When the heavenly prince was born, the cloud shimmered so brilliantly that all nine heavens and the mortal realm shone like the surface of golden treasures. The sky was basked in rainbow. The heavy rain stopped; dark cloud dispersed into bright fluffy ones. The birds were singing praises, flower petals were dancing in the wind. He was born in the middle of a war but everything halted the moment his cries echoed. All hatred dissipated like fire doused by the cold rain. Gods and men alike were dropped to their knees; some were dazed not knowing how to process this overwhelming peace that came with the cry. Those who were waiting for the bloody battle to end sent silent prayers to heaven.

Stood within the ashes of the battle was Heaven Lord Bai Shoushan. He strode towards the blinding light, heavy armor clanking as he did. The cry was steady, calling for the great god in the golden armor. Obviously he could just fly towards his newborn but all his magical strength left him the moment he heard the cry. Humbly he walked through the muddied battle ground with his heart banging in his chest. A thousand years of waiting, now it was time to welcome a new immortal.

When he reached the tent, all the fairies were on their knees, head almost sinking into the ground.

"Congratulation, Your Majesty for the birth of the Heavenly Prince" they declared. Oh praise heaven for this gift. A prince!

He entered the tent and rushed to his Queen. The Prince was laid next to his mother. The moment he saw his father, the cry stopped and his tiny hands sprung up to reach for the mighty god. Heaven Lord Bai dropped to his knees, lost all his senses as he took the bundle of joy into his embrace. With teary eyes he gazed at his queen who was still pale from the labor. Spots of blood littered her garment. Only a few hours before, the Queen was ambushed with thousands arrow that turned the sky as dark as night. What managed to pierce her body had long being removed. Luckily the little prince was not hurt.

"My Queen.. What joy, what precious gift you've bestowed upon us" he said with so much joy in his voice that it washed away his usual domineering presence. 

"Your Majesty, your prayer has been answered. This is Bai Qi, your prince" the Queen replied with a strain. The Queen was in a weaken state. The little prince came a much earlier than predicted; a few years early to be exact. The Queen was not expected to give birth during this warring time. They were confidence that the Queen could still charge through the battle even in her current condition. But a surprise attack from the allied army changed that. This second childbirth was much riskier than her first one.

At that moment, a bright blue light flew across the sky, landing right outside the tent.

"Congratulation, Your Highness for the birth of the Heavenly Prince" A chant was heard from outside. A lady, clad in white armor stained with mud and blood came flying through the door.

"Bai Yu, come hold your brother" the Queen called. Her breathed was labored at a mere sentence.

Bai Yu ran towards her parents, smiling brightly and forgetting the trail of blood gushing from her fresh wound. If there was any pain from her movement, Bai Yu didn't seem to notice it. Her face contorted a worry when she saw the Queen's battered robe.  She turned to her newborn brother and was quickly relieved. She knelt next to her father, hands reaching for the bundle only to pull them back when she saw how bloody they were. The prince must not be tainted by blood, she thought.

"Bai Yu, you are badly injured. Come, let me take a look at you" the Queen ordered. Bai Yu reached for her mother, taking her hand to her face.

"I am fine, mother. The battle is over. Please rest easy now" she said. The Queen nodded. There was no doubt that the Princess played a big role in suppressing the enemy. Goddess of War was a fitting title for the battle hardened princess. The Queen smiled at the mighty princess. Her battered armor indicated how fierce the war had been for her. She led her army through the thickest battle ground. The Heaven Queen Qing Ge was supposed to lead half of her battalion but had to retreat half through the fiercest battle. Bai Yu had taken her mother's place instead. The Heaven Lord Bai was forced to fight closer to their main camp to defend the Queen while Bai Yu was sent to the far center.

She was a brilliant commander; even a better soldier. The Princess had lead numerous battles to victory but having to fight against demons and human alike with both Bai Shoushan and Qing Ge being forced to retreat made things way too chaotic to control. It was difficult even for an experienced goddess like herself. 

"Your majesties, Your Highness, Fox King Wang Jun is here" a servant announced.

"Send him in" said the Heaven Lord.

Wang Jun entered in an equally battered armor as his fiancee. He bowed to the Heaven Lord and Queen.

"Greetings, Your Majesties. Both Demon Lord and the Mortal Kings had surrendered." Wang Jun offered the banners he had in his hand. The Heaven Lord nodded, signalling the Fox King to hand the banner to one of the attendants standing nearby.

"Thank you, Your Highness. Without the Fox Clan supporting us, it would have been hard to control the battle", he said, not sparing a glance to anybody but the little god in his arm.

"Princess Bai Yu fought valiantly, Your Majesty" he answered curtly, turning his anxious gaze to the Princess. Worry rippled on his face. The Heaven Lord quickly read the room. The Fox King was here to check on the princess. The look on the youthful king was all too familiar to him.

"Bai Yu, you may return to your camp and tend to your injuries" he ordered, waiving his hand.

"I'm fine. I want to stay here a bit longer. " Bai Yu answered, still smiling at her baby brother. Her still bleeding wounds would disagree with her careless response but she was as stubborn as she was frightening; nobody could say anything to her.

"Yu-er listen to your father." The Queen softly persuaded her daughter. "Your brother will still be here when you come back". Her voice was even weaker now. Bai Yu lifted her face to flash a smile of protest and caught the Queen's eyes rolled backward. Her body followed suit.

"Mother!"

It was an abrupt shift of air. The Queen slumped weakly; blood was seeping through the bedding and blanket. The doctors were called in. Both Heaven Lord and Bai Yu channeled their spiritual energy into the unconscious Queen. Like a reflex, Wang Jun took the little prince into his arm, trying to calm him down as he had started crying again. 

The doctors were all over the place, one was pressing the wrist to check for vital, one was busy pressing acupoints and the other one was grinding herbs next to the bed. It was chaotic!

Despite Bai Yu's monstrous energy, it was rather spent on battle field. So when she started bleeding from five chi, it was surprising to see her energy spiked even brighter. She hadn't even tended her own injuries before channeling her energy. Wang Jun jumped to catch her when he noticed her faltering stand. The Heaven Lord looked at her in pure terror.

"Bai Yu, enough! Leave" he shrieked, pushing her away with a little more force than what one might expect from him. Bai Yu was flung to the corner of the bed only to rise again and crawled to her mother's side. 

"No, mother needs me" Bai Yu protested but was quickly pinned down by Wang Jun. He handed over the little prince to Bai Yu before taking her place to channel his energy to the Queen.

