Fresh Embers of Love

Chapter 7

The Heavenly Emperor Runyu sat on his wide throne which overlooked the audience hall of the Empyrean Cloud Palace. Next to him on the throne sat his lovely Empress, the Flower Immortal Guihua. One step below him, on the right side, sat his Royal Consort Kuanglu, on her smaller throne.

Runyu gazed at Guihua lovingly. He took her hand in his, bringing it up to his lips, planting a light kiss on the back of her knuckles. She turned to look at him and smiled. He smiled back.

"Is Yuanji coming for an audience today?" Guihua asked him.

Runyu nodded. "I've summoned her. She should be here at some point."

"I'm really curious how our baby girl is doing down there" Guihua admitted. "It was unfortunate that she jumped early. I hope... I hope it turns out okay."

Guihua's face wore a worried expression. Runyu knew that she was remembering her own Mortal Trial. He squeezed her hand in his reassuringly.

"I'm sure she is just fine" Runyu consoled her. "Lao says our Nuwa is the brightest student. She prepared for this for months. She can handle a little setback." He patted her hand.

Just then Yuanji made an appearance, walking slowly through the blue glass entryway of the audience hall. Runyu waited patiently for her to approach the throne, while his wife bounced anxiously beside him. The pearl strands that dripped from her imperial headdress clacked together. Runyu smiled at her again, then let go of her hand to stand up.

He moved to the front of the throne, right above the steps, and clasped his hands behind his back, looking expectantly at Yuanji. Did he detect nervousness coming from her? Runyu frowned, afraid of getting bad news.

"How is my daughter?" he asked Yuanji bluntly as soon as she kneeled in the customary bow before him.

Yuanji raised herself up slowly. "She is well, Your Majesty" she replied, looking at the floor.

"She's been gone a long time. Her mortal body must be very old by now" Runyu commented.

Yuanji made a noncommittal noise in her throat, nodding her head.

"How has she conducted herself in the Mortal Realm?" Runyu asked.

"As you know, she fell into the body of a royal boy. She eventually became Emperor of China, and has had a long reign of peace and prosperity. History will count her as being the wisest of Emperors. Congratulations, Your Majesties." Yuanji bowed again.

Runyu looked back to his wife who still sat on the throne. She was beaming a smile at him, a proud mother.

"I told you she would be just fine" Runyu said, smiling back at her.

Kuanglu interjected, "Did she experience all of the requisite Sorrows" she asked Yuanji sternly.

Yuanji bowed again. "Enough of them to cultivate her Spiritual energy appropriately, Your Majesty" she replied.

Runyu turned back to Yuanji. "When is she coming home?" he asked, his good mood evident.

"Very soon now, Your Majesty" she told him. "Maybe tomorrow... or the day after." She still seemed nervous for some reason.

Runyu looked at her appraisingly. It must be because of him, he decided. He had severely punished her long ago, she must still fear him. He sighed. How long would he be haunted by echoes of the past?

When Runyu dismissed her, she looked relieved. Her exit from the audience hall was much faster than her entrance had been.

He turned back towards the throne, and noticed Kuanglu's expression. She was gazing at Yuanji's retreating back with suspicion.

"Your Majesty, I think she is hiding something" Kuanglu said.

Runyu glanced up at Guihua, whose expression became worried again at hearing those words.

"I think she was just nervous to be around me" he replied nonchalantly. "That happens sometimes."

Runyu leaned closer to Kuanglu and said in a low voice, so that Guihua wouldn't hear, "She hasn't forgiven me."

"All the more reason to be suspicious, Your Majesty" Kuanglu whispered back.

"I'll take note of that" he reassured her.

He sat back on his throne, trying to ignore the pursed lips of Kuanglu on the step below him. He knew that face. She wasn't going to let it go. He sighed inwardly. Then he looked to Guihua on the throne next to him. Her beautiful smile was a balm to his soul.

"Is there anymore pressing business today?" Runyu asked her.

"Not that I know of" she replied.

"Let's get out of here" Runyu proposed with a mischievous smile. "It looks like we only have the palace to ourselves for a day or two longer."

Guihua laughed in surprise. "I'm at your command, Your Majesty" she said with a bow.

Runyu took her hand and pulled her towards the exit behind the throne. He ignored the bitter glance that Kuanglu threw in their direction.