Fresh Embers of Love

Chapter 49

Fuzangloong entered the gates of the Heavenly Realm, surreptitiously hiding the Baozhu in his sleeve. He wasn't yet sure if the pearl could be shrunk, he hadn't had time to experiment.

He looked down at the mud stains on his pale robes, and sighed. He would have to change before the Empress saw him again. He flew to Xuanji Palace, landing by the Willow that stood sentinel over the gate.

The Palace was deserted, so he felt no compunction against stripping his robes off and throwing them down, not caring where they landed. He marched through his room to his bathing chamber, carrying the Baozhu into the bath with him.

He carefully dipped it into the water, using his fingers to smooth off the dirt, admiring it's pure beauty now that it was completely clean. Then he summoned a wooden box from his wash table, making it zoom through the air across the room to him. He dumped the hairpins out of it, and then set the Baozhu down inside it lovingly.

He closed the box with great care, and then set it down at the side of his bathing pool, so that he could wash the mud off of his body, and out of his hair. His body morphed into dragon form, rolling in the water to dislodge any mud between his scales, and then flew up out of the tub, transforming back into a man's shape.

He carefully picked up the box containing the Baozhu, and set it on a shelf, then wrapped a towel around his waist, and went back into his room, in search of clean clothing.

Someone was in his room! He stood stock still, taken by surprise. It was Kun Ji! She was facing away from him, holding up two pieces of fabric against the wall, comparing them. Kun Ji was alone! It was like the Baozhu had given him a gift!

He flew across the room very quietly until he was standing just behind her. She became aware of his presence and turned around, her expression surprised, which turned to alarm when she realized how undressed he was. She backed up a step, pressed against the wall.

Fuzang leaned in, placing his hand on the wall next to her head. He stared into her eyes, the intensity of his feelings overpowering.

"Kun Ji, you will love me. You will marry me!" he ordered her.

Her eyes opened wide, looking fearfully at him. She didn't answer, just blinked owlishly at him, her lips parted. Her cheeks were turning pink. She clutched the fabric samples to her chest, like a shield.

He leaned closer, inhaling her scent from her hair, his body almost touching hers. The proximity was driving him crazy. His left hand he brought up to her chin, holding it between his thumb and fingers. Only a few more centimeters, and their lips would touch.

"Young Master!" The voice of one of his servants sounded from the door.

He turned his head sharply to see who had interrupted him, glaring at him. The servant looked fearful, dropping the bundle he was carrying.

"Please, Young Master, take pity on me, your servant!" He said, falling to his knees.

Another servant carrying bundles appeared behind him. He too looked very alarmed. Fuzang drew a shaky breath, and closed his eyes.

"Fuzangloong!" The voice of Uncle Yanyou said sharply, as he appeared behind the servants.

Fuzang opened his eyes again with a murderous glare, looking but not seeing.

"Nephew?" Uncle Yanyou's voice became concerned.

He pushed past the kneeling servants, and came inside the room, edging towards Kun Ji, reaching for her hand. Fuzang felt a growl coming out of him, low in his throat. Who were these other men? How dare they try to take what is HIS!

"Fuzang" Uncle Yanyou said softly. "You're scaring Kun Ji. You don't want her to be afraid of you."

Fuzang froze, reality started to reassert itself. He drew a shuddering breath, becoming more aware of his surroundings.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" he said in embarrassment.

He put a hand up to cover his chest, while his other hand grabbed his towel to make sure it was secure.

"I just... I was looking for clothing, and Kun Ji surprised me" he explained, backing away from them into the bath. He shut the door, and then leaned his back against it.

He wasn't sure what had happened, he couldn't understand it. His gaze traveled to the wooden box containing the Baozhu, and paused there, wondering.

The servants brought clothing in to him, and helped him dress. He tucked the Baozhu into his robes, and prepared to leave his room. When he came out, Uncle Yanyou and Kun Ji had gone, but the Empress was waiting for him.

"You can take baths at Zifangyun Palace" she told him. "You don't need to come back here for that."

"Yes, Your Majesty" he agreed quietly.

"You certainly don't have to leave me behind at Doushuai Palace, just to come here and have a bath" she scolded him.

"Yes, Your Majesty" he replied again.

"I think you gave poor Kun Ji a heart attack" the Empress continued. "She didn't expect anyone to be here, she just came to work on your room, to make it nicer for you. Couldn't you have been more polite?" she asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty" Fuzang replied, trying not to get irritated at being scolded.

"Come along now" she said with a sigh. "Don't come back here until the work is done. I promised Yanyou!" she informed him.