Happy weekend! 🦊💜

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The silence that surrounded the den after Zhe Yan's revelation was only broken when Migu started cleaning up the slight mess he created. The sweeping of the teacup shards could be heard alongside the small sighs as the high gods inside the den were pulled back into reality.

Bai Qian, who was clutching a teacup, tightened her grip on it as confusion plagued her mind as to how her beloved niece could be in such a state for such a long time when she clearly recalls spending time with her not just long ago.

"How could that be possible, Zhe Yan? Xiao Jiu was at Xiwu Palace with us three days ago. Even Fourth Brother could attest to that," she said, because it just doesn't make complete sense.

"Qian Qian is right, Zhe Yan. But how could this be the case then?" Bai Zhen gave pause. "Don't you all find this totally bizarre?"

Zhe Yan let out a sigh after hearing all the questions from the siblings. He understood where they were coming from, and he knew everyone inside the den must have the same questions, but he wouldn't expect the other two older high gods to speak out first. Unfortunately for him, he also doesn't know why all these things are happening.

"I currently don't have any idea why Feng Jiu is in such a state for that amount of time now. I've used an old tracing magic to make sure my assessment is correct because I also somehow doubted my initial findings, but then it showed me the same answers." He stopped midway and unhappily chuckled. "It's like two parallel worlds touched and caused confusion in our understanding of time."

Something flashed in Dong Hua's eyes after listening to Zhe Yan's last statement. Time. Parallel worlds. He doesn't want to assume things, but the connection between the current matter and the one he and Mo Yuan worked on over the past few days is somehow possible.

How is it that less than a day after one of Zu Ti's powerful artifacts broke, Feng Jiu had gone missing? He also recalled Bai Qian's mention that she was supposed to join the continuation session the next day, but they couldn't find her.

Speaking of the said artifact, it could be that the target the spirit chose was Feng Jiu, who happened to be alone in the garden that night. And then didn't Bai Zhen mention something about the flash of light one of the guards saw...

"Dong Hua."

Dong Hua's long train of thought was interrupted when he heard his name being called. He turned towards the voice and noticed that he was left alone with Mo Yuan in the sitting area.

Slowly, with calculated facial movements, he replied. "Yes?"

Mo Yuan's forehead was slightly creased. The Bai siblings plus Ye Hua went inside the room where Feng Jiu is currently resting to have another check on her. They were accompanied by Zhe Yan. Dong Hua seemed to be in deep thought because he stayed silent the whole time the other occupants of the den left.

He also found the situation peculiar. He can't help but pity the young monarch for her current state. He gave Dong Hua another look, and it seemed like he's back to wherever his mind is.

"Dong Hua, what happened to Feng Jiu is truly puzzling. Don't you agree?" He asked again to bring the other high god back to the present world.

Dong Hua slowly nodded and sighed. "Are we still needed here?"

Mo Yuan slightly arched a brow. "I'm not sure yet, why? Do you have somewhere to be?" He asked since he knew they were supposed to go to Gu Yao Mountain earlier but had to change route because of Zhe Yan's alert.

"I thought it would be ideal if we paid Gu Yao Mountain a visit now. The longer we let that spirit let loose, the more potential troubles it will create for us," Dong Hua replied.

Mo Yuan nodded. "I understand. Let's bid goodbye to them first before we head out."

Dong Hua shook his head. "I can't go in; can you please do it on my behalf?"

He's not ready to see Jiu'er again in her current state. He's already emotionally invested in this weird case, and he doesn't want to add more heaviness to his heart by going inside that room again. He needed to be sane because he would need a clear mind to unravel all the mysteries that link Feng Jiu's and that broken artifact's situations.

Mo Yuan nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll let them know." He then went inside the room and found Bai Qian seated on Feng Jiu's bed, quietly observing her niece's face.

He went to Zhe Yan's side, where he was setting up the bottles of medicinal concoctions.

"Zhe Yan, I apologize, but Dong Hua and I have to leave for now. We need to go visit the mountain for the investigation we're working on," he quietly said.

