The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

A tense pause, occurring after Lin Jin had made this counterargument in Jing Li's defense. There was something like excitement that flashed across Hu Xian's blue irises, before her lips tugged into a vague smirk. 

"You're quite right Lin Jin." She admitted, almost seeming to enjoy their sharp exchange. The goddess chuckled lightly as she admitted the error of her thinking graciously, "Perhaps you could educate my son's bride in music as well. Afterall, a woman should not only be pleasing to the eyes. Don't you think Shui Long?"

Common to expect the pursuit of skills, such as music and embroidery from a woman of noble status. Jing Li could not fault Hu Xian for her opinion in this matter. However, recognized its faint cruelty as she knew that these abilities were to become useless once she was again released from her privileged life there in the water god's estate. Jing Li's dismal attitude did not improve as they awaited the god's input. Shui Long, reluctantly returning to their conversation between the sips of alcohol, he responded, "Jing Li already plays the erhu quite proficiently." Her lips parting partially with surprise upon hearing this remark, Jing Li looked up at the dispassionate face of the god. 

Shocked by this unexpected praise in a talent that had been developed mostly due to her sequestered upbringing. Jing Li had often played the erhu that was once used by her mother in her youth to pass the time. The pleasant sound that the instrument produced, able to transport her away from the pain and suffering in her daily life temporarily. There were not many, outside of her home, who had actually had the privilege of hearing her play. However, the water god's comment, making her realize that he had known Jing Li for much longer than she had previously thought. She stared at the mysterious god behind the table, whose eyes spoke softly of the admiration he held for her for a moment. Before, they were once again imposed upon by Hu Xian. 

"Oh, we must hear you play!" She exclaimed. Pressing her palms together in front of her chest as an expression of her delight at this news, Jing Li shifted her focus back onto the goddess. Her modesty usually forbidding her from playing the erhu in front of others, Jing Li considered Hu Xian's excitement towards her hidden talent. However, deciding that she feared the prospect of rejecting the goddess more than the possibility of her skills being deemed subpar. Jing Li decided to take her chances with the instrument, as she agreed to the undertaking requested by Shui Long's mother. 

A mild nod, evidently signaling her compliance to this demand. A servant was sent to obtain an erhu from the musicians present at the banquet. Growing shyer as the music ceased in order to accommodate her impromptu performance, Jing Li took the erhu given to her some minutes later. The bow and simple instrument in one hand as she crouched to kneel upon the floor in front of the table. Jing Li felt her legs quiver as she began to ease back onto her wounded ankle delicately. Taking a deep breath, which could be easily written off as nerves by any of her observers. Jing Li endeavored to provide no further evidence of her discomfort as she began to play. 

Filling the silence that had been left after all conversation and music had ceased in the courtyard with a melancholic tune. The song, which Jing Li summoned from the instrument, seemed to transcend the walls of Shui Long's estate. Transporting her to a simpler time in the humble home that she once shared with her ailing mother. It brought back memories of how the ailing woman's agony had been soothed by her playing during the many seasons of their hardships. Feeling as though the strings of her heart were being manipulated along with those of the erhu, there was a pain in her chest that accompanied Jing Li as she continued to play. 

Many, unable to fault her command of the instrument, activity in the courtyard resumed after a few minutes. Those present at the event, either too engrossed in their speech or the feast which laid before them to notice the fold in Jing Li's brow becoming more pronounced. Her concentration on the erhu's strings, made increasingly strained by the agitated throb that still emanated from Jing Li's ankle. There were a few beads of perspiration that graced her temple as time went on. Trying to appear unaffected by the pain, whilst remaining persistent in her task. Jing Li was unable to wipe the sweat from her forehead, until Lin Jin finally offered to relieve her. The consort stepping in to provide entertainment, she took up a position behind a large zither set aside in one corner of the courtyard. Before, Jing Li could rise from her knelt posture upon the ground. 

