warning light ignited in my head. If Xiao Jiu finds out, you're in big trouble. She will not easily forgive you Dong Hua." Zhe Yan admonished him.

Dong Hua smirked a bit. "So much for my dormant soldiers as you mildly said"

"HAAAAA!!!!!! After all this time who would've guessed."

"Not a single word to her Zhe Yan!!!" Dong Hua warned him.

"My lips are sealed. Your secret is safe with me. However, you owe me one big time now Dong Hua."

"What do you want old bird? Before I lose my patience and pluck all your feathers." Dong Hua annoyingly asked Zhe Yan.

"The oldest wine bottle that you have in your winery." Zhe Yan shamelessly smiled.

"Seriously?"

"Is a small price to pay comparing to your shamelessly ways."

"Done. I'll send your prized bottle with Zhong Li."

"Deal. Nice doing business with you. Now I can sleep happy. See you tomorrow."

Once Dong Hua was by himself, he greatly smiled, remembering that the one that laughs at the end he laughs better. "I'm going to be a father." He happily expressed and closed his eyes in total bliss.