Fresh Embers of Love

Chapter 54

The Heavenly Empress Guihua, Flower Immortal, sipped at her morning tea in the front garden of Zifangyun Palace. Fuzangloong's servants moved around behind her, busying themselves with work. It had been quite awhile since the palace had received a thorough cleaning.

She wouldn't have minded taking care of Fuzang by herself, but he seemed uncomfortable with the idea of being waited upon by the Empress of Heaven. He had selected a few of his favorite servants from Xuanji Palace, and then tasked the others with helping Kun Ji remodel.

He hadn't tried to sneak back to Xuanji Palace again, or at least, he hadn't been caught doing that. Guihua hoped that it was because he was embarrassed by his appalling behavior. She shook her head angrily at the thought, and then took another sip of her tea.

It was hard to sit here at Zifangyun Palace and do nothing! Runyu had promised that she would get to visit Nuwa soon after she had been attacked. It had been months now! What must he be planning? Or had he forgotten about her?

A desolate wind swept through her heart at the thought. Was it possible for Runyu to forget her, after all they had shared together? Her forehead creased with worry. He really did act like a different person now. He had warned her that he would. She couldn't envision it until now.

Fuzang came out of his room, and sat down next to her.

"Good morning, Stepmother" he said.

Why did he sound so smug lately? Was it because of the development with Kun Ji? Anyone could tell that 20,000 years of magical prowess was a bride price. Kun Ji had come of age after the Spring Festival, as had the other cousins, except for Fuzang. She was able to marry now, while Fuzang needed another year.

"Good morning, Prince Fuzangloong" she answered politely.

"What are we going to do today?" He asked her.

Guihua sighed. He asked this every morning. It was very clear that he was bored. Just then a servant came through the front gate and trotted up to her table. He knelt at her feet, holding a sealed tube.

"This just came from the Empyrean Cloud Palace, Your Majesty" the servant told her.

"Thank you" she replied graciously, taking the tube from his hand.

Fuzang's expression perked up, indicating his interest in the contents. Guihua unsealed the tube, and then pulled out a folded piece of paper, her hand shaking as she recognized Runyu's handwriting. She opened it, holding it in a way that Fuzang couldn't see it.

'Flower Immortal,

You will escort the Crown Prince to visit his sister at Kunlun. Bring the Imperial Headdress, and other Crown Jewels, to be placed in the vault at the Empyrean Cloud Palace before you leave, for safekeeping.

One of your fairies has been to Kunlun, asking for the Princess. Find out who, so that she can be rewarded for her devotion.'

Guihua crushed the note to her chest, conflicting emotions coursing through her. She took a deep breath, struggling to gain control of herself again.

She would be taking Fuzang to see Nuwa. Not to Kunlun though, because Nuwa was really at Dongting Lake. Runyu must want his son out of the Heavenly Realm. She was happy that she would finally get to see her baby girl again.

Unfortunately she wouldn't get to stay with her baby girl. Runyu was ordering her to find out who the Floral Fairy was who went to Kunlun. She would have to go to Kunlun to get a description. Then she would have to go to the Flower Realm to 'reward' her, as the note said. She would be traveling a great deal, at fast speeds.