Zhe Yan nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll stay here for the mean time to look after Feng Jiu. If you need anything, let me know, or you can come to Qing Qiu as I think I won't be in the peach forest for the next few days."

"Okay. Update me also if there are any improvements on Feng Jiu's state, as I think Dong Hua is too stubborn to ask you for any information."

Zhe Yan sadly smiled. "I understand."

Mo Yuan nodded and looked at the scene near the bedside. He decided not to interrupt them, so he quietly left the room.

Bai Qian quietly observed Feng Jiu's face. Her heart broke at the thought of her niece going through her high immortal trial alone, if everything truly coincided.

It seemed like luck has been staying away from their Xiao Jiu's life for the past few years. All the heartbreak she got from Dong Hua Dijun plus the physical pain she's currently in, even though the latter is only natural for a trial, are just too much.

She slowly reached for Feng Jiu's closer hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Xiao Jiu, you rest and heal for now, okay? Gugu will stay by your side until you get better," she softly said after.

Her eyes observed the hand she was holding and noticed the unfamiliar ring. She heard Zhe Yan say that it was a protection artifact, possibly created by Dong Hua Dijun. However, didn't he deny giving it to Xiao Jiu? But the confused look on the former emperor's face when he took a closer look at the ring was also contradictory to his denial.

"Fourth Brother, have you noticed Xiai Jiu wearing this ring days ago?"

Bai Zhen closedly checked the ring. "Hmmm... I don't, Qian Qian."

"Isn't that the protection ring High God Zhe Yan pointed out earlier, Qian Qian?" Ye Hua quietly asked.

"It is, but we're not sure how she got this..."

-----

Dong Hua slowly adjusted the quilt draped over Feng Jiu's sleeping figure. He decided to put her on a nap after seeing the telltale signs that fatigue was about to consume her again.

He stared at her face once more before he headed out to his study area, where his son was waiting. He found Gungun with a scroll on his hand, quietly reading its contents.

Gungun looked up to see his father entering the room. He quietly put down the bamboo scroll on his side. He has a lot of questions on his mind after seeing his mother alive and in a great state. But one look at his father's face told him that he needed to let his father speak first.

Dong Hua gave out a soft sigh when he was finally seated. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions."

Gungun nodded. "I do, Father."

"All right, go ahead."

"How is it that Mother is here and alive? Didn't she--"

"I have no clear answers at the moment, but isn't her being okay the most important thing for now?" Dong Hua said after he interrupted his son.

Gungun solemnly nodded. "Yes, Father. Mother's well-being is the priority here. But then the other family members are asking what happened to Mother's body. I believe they still don't know she's back and is staying in Tai Chen Palace."

"It would be best if only a few people knew she's here and well. I've already taken care of the guards and the others who were here that night when I found her. Zhe Yan also agreed to keep everything secret for now."

"But they're asking for answers, Father. What should I tell them?"

Dong Hua paused to come up with an unsuspecting answer, which he then relayed to his son.

"I understand, Father. I will do my best to help keep everything under control. Do you also need help in the investigation you need to do?" Gungun asked, as he truly wanted to help his father get the answers they needed.

Dong Hua gave his son a small smile. "That would be great," he replied.

He hasn't fully disclosed his assumptions yet to his son, as he felt it would be too much for the young man to carry such heaviness and stress. Maybe in the next few days, but one at a time.

Throughout the rest of their conversation, Dong Hua tried his best to answer all the questions his son threw at him.

When it was already dinner time, Dong Hua went to Feng Jiu and asked if she'd be okay with the idea of Gungun joining them for dinner.

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" She let out a small smile. "I think it would be great if he'd join us," she added.

The three of them were finally in the pavillion once more for dinner and were about to start digging in the food when a sudden gasp was heard out of nowhere.

All three heads turned to the source of the sound, and they found a young maiden staring back at them with wide eyes and a mouth slightly open in shock.

"How is this possible?!"

-

Who could that unexpected person be?

Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Thank you! 💜🦊