The Queen In Red

The Queen In Red 36

Hi Guys, Im so sorry I haven't been updating at all lately. It's not from a lack of inspiration. In fact, it is a petty little accident on my part. I had deleted a couple of chapters and did not realise it until a couple of days later when I went in to edit my work. As you could imagine, I was livid. So, unfortunately, every time I think about writing, I think about the chapters I lost, and I get a little (majorly) irritated. Also, I am moving into new roles at work, so my time is a little out of sorts. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter. I will release another chapter later today because, unfortunately, I don't know when I will release another.

Oh, and also, If you have read the first chapter, you would know that a very sensual scene is coming up. I am unsure whether I will release it on here or on AO3, but I will let you know when it comes up. Happy Reading!

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"Are you ready?" Bai Qian's soft voice steadily spoke up with a mouthful of candy and a pile of scrolls in her hands.

Meditating on top of the rock formation by the lake, Feng Jiu smiled and exhaled softly. She could hear no sound as she breathed out. Her eyes remained half-opened and fixed on the point of her nose.

"I see you are still practising Zhuanqi. Keep going; we have a bit of time. I will wait under the pagoda."

After Feng Jiu had finished her cycle, she felt refreshed and finally ready to face her family, Dong Hua and the Realm leaders. Amongst the confusion, she had been feeling. She had no idea how he would react after their conversation in Qing Qiu.

However, she was glad that Bai Qian had come to be with her during her last two months in the mortal realm. Bai Qian had spent time training Feng Jiu, and in return, became reacquainted with fox magic, fox fighting techniques and her High Goddess fox form.

Feng Jiu had been able to regain over half her cultivation, although not all of it, she was happy she could practice her magic freely without it consuming her energy or forcing her to sleep.

She unfolded her legs which were crossed beneath her and climbed down the formation. Dusting herself off, she stretched her arms and turned to face the sun that was now peaking through the morning clouds.

Walking towards the pagoda, she waved at Bai Qian, ready to leave and headed to the exit. She turned to take one last look at the home she had lived in for the past three years and allowed herself to let go of the slight pain she felt.

"This place embodies the love you have for him, doesn't it?" Bai Qian asked, noticing her niece's watery eyes.

"As he said, what started in the mortal realm, ended in the mortal realm." Feng Jiu turned back around and walked ahead.

"If only that were true." Bai Qian muttered as she caught up to Feng Jiu.

---

Instead of going to the Fox Den where they knew everyone would be, Bai Qian instead suggested they head to the Nine Heavens.

After the realms received Feng Jiu's declaration throughout the realms, the Darklands clans surrounding Qing Qiu had slowly dwindled to a few.

Many people had already gathered in Qing Qiu. Nine heavens would be empty enough for Bai Qian to walk through without fuss.

Feng Jiu had also learned that true to Miao Luo's word. She had attacked Clans, one every day, hence the crowds of people that waited outside Qing Qiu to be allowed entry grew.

Many admirers that had long followed Feng Jiu returned to Qing Qiu wanting to meet with her. The Queen who could command realms. It was a fan club she hated bumping into. She didn't need to read their minds to know what many of their intentions were.

They were young men that she had a hard time dodging in the nine heavens. Of course, within the walls of the palaces she spent time in, she was safe. But as soon as she left someone's palace, they would bombard her.

So the knowledge that they were all awaiting her arrival in Qing Qiu only made the decision to leave for the Nine Heavens easier.

It was only then that she realised, the conversation with her mother regarding her decision to court was a mistake.

Feng Jiu knew she would need to learn to think before she spoke. Her mouth got her into trouble too easily.

"Put yourself under an invisibility spell Xiao Jiu. I don't trust the maids here." Bai Qian ordered before preparing to land the cloud.

Bai Qian casually walked through the gates with her fan and waved away the guards about to force Feng Jiu to reveal herself. "Queen Bai Feng Jiu of Qing Qiu is with me. Do not announce her."

The guards looked at each other and nodded in response to Bai Qian. "Yes, Crown Princess."

The guards in the palace had much respect for the fox families. Some of the guards surrounding the Nine Heavens and their families were from clans forced out of their lands and allowed entry into civilisation.

