Golden Orchids

Chapter 6

 "No, " the Crown Prince said.

"I haven't even asked, " Yan Zhi said.

It was late at night, the two immortals stood on the porch. The heated argument between them was not heard by the mortal woman sleeping inside the hut.

"No, " he asserted, "You can not bring her to the Ghost Realm, "

"They won't even notice her, "

"She's a mortal in the Ghost Realm. They will definitely notice her," Ye Hua said, "Why do you even need to go back home anyway?"

Yan Zhi couldn't tell him the truth. What she's trying to do was very illegal in the eyes of Heavens.

"My brother sent me a message, he said something urgent had happened in the palace, I need to return immediately, " She lied.

"What emergency? I didn't hear anything about it," He stood straighter with his arms in his sleeves, a composure of a prince.

Yan Zhi wanted to punch that pretentious look off his face. This whole time, his expression was cold and stern. Looking down on her as if she was one of his subjects. She preferred him to remain transformed. At least he displayed more emotions as a snake.

"We don't have to report everything to the Nine Heavens you know, " Yan Zhi argued, "We are not one of your water kingdoms, "

He raised his eyebrows at her. Yan Zhi bit her lips. They both knew the truth. After the war, the Nine Heavens had kept a close watch of the Ghost Realm. They had sent spies, resident officials to the Grand Purple Palace to make sure a rebellion like that never happened again.

"Princess Yan Zhi this is a terrible idea, " Ye Hua said. "It is too dangerous,"

"I'm not asking for your opinion nor your permission, " she affirmed, "I'm just telling you that I'm leaving and I'm taking my sister with me, "

"I forbid it, "

"She wants to go. You have no right to interfere. You're just her pet snake!"

Finally, Ye Hua gave her a look of disdain. He swept up his cloak and went back into the house.

This is a disaster.

___________________________________

Su Su dreamt of a place surrounded by peach trees. She breathed in the sweet scents of peach blossom as petals fall down her to her feet. She was tiny, too tiny like a child. In front of her miles and miles of peach trees stretched out into the horizon.

"Xiao Wu, " a voice called after her. And laughter followed behind.

She ran from it not out of fear but of delight. Like she was playing hide and seek with the voices. She ran from one tree to another. Her stubby little legs could only run so fast.

She needed more speed, more time. Su Su wasn't willing to lose the game. She concentrated, her hands and feet extended to the forelegs and hind legs of an animal, specifically of a white fox.

Her curved claws dug into the tree bark as she bounded up the tree. She climbed to the highest branch and looked down. The boys looked like little ants from up here.

"Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu " they called for her. "Where are you, " The boys searched the grounds. They can't see her. They didn't notice her climbing up the tree.

"I'm right here, " she wanted to yell at them but the wind carried off her voice. She leaned down but missed her step. Su Su stumbled down the tree. She transformed back into a grown woman. She panicked as she tried her best to land on her feet.