"You stay there. I'll help the Queen" 

Unlike Heaven Lord's and Bai Yu's energy which were icy blue, the Fox King emitted golden tinted hue from his palm. His energy was abundant and warm; it was softer and better suited the Queen's Primordial Soul. The Queen slowly opened her eyes. Her breathing was ragged, lips paled to the point of blue. The Heaven Lord pulled the Queen into his arms. Wang Jun's warm energy was enough to sustain the Queen for the time-being.

"Hang in there, Queen. We'll get through this" the Heaven Lord whispered to his Queen. "Quickly. What are you doing? Save your Queen" he turned to shout at the doctors who cowered even lower into their bow. Wang Jun was still channeling his energy to the dying queen. He dared not to stop fearing that Bai Yu would replace him despite her own condition. 

"You can't leave me. Please" Wang Jun heard the Heaven Lord plead. At this point, he doubted he heard anything coherent other than his own flickering energy. To make matter worse, he could feel how the energy passed through the Queen's weakened body like sand through fingers.

The Queen mumbled her words, voice barely escaping amidst the gurgling sound of blood. Her eyes drew up, looking pass her husband. Her breath was shallow, low strum with each exhale. Bai Yu climbed up the bed, ignoring the red seeping through her clothes. She desperately channel whatever was left in her spiritual core with Bai Qi tucked close to her chest.

"Bai Yu, stop! Your qi.." Wang Jun desperately pushed her aside. If Bai Yu was left to continuously open her spiritual gate any longer, she might risk draining her spiritual core. Wang Jun tugged her hand away but she wouldn't budge. He stopped channeling his energy to pull Bai Yu back. The Queen smiled for the last time and the godly glow faded from her body.

It felt like Bai Yu had screamed for hours, her throat could only produce a hoarse croak. The Heaven Lord was quiet, slumped at the corner of the bed with the lifeless Goddess on his chest.

When Bai Yu stopped wailing, air chilled around them, fogs were coming out of their mouths as they breathed. The ground underneath started to freeze around them. Bai Yu's face contorted into a pained visage. Fearing for the worst, Wang Jun had taken the little prince from her, securing the baby close to his chest to protect him from the cold. What a peculiar little god. He didn't seem to be affected by the sudden change in temperature. His eyes were nailed onto Bai Yu's face.

Then there were hurry shuffling outside the tent. One soldier shouted from afar "The demons are coming! The demons are coming. Heaven Lord save us!"

From the rising scream outside, it's clear that the Demon Lords had defected from their surrender and started to attack the Heaven's army. But Heaven Lord Bai didn't move a muscle, face pale, eyes were dead.

Bai Yu who was slumping weakly was suddenly filled with newfound energy. Her blue spiritual energy spiked brilliantly and started to boil. Before Wang Jun could restrain her, Bai Yu flew out of the tent with an untameable rage. Her ice sword materialized in her hand in a bright blue blaze; its aura was heavy, pressing demons, human and gods alike down under its gravity.

Wang Jun's fear was rightfully placed. He had seen Bai Yu braved through countless battles but never as fierce as she was at the moment. She was delirious, aiming only to destroy and satiate her desire to hurt. The Fox King turned to Heaven Lord Bai for help but the god looked defeated so he flew after the Princess with Bai Qi in his arm, not waiting for the Heaven Lord to snap out of his grief. The closer he got to the princess, the more suffocating her presence felt on him. The Fox King was strong but even he was suffocated by the weight of Bai Yu's rage.

Bai Yu went for the archer first. Whoever was holding a bow would immediately lost their hand then their head then their flesh scattered into droplets just by the touch of the ice sword. Bai Yu flew forward, sword slicing flesh like cutting through silken tofu. Many immediately threw away their weapons, knees sunk deep into the ground begging for mercy but she pressed on. Demons and human blood splattered like heavy rain. The heaven soldiers were sent flying; Bai Yu's sword didn't have to touch any of them but its glow was enough to send them flying coughing blood.

Wang Jun flew faster towards her trying to reason. When he reached her, Bai Yu swung her sword, going straight for his head. He materialized his own sword for protection. The swords thundered at contact, sending both of them in opposite directions. Wang Jun shook violently as he tried to stabilize the sword in his hand. The sentient sword was familiar with Bai Yu's ice sword. They had sparred together before but never with the intent to hurt. Knowing his sword's fickle mood, Wang Jun could feel a jut from its hilt as if berating him "What are you doing crossing your wife's sword?"

Wang Jun sighed wordlessly. He too was quite upset when Bai Yu aimed at his throat with the very sword he forged for her. Bai Yu's swordplay was all too familiar to him but her swings and speed were no longer her regular style. They were erratic, heavy with contempt and he could only clumsily dodge her equally clumsy attack.

"Bai Yu, stop! You've killed enough" he shouted but the princess growled in response. The ice sword rattled in her hand. Similarly, it must have known which sword it crossed a moment ago. Although equally fickle, Bai Yu's ice sword was much more obedient to its wielder than his. Wang Jun lowered down his sword, now approaching the goddess slowly as not to agitate her further.

Her armor was completely smeared in blood and pieces of flesh, face masked with grime. The only peek of skin that could be seen on that bloodied face was a single trail of tears from each eyes. Truly a sight of horror. Her eyes were glowing red. Her body emitted bubbling spiritual energy. Her bright blue energy had become darker and more violent. Wang Jun shivered at the sight of his fiance but he didn't falter. Under the facade of calmness, the youthful king sauntered with the best smile he could wear.

Just as he was mere meters away from her, Wang Jun lurched at the speed of light, aiming for Bai Yu's spiritual core. She blocked him with her sword. There goes his only chance to knock the princess out. She returned his attack with a lunge, and then a swing; then the sword was de-materialized only to reappear on her other hand and she swing it from the side, still aiming at Wang Jun's neck. Each attack was blocked successfully but he knew, the longer the duel, the more accurate her attack will be. Unprepared, Wang Jun briefly saw the sword turned direction to his chest.

But her sword didn't reach him instead hit an invisible barrier; the sword shattered and turned into speck of light as it was before it materialized. Bai Yu growled angrily. She tried to materialize another sword but again it dispersed into speck of light at the touch of the invisible barrier. She tried again and again but they all shattered the same way. Confused, Wang Jun looked down in his arm. The little prince had raised his tiny hands conjuring a steady flow of energy. The invisible barrier was instinctively conjured by the little prince. Wang Jun shook his head in disbelieve. The baby was merely a few minutes old but had already demonstrated a spiritual mastery. Wang Jun turned to Bai Yu, trying to talk some sense into her.

