The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

Shui Long's fury felt by the entire estate during the time it took for his human bride to recover from her affliction. There were several maids banished for their ineptitude over the incident and more than one reprimand issued to hapless bystanders that dared to cross the water god. The tension in the manor mounting with each day that the woman in the Lotus Pavilion did not stir from her bed. Even the least enthusiastic of Jing Li's adversaries breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving news that she had awoken. 

However, the sluggish return of the new bride's health meant that the staff of Shui Long's manor were not yet liberated from their hardships. Her fever, subsiding after a few days, Jing Li was not to move from her bed or consume much else aside from the medicines prescribed to her. Currently, unable to keep down more than a light plant broth. Jing Li remained blissfully unaware of the god's foul mood or the terror experienced by the manor's employees as a result of her illness. Finding herself confused once more by her surroundings as she awoke within the safety of the Lotus Pavilion, Jing Li looked around. 

Able to take in the details of the residence more clearly now as the haze of sleep began to lift from her vision. Jing Li noticed the cool shades of white and accents of jade green, which decorated the walls of the immense bed chamber. The room separated into a lower and raised section, each appeared to serve their own specific functions. The level, placed only a step below the other, furnished with a table for eating, settees to lounge upon, and even a dainty pool to view the fish that drifted by in the waters underneath the pavilion; reserved for leisure. 

The upper level seemed to be designed for other activities, such as sleeping and dressing for the day. Containing a screen with a painted landscape to preserve her modesty and a lacquered wooden dressing table to safeguard any makeup or accessories Jing Li might require. This level also accommodated the elaborate four poster bed, where she had was infirmed for the past few days. Wiping the sleep from her eye, Jing Li sat up amongst the sumptuous pillows that were spread across the top of the spacious mattress.

Peeking through the circular open window at one side of the room. Glimpsing the lush foliage of the gardens and emerald waters of the pond outside. Jing Li gave a forlorn sigh upon noticing that she still remained within the serpentine water god's domain. A shred of hope remaining that the whole ordeal had been an elaborate dream and that she might awake from, dispersing now as she felt the ache of her muscles all too clearly. There was the bitter taste of medicine in her mouth and suggestion of pain in her temple still as Jing Li woke again in the unfamiliar bed.

Unaware of how she had entered the residence or come to don the thin cotton robe she now wore. Jing Li tried to recall the last memory she possessed prior to losing consciousness. Images of the sly smile and cold touch of the god swirling amongst her muddled thoughts. Their memory unsettled Jing Li's heart a little as she sat amidst the plush cushions adorning the bed. Shui Long's strong grip around her waist as he held her to him, the last she remembered of their encounter. Jing Li blushed as suddenly the god's ominous words sprung to mind. 

Holding the sheets up to cover the mortification that spread across her face, Jing Li could not say for certain whether or not he had only meant this as a jest. However, she also did not think it entirely unlikely that the water god should demand flesh as tribute for the blessings his was asked to impart. This interpretation, admittedly not occurring to Jing Li when she accepted her role as sacrifice several times prior to this moment. She had not quite considered the part she must play as bride, until Shui Long's provocative words had goaded her on to this revelation. 

Jing Li's stomach, churning nervously at the prospect of having to perform these wifely duties due to her inexperience. She knew that these nightly responsibilities were something that were naturally expected of a betrothed woman. However, nearing the end of what was considered as acceptable marrying age in her village, Jing Li had not anticipated ever having to educate herself on these matters. Believing that she should die alone without any prospects due to the undesirableness of her disability. Jing Li regretted her shortsightedness now that the redemption of her village possibly hinged on her abilities to satisfy the water god. 

Her embarrassment, causing Jing Li to bury herself deeper into the sheets that were still damp with the moisture of her sweat. She was startled by the admonish that was issued by a young maid as she entered the room. "Why are you up?" asked the maid who was barely old enough to be considered much more than a girl. Her lively eyes and dark hair, distinguishing her to be the same maid that had assisted Jing Li in her preparations for the ceremony. The patient in the bed poked her head out of the sheets bashfully as though her illicit ruminations had been being found out by the young woman as she approached.