Although they did not reside in Qing Qiu, they could live and work in the Nine Heavens under Dong Hua, thanks to Feng Jiu's initiatives to house foreigners.

As they entered, Bai Qian led them towards Xiwu Palace and past Tai Chen Palace. Feng Jiu had no idea why, but she felt an uneasiness overwhelm her, as though Dong Hua was in a terrible state. But she reasoned that Dong Hua, being a powerful deity and presumably one of the most powerful Gods to have ever existed, was probably lounging in his study reading a scroll and trying hard to keep his eyes open.

Feng Jiu settled her mind on that thought and cuddled behind Bai Qian to move towards Xiwu Palace.

Ye Hua had no idea what was going on with Feng Jiu, only that Miao Luo on fox land had threatened his daughter.

He assumed Bai Qian had left for Qing Qiu earlier that morning, so to hear her name being announced, Ye Hua assumed she had gotten in an argument with her brothers and returned early to hurry Ye Hua.

Both Bai Qian and Bai Zhen would get into arguments with their older siblings because they would advocate for Feng Jiu and her decisions.

But since Bai Zhen was still stuck in seclusion, it was understandable, at least to Ye Hua, that she would rush home to him and beg for him to help her. Unfortunately, he would agree wholeheartedly with her siblings. 'Feng Jiu needed to grow up; war with the demons should not be so casually announced.'

As he stood standing under the canopy that led to their palace, he waited for her to walk through the gate. But sensing his niece under an invisibility spell, he began walking to them, anger growing within him as he realised his wife had been keeping secrets from him.

Bai Qian had anticipated Ye Hua would be angry and would dart for Feng Jiu as soon as he could, but surprisingly, he appeared in front of Bai Qian and only smiled.

"Ye Hua?"

"Qian Qian, what a surprise? I thought you left for Qing Qiu this morning. Why have you returned all of a sudden?"

Shifting her eyes to either side, she felt Feng Jiu crouch down behind her and grip tightly to her clothing. Ye Hua noticed Bai Qian's clothing pulled from the back and her dress tightening around her chest.

"Is there something pulling on your dress Qian Qian? How about I straighten your gown." He went to try and move around Bai Qian, but she gripped his wrist and leaned in towards his face.

"Please, Ye Hua, I know you know that she is with me. We will explain everything when we get inside. She is not to blame."

He pulled her closer and spoke just loud enough to hear but deep and raspy enough to cause red to appear on her face. "You have much to explain, Wife."

Bai Qian swallowed and leaned away from his face. Turning to the guards of Xiwu Palace, she sent them away and walked around Ye Hua, past the peach trees, up the steps and into her palace.

Once Ye Hua walked in, she removed the spell covering Feng Jiu to reveal her niece in a kowtow position stretched on the floor, her forehead on the floor and completely still.

"Xiao Jiu, what are you doing? Get up." Bai Qian scolded.

"All of this is my fault, uncle. You trusted me to take care of Mingmei. I could not do it. Please punish me." Feng Jiu cried aloud.

"If I dare touch you Feng Jiu, what do you think your Gugu would do to me?"

"Xiao Jiu, get up! Talk to him. You have no reason to look pathetic. Get up!"

"But Gugu?" Feng Jiu's head lifted to meet Bai Qian's angry stance, which was not going to budge. "Gugu, the more people know, the more danger..."

Bai Qian interrupted her by appearing in front of Ye Hua, her back against his rib cage while facing Feng Jiu. "He and I work as one Xiao Jiu. You need much support, and your Uncle will help."

Ye Hua's eyebrow raised curiously. "I will?"

"Once you hear what she has to say, yes, you will."

Ye Hua conjured two seats and gestured for Feng Jiu to sit. He grabbed Bai Qian and had her sit on his lap. Once they were sitting, he nodded to Feng Jiu to explain while drawing circles on Bai Qian's back.

---

After Feng Jiu had said all she needed to, she could sense Ye Hua's attitude towards what had happened change. Although he still wasn't happy learning that Bai Qian had actually left a couple of months in the mortal realm without him, he was comfortable with what she had to inform him.