"Bai Yu.. Stop this. Don't destroy yourself for vengeance. You still have a little brother to look after. Come back to me. We will make things right again" he pleaded while Bai Yu struggled to materialize another sword and failed. She snarled at him, brows knitted. Bai Yu pushed her hand forward, trying to stab the Fox King with her bare hand. Wang Jun struck her with the hilt of his sword sending her a few meters away but she swiftly changed course, lurching even faster forward, determined to plunge her hand onto Wang Jun's chest.

Instinctively, Wang Jun struck down his blade coated with all the spiritual energy he could muster. The blade cut through the armor, sliced through her flesh and lodged itself onto Bai Yu's bone. Wang Jun's eyes widened with fear. If it was not for Bai Yu's monstrous spiritual energy, the sword would have cut the princess in half!

But with the sword lodge in place, Bai Yu's movement was restricted very significantly. With a slight movement, blood gushed through her wound wetting the already blood-drenched armor. Wang Jun could hear her bone cracking as she tried to break free from the blade.

"Bai Yu, stop!" he begged. In one hand he hold the baby close to his chest and the other was holding the blade down on Bai Yu. Bai Yu's eyes darted to his eyes, rage filled with murderous intent. She shook her body more fervently trying to dislodge the blade that was sinking deeper into her shoulder. Wang Jun could only beg for her to cease further movement but she was like a man possessed. Crack! Crack! Crack! Bone and armor cracked, sending chill to anyone who was listening. At that stalemate, Wang Jun felt a movement in his arm.

Bai Qi cooed. His tiny hands stretch forward trying to reach for his sister. Wang Jun held the baby closer to Bai Yu letting her see the sweet smile on her brother. At that sight, Bai Yu's eyes softened. She stopped struggling against the blade. At that instant, Wang Jun released his sword and aimed a fast punch towards her spiritual core. She flung backward only stopping when her body hit a mountain. Wang Jun flew to her immediately. Seeing her lodged body in a human-shaped crack at face of the mountain, Wang Jun hit a few pressure points on her body just to make sure she was knocked out cold.

Slowly, her boiling aura dissipated away. The dark cloud that had been accumulating in the sky finally let out a heavy shower, washing away blood and flesh that had attached themselves on the princess.

When Heavenly Prince Bai Qi was born, five thousands angels and fairies lost their lives. Countless human and demon breathed their last. The Heaven Clan lost their Queen. And with Queen Qing Ge gone, the old benevolent Heaven Lord Bai Shoushan was no more but an empty vessel of a man he used to be.

***

The next few months had been filled with trial and prosecutions. The Demon Lord who ordered the attack on the late Queen Qing Ge had been sentenced to purgatory, body and soul to be entirely destroyed without a chance of rebirth. An old account had been paid and both side suffered a heavy lost. The human was a third party caught between Heaven Clan and the Demon Clan. There was nothing to win except for their own survival. But they were wronged indeed. Princess Bai Yu had slaughtered 2/3 of their people. Many was after their surrender. They claimed a stern punishment for the Princess.

The whole trial was somewhat rushed; the Heaven Lord was not keen on prolonging the fight. In the end, Bai Yu was to endure 100 thunder whips and 60 years trial in the mortal world. The 60 years trial in mortal world was merely 2 months in heaven but Bai Yu was unwilling to leave little Bai Qi, not after the death of their mother. She pleaded incessantly, begging for the mortal trial to be exchanged with additional 100 thunder whips instead but Wang Jun stopped her. 10 thunder whips would tear flesh off the bone. Even the initial 100 whips were way too much to endure, not another 100!

The Heaven Lord Shoushan sustained the punishment. Wang Jun promised to look after the little prince as the Heaven Lord didn't seem to care. In fact, in the last few months, the Heaven Lord only came to see his little prince two times before storming off to his Zixun Hall. If there was warmth in the mighty lord, it was all lost on the day Queen Qing Ge died. Some speculated that the Heaven Lord was tending his physical injuries  along with his broken heart. He was around only when needed; most of the time he would lock himself in his private chamber. 

Despite Heaven Lord’s attendance, heaven clan works tirelessly to clean up the mess that came after the great war including all the punishment. Not a day went by quietly. Whenever the Punisher God swing his thunder whip, heaven quaked and the sound could be heard from miles away. 

Bai Yu's 100 whips punishment was to be carried out in 10 sessions in duration of a month as to lessen effect of the whip. Even then, she was reduced to insanity by the end of each session. Everyday, Wang Jun would be the one to receive her in her sorry state. He would mend her wound and channeled his energy to lessen the pain. Everyday he would be the one to coax her when she slammed her head against her headboard due to churning pain on her back. Even then he had time to take care of the little prince.

Bai Qi was never far. If he was not bundled in one of the wet nurses arm to feed, he would be in Wang Jun's embrace, tiny fingers playing with the Fox King's hair. Anyone who saw them would say that Wang Jun was the father, patiently tending his little son while taking care of his sick wife. At this thought, he didn't feel too bad. He had long waited to marry the Heavenly Princess. But the Goddess of War was an aloof goddess, interested only in martial arts and war strategies. She hated the idea of getting married so Wang Jun had been waiting for a few centuries.

When the Heaven Lord finally set their engagement, Wang Jun was more than elated. Although the initial intention was to gain support from the Fox Clan for the big war, Wang Jun accepted it with no reserve. He knew it was a political move but if he could marry the goddess of his dream, he would accept it with no delay.

Even if he was not offered Bai Yu's hand in marriage, he was ready to fight the war with her. They had been friends for a long lifetime. It was Wang Jun who had forged the ice sword for the princess, vowing to follow her through any battle.

Now that the war has ended, it would be best to get over the trauma of the whole tragedy. The princess was as cold as ever but Wang Jun could see it on some days when the princess would look at him with such tenderness and gratitude that his heart filled with excitement. Day by day, the feeling would only increased. By the time Bai Yu had finished her 100 whips punishment, Wang Jun had been even more anchored to the slowly thawing ice princess.

