The Queen In Red

The Queen In Red 7

When Dong Hua was walking from court that morning, he was surprised to see Feng Jiu walking towards Yanxi Palace. 'Breathtaking' he thought to himself as he had unconsciously stopped to take in the view.

Lian Song wondered why everyone was looking towards his palace. Until he saw the Young Queen. "Is that Feng Jiu? Why is she wearing such heavy clothing?" When he turned to Dong Hua, thinking he was going to get an answer, he chuckled to himself seeing Dong Hua's gaze following Feng Jiu. "What's so interesting Dong Hua? That you would stop all of a sudden?"

Dong Hua hadn't realised he was staring; instead, he noticed she left running to the back of the palace, "Lian Song, don't let anyone follow her." Dong Hua left in a blue mist.

Dong Hua was curious why she had run towards Lian Song's weeping willow collection. When he appeared behind Feng Jiu, he could hear her grumbling, "Dammit Gugu." he found her actions endearing.

He walked towards her to ask what she was doing, but when she started removing the headpieces from her hair. Dong Hua couldn't move. Standing behind her while she faced the tree trunk, his eyes widened as Feng Jiu's hair slowly unwrapped itself and as if in slow motion, her silky hair slid down her back causing Dong Hua to hold his breath. 'Move Dong Hua, move your damned legs' He growled to himself. But when she started moving her head and massaging her scalp groaning, he knew he needed to leave before he did something stupid.

He was about to leave when he felt someone approaching. He placed an invisibility spell over himself and privacy barrier over Feng Jiu to stop prying eyes from staring, 'Dong Hua, you hypocrite.'

Dong Hua's eyes narrowed when he saw the approaching figure. It was one of her avid suitors who had no sense of propriety, listening to his thoughts only angered Dong Hua even more, his intentions were repulsive. Without thinking, Dong Hua brought him into his invisibility spell, causing the young boy to jump back in fright. The sound caught Feng Jiu's attention, so he made the magic covering them soundproof. Walking towards the boy, the pupil's of Dong Hua's eyes widened as he opened a dialogue with the boy telepathically. 'Your motives for the Queen of Qing Qiu will never be.' He lifted his hand to the boy's forehead who couldn't move due to the shock. Before the boy hit the ground, Dong Hua materialised with the boy to Lian Song who was sitting in his courtyard sipping tea.

Lian Song wasn't shocked at his sudden arrival, Dong Hua often appeared and disappeared regularly, he wasn't one for crowds. But the boy was new.

"What's this?" Lian Song asked pointing towards the obvious

"I asked you to keep people from following Feng Jiu."

"And I did, he must have already been there, you know that's a commonplace people like to hide indecencies. Why did you bring him here?"

"He wanted to hurt her; I saw it in his thoughts. I wiped her from his memory and replaced it with a few of my memories during the war."

That shocked Lian Song, he spat out his tea choking on the remaining. "You what?"

"Deal to him, I need to go back to Jiu'er."

"Jiu'er?" Lian Song stared at the blue mist confused

When Dong Hua returned still under his invisibility spell, Feng Jiu was halfway through removing her clothing; he immediately flicked his fingers to stop her from being able to untie the knot. He wondered how she undressed so quickly, considering he was gone for less than a minute. Thankfully she gave up and put her clothing back on half-heartedly.

He followed behind her lest any other senseless admirers try to trap her. He saw she placed an invisibility spell over herself, allowing him to remove the privacy shield he had placed over her, but to be sure, Dong Hua strengthened it and was glad he did.

He saw a carefree Feng Jiu pouncing around dancing and giggling to whatever tempo was beating in her head. He had never seen her so lively before and wondered if she was usually like this.

Dong Hua couldn't help but smile when he saw her stop in front of the Minister of Finance and his pupil. Her fearlessness was admirable. Flinging her hands at them, it was indeed a hilarious spectacle; he was glad he was the only one watching.

Looking at the men again, Dong Hua had no specific opinion about them, they were selfish and entitled, but it was the same with most of the men in Court. Their noses brown trying to get Haodes approval; they knew not to try anything with Dong Hua, he abhorred such things.

But he heard their suggestions in court when Feng Jiu first approached The Nine Heavens about sending out word to refugees around their realm to seek refuge in Qing Qiu. It would not be an easy task, as most of the clans detested the celestials. Haode was afraid Qing Qiu might become more powerful, considering they were the wealthiest Clans and their population already made up about 30% of their realm.

He marvelled at her determination, she had returned time and time until Dong Hua finally stepped in and with Bai Zhi, they wrote a treaty that would protect Qing Qiu and its assets, provide safe passage to those going between clans lands. At the same time, Nine heavens took care of each of their identities, assisting with screening.

Dong Hua led the first screening process. Bai Zhi happily gave him the responsibility, it was less work for him to do and he knew Dong Hua would have done it with or without his approval. Every person that wanted refuge in Qing Qiu had to meet with him first. He didn't want anyone dangerous to be close to Feng Jiu. Unfortunately, many families were turned away because of this fact.

Generational hatred would have her as a direct target. Bai Zhi, Bai Ren and Zhe Yan may have been away from wars for many years, but revenge and envy sprung in the hearts of those affected by conflicts and war over 300 thousand years ago. It was a pity really; Qing Qiu would have been a perfect place for many of them.

Looking back at Feng Jiu's serious face, she was biting so hard on her bottom lip due to her fierce concentration; he wanted to rub it to relieve it, he was afraid it might draw blood. That was until he saw what she did next; it almost had him topple over in laughter. She had kicked them in the shins and turned back smirking at them with a devious smile. 'You are a naughty fox' he chuckled.

Seeing that she was heading towards Cheng Yu's, He knew she would be okay. He left to return to Tai Chen Palace.

When he arrived, Zhong Lin was waiting with a letter from Qing Qiu. Bai Zhi and Zhe Yan were still drinking; it was mostly nonsense about some bet they wanted to wager against him. Sighing, he may end up having to host his annoying brothers while Feng Jiu is here. He prepared a sobering spell to encase that happened. 'I don't want them putting stupid ideas in her head.' he thought to himself doubtful.

He wondered if he was unintentionally drawing her in again. He had a bad habit of doing that in the past. He had never fought so hard to keep away from something before, so it was understandable that each time he said to let go, his actions expressed the opposite. It wasn't until Bai Yi confronted him after her coronation.

After Feng Jiu boldly stormed through Tai Chen Palace, Dong Hua led Feng Jiu out of Tai Chen Palace scolding her. She was in tears, and he felt utterly regretful and ashamed that he allowed this to happen. He had Si Ming escort her back to Qing Qiu, and within a few weeks, Bai Yi returned with the map and threw it back at Dong Hua's face.

"Three fucking years, she stayed away from you, healing her broken heart that you trotted all over. Every time she walks away, you lure her back in only to throw her away again. Who are you to think so highly of yourself to break my baby's heart." Bai Yi said having spent weeks watching Feng Jiu become completely mute while looking vacant and empty. She hadn't eaten or slept, and Bai Yi had no clue why.

It took a visit from Zhe Yan to get her to come back to her senses. She balled up into a fetal position and finally cried, having told them what she did and why. She was shoved out of Tai Chen Palace and told never to return.

Dong Hua promised himself not to spend any time alone with her, but he found himself forcing his way through matters relating to Qing Qiu and its Queen. He knew he couldn't be next to her, so, instead, he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.

Dong Hua believed that if she was there to learn, then he shouldn't have anything to concern him. Right?