63 Rong Meets XiXi

XiXi can barely keep her eyes open. She looks at the dress Yun Tai tossed on the bed, she decides to drape it over her cat body sticking her paws into the sleeves. How ridiculous is this she laughs, but then again what if someone opens the door in the morning. The servant girl Rong might even check on me. I don't want to embarrass her if I am naked.

She gets under the covers, this bed feels heavenly! She drifts off to sleep, as she does a shadow enters the room. Wang Li Jie sits on her bed watching her sleep, he has been waiting a long time for her to come into sleep. Every time he hears Yun Tai's scolding tone towards her he wants to crush his neck..

She is still a cat should he speed up the transformation back? He longs to see her creamy white skin and her pink lips.

Right as he was about to raise his palm she suddenly begins changing into a human, filling out the dress, one arm is still stuck in the sleeve. He gently pulls it through and fixes the dress on her body. I don't like this color and changes the dress to white with red lotuses embroidered on the bodice with a wave of his hand.

He placed a barrier on the room when he arrived so if anyone looks in they will see an image he projected on it of her sleeping soundly. His skills far surpass anyone present, he is an Immortal Emperor after all. No one in Seven kingdoms is more skilled than he is, the only comparable person would be his brother and he is presently in another realm. An incense is burning in the room which put XIXi in a deep sleep, she is not aware of his presence.

The time is not right but I need to feel your warmth, it has been a lifetime since I held you in my arms, he is lost in her beauty.

Wang Li Jie strokes XiXi's cheek and takes in her fragrance, she still has the red lotus scent he remembers. He sits there watching her sleep after a few moments he can't resist lying by her side. He knows it is only for a brief time but he wants to hold her in his arms. It will be dawn soon and he can't be here when she awakens.

He runs his fingers through her silky black hair and buries his head in her neck taking in her essence. His mind is consumed by the past, why was fate so cruel as to take you away right before we wed? I would have given up my Kingdom for you, why did he covet you, the only person I loved in this world.

My brother will pay for taking you away from me to another world.

The sun is starting to rise, he removes the barrier and the incense as he leaves, glancing back at XiXi.

Rong is not sure if Yun Tai has returned with XiXi but she is anxious to meet this girl that the Young Master likes and knocks on her door.

XiXi is groggy and hears the knocking.

"Who is it?"

"I am the servant girl Rong that Master Feng has arranged for you. May I come in and help you dress?"

XiXi isn't feeling well and wants to make sure she is fully transformed, she responds, "I will see you at breakfast I'm not quite ready to get up yet, thank you anyway."

Rong is thinking this girl is too polite to a servant, it's good Hui QingQing didn't come Zhang XiXi wouldn't survive. She must be special for Feng Tian to like her.

She goes out to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She is very excited to see Yun Tai, she begins making porridge worried he won't like it. The cook at the palace only taught her a few dishes when she first arrived at the Fengs, she was to be a kitchen helper.

But, because of her strong physique they decided she would be taught martial arts to serve any future mistresses.

Feng Tian rushes to find Yun Tai not knowing XiXi is asleep in her room. Yun Tai is in the front courtyard having tea with Zhang Yu when Feng Tian approaches him

"Yun Tai aren't you going to get XiXi?"

Yun Tai sets his teacup down and replies, "She is back in her room sleeping." {He had checked on her earlier, she was transformed back into a human and sound asleep.}

Feng Tian rushes to XiXi's room and knocks.

"Rong, I am going to sleep for awhile", XiXi drowsily says.

Feng Tian isn't sure if he should disturb her, cultivating can be draining at first so he doesn't say who it is, just dejectedly walks back to the front courtyard.

The Chen brothers come out to the courtyard where everyone is and bow to greet them. They are not sure where they should eat since there are no cooks in the servant quarters kitchen.

Feng Tian tells them it is fine to all eat together, they can sit at the next table over. The Chen brothers like that about Feng Tian he is informal and doesn't look down on people. They take a seat and everyone starts discussing the horses being delivered today and what else they will need.