In two days they were spared before Bai Yu was to be sent to her trial in the mortal world, she decided to stayed at Wang Jun's Shuhua Palace, reluctant to return to her empty chamber in the main Palace. Many were unhappy with her scandalous decision to enter the Fox Heavenly Palace before their wedding, especially when she was still observing the 3 years mourning. But all complaints were held back as the princess was too weak and the Fox King was adamant on mending her damage.

In the morning, Wang Jun would lay her in the dew surrounded by the little foxes he brought from his dominion. When all dew had gone in the afternoon, he would take her to his recuperating spring. Soaking in the spring did wonders to physical and spiritual wound. On the first day, almost all her whip scars were gone including the big lash on her shoulder caused by Wang Jun's sword. He winced whenever he caught a glimpse of that dreadful scar.

On the second day, half of her original spiritual energy had been replenished. Wang Jun wanted to probe more on her weird boiling aura during her rage, but he didn't find the right time or word to do it. He instead found joy in their empty chats which Wang Jun did most of the talking. Bai Yu was a god of  few words.

“I wonder if the snow peaches would be available by the time I got back..” she said some time after dinner. Wang Jun beamed at her rare interest. “Would you like some now?” He was about to ask but heard her mumbled while sipping her third cup of wine. “Mother loved snow peaches.” Bai Yu didn’t let out a single word after that only occasionally smile at Wang Jun’s lengthy story about the snow peaches in the Fox Land. A thousand times juicier than the one they grow on Baime Mountain, slightly sweeter than the famous Yulong Mountain’s variety.

During these two days, Bai Yu would not part with the little prince and the little prince would not bear to part with the Fox King so the three of them would always be together. Wang Jun had never tasted happiness as fully as he did in these two days.

But the day came and with it, a new worry. Wang Jun was anxious. He went to see Si Ming, the immortal who was in charge of human fate. He didn't want Bai Yu's trial to be too difficult but the Heaven Lord had to be impartial to appease the victims. Therefore, Immortal Si Ming had written for her a painful scenario so that her broken heart might satisfy the heaven. Since the princess was still in mourning, she would not be granted a marriage in the mortal world. Truthfully speaking, this consoled him a bit. The details were kept a close secret but Immortal Si Ming granted Wang Jun a piece of magical mirror than can be used to monitor the princess in mortal world. Wang Jun accepted it gladly.

For the next two months, Wang Jun vowed to keep his eyes on the mirror for every waking hour. He even showed the mirror to Bai Qi just to remind the little baby of his sister. Not that the little god would register much of the memory anyway but it delighted him very much to see Bai Yu.

Bai Yu's life as a mortal was a pitiful one. She was born into an affluent family but was not acknowledged as a young lady of the house because of her jealous step mothers. Her mortal mother died giving birth to her so no one was there to shield her from the abuse. Her younger days were episodes of torment and humiliation. As a high goddess, the Heavenly Princess was pampered since birth. She was extremely talented too, thus respect and adoration came very naturally to her. But in the mortal world, in this mortal body, she knew hunger, pain and filth. She was reduced to a maid. She was made to clean the house, run errand for the mistresses. Wang Jun had to stopped himself from descending to the mortal world and whack Bai Yu's mortal siblings for their childish taunting.

At the age of 15, the family was offered a marriage proposal. Hearing that it was to a sickly young master, Bai Yu's step mother offered Bai Yu instead of her sisters. Wang Jun felt cheated by this and went straight to the Immortal Si Ming to stop the marriage. But story had been written in the book of fate; there was nothing in heaven could make the Immortal Si Ming change it. As Wang Jun stormed off from Immortal Si Ming's hall, the immortal reminded him not to take things into his own hand as not to incur Heaven's wrath. Wang Jun yelled to hell with it. My wife is going to get snatched away!

In desperation, Wang Jun went to the mortal world. When Bai Yu walked pass him in her red wedding dress and red veil over her head, Wang Jun hitched a breath. She was beautiful! This is unfair. He waited so long for her hand in marriage and this lacking mortal was to be her husband?! Who knew what kind of bad luck she had to suffer after this. As Wang Jun reached for Bai Yu, in a sudden an earth shattering lightning came crashing from the sky hitting Wang Jun right through his head. He felt his brain boiled in his skull, electric course through his vain and in an instance he was transported back to his Shuhua Palace. Wang Jun passed out for a day.

When he came to be, a year had passed in the mortal world. Wang Jun went to Immortal Si Ming's palace first but the palace had now doubled its security in fear for the Fox King. Wang Jun flew down to earth with a heavy heart.

It got heavier!

Not only that Bai Yu was married to a sickly young master, she was now with a baby. The baby boy was almost 2 years old. No matter how you look at it, it couldn't have been hers. Wang Jun summoned the local earth god to inquire. The old earth god was more than pleased to entertain the high god Fox King. Hand smoothing his white long beard, he began by clicking his tongue.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. She was a pitiful woman, scammed into a loveless, passionless marriage. The Young Master had a lover who bore him a son. However, the Young Master's lover was a servant therefore no matter how much he begged his family, they won't let him marry her. The Young Master was a romantic and a stubborn man. He agreed to marry Bai Yu as long as she would take his lovechild as her own. This way, his son would be recognized as his legitimate heir.

On their wedding day, an unusual lightning stroke their residence, killing his lover-servant and blinded one of his eyes in the process. Since then, the young bride had been considered a bad omen in the household. The Luo Manor was gigantic, second only to the minister's residence. But within the vast compound, she was only allowed to roam in her small backyard, cut off from the rest of the family. Her husband didn't visit her often, only meeting when they had some special family dinner. Even then he wouldn't look at her, only exchanging "yes" and "no" from behind a screen.

She didn't raise any complaint though. Life was relatively easier in the Luo Manor than back in her family residence. She was granted a maid and a male servant to help her with her day to day duty. Both of them were deeply loyal to her. Her husband wouldn't spare her a glance but he was kind enough to allow her freedom to raise his son as she saw fit which delighted her very much. In term of taking care of babies, she could be considered an expert having to take care of her many nephews and nieces in her old residence and Baby Luo was an easy child. He hardly made a fuss and was easy to please. She poured everything into raising him.

Listening to this, Wang Jun was finally at rest. But it pained him still to see Bai Yu being set aside by the rest of her in laws that way. By midnight, Wang Jun ascended back to Heaven only to be greeted by little Bai Qi's cry. His heart felt heavy. He scooped Bai Qi into his arm, softly pecking his snowy cheeks.

