A Love Supreme: The Story of Donghua Dijun and Bai Fengjiu

A Night to Remember

The celebratory activities were still going strong late into the evening, as more visitors arrived to the Fox Den's banquet hall to convey well wishes to Fengjiu. She had long grown tired of small talk and multiple toasts made in her honor. She desperately wanted to soak in the whirlpool in her courtyard, and crawl into bed for a good night's sleep. Fengjiu looked over at her grandfather Bai Zhi, who seemed embroiled in a passionate debate about wine, while Bai Yi chatted with several scholars and old friends for most of the evening. Bai Yi, too felt tired, but wanted to inquire about the young men who attended this evening's feast, before leaving.

He saw one gentleman in particular, who seemed like a good prospect, and just as he was about to approach the young man, he was intercepted by Zhe Yan, who arrived with the newest batch of peach wine from his home. "Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves this evening, eh?", Zhe Yan said as he handed a cup of wine to Bai Yi. "Indeed, so many of our guests haven't stopped talking about how they are looking forward to attending about Little Five's wedding next month", Bai Yi replied with a half suppressed yawn. "Oh? Let me guess, you also think it would be good to find Jiu Jiu to find a husband soon,right?", said Zhe Yan, as he eyed the room. "She has come of age, it's time she's settled down. She's shown herself to be quite capable as queen, and needs someone by her side", Bai Yi said as he continued to scan the room for the young man he'd seen earlier that evening. "I've tried to everything I could from blind dates to arranged visits. Dammit!", he muttered and went outside to look for the young man, before Zhe Yan could respond. Zhe Yan looked at Bai Zhi, who'd just come to see where his son was going in such a hurry. "What's with him?", he asked as he extended his cup to Zhe Yan for a refill. " He's pursuing a new career as Jiu's matchmaker",he said with a chuckle. "That's like trying to catch water with a sieve",Bai Zhi replied. "Jiu is young, and there's no need for her to rush into marriage. Why can't he let her off for now?", chimed Bai Zhen who also came to see what happened. "He is right to be concerned, but if it's any consolation, Qian Qian's upcoming marriage has already borne the fruits of a good alliance with Heaven Clan, so why rush?", replied Bai Zhi. "Perhaps, it's best to let Jiu decide who she wants to marry, forcing a marriage before she is ready, isn't something she will tolerate. It will only breed resentment and animosity," said Bai Qian, who just arrived from the Mortal Realm, with Ye Hua at her side. "I didn't get married at her age and am glad I didn't rush", she said as she looked at Ye Hua with a smile in her eyes. "Aya, we came to enjoy some wine, and good company. We'll talk about this together some other day" Qian Qian quipped as she walked towards Fengjiu's table, before the men could utter a word. The three men looked at Ye Hua, who shrugged his shoulders and said,"This is why I never argue with Qian Qian. She always gets the last word".

In Ye Hua's mind, he secretly understood Fengjiu's reasons, but didn't think it appropriate to speak about it. He looked admirably at his beloved's plump rear as she walked across the room, and decided tonight wasn't a good night to talk such serious things, and would talk with Qian Qian tomorrow. "You don't say", Zhe Yan chortled after a brief period of silence, as Ye Hua snapped out of his daydream. The four men looked at each other and laughed as they raised their glasses in unison.

By this time, Fengjiu's eyes were beginning to show signs of sleepiness as the wine had taken effect. She resorted to smiling and nodding, which made her eyes look like crescents, as passersby approached the table. Fengjiu's eyes lit up, and she immediately rose to meet her aunt before she reached the table. "Gugu, you're here at last!", Jiu squealed with glee. "Of course I came. How could I not be here? Ye Hua and I thought it'd be right to come before we go back to Xiwu Palace", Qian Qian said plainly. The two looked around. It was as if they telepathically communicated, and decided to step outside to enjoy the warm evening breeze.

The two walked arm in arm to the edge of the lake in front of the Den. " Gugu, I'm so glad you're here tonight. I have missed you so much. The Den doesn't feel the same without you. Have you been well? How are the wedding preparations coming along?", Jiu asked. "Every day spent with Ye Hua has brought me much joy, and we are living well. The only burden we have is preparing for our wedding. Who knew Heaven had such extensive rules? It's so tedious, but we're doing it for Little Dough and we'll be glad when it's done. I will brief you about the finer details, and solicit your help later. That's not why I'm here today, she said as she stood up to look at Fengjiu. "Look at you. You look beautiful today. I knew these last three years have brought many changes, but I want to tell you I am most proud of you, and am pleased about how well you have represented Qing Qiu in my absence. You have grown up so much. It seemed like just yesterday, you were just a kit, carefree and unrestrained. Now you've matured into a fine young woman", she said with tears in her eyes. "I know you've handled your responsibilities, but what about your heart? Do you still have Donghua in your heart?", she said as she grabbed Fengjiu's hands.

"Gugu knows me best. Although Donghua will always have a special place in my heart, it's not the same as before. Back then, I thought about him all the time. Now, I have been so busy doing all I can for Qing Qiu, that I've had little time to think it through. In the past, I know I lowered myself and did silly things for him, but I'm not the same girl I was all those years ago. I don't want to settle for anything less than I deserve. I want to be clear and at peace within myself. All books are written on clean tablets, with fresh ink.. the same is true for any relationship worth having. I know father wants me to marry, but I don't want to right now. I am not ready.", Fengjiu replied almost defensively. "Gugu, you didn't rush to get married, and things turned out just fine", she said with a smile. "Jiu, it's one thing to tempt fate, but quite another to transgress it" Qian Qian replied, as she crossed her legs and placed her hand under her chin. She knew Fengjiu was right about taking her time, but she wanted to make sure it was for the right reasons. "Gugu, it's not like that, I'm just focusing on my duties, and taking it one day at a time. Right now, I feel tired and need to rest," Jiu said. "Very well", Qian Qian, replied as they both got up and began making their way back to the Den. " I have said all I can about this matter, for now. I want you to come to visit me at the Hall of Beautiful Youth, so you can help me finish the wedding preparations. Afterwards, we can take a soak in Heaven's Spring, okay ? Go rest, I will go now and speak with your father," Qian Qian said, as they reached the hallway that led to Fengjiu's quarters. "Gugu's the best. Thank you for everything," Fengjiu said, as she turned and began walking to her room. Bai Qian smiled and returned to the banquet hall.

When Qian Qian returned to the dining hall, some of the guests were beginning to bid their farewells and take their leave. She was secretly grateful, since she wasn't in the mood to talk about her upcoming wedding, nor did she feel like listening to the pretentious babble of the candidates vying for her niece's affections. She just wanted to relax. She looked around and decided to return to the table where her fiancee was still sitting. The four men were in the middle of what seemed to be a good chat, and laughing hard. "Little Five, where did you and Jiu disappear to?," Bai Zhen asked. "The day's events and drinks finally caught up with Jiu, and she went to bed," Qian Qian replied after sipping the cup of wine Ye Hua gave her. "Qian Qian, Zhe Yan was just telling the story of how you became Mo Yuan's disciple in Kunlun. "Oh?", Bai Qian said with a raised a brow, and began to listen as Zhe Yan finished the story, before going on to share his favorite memories of time spent with each member of the Bai family. Bai Qian rested her head on Ye Hua's shoulder. Both couldn't help thinking their decision to visit was worth it.