The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

The sun hidden behind a cluster of gray clouds that dominated the sky. There was a somber light cast upon the impressive facades of the buildings within the estate as Jing Li traversed the paths that remained between them. Dressed in robes of mourning that were darker than the clouds that neither offered the relief of rain nor shade to her. The fabrics' dismal appearance, adding a bleakness to Jing Li's fair complexion. She had the appearance of a forlorn phantom as she roamed the grounds of the estate aimlessly.

The air was dense with a thick and sticky heat, which caused Jing Li's clothes to cling to her damp skin. The encumbering length of her skirts enforced a slow and laborious pace as she moved through the many walkways of the water god's estate. Accompanied in her solemn march by a few maids, who had been instructed to be mindful of her unstable condition. The procession panted beneath paper parasols beside Jing Li as they entered a vast stone courtyard. The immense square outlined by a collection of buildings. There were a series of several carved arches which occupied its center. 

Tilting her chin upward to observe the flowers and elaborate symmetry that decorated the pillars and beams. Jing Li concentrated her focus onto the careful study of these ornamental structures to distract herself from the realization of her mother's recent end as their procession passed between them. Staring up at the fine details of the carvings until her eyes were finally too tired to continue this endeavor. Jing Li squeezed her eyelids together to clear the haze from her vision. This effort ultimately made futile by the beads of moisture that clung to her eyelashes, Jing Li blinked in an attempt to clear this liquid from her eyes as she proceeded through the courtyard.

Exhausted by the long sleepless nights that had been filled with streams of tears. There was only emptiness to replace the devastation Jing Li had felt upon witnessing her mother's passing. Her tenuous ties to the Mortal Realm, feeling as though they had been severed completely now with this loss. Jing Li's existence seemed to have been set adrift. Embarking on this strange and uncertain voyage into the Other Realm, she knew now that there was no longer any harbor for her to return to beyond this journey. Almost certain that the villagers would soon forget the odd speechless girl that had once lived amongst them. Jing Li did not hold out hope for even Fu Guo to think of her as anything more than a fleeting memory after her disappearance. 

Preferring this slow fade into obscurity rather than the devastation she had witnessed in response to her absence. Jing Li did not feel so saddened by the thought that she would become some miserable recollection in people's minds. Accepting this to be the likely outcome as she walked through the streets of her village and towards the docks on the dawn of her departure. Jing Li had carried all of her woeful good-byes to the bottom of the Xilian that day. The hope of seeing her mother and friend once again, a rare and fleeting dream that had been extinguished along with her mother's life. Jing Li felt the sting of this disappointment more acutely than any others that had come before it, as she realized all that was to remain for her was this foreign life.

Grateful to have the promise of a homecoming to help her realize the tasks required of her within this realm. Jing Li would have no choice other than to discover enough courage within herself in order to move on with her life. Nurturing the relationship that she shared with the water god currently, Jing Li could maybe admit to possessing a fondness for him. However, she could not confess that she loved Shui Long enough yet to center the entire reason for her being around him alone. Believing it unwise to form these kinds of attachments, when it was likely that Jing Li should one day be dismissed from his household. She was at least glad to benefit from the water god's company for the time being. 

Although Shui Long's cold expressions often made him difficult to read, Jing Li had begun to notice the signs of his deteriorating health among his refined features. Unable to see beyond the mist of her melancholic ruminations to display concern for the depleted luster of Shui Long's being during their last meeting. Jing Li had only considered the circles beneath the god's eyes and faded complexion after emerging out from the other side of the wave of grief which overtook her. Worried that her unsightly behavior at this time might have caused him to forsake her for a more mature individual. Jing Li regretted not being able to thank him properly for the vision he had shown her in the moment. 

Aware that the water god's intentions were good, despite the outcome of the vision. Jing Li knew that to blame him alone for the death of her mother was an unfair verdict by any measure. Other persons in her past and present, also to blame for Fan Yi's fragile health and tortured mental state, it was not Shui Long's fault that she should expire. His selection of Jing Li as his bride, merely the last page in the tale that was to make up the long-suffering existence of the feeble woman. Jing Li only begrudged the fact that she was not present for this final chapter in her mother's life. This thought bringing Jing Li's back to the bitter memory of the woman's demise, she again glanced up towards the carvings on the arches.

Xiao Yu, noticing Jing Li's somber mood as they wove through the beautifully constructed archways, the little maid hopped up alongside her. The girl's looped hairstyle flopping playfully over her ears as they walked, she said, "Are you tired, Mistress? Would you like to rest?" Although tempted by the maid's offer to be relieved from the oppressive humidity of the day, Jing Li shook her head. Denying her desire to take a repose from the heat of the day. Jing Li continued in the hope that sleep might be less illusive to her in the night, should she exhaust herself now. 

