At Zhe Yan's peach blossom orchard...

Feng Jiu's heartbeats were erratic. She was nervous and needed to calm down. Dong Hua was helping her ease her stress. "Jiu'er my love, breathe with me." Feng Jiu listened to him and began regulating her anxiety level. Dong Hua tenderly kissed her forehead pulsing thru her body waves of his chi to balance hers. "Feel better now little fox?" He whispered to her.

"Much better now, thank you husband. You have magical lips" Feng Jiu sweetly smiled at him.

"That's my girl, now behave." Dong Hua caressed her face and lead her to sit next to him.

"Xiao Jiu sweetheart, are you all right?" Her mother asked her.

"Much better now mǔqīn. I know that this is an uneasy conversation that we must have. But is important for me to know the truth about my birth. There is no reason to continue to hide it anymore. I know part of it, but what I don't know is how you two came into a relationship that birthed me. I'm a grown woman now, so please don't skip any details. My husband is here with me at my request. Don't be shy about his presence." Feng Jiu sincerely expressed. Dong Hua was holding her hand regulating her mood during this conversation.

"Okay Xiao Jiu, but before we start, we want to know if you are upset with us." Zhe Yan asked.

'I'm not angry at any of you. I just want to know the truth and nothing but the truth. No more lies please." Feng Jiu firmly stated.

"All right dear. Please listen carefully, since you want to know the truth about what we purposely concealed for thousands of years. Long before I married Bai Yi, my Red Fox family was close with the Bai tribe. My father incurred on a substantial debt with Bai Zhi Dijun. He proposed that the only way to negotiate a form of payment was for me to marry one of his sons. My father forced me to marry Bai Yi against my will. Zhe Yan and I already were involved at that time, but my father didn't approved our relationship. He and Bai Zhi entered marriage negotiations and set a date for our wedding. At that time Bai Yi was serving at Shīzi territory assisting the current ruler with the after-war effects at that time. Bai Zhi convened his son to return to Qing Qui to take on his duty as fox king of the eastern lands. Little that Bai Zhi knew was that Bai Yi had a previous relationship with another woman. Bai Zhi was always on his case about settling down and forming a family. But Bai Yi refused every chance he got, because of the love he had for his significant other, just like I had with Zhe Yan. Bai Zhi never knew that his son had already chosen his mate. He married me only to cover the honor of my family name that my father tarnished with his debt. Bai Yi and I arranged to spend our wedding night and honeymoon with our loved ones, instead with each other. We agreed on not revealing the identities of our lovers. So, he went to look for his beloved while I went to look for Zhe Yan. After the honeymoon period was over; we met again to return to Qing Qui and play the role of a happily married couple. He ascended to the throne and I was crowned as his queen. I didn't know that Zhe Yan was a close friend of the Bai family until I saw him on our coronation day. Then I learned about the time he served under your Lord Husband and Bai Zhi during the ancient wars. Zhe Yan and I continued our relationship in secret until I got pregnant. Bai Yi found out about my pregnancy and confronted Zhe Yan which he suspected that was my lover. Bai Yi came up with the plan to cover up my pregnancy, but Zhe Yan couldn't be part of it. Bai Yi remained by myside for the rest of my pregnancy, to ensure that everyone knew that we were happily expecting our bundle of joy together. Zhe Yan and I couldn't continue our relationship after that. Although he remained close to us, he couldn't reveal that he was your real father to others." Feng Jiu's mother explained.

"When you were born, your mother almost died Xiao Jiu." Zhe Yan interjected. "I attended your birth as the family physician and saw all the labor that your mother went thru to have you. She was in labor for three days. Finally, when I held you in my arms for the first time, I knew that you were special. You were born with my powerful aura along with your mother's fox traits and my phoenix qualities. We had to come with a solution fast before your presentation to Qing Qui as the future heir to the throne by Bai Yi and Bai Zhi. They were waiting outside along with the rest of the Bai family. That evening your mother and I made a promise to each other to never reveal your identity to others in order to protect you. I sealed your powers and gave you the phoenix flower on your forehead as a birthmark. That way you could grow up and develop your fox identity instead. It was the hardest decision that I have ever done in my long existence." Zhe Yan told her.

"So the entire time Bai Yi knew that I was not his daughter?" Feng Jiu asked her mother.

"Yes Xiao Jiu. He became your father. Strangely you and him never hit it off. He really tried to get along with you sweetheart. But you developed a close relationship with Zhe Yan instead ever since you were a kittling. Bai Yi couldn't oppose to this relationship since you always hang out at his orchard all the time. Deep down he knew that you felt closer to Zhe Yan instead of him."

"Well that explains a lot! Mom, do you still love Zhe Yan?"

"I have never loved another Xiao Jiu. You know very well how we foxes love our mates." Her mother shyly replied.

"So that means that you and Bai Yi never...." Feng Jiu trailed off.

"Like I said, I have never loved another." Her mother cut her short.

"I don't understand mother how you could stay married with someone you don't love. And why you didn't fought for her love fùqin?"

