#qingti

This is a draft

Zhihe has recovered from the shock of learning that Feng Jiu is now foster brother’s wife and has bore him a son.

So instead of insulting the fox queen like she so wanted, Zhihe plotted. Haste will not get her anywhere. Patience will.

Dong Hua was already willing to let her exile be over, but with his wife having already stated her displeasure at her return, that was now compromised. After some obscure misunderstanding that had Dong Hua searching for centuries, he was unlikely to do anything to offend the fox queen again, including bringing his unwanted sister back home.

But there were times for family reunions. The new year and Mid-Autumn Festival were good examples.

Zhihe decided to wait until the new year to visit her brother on the first day. Technically they had no parents and he was her oldest relative.

During this time, the family was no doubt at Qingqiu to prepare for all the reunion meals. And Zhihe was definitely not banned from the fox kingdom.

Zhihe had to be very careful. Judging from Baizhen’s actions, he obviously knew Feng Jiu disliked her. As such, it should be assumed that the fox clan didn’t like her. This would make it harder for her.

But the point is, enough time has passed, shouldn’t Zhihe’s exile be over? Can’t her foster brother give her a trial to merit her return to the Sky kingdom? Granted he would not want another woman in his palace but Zhihe was willing to suggest he set her up with suitors.

As if she was going to put up with them. No way. But the supposedly kind fox queen might be more willing to put up with Zhihe if it meant another chance to send her from Taichen Palace for good.

But first, winning over Feng Jiu was about as likely as the sun rising from the west.

Dong Hua was duty bound to look after Zhihe but he was influenced by his wife.

That left the impressionable Gun Gun. Surely mother and father would be more relenting if their son pleaded on her behalf to show mercy.

And once back in Taichen Palace, Zhihe would do all she could to insert herself between the happy couple. She can dodge her suitors all she likes.

Besides, just because Dong Hua has an empress doesn’t mean he can’t have a concubine.

That day, Zhihe browsed the marketplaces to buy sweets to bribe the boy with. She unexpectedly ran into trouble when she wanted to buy some bakkwa.

There was a long queue for the sweet and salty meat. Zhihe was in a hurry. She didn’t have all day.

She tried to cut in front of others, using her princess status. The people of Qingqiu were not amused and even the meat seller demanded she go back in line.

A little boy in blue politely admonished her for her rude behavior. Everyone has waited a long time and if Zhihe is really a foreign princess, she should not be so pretentious and snobbish.

At this the crowd jeered and laughed at Zhihe.

Humiliated and enraged, Zhihe actually slapped the boy. (She actually pushed Ali to the ground in front of guards. I don’t think a crowd of people from a foreign kingdom will deter her) “放肆! Learn to show proper respect to your elders.”

The young man next to the boy rushed to him, “Young master!”

The crowd roared at this and began crowding on her, wanting to bring her to the Bai clan or chasing her out of their kingdom.

Crap. This was not Zhihe’s plan. She used magic for a swift getaway.

Later, Zhihe had to make do with what sweets she already bought since word had spread of the mean foreign princess and nobody would sell her anything anymore.

Still, she made the trek to the bamboo house her foster brother was living in. Ugh, to think that the fox princess had dragged her brother down so low.

Knocking on the door, Zhihe was present to see the bright smile of Feng Jiu be replaced by a disappointed frown. “Oh, it’s you, sister in law. What are you doing here?”

Zhihe faked a smile. “It’s the new year. It’s only proper I visit my brother and see my new nephew.”

Feng Jiu reluctantly let Zhihe in. Their bamboo house was pleasantly furnished. Not extravagant but charming.

As Zhihe went to announce her entrance with her few bags of sweets, she was surprised to see the young immortal from earlier standing at attention while Dong Hua and a white-haired boy who could only be Gun Gun nibbled on Bakkwa.

The young immortal was startled. “是你！”

Gun Gun turned a disdainful glance at her, his face full of dislike.

Dong Hua calmly watched his foster sister pale as the implications of what she had done earlier in the day hit her. “You know this young lady, Qingti?”

Qingti nodded, “She was the rude princess from earlier who slapped his little highness when he scolded her for cutting in line.” Addressing Zhihe, he asked, “Are you here to apologize?”

Zhihe quickly bowed. “Yes. Greetings Foster brother and nephew. I apologize for my actions earlier. I was in such a rush to make it here on time that I lost control of myself.”

Gun Gun coldly replied, “Such trifles are not worth bothering about anymore.”

Feng Jiu’s own chilly voice broke in, “you were the one who slapped my son? And you actually came here to apologize? Funny, from what you said earlier, you were only here to reunite with my husband.”

Zhihe struggled to keep her smile in place. “I would have visited the little boy later after I had learned who he was. But seeing he is my dear nephew, it saves the trouble of seeking him out later.”

Dong Hua was getting a bit of a headache. He said, “enough. Since Zhihe is already here, please join us for a snack. But I am afraid there is no room for you here to spend the night.”

Zhihe nodded. Great, her one chance of getting back to the Sky kingdom was gone. Still, she was nothing if not determined, even when the odds were against her.

As Zhihe reluctantly ate the oily meat, she made her case to her brother to return from exile, if he would just help her find something worthy to do to merit her return.

Dong Hua promises to do so, aware of the disapproving looks from the others.

After Zhihe leaves, elated to have gotten the promise from foster brother, she decides to prepare herself for whatever battle might come her way.

Feng Jiu angrily asked Dong Hua how he could allow his sister to come back to Taichen palace. “And after she slapped Gun Gun too!”

Dong Hua assured his wife, “I only promised to help her return to the Sky kingdom. I never said anything about letting her enter my house.”

Feng Jiu: well it’s not like she has any other residence there.

Dong Hua: no there isn’t. However there I heard that the ghoul king Lijing is looking for a new bride after his first wife Xuan Nu was executed on charge of treason. Relationships with the ghouls are neutral at best but it is sad that we were the ones who had to keep watch on his father’s bell prison and lose my uncle in law for a few centuries. And there is the fact that he also helped me search for you during those 200 years.

Feng Jiu: your plan for returning Zhihe from is by proposing her as a new treaty bride for Lijing?

Dong Hua: as I understand it, Bai Qian herself dislikes the man, so the fox clan won’t disapprove too much. The Bai clan is already related to Zhihe and Lijing as in-laws.

Feng Jiu: I almost feel sorry for Lijing. But aren’t you just making Zhihe a queen???

Dong Hua: I promised to my foster parents I would look after her. After I hand her off to Lijing, I will make sure everyone knows I want nothing more to do with her and she is to be forbidden from entering my homes. Besides, who has more influence. The foster sister of the first emperor, or the bride of a playboy king? I will also make sure Lijing knows not to spoil her because Zhihe needs to learn discipline and respect. (This is a rather long speech from him but he is facing an angry Feng Jiu and disappointed Gun Gun)

And so Zhihe’s recall to heaven to perform a task was gratefully received. At least until she heard her task and then she began to complain.

Dong Hua: I cannot look after you forever. You are going to be a queen, and you still complain? It seems you have not yet learned your lesson. Take her away.

Zhihe would have been a runaway bride but Lian Song stunned her. He tells Zhihe that after making this engagement for Zhihe, Dong Hua officially cut all ties with her. If Zhihe runs away, there will be no one left who will support her.