Unexpected Ally

New Beginnings

A week later.

Feng Jiu sat next to the Jade lake with a handful of petals she was throwing into the water, one by one.

"Flowers bloom and fade all the time. Fate brings us together, then separates us like the wind. It is time to let you go." Feng Jiu says softly to herself.

"Sister Feng Jiu!" Jing Wei called out. Bai Zhen and Ji Heng behind him.

Feng Jiu let out an huff. "You should have informed me of your arrival." She stated irritated.

Jing Wei shrugged. "You were sitting there in a daze chanting poems." Jing Wei said and Bai Zhen gave him a light slap on the back of the head.

"We had just barely arrived." Bai Zhen said walking over to Feng Jiu.

"What brings you all here?" Feng Jiu asked getting up to meet them.

"Ji Heng has requested to settle down in Qing Qiu as a music teacher. Since you were the one to have her brought here and as future Queen; it would be your responsibility to get permission and help her find a place to settle down." Bai Zhen explained.

"Um, ok. We should start by asking Aunty, as she is the current ruler. Then we should get confirmation from grandfather." Feng Jiu mused outloud.

"My Sister has been preparing for her wedding, you will likely find her in the den." Bai Zhen says.

"Yes you all go speak to Aunty, I will just go back to...." Jing Wei started to say only to be interrupted by Bai Zhen.

"You will stay in my line of sight until say otherwise." Bai Zhen said sternly.

Jing Wei huffed in annoyance.

"What did you do?" Feng Jiu asked Jing Wei curiously.

"Nothing! Fanyin Valley is about to open. So Immortal Bai Zhen is just keeping an unnecessary close eye on me." Jing Wei exclaimed.

"Then you shouldn't have tried to steal the fairy fruit and offend the Inseparable King Birds! If it weren't for my uncle and High Deity Zhe Yan; you would have lost far more than all your feathers!" Feng Jiu scolded.

Jing Wei scoffed indignantly. "Hey! You promised not to mention that." He whined.

"The Inseparable King Birds hide in Fanyin Valley. I have no way of settling scores with them." Jing Wei continued to complain.

Bai Zhen was about to respond but Feng Jiu beat him to it.

"Settle scores with them? You best just stay in Qing Qiu. If it weren't for you our clans wouldn't have become enemies." Feng Jiu said flatly.

Jing Wei pouted muttering "Bunch of cowards." Under his breath.

Bai Zhen gave Jing Wei another smack on the back of his head.

"Well you best take our guest to see your Aunt." Bai Zhen said to Feng Jiu while gesturing to Ji Heng, who has waited quietly at the entrance.

Feng Jiu nodded and went over to greet Ji Heng with a light bow, which Ji Heng equally returned.

"Forgive me my rudness in not greeting you immediately." Feng Jiu said politely with a kind smile.

Ji Heng smiled back giving a slight nod. "It is quite alright, I find the informal mannerisms here very refreshing." Ji Heng replied.

"How are you doing?" Feng Jiu inquired.

"I am doing alright. Just taking things one step at a time." Ji Heng replied.

Feng Jiu nodded and gestured for Ji Heng to follow her to make their way towards the fox den.

"So you are hoping to settle down in Qing Qiu as a music teacher?" Feng Jiu asked.