As the sun peeked in through the clouds; Qian Lan woke up to the head maid knocking on her bedroom door.
"Knock Knock."
"Lady Qian Lan, it's me."
Yawning and wiping her eyes, Qian Lan forces herself up.
"Come in."
The head maid walks in with a wrapped up cloth.
"What is that?"
Qian Lan asks as she removes her silk blanket off her.
"It's a present from my lord."
"From Jiang?"
Qian Lan walks to the table and opens up the slightly covered present. Upon unveiling the present, Qian Lan realizes it was a beautiful hanfu. A light purple hanfu with the prints of a dark colored orchid was printed on the front and back of the hanfu.
"Wow, it's beautiful."
"Indeed my lady. My lord will be pleased to hear you like it."
The head maid smiles and nods at satisfaction from seeing Qian Lan's reaction.
"When did he have time to go pick out dresses?"
"He had the royal tailor make it my lady."
"Ah... I see. Is this what he wants me to wear for today's meeting with the heavenly king?"
"Yes, my lady. I am here to help you get ready. Master is already up and getting ready. Please undress and bathe. In the meantime, I will go grab you a small breakfast."
"Oh, okay. I'll do that then."
Once the maid was out of sight, Qian Lan wasted no time and quickly undressed. Untying her sash she unrobes herself and hops into her lukewarm bath. Time flew by quickly as Qian Lan enjoyed her bath. Feeling clean enough Qian Lan wraps her wet hair into a dry cloth and covers herself in another cloth.
Without waiting for the maid, Qian Lan dresses herself in the new hanfu. With her hair still up in the dry cloth, Qian Lan moves to sit at her makeup vanity. Staring at her reflection, Qian Lan uses a light powder along with blush to add color to her face. Lastly, Qian Lan adds a tint of red to her lips.
"Knock Knock."
"I'm back my lady."
The head maid walks back in with a tray of food for Qian Lan.
"Ah, I see you've started getting ready already, my lady."
"Yeah, I figured I might as well since I was just waiting around."
Qian Lan stares hungrily at the tray of food before her; stir fried morning glory with a bowl of chicken stew with herbs and a warm bowl of rice.
"My lady, if you're going to eat. Allow me to do your hair."
"Ah, yes. Go for it."
Qian Lan removes the cloth wrapping her wet hair. Quickly seating herself, Qian Lan digs right into her breakfast. Meanwhile the head maid wipes Qian Lan's hair down to dry it as much as possible. The head maid braids a part of Qian Lan's hair and leaves the rest down. Folding the braids into buns she dresses the braided buns in beautiful hair pins.
"You're all set my lady."
"Wow! It looks so nice! I would've never been able to do this myself. I am finished with breakfast so you may take it back with you. I'm guessing Jiang is at his room?"
"Yes, my lady."
Qian Lan skips out of her room, with Julong yawning and trotting alongside her. Not even five minutes into her walk, Qian Lan bumps into someone at around the corner.
"Ah! I'm sorry."
Looking up, Qian Lan locks eyes with the man before her.
"Jiang it's you!"
"Are you ready to leave? We're running late already."
"Its not my fault you made the meeting so early!"
"It's bad luck to keep the heavenly king waiting. Keep your eyes closed till I say so."
Jiang grabs hold of Qian Lan's right hand and starts chanting. With a wave of his left hand, Jiang teleports them to the gate of the heavenly golden palace.
"You can open your eyes now."
Qian Lan nods in agreement and slowly opens her eyes.
"Woooooow...!"
Qian Lan gasps as she admires the beautiful palace in front of her. A large white gate covered the entire premises of the palace, but with the palace so tall and big anyone could see the golden pillars from afar. As Qian Lan stared in amazement, Jiang grabs hold of her hand again.
"Stay close to me, you'll get lost in here."
"What? Why can't you just teleport us to where the king is?"
"Our powers are limited within the palace grounds. Don't ask so many questions. Come along."
Jiang continues to walk without talking to Qian Lan the rest of the way. Just like a maze, it was impossible for Qian Lan to recognize the layout of the palace grounds. With what felt like forever Qian Lan and Jiang finally came to a stop at a large building with red and gold pillars.
"We're here. Behave yourself while in his presence."
"Ugh....I know I know."
Jiang walks to a guard and gets approval to enter. Qian Lan watched as the big golden door slowly open before her. Taking her hand again, Jiang walks with Qian Lan hand in hand and approaches a beautiful looking man who didn't look a day past thirty years old.
"You may rise."
Dressed in gold the heavenly king was a handsome man, a chiseled jaw, deep brown colored eyes and a deep voice. With only a few feet between them and the heavenly king, Jiang kneels to show his respect and motions for Qian Lan to follow. The two remained silent until the heavenly king spoke.
"I know your reasons for coming here."
Qian Lan couldn't understand what the two were talking about and meekly raises her hand up.
"Uhm.....pardon me for being rude, but what are you talking about?"
The heavenly king looks surprised and turns his attention to the water god.
"You didn't tell her?"
"No, your majesty. Just haven't gotten the time."
Jiang sighs and turns to face Qian Lan.
"Qian Lan, we're sending you home."
"Home? What do you mean?"
"Back to your time of course."
"Well.... Are you coming with me?"
"I won't be going, do you still want to go?"
"Uh...Well if you can't go, then I'm not going either!"
The heavenly king bursts out into a laughter.
"Ha Ha, looks like I lose this bet water god!"
Qian Lan watches as the water god blush from ear to ear. Confused, Qian Lan could only stare intently at Jiang.
"So....what's going on?"
"Ah, I had a bet with the heavenly king. If you had chosen to go on your own the heavenly king would've won and wiped your memory clean, but since I won....he'll send us both to meet your family."
"What?! What kind of bet is that?! You didn't tell me any of this either! What if I had chosen myself?!"
"I had faith in you Qian Lan."
Meanwhile the heavenly king continues to laugh at seeing the water god get scolded.
"Ahem, pardon me for betting on your affections for the water god. I had to make sure you wouldn't hurt him Ms. Qian Lan. Per my agreement with the water god, I will send you two to your time. However, you only have three days there."
"Three days...alright! I understand."
The heavenly king smiles and motions for Jiang and Qian Lan to hold onto one another as he chants. With a wave of his hand Qian Lan and Jiang disappeared into thin air.