Qian Lan groans as she stretches her long thin limbs; twisting and turning in bed, she loudly yawns and forces herself to sit up.
"Ugh...I'm so tired."
Quickly getting out of bed to go wash up, she nearly trips over Julong who was sleeping by her bedside on the wooden floor.
"Ah! Sorry Julong."
Qian Lan crouches over and pets Julong on the stomach.
"Ha Ha, you're like a big dog."
Julong yawns and quickly looks up.
"How rude! Don't compare me to those animals."
Qian Lan continues to laugh as she walks over to her window. Slowly opening a side of the window, she breathes in the fresh air and stares at the sun slowly rising over the large endless body of water below her.
"Knock Knock."
"Lady Qian Lan, I'm coming in."
The head maid quickly walks in with a pair of new clothing and jewelry.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"You'll be wearing this at today's gathering. My lord cannot accompany you so you will be heading there alone first."
"What? Already?"
"Do you remember what I told you yesterday?"
"Yes....my job is to maintain the spending budget, attend banquets, host my own gathering, pay tribute to the heaven king and learn proper etiquette."
"Oh good! You were listening last night."
"You didn't tell me I had a gathering today. When was this decided?"
"The wind goddess is getting married. Everyone will be gathering there today so it's your job as the wife of the water god to attend."
Qian Lan frowns and pouts.
"I'm not married to the water god."
"Not yet, but in due time. Now, stop wasting time and take your bath. I will be back with the bridal gift you are to gift to the newlyweds."
The head maid quickly drops the clothing and jewelry onto Qian Lan's bed as she heads back out. Quickly closing the doors, Qian Lan walks back to her little wooden bath; blocked by a paper wooden screen.
After soaking for nearly thirty minutes Qian Lan finally wraps herself up in a clean cloth and walk out towards her makeup desk. Julong who was waiting by her bed finally walks over to Qian Lan.
"Don't worry lady Qian Lan. Even if my lord is not there I will be there."
"Oh? You're attending with me?"
"Yes, my lord ordered me to watch over you. So, it is my job."
Julong happily smiles as he continues to lay around waiting for Qian Lan to finish up. Without waiting on the maid, Qian Lan dresses herself in the dress the head maid had brought in earlier. A beautiful sky blue colored hanfu with golden embroidery on the hems of the skirt and collars of the dress. To top it off, Qian Lan also wore golden jewelry that she had laying around.
"Sigh, how should I do my hair and makeup today?"
"You'd look great in anything my lady."
"That doesn't help me Julong."
"I'm just saying. From what I've seen in the past, most of the goddesses loved putting their hair down and only putting half of their hair up."
"Hmm....I feel I do that too often."
Taking Julong's words for it, Qian Lan creates two long braids while leaving parts of her hair down as well. Quickly pinning the braids into buns, she shoves in some golden hair accessory to top it off. Smiling in satisfaction she quickly pats on some powder and blush. With a tint of pink onto her lips, Qian Lan was ready.
"I think this is good enough. I'm not going there to impress anyone."
Just as Qian Lan was about to stand up, the head maid finally returns.
"Knock Knock."
"I am back, my lady."
The head maid props the two-door screen open and glances at Qian Lan. Nodding in satisfaction she hands Qian Land a red mid-size box wrapped in red cloth.
"This was prepared by my lord. All you have to do is hand it over to the bride and groom at the wedding."
"Will Jiang be joining me later?"
"Once he finishes his orders from the heavenly king he said he will head there. Don't worry my lady. You have Julong to protect you."
"I....I'm not worried about that."
The head maid looks at the flustered Qian Lan and sighs.
"My lady, when you are there please do your best to avoid the fire god and goddess of death. Those two are nothing but trouble, and the master dislikes them."
"I....I see! I will try my best then."
"Good, alright Julong. Do your job and take my lady to the wedding."
Julong nods and asks for Qian Lan to follow him outside to the courtyard. Worried she might drop the gift; Qian Lan uses a nearby rope to tie it onto Julong as she also moves to sit on Julong's back. Without much notice, Julong leaps into the air and treads off among the clouds. Qian Lan watched in amazement as she stares at the other palaces floating in the sky.
"Wow! Julong this is amazing!"
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, my lady."
"How could I not?!"
Qian Lan smiles as she continues to scan her surrounding area. To her surprise, Qian Lan takes notice of a closed of palace guarded by a golden gate.
"Julong, what's that?"
Julong turns his neck and glances at the palace Qian Lan was pointing to.
"Ah...that's the heavens garden. It's where the immortal fruit is."
"You mean the garden where all gods and goddess fruit tree is?"
"That's correct. It's the second most guarded place after heaven kings palace."
"I see..."
Once the garden palace was out of sight, Qian Lan could now see a large palace covered in red decorations. Just like in the weddings she had seen in dramas; it didn't take long for Qian Lan to realize it was the wedding.
"We've arrived, my lady."
"Thanks, Julong."
Qian Lan unties the gift and follows a crowd of people across a red colored bridge; with Julong by her side. Unsure of what to do she quickly followed a line that looked like they were waiting to congratulate the married couple.
With seven people in front of her, Qian Lan had no choice but to wait for her turn. All of a sudden, she feels someone pat her on her left shoulder.
"Well! Looks who it is!"
Qian Lan recognizes the voice and groans in dissatisfaction.
"Geh! If it isn't the fire god."
"What's with that look?"
"No...nothing....Ha Ha Ha you're seeing things."
Qian Lan nervously chuckles to hide her frown.
"Where's your husband?"
"He's not my husband, not yet. I'm merely a guest in his home."
"Oh? Well! If he doesn't want you, I'll take you."
"You're far worse than I thought. I'm sure there's women lining up to get into your bedroom."
"Are you praising me?"
The fire god laughs as he scratches the back of his head, thinking Qian Lan was praising his stamina.
Julong cuts in between the fire god and Qian Lan.
"Please keep a distant from, my lady."
"Well, looks like your bodyguard doesn't like me. I'll leave you be to finish your greetings! Find me later darling!"
The fire god blows a kiss towards Qian Lan and walks away.
"Ugh...I want to leave already."
"My lady, you didn't have to be so nice to him. You could've ignored him."
"Ohhh...trust me I wish I could."
After waiting around for another ten minutes, it was finally her turn. Qian Lan hands the gift to the groom and quickly moves onto clasping her hands together to congratulate them.
"Congratulate on your union today. The water god is unable to join at the moment, so I am here on his behalf."
The bride stands up and helps Qian Lan up.
"You must be his new bride."
"Ah...that's what everyone calls me."
"Don't be so modest. Please enjoy yourself. I can't show my face unfortunately since it's my wedding, but I promise to pay you a visit someday."
"Thank you, I look forward to that day."
Qian Lan bows and heads off to find her table reserved for the water god.