Immortal Mortals

Revenge 1

Having completed his bow for the morning, Jie quickly made his way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for his family, before he made his way to the next town.  Having already informed Ai that he would be gone for a few days, and he would not only be looking for horses for the children to raise, he also wanted to check out inns that would also be suitable for their family when they went on holiday.  It would take a mere hour to get there, so he didn't want to waste any time.

Serving breakfast to his family, Jie bent his head to lightly kiss the children, though reaching down towards Meili almost sent him toppling over when the girl threw herself up at him to wrap them around his neck.  Laughing heartily at her antics, he gave her a quick squeeze before kissing Ai lightly on the top of her head.

"Be good." he said pointedly at Meili.  "And take care of your mother." he said softly in Tais direction.

"Father, why can't I come, I want to choose my own colt." he said for the fifth time that morning.

"Tai, I'm not going to explain it again." Jie said losing his patience.  Then throwing a thick robe over his shoulders, he left.

But the lame excuse he had given the boy wasn't cutting it.  Jie always took him to the horse auctions and he couldn't help but feel that he was up to something and that had him making plans.  If his father was planning on making even more mistakes, he wanted to know about it.

The ride was slow due to the wet ground from the storm that had passed over a couple of days ago, much of the path had been reduced to mud and his horse had struggled to get through it, but stopping at the half way mark, Jie met up with Chang Li and Zhe Yan who were there to collect his horse.  He would return the horse later that day with a ready excuse for Ai who would want to know why.  

Then looking around to make sure no one else was about, Jie returned to his true form.  Thanking him for his assistance, Mo Yuan instantly disappeared.

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"Chang Li, would it be too much of a problem if I left for a day or two?" Ai inquired.  Having found her potion bottle completely empty, she had no choice but to return for more peaches, and knowing her husband he would be wanting her the day his punishment ended, not that she wasn't looking forward to it, she was, but having gone without for months, he would no doubt be extra needy and she was not going to be unprepared.

Knowing exactly where she was headed having already been filled in by Jie on what he had done, Chang Li smiled softly to himself,  but keeping up the pretense he asked where she would be.

"I have to begin with the wedding preparations, and I would like to get a head start on it." she lied.

"Ahhh, yes, there will be a lot of work to do before the big day." he smiled in Tais direction causing the boy to blush deeply.  "No problem Ai, if you need a few days, I am more than happy to take care of the children." he said smiling at her, and since they would be staying in their home, it would mean Meili would feel a little more comfortable, especially having her paints and brushes on hand to keep her busy.

So, having sorted that out, Ai prepared herself quickly for a return home.

Though neither of them noticed the small smile on Tais lips as he realized his plan might just succeed.  With both parents gone and Chang Lis easy going manner, slipping out would be too easy.

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No sooner had Mo Yuan left them, than he found himself outside one of the finer inns, which he knew would not only be suitable for the children, it would suit his purpose for the next few days as well.  Having lowered his energy just enough so it could not be felt by the Mortals, Mo Yuan entered and looked around.  Each room was separated by its own small garden with its own outdoor seating, being private and well maintained, they would fit in quite well.