Rescue Me, My Love

There is a Silver Lining in this Cloud

     The next morning Si Ming came to see Mo Yuan.  They talked for nearly two hours.  Mo Yuan stood looking out the window with his hands behind him as he told Si Ming what he wanted Baohu to suffer through.  Si Ming was troubled, but he bowed and told Mo Yuan he would have the trial ready in two days.  He had all of Baohu's meals sent to his room.  Either Bai Xue or Mo JinDe brought his meals to him.  Mo Yuan was walking down the hall to Baohu's door when he saw them.  Jingsi and Jiaxiao were sitting at the door beating on the barrier.  Mo Yuan ran to them and took them into his arms.  "Why are you beating on this door?  You should still be in your own room with Fengbao and WuYun.  Well?"  Jingsi started patting her Fuqin's chest.  "Fuuu, why Si ge no answer?  Is him sick?"  "Yes, Jingsi, he is very sick."  Jiaxiao frowned.  "Him do bad thing.  Very bad!"  "Yes, he was very bad.  He is going on a trial as punishment.  I want you two to be close to your new brothers now.  Can you do this for Fuqin?"  They both nodded.  He took them to the nursery to find Bai Qian there feeding the boys.  "Mo Yuan, dear!  Could you feed Jingsi and Jiaxiao?  I have food here for them, although they seem very interested in these bottles.  I was about to give them one.  Should I?"  "Hmmm, shouldn't they already be weaned?  Wouldn't that start a whole new wave of wanting your milk?"  "Your right of course.  Solid food and drink from a cup it is.  Please feed them."  "Qian'er, I just wanted you to know that Baohu will never speak again.  He cut his vocal cords."  "I know, my love.  I will talk to him when he returns from his trial.  My love for him will never diminish.  My but these boys are hungry!  Maybe they should start on some soft congee soon.  They want more than these bottles can provide."  "I agree.  I'll go get some if you wish it."  "No, I want you here with me right now.  They will sleep soon.  They are rather quiet.  I'm worried."  "Do you wish me to talk to them?"  "Maybe later.  Do you think Ye Hua would paint two pictures for me?"  "I'm sure he would.  He's nearly finished the portrait of the two of us in our matching robes.  I must admit I'm ready to see it.  What did you want him to paint?"  "I want him to paint a picture of Shandian Li for these boys so they can know their mother.  I also want a portrait of her in her horse form.  She was so beautiful!  What do you think?"  "Yes, I agree.  They need to know her.  Very well!  I'll ask him later today.  I also expect Junjie to return any day now.  You will never believe what his very devious Da ge has done!"  "What?  Do tell!"  "Bai Xue sent Junjie to the white tiger kingdom.  Their king has a very lovely daughter.  One who is mesmerized by a very eligible single son of Mo Yuan.  She has requested a visit to Kunlun.  Now do you understand?"  "Why that sneaky devious Bailong!  So Junjie is bringing her here?"  "Any day now!"  "We need a little sunshine around here!  She might just be it!"
