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

Revelations

It was nearly lunch time when Zhonglin finished preparing the atrium for the afternoon meeting. Zhe Yan was the first to arrive at Taichen Palace. Zhonglin was making a new pot of ginger tea when Zhe Yan sauntered in with a jar of wine. "Greetings, High God you've come early. Dijun will be here momentarily. Would you like some tea, while you wait?", he asked. " "That would be good. Make it two", Mo Yuan said as he also took a seat at the table. "He called you too, huh?" Zhe Yan said, surprised to see Mo Yuan. "No, I just wanted to visit Dijun. I've been in seclusion for the last six months, and have no idea about what's happening. I'm curious to find out, now that I see that you look troubled", Mo Yuan said. "Zhe Yan, what sort of meeting is this? Is something wrong with Dijun, or perhaps there's trouble on the horizon?", Bai Zhi asked, as he walked to the table.

"We'll know soon. I've been busy making wine the last six months and haven't a clue about what's happened. I'm hoping it's something simple", Zhe Yan said as he sipped his tea. "High Gods, lunch will be served shortly, please don't hesitate to ask for anything you'd like. Please make yourselves at home, and feel free to call me if you need anything else. I will be in Dijun's study", he said and left to finish his work.

From her room, Zhi Yue could hear the random chatter and small talk of the men who'd descended upon the atrium and decided to offer them lunch, as a pretext to inquire about the nature of their visit. Zhi Yue gave herself a second glance in the mirror, and refreshed her makeup, before stepping out of her room. "Greetings High Gods, would any of you care for something to eat?", she asked with a saccharin sweet smile reserved for such occasions. The three men accepted out of politeness, but were otherwise preoccupied with their speculations about the strange invitation to come to the palace. Pleased that she had an official reason to stay and pry, Zhi Yue launched her probe before any of the men could pick up their chopsticks to dig into the food. "So, what brings you gentlemen here, today? She said as she pulled up a chair and positioned herself across from Bai Zhi, who was secretly cringing inside, as the girl invaded his personal space. He was grateful that Fengjiu was nothing like Zhi Yue. He thought she was capricious and needed to be taken down a peg or two. However, he remained calm, since he'd long heard stories from Zhe Yan, about the girl's capacity to be nosy and domineering. Instead, he waited for the perfect opportunity to subtly make it clear that she should keep her distance.

Mo Yuan also heard stories from Ye Hua, about Zhi Yue's capacity to meddle in Dijun's affairs. He considered himself lucky, since he had nothing of note to contribute to her inquiry, and the food was a welcomed distraction. Mo Yuan
remained a silent spectator as Zhe Yan and Bai Zhi silently telegraphed the game they would play with the unwanted inquisitor at the table. . Bai Zhi and Zhe Yan began the dance of wit and evasion at once. Bai Zhi looked at Zhe Yan and feigned a coughing spell, while pretending to be unable to reach for his tea, due to the girl's proximity, while Mo Yuan busied himself with the sweet and sour fish. Zhi Yue panicked and immediately grabbed the teacup and handed it to Bai Zhi, who moved back from the table. As he took a sip, he continued to cough. For good measure, he trembled as he held the teacup, causing the tea to splatter down the side of Zhi Yue's dress, who moved lockstep with him, ensuring her quick departure. Zhi Yue was seething with anger, but redirected her attention to Bai Zhi. "Lord Bai, are you alright?", she said in disbelief. Zhi Yue couldn't imagine a man as powerful as Bai Zhi being as clumsy or prone to aspiration, for he was known for his gracefulness. However, she remembered Fengjiu's clumsiness, and decided it must be genetic after all. "Aya, Junior Highness, I am alright. In my haste to offer a response, I am reminded that it's better to keep one's distance, for idle minds and tongues create misunderstandings. I apologize for soiling your dress, I couldn't help it. It's hell to get old, as they say in the Mortal Realm," Bai Zhi said with a slight chuckle. Zhi Yue had already tuned out and was focused on Zhe Yan, who sensed her silent demand for an answer to her question. "Junior Highness, Dijun invited us here for a private matter", Zhe Yan replied with a sigh. Zhe Yan never forgot how much Zhi Yue made Fengjiu suffer during her stay in the Palace, and found Zhi Yue's infatuation with Donghua annoying. He made a concerted effort to be polite. If he had his way, she'd get the tongue lashing she truly deserved, for being so domineering. Thoroughly soiled and inwardly seething with anger, Zhi Yue stood up and examined herself.