The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

The guests of the Jade Emperor, ceasing in their idle chatter to stare up at the colorful display of fireworks that burst across the dark canopy above them. Their exclamations of awe and delight were to inevitably revert back into the toils of the incessant gossip mill, once the splendor of the spectacle was to come to a climatic end. The last of the fireworks' shining tendril fading into the starry night, Shui Long was struck by the heady mixture of gunpowder and ladies' perfume, which hung in the night air as a deceptively sweet voice rose up from beside him. 

"Wasn't that just magnificent?" Hu Xian exclaimed. The transparent remark obviously meant to inspire a collective agreement from her cohort. This was willingly supplied to her by Lu Qi, who chimed in obligingly, "Absolutely wonderful!" The women smiling at each other from over the dainty glasses of fragrant wine that they held, the water god couldn't help but to turn the focus of his regard away from them. Disinterested in their futile conversation as his eyes searched the crowd for any sign of Jing Li amidst the painted faces that surrounded him. He began to feel an unpleasant knot form in the pit of his stomach, after it was apparent that his bride was still not yet to emerge from the collection of bodies that had massed on Tian Gong's noble vessel.

Recalling her pale skin, which had taken on a more sickly shade than usual in the light of the lanterns, and the unusually enfeebled nature of Jing Li's movements before they had parted in the crowd. The god was beginning to doubt entrusting his brother with the task of Jing Li's care, when someone else was to remark upon her absence. His mother, seeming to guess what it was that her son sought from amidst the siege of deities that occupied the vessel's extensive deck. She adopted a tone of feigned curiosity as she inquired, "Whatever happened to my future daughter-in-law, Shui Long?"

Although not in the habit to engage in conversations, which were only likely to lead to further speculations regarding his chosen partner. Shui Long responded nonetheless, so as to at least succeed in distracting himself from his anxious search.

"Xi Yang took her to find some repose away from all of the prying eyes present here tonight." replied the water god. His face, made more stoic by his increasing concern, there was a twitch of annoyance distinguished on his brow as Lu Qi decided to add, "Yes, the poor thing did seem terribly overwhelmed, didn't she?" Feeling that the comment would only needlessly summon forth more unwelcome remarks, which were sure to reflect poorly on Jing Li. Shui Long shot his consort a castigatory look, whilst Lin Jin attempted to mitigate the potential criticism by issuing a comment of her own. 

"I think anyone would feel ill at ease in a place where there are so many discerning eyes upon you." said the Second Consort coolly from over her glass. Her diplomatic defense of Shui Long's human bride, appearing to stun some members of the group. There was an uncertain pause that passed, before Hu Xian was to once again insert herself into the conversation. Evidently, adverse towards the slight lull in the discussion, the shapeshifting goddess added, "I think, all apart from Shui Long, are not brave enough to submit themselves to that kind of scrutiny." This comment sparking an amused titter of laughter amongst the group, the water god once again felt compelled to peer out over the sea of people in the hopes of seeing Jing Li progress towards him.

However, discovering to his disappointment that his bride was yet to reveal herself from the crowd. Shui Long's concern was to become further agitated by a wrinkle of whispers that could be heard carrying Jing Li's name over the broad deck of the boat. These exchanges, often distorted by the music and noise from the street, it was not until they ventured closer that the water god was to receive news of Jing Li's early departure from the mid-autumn festival. Annoyed that her name should cross everyone's lips and perturbed that his bride had taken ill. Shui Long was about to seek out someone to verify this baseless rumor, when some such person appeared before him. 

The harbinger of bad news, remaining unsmiling as usual, Lei Gong regarded the water god with an air of contempt within his dark eyes as he addressed him.

"Good evening." He said. The cold greeting provided with a grave frown, Shui Long simply nodded his chin respectfully in reply. Possessing neither desire nor opportunity to return the formality of a stiff acknowledgment, Lei Gong spoke again, "Your bride has unfortunately succumbed to an ailment and has since departed with your brother." No urgency present to shake the even timbre of his voice, the announcement was made clearly by the god in front Shui Long and all who had leaned in to eavesdrop upon their conversation. 

Although not on the best of terms with the sanctimonious god of thunder, the water god did not suspect Lei Gong to possess any reason to lie on the matter. Considering the man's solemn face as he thought to inquire more about the severity of Jing Li's condition, Shui Long was once again to be interrupted by a somewhat forced interjection from Lu Qi.

"Oh no, I do hope that there is nothing too untoward about her condition." said the consort. However, empathy not coming to Li Qi naturally, even Lei Gong seemed unconvinced by the First Consort's concern as he answered stonily, "She appeared in a dire way when I saw her last." 

Conscious of the ears, which had grown increasingly closer to them. Shui Long felt that he must maintain a certain facade of composure as he asked, "Where were they headed?"

"Back to your estate. I offered them my carriage, so that she might have a more comfortable journey." Lei Gong replied. The thunder god, making sure to be clear and concise with the details that he offered. Shui Long found this quality of the man's otherwise stringent character to be one that he could finally appreciate as he stepped towards him. 

