The Queen In Red

The Queen in Red 28

Planning their departure took no effort; Bai Ren had everything prepared the night before to have them leave quickly and covertly.

She had organised for Bai Zhi and Bai Zhen to remain in Kun Lun while in seclusion because to travel amongst the threats that sat at Qing Qiu borders would leave them vulnerable.

Nearing the borders, they could see the armies of Demons surrounding Qing Qiu. They weren't doing anything besides watching.

The fox barrier absorbed any attack, which is why it was so impenetrable, and it seemed as though the demons had finally learned it.

Thanks to both Bai Yi and Bai Qian's High God abilities, they kept them hidden and away from view while on the cloud.

"Why is there so many down there?" Feng Jiu exclaimed

Feng Jiu was pulled back by Bai Qian, "Xiao Jiu, It has been like this since the arena, but the Darklands clans seemed to have doubled since then."

"So it's because of what I did?"

Bai Qian didn't like to beat around the bush. "Yes."

Feng Jiu looked ahead and tried to ignore the guilt resurfacing again.

Bai Qian grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly knowing exactly how Feng Jiu was feeling.

Once they passed through the thick barrier, they saw Mi Gu pacing on the bridge that led towards the lake.

Feng Jiu materialised a pair of amber earrings and put them on, as soon as the second earring touched her ear, her attire changed to a simple red dress that had gold trimmings around the edges.

An amber pendant appeared around her neck, causing a small protective barrier to surround her.

She placed her hair up into a tidy bun and turned to face everyone.

Lian Song had not seen this side of Feng Jiu, and he was taken aback by the authority in which she spoke.

As she spoke, everyone listened in anticipation and without hesitation.

"Ali, Mingmei, Please show our guest to his room with Aunt Cheng Yu. Zhe Yan, take Yan Chiwu and come back to court."

Lian Song watched her eyes darting between each of the Bai's and realised they were all probably communicating with each other. He instead decided to talk with Mingmei while observing what was going on.

"Third Prince, remember what we discussed."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

---

"How many?" Feng Jiu asked

"Eight." Mi Gu replied

"When did it start?"

"When you went to Kun Lun."

Feng Jiu tapped her fingers against her fan while watching her father pacing across the courtroom. She sat on her seat at the centre of the courtroom.

They had spent the afternoon appeasing the anger of the families who had recently reported missing people, and because of the mayhem that sat at the borders, it took no effort to know who was the culprit.

"Mi Gu, send for Fifth and Third Uncle to come to the Fox Den, and Fourth Uncles Second in charge. We must deal with this soon."

"What about the rest of the families that are waiting outside?"

"Let them know that we will meet with each of them personally over the next few days." She conjured the Qing Qiu Royal token and held it while thinking of what to do.

"Bai Feng Jiu...?" Bai Ren urged her granddaughter to explain what her intentions were before declaring anything.

As the ruler of the largest kingdom in Qing Qiu and her many achievements as Queen, Bai Zhi had given her the token as a gift, which would give her the highest authority in commanding Qing Qiu as a whole.

Feng Jiu grasped the seal tightly and pressed it against her chest. "Qing Qiu will be closed. We must monitor the borders closely."

Sitting up, she faced her father who stopped to listen, "Each Kingdom will assign their Military general and second in charge to patrol this closely, I want to know who dares betray Qing Qiu, and who is colluding with the Demon King."

"What are we to do with those that are still missing? You cannot simply walk into the demon realm and ask for them?" he tapped his foot against the floor, "It is fortunate we do not rely heavily on other clans to trade."

"You are right father, however, let us discuss strategies when everyone is here, Gugu, would you please come with me to meet with Si Ming. I believe he is waiting outside?"

"Sure." Bai Qian stood to wait for Feng Jiu.

"Father, prepare your men, Grandmother, please do the same for my men, I will return before the others arrive, I have urgent business to attend."

"Little Highness." Mi Gu interrupted, taking Feng Jiu's attention, "The General, has also been missing."

"What?! For how long?"

"It's hard to say, her men came to see us some days ago, she took a few of her men to patrol the boarders when the demon's first arrived, but nobody has seen them since."

"I will go to meet with the Third Prince, go now, prepare everything." Feng Jiu and Bai Qian left.

---

"Your Majesty, Crown Princess."

"Si Ming, thank you for meeting with me."

"It was no trouble at all. I intended to meet with you earlier. How have you been?"

"I'm sorry Si Ming, this is not going to be a very social conversation, I will need you to hurry away."

He took no offence to what she said; she was often quite frank with Si Ming.

