The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

Jing Li's eyelashes, fluttering softly, as they were freed from the veil of a death-like sleep. There were beads of moisture that rose to the corners of her dewy blue eyes as they awoke to observe the world in a different light. The evening of another day in the water god's domain, casting a cold hue upon the ceiling and walls of the chamber. Jing Li was liberated from the depths of her slumber, only to find the atmosphere of the Lotus Pavilion had fallen as silent and as desolate as a tomb.

The events that had occurred in the Diyu, seeming very distant to her now in the luxurious coverings of the bed. Jing Li felt the knowledge of her abilities and the truth about her father weigh on her delirious mind once more as rose her head from the pillows scattered at the head of the bed. The burden of her body and the ache of her tormented muscles, serving as a timely reminder that Jing Li had arrived back in the land of the living. There was a dry cough that rattled her lungs and throbbing temples as she resurrected herself from the plush cushions she had been buried amongst. 

The desperate noise Jing Li emitted, attracting the attention of the sole person that had remained with her, Xiao Yu was soon to appear at her side. The little maid, scuttling across the room, before finally arriving to attentively ladle some water from a bowl placed near to the bedside into her mouth. The gradual trickle liquid slowly alleviated the tenderness found in Jing Li's worn throat. Gasping down another spoon full of water before taking note of the concern held within Xiao Yu's face. The young maid's brows pinched together over eyes that were marred by the marks of many a restless night as she readjusted the pillows behind her frail Mistress's back. 

"We thought we had lost you for sure this time, Mistress." Xiao Yu sighed wearily. Relief contained within her words, as she came to sit on the edge of the bed. There was a hesitancy about the maid's speech, which hinted at her apprehension that this demise should still come to pass, if they were not to remain cautious. Xiao Yu's uneasiness was evident as she added, "The doctor did what he could, but if Lord Shui Long hadn't gone to retrieve you…" The sentence trailing off as though she could not bear to complete it, Jing Li assured the young woman of her presence by placing a hand gently on Xiao Yu's back. 

Comforted mildly by this quiet gesture, the little folds in the maid's face began to soften mildly as Jing Li once again glanced around the room. Xiao Yu, confirming that she had very nearly perished at hands of Lu Qi's slow poison. Jing Li somehow knew the reason why the maid had been the only one to greet her as she woke yet did not think it entirely true until the young woman affirmed her suspicions. Upon observing that her Mistress searched the somber corners of chambers for the man Xiao Yu had mentioned, the maid replied to a question which Jing Li had not yet voiced. 

"The Master has gone to the Orchid Pavilion." The maid announced sheepishly, "He departed shortly after the doctor announced your inevitable recovery." The little woman's response, immediately stirring up a foreboding feeling within the water god's bride. Jing Li sprung up from the array of cushions, which surrounded her. The thought of Shui Long going to confront his First Consort after discovering her malicious scheme unsettling her, Jing Li persisted in her labored efforts to remove herself from the bed. 

The obvious struggle of this endeavor and the shocking grimace that appeared on Jing Li's pale lips, causing the maid to plead with her Mistress. Xiao Yu's arms hovered around her in fretful flapping motions as she spoke, "You should rest, my Lady. There is nothing that can be done for her now." However, unable to persuade Jing Li to fall back into the comforts of the plush coverings of the bed. The water god's bride finally was able to motivate her body from the plump mattress with one last pained moan. 

Motivated by her desire to prevent the man she loved from committing another atrocious act that he would undoubtedly live to regret; Jing Li willed her legs to slide heavily across the floor to the immense set of drawers on the other side of the room. Unsure of whether she should risk causing further injury by physically preventing her Mistress from proceeding any further, Xiao Yu followed. Still flapping around her, although she helped to open the heavy drawers that contained a few articles of Jing Li's clothing, Xiao Yu attempted another plea for rationality at this time. 

"Mistress, you really shouldn't be exerting yourself like this!" said the little maid, "If Lord Shui Long were to see you, there would surely be no end to his fury." A wrinkle of sympathy, forming in the fine skin of Jing Li's glistening brow as she discerned the extent of the young woman's distress. The water god's bride still could not be dissuaded from pulling a garment from the open drawer. Determined not to let her indifference towards the First Consort prevent her from protecting Shui Long from the more volatile parts of his nature, Jing Li pulled the robe over her thin arms without regard for her ailing body. 

Swathed in the light and luxurious fabric that was perhaps no longer appropriate for the season. The water god's bride tied the accompanying belt of the robe around herself in one hasty motion, before setting off down the halls of the Lotus Pavilion. The young maid, hopping frantically at her side in a continued effort to dissuade her Mistress from quitting the residence, Jing Li heard her petition again as they departed from the Pavilion.

"Mistress, it will do no good to interfere with the master's decision." Xiao Yu said, attempting to adjust Jing Li's outfit needlessly. 