Her legs tingling from remaining in the same position for so long and ankle overcome with a renewed sense of pain, Jing Li wobbled. Xiao Yu coming up beside her, she offered her little arm as a means to support her Mistress as she stood. Regaining her balance with the young woman's help, they then made their way to one of the three sitting areas that had been arranged in the courtyard. The low table and cushions offering minimal comfort for her wounds, Jing Li did not complain as sat surrounded by her lady's-maids. The women, laughing and chatting amongst themselves as they partook in the meal which had been set before them leisurely. Jing Li found that her mood was lightened by their obvious enjoyment of the event, in spite of the stress and rigid scrutiny she had suffered thus far.

Permitted to enjoy the feast for what was to become an excruciatingly long amount of time. Jing Li was finally given permission to leave her seat due to a summons from Shui Long. His mother, abandoning him at the prominent head table to indulge herself in the idle gossip taking place in Lu Qi's area. Jing Li approached the table that now only contained the bored god anxiously. Fearing that he was to issue another reprimand or announce her punishment more publicly, Jing Li hesitated at his signal for her to come closer to him. Beckoning for her to take up a place beside him at the table, Jing Li made no sign of protest. However, ensured that there remained some distance between them as she settled nervously onto a cushion to the left of the god.

His dark irises shifting towards her as she sat, there was a hint of dissatisfaction noted on Shui Long's thin lips before he finally addressed her. Poking his sharp chin out to indicate a clay bottle upon the table, he stated, "Would you mind pouring?" Accepting the simple chore, which she had been appointed with, Jing Li took up the spirits silently. Leaning closer to him in order to fill the god's cup, Jing Li reinstated the intentional space left between them as she replaced the container back onto the table. However, the god, distinguishing this cautious gap to be disagreeable; it was to quickly diminish as he came closer. Although there was no chance of their conversation being heard over the lively chatter and music, Shui Long leaned in to converse with her privately. 

"Do you fear me now, Jing Li?" he asked, looking out over the banquet solemnly. Jing Li regarded the god quietly, whilst considering the mix of emotions she held for him. Undeniably feeling more apprehensive around him than she had before, Jing Li's trepidation towards Shui Long mostly sprung from the realization that there was so much about the god's character that she was not yet acquainted with. The tender and joking nature that he had displayed on other occasions, making it hard for her to accept that Shui Long might be a cruel and vengeful god. Jing Li did not quite know how to respond to the god's question as her mind struggled to define him. 

Her silence, seeming to confirm his suspicions. There was regret displayed in Shui Long's refined features, as he continued. "I know this place must seem strange to you." he began thoughtfully, "But you don't need to prove yourself to anyone here." The water god's eyes still fixed on the courtyard as he spoke, Shui Long slid an empty cup towards her discreetly. Identifying this as a cue for her to replenish the silver container set before her. Jing Li once again secured the bottle of wine from the table as the god spoke, "You are always deserving of praise and affection, even if you yourself don't believe it." The cup now filled by the clear spirit; Jing Li did not reinstate the distance between them this time as she replaced the jar on the surface in front of them. 

Her heart wanting desperately to trust in the god's words, Jing Li found that this single instance of flattery was not enough to counteract the many repetitions of her confirmed inutility, which had come before it. However, this did not disparage the hope that Shui Long's words might someday ring true as he once again nudged the cup, she had filled closer to her. Taking this to mean that the god wished for her to share a drink, Jing Li held the cup with some uncertainty as he asked, "So, won't you at least promise not to attempt ventures that may threaten your life in future?" Uncertain of whether the current strife, which seemed to exist between herself and the first consort, would hinder this agreement. Jing Li considered the promise seriously, before she was able to produce a meek nod 

The water god, raising the cup that he held up in a motion to toast the newly formed agreement that had been made between them. Jing Li mirrored to motion shyly, before both were to down the drink in single gulp. The liquor sweeter than the one they had shared on the first night they had shared together, it encouraged a warmth within her as it slid down Jing Li's throat smoothly. Shui Long, inviting her to refill both cups once more. The god revealed a handsome smile as he stated, "Good. Now that we have drunk to this promise, you shall not attempt to break it." Signaling that they should drink in order to seal this vow, after Jing Li had finished pouring the liquor for the second time. 

