There's a Lump in My Tail

That Promise

Ye Hua had found the perfect place within his palace walls for the peach trees he planned on planting, and with a few saplings to begin with, which Zhe Yan had gifted him, he immediately set about putting them into the ground.  His estate was enormous with land to spare which he had wanted to plant trees in eventually, but with an added incentive to get them planted, he had them all arranged in a wide arc.  

It wasnt nearly enough, because he also wanted to add an open pagoda for her to rest in as well as the bathing pool, but seeing as he had time on his hands, he decided another trip to Zhe Yans grove for more saplings might be in order after all, his peach trees were what she knew, and having tasted the fruit from many other trees, there was something decidedly different about Zhe Yans which he gathered was the lack of magic used to grow them.  And this was something else he wanted to discuss, because the Celestial Heavens relied heavily on magic for everything.

And in no time at all, he was back at the Grove.

"I have planted the trees High God Zhe Yan, but its only enough to cover a small area.  I was hoping it wasn't too much of a bother to ask for a few more?" Ye Hua asked politely with a dip of his head.

"Giving you more is not a problem Ye Hua, as I have plenty to spare, in fact enough to create a second ten mile grove.  However, there is one concern I have and before I let you take anymore saplings, we are going to talk first." Zhe Yan suddenly replied seriously and forcing Ye Hua to sit down.

"I understand you have misgivings, but please understand, I am doing to this solely for her benefit.  Your Peach Tree Grove is all she knows, and I want to duplicate as much of it as I can." he replied before falling silent when the old Gods hand rose to stop him.

"Then it is a good thing that you realize this." he began to a look of intense interest, one he was happy to see.

Seating himself at the stone table, Zhe Yan waved his hand over the top where peach wine appeared, and though he noticed the sour face which was quickly hidden again, he poured for them both.  When Ye Hua had come to him asking for peach tree saplings, he rejoiced in the knowledge that his little kit was going to be taken care of by this thoughtful man, but a little of him ached too, and it was this that he wanted to talk to him of.  

This was also the first time Ye Hua had ever seen this High God so serious, so taking the wine, he took a small sip before leaning back, then with his undivided attention on him, Zhe Yan began to speak.

"Years ago, well before the little kit was even a sparkle in her parents eyes, this Grove had begun as a mere hobby.  But the more I began to put into it, the more I wanted it to be a place of leisure and peace, a place that I could relax in and perhaps offer the world a place to let their burdens go, even if it was for a short while."

"Back then, the Demon Wars had ended but the world was still an unsettled place.  Everyone, no exceptions, had lost someone dear to them, myself included.  So this place was in a way, going to be a place of healing.  And so for ten years, I worked hard to get this Grove planted and with visions of what it would look like in my head as the only source to go by, trees by the thousands were planted. Ten years of hard work,  for Ten years of mourning is what this ten miles of peach trees represent, and when I was done, I sat back and waited for my trees to blossom." He continued on quietly as his mind went back centuries to a time that Ye Hua could only imagine.

"Only the vision in my head failed to eventuate.  The trees grew well enough, they were lush with green leaves and sturdy trunks, but they did not blossom.  And no matter what I did, or how much magic I used, I could not get a single one to flower.  And so for a few centuries more, I continued to build up the grove with other features to keep myself busy in the hope that one day they would erupt their flowers."