"Firstly, I am hosting the Green Demon Lord Yan Chiwu, have you heard?"

"No, I have heard of reports of yourself, the Crown Princess and Cheng Yu storming through the Demon Realm, the guards have said very little, but gossip still manages to peep through." He gave Feng Jiu an apologetic look.

"I care little for the opinion of the Nine Heavens Si Ming, but I am thankful that Xiao Yan's location is known to nobody, that will make my first request easier."

"What will that be, Feng Jiu?" his eyebrows bunched together as he watched Bai Qian smiling at Feng Jiu as if waiting to hear what she was about to ask.

"I want to send Yan Chiwu to the Mortal Realm to recover the cultivation he has lost."

Bai Qian's smile beamed brightly. She held back her laughter as she imagined Yan Chiwu's tantrum.

"I beg your pardon?" There were only a few Demons that had experienced a Mortal trial, beside Miao Luo, Mortal experiences signified punishment to a Demon. At the same time, their pride never allowed them to heal this way.

"I need you to organise a Mortal trial for Yan Chiwu. No longer than 20 days, and there is to be no sexual abuse. Betrayal is fine I would much prefer a betrayal from a love interest within a brotherhood, but....."

Si Ming interrupted as he tried to understand what she was asking.

"Your Majesty, creating a trial suitable for a demon is not easy; it almost always becomes ineffective due to its lack of impact."

Bai Qian whipped open her fan to get their attention, "Are you saying you are incapable? ill-equipped? or cannot think up a creative Mortal trial for a Demon Lord?"

Si Ming peered at Bai Qian, to her amusement.

"I am more than capable, Crown Princess." he straightened out his sleeves and clasped his hands together in front of himself. "I was merely speaking on a history relating to Demons."

"So, you'll do it?" Feng Jiu asked expectantly.

"I will need to inform Dijun if he agrees, we can go ahead."

"Of course."

"When did you want him to go on his trial?" Si Ming asked, expecting a week to prepare.

"Tomorrow morning." Feng Jiu frightened Si Ming.

"So quick?"

"Yes, I know you have many trials prepared." She smirked, seeing him about to deny it. "Cheng Yu found them some time ago, I have no doubt that you can have it organised this evening, but I thought I would give you time to sort out the politics."

He shook his head, "What was the other thing you need?"

"Many people have been taken from Qing Qiu, since the incident at the arena."

"Huh? How? Qing Qiu's borders are impossible to pass."

"I believe someone is working with the Demon King and luring them out."

"How can I help? Of course, I will do my best to assist."

"I need you to have the people who helped with the screening process meet with me here. We must know everything about the people who wanted access here, both permitted and prohibited."

Si Ming's eyes widened, Dong Hua did most of the leg work in terms of screening's overall operation.

Lian Song was in charge of gathering the information while Si Ming submitted the information or recommendations to Bai Zhi.

"Why do you look so sick, Si Ming?" Bai Qian genuinely questioned

"Oh, nothing, nothing. It's only, the team that looks after this task work in secret, I would need to ask if they would be comfortable being introduced." sweat dripped down Si Ming's forehead.

"I have never heard of such a thing, Si Ming, are you lying?" Bai Qian challenged

"Never, Crown Princess, I would not lie, I certainly must ask first."

"If they refuse, I will make my way to the Nine Heavens under the assumption that Tian Jun wants to overthrow my rule as the Queen of the Eastern Lands." Feng Jiu stood straight without wavering and watched Si Ming squirm uncomfortably.

Tian Jun had little knowledge of the depth Dong Hua took in handling Qing Qiu's affairs and the resources he used to get some of the information he got.

It was fortunate that Dong Hua's status gave implied access to almost everything.

"Please give me some time to organise that, he...they.... they will need some time to consider your request."

"I cannot give you time Si Ming, My people are living in fear, and someone or people continue to betray Qing Qiu. I will not stand for it any longer. I want to meet with them in three days. It will give me time to gather information to bring to the realm leaders."

"But Feng Jiu, a meeting like that, would not the Darklands Clan believe we are going against them?"

"Si Ming. Haode sat on his throne listening to the pleadings and tears of the surrounding clans and yet did nothing when people went missing, even those within the Demon Clans are calling out for help." She stared down at Si Ming, "Why is she not being held responsible for her actions? When many others need to answer to minuscule crimes?"

She turned her back to him and started to walk towards her home while Bai Qian strolled next to her.

"But Your Majesty.." Si Ming wanted to protest.

"Three days, I want you to bring them to my home, no excuses."

