Unexpected Ally

Devising

"Husband?" Song asked looking between the two older males. While it is known that there are in fact gay men in the world, never had it been so openly announced.

Zhe Yan smiled at the reincarnation of his old friend. "Yes, your Majesty. Little Jiu here is my niece in law." Yan replied simply.

"You are also her Mentor?" Song prompted curiously.

"We both are along with my sister." Bai Zhen said with a smile.

"Your sister?" Song asked.

"My Aunty. Bai Qian." Feng Jiu said affectionately.

"Madam Jiu is both of your guys Niece? What side are you from?" Empress Dowager question.

"My brother is Xiao Jiu's father." Bai Zhen responded.

"Hmm. Where is your brother and his wife at the current moment." Empress Dowager asked.

"I'm afraid we do not know that. They are off traveling again and did not leave any way for us to contact them." Bai Zhen responded.

It was a total lie because while it was true Bai Yi's and Zhang Yufei loved to travel there were ways to contact them. Also they were currently in Qing Qiu helping Bai Qian get ready for her wedding. But... This is what Si Ming said was Feng Jiu's excuse for her missing parents was.

Empress Dowager sighed internally not happy they gave the same response as Jiu. But as she thought over Bai Zhen's words something stuck out.

"You said they went traveling again. Do you mean to say they have traveled before?" The Empress asked.

"Yes. In fact my brother and his wife have spent most of their lives traveling. Zhe Yan, Myself, and My Sister for the most part were the ones to raise Little Jiu." Bai Zhen explained.

"Hmm I see. That explains some of her mannerisms. Having been taught and raised by people so deplorable." The Empress said with distaste.

"Mother!" Xuanren Song exclaimed horrified.

"Don't you mother me young man." The Empress snapped back.

Zhe Yan couldn't help the amused smirk at watching the oldest deity in existence get scolded by this high-handed and imperious women who has absolutely no idea what she is doing.

"It is alright your Majesty. We are use to the criticism we get when we leave our home land." Zhe Yan said.

"And where is your home land?" Empress Dowager question.

"I'm afraid I cannot answer that." Zhe Yan responded.

"Why?" Empress Dowager demanded frustrated.

"It goes against our laws. Our home land is very different from other lands so to protect it, it is kept as much of a secret as possible to outsiders." Zhe Yan explained.

"Different in what way? Can you answer that?" Xuanren Song asked. Jiu had never given much detail of her home. But now that Song thinks about it he only ever asked where it is, not about how it is.

Zhe Yan answer. "Well for one men and women are seen as equals. Citizens are allowed to love who they want and families cannot force arranged marriages. All marriages must be fully consented by both parties. After a certain age all children male and female are required as part of their schooling to take basic combat for defense so if there is ever an emergency all citizens can fight and defend themselves. It is their choice to continue to learn it after the basics but they must learn the basics." Zhe Yan said gaining everyone's interest.

"However despite our readiness to fight we prefer peace. We value loyalty, integrity, and hard work. Although our land is rich we encourage trade of items or services as opposed to money and insist all citizens work for a living in some way, including those of royal family. This not only insures that the value of our home is not given away, but will always grow. We do not allow slavery of any kind, so all servants are to be paid and treated fairly and may also leave whenever the wish." Zhe Yan continued painting a beautiful picture in everyone's minds.