As they prepared to leave Xiwu Palace, Feng Jiu began to feel the nerves building up within her. Her stomach felt like food was churning, even though she had been fasting for days and had not eaten anything.

Bai Qian had hung a deep red, long gown for Feng Jiu to wear on the clothing rack that sat next to Feng Jiu's bed. She lifted the dress to feel the fabric, as she noticed the colour transitioning to a light pink when the light hit it.

It was lightweight and thin, but it looked like it weighed much more than all the others Bai Qian gave Feng Jiu.

Bai Qian ordered her to wear it, and unlike every other time she was asked to dress up, Feng Jiu, without hesitation, agreed.

A knock at the door caught Feng Jiu's attention. She opened the door to allow the Xiwu Palace maids into her chambers. Bai Qian sent them to wash her hair and assist with getting Feng Jiu dressed and ready.

The maids that came to serve her were well acquainted with Feng Jiu. Out of all the people that came to visit the Nine Heavens, they all favoured her the most. Not just because she cooked for them or was friendly, but because Feng Jiu knew every person that worked under Ye Hua and Bai Qian, she knew of their families, their passions, and for the younger maids, the handsome men they gushed over.

Feng Jiu was incredibly open and honest, humble regarding her achievements and status as Queen and a pleasure to be with. She accepted all, just as many accepted her.

They unclipped her hair, brushed it thoroughly and washed it in a warm basin. Once they dried it, they styled it with a few simple hair clips, knowing Feng Jiu's style required her to have few ornaments in her hair.

When they helped her change into her Royal robes, they could not believe how graceful and refined she looked. With such soft features and lovely personality, there was no disputing how exquisite she was.

"Your Majesty, you look.."

Unable to find the words, Feng Jiu giggled, "Like a Queen?"

"Mmm," They all nodded in agreeance.

"Does it become me?" Feng Jiu smiled teasingly

"It does." They all answered honestly.

"Well, I have to meet with all the leaders of the realm. Would you send me away with good wishes?"

They all bowed and while giggling, "Queen Bai Feng Jiu, many will speak of this day and the great things you have and will accomplish."

Feng Jiu could not stifle her laughter any more. She laughed so loudly it bounced off the walls of Xiwu Palace and into the peach blossom courtyard.

"It's a pity Uncle doesn't let you be too comfortable with me. You are all much too formal to tease." When she calmed down, she took a breath and had them stand from the inclining position they were in.

"You are too serious, come, bring me to my Gugu."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Feng Jiu almost squealed when she saw Cheng Yu. She ran up to her and ignored Bai Qian's eye-rolling, and the cough sounds Lian Song made.

"Cheng Yu!."

"Feng Jiu, you're going to pop my head off if you squeeze me any more than you are."

"Shut up. You almost died, you stupid. Why did you take all those arrows! I would have been okay."

"Who are you calling stupid? I was not the one who thought they were sneaking up on their best friends bed warmer only to land on his lips? How stupid can a fox be not to smell him?"

With that, Bai Qian and Ali laughed with them, while Ye Hua only smiled at Lian Song's shocked facial expressions and blushing face.

"Ohh Cheng Yu, It is so good to have you back. There is so much we need to talk about." Feng Jiu released Cheng Yu from the hug and cuddled her arm.

"I know, like this war you've declared. What's going on?" She asked, which only made Feng Jiu smile.

"I'm sorry, Cheng Yu, I have many reasons why I have to do it, but I just know..."

Cheng Yu raised her hand to stop Feng Jiu from talking. "Fine, Fine. Don't tell me, Feng Jiu, the responsibilities you carry as the Queen of Qing Qiu. Who am I to question it? I will support you, no matter what. You know that."

"Thank You, Cheng Yu."

"Of course." Cheng Yu pulled back to take in Feng Jiu's beauty and chuckled. "You have dressed like you are the most graceful woman but behave so childlike. Come now, you have some grumpy old farts waiting for you in Qing Qiu. Are you ready?"

Looking at Bai Qian, Ye Hua, Ali and Lian Song. Feng Jiu smiled. "I'm ready."