In another place....

A lightning bug flew high until it reached Tai Chen Palace. Dong Hua was in his study reading a scroll when he saw the fire fly coming to him. He extended his hand and the fire fly landed on his finger. It shared with Dong Hua everything that was held at the council meeting. His facial expression changed from tranquil to anguished. He thanked the fire fly and send it away.

"Bai Yi you are lucky that I let you to keep that hand;" he heatedly said. Dong Hua decided to pay a visit to his brother in arms Zhe Yan. He was not counting to see Feng Jiu's mother at Zhe Yan's hut. He conjured an invisibility buffer. Hopefully Zhe Yan will not sense his presence.

"Thank you for opening your hut to our Xiao Jiu. You and Bai Zhen have been most helpful to her every time she gets in trouble."

"Trouble seems to find her." Zhe Yan grunted. "You know Xiao Jiu is welcome to stay with us anytime as long as she wants. You don't need to thank me."

"If things would have been different...." She looked away from Zhe Yan's gaze.

"But they are as they are, and I will never break my promise to you. Are you happy?"

"I would have been happier with you." She gave him a small smile.

Zhe Yan hold her hand and placed it in his heart. "As long as we live, you will always be here. You are also welcomed to come here if you need to."

"You know I can't. I only come here when it comes to Xiao Jiu. I don't know what I will do without you. I can only entrust her to you and be at peace with that."

"You know that I will protect her with my life."

"I know. Are you happy with Bai Zhen?"

"Our relationship is very particular. He's special." Zhe Yan snorted.

"At least you have someone to take care of you. And I'm glad for it. Please send word to me when Xiao Jiu wakes up. I need to know if she is okay. I will be waiting for news."

"I will, please be careful going back." Feng Jiu's mother placed her hand on Zhe Yan's face and smiled at him before leaving.

"Until next time."

Dong Hua was perplexed with what he saw. He made sure that Feng Jiu's mother arrived safely at her home before heading back to Zhe Yan.

"Dear brother, to what I have the honor to see your stoic face here at my place?"

"I came to talk to you about what happened earlier on."

"This is Qing Qui's business, I'm not allowed to divulge their information Dong Hua."

"Oh? And since when you are allowed to touch the fox former queen and exchange pleasantries with her? Does Bai Yi mind that his wife spends time with you alone? Does your mate mind these visits?" Dong Hua used a sarcastically accused Zhe Yan.

"Dong Hua don't cross me! You don't know nothing." Zhe Yan glared at Dong Hua. "Since when you developed an interest in Qing Qui affairs?"

"I make it my business since my student was challenged and humiliated in front of all realms."

"Your student?"

"Yes, my student. I know that my name and her reputation are tainted in the minds of so many and even though I don't care about what people say behind my back. Qing Qui's queen being young have gained respect and popularity in all realms. I worry about the course of action that my student, your grandniece will take."

"How well do you know your student Dong Hua?"

"If you are implying that I have crossed the lines with her, you are gravely mistaken. I have the high most respect for her."

"Respect or care? You don't fool this old phoenix Dong Hua; I know you care for Xiao Jiu. You might hide it well using your cold methods with her; but I believe Xiao Jiu have melted that iceberg of a heart that you have. Have you forgot your visit to Kun Lun when she cut one of her tails for you? I knew back then that you cared for her. Everyone that was there that night saw it. Isn't she enough for you? Haven't she suffered enough to obtain your love? What else do you want with her Dong Hua? She confronted Bai Yi on that council meeting just to defend your honor. When it comes to you, she rather sacrifices herself before you get hurt. It pains me to see her acting so foolish for someone who doesn't reciprocate her feelings. Nobody can change her course of action if you are the subject of ridicule. Today she ferociously dented a marble table with her little fist! I was beside myself when I sensed her power reaching a boiling point. I don't know how well she will be able to keep it under control after this incident. It triggered a relapse on her behavior."

"Bai Yi acted unruly towards Jiu'er. He is lucky I don't pay him a visit right now and amputate his hand."