Nearly reaching the opposite edge of the courtyard from where they began, the group came to a halt as they were to encounter another cluster of women. The ladies that approached them, all carrying parasols and silk fans to cool themselves. The wave of their accessories became more agitated once they neared Jing Li. Recognizing the woman at the center of the collection of lady's maids as the group parted for her. Jing Li bowed under the gaze of her nettled countenance. The arch of her well-groomed eyebrows rising as she reviewed the somber nature of Jing Li's attire, there was a critical puckering of Lu Qi's lips before she was to issue her thoughts forthrightly.

"I see you are in mourning for your mother." she observed. The consort's tone, seeming unsympathetic towards Jing Li's lament. The air of her contempt did not diminish from the woman's elegant features as she added, "It is a shame that you appear to have inherited her fragile disposition. Perhaps, if you are fortunate you might join her soon." Straightening herself out of the respectful bow that she felt their awkward encounter demanded, Jing Li was not oblivious to Lu Qi's disdain. However, aware that she had failed both as a daughter and as a bride, Jing Li did not defend herself against these sentiments. Feeling herself deserving of the courtesan's contempt at this time. Jing Li's gaze began to lower onto the smooth cobblestones beneath her feet as she knew there to be truth in the consort's criticism. 

Unable to deny that she had taken a somewhat passive position to her responsibilities. The new bride of the water god hung her head in an expression of humility as Lu Qi continued, "Were you proactive in your duties here, you might have seen her one last time." Not making any excuses on her behalf as Jing Li submitted herself to First Consort's admonishments. The courtesan, scowling at the meek and feeble human that she had come across in the courtyard, added, "Instead we all must suffer because of you." Displaying a vague look of perplexity in response to this grievance. There was a grave line of agitation carved into the consort's brow in response to Jing Li's ignorance. Before Lu Qi replied, "Are you really so oblivious not to realize that Shui Long continues to grow weaker, whilst you insist on playing the forlorn victim to fate?" 

The scorn marked on the woman's brow reflected in her tone. Jing Li felt the weight of guilt upon her conscience grow more profound as she was charged with the god's declining health. Lu Qi's mouth still puckered with her discontentment, the courtesan remarked bitterly, "What he sees in such a pathetic creature as you, I cannot fathom. However, there is no doubt that he should tire of you soon enough. Then we will all finally be rid of you!" Placated by the thought of Jing Li's departure, the consort's mouth adopted a more agreeable shape. The wrinkle gradually faded from the courtesan's brow, she said, "Maybe if you were not such a feeble and selfish human. You would help Shui Long to recover some of his strength by offering him something like the seed of a golden lotus, which is known for its healing properties." This advice issued to Jing Li harshly. There was to be one final look of condemnation cast in her direction as Lu Qi then added, "But that would be quite impossible for you."

The courtesan's dark eyes, moving away from Jing Li as she continued to proceed through the courtyard with her gaggle of lady's maids in tow. They fluttered their fans haughtily to echo their Mistress's distaste of the silent bride as they followed Lu Qi's lead through the decorative archways. The purple fabric of their dresses, beginning to recede from view, Xiao Yu linked an arm with Jing Li's. The young maid's gentle support felt in this gesture, she exclaimed almost too loudly, "Don't listen to her Mistress! The golden lotus is no more than a fable." This statement, meant to reassure Jing Li that the courtesan's suggestion was to be a foolish and futile endeavor, Xiao Yu continued, "Even if it were to exist. It only grows in the Forgotten Marshes to the east of the estate and, for anyone to go there, they would need a death wish." 

The maid's attempt to convince her of the folly of this idea, having the opposite effect on Jing Li. Lu Qi's words had begun to take root in her mind. Growing tired of her own inaction, Jing Li found that even the suggestion of being able to better the situation between her and Shui Long seemed to excite something within her. Willing to search for the seed from a golden lotus in order to help the god recover some of his strength and to prove herself capable of being his bride. Jing Li contemplated the undertaking of this feat more during their continued walk. These schemes, serving as a momentary distraction from Jing Li's grief, were not to leave her even once they returned to the Lotus Pavilion.

The upheaval of her mother's death, causing her to hang in the balance of a fickle and uncertain future. Jing Li decided to at least investigate the matter of the golden lotus. Believing that there was anything more for her to lose, should she fail to recover the seed or risk death in this mission. Jing Li had made up her mind to sneak out from the estate once the opportunity presented itself. The ideal circumstances for her absence to go unnoticed, most likely to arise under the cover of darkness. Jing Li would wait until nightfall to creep from her bed.