"I'm sorry for leaving. I'm here now and I've got a present for you" he said, taking out a small pellet drum toy from his sleeve. Tang! Tang! Tang! Wang Jun twisted the waist of the drum steadily to distract the baby from his cry.

Bai Qi cooed. Wang Jun take pride in his ability to calm the little prince. He caught a glimpse at Bai Yu taking care of Baby Luo while he was down on mortal world;  perhaps hThe baby nibbled on Wang Jun's flailing sleeves, eyes were bright watching the movement of the drum. Wang Jun smiled in return and carried the little prince to his chamber where they would continue watching Bai Yu through the mirror.

For the next few years in human world, nothing eventful happened. Baby Luo was now 7. Credit to Bai Yu's careful upbringing, the Young Master was blessed with intelligence and good manner. The boy was beautiful, mild mannered and very much loved by the whole Luo household. Even Wang Jun couldn't stop praising the Young Master. In his head, he was thinking of how future fox cubs would fare under Bai Yu's care. The Fox King was known to be shameless but he blushed at the thought.

His praises fell short when the Young Master asked his mother,

"Mother, do you mind bestowing me a little brother? A little sister would be nice too" he said with stars gleaming in his round black orbs. Bai Yu chuckled behind her sleeves and left the request unanswered. Back in heaven, Wang Jun almost dropped the mirror in shock; Bai Yu chuckled! The stoic princess could actually chuckle. Even shyly at that!

The Young Master was persistent as he was intelligent. He asked a few more times to no avail so he turned to his mother's loyal maid for advice.

"Young Master, you will have better luck asking this from your father than your mother" she answered coyly. Thus the Young Master redirected his demand to his father instead. Master Luo was now a 30 years old man, still as stubborn as he was in his earlier years. How could he entertain his heir at the cost of breaking his vow not to bed his own wife who caused him misfortune?

The Young Master never take no for an answer but he was respectful nevertheless. Snooping around he found out that his parents never saw each other face to face or else why would Father never fell for a woman as beautiful as Mother? To the Young Master, his mother was beautiful beyond compare and Wang Jun wholeheartedly agreed on this.

Even in her mortal form, stripped off her godly glow, Bai Yu was graced with good look. She was now 22 years old, but she aged no older than when she first entered the household. Her skin was smooth with natural rouge perpetually bloomed on her cheeks. Her hair was black as ink, soft and long. Her lips were naturally pinkish, strips of healthy flesh, always curled into a shy smile and coupled with her brilliant almond eyes that were lined with long lashes. Her leisure life-style only accentuated her beauty from her teenage years. Master Luo was a foolish man for discarding such a beauty.

Looking at her perpetually smiling face, Wang Jun thought maybe the mortal Bai Yu was a little bit more charming than her ice cold persona as the Goddess of War. No matter. Wang Jun had a lifetime to crack that ice mask she wore when she returned to him.

The Young Master found a new mission in life. He will make his Father fall in love with his Mother! Every day he would came out with new ways to getting his Father to meet Mother. First he feigned sickness, insisting to stay in his mother's xxx. After a week not seeing his precious child, Master Luo stormed to Bai Yu's xx.

Just as Master Luo about to enter the compound, his wife had coincidentally left to pray at the famous temple in the mountain. That was thanks to Wang Jun's quick thinking to suggest it in her dream. Xiao Luo, you're much too young to go against this old fox.

The second time was when the Young Master insisted to build her mother a Koi pond in the garden. When the pond was completed, the little Young Master arranged for a private viewing, inviting only a few members of the household. If it was not for Wang Jun's panic reaction of sending a his most mischievous little fox to disrupt the event, Master Luo would have seen Bai Yu feeding the new occupants of her Koi pond. Wang Jun was a petty god; even a glimpse of Bai Yu's jade-like wrist was not to be shared with the undeserving man. He rewarded the small fox to be Bai Qi's little attendance when it got back to Shuhua Palace. Bai Qi was greatly pleased.

Every time the Young Master's plan got trickier and harder to obstruct. His childish wish for a sibling had been Wang Jun's biggest nightmare. The Young Master needed a playmate; Wang Jun can provide that but Heaven be damned if he allowed Bai Yu to be touched by the immoral mortal of a husband.

His persistence in halting the Young Master's plan gained him mockery in heaven. "Why are Your Highness so against it? It's just the goddess' mortal body. It won't even matter when the trial ends" one of his fellow god asked him. Wang Jun had no explanation to spare other than "I'm a fox. It's in my nature to be jealous"

He descended one night after carefully hiding his presence from mortal and heaven alike. He carried a special potion with him, stolen from Si Ming's well guarded vault. A love potion! The love potion is a potent elixir that could make human fall in love with each other; it's a very helpful tool. A few centuries ago, Wang Jun had stolen the elixir along with a few strands of Red String of Fate to use on Bai Yu as a prank but fate played a prank on him instead when he realized how foolishly in love he was with the aloof princess.

Lucky for him, as things turned out he never needed to and now they can be used on others instead.

In the depth of night, he sneaked into the Luo Manor's staff quarter where he found Bai Yu's servants lying peacefully with the rest of the other house servants. He tied their fingers with red strings of fate. He knew the red string would work but it took time before anything can be materialized hence the love potion. He needed them to papapa now and pop out a baby as soon as possible so that the relentless Young Master would stop pushing his estranged parents together. Because Wang Jun knew how easy it was to fall for Bai Yu. Of course he knew it best. He fell for her for so many times.

As soon as the potion hit their lips, the two servants woke up with an unbridled need. Eyes locked to one another, they flew to the back of the quarters and the rest was history. Wang Jun slapped the non-existing dust from his palms, feeling quite pleased with his good work. He ascended back to his Shuhua Palace just in time before Bai Qi wailed for being left alone in his bed.

A baby boy came not long after. The servants begged for Bai Yu's protection as it was forbidden for servants to engage with one another without the permission from the Master. They would be banished if they were found out; even worse, tortured before they were allowed to leave. Bai Yu felt compelled to help for they had been her most loyal supporters all these years. She took the baby, announcing to everyone that she had bought a slave to accompany her son. It was not unheard of to buy a young slave but a few days old baby did raise a few eyebrows. Bai Yu was adamant and nobody really had any reason to harm her. She was not even favored by her husband, what would anyone gain from pitting her against her estranged husband?

