Qian Lan cries and wails into the night as she remembers her nightmare. Julong could only stare at his mistress in distress. Uncertain of what to do he motions for Qian Lan to get on his back.
"My lady, please get on my back."
"Sniff....sniff....Julong?"
With her voice cracking and tears still dripping down her cheeks, Qian Lan quickly climbs onto Julong's back. In a split second Julong makes his ways down the long hallways and howls throughout the palace.
Meanwhile Qian Lan continues to hold onto Julong's reins, before she realized it Julong had brought her to Jiang's bedroom door.
"Wha...why did you bring me here Julong?!"
Finally coming to her senses, Qian Lan hops off Julong's back and demands he takes her back to her room.
"Julong! Why did you bring me here?! How is this supposed to make me feel better?!"
Julong ignores Qian Lan's pleas and calls out to his master.
"Master! It's me Julong! Master! Open up for me!"
On the other side of the door, the water god Jiang was still awake working on his paperwork. With his room dimly lit; he drops his scrolls and quickly stands up. With a whip of his hand he props his bedroom doors open.
"What's the meaning of this Julong?"
Julong quickly bows and greets his master before quickly turning his attention to Qian Lan.
"My lady seems to be having a rough night. I was wondering if she can spend the night here?"
Qian Lan quickly stutters to stop Julong from speaking anymore nonsense.
"Wha...what?! When did I say I wanted to spend the night here?! Stop it Julong! You're not helping me!"
"But my lady you kept calling out masters name I thought it was because you missed master."
"I did?!"
Julong looks genuinely confused and conflicted as he stares at Qian Lan. Qian Lan blushes and could feel her face go red and hot. Meanwhile Jiang furrows his brows and grabs Qian Lan by her right wrist.
"I guess it has been a few days since you've gotten some good sleep, you'll stay here tonight."
Qian Lan blushes and tries to break off Jiang's hold on her.
"I!...I really don't think that's a good idea Jiang!"
Jiang sees the blushing Qian Lan and uses it as an opportunity to tease her.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on doing anything to a child."
"Wha...What child! I'm not a child!"
"If you're not a child then you have nothing to be worried about. You'll stand guard out here tonight Julong."
Julong nods his heads and bids his master and Qian Lan a good night.
"Understood master! Goodnight My lady!"
Qian Lan continues to struggle as Jiang drags her into his bedroom. Without much notice Jiang drags Qian Lan to his bed and motions for her to get some rest. Pulling his covers over her; Jiang lays Qian Lan down on a pillow.
"Get some rest, your eye bags are horrible. That's not how a lady should look."
"Grrr....and who's fault is it?"
"Yes, yes it's all my fault. Which is why I'm letting you use my bed tonight."
Qian Lan could see the sincerity in Jiang's voice.
"I can't fall asleep. I'll dream of it again."
"Dream of what?"
"A scary dream...where I'm alone and haunted by who I used to be."
"Qian Lan, I will be here tonight. Nothing will harm you. Now get some rest."
Jiang places his right palm on Qian Lan's forehead and assures her it was alright to sleep now. Slowly dozing off Qian Lan falls into a trance and knocks out cold. As Qian Lan slept peacefully she had no idea what Jiang was encountering. Just like he had guessed. Jiang knew something wasn't right. The moment he saw Qian Lan standing at his door way he could see a nightmare demon attached to her. Little critters that creates endless nightmares based on their hosts worse fear.
Once Qian Lan was asleep, Jiang quietly opens his bedroom doors and heads out towards Julong. Julong senses his master's presence and quickly stood up.
"Master?"
"Julong, guard Qian Lan well. It looks like the goddess of death is itching for a fight."
"Master, are you saying she's the one who left that demon on my lady?"
"Nightmare demons are her pets, who else if not her. I'm going to teach her a lesson for messing with what's mine. I'll be back shortly. Watch her well."
"Yes, master."
With a gust of wind, Jiang disappeared into thin air. Keeping his words; Julong enters the bedchambers and sleeps by Qian Lan's side on the ground.