Looking into Lei Gong's dark and serious irises, the water god said, "Thank you for seeing that Jing Li was accommodated for in her time of need." Mildly taken aback by the first display of sincerity that Shui Long had ever shown to him, the other god paused for a moment. Not permitting himself to be stupefied for very long, Lei Gong regained his stern composure as he replied, "It was not for you that I did it for."

Signaling his understanding that the god of judgment and thunder did not wish for their relationship to improve simply because of this incident, Shui Long provided him with a curt nod before moving. Ignoring the protests of his mother and consort as Shui Long swiftly departed from their company to go to Jing Li's side. The water god's only remark was towards Lei Gong as he left. 

"Tell Tian Gong that I regret taking an early leave from his festivities." Shui Long said from over his shoulder impassively. The thunder god, seeming to agree to this task by only supplying him with stoic silence. The water god did not allow for anything else to hinder him as he progressed towards the gangway, which had led him there.

Crowds, brushing past Shui Long as he descended onto the docks. They were either too inebriated by alcohol or distracted by happiness to notice the god transform along the edge of the water. His long serpentine body slipping down beneath the boats and lanterns that bobbed blissfully along the surface of the river. The laughter and music above faded into obscurity as he sank further into its depths. A hypnotic and playful light glinting between the forgotten objects that had long since been discarded into the city's waterway, Shui Long proceeded to form a portal among these neglected treasures. 

The light from the surface extinguished briefly by a passing boat, there was the vague outline of the portal seen glowing in the moment of darkness. Before the large serpent, who could be found lurking at the bottom of the river, finally slipped through its passageway. The cool temperatures of the waterway, becoming more agreeable as the god crept into the ornamental pool in Jing Li's chambers. Shui Long did not allow for haste to make him careless towards the doorway he had opened. 

Fish, swimming lazily by him as the god remained in the depths of the coy pond long enough to ensure the portal had been firmly closed behind him. Shui Long slithered out of the pool and onto the smooth boards of his bride's apartment. His sudden appearance there, eliciting cries of surprise from some of the maids. The water god shifted back into his human form before advancing onto the level of the room, which housed Jing Li's bed. 

Joining the others who were collected around the sickly woman lying amidst the soft pillows and bountiful sheets, Shui Long asked, "How is she?" The god's voice already conveying his concern, this sentiment was not to be eased by the grave looks he received in response to his question. Everyone, seeming reluctant to speak, it was Xi Yang that finally answered, "Shui Long, I'm afraid it's poison." 

This sentence, causing the god's heart to plummet into his stomach. Shui Long was overcome by a surge of emotions as he observed the strained pace of Jing Li's shallow breathing and the purple veins that branched onto her neck from the vicious ring around her left wrist. 

The markings, appearing as though they were suffocating the woman that he loved slowly before his eyes. Shui Long was first overwhelmed with guilt for mistaking the severity of her affliction for anxiety as he was made to stand helplessly by her bedside. Grief quickly enveloping his heart and mind from this guilt, Shui Long nearly did not hear the explanation provided by the doctor, who was also present at this time.

"It seems that the pouch she was carrying was laced with a power derived from the midnight flower." the old physician began, "It's a colorless and scentless compound that seeps into the body after long exposure." The doctor's words, sounding almost distant to him; Shui Long turned with moderate despondency to regard the pouch that the doctor had referenced. 

Eying its golden thread and ornate stitch work, he asked, "Is there an antidote?"

"There is, but I'm afraid it needs time to process." answered the doctor with some lamentable honesty.

His reply, eliciting tears from the little maid that had looked after Jing Li when she had first arrived at the Lotus Pavilion. Shui Long did not pity her enough to lessen the severity of his tone as he addressed her. "Where did that thing come from?" He said. The petite girl sniffling pathetically, she replied, "I-It w-was a gift from the Mistress of the Orchid Pavilion." The words, somewhat difficult to understand as they fell from her quivering lips. 

The pangs of Shui Long's despair rapidly morphed into the more familiar guise of anger, once it had been revealed that Jing Li's life had once again been put in jeopardy by his First Consort's schemes. Overcome with rage upon making this discovery. The water god still could not allow himself to give in to the alluring heat of his ire, whilst there remained a slim chance that Jing Li could be rescued from the icy hands of death.

Knowing that Lu Qi's punishment would have to be postponed until a later date. Shui Long issued his instructions towards the physician first.

"Do all that you can to draw up an antidote." He said. The god's demand, prompting the man to take swift action. The doctor had fled with impressive speed from the room, before the god could even move on to make his next statement, "Xi Yang, make sure that Lu Qi is not to step one foot from her residence following her return from tonight's festivities." Shui Long, already turning in preparation to leave the room, he added "Take all of the guards you need but see that it's done."

Xi Yang's forehead, wrinkling with concern for his brother as he identified a brash determination in his attitude. The god's younger brother inquired, "And what is it that you are planning on doing?" Shui Long's eyes, flickering with evidence of the vengeful serpent that occupied him as he peered back at Jing Li's frail form lying in the bed. The god unwillingly tore his gaze from his bride's ailing body, before endeavoring to make the grim reply, "I have an appointment with death."