Thankfully, the Young Master let go of his childish mission. The servant's baby was everything he ever wanted, a young brother to dot and a partner to play with. Both the Young Master and Bai Yu adored him. True to her words, Bai Yu raised the servants' baby alongside Young Master Luo as preferred by her step son. The boys ate from Bai Yu's hands and slept on her laps when they were done. Young Master Luo loved reading epics to his companion, eager to have the baby learn everything so that they can attend school together. They grew up happily within Bai Yu's isolated compound, under Bai Yu's watchful eyes.

Another decade or so had passed and the Young Master Luo had grown into a fine youth. His young servant was always nearby. He never treated the boy as a servant, even going as far as taking him as his sworn brother in secrecy, only made known to Bai Yu and her most trusted servants. They were inseparable, sharing similar devotion towards their mother. Bai Yu had encouraged their camaraderie very early on but it was the heaven's will that had cemented their unbroken bond with each other. So when the Young Master had to leave to study in the capital, he took his sworn brother with him so that they both could benefit from the prestigious school.

Days went by slowly for Bai Yu after that. She missed the boys constantly. At the same time, a lonely fox was missing her in heaven above. Wang Jun sometimes went down to the mortal world to visit his beloved person. Sometimes he would come as a little bird, singing ardently to the forlorn mistress. At time he would materialized himself as falling petal, softly wiping the tears away from Bai Yu's face when she missed her sons too much. One time he brought Bai Qi along but the little god still didn't know how to hide his spiritual energy and it was too strong for Wang Jun to conceal, risking another unearthly lightning to strike them both. That was the one and only time he brought Bai Qi with him.

Peaceful years only last a moment. Bai Yu's mortal ordeal was to suffer, therefore it was only nature for this to turn for the worst. Bai Yu's loyal maid died of sickness. Both Bai Yu and the male servant were deeply saddened by this. It was time to tell the servant boy of his identity so that he could perform his final filial duty to his mother. The boy returned to Luo Manor as instructed by the madam.

Overcame with sadness and gratitude towards Bai Yu, the boy pledged his everlasting allegiance to her for her kindness. He took off in the middle of the night to return to his Young Master. After seeing him off, Bai Yu said in passing,

"He has grown to look so much like Mu Mei, Old Wang. Wouldn't you want to settle with your son somewhere else? Living with the token of your loved one outside this wretched walls?" she asked sipping on her wine. The wine tasted bitter. A single tear rolled down her still moist cheek.

"I don't dare, Madam." Old Wang responded. His sunken eyes were still red. Bai Yu turned to him with a bag of silver.

"In a few years, Xiaolu will return. I will have you two leave this manor and build a life outside. Let him take your family name. Take the money, buy a plot of land and live your life as father and son in peace. It's the least I could do", Bai Yu ordered. The old servant quickly dropped to his knees, begging his mistress.

"Please don't chase us away, Madam. My only wish is to serve you. And Lu'er wouldn't have the heart to part with his Young Master" Old Wang answered in tears. He banged his head on the floor, earnestly begging the mistress to change her mind.

"Why would you want to stay in this cold place with me? Xiaolu is not a boy anymore. Sooner or later he would have to leave his Young Master if he doesn't want to continue being a slave to this household. I want him to be free." Bai Yu reasoned wistfully. Looking around, she felt like the four corners of her compound were closing in. It was suffocating in the xx. With her oldest, most trusted companion gone, Bai Yu felt wronged.

"But Madam, Lu'er would rather die a slave than leaving Young Master Luo. You know how they are" Old Wang pleaded.

Bai Yu sobbed quietly into the stone table. After a while she pulled herself up, wiping the tear stain on her face and turned to Old Wang.

"I'm not that heartless to separate them brothers. You think I don't love Xiaolu as my own, Old Wang? I just want the best for him" she paused "Never mind. I'll ask him again when the time is right" She pushed the bag of silver into Old Wang's hand.

"Keep the silver nevertheless" She said before retreating to her chamber.

And of course it was the perfect moment to brew a misunderstanding. Master Luo knew how much the deceased maid meant to her wife and out of nowhere, his heart softened. He was a sympathetic man to begin with but he especially felt bad for his wife this time. This might be the right moment to visit his wife he thought; offer her a few words of condolence maybe. He took the new maid with him personally in hope that it would cheer his wife. It was a small favor considering how kind she had been to his lovechild. Yes, Master Luo thought. They might be nothing more than a guest to each other but he respected her as the mother of his child.

When he saw the lovely women sobbing in the garden, his heart ached. This was the first time he clearly saw her face. Eyes damped by tears but were still strong and assuring. Her long slender fingers were resting on her forehead, the other hand was feeding her mouth with wine. One glass after another. The light was lining her smooth jade skin. Her ink black hair was rolled into a simple bun with a single wooden hair stick which only elevate her peerless beauty. She had a pleasing face to behold, a mesmerizing piece of jade. And she was youthful still. He was such a fool to ignore her existence all these years. A newfound warmth spread through the old man's heart. It's not too late for love to bloom, he thought.

But before he could move into the light and joined his wife in the garden, he heard it all but not the context it hold.

So the servant boy was a lovechild between his wife and the old servant! How dare she! How dare the servant lay his hand on the Madam of the house! What treachery! They should be thrown into pig sty or made to drink poison to atone for their sin. Master Luo was filled with rage and jealousy.

When he returned to the main compound, he ordered the servants to capture Bai Yu, Old Wang and "their son". Men on fastest horses were sent to chase after the teen. Xiaolu was captured on the way back to his Young Master. By the next morning, all three of them were made to kneel in front of everyone. Old Wang had received multiple beatings with only a few breath left in his weak body.

Bai Yu screamed against the gag in her mouth, pleading for a chance to clear her name. Xiaolu was hit just as severely as his old father but the young boy was still full of vigor. He pleaded for his father's life and for what ever crime they had committed, he would bear all the punishment as long as Old Wang and the poor Madam be spared. Hearing his plead, Master Luo grew even angrier.

He ordered for a thick rope to be brought forth. It was then looped around Old Wang's neck. Master Luo forced him to confess or the rope will be pulled from each end, tightening its grab on his neck. He ordered Bai Yu's mouth gag to be released, urging her to confess to the alleged adultery charge but both Old Wang and Bai Yu did nothing shameful, why would they confess to it?

