Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Love and Marriage

Donghua slowly laid Fengjiu on his bed when her breaths slowed down. He was very reluctant to leave her, but he knew he had to go out and speak with Zheyan. He summoned a maid who came into the room with her head bowed. Donghua brushed Fengjiu's hair one last time before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Stay outside and keep watch. I won't be gone for long, but if she wakes up before I'm back, take her to my study immediately." The maid gave another bow as Donghua looked at Fengjiu one last time before looking at Zheyan, signaling him to follow.

Once they reached the study, Donghua looked at Zheyan as he sat down. Zheyan only looked back at him like he was some sort of unknown creature.

"Tell me, what is Jiu'er's condition right now?"

Suddenly, Zheyan remembered what Fengjiu looked like when she was recovering from cutting her tail and he hardened his heart.

"Donghua Dijun, Xiao Jiu's condition has nothing to do with you. I will wait for her to wake up and explain to her."

Donghua's expression turned dark at his words. Zheyan watched in satisfaction as he successfully pissed off the former Heavenly Emperor. He knew he was being shameless right now, but he needed to know exactly what Xiao Jiu meant to Donghua. He needed to know what Fengjiu was in Donghua's heart before he could decide if he should break his promise or not.

"From what I know, you rejected her 200 years ago right? Your name is not on the Stone of Three Lives. Fengjiu's fated one will sweep her off her feet one of these days."

Donghua's hand tightened into fists as he looked at Zheyan's smug face. He has always managed to control his emotions. All control goes down the drain when it comes to anything related to his Jiu'er.

"What is your relationship with Xiao Jiu? It's not like you are her husband? Anyways... I'll take one of your guestrooms tonight. I'll bring Xiao Jiu back to Qingqui tomo-" Zheyan stopped speaking when they heard a commotion outside. Donghua stood up immediately and quickly went to the door.

"Your Highness!" A maid cried as she watched Her Highness Fengjiu run outside the room. Fengjiu was very dizzy but she knew she needed to see Donghua right at that moment. Her legs were so weak she almost fell. "Your Highness!" The maid cried again as she supported Fengjiu by the arms. "I will take you to the study..." The maid said as she helped Fengjiu walk to the study. By the time they reached walkway to the study, Fengjiu's legs gave out. "Someone help!" The maid cried as she tried to keep Fengjiu upright.

Donghua rushed out of the study to witness this very scene. "Jiu'er!" He called as he ran to her. Fengjiu stared at his form dazedly. Am I dreaming? Is Dijun running to me? She was about to pinch herself before she felt herself being pulled up from the ground and into a familiar, warm embrace.

Donghua carried Fengjiu in his arms as she stared at him. She raised a hand and pinched his cheek. "Jiu'er? Why... Are you pinching me?" Donghua watched the woman in his arms with furrowed brows. He reacted! This is not a dream! Fengjiu looked at him with wide eyes. "Donghua! I thought I was dreaming..."

Donghua looked at Fengjiu's wide eyes and suddenly wanted to laugh. "This isn't a dream Jiu'er," He answered patiently. Fengjiu raised her hands and wiggled her fingers as if to check if she was dreaming or not.

"Dijun, I apologize. I wasn't able to do my duty, please mete punishment." The maid said as she bowed to Donghua. The maid was terrified. They had just witnessed Donghua Dijun take care of the fox queen. It was obvious he couldn't bear to see her hurt. Now that Her Highness fell, he would probably punish her.

Fengjiu watched her with wide eyes and was suddenly confused. What did she mean? She served me well though? Fengjiu was about to speak but Donghua was faster. "Didn't I tell you to take her to my study the moment she wakes up?" He asked as he held Fengjiu tighter to his chest. Fengjiu suddenly realized the maid was about to get punished because of her.

"Donghua!" The maid watched Fengjiu with wide eyes as she heard the fox queen call Dijun by his name. "It was my fault... I ran outside when I didn't see you. I'm sorry, please don't punish her," Fengjiu said softly. The maid watched in disbelief as Donghua's eyes softened as he looked at Fengjiu.

"You can leave," Donghua said as the maid bowed and quickly left. "Why did you run? You're still injured." Donghua lectured softly. Fengjiu hung her head in shame as she tightened her arms around his neck. "I was just afraid... You changed your mind about marrying me," Fengjiu whispered. She laid her head on his chest as she looked up at him sleepily. Now that she saw him, she felt at ease once more. Her fatigue started to kick in once she relaxed in his arms and Donghua noticed her quickly falling asleep again.

He smiled at her helplessly before deciding that he will find Zheyan later to talk to him about Jiu'er's injuries. Once Fengjiu was sleeping in his arms once more. Zheyan watched the entire thing. When Donghua was about to turn to him, he put on a blank expression to hide his astonishment. Xiao Jiu it seems Donghua Dijun has stronger feelings for you than you think.

Donghua turned to look at Zheyan with Fengjiu still sleeping in his arms. "Is there anything I need to know about Jiu'er's injury?" Zheyan swallowed before shaking his head. Donghua narrowed his eyes but before he could question him again, Fengjiu burrowed her head deeper into his neck. Donghua's attention got sidetracked and Zheyan used this time to think up an excuse. I need to consult Bai Qian and Zhen Zhen.

"She only needs lots of rest and good food," Zheyan said as he watched Donghua adjust Fengjiu in his arms so she could sleep more comfortably. Donghua nodded at his words before turning around to leave. "I won't see you out, I'll come find you after Yehua's wedding to have a proper talk about Jiu'er's health."

Zheyan was about to give another excuse when he realized that Donghua was taking Fengjiu to his bedroom again. "Donghua! You can't take her to your room! Put her back in the guestroom or I'll take her back home. Unmarried couples are not supposed to stay in one room!"

Donghua didn't even turn back at his words so Zheyan went to follow him but froze at Donghua's next words.

"You're right. We're already married! I don't know why I put her in another room."

*****

Donghua wasn't lying. Fengjiu was already his wife. After relaxing on the bamboo mat with Fengjiu for the whole afternoon, he decided he would go and register their marriage that night and surprise her the next morning. When she went to sleep, he went to Hanshan Zhenren. He has worked under Lady Nuwa for many years. He was in charge of issuing the marriage licenses of deities. A couple could only be considered married if Zhenren recorded it in his registry.

To say that he was surprised by Donghua Dijun's visit was an understatement. From what he understood, this deity's name was not written on the Stone of Three Lives. He was even more surprised when he found out that the Dijun's partner was the one and only, Bai Fengjiu, the Queen of Qingqiu. Although he wanted to ask questions, he refrained himself from asking once he saw Dijun's chilly face. Just like this, Donghua and Fengjiu were married.

He had just returned to his study when Fengjiu had her nightmare. Donghua was planning to surprise Fengjiu with a small wedding ceremony with just the two of them the next day in his home, the Holy Blue Sea. He had never really considered that place his home because it was very lonely there. Looking at Jiu'er's happy expression that afternoon before she kissed him made him want to take her there. Besides registering their marriage, she wanted to live with him in seclusion. Donghua thought that the Holy Blue Sea would be the perfect place for them to make their home.

Donghua watched Fengjiu's sleeping face as he laid beside her that night. Jiu'er is my wife, and I am her husband. He raised a hand to caress her cheek lightly. Fengjiu nuzzled the hand caressing her cheek as Donghua watched her and felt his heart melt. He pulled her into his arms and closed his eyes. Tomorrow, I will take her to the Holy Blue Sea.