It was deep winter. Snow fell in thick veils, and a single night had draped the earth in white. Each breath steamed the air.
Since Ji Wuye's death, Goku had simply taken over the resplendent Quege (Sparrow Pavilion) as his residence. Stepping out into its inner courts today, he found Xue Nu and the others gathered around a heated table, chatting and laughing with easy warmth.
As the days passed, Ji Fei's belly had rounded quickly; she now needed an arm whenever she walked. The fetus's startling growth was entirely Goku's doing—he nourished it daily with the Law of Life, refining its mortal shell. The child flourished, and Ji Fei herself glowed—skin like porcelain, a serene radiance, mature beauty in full bloom.
"Goku-daren, sit here." The High Priestess slid aside to make room.
Goku dropped down without ceremony—only for a faint milky fragrance to reach him from his left. He glanced at Ji Fei… and paused.
Realizing where his gaze had landed, Ji Fei looked down and flushed scarlet.
Across the table, Chi Lian let out a small, displeased "hmph."
Goku pretended not to notice anyone's expressions. Looking at Ji Fei's rounded belly, he smiled. "At this pace, Yue'er will be here within the month."
The women's attention snapped to Ji Fei's stomach. Xue Nu frowned, worried. "But… ten months makes a child. Ji Fei's only a bit over three months—already this big, and due in a month? Is that safe?"
"Relax," Goku said, certain. "No problems. When she's born, Yue'er will be healthier than anyone."
He laid a gentle palm to Ji Fei's belly. Expectation softened his features.
Watching his tenderness, Ji Fei's cheeks warmed again.
The others couldn't help a touch of envy at the scene.
"Hmph. What's so great about a big belly?" Chi Lian muttered under her breath. "With your status, you'll never be 'the main wife' anyway." Her eyes slid toward Xue Nu, Nongyu, and Xiao Li. "Those three are the real threats to the throne."
"Time," Xiao Li noted, glancing at the light.
Xue Nu and Nongyu shared a look, rose, and moved to the center of the hall. Nongyu knelt by the zither; Xue Nu stood poised beside her.
"All right! Begin. Nongyu—play 'Shiba Mo'." Goku straightened, then couldn't help himself. Nongyu's face pinked; she shot him a sidelong glare.
Xiao Li rapped Goku lightly on the head. "Be serious. You said this was prenatal education for Yue'er."
"I was joking," Goku chuckled.
Music flowed—clear as spring from a hidden ravine, pearls on jade, washing the heart clean. Xue Nu's figure answered the notes, swaying like willow in wind—boneless grace, white hair adrift, every turn a dream. When the last chord fell, the last step stilled.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Goku applauded hard, both thumbs up. "No notes. Perfect pairing—you get thirty-two likes."
"I never tire of hearing Nongyu's strings with Xue Nu's dance," Ji Fei said, gently clapping. "It's always breathtaking."
"Elder Sister Ji Fei flatters us," Xue Nu smiled, resting a palm on Ji Fei's belly. "When Yue'er arrives, she'll outshine us all."
The days slid by in a rare peace. Goku split his time between teasing out the supreme laws and quietly deepening bonds with the women.
That afternoon, as usual, he headed to Ji Fei's room to warm the baby with the Law of Life. Pushing the door open, he found Ji Fei with her back to him, hastily straightening the front of her dress.
'Did I… miss something?' he thought, 'Should've come a little earlier…'
At his entrance, Ji Fei fumbled faster and finished in a flurry. Goku, meanwhile, sat at the side table—and noticed a cup brimming with milky-white liquid beside a familiar nutrition drink he'd customized for her.
"Oh, 'milk'—perfect. I'm thirsty." He raised the cup.
"Don't!" Ji Fei spun, lunging—only for a stab of pain to seize her belly. Her knee buckled; she pitched forward—
"Hey—careful!" Goku flashed across and caught her.
"You… are you all right?"
Goku set her gently on her feet and kept his tone casual.
Face aflame, Ji Fei crossed her arms protectively over her chest. "Um… could you step outside for a moment?"
"Sure." To spare her embarrassment, Goku set the cup down. He glanced at the sticky sheen on his right palm and smothered a grin. So that's what had her panicking.
When the door shut, Ji Fei finally exhaled. The front of her dress was damp, still warm where his strong hand had pressed. Her cheeks only deepened in color.
'I emptied so much—and there's still more?'
A few steps down the corridor, Goku spotted Xue Nu and Nongyu discussing a melody. "Grab Xiao Li and the High Priestess, then meet me in my room," he said.
They nodded and split.
"Why did you call us?" Chi Lian asked once they'd gathered.
"Yue'er's birth is close," Goku said, all levity gone. "I need a secluded place to close-door training for a while. Pack up—we're leaving Quege."
Xiao Li and the High Priestess exchanged a look. In their minds rose the day a clash of gods had shattered their original world.
They slipped away without fanfare. Luggage ready, they mounted Xiao Xiuxiu and pierced the clouds, hunting a hidden retreat.
They found it among mountains.
"Here," Goku said, patting Xiao Xiuxiu's back.
They alighted on a stone escarpment. Water spilled in curtains on either side; the center remained miraculously dry. Sun through mist refracted into color, and the air seemed to hum.
_____
T/N:
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