"And what will that solve? You want to bring a war? Do you think Xiao Jiu will forgive you if you hurt him? Why are you here Dong Hua really?"

"I'm worried about Jiu'er. You and I sensed her power manifesting today. When we trained, I tried to seek her core but couldn't reach it."

"Explain."

"Do you know how much I hate to offer explanations to others?"

"Well if you want my help, then I need to know what really happened. Tea or wine?"

"Wine."

"I thought so," Zhe Yan smiled at him. He poured him a glass of his famous peach wine. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Dong Hua I don't have the patience of a monk, so please tell me what happened."

Sipping his wine, it tasted funny but he looked at Zhe Yan and said: "For an old phoenix you should have the patience of a monk. You should try and cultivate more; it will do wonders to build your tolerance."

Zhe Yan laughed at Dijun. He missed his brother venomous tongue.

"Jiu'er and I did a mental exercise and went to the realm of serenity to reach her essence. When we finally found it, her core mentioned to me that we have met in the past. I don't recollect meeting someone with an aura like Jiu'er."

"That is very odd Dong Hua, are you sure it was not an illusion to keep you from getting where you guys wanted to do? The mind can play trick on us. Xiao Jiu is mischievous in nature; she could have easily produced this in order to divert you from reaching her out. Like a barrier or a shield."

"I have considered that too, but Jiu'er has changed Zhe Yan, she is more centered and interested in finding out what is going on with her. I don't think that she will interfere with her own quest." Dong Hua was enjoying his wine. Hmm.

"Dong Hua, Xiao Jiu indeed has grown, she is not the same kittling as before. She has suffered greatly because of your rejection. Her persistence has no boundaries when it comes to you. She has stayed away from you because she doesn't want to keep getting rejected. Although she tries to convince herself that she understands the reason behind it, she is heartbroken Dong Hua. Foxes chose their mating partners for life. When they get rejected, it's a miserable existence for them. Sometimes they choose to kill their mate if mating doesn't occur! Mo Yan was able to help her find herself and lead her to heal her soul. Little by little she was able to pick up her shattered pieces to somehow function as whole again. She buried herself with work to keep her mind busy. She has worked really hard to bring Qing Qui of what it is today. She lives to prove others that she can be a good queen. We hope that this incident today will not divert her path to greatness. Do you think that I don't suffer in silence Dong Hua knowing that you pushed her to depression? I love her with my life. If we were not sworn brothers, I don't know what would happen between us. I will not forgive you if you keep harming her this way."

Dong Hua frowned; he felt the pain behind each word that came from Zhe Yan heart. He has seen how much pain his little fox has gone thru since she met him. His silence was the only response to Zhe Yan. He knew that she deserves to be happy and live a normal life. Knowing that she will live miserable due to his rejection was heartbreaking for him. He hasn't treasure her like she deserves.

"I want to protect her Zhe Yan. I..." Dong Hua couldn't finish his sentence. He felt a weight pounding from his chest. He just gazed at his glass and took another sip of wine.

"What kind of affection are you able to offer her Dong Hua? She wants to be with you without any impediments. Foxes love unconditionally, their bonds are strong. Xiao Jiu is carefree; she has a cheerful spirit and a kind soul. But when she reaches her limits there is no going back. We don't know how well she'll adapt once her dormant powers manifest. How much she will change. Would you sacrifice the peace of all realms just to be with her?"

Dong Hua's face fell, he knew the answer. "Zhe Yan if there was a way to be with her, I will do the impossible to make her happy. I will trade anything to be what she needs me to be. I wanted to kill that little brat when he got the guts to propose to her in front of everybody. I took all my will not to jump and tare him in two."

"And what will you do if she ends up marrying another? Would you end up killing him? At least he was sincere with his feelings and got the courage to let her know how he felt. Have you done that eh?"

"Jiu'er will never do that! She will always choose me!" Dong Hua seethed.

"How sure you are of that Dong Hua?" Zhe Yan asked him.

"Thank you for the wine." He stood up and disappeared into a purple mist.

Zhe Yan smiled. "Not to brag but my wine always brings the best of people when they drink it." He laughed on his way back to his hut.