[June 16, 2019]
...
Shen Li was called to the Demon Emperor's palace early the next morning.
Upon entering the meeting hall she saw the emperor seated in his usual spot. Mo Fang stood to his side while many other soldiers were lined up in the hall.
The Demon Emperor dismissed the soldiers with a wave of his hand and quickly got to the point after they left. "Last night Fu Rongjun ran to the Mortal realm using the Demon realm entrance."
Shen Li glanced in surprise at Mo Fang. He swiftly bowed his head and knelt on his knee.
"This is all my fault. I shall bear the full responsibility of bringing Fu Rongjun back. Once back I will accept whatever punishment is necessary."
"Why did he suddenly run away?" Shen Li asked. There was a distinct silence in the hall. "Did you beat him up?"
She wasn't serious about the question so was surprised when Mo Fang nodded.
"I was drunk last night." He rubbed at the s.p.a.ce between his brows helplessly as though he had a headache. "I wasn't paying attention and… I kicked him… a few times."
Mo Fang hadn't changed out of the clothes he wore last night. The black steel boots he wore were specially made to handle harsh environments, they were incredibly tough and st.u.r.dy.
Shen Li thought about Fu Rongjun's baby soft, tender skin and realized the silly immortal must have really felt it. "So he was beat up a little." Shen Li continued disdainfully. "What is he? A baby? He was beat a little and he ran away? Who does he think he's threatening with this silly ploy? There's nothing in the Mortal realm that can harm him. Just let him come back when he feels like it."
"That won't do." The emperor handed Shen Li a letter. "Because of an urgent matter, the Heavenly Emperor has decreed that Fu Rongjun must return to heaven in three days."
Shen Li thought of the letter from the bar maid a few days ago and her stomach did a somersault. She had asked Xing Zhi to send it to the Heavenly Emperor on her behalf, but he had been so unenthusiastic about it she thought it would take some time to see any results. Xing Zhi must have sent the letter right away. Not only that, he must have added something else to it. Why else would the Heavenly Emperor react so quickly?
Shen Li cast her eyes down. She wasn't sure what this feeling in her heart was.
"Fu Rongjun must be found within the next three days," repeated the emperor. "Fortunately we have time on our side. Time in the mortal world is faster so three days here is the equivalent to many years there."
Shen Li nodded. She looked at the remorseful Mo Fang then at the emperor and said, "So you want me to find him?"
"Your Majesty! This is my fault. Please don't involve Her Highness."
The Demon Emperor waved his hand at Mo Fang's outcry. "This delegation isn't just to bring Fu Rongjun back, but also to give the children time to get to know each other. Remember time proceeds faster in the mortal world. Li-er, do you understand?"
There was no way to avoid the marriage so of course she understood. She needed to consider his feelings more.
"I will get everything in order and set out immediately."
Mo Fang wanted to argue, but the Demon Emperor's words echoed in his ears. He felt like a fishbone was stuck in his throat. Although he wanted to say something, he couldn't.
"As for General Mo's punishment for offending a superior…"
"Don't punish him. I told him he could beat Fu Rongjun. If anyone is to blame it would be me. I shall accept punishment once I return with Fu Rongjun." Shen Li saluted the emperor, turned, and left the hall immediately after saying this.
Mo Fang, still kneeling on the ground, clenched his fist.
...The only person Shen Li spoke to regarding her departure was Rou-ya. Since the matter had nothing to do with Xing Zhi, she saw no reason to inform him of her actions.
When Shen Li entered the Mortal realm, the skies were a clear blue and the breeze gentle. She drifted through the capital towards her tiny nook of the world on her cloud.
She took a deep breath of the clean air and stretched out. She suddenly wanted to find some shade under the grape trellis he [Xing Yun] planted. She couldn't ask for more than to fall asleep to the creaking sound of his rocking chair.
She exhaled and opened her eyes. In front of her was a strange alley. Everything looked different.
Although she was told Fu Rongjun had run in the direction of Yangzhou, she hadn't made it her destination, instead she steered her cloud to the capital. She wanted to stretch and enjoy herself first.
The last time she was here, she had been busy running from the Demon Emperor's men. She had had no time to play tourist, so this time around she wanted to take it slow and easy. She went to the market and meandered between the stalls. Nostalgia hit her and she made her way to Xing Yun's courtyard.
Everything had changed. They alley way that led to his house was different. The house he lived in, that burned down, had been rebuilt in a slightly different style. It was inevitable, so many decades had pa.s.sed since she left.
She stood there in front of the gates for a while, watching the children run around. They were playing and laughing, making a general ruckus and disturbing the peace. This was certainly not a scene she would have ever seen in his courtyard. He had always preferred peace and quiet.
It really had changed a lot.
Next stop, the Rui Palace.
It was opulent and majestic with more pavilions and such, but otherwise it was the same palace. The only difference was the change in owners.h.i.+p.