XiXi can't go back to sleep and checks to make sure she is all together human. She looks down at her dress,this dress looks different than the one Yun Tai tossed to her last night. Well, I was really tired, she quickly pulls her hair up, washes in the basin for now. She is starving so she hurries to the kitchen.

She sees Rong looking distressed trying to make the porridge and rushes over to help her, the pot is about to boil over. XiXi quickly tells her to set it to the side. She can see it is scorched and probably inedible.

Rong expects to be scolded but XiXi sweetly says, "Don't worry about it! I'm here now I will help you, She sees Rong has burnt her hand and quickly calls to the courtyard for someone to get ointment for her hand. XiXi holds her hand and says lets rinse it with some cold water first.

She doesn't know what to do, no mistress would help a servant bandage her hand. She starts to blush when she looks up to see Yun Tai holding some ointment. XiXi takes it from him and gently applies it to her hand., then wraps it in a strip of cloth.

Yun Tai is surprised how concerned XiXi is for a servant girl and watches her take care of the burn.

"Rong go out with Yun Tai and have a seat, I will make breakfast, you should rest your hand"

Yun Tai and Rong look at each other.

"Go"

Feng Tian comes in the kitchen, "Do you want me to help you?"

"Go pick some vegetables from the garden on the side, while I start a fresh batch of porridge.

She peeks her head out the door, Rong is sitting stiff as a board at the table with the Chen brothers{I was hoping she could sit and get to know Yun Tai}

XiXi makes some tea and brings it out giving a cup to Rong. Rong jumps up, "Miss, please.. XiXi interrupts, "sit down your hand is hurt! I enjoy cooking don't worry about it! Rong doesn't know what to do..

She looks at the Chen brothers, "Could you go and get some Spotted Ostrich eggs for me? Feng Tian said they are in a meadow by the woods"

"Yun Tai, Feng Tian said some of your flowers are special and you don't like them disturbed could you pick me some flowers that aren't special, but are pretty, for the tables?"

Yun Tai remembers Feng Tian destroying his prized Peonies and agrees.

The Chen brothers look at the God of War getting up to pick some flowers{Is this the same man who almost crippled us last night}.

Zhang Yu just have your tea.

Feng Tian comes back with the vegetables, "Do you want me to help chop them?" XiXi starts washing them "No, last time you made the chunks too big, Feng Tian you can just sit in here with me if you want, I missed you."

Feng Tian lights up when she says this and sits at the kitchen table watching her. Her little hands chopping the vegetables, her forehead scrunching up trying to decide what to make. He is so happy his little beauty is back. After they eat he is going to ask her if she wants to take a walk and give her the bracelet.

She peeks out the door, "Zhang Yu pick some herbs from the herb garden I almost forgot. Give me some cheese out of your Dimensional Space."

The Chen brothers come back their hair disheveled and their hands have scratches, "What happened to you two", XiXi laughs, seeing three large spotted eggs in their hands she figures the birds didn't want to give them up. She says "Set them over there and points to a basket on a side table.

" Come here and let me see your hands", as she is about to take their hands to apply ointment, Yun Tai is coming in the door with the flowers. He snatches the ointment from her hand and tosses it to the Chens. Feng Tian was about to do the same thing but Yun Tai was closer.

"..." Yun Tai and Feng Tian

XiXi is oblivious to the reaction of Yun Tai and Feng Tian and washes her hands to continue making breakfast.

"Yun Tai take the flowers and small vases out to Rong. She is determined to make Rong's dream come true.

He is about to protest when XiXi says "Yun Tai I think Rong feels bad about burning breakfast do you think you could be nice to her?"

Yun Tai remembers her as the little girl who used to follow him around so he agrees. Rong can't believe her eyes when Yun Tai tells her what XiXi said. How did she get so lucky to have such a sweet mistress! She will protect her with her life! No one has ever been this kind to her.

XiXi makes Porridge and Vegetable with Cheese Omelets, she makes some Scallion Pancakes too, thinking they are probably all hearty eaters.

Feng Tian sits there watching her every move, he can't wait to taste her cooking again.

