The Universe Around Us

Prologue

The sun was just rising in the eastern lands of Qing Qiu. Noises of birds chirping could be heard from the background as the territory's young queen sat quietly in the little hut near the Wangsheng Seashore, gazing at the beautiful colors painted in the sky. 

It's been four years.

She thought to herself. It's been that long since she last saw him. Though there were events that required her presence in Jiuchongtian, it seemed like destiny played its strings for them to never cross paths again. She doesn't know whether to cry or be happy about that.

A lot of things happened in that amount of time. A year ago, her future uncle-in-law was miraculously brought back to life. This shocked the whole realm. But she's very happy for her Gugu Bai Qian and cousin A Li since she witnessed how lost her aunt was when Crown Prince Ye Hua died in the battle at Roushiu Riverbank. 

At least they won't be sad anymore. She remarked. 

The past few weeks have been hectic for everyone in her family as alliance efforts were implemented to strengthen the bond between the Heavenly Clan and the Fox Clan. She thought that the wedding would probably take place a few decades from now, as certain preparations had to be done prior to the couple's awaited union. She can't help but be excited for A Li, as he will finally have the complete family that he has always wanted.

Her deep thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Migu, who brought with him some cakes and tea.

"Good morning, Your Highness. You seemed to be lost in your thoughts a while ago. Is there something that's troubling you?" Migu asked as he placed the contents on the mini table beside Feng Jiu.

A small smile appeared on her lips. She turned her eyes away from the sky and faced Migu. She lightly shook her head. "Nothing to worry about. And good morning to you, too, Migu." She scanned the cakes on the plate. "Are these the leftover cakes that were sent out by Uncle Ye Hua?" she asked, as she noticed the familiar cake designs.

Migu sat on the other side of the table and nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. These are the only ones left." He then poured Feng Jiu a cup of tea for her to drink.

"Thank you, Migu," she said before she drank from her cup and once again turned her attention to the view in front of her.

Migu observed the little highness and noticed the solemn look on her face when she looked at the sky. He remembered that she started to behave like this a month after the battle in the Roushiu Riverbank four years ago. He had an idea of who caused her to change this way, but he did not dare to voice out his thoughts to avoid her being even more sad.

He shook his head. "The things love does to young people," he mumbled to himself. 

He decided to leave the little princess on her own to enjoy the solitude he interrupted a while ago; he then stood up from his seat and bid goodbye. But before he could go, Feng Jiu called his name.

"Migu, the meeting with the clan elders in Jiuchongtian is scheduled this afternoon, right?" she asked.

He paused for a while before saying yes. He was sure that her retainer mentioned this last night as she asked for a rundown of her schedule for the next day. Uncertain as to why Her Highness asked this, he didn't say anything after she cleared him to go. 

Peaceful silence once more reigned after Migu left. Feng Jiu let out a deep sigh at the thought of the meeting that she's required to attend later this afternoon. For some unknown reason, anxious questions clouded her mind. 

Will he attend the meeting later?

Will he even glance her way, even just for a split second?

Will she be able to compose herself if she's asked to speak while he listens to her?

Will she be able to look at him without feeling hurt?

Will she get used to feigning ignorance when he's so near?

Feng Jiu heaved out another sigh and did her best to stop herself from thinking such thoughts. She knew her retainer had already reminded her of this event last night, but she wanted to make sure that she wasn't dreaming. Somehow, Migu's answer helped knock some senses into her. 

She poured herself another cup of tea and slowly sipped it while staring at the horizon ahead. 

This is going to be a long day. 

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In a not-so-far-away universe, Dong Hua Dijun was fighting his way to heal the wounds of his wife. His Xiao Bai was losing too much blood, and the poisons absorbed by the gashes weren't helping him at all. 

He tried to stay as calm as possible, but even his powerful blood was not doing any better. He checked her pulse again, and this only made him feel desperate as it got fainter. "Xiao Bai, don't give up yet. Help is also coming our way. Please fight. For me and for your family," he said, once more strengthening the healing force field that he erected as a means to help stabilize her current condition. 

Dong Hua never saw this day coming. The day where he would feel utterly helpless as his wife was fighting for her life. He was Dong Hua Dijun, and his blood is powerful enough to heal and even add more cultivation once drunk.

Is destiny playing with them again? Will they still have a good ending after this?

He looked at Feng Jiu's face and noticed that she looked paler now. He carefully pulled her closer to him as he tried to feed her with his blood and hoped that it would work this time around because heaven knows what he'll do if he loses her for good.

"Stay with me, Xiao Bai. Stay with me," he said desperately.