Days Of Future Past 2

Eternal Love Of Dream Chapter 38

For the rest of the afternoon Dong Hua did not let Fengjiu leave his side. The little son of Ye Hua and Bai Qian, A'Li came by and played with her. He kept an eye on them in his side yard. He watched as they made flower wreaths together. He couldn't stop looking up at her even though he had work to do. 'It has to be because she will disappear if I don't pay attention... Right?'

Little A'Li ended up falling asleep on her lap, and he watched as Fengjiu stroked his hair. He watched in fascination. He wondered if that was just the way Qing Qiu women behaved with children. Because in his eyes, she looked like a mother. Never before had he witnessed the expression on her face. He also wondered, 'If I had a mother...would she have been like this?'

 An hour later Fengjiu saw her Aunt and Ye Hua. They had been gone for hours and she could guess what they had been doing. They couldn't leave the ceremony quick enough to get to their bedroom.

Her Aunt, Ye Hua, and her uncle all walked over to her. Ye Hua picked up A'Li's sleeping form into his arms.

Her Aunt raised her brow. "What are you doing here? I had to ask around to find you."

Fengjiu bit her lip, wondering how she could explain what was going on.

Luckily, a second later, Dong Hua walked out of his study. He stated, "Come in my study. I need to speak with all of you."

Her family looked at her for a moment but couldn't say no to the former heavenly emperor. They all walked into his study and they sat down. A'Li was still slumbering in his father's arms.

"I'll get to the point," Dong Hua stated and waved his hand and tea appeared in front of all of them. "I'm keeping the princess with me until she tells me everything. She has kept secrets from me and I'll not allow it. Therefore, she will be staying in my Palace."

Her Aunt huffed. "She can't do that. Fengjiu is an untouched and unmarried girl. Her reputation is important." She sighed. "Father is trying to get unmarried men to approach her. How would they do that if you are involved?"

Dong Hua burst into laughter. "The princess is beautiful. Good or bad reputation, she will have no trouble getting married." Her family looked shocked that he had admitted that he found Fengjiu beautiful. He leaned forward in an intimidating way. "But I refuse to let her leave until I get my answers."

Her Uncle turned to her and sighed. "Xiao Jiu. Just tell him what you know."

Fengjiu eyebrows furrowed and clenched her hands together. "I can't...not right now."

"Why?" Her Uncle looked extremely frustrated. "Why must you hide everything? I'm tired of all the secrets!"

"Uncle, I need you to trust me. I'm trying to protect everyone," Fengjiu gritted her teeth and clenched her fists tighter. "You think you're tired? How do you think I feel? I don't like keeping secrets from everyone." She let out a shaky breath. "I am carrying a heavy burden."

Dong Hua looked at Fengjiu and thought about her words. 'She sounds much older than her age. Even more since the last time we saw each other. What happened while she was away? Why is she trying to protect everyone?' He thought back to the other powerful Clairvoyants that he knew. Some had been power hungry, but some had a weary look in their eyes. As if the world was breaking them. It was close to how Fengjiu was looking.' I don't want to see this Princess go down that path. I don't want her to break too.'

Her family looked shocked at her outburst. Her Uncle asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm going to be," Fengjiu tried to reassure, but she had no idea if things would work out. She had no idea how things would end.