She sets all the chopsticks on the tables outside, it is a beautiful morning to eat outside and the courtyard is beautiful. No one usually eats outside so they are surprised at how she sets the tables. She compliments Rong on her flower vases and sets one on each table. Rong feels shy when XiXi compliments but smiles sweetly at XiXi.

XiXi thinks when that girl smiles she looks very pretty!

Everyone is watching XiXi as she floats around like a fairy in that seven layer chiffon dress. The red lotuses are in such contrast with the pure white of the dress. It makes her skin look more fair. Yun Tai wonders why she didn't wear the light blue dress, it wouldn't have been so eye catching.

XiXi makes everyone a plate and asks Rong if she can help serve, Rong says of course, XiXi asks her to serve Yun Tai and Zhang Yu. She was about to carry the plates over to the Chen brothers when they were snatched out of her hand by Yun Tai and dropped in front of the two brothers.

Feng Tian is still sitting at the kitchen table and didn't see what was going on in the courtyard. He was hoping he could eat with XiXi alone inside.

XiXi walks over with the last two plates and says" Come outside Feng Tian You and I can eat at the small table over to the side, it is too nice to eat indoors." Hearing they were going to eat separate from the others he perked up.

They go over to the side table to sit and who pops their head out from under a bush where he was sleeping but Zhen. He is right next to XiXi and yawns, she laughs and says"Sleepy head did you smell the food and decide to join us?" Her smile was so bright everyone gulped including Rong.

Feng Tian gives Zhen a quick kick under the table to go beg at another table.

Everyone was eating like they had never seen food before, XiXi said, "Anyone that wants more it is by the stove, help yourself!"

The Chen brothers were on their way in the door to get another plate when they were stopped by Yun Tai. His large frame blocked the door as he entered, leaving the Chens stuck together in the entryway.

Yun Tai placed what was left of breakfast onto his plate then grinned at them as he walked out the door.

They could just look at each other and cry.

Yun Tai looked over at Feng Tian and XiXi sitting over by themselves laughing and he had a strange feeling come over him. He shook it off sat back down next to Zhang Yu. Tapping his chopsticks on the table he couldn't resist glancing at XiXi while she was laughing.

The Chen brothers came by XiXi's table to thank her for the meal, they said it was more delicious than anything they have had even at the Heavenly Cloud Restaurant. They added they hoped they could enjoy more of her cooking.

"You are too flattering", XiXi giggled enjoying the compliments.

Rong asked if there was anything she needed her to do, XiXi replied no she shouldn't get her hand wet and to take it easy today.

Zhang Yu reminded XiXi she needs to study after breakfast they were behind and they were departing in a few days.

The Chen brothers asked Feng Tian when the other horses were arriving. Feng Tian stopped eating and said in the afternoon. They should sort through the crates and start loading the carriages. They will use carriages until they can set up in a couple towns along the way. The Fengs own several homes throughout the island so basically these supplies are for the initial part of the journey before they reach the inhabited areas.

Yun Tai is staring at XiXi without realizing he is staring at her lips.He then looks at her creamy white skin above the bodice decorated with the vibrant red lotuses, she certainly looks beautiful in that dress. But, she is so unruly underneath, he chuckles to himself. This morning she looks like the perfect hostess only he knows about her antics as a cat. Still flirting with the Chen brothers I see, he grumbles to himself tightening his grip on the chopsticks.

XiXi feels his eyes intensely on her while Feng Tian is talking to the Chens and looks his direction. She takes her napkin and carefully touches her lips.{I must have something on my face, he is giving me such a look of disdain}

Yun Tai notices her looking his direction quickly takes his chopsticks and continues to eat. Why is my heart pounding in my chest right now? He takes a large drink of water, it must be the Spicy Scallion Pancakes, he pushes the rest away from him.

Feng Tian finishes talking and turns to XiXi, "Before you go study do you want to take a walk with me in the Cherry Blossom Grove?"

XiXi always likes to walk after eating so she agrees, "Not for too long though I have a lot to learn in a short time."