As Bai Yu denied and pleaded for her innocence, the rope was pulled tighter. Amidst the shouting from Bai Yu and Xiaolu, Old Wang was being strangled to death. Tongue sticking as he tried to gasp for air, eyes shot backward, fingers desperately scratching the rope around his neck. There was a sick gurgle coming out of Old Wang. It was loud and unmistakable. Xiaolu and Bai Yu pleaded even louder. Then, a pop. When they turn around to see Old Wang, his neck had contorted painfully with bulging on its left side. The old man's neck had been snapped broken by the rope! Xiaolu screamed loud and long; like a wounded beast, he roared as veins popped on his temple, eyes bloodshot with rage.

Looking through the magic mirror from heaven above, the image was frighteningly similar to Bai Yu's own anguish at the death of her mother. Worried of Bai Yu's fate, Wang Jun was ready to descend to Luo Manor to rescue her but he was stopped abruptly. Immortal Si Ming had anticipated his resistance therefore a few Martial Gods were summoned to restrain the Fox King. This is crucial, he said, no further interruption can be tolerated or a backfire could occur and damage Bai Yu's primordial soul. Enough intervening, Your Highness. Princess Bai Yu wouldn't be able to resist backfire of this scale. Immortal Si Ming tried to explain to the Fox King.

According to Si Ming, thing would not have escalated to this stage if it was not for Wang Jun's meddling the course of fate. Bai Yu was supposed to suffer for a loveless marriage as her husband continued to lie with their servant. But that servant died when lightning struck because of Wang Jun's hasty interference that one time. When Wang Jun pushed Old Wang and Mu Mei using Red String of Fate and the love potion, a new branch of fate had latched itself into existence. Fearing the worst coming, Wang Jun finally relented. He could only watch the tragedy unfold.

When all shouting stopped and only defeated sobbing came out from the young man, Master Luo announced their alleged crime for the whole manor to know. Those who harbor displease towards Bai Yu, snickered behind their pretentious concern. Those who believed in her innocence could only pray in silence for a savior to come and rescue their poor Madam. That savior was no other than Young Master Luo.

Scared of what might happen, late last night, one of the maid had sent news to Young Master Luo to return to Luo Manor and sort out the misunderstanding. It took time for the news to reach him but when it did, the Young Master grabbed his fastest horse and stormed home.

Young Master Luo arrived just in time to stop his father from throwing the restraint Bai Yu into a well. Xiaolu laid motionless on the ground, hands tied to his back, legs restrained together, eyes wide yet empty. Hearing Young Master Luo's command, Xiaolu lurched towards his sworn brother.

"Ge! They killed my father. Please, grant me justice. My father died a senseless death. You must help me clear his name. Ge! I beg you." Xiaolu pleaded, head bashing the floor underneath. Young Master Luo hugged the younger man close to his chest.

Young Master Luo dropped to his knees, pleading earnestly for an investigation over the matter. After much shouting and pleading, Master Luo yielded to his request. He told the story as he did not long before and Bai Yu persistently denied his claim, saying that he misunderstood her words. Xiaolu was not her offspring but him being Young Master's brother was true. They were sworn brothers. Even Young Master Luo supported the claim.

Unconvinced, the old Luo called over the family's physician. The physician ordered a bowl of water and a drop of blood from Bai Yu and Xiaolu. The blood didn't mix, clearing the claim of their relationship. But the old master was still unconvinced; plus he was ashamed for having blindly followed his rage so he demanded a second test and a third and a forth until Bai Yu's were littered with slashes.

"Father, if you are unconvinced, test it with mine" Young Master Luo demanded as he grabbed a fresh bowl of water and cut open his palm before Master Luo could even protest. Xiao Lu's blood was then spilled into the same bowl. The blood mix immediately! Panic spread through the courtyard. Bai Yu watched the now homogeneous mixture in front of her.

"What is the meaning of this? Father?" Young Master Luo was shaking. Which of Xiaolu's parents were his own?

Similarly, Wang Jun who was watching from heaven above had a similar confusion. Si Ming sighed heavily.

"This is why you shouldn't have meddled with the matter of human, Your Highness" he took a seat next to Wang Jun, hands smoothing his robe. "Xiaolu is Luo Fanren's son. After the death of his first lover, Luo Fanren was supposed to fall for another maid, Bai Yu's most trusted friend. If it weren't for your interruption, Mu Mei would have been the replacement for his dead lover. The filthy man had a thing for maids, you see. You should have been more sensible."

Wang Jun shook with rage, one for his own thoughtless action, another for a mortal named Luo Fanren. Phei! You filthy pig. You would rather indulge in adultery than giving your wife a proper place in your heart? Both as Bai Yu's admirer and a stern believer in love (because foxes are nothing if not loyal lovers), it disgusted him at the sight of such degrade. He wanted nothing but to lay waste on that despicable mortal. His eyes was glued to the mirror, observing the ridiculous drama unfolding.

The truth of Xiaolu parentage came to light. One of the servants bear witness of the night the Old Master was wasted on wine during Bai Yu's Koi pond viewing and laid with the poor defenseless maid. The Old Master denied having doing such a shameful behavior but the man had a history of siring a son with his maid, of course it wouldn't be too unbelievable for such a thing to happen again.

Xiaolu was quietly sobbing next to Old Wang's corpse. The misunderstanding had unearthed a much bigger scandal. By the end of the long night, Old Master had freed both the accused and even went as far as accepting Xiaolu as his legitimate son at the behest of Young Master Luo's request.

Young Master Luo could only thank the heaven for allowing him to be there on time to clear everything up. Bai Yu had cleared her name and reclaimed her place in the main compound of the Luo Manor. Master Luo had her relocated to the main chamber for medical treatment. Even under her calm and kind visage, one must be stupid to think that she wasn't affected by the whole turn of event. She fell ill and spent her days in slumber.

In her dream, she wept loudly as if releasing her lifetime amount of frustration. Wang Jun slipped into her dream to console her in his fox form but before he could disguise himself into a little fox, he felt a pair of hands grabbing his wrist.

"God, have you finally decided to hear my prayer?" a ragged voice rang from behind him. Wang Jun turned around, meeting a pair of angry eyes. It was a look he was all too familiar with. Bai Yu is angry..at him? Does she remember who he is? Does she remember who she really was?

Bai Yu released Wang Jun's wrist, seemingly regretting touching the god. Her eyes were wild, urgently looking elsewhere than meeting that god's eyes again; they flickered under her lashes. Her cheeks bloomed in a deeper pink. Wang Jun was confused. A minute ago it was like Bai Yu had returned to her godly persona but now he was not so sure anymore.