"Darling, your mother and I will love each other until we die, although we can't be together, we can't risk your family or Qing Qui reputation." Zhe Yan replied.

"Xiao Jiu, Bai Yi left behind someone he loves very much to fulfill his duty. That is why I strived to be a good partner and stayed by his side all these years to compensate in some way for the sacrifice he made to honor my family name. Our matrimony has been more like an amicable affiliation rather than a marital relationship. I knew the implications of our marriage contract when my father made me signed it. I am also grateful for the reception that the Bai family extended to me knowing that they were affected for my father substantial debt, not to mention that the broken trust that he caused. The Bai family never made me felt less or guilty of my father's mistakes. Contrary to that they have loved me as their own and adopted me, which I'm grateful for that as well. I know that Bai Yi has a bad temperament and other ill traits; but I have learned to appreciate his good characteristics and virtues ​​instead of despising him as an individual. The fact that he has taken care of all my needs all these years, has proven to be a good man. Bai Yi after knowing the truth of my pregnancy he could've easily loathed me, but he didn't. Instead, he was able to shield you and gave you his name and protection. I owe him this. We have our own share of misfortunes and we have adapted to carry our burdens quite well. Even though we are tied up to a loveless marriage with no chance to live with our true loved ones, please understand that thousands of years have passed so far, have you thought about the consequences on the kingdom if we decide to go our separate ways and your identity is revealed Xiao Jiu? What about Qing Qui or the Bai family reputation? They adore you darling." Her mother pleaded.

"Please understand that there is no such thing as a "broken family." Family is family, and is not determined by marriage certificates, contracts, divorce papers, or adoption documents. Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut. If you cut those ties, those people are not your family. If you make those ties, those people are your family. And if you hate those ties, those people will still be your family because whatever you hate will always be with you. We have been blessed to have such a diverse family to cherish. Your mother and I agreed not ruin this family." Zhe Yan said.

"How about fourth uncle, does he know?" Feng Jiu asked Zhe Yan.

"No he doesn't. He's suspicious as to why your mother and I are here talking with you. He feels protective of me, but him and I don't share a romantic relationship as many might assume. I don't want to divulge this to him and harm him. We have tried to hide this from everyone for their own good." Zhe Yan replied.

"For their own good? How about me? Have you ever considered my feelings?" Feng Jiu thought she was getting upset. Dong Hua heard her thoughts and sensed her temper rising within her. He squeezed her hand understanding how she felt at the moment and tenderly smiled at her. "Jiu'er my love, give them time to explain things to you, do not react harshly towards them yet. Understand that they have suffered by hiding these things for so long." Dong Hua mentally told her. Feng Jiu understood and immediately changed her standpoint.

"Darling we know that all of this might be upsetting to you. Know that you are so precious to us and the last thing we want is to hurt you. Please understand that we didn't have control on the development of our relationship and I'm not using this as an excuse to justify what happened. We were both free to love at that time. You were born into a world, characterized by unpredictability and adversity, as a powerful being who also have foibles, make mistakes, get confused, and think irrationally. There is much to contend with, although we are immortals our ability to prevent or circumvent difficulty is quite limited. We aren't perfect beings, and while we try to protect ourselves and maintain order in our lives, we simply don't have the ability to safeguard ourselves from its disasters. We have wished things to be different from what they are now. You might feel disappointed at us now. Can you forgive us for causing you pain?" Zhe Yan asked Feng Jiu.

Feng Jiu closed her eyes holding her coming tears. She wanted to verbalize the pain she was feeling but she knew that there was a bigger purpose of these events. She long sided and opened her eyes looking earnestly at her parents: "I understand that adverse circumstances and situations are an integral part of conditioned existence. They tend to arise as sudden interruptions, so we shouldn't be surprised that natural calamities and upheavals occur in our lives. Things just happen when the proper conditions and circumstances come together. Conditions, once assembled, have no thought that now they will give rise to some result, but our ignorance about this process doesn't change the fact they are interdependent. The importance of understanding dependent arising cannot be underestimated, because we have to be realistic about what we can and cannot do. We can't tailor the world to suit ourselves, nor force it to fit into our vision of things. This doesn't mean we shouldn't aspire to make things better. Things may sometimes work a little better, sometimes a little worse, but so long as there is ignorance, hatred, jealousy, pride, and selfishness, we will all be living in a world that is imperfect. I also know the major reason as of why my identity was concealed. I don't blame either of you because I wasn't ready back then. I was born to be my husband's equal and that is the bigger picture of all this. Someone bestowed with so much power and responsibility needed to be protected, they way that you did with me. How can I hate you or bore resentment towards you? I dare not. It was the only way to prepared me to be with my Lord Husband. All the heartache, the difficulties, separation, the pain and suffering it was a process. So the only thing I can express is my gratitude and not feel remorse of how things developed." Feng Jiu sadly smiled at her parents.

