The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

The sun's rays, lighting the morning haze in the gardens as he left the Lotus Pavilion. The subsiding heat of Shui Long's rage only added to the state of permanent exhaustion, which he found himself in as of late. Slithering away from the warm dawning of yet another day as the god withdrew back into his private quarters. Shui Long was to rest between the cool sheets of his bed for as long as the sun was to be found in the sky, and then some as he recovered from these events. 

Returning victorious from his efforts in the Mortal Realm to discover that his bride had fled in the night. Shui Long was consumed by anger upon learning of this betrayal at first. His pursuit of Jing Li beyond the walls of the estate, mostly fueled by this anger. It was not until he had pulled her half-drowned form from the mud of the marshes that he actually realized there was fear that existed inside of him. This unsettling sentiment stirred up by the possibility that he would never see his bride again should she parish in the Forgotten Marshes. Shui Long was again irked to perceive that the fragile human woman he had taken as his bride held such sway over his emotions. 

Although possessing the need to preserve Jing Li's life due to the purpose she served as his bride. The god acknowledged that this position could easily be filled by another offering sent to him by the village. However, there was something nourishing and more enduring about Jing Li that made him reluctant to surrender her at this time. Her beauty, secondary to her gentle mannerisms and bravery in adversity. It was these aspects of Jing Li's character, which he both admired and detested the most. His bride, too timid to make her emotions known openly and reckless with her own life. Shui Long did not always comprehend her actions. Considering many times how he might remedy this so that he might better protect Jing Li's tender body and heart from injury. 

Shui Long groaned as he became plagued by the unfamiliar feelings of concern and compassion that he now found he possessed. Unsure if the tenderness and general warmth that he felt in her presence was that of a passing fancy or something that he must perpetually suffer from in future, Shui Long rolled over in the wide bed he occupied alone. Discovering that no relief from his thoughts came to him, the god's eyebrows pinched together agitatedly. His head, sore from the whirlwind of emotions that coexisted inside of him. The words that Shui Long had spoken in anger returned to him now as he twisted miserably in his sheets. 

Remembering how his bride's lustrous blue eyes had sparkled with tears as regarded him from the floor of her chambers. The god massaged the crease that had formed between his brows as he regretted exposing this monstrous side of his personality to her. His reprimands, mostly genuine expressions of the water god's pride and greed. Shui Long did not repent his declarations in this situation as much as he did the cruelty of his actions. Jing Li's gentle being, undeserving of the physical display of rage he had shown to her. The god laid on the mattress anguishing in his guilt and regret over the episode, before finally tossing the sheets from his person. 

Removing himself from the bed, so as not to dwell on the irreversible damage he had most likely inflicted onto his relationship with Jing Li. Shui Long decided to address the nettling instigator of his problem instead. Summoning some maids to help him dress as he prepared to confront the First Consort over the careless suggestion she had provided to his bride. Whilst, knowing the daughter of the West Lake Clan far too long to believe that mention of golden lotuses and the Forgotten Marsh had been dropped into conversation innocently. Shui Long could not blame Lu Qi entirely, if she were to claim that she had not considered the possibility of the shy and retiring Jing Li actually carrying out these plans to be likely.

Nonetheless, the water god was ready to dissuade Lu Qi from making remarks of this nature to his impressionable bride as he departed from his quarters. Quitting his residence to make the long trek over to the Orchid Pavilion with Shan Yu. The attendant advocated on the First Consort's behalf as he struggled to keep up with Shui Long.

"You cannot blame Mistress Lu Qi for thinking that the foolish girl would not actually listen to her." He said. Puffing alongside him through the walkways of the estate, Shan Yu continued, "I'm sure that she only meant it in jest, knowing that the human would not attempt it."

"But she did, Shan Yu." the god grumbled back at his attendant crossly, "Jing Li did attempt it, and she nearly died because of it." Frowning as he once again became unsettled by the thought of losing Jing Li. The god did not adjust the length of his bothered strides whilst arguing against Shan Yu's defense of the courtesan. 

"Lu Qi has lived long enough to know the consequences of her words." He replied. This statement made firmly as they rounded the corner of the records office. His attendant decided to desist in his attempts to argue the Consort's innocence in this matter. Progressing in silence thereafter, the men eventually arrived at the austere residence that was the Orchid Pavilion. Bypassing the maids as they entered through the main reception hall, the women followed Shui Long in a tizzy. Spouting more excuses on their Mistress's behalf. They tried to dissuade him from intruding upon Lu Qi without providing her the adequate time permitted for a lady to prepare herself. However, the god was to deny the Consort the pretense of preening prior to his entry into the salon.

Expecting to find Lu Qi, as she was normally, lounging upon the plush cushions of a settee. What Shui Long did not anticipate was that the courtesan would already be entertaining someone within the room. The two women's lively conversation, subsiding abruptly as Shui Long walked into the room. Her silhouette could clearly be seen sitting across from Lu Qi, who was positioned on the settee facing the door. The water god's mouth, beginning to form a solemn line as he approached them. Shui Long did not need to see the face of the woman to confirm her identity. A sly aura emanating from Lu Qi's guest, the goddess smiled up at him from her seat.

