The queen of Qing Qiu

Starting out in QingQiu Part 1

Three hundred years had passed since the destruction of the East Emperor's Bell. So much had changed for Bai Feng Jiu since then and today was going to bring more changes. Her GuGu (aunt) Bai Qiun was getting married to the Nine Heavens crown prince Ye Hua.

Bai Feng Jiu stood on a small cliff watching the wedding procession approach. It was a custom in Nine Heavens that a procession from there be sent to pick up the bride and it would usually be lead by the highest ranking family member of the groom. She could see High God Mo Yuan, (Ye Hua's brother) and Third Prince Lian Song, (Ye Hua's uncle) then behind them was Star Lord Si Ming followed by lots of maids and some men carrying the brides carriage.

She quickly changed into her fox form and ran to meet them at the bridge by the small river they would need to cross. Just before they came into view she crossed the bridge and changed back to her human form and waited to greet them. When they saw the queen they came to a stop and everyone clasped their hands in front of themselves and bowed. Except for Third prince and High God Mo Yuan. Custom only dictated that the Third Prince lower his head for a moment just as she did for him. Mo Yuan, being the God of War and the only acknowledged son of the Heavenly Father bowed to no one. Bai Feng Jiu hated all the levels of bowing and ranks given in the Nine Heavens. She tried her best to remember them all but really it seemed a little rediculous to her.

She smiled at them. "Welcome to QingQiu. I am so happy to see you. Please everyone rise." She said making sure she was loud enough for everyone to hear. Bai Feng Jiu then walked over to the three men to greet them personally. Everyone was in high spirits, or at least that's how it seemed.

"Si Ming, I didn't know you were going to be part of the procession." She said.

The star lord glanced at Lian Song then replied, "I was not originally little majesty, but unexspectedly the heavenly lord thought should QingQiu's newest monarch want to accompany her aunt's procession back to Nine Heaven it would not be right to have the third prince walk behind you alone."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "I.....I don't understand. Is this part of the custom of Nine Heaven? GuGu never mentioned it and she has been going over scrolls on how the wedding will be for over a month."

This was not how things had been planned so why had they changed she wondered. The brides wedding procession was to go to the Nine Heavens through the city entrance while all her family from QingQiu would arive from a seperate entrance to be waiting inside the great hall by the time Bai Qian made it there. She had still been wondering the best way to make an appearance and still be able to sneak out as soon as possible. Now with the Heavenly lord making such a comment she would have no choice but to lead her GuGu's procession with the High God Mo Yuan. She sighed, this was going to make things harder. She had no intentions of staying in the Nine Heaven's for the two weeks that was customary for these things to be celebrated. Infact if not for her entire family insisting that she go than she wouldn't even be going to the ceremony.

She was to lost in thought to notice that Mo Yuan and Si Ming were glaring at the third prince. "I have never heard of any such custom either. Why wasn't I aware of this?" Mo Yuan asked.

She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the high god. He sounded a little upset but she couldn't be sure. She hoped he didn't mind, she was sure that he intended on leaving early too, perhaps they could help each other. Though they weren't very close they had become friends over the decades. He didn't know that she was aware of his secret. She had only found out because the last two and a half hundred years she had taken up the habit of drinking at Zhe Yans with her fourth uncle and one night when they thought she had already left she had overheard them talking. She didn't like eaves dropping and would normally never have done so except that her shoe had gotten stuck on a root and she couldn't leave until she freed it and by that time she had already heard all about the poor man that was in love with her GuGu and now had to sit by and watch his brother marry her and not be able to tell anyone.

Lian Song cleared his throat, drawing her attention. "It's not custom per say, I think that father just wanted to make sure that Bai Feng Jiu felt welcome. He knows how close you are to your aunt and it has been done in the past when the marriage results in the transfer of a new monarch that they would be included in the wedding."

As he talked Feng Jiu could understand just why the prince had the reputation of being a ladies man in Nine Heavens. He had a way of talking that made one want to listen to every word. Because the more he talked the more he smiled and it almost seemed as if his face glowed. He had charm and a general playfulness about him. However this did not mean she believed him. Feng Jiu had been an acquaintance of his for years and was also good friends with his ex which meant she was immune to the charm others might find themselves drawn to.

"But why would he ever think that having me walk in the procession would make me feel more welcome than coming with my family?" She asked.
"Well it was talked about that you were going to walk A Li to the wedding after the procession had left but then later that it was decided that A Li should be in Nine Heavens already waiting with Ye Hua. Perhaps he was afraid you would be upset about that and not show up at all." Lian Song said. "I wonder who would have given him such a thought?" Said Si Ming.

She sighed knowing it didn't matter at that point. They needed to hurry. She would need to change into something a little more formal if she was going to be leading a wedding procession into Nine Heavens. "Well I think we should head to the emperor's hall now. There will be tea and some cakes when we first arrive." She said.

Bai Feng Jiu lead them to a large room hollowed out of the side of a mountain. It was actually what some used to call the throne room in her great grandfathers time. Her family still used it for holding court and ceremonies. After making sure that everone was comfortable she quickly excused herself to change and notify her aunt and grandparents that they had arrived.

Once outside she hurried to to her grandparents den next to the hall. Seeing them there with her aunt she couldn't help but admire how beautiful her aunt looked. She was so happy for her, though they weren't as close as they used to be Feng Jiu loved her very much. She knew it was unfair of her and petty but she was still angry about being forced to take her role as queen. She had not even shown up for her coronation which had been a very painful day for Feng Jiu. She understood the loss of Ye Hua after his mistaken death had been to much for her GuGu and Feng Jiu didn't really blame her for not coming or for any of the things that had happened but she couldn't help but be hurt. But she told herself that none of that mattered anymore and that today she just wanted to be happy for her GuGu.

She stepped into the living area and quickly informed them of what was happening. "What on earth could that old man be thinking?" said Bai Qian, "Xiao Jiu I am sorry I don't know why this happened."
"Oh nevermind, Xiao Jiu will be fine." said the empress, "Yun Chi help Bai Feng Jiu get changed. I had a few things made for her that are still in my room. You can get ready in there." She ordered the maid.

Feng Jiu wasn't aware that her grandmother the empress had gotten her some clothes. Looking at the items they found they were most likely meant only for special occasions. She didn't normaly wear heavy robes but for Nine Heavens it was a very normal way to dress. There was a very beautiful pink one that she chose. The dress was a pale pink with small flowers covering the bodice, an open neckline would show off her pearl necklace. A sash around the waiste in pink with a darker pink color running through the center. The outer robe was a shiny silk that had long billowing sleeves with small white foxes embroidered along the cuffs and hemline. She didn't want to embaress her aunt so she wanted to look nice but not flashy as she wasn't the bride. So she left her hair as it was half up and only put one silver hair pin in that showed the clouds with small pearls hanging down. A touch more makeup to her eyes and lips and she was ready in no time.

"Oh Xiao Jiu you look so beautiful. No one will be able to keep their eyes off of you." Bai Qian said when she stepped out. Bai Feng Jiu blushed even though she knew she was teasing.
"GuGu as soon as you step out of the carriage nobody will notice anyone but you, you are the most beautiful bride." She said and meant it. Everyone talked of Bai Qian's beauty. She had heard herself meantioned as second to her in beauty but she never really put much thought into it. Feng Jiu gave her a hug, "I love you GuGu." She said to her and then made her way back to the hall to let everyone know they were on their way.