Dong Hua was amazed at her level of comprehension. He didn't expect her to realize this. "Jiu'er, I'm so fortunate to have you as my wife. You always amaze me with your sensitivity" He caressed her face wiping a tear that escaped from one of her eyes. "Don't be sadden my love, we all love you."

"My kittling come here. We love you so much" Both of her parents hugged her.

Dong Hua felt so proud of his beloved little fox. "I will make sure to compensate all of the pain you have suffered my love" Dong Hua mentally said.

Zhe Yan cried his heart out. Waves of emotional guilt were coming out. "Let it all out Zhe Yan." Dong Hua told him. He has never seen the old phoenix so vulnerable. He broke down not caring who was present. He needed to let go of all the pain he kept for so long. Feng Jiu felt his pain in her heart. "Fùqin..." she whispered.

"Just like foxes are emotional creatures, phoenixes can't hold this much emotional pain, for them is unbearable too. It will unbalance their chi." Dong Hua told Feng Jiu.

"Please take care of him Dong Hua." Feng Jiu pleaded him. Dong Hua nodded her.

"Come Zhe Yan." Dong Hua helped him up. He was a mess.

Feng Jiu's mother held her daughter. "Don't worry sweetheart, he will be all right."

"Have you seen him like this before?" Feng Jiu asked her mother.

"Yes. The day he separated from us. He went into seclusion for 200 years. Bai Zhen helped him to recover." Her mother replied.

"What can I do?" Feng Jiu nervously asked staring at the direction that Zhe Yan and Dong Hua left.

"Just calm down sweetheart. All will be well. I'm curious to know what you will do with this discovery. Are you going to reveal your identity to the rest of the Bai family?"

"Why would I do that mother? I don't wish to do so. I will keep this secret to the grave. Besides there is much at stake. Like I said, I already know the purpose behind it all. The most important thing is that I train myself to keep up with my status and true self." Feng Jiu told her mother. They both sense someone coming to their direction.

"Bai Yi? What are you doing here?" Feng Jiu mother surprisingly said.

"I should ask you the same thing." He sternly said to her.

"She is here at my request." Feng Jiu responded.

"I see. I went back to the fox den and you were no where to be found. So I came here on a hunch. I was not expecting to see you here Xiao Jiu."

"I'm also here Bai Yi." Dong Hua suddenly appeared from nowhere.

"Dijun." Bai Yi seriously greeted him.

"Jiu'er and I asked your wife to accompany us for a stroll. Since you left her alone back at the fox den, Jiu'er wanted to spend time with her mother. I don't see a problem with that." Dong Hua emotionless replied to him.

"Ah Dijun I wasn't aware of Xiao Jiu desire to spend time with her mother. Of course I don't oppose to it. But where is Zhe Yan?" He suspiciously asked.

Dong Hua sensing Bai Yi interest of their presence on Zhe Yan's home he told him: "Is already late, he decided to retire for the night early. He's resting at this point. We were on our way back to the fox den to walk your wife back. Now that you here, she can go back with you Bai Yi."

"Thank you Dijun for looking up for my wife." Bai Yi bowed to Dijun.

"She is my mother-in-law after all. Why should I not take care of her?" Dong Hua responded him.

"Dijun thank you for letting us spend time together and thank you for your assistance. I greatly appreciate it." Feng Jiu's mother casually said and bowed to him.

"Anytime, fox queen." Dong Hua replied to her.

"Come Bai Yi, let's go back, is already late and I'm tired. Good night Xiao Jiu, good night Dijun."

"Good night mother." Feng Jiu hugged her mother.

"Xiao Jiu." Bai Yi greeted Feng Jiu.

"Good night" Feng Jiu gave him a small bow and returned her greeting with a smile to Bai Yi.

Bai Yi left with Feng Jiu's mom leaving them alone.

"Do you think he was listening to us?" Feng Jiu asked Dong Hua.

"I sensed his aura nearby when I was tending Zhe Yan. I don't know how much he heard from your conversation that you were having with your mother. But he is growing suspicious. I don't like his intentions Jiu'er. He is hiding something." Dong Hua said.

"I will handle him Dong Hua don't worry." Feng Jiu replied.

"I will let you handle this matter but if he hurts you Jiu'er like he did in the past, I will not be lenient with him." Dong Hua warned her.

"Don't worry husband, he will not lay a finger on me anymore. How is fùqin?"

"He's stable now and resting. I helped him balance his chi. I prepared him an elixir to recuperate. He will be sleeping for a while. I will check on him tomorrow." Dong Hua placed his hand on her waist.

"And you should be resting too Dong Hua, you look tired. Are you feeling well?" Feng Jiu noticed his tired expression. She caressed his face, that was showing signs of aging. She was worry.

"I could rest for a while Jiu'er."

"Come let's go. I will let you sleep tonight." Feng Jiu hugged his waist.

"Oh? I can make an exception" Dong Hua seductively whispered to her ear.

"Behave husband. No action tonight. You need your rest and that is final." Feng Jiu sternly glared at him.

"Yes my Dihou." He wickedly smiled to Feng Jiu.

They retired to the guest room at Zhe Yan's hut.