A Crown for a Tail

Jealousy

Having woken with a sore head, Bao insisted that Bai Qian remain in bed to rest. "You are going to be in trouble when you return anyway, so it would be better for you to return in good health, it will make it easier for you to handle whatever your punishment will be." he said firmly before rising to make her a light breakfast.

"Bao, I'm so sorry for burdening you longer, I really should return." she said softly as he prepared two bowls of porridge and a pot of tea.  Even though her body had healed, she had been weakened from the illness, and with her powers closed down, the heavy air and inability to self heal was making it harder for her maintain her health.

"It's no matter Bai Qian. At least rest for the day, and if you're feeling better, return in the afternoon when it's a little warmer." he said. It sounded so innocent to her ears, knowing he didn't really understand her ability to regulate her body temperature when her powers were opened again which she would have to do in order to leave, but she accepted it for the kind comment that it was.

"Then at least allow me to repay the debt Bao. Name it and it is yours." she said with so much conviction in her voice that he turned at the urgent undertone in it.

Though, what he wanted he knew she could not give him. Instead he smiled at her and said nothing as he carried the porridge to the bed and slowly fed it to her himself, after which he insisted that she sleep, before leaving her alone to return to his window seat to read.

Watching him silently, she wondered what kind of man he was. He was definitely kind hearted, but what things did he like to do other than read books and fish, she wondered to herself as she looked at the fishing nets and tightly spun reels stacked up against the wall.

He was certainly handsome, and that had her wondering why he was alone. There didn't seem to be any evidence that a female graced his life. Usually there would be at least a vase of flowers, even for those less well off, but his was a sole males home.

Not wishing to pry into his life any more than she had, she closed her eyes. She really was tired, but deciding to take his advice and return after having rested thoroughly, she allowed herself to drift off to sleep with Ye Hua on her mind.

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Arriving above the beach, Zhe Yan, Bai Zhi, Bai Zhen. The Empress and Ye Hua looked down.  Nothing moved as the cold chill air swept across the barren sand below.  It was late afternoon so it was even cooler as the tide brought with it the freezing winter winds.   Releasing a spell, Bai Zhi searched for his daughters essence, and though she had closed it down, her core energy still emitted a faint signal.

"She's close." he said as they lowered themselves to the beach to get a closer view of the surroundings.  Lining the beach were at least 60 small beach front homes in that immediate vicinity.  

"If I have to knock on every door I will." said Ye Hua moving ahead, only to be pulled back by the Empress.

"No need for that Ye Hua.  We merely have to take a little stroll along the sand, the signal her core energy sends out will heighten the closer we get." she said as she led them all towards the houses to begin the search.

"I had no idea she had contacts here." Bai Zhen said as he took in what looked to be holiday homes, many of them looking as if they were uninhabited.

"Nor did I." her mother said frowning.  That her daughter was mingling with the Mortals was not something she approved of, being far too young and unwise to handle any given situation which she would no doubt stumble into.

Ye Huas heart was racing.  He too had no idea she even knew Mortal fishermen, and that had him desperately wanting to know what the hell she was doing there.