Although, believing that perhaps the young maid's words were correct, Jing Li still did not let this deter her from the decision she had made. Discovering that her experiences in the underworld had instilled her with a quiet confidence that others observed in her as she passed. The employees and administrators of the estate bowed to her awkwardly on the covered pathways that they traversed. Staring after Jing Li and her lady's maid curiously as they embarked on their slow quest through the grounds of the water god's vast residence. 

Jing Li could not say what she expected to encounter once reaching the Orchid Pavilion, but she knew that this uncertainty was not enough to dissuade her from approaching its imposing structure. Allowing neither fear nor her inherent lack of strength to persuade her to turn away from the events that were occurring around her, Jing Li entered through the broad entryway. Her eyes widening as they were immediately confronted by the turmoil of the scene they witnessed. Jing Li glanced over the forms of the gilded herons laying overturned amidst the pieces of shattered vases, which had once been perched gracefully on low podiums placed strategically around the room. 

The entry hall deserted by most, save for a few loyal maids who were left to cower behind one of the many pillars in the foyer. These were the only people to notice Jing Li's arrival, whilst the commotion of a tumultuous confrontation still unraveled before them.

"You've gone too far this time Lu Qi!" said the water god. The sound of ire reflected in the booming tone of his voice; inspiring a quiver from the lady's maids who chose to seek shelter from the god's wrath behind the column. However, the Consort, seemingly able to weather the storm of Shui Long's rage, puffed out her chest proudly as she answered, "How am I to accept a human as your wife? When this domain should be ours to rule!" 

The Consort's eyes watering from the humiliation of being made to endure this unjustified admonishment, she added, "It was my loyalty that made you a god! And this is how you mean to repay me?" Finding herself once again in awe of the Consort's unyielding confidence, whilst simultaneously fearing that Lu Qi's pride may be her undoing in this instance, the water god's bride stepped forward quietly. Observing Shui Long's nostrils flare as he responded, "I have provided you with comfort and endless subjects to fan the flames of your vanity Lu Qi!" The glistening scales of his serpentine form and golden irises showing in the pale light of the pavilion, Shui Long hissed, "Yet, this is how you repay me? By killing the only woman that I have ever cared for." 

Lu Qi's indignation provoked further by this statement, she replied, "Why am I to suffer, when it is you that has been made Love's fool?" Shui Long's hand, flying through the air faster than the Consort's words, there was not one person who could prevent it from landing with vicious rapidity upon Lu Qi's flawlessly painted cheek. A silence befalling the room as the sound of the harsh slap echoed through it, everyone heard the water god issue his unforgiving verdict. 

"You will pay for the crimes you have committed against me and my future wife with your life, Lu Qi." He said. 

The weight of his words, forming an ominous atmosphere as they settled in the perfumed air of the Orchid Pavilion. Jing Li's soft steps fell heavily in the stillness for a time, until a crunch from beneath her feet alerted others to her presence. Xi Yang being the first to approach her, he grabbed hold of Jing Li's elbow in order to grant her safe passage over the rubble that was strewn across the ground. Her guard escorting her diligently over to where he had previously stood, he cautioned in a low voice, "Mistress Jing Li, it is not safe for you here." 

Uncertain whether this warning was issued due to her enfeebled condition or because of the volatility of the situation, Jing Li shook her head in order to indicate her unwillingness to back away from the confrontation. Shan Yu, also coming to her side as he too intended to dissuade her from persisting to approach the enraged god. Jing Li minded the attendant's concern very little as she implored Shui Long to look at her earnestly from where she stood. However, evident that he was reluctant to concede to his bride's softhearted notions in this instance, the water god continued to gaze upon his Consort with unwavering loathing. 

Forced to confront his back squarely, Jing Li took in a deep breath. Finally, mustering enough courage to attempt what she had never done before whilst living, she said firmly, "Stop this, Shui Long." Her voice heard for the first time by all of those present, Jing Li viewed their shock with a slight sense of dread. Conscious that she had violated the advice of her father and Yan Wang, Jing Li felt that she had no choice but to stand tall in her decision now as Shui Long turned to regard her. The severity of his glare lessening as he looked upon her with curiosity, Jing Li felt the god's yellow irises bore into her chest as she urged herself to speak again. 

"Please, spare Lu Qi's life." Jing Li said. This statement impaired slightly by her strained throat, spoken more quietly than the last. Shui Long listened as though he could not believe his ears for a while, before asking, "You wish for me to spare this woman's life? Even though she has attempted to kill you." The question, prompted Jing Li to look over at the proud woman whose eyes were glistening with moisture and cheek still bloomed with a bright red hue, she answered, "Perhaps, we are all fools in the face of love."

Reluctant to admit to this allegation, Lu Qi's gaze turned away as others began to regard the Consort pitifully. However, this sympathy not shared by Shui Long, who had now come forward to retrieve his bride from between the two men; he wordlessly lifted Jing Li from the ground. The god holding her securely within his arms, he turned to address those that remained present. His lips still pressed together in a grave line of frustration, Shui Long issued his final verdict, "Take the Mistress of the Orchid Pavilion from here and ensure that she is never to set foot on my estate again." None able to object to this order, they were left to stare after the water god as he departed the Orchid Pavilion with his bride.