"Qian Lan, you can open your eyes now."
Jiang whispers to Qian Lan as she slowly breaks away from his hold.
"Looks like we're back."
Glancing around her, Qian Lan could see the beautiful garden before her. Unchanging as if they never left.
"Qian Lan, this fell off."
Qian Lan turns around and see's Jiang holding onto her veil; with his eyes closed he holds out her veil. Without even realizing, she quickly grabs it and throws her veil over her head. Catching the unsuspecting Jiang off-guard, he could only chuckle at the sight of his blushing bride to be.
"Ha Ha, there is never a dull moment with you Qian Lan. Are you finished putting it back on?"
"Aha....yes."
"Alright, come lets head inside."
With his arm stretched out, Qian Lan couldn't deny that his little gestures made her heart skip a beat.
"Alright, but only because its chilly!"
Qian Lan says proudly as she takes Jiang's hand. Walking hand in hand as they entered from the side entrance into the water palace. Along the way they encountered someone familiar.
"Well! Looks who's back!"
Qian Lan stops in her tracks and stiffens as Jiang moves in front to cover Qian Lan.
"What are you doing here fire god?"
"Is that how you thank someone who's been doing your work for you? No thanks to your little vacation I had to deal with your paperwork."
"Ha Ha, to think the heavenly king chose you to manage my affairs. Of all gods he chose you, maybe it's your karma."
"No need to be so rude. Looks like I came at the right time. Hello, little miss human. Why don't you lift that veil and greet me?"
Jiang glares daggers at the fire god from his remarks.
"It's rude to stare at people fire god. If you're finished with your business then leave while I'm still being nice."
"Bah, how ungrateful. Don't expect help again from me next time you go on vacation."
"Just leave already. Do not test my patience."
"Hmm...Alright, I'll leave for today, but don't forget to invite me to your wedding. Heh Heh!"
The fire god smirks and throws a flirtatious kiss towards Qian Lan's way. Annoyed, the water god throws a water dragon spell at the fire god. Chuckling away happily the fire god quickly teleports away.
"Looks like my barrier has weaken since I've been away. I will need to strengthen it to keep pests away."
"Well, if you think about it Jiang it's been three months since we've been away. I know time flows differently here."
"You're right Qian Lan. I have work to do so I'll see you to your room before I leave to tend to my duties."
Extending his hand out once again, Jiang grabs hold of Qian Lan's hand and walks her to her bedroom.
"Not using your teleportation spells this time?"
"Ahem, and miss out on what little quality time we have together?"
As the two approached Qian Lan's room; Julong who was waiting on his masters sprints out suddenly from within the bedroom.
"Master, my lady! You're home!"
"We're back, Julong. Did you keep the fire god under control?"
"Yes, master."
"Good, take care of Qian Lan. I have some unfinished business."
Jiang turns to face the silent Qian Lan who stood closely behind him.
"Qian Lan, as much as I want to remove your veil and see your smile I will wait for our wedding night."
Jiang grabs the ends of Qian Lan's long hair and kisses it as he turns away and disappears. Once Jiang was out of sight Qian Lan quickly opens her bedroom door falls to the ground and bundles up into a ball. Julong quickly hops behind and closes the bedroom door behind him.
"My lady what's wrong?"
Qian Lan removes her veil, revealing her blushing face. Trying to contain her happiness and embarrassment from Jiang's parting words.
"Gahhhh, I can't handle this. Jiang became a different person all of a sudden! Did you hear what he just said Julong?!"
"Master? He looks the same to me."
"Sigh....I'm talking to a Kirin now. Ha Ha don't worry about it Julong."
Qian Lan pats Julong on the head and stands back up and starts to remove her outfit, layers and jewelry one by one; leaving only the last layer of silk robe.
"It's been a long day, I think I'm going to call it a night."
"But it's morning My lady?"
Qian Lan looks at the unsuspecting Julong.
"You're like a dog Julong."
"Gasp! How rude! Don't compare me to those barbaric animals!"
Julong pouts like a child and curls up into a ball by Qian Lan's bedside.
"Heh Heh, you know I love you Julong. You never cease to amaze me."
Qian Lan smiles at the sight of Julong perking up, showing interest in her words. But being too prideful as a Kirin he remained on the ground. Quickly climbing into bed, Qian Lan soon dozes off into a deep sleep.
Hours soon passed and before long, Qian Lan wakes up to Julong calling out to her.
"My lady! Time to get up!"
Qian Lan grunts and tosses and turns in bed.
"THUD."
Quickly sitting up from her bed, Qian Lan soon recognizes a familiar figure on the floor.
"Jiang?!"
"Ow..."
Jiang stands up from the ground and pats himself down.
"I'm sorry! I didn't know you were there!"
Qian Lan quickly composes herself and fixes her disheveled hair as she wipes away her drool.
"You sure slept well. Its been a whole day already, not to mention the next day already."
Qian Lan couldn't believe it but she could see the sun slowly rising from beyond the horizon through her small window.
"I slept that long?!"
"You sure did. I got worried and came to take a look. To think you'd kick me off the bed."
Qian Lan blushes from Jiang's remarks. The thought of him seeing her sleeping drooling face made her want to disappear off the face of earth.
"I...it was an accident. I didn't know you were there."
Jiang smiles in satisfaction after poking fun of his bride to be.
"Since you're up, lets head out to the garden and eat together. The head maid will be in soon to help you get ready."
Jiang grabs Qian Lan's hand and helps her off the bed.
"I'll see you shortly."
With those parting words, Jiang quickly disappears from sight. Before long, the head maid comes knocking on Qian Lans bedroom door. With a new set of clothes and jewelry the head maid helped bathe and dress Qian Lan for her lunch date with Jiang.
"You're all set my lady."
"Thank you head maid."
Qian Lan was dressed in a pale yellow hanfu, