Choices and Consequences

Xūwú shìjiè(The Unmade World)

The Peach Tree Woods..

Bai Qian watched in amusement as her family gaped at her. With sparkling eyes full of laughter, She quickly cleared the gap between her and the foursome until she was standing in their midst. Noticing that Zhe Yan's attention has honed on her armour, She flicked her right hand with her thumb and forefinger pointing upward changing her clothing to her favoured outfit of white silk inner robes and a light lavender Shenyi.

"Old Phoenix, pick your jaw off the ground before it becomes permanently unhinged". She called out to Zhe Yan before her tinkling laughter broke the silence. Her family rushed forward and enveloped her in a pierce hug. "I see that having ascended to high goddess hasn't improved your disposition. Still the same mischievous imp as before." Zhe Yan replied laughing. "Come join us for breakfast. Zhen zhen fetch your sister a pot of tea and bring some more food."

Bai Qian seated herself beside Zhe Yan and helped herself to some food. Empress Meili looked at her daughter teary eyed and said "I am so glad that you are back safe and sound Qian Qian. We were all worried when you did not come back at the time that we expected. But, It doesn't matter now. We all missed you so much."

"It's good to be back, mother. I've missed everyone. I know that you all have questions and I will answer them. Meet me at home for dinner tonight. I want to take a walk around and visit the mushroom market after breakfast."

Bai Qian left her family at the peach tree grove and took a leisurely walk around the lake near the fox den. She crossed the bridge and followed the path to the mushroom market. As she made her way through the market, the stall holders and other inhabitants of Qing Qiu called out their greetings. They expressed their joy in seeing her. At the far corner of the market, she saw Migu, the fox den tree sprite haggling with the loquat vendor.

"Migu, stop harassing Yan Lan." She called out. "Your highness, you're back!!" Migu quickly made his way to Bai Qian with a huge smile splitting his face. "I am so glad to see you back. Her little highness Feng Jiu has been asking for you. The poor girl feels lost without her Gugu." Bai Qian returned Migu's enthusiastic greeting with a smile. "Go buy a basket of loquat and some ingredients for dinner. I want to cook for the family tonight." Laden with fresh produce, meat, some fish and fruits. They made their way back to the den.

Along the way, Bai Qian admired the beauty of Qing Qui. The blue mountains and verdant valleys that surrounded the den never fails to lift her spirit. A mist is slowly rolling in. The soft glow of the luminous pearls and the fine mist that hovered in the surface of the lake created a dreamlike atmosphere that tugged at her heart. Reminding her of how magical the feeling of weightlessness floating naked in the water with the mist blanketing her body and cocooned in the soft, sweet aroma of peach blossoms. A soft smile lit her face. She looks forward to reliving the experience soon but first she has a dinner to cook and a meeting to have with her family.

Dinner was happy and boisterous, fuelled by the tasty food and peach wine that Zhe Yan brought with him. They regaled her with stories from the time of her absence. One of which is how Feng Jiu decided to follow her young Gugu's antics by pulling out nearly all of Bifang's tail feathers whilst she magically deepened his sleep earning her a good hiding from her father. The poor bird was so mortified with his missing tail feathers that he ran away to Bai Zhen's northern estate. Leaving Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen without a mount.

After dinner, she asked Zhe Yan, her four brothers, and her parents to join her at her father's study. Zhe Yan magically conjured more wine and each helped themselves to a bottle. She looked around her family and said "I know all of you are wondering why I did not come back after my trial ended." Bai Zhi looked at her with understanding in his eyes. "Xiao Wu, you don't need to tell us if you don't want to. We are all aware as you are that a mortal trial is your own personal experience. The choice to share or not to share is your own decision."

Bai Qian moved her gaze at the faces of her family. She knows that she is not obliged to share her trial but what she has to discuss with them has nothing to do with her trial. "Dei, what I will share with you is not about my trial. It is about what happened from the end of my trial and my return here."

A combination of interested and mystified looks from her family as well as Zhe Yan met her statement. Zhe Yan asked "What happened Xiao Wu?" Bai Qian took a deep breath and said "I was in Hùndùn."

Xūwú shìjiè

Xue felt the arrow pierced her heart..her life is slowly ebbing away. The last thing on her mind as she died are the faces of her twin siblings..their sweet innocent smile, the hope in their eyes that she was there to save them. A sob broke through her and she clutched at her chest trying to stem the surge of pain that's threatening to break her heart. She had failed her family. She deserved to suffer and die.

A warm, gentle hand took her hand and another caressed the side of her face. The touch soothed her and she fell into a dreamless sleep.

Bai Qian slowly woke up. Consciousness is gradually returning. Her mind is in disarray. She remembered her mortal trial and the pain of losing her family but it feels like a distant memory, fading as her consciousness returned. She fought to hold on to the memory. She doesn't want to forget. "Let go child, It was a trial. You need to accept it for what it was. Learn from it then let go. Your family and your destiny is waiting for you." A voice whispered. A voice that soothed her wounded soul and stilled her mind. She relaxed.

She opened her eyes and looked around her. She was lying on a daybed in the middle of a verdant forest in full autumn colours. Red, gold and yellow leaves are falling like a shower of jewels. Bai Qian sat up and looked around her. She should be nervous having found herself in a place she doesn't recognise but she strangely feels safe and calm.

She stood and made her way to the stream in the middle of the forest when she saw the lady standing under the canopy of red autumn leaves. She was wearing a red flowing dress of silk and gauze. Her long black hair is flowing down her back and is being teased by the wind. Bai Qian was transfixed when the lady turned and her face became visible. She is stunningly beautiful. Her oval face has a lustre of a luminous pearl. Her dark eyes are serene and a deep kindness emanates from its depths. Her pink lips are full with a cupid bow on her upper lip. She exudes immense power but tempered with gentleness.

The lady smiled and beckoned to Bai Qian. "Come and join me Qian Qian." She conjured a table with tea and refreshment and Bai Qian joined her. "You must be wondering who I am and what place is this?." At her nod, the lady continued. "I am Nuwa and you are in Hùndùn and this is Xūwú shìjiè."
———————————————————————————
Hundun- Chaos