The maid, setting down the tray held within her hands on the table beside the bed. She turned towards Jing Li before scolding her further, "Shui Long will bite off my head if you get thoughts about wandering around when you've only just woken up yesterday." Unable to say for certain whether this was only a turn of phrase used by the maid or meant in a literal sense. Jing Li shook her head from side to side in order to deny the accusation of her intent to create more trouble than she already had done thus far. The maid, emitting a long sigh, upon observing Jing Li's reaction. 

There was a little wrinkle between her brow as she said, "I suppose you're up now, so you might as well take your medicine." The girl, reaching over to the tray. She handed a little envelope of a powdery substance to Ling Li. Waiting for the woman in the bed to dutifully down the medicine that was given to her, the girl then provided Jing Li a cup of lukewarm water. Sipping the liquid in the porcelain container to rid her mouth of the awful taste left by the power slowly, the maid paused before retrieving a bowl from the tray. 

A refreshing smell wafting towards her, Jing Li thought that there was a vague familiarity about the scent as the lid was lifted from the porcelain container. The dish presented to her, not the vegetable broth that had been spooned into her mouth the previous day, but rather a healthy portion of steamed bamboo shoots and long beans. The maid, raising a pair of chopsticks with the clear intention of feeding her as she announced, "The doctor said you should eat something more than broth today." Jing Li's brow furrowing and stomach still flopping uneasily with the proposition of the sizable portion, she brought herself to nod tentatively. 

Feeling inspired by the determined attitude the girl displayed towards her recovery, Ling Li traded the cup she held for the bowl and chopsticks. Compelled the momentum of this emotion to swallow a few mouthfuls of the platter, this disappointingly was not enough to encourage Jing Li's stomach to tolerate more than a meager portion of the food. Both women's foreheads still folded from their apparent discouragement at the insufficient progress Jing Li had made, the bowl was again set aside. The tray removed along with all of its contents from the room shortly after. This ritual was to be repeated again later that day and the one to follow, before the master of the manor took it upon himself to intervene.

The god, no longer seeming satisfied with the paltry updates of his bride's condition to remain within the confines of his own estate. Shui Long thought that his mind might be contented more after having assessed the patient himself. Forewarned of his intended visit by the few lady's maids allotted to the Lotus Pavilion, Jing Li had been prepared in a simple white robe and wrapped in a jade colored shawl by them. The parlor of the residence usually employed for the purpose of entertaining guests, Shui Long had insisted on making this a less formal meeting out of consideration for Jing Li's feeble health. However, this assurance did nothing to ease the anxiety Jing Li felt towards receiving the water god in her chambers.

Shui Long's arrival announced prior to him entering the room. Jing Li could not deny the magnetism of the ethereal looking man who glided into her chambers nor the appeal of his dark eyes as they came to settle on her. His tall figure towered over her, the god inspected the bruises on her wrists and the fragility of her slender figure with some hint of frustration for a moment. Before moving to place two of his long fingers beneath Jing Li's chin. Gently directing her head upward so that Jing Li came to settle into a less humbling posture in front of him. Some of the severity diminished from Shui Long's features as their eyes came to meet naturally. 

The god's cantankerous attendant, accompanying him this time, there was only a mere suggestion of the disapproval that he held for her evident in his gaze as he walked past. Carrying a large wooden box with various layers, the man deconstructed a few of its levels onto a table that was situated at one side of the room. Shui Long, also leading Jing Li in this direction, the two of them both took up their positions on either side of the table. The god and his new bride framed by the elegant arch of the rounded window beside them. They glowed with the soft light of the afternoon sun, whilst the tea and boxes of sweets were arranged between them. 

