Chance Encounters-An Eternal Love of Dreams Fan Fiction

Chapter Six - Fifth Meeting

After arriving back from Bihai Cangling where he had secluded for the past two weeks to gain some of his cultivation back, Donghua entered his study in Tai Chen Palace ready to peruse the reports that have been sent to him by his Sentries regarding the Qingtian Beast. He knew 3rd Prince Liansong, the head of his cabal of spies had gone personally to the Sea Kingdom to investigate what had happened to cause the seal to break and should have sent something by now. As he sat on his table, he noticed that instead of the usual pot of tea that was usually placed on the left side of his desk, there was a bowl of soup in its place. He was about to call for Chonglin to ask him why there was a change in his normal routine when he saw a small note tucked underneath the bowl.

Dear Dijun, please have some of this soup that I cooked especially for you. Steward Chonglin told me that you will be coming back today so I made sure to prepare this for you. Drink it as soon as you can so that it is still warm. It has herbs and tonics in it that is good for your cultivation and will help you keep up your strength. I hope you like it. Is your wound all healed now? If you need some more of the salve I put on it before, please let me know. Xiao Jiu.

Donghua smiled at the paper in his hands wondering how it was that even reading a note from her can make him happy. He shook his head. He was acting like a schoolboy with his first crush. He reached for the soup and placed it in front of him and as soon as he opened the lid, tendrils of smoke wafted to his nose as he smelled the delicious broth. He took a sip of it letting its comforting warmth flow through him. He drank it slowly, feeling the tenderness of her care in every sip. It must have taken her hours to make this as he could taste the intensity of the flavor in the soup.

"Chonglin greets Donghua Dijun. I apologize I was not here as soon as you came back I was detained getting some reports from the steward of Tianjun." Donghua waved off his apology. Chonglin was surprised to notice the empty soup bowl in front of him because he knew that Dijun rarely ate as he was never hungry after cultivating. He had tried to tell Xiao Jiu that Dijun did not like to drink anything but tea whenever he comes back from Bihai Cangling but Xiao Jiu had told insisted that soup was better than tea for cultivation and as Dijun's friend, she had to make sure that he was healthy all the time. Chonglin had looked at her askance not sure how to react to her claim of friendship with his Master because as far as he knew, they've only met once. However, Xiao Jiu had the ability to talk anyone into doing anything for her given enough time and soon Chonglin had agreed to allow her to serve him the soup instead of tea. "I hope the soup was still warm Dijun." he said as he arranged the reports on his desk. He had been afraid that Dijun might get angry at him for the break in routine but looking at him now, he didn't seem to be put out and he did finish the soup.  Maybe he was hungry?

"You timed it well. It was the perfect temperature." Dijun had been surprised that the soup was still warm as he had come back later than expected.

"Xiao Jiu's the one actually who has been making sure that it remains warm for you." He said wanting to give credit, where credit was due. When Dijun raised his eyebrow at him, he thought that Dijun might have forgotten who Xiao Jiu was. "Ah Xiao Jiu is the fairy maid from before with the Princess Zhi He incident.  I don't know if you remember her?" he explained.

"I know who Xiao Jiu is." Donghua said a little irritated, resisting the urge to declare that no one would ever forget Xiao Jiu once they met her. He could just imagine the look on Chonglin's face if he were to say that.

"She, ah, has been replacing the soup every half an hour. She said something about it needing to remain at the optimal level for you to get the most benefit from it. That's actually the 5th bowl of soup she's brought in." Chonglin elaborated.  It was now Donghua's turn to look surprised.  He was actually used to being catered to given the position that he had.  However, it had never been to this level of precision, to this level of care.  Suddenly, he felt keenly how much he missed her.  He wanted to talk to her and see her beautiful face.