Jing Li followed the god's lead again. Enjoying the light, but vaguely dizzying effects of the alcohol as they both swallowed more of the wine. Jing Li savored the agreeable taste and the warm sensation that the beverage inspired in her, until she was to eventually notice that the spirit had begun to whittle away at her inhibitions. Forgetting her fears surrounding the god as the night progressed. Her intolerance for the drink caused her to wilt onto his shoulder drowsily. Shui Long, not appearing to mind this at first, rising suddenly from the table after an hour had passed in this attitude. He announced his decision to remove himself and his slightly inebriated bride from the banquet, prior to escorting her back to the Lotus Pavilion. 

Brushing off the offers extended by several members of his staff to accompany them, Shui Long and Jing Li walked together in silence. The alcohol, not enough to make Jing Li forget her pain entirely as they progressed through the walkways of the estate. She fell behind the god as she stepped gingerly upon her injured ankle. Shui Long, glancing back at her once or twice, before finally stopping on the path, he muttered beneath his breath, "Really, how am I to leave you alone when you're like this." The soft complaint barely heard by Jing Li prior to him turning abruptly to march towards her. There was hardly any time for her to resist before Shui Long lifted her up from the ground. Squirming uncomfortably in his arms for a moment, he grumbled, "Be still, if you know what's good for you." The authority heard within his tone and the vibrations of his chest, causing Jing Li to become still.

She was conscious of the heady scent of the ointment and perfume which rose from her person. Anxious that Shui Long would find the smell repulsive as he insisted on carrying her back to her residence. The water god was not to relinquish Jing Li until they were to arrive at the Lotus Pavilion. The building, quiet now as all of the staff were still enjoying the banquet. There was no one else present to witness Shui Long bend to set Jing Li upon one of the settees in her chamber. The scent of the sweet liquor, tickling her nose as his cheek brushed past her. The god's lips were to become tantalizingly close to Jing Li once he began to pull away from her. 

However, unable to deny their temptation. Jing Li felt a tremble of fear and desire as she found herself drawn to them. Caressed his mouth gently with her own lips, just as a moth drew ever closer to a flame. Shui Long, seeming surprised at first that she should attempt such a bold move. Holding Jing Li's eyes in his fervent gaze for a moment, before discovering the reassurance he needed to return the timid kiss she had bestowed upon him. Shui Long's lips offered her a more tender passion than she had ever felt before as Jing Li sank down into the cushions of the sofa. Their mouths, parting from each other for a moment, whilst the locks of Jing Li's hair began to fall loosely from the ornaments placed upon her head. She heard Shui Long sigh amorously as they became more entangled, "How is it that I have lived until now and have never known the solace of your lips?" 

A pin from her hair clattering onto the floor beneath them, it was soon to be followed by the outer layers of Jing Li's hanfu as they were peeled from her slowly by Shui Long's cool hands. Every inch of the exposed skin on her arms and torso excited by the god's touch, Jing Li produced a little gasp as the cloth over her chest was removed. Shui Long's hands, exploring the plump mounds that he had uncovered with his hands and mouth as though they were clay that he might mold. Jing Li felt her body pitch and roll under his influence. The water god, sensing the rising urge he had aroused in her. He slid a hand down to excite her further. His fingers, making rhythmic motions until they had provoked Jing Li's back to arch from the settee. Shui Long pulled her up from the cushions and onto his lap. 

The intent of his desire clearly felt as Shui Long's robes opened to reveal the entire front of his physique. Jing Li placed her hands upon the god's bare chest as swayed against him. Elated by the tingling sensation rush of pleasure that this movement stirred within her. Jing Li was encouraged to subside completely into Shui Long as his strong hands grasped her from behind. Emitting an enraptured moan as they finally combined. Jing Li grasped Shui Long's shoulders as she felt the heat of his passion pulsating within her. Immersed in the passionate undulation of their bodies, Jing Li released a moan that seemed even sweeter than the wine of the banquet as it passed her lips.