The pair, falling silent as the scent of green dumplings, candied hawthorn, and chestnut cake were stirred up by the lazy breeze that drifted over the open windowsill. The enticing smell of the treats seemed ineffective in detracting from the pressure of the dark eyes that stared at Jing Li from across the table. Her chest constricting as she observed a frown bend the god's thin lips, Jing Li looked down at the hands which were folded awkwardly in her lap. Certain that she must have displeased him somehow, she hung her head passively whilst awaiting an admonishment. 

Placing an elbow on the edge of the table and propping his sharp jaw upon the graceful palm of his hand, Shui Long said, "I hear you have not been eating. Does the food here not suit your tastes?" The woman, shaking her head in a negative sense so as not to seem ungrateful towards his hospitality. Jing Li still could not bring herself to look back towards the water god's severe gaze as he continued to speak. "Are you uncomfortable that I came to see you?" he asked patiently. Her honesty unfortunately prevailing against her better judgment in this instance, Jing Li confirmed this suspicion with a nod. Shui Long's lips, pressing into a thin line in apparent offense towards his bride's candor. The next question he issued had a slightly more peevish air about it. 

"Should I have not come then?" he asked. Hearing the injury that she had caused to Shui Long's pride within his query, Jing Li's gaze sprung up towards him. Shaking her head again in the hope that he might perceive her earnest appreciation for the interest he had shown towards her thus far. Jing Li was able to relax a little as the hint of a vague smile curled at the corner of his lips. The expression, appearing to lessen the seriousness of Shui Long's otherwise imposing features. Some of the tension, departing from Jing Li's chest as she felt that her feelings had somehow been understood by him. She took up the beverage that a maid had placed before her gingerly.

Intimidated by the god's presence there as she sipped at the fragrant tea. Jing Li could also admit to being grateful for his company after the long days of being confined to her bed in a place with which she was not yet familiar. A green dumpling put in front of Jing Li; she knew the sweet only by its distinct color but had never tasted it before. These luxuries not afforded to her in her daily life in the village, she hesitated before finally biting into its soft skin. The chewy rice dough that made up its outer layer concealing a center of sweet lotus seed paste. The taste was delicious enough to entice a smile from Jing Li as she took another bite. 

Each mouthful, seeming more delectable than the last. It took a while for her to notice that Shui Long's eyes were too absorbed in the beauty of her unassuming smile to move from her. Eventually made aware of the odd stillness, which seemed to dominate the other side of the table. Jing Li delicately replaced the half-eaten dumpling back into the plate in front of her. Embarrassed that she had behaved so carelessly in the water god's company. Shui Long seemed to forgive her this transgression as he said, "There is no need for you to exercise restraint in this instance. The kitchen can always make more."

Encouraged by his assurances to nibble shyly at the piece of the green dumpling once more. Jing Li had barely finished what remained on her plate before Shui Long skewered a piece of the water chestnut cake with a tiny two-pronged fork and pushed it back towards her. Aware that Jing Li's personality would prevent her from overindulging in the treats but made it impossible for her to refuse something that was offered by him. There was a guileful smile that even appeared within the curve of his slanted eyes as he observed Jing Li take a bite of the sweet that he had placed in front of her. Intrigued that this small effort should better the god's mood. Jing Li had begun to feel more at ease in his company, when a maid she did not recognize entered the room.

The woman, extending a deep bow to Shui Long. She did not look towards Jing Li as she proceeded to announce, "Mistress Lu Qi of the Orchid Pavilion, sends her greetings to the new Mistress of the Lotus Pavilion." Acknowledging the woman with a polite nod, Jing Li heard the god mumble from across the table, "That woman has some nerve, disturbing someone who has just recovered from illness." Although not understanding the reason for the agitation that the greeting had inspired in the god of Xilian Lake. Jing Li knew that this was only a suggestion of the difficulties that awaited her in future as she looked upon the maid sent by the household of another consort.