He looked down and nodded his head before turning to leave. She grabbed his arm softly but firmly.

"Wait," she materialised the scroll that Dong Hua attempted to return to her when he tried to send her away to Kun Lun.

"Apologies, Is there anything else?"

"Please return this to Dijun. I have no need for this in my collection."

"Would you like to say anything?"

'I love you and hate you?' she hissed at her thoughts. 'Screw you?' Feng Jiu frowned at the many different ways her mind imagined she would talk to him.

"No, there's nothing I wish to say."

"Of course, I will leave first."

---

Lian Song had spent the afternoon enjoying the simplicities of Qing Qiu, the last time he stayed in nature was when he lived with the mortal Cheng Yu.

He did not count on missing it as much as he did.

It was quiet and peaceful; Feng Jiu's home's atmosphere held an inviting, warm presence. Lian Song knew this was the reason why Cheng Yu returned regularly.

The Nine Heavens was a cold and often uninviting place, Haode's reign brought restriction and laws that kept the celestials dependant on him.

When they arrived at Feng Jiu's home, Mingmei had Ali speed through the house tour and instead left to her room to get changed.

Mingmei's arrival caught the attention of a group of friends who ran through Feng Jiu's home to whisk her away.

"Ali, do they just come into the Queen's home at any time?" He was appalled by their lack of respect

"No, please do not get offended, they have all grown up together, Feng Jiu often has them over."

"They belong to the families that moved here?"

"Yes." Ali chuckled before yelling out to the group of seven children to stay out the back. "When I call out, you all are to return. I will get food prepared."

Lian Song was surprised, "You can cook?"

Ali chuckled again, "Yes, I spent many years with Feng Jiu Jie Jie and Grandmother, they both taught me how to cook. Father also cooks, but will only cook for us or if he's in Qing Qiu for everyone here." Ali grabbed a small tattered jar sitting up high on a shelf and reached deep into it, pulling out all sorts of sweets.

Lian Song watched in amazement as Ali revealed a concealing spell that he had never seen before. 'Fox magic perhaps?'

"Feng Jiu is well known for her cooking, but her sweets are just as impressive and highly sought after, Mingmei and her friends tend to raid the kitchen often trying to find her hiding places."

"Ohh?" Lian Song pressed him to continue

"There are still a few places they have yet to find." he smiled at Lian Song.

"Is there a reason why they have to stay close by?" Lian Song asked

"Mingmei often gets them into trouble, and you have to watch her closely, she gets away with murder."

"She sure does." Bai Qian stated while taking a fox candy. "She is just like all the girls in this family." she pinched Feng Jiu's arm and threw the candy into her mouth.

"Mother, Feng Jiu."

"There is food in the cellar; we can watch the kids until you return with everything, I need to talk with your grandfather Lian Song." Feng Jiu said calmly.

"Of course, Just letting you know, the twins Jia and Jun are here, You will need to call Jingwei to come and get them if they fight again, I almost lost my hair last time."

"Yes, yes, I will call him." She rushed him out, making him huff, knowing it was unlikely that she would get Jingwei.

Feng Jiu and Bai Qian walked towards the back with a bowl of sweets each and took a seat at a table that looked out to the land. Lian Song noticed a shaded area to his right but remembered Ali mentioning Feng Jiu's bathing chamber.

They watched Mingmei and another girl order the rest on building some miniature house, Lian Song stood leaning against a beam directly behind Feng Jiu.

"Third Prince, I have a favour."  Feng Jiu started speaking and remained focussed on her cousin. "Qing Qiu has recently been the target of the abductions that circled the realms a few months ago. I believe someone here is working with The Demon King. I don't know who or why, but I need your help to get this information."

"What do you need?"

"I would like to know if I could ask upon the informants you have in the demon realm? My informant is asleep next door while his people remain outcasted."

"What do you want to know?"

"I want to know about the welfare of my people and if there were any others taken from other clans."

"You don't intend on giving yourself over, do you?"

"No, of course not, I want to mitigate this without war."

"Good, investigating and patience will certainly be better before making any decisions Xiao Jiu." Bai Qian said proudly

"Gugu, Remember the mirror that we gave Xuan Yue? He has agreed to help get the mirror to her for me if I need to."

"How are you going to get them out?"

"I will make decisions once we know more."

Liam Song took a deep breath and let it out, "I will do as much as I can from Qing Qiu and if I need to leave, would you mind keeping Ali close by to help care for Cheng Yu?"

Feng Jiu smiled. "I will let Mo Yuan know that he will be staying longer."