     That night as Mo Yuan and Bai Qian were putting Jingsi, Jiaxiao, Fengbao and WuYun to bed, Fengbao reached for Mo Yuan.  He picked him up and got the surprise of his life.  Fengbao looked him right in the eye and spoke in his mind.  "Zufu, I want to see my Fuqin."  Mo Yuan was surprised to say the least.  "Alright.  You too, WuYun?"  He reached for him.  "Qian'er, they want to see Baohu.  Come with me please."  He lowered the barrier and let Bai Qian go in first.  Baohu was laying on the bed.  His room was still in a mess and his food was untouched.  He saw his mother and fell down on the floor in a full kowtow.  He couldn't speak.  He grabbed her around her legs.  "Baohu, calm yourself.  We have someone to see you.  Sit here on your bed now.  Right there.  Bring them, my love!"  Mo Yuan walked in with Fengbao and WuYun.  Baohu saw them and turned his head.  He made a motion for them to be taken away.  Mo Yuan refused.  "Baohu, you will turn and you will listen.  Since your powers are stripped, I will interpret for them.  Fengbao here has your ability to mind talk.  Fengbao, ask your question."  They looked at their Fuqin for a long silent minute.  Anger came into Fengbao's face.  He raised his tail and threw his Fuqin backwards.  "Fengbao hate you!  Never see you again!  Go away!  We no want you!"  "Are you sure that's what you want to say, Fengbao?  And you WuYun?"  They both nodded.  "Baohu, Fengbao has said he hates you and never wants to see you again.  Do you wish to know why?"  Baohu hung his head and nodded.  "Tell him why, Fengbao."  "Mother leave forever.  You hurt mother and us."  "He said because you hurt them and their mother.  Maybe one day they will accept you.  I'm sorry, my son.  Tomorrow you will leave for trial.  I hope you will be able to learn from it.  I still love you."  They left the room and he placed the barrier back on the door.  When Mo Yuan sat down with them in his lap in the nursery, he looked at them hard.  "That was very cruel what you both did.  He is, after all, your Fuqin."  "You are my Fuqin now.  Only Fuqin."  "So be it!  Don't ever ask me about your true Fuqin again.  You are hereby barred from ever asking again.  You will never mention him again or have any contact with him.  Am I clear?"  They both looked at him with shame and sadness.  "Fengbao sorry, Zufu.  Real sorry."  "I see you have changed your mind!  We will see how his trial turns out.  After that you can talk to him again.  You see, the demon Queen cast a spell on him.  He couldn't get out of it.  It has caused him this pain and sorrow.  If you have it in your hearts to forgive him, you can talk to him when he gets back.  Then you can decide.  Fair enough?"  They both nodded.  He put them to bed, played the lullaby on his flute until they went to sleep.
     They all ate breakfast in a very somber mood.  Baohu was leaving for his trial as soon as Si Ming arrived.  Mo Yuan went to his room with a tray and lowered the barrier.  Since his throat was still sore, he brought soft congee for him.  He ate quietly while his Fuqin talked.  "I had a conversation with Fengbao and WuYun last night.  It seems they felt remorse for what they said.  I'm sure they will want to see you when you return.  My Xiao Jin Huli!  I love you!  I hope you will learn from this."  Si Ming was brought to the room.  "Lord Baohu, you must drink this water from the river of oblivion.  When you return, you will remember.  Are you ready?"  He could only nod yes.  He hugged his Fuqin hard.  He drank the water and his soul departed for his trial.  With a wave of his hand, Mo Yuan packed Baohu's room.  He would never be the God of War again.  He had thought long and hard about what he wanted to do.  He returned to the hall to many anxious faces.  "He has gone.  He will be back in 60 days.  That is, if he lives long enough.  We can all only hope he learns.  He was drinking tea and talking to Bai Xue and Meili when Junjie came in with a very beautiful young girl on his arm.  He brought her direct to his Mother and Fuqin.  Mo Yuan looked at her and grinned.  Ah yes!  Quite a lovely young woman!  Here eyes were blue.  Sky blue.  She bowed in reverance to Mo Yuan.  Junjie introduced her.  "Fuqin, Mother, this is Baise de Laohu Baishan.  Baishan, these are my parents, High God Mo Yuan and High Goddess Bai Qian."  She went to bow again but Bai Qian stopped her.  "No need to stand on formalities here.  Bring her here Junjie!  I wish to get a better look at her!"  Junjie sat by his mother with a very stupid grin on his face.  Bai Xue looked at his Fuqin and quirked his brow with a very satisfied smile on his face.  Mo Yuan talked directly to his mind.  "Point taken!  It seems Shandian Jinlong is a besotted fool already!  Well let's enjoy them for a few days before we leave to be with Lei!"  "Junjie, your guest is quite lovely!  What are your intentions, my son?"  "Fuqin, Baishan wished to tour Kunlun to see if see would like it here.  My dragon has spoken."  "I see!  Well show her the mountain then.  Have your been able to feel Lei?  Has she been in any distress?"  "No, Fuqin.  All is well.  Are you and Mother going soon?  Yes, we will leave tomorrow.  Bai Xue will be in charge here.  If you need anything, ask him.  We will be taking all of the children with us, so you won't have to baby sit.  Does that make you happy?"  "Yes, it does, but I know Da ge will be worse than you!" 
     Junjie did indeed show Baishan all over the mountain.  She was enthralled with the beauty of it.  "Junjie, I believe I could be happy here!  This feels like home and the peace of this mountain is wonderful!  I feel wonderful!"  "Then Baishan, my little tiger, would you like to be my wife?"  "Really??  You want me?  But I'm just a tiger.  Could I be good enough for you?"  "Baishan!  Yes you are good enough for me!  Fuqin would have been very cold if you were not.  Come!  Let's go talk to him before they leave."  Junjie marched himself and Baishan straight to his Fuqin's study.  He knocked on the door.  "Enter".  "Fuqin, I have asked Baishan to be my wife.  She wants to live here on Kunlun.  Do you approve?"  "Well, Baishan, do you love Junjie?  Do you want to make him happy?"  "I do love him!  I want us to be happy forever!"  "Very well then!  I will send messages to her Fuqin right away!"  Junjie bowed and stood.  "Thank you, Fuqin!  Could you build me a palace right between Xue and JinDe on that mountain?"  "I will have Xue get it started right away!  Anything particular you want, just tell your Da ge!  Now let me send a message to Baishan's Fuqin!"  Junjie was walking Baishan through the peach grove when they met Xue and JinDe walking toward them.  "Da ge!  Er ge!  Fuqin gave me his blessing to marry Baishan!  Isn't it grand?  I want a palace right between yours.  He said come to you, Da ge if there was anything in particular I wanted."  Bai Xue grabbed his Didi in a bear hug.  "Well, Shandian Jinlong!  You're not so small anymore!  I will get right on that palace!"  JinDe grabbed him next.  "My Didi has indeed grown up!  I'll help him, don't worry!  Is Fuqin sending messages?"  "Yes, Er ge!  He was sending it when I left.  I was looking for Baohu.  Where is he?"  Dark clouds passed over both faces of his elder brothers.  They stared him down.  "Did I say something wrong?"  "We will discuss it later.  Why don't you show Baishan the hot pool?  You might convince her to have one in your palace."  "A solid plan!  We will go there now."
     Mo Yuan found Bai Qian in the nursery with all of their younger children.  Taiyang and Zhenzhu were helping her tell stories.  Taiyang was telling them about the mermaid wars.  Little faces were enthralled as he made motions with his hands.  He smiled.  Stories were always good!  "Fuqin is here!  Can I get hugs?"  He sat on the floor and they surrounded him.  Jiaxiao sat on his knee and grinned.  She patted his chest and talked!  "Fu Fu fu!  You fu...qi...!"  "Why Jiaxiao!  You talked!!  Very good!  Who is that over there?"  He pointed at Bai Qian.  "Ma ma."  "Yes!  Very good!  Who is this?"  He pointed at Taiyang.  "Hmmm...Tai....Tai"  "Fuqin sees that you are making great progress!  Have you been helping her, Taiyang?"  "No, Fuqin.  Zhenzhu has been helping her.  They were upset over, you know, and wanted him."  "Ah, I see.  Well just continue to help her.  She is doing very well.  Soon it will be time for other lessons.  Dearest, I'm going to pay Jinzi a visit.  I'll be back in time for dinner.  Do you need anything?"  "Yes, I do!  Some of those contraceptive peaches from Zhe Yan, if you don't mind."  He grinned and nodded.  "Ok.  I'll be back!"  He gave hugs all around and left them for Qing Qui.  Jinzi and Mi Shu were having tea under their pavilion.  Jinzi saw his Fuqin coming and sent Mi Shu for snacks.  "What brings my Fuqin here today?  You're feeling ok, aren't you?"  "I'm fine.  I came to talk to you about Baohu.  I'm moving him out of his rooms there on Kunlun.  Since his ability to talk has been destroyed, I'm thinking he will wish it anyway.  Do you have any suggestions?"  "Fuqin, Baohu will never accept a life of tranquility.  I even had a thought that he might go to Shao Wan when he returns.  He is going to turn his back on all of us, I'm afraid."  "Before I let him go to Shao Wan, I will kill him.  Are you ready to accept it, Jinzi?"  "Yes, because I had thought to kill him myself, or send Da ge and Er ge to kill that bitch.  She destroyed by didi!  She as much as killed him!  Fuqin, I just hope Baohu learns from this trial.  