"Oh, what a pleasant surprise to see you, my dear." she remarked. Her eyes creating little curved moons as she spoke, Shui Long reviewed their deceptive blue irises with displeasure before replying, "What are you doing here, Mother?" The woman's light eyes, blinking back at him as though she was mildly offended by the question, she answered, "Why I've come to visit my precious son of course." The mischievous shapeshifting goddess that had produced Shui along with several other offspring, constantly changing her appearance. Shui Long could not say for certain that this woman with beautiful flaxen hair and dazzling blue eyes was the true face of his mother. However, despite her crafty appearance and irregular presence in his life, the water god was too tired to contest the claim of her innate motherly rights at this moment.

Exasperated to find that the two most devious women in his life were occupying the same room. Shui Long sighed before restating his previous question, "I meant; what are you doing in the Orchid Pavilion at this time?" The goddess, feigning innocence as she fluttered her large eyes back at her irritable son, she replied, "Well, I thought you would have been too busy with your new bride to make time for little old me. So, I came to chat with Lu Qi." Raising the fine porcelain teacup that she held in her hands to her mouth. Hu Xian placed the cup's rim just below her plump lips as she added, "Speaking of which, you really do look dreadful, dear." The goddess, casting a knowing look over her cup at him before sipping at the liquid inside.

Shui Long's only reply was an expression of annoyance, which served to imply his distinct lack of appreciation for his mother's meddling in all matters concerning his bride. However, the woman, immune to the bouts of his ill-temper. She replaced the cup back onto the little saucer it was paired with as she said, "Seeing as we have you here with us now. Won't you care to join us?" Her mouth and eyes curving again into a congenial guise in an attempt to persuade him to stay. The water god seemed unmoved by her polite invitation as he replied, "I can't stay."

"Oh, come now!" she huffed, "I see you so rarely these days. Won't you make some time for your mother?"

The goddess, who must have been just shy of a thousand years, pouting as sorely as a temperamental child might. Shui Long regarded her juvenile attitude for a long instant, before eventually giving into the woman's whims. Thinking of no excuse to deny the goddess's request and too tired to argue the issue further, the god of Xilian Lake sighed as he took the place next to Hu Xian on the settee. His mother, gesturing for a maid to supply them with more tea. There was another cup and freshly brewed pot to be placed upon the low table in the sitting area, before the goddess pressed Shui Long for more trivial gossip concerning his bride.

The entire orientation of her body turned towards her son, Hu Xian asked, "Now, tell me about this new human offering that you're keeping?" Always annoyed by the woman's propensity for gossip, Shui Long appreciated her choice of words less in this instance. Her question, implying that Jing Li was akin to a pet or a prisoner in his residence. The god was at first frustrated by the fact that his mother had correctly summed up the current relationship he held with Jing Li; and was then made more bitter by the reminder that he must return her back into the Mortal Realm within the not too distant future.

"You know that I'm not keeping her, mother." Shui Long responded. Hu Xian not seeming to mind her son's churlish correction or bitter mood, she waved away this remark dismissively as she continued with the inquiry, "Oh yes, but still she must be pretty or have some talents to speak of?"

"I doubt it. The poor creature cannot even utter a word." Lu Qi commented from her position across from them. The consort's mood, appearing to have been soured by the very mention of Jing Li. There was a slight flare of the courtesan's nostrils to suggest her displeasure as she sipped at her tea.

The goddess, either too oblivious or too eager to stir up drama to consider Lu Qi's feelings, she exclaimed, "Is that so? How intriguing!" Her eyes alight with the discovery of another person with whom she could toy with easily, Hu Xian added excitedly, "Oh, I must meet her whilst I'm here." However, wishing to spare Jing Li from becoming another instrument in his mother's mischief, Shui Long replied placidly, "She is certainly a fascinating woman, but I am afraid that she is not in any condition to receive visitors at this time." Providing Lu Qi with an irked glance as he said this to communicate to her that he had not yet forgotten the part she had played in the ordeal concerning the Forgotten Marshes. The Consort, appeared to adopt the same amicable smile as his mother as she suggested, "Shui Long, we should have a banquet for your mother whilst she's here to allow for them to meet." 

Glowering at Lu Qi as she made yet another unhelpful recommendation, which was only guaranteed to aggravate him further. The Consort's attempts to shield herself from his wrath by using the inconvenience of Hu Xian's presence, seemed to succeed as the goddess replied zealously, "Oh, yes! What fun! It would give me an opportunity to see that funny Lin Jin again as well." The god, aware that his refusal to comply with this request was likely to bring about more questions and ire from his mother for the duration of her stay. Shui Long submitted a grudging agreement, "I'll see what can be arranged on such short notice."