"Are you.. um.. are you a god?" she stuttered; eyes now darted to his feet.

"I am indeed" his tone returned to his usual mischief. It seemed like the one standing in front of him was the timid mortal Bai Yu, not the cold icy Heavenly Princess.

"How could a god look so young?" she mumbled under her breath which was caught by Wang Jun's sharp hearing. He hooked his finger, anchored it under Bai Yu's chin and softly tilted it up. The innocent surprise on Bai Yu's face almost sent Wang Jun into a heart arrest, if a God can have a heart arrest. Too cute! This is too cute.

"Do you despise my youthful look, child?" he asked, moving his face closer to hers. His eyes were brown, bright and piercing. His eyebrows were straight, jet black. Bai Yu didn't dare to linger in those flirty eyes so she trailed down his face to his nose. My goodness, his nose is a masterpiece. It is pointy, with a straight bridge and narrow nostrils. There is a small freckle at the tip of his nose. His lips were pinkish, curved at edge forming a smile even when he was not trying to. Bai Yu reveled at the perfection that was of the mysterious god. This is an image of a beautiful immortal!

Bai Yu was lost in her own mind for a second only to come back to her senses when the youthful god burst out laughing. Wang Jun leaned back to a cherry tree that had appeared out of no where. He looked at the confused maiden with a fresh adoration. The icy Heavenly Princess would rather die than let anyone saw that much emotion on her face. Wang Jun was used to seeing that look on other maiden but that was the first time seeing it on Bai Yu's. At this new revelation, Wang Jun thanked heaven for bestowing him the most beautiful face in all three realms. At least now he knew that the goddess objectively found him pleasing to look at.

"What seems to be the problem, other than my other-worldly good look?" the god asked, arms crossing his chest. Even if the question sounded teasing, it quickly reminded Bai Yu of her current predicament. A sudden punch landed on the tree, missing a few inches from the god's head. Wang Jun laughed even louder. Her usual behavior was seeping through even with her soft mortal upbringing.

"Is it about your trash of a husband?" Wang Jun asked.

"You knew?" Bai Yu jumped "Of course you do.. You gods know everything but do nothing. Ah.." she sighed. Now back to her senses, which came and went just as abruptly, Bai Yu lowered her head in shame for acting out her frustration.

"Are you sad?" Wang Jun asked; his question was slightly tinted with jealousy. Bai Yu did't look at him, only shaking her lowered head. "Then, are you mad at him?" He asked again.

"Yes I am mad. I am angry!" Bai Yu stomped her leg. "I know I am nobody in the household, but must he humiliate me in such a way? He sired a son with my maid, ignored me all my life and accused me of being unfaithful instead. I know he is a two-faced man, but must he also be thick skinned?"

"You're angry because you feel humiliated, not because you love him?" Wang Jun materialized a cup of wine in his hand to offer Bai Yu. It wouldn't quench a real thirst but he guessed that she would want some.

"I.. I don't know if I ever did" Bai Yu reached for the wine with both hands, bowing to the god as gratitude. "Is it because I don't love him that I am being punished this way? It's a sin to not loving one's husband, is it not?" she downed the wine quickly. Wang Jun offered another cup. Bai Yu accepted and sat on a kneel in front of the god. This time she down the cup more gracefully as she notice the undivided attention from Wang Jun.

"Your hardship in this life is a punishment in your past life" he said. He wouldn't want divulge too much about Bai Yu's godhood but that was as close as an explanation he could afford. Bai Yu, mouth hanged open momentarily as she tried to digest the information.

"Did I sin greatly?" Bai Yu twirled the full cup in her fingers, eyes brimming with tears.

"You were a general. You killed a lot of people including the innocent. This life of yours is to make up for that sin" Wang Jun calmly explained. Bai Yu looked at the god with teary eyes. She then down her cup slowly. Wang Jun waited for her response as he filled the empty cup with more wine.

"Then I shouldn't be too ungrateful. My life is not that bad. I will endure it if it could wash away my past sins" Bai Yu downed another cup. Wang Jun smiled at her response. "Will it be worse in the future?" Her voice rang low in her throat.

"It might be. But endure it.." and return to me, Wang Jun wanted to say. He smiled at her instead. “..but if that husband of yours is too much to endure, would you want to be my wife instead?” The Fox God asked teasingly. Bai Yu was so shocked by the teasing that she woke up from her days long sleep and left the Fox King laughing heartily with himself.




When Bai Yu came to be, she had fallen in a deep slumber for three days. Not a day pass by without Young Master Luo and Xiaolu by her side. Both had been anxious of her well-being, not trusting anyone in the household to care for her. As Bai Yu woke up from her sleep with improved condition, Young Master Luo explained everything that had happened in the mansion.

After the incident, Xiaolu had taken the name Luo and changed his into Luo Weixiao. With the support from Luo Weiji, his now legal older brother, no one dared to mock him for his background. To avoid gossip outside the household however, Master Luo Fanren had to spend a fortune to spread a slightly contorted truth about his new son. Luo Weixiao was a secret child from his marriage with Bai Yu and because of their inauspicious marriage, Luo Weixiao was to be brought up in secrecy until he was 16 years old when his "curse of misfortune" could be lifted and he could join the Luo family officially. It was an absurd cover-up story but the town people believed it nonetheless.

Bai Yu, now a proper mistress of the manor, received much love from Master Luo. No longer restricted in her small compound, Bai Yu could now moved freely as Madam Luo. With  two dashing young men as her sons, Bai Yu slowly being revered by many both for her virtue and her beauty. For a few years, life returned to a peaceful setting again.

Back in heaven, Wang Jun was counting days. Another week to go before Bai Yu could return to heaven realm. The palace had been refurnished twice that day. He brought the prettiest flower fairies from his land to decorate the hall in preparation to receive the princess. All the while, baby Bai Qi was growing alongside with his little fox.

In the mortal world, the nation was at the brink of calamity. After years of drought, the nation grew weaker and war with neighboring nation came more frequently. The brothers were now part of the army, responsible of securing the border. Life in the Luo Mansion had changed; most of the man had been drafted to war. The ones remained were old and weakly. But not Bai Yu. True to her godhood, she was youthful, hair still jet black, eyes glistened with vigor. One would hide such beauty during this uncertain time, so that was exactly what Luo Fanren did. Fearing that the neighboring nation would catch a news of such marvel, he sent Bai Yu to live in the capital.

However, unbeknownst to all, the