I had thought to build him a small cabin on the far end of the lake down there so he could be close to me.  He could use Yanhua cave to cultivate.  I don't know how else I can help him.  Since he is no longer able to talk, and he is no longer God of War, I'm thinking he will be displaced.  I just don't know what to do at this point."  "Jinzi, did his Huli grieve any for Shandian Li?  Could you tell?"  "Fuqin, it's strange you should ask.  He has not grieved at all.  I thought she was his true mate.  Is something off or was it the spell that kept him from grieving?  I don't know and I can't say."  "I really hate to ask, but I must.  Is their any way to repair his vocal cords?  I know you told me that they were damaged in his trial.  If his voice would only be a rasp, I would prefer we just leave them alone.  What is your opinion?"  "Fuqin, I could only attempt to do surgery on his cords.  I wouldn't be able to guarantee anything.  If his voice would only be like it was in our trial, I believe it would be better to leave it like it is."  "Sadly, I agree.  I will come talk to you more about building a cabin.  I really want to wait to see what he wants to do.  I have one other request before I go."  "Oh?  What is it?"  "A basket of those contraceptive peaches for your mother please."  Jinzi nearly spit out his tea.  "Why Fuqin, you randy old dragon!!  I guess the day you stop mating mother is the day we lay you down to die!!  I'll be right back!!"  He brought a small basket to him filled with the peaches.  Mo Yuan grinned and raised an eyebrow.  "By the way, we leave in the morning to go to Lei.  Are you and Mi Shu coming too?"  "Yes.  I'll be there in the morning to go with you." 
     Jinzi and Mi Shu arrived in time to eat breakfast.  Mo Yuan was laying out instructions for Die Feng as to classes, to Bai Xue since he would take over regular duties and Mo JinDe to War God duties.  "Xue, watch Junjie and Baishan.  We don't want any hanky panky going on!  You know what to do!"  "Fuqin, I broke them up last night in the garden."  Mo Yuan face planted into his hand.  "I see it's serious.  I'll talk to him before I leave.  I think we have covered everything.  I'll send messages when Lei has her baby.  You know where I'll be."  Junjie and Baishan came walking in for breakfast.  "Fuqin, Baishan and I wish to go with you to visit Lei.  May we?"  "Yes, just send a message to her Fuqin telling him where she will be.  Do it now."  Junjie left and came back a few minutes later to eat.  He and Baishan were in their on little world.  Bai Xue had asked him a question three times.  He finally laughed and flicked his tea in his face.  After he sputtered for a few minutes, he looked around to see who did it.  "Junjie, I asked you a question three times.  Pay attention!"  "Sorry Da ge!  What did you want?"  "I'm starting construction on your palace tomorrow.  I will send messages to you after the basic shape is finished.  I have a copy of the plan here."  He drew a plan out of his sleeve and handed to Junjie.  "If there are any changes you wish to make or locations of certain rooms or gardens, just note it on that plan and send it to me. Now I must be about my business.  Fuqin, send my love to Lei Lei."  He bowed and left.  Mo Yuan rose from his seat.  "I suggest you all get packing.  We leave in an hour!"
     Bai Zhi Jinzi stood at the door to Baohu's rooms.  He ran his hand over the carved Huli on the door.  He walked in and looked around.  The room was a mess.  He walked from room to room looking over everything.  His swords and his armor was gone.  He looked for his chest.  He opened it to find his armor neatly folded inside and his swords and dagger laying on top.  There was a scroll on top sealed with his seal as God of War.  It was addressed to him.  He took the scroll, closed the chest and left the room.  He walked straight to his Fuqin's study.  He was there waiting for everyone to finish packing.  He knocked on the door.  "Enter".  "Fuqin, I just went through Baohu's room.  I found this scroll addressed to me on top of his armor.  I wish for you to hear me read it.  May I?"  "Yes, let me put up a barrier."  He waved his hand and the barrier was set.  Jinzi opened the scroll and read. 
             'Dearest Jinzi,
                          I am writing this letter to you so that you will know my wishes and what I want done.  I can never be God of War again.  I know I will never talk again.  I lost my honor, San ge.  Da ge slapped my face for what I did to Shandian Li.  I was drunk.  I was charmed.  I wanted to go straight to the demon lands and sleep with Shao Wan.  I fought the urge for days.  I tried to force myself on Li Li rather than seek help.  I still want the demon queen.  I know when I come back from this trial, I will seek her out.  I have nothing now.  No title, no wife, no children for even they rejected me.  She ruined me.  I know she did it to get back at Fuqin.  She's probably laughing as I write this.  I can never face any decent person in these realms again.  What will I do?  Who knows at this point.  I know Fuqin will move me out of my rooms there.  Maybe I could seclude myself in Yanhua cave for a while.  Maybe the thought of Fuqin laying there for 20,000 years working to return to Mother and Shushu will help heal my spirit.  I still want to end my life.  Maybe you can feel me deep in your own heart.  What is my life worth now?  A sex toy for a demon Queen?  An outcast from the eight realms?  Everyone will look at me now as the son who dishonored his Fuqin, High God Mo Yuan.  I really wish Jinlong had just killed me but I know Fuqin loves me still.  Make sure my boys are always taken care of.  I know Fuqin will raise them right.  There is no one better to do it.  Know that I will always love you, Bai Zhi Jinzi.  We are, after all, the Xiao Jin Hulis.
                                                                Bai Baohu Zhe

       Jinzi laid the scroll down on his Fuqin's desk.  He stood up and walked over to the window and looked out.  "Kill her, Fuqin.  Kill her now.  If you don't or refuse to, I will poison her land and drive them out.  I want it spread around how she set out to ruin Baohu when the hand of friendship had been extended.  I want his name to be restored.  Please Fuqin!  Please!  Call Shushu here!"  Jinzi fell down on his knees and kowtowed to his Fuqin.  "I'm begging you!"  Mo Yuan had called Ye Hua while Jinzi was begging.  Before he could get up, Ye Hua, Bai Xue and Mo JinDe walked in the door.  He handed the scroll to Ye Hua and told him to read it.  His face turned red as he read it.  He passed it to Xue and JinDe.  Ye Hua sat down and his fist hit the desk.  Jinzi was on his knees on the floor.  Bai Xue spoke first.  "I should have killed the bitch while I had the chance."  Mo JinDe kept hitting the desk with his fist.  Jinzi, that kind and gentle soul, was at a breaking point.  While Ye Hua, Xue and JinDe were ranting, he crawled out the door and left.  He went to the bench on the pinnacle of Kunlun.  "Zufu, please come."  "My Xiao Jin Huli!  What has you so upset?"  "Zufu, please give me power.  I promise I will only use it once.  Please.  Shao Wan lied to my Fuqin and she lied to my didi.  She destroyed him.  I know you know it all.  He's ruined.  He can never be the God of War again.  She destroyed him.  He wrote me a letter before he went on trial.  He told me he still wanted her.  His wife is dead now because of her!  Please help me get justice for him!  He cut his own throat so he can never speak again.  Just give me power so I can destroy her.  I'm not a military genius like Baohu is.  I'm not even a skilled warrior, but I know a lot about plants and growing things.  I could destroy her land where it would never be able to produce food again.  I know you're going to tell me revenge is not the answer, but she has destroyed my family!!  There are two little boys who are without their parents now.  Fuqin sent Baohu on a trial.  I don't know what will happen to him there.  He may come back even more ruined.  Please help me!!"  "Nu Wa!"  She came and sat by Jinzi and took him into her arms.  "What would you have me do?"  "Zumu!  Shao Wan ruined my brother!  She lied!  She lied and tricked Fuqin.  He extended the hand of friendship but she set out to destroy our family.  I just want the power to destroy her.  Or send someone who will.  Please!  She destroyed my brother!"  Jinzi lay on her shoulder and sobbed righteous tears.  Nu Wa was very angry.  In fact, she had a plan.  "Return to your Fuqin, Jinzi, my love.  He is looking for you.  I have a plan.  Don't worry, she will be taken care of.  Go on now."  "What can we do?"  "We can't do anything, but Jingsi and Jiaxiao can."  "You would send babies to do your dirty work?"  "Yes and no!  Those babies have more power than you can imagine.  They will take care of Shao Wan once and for all.  Maybe we can help the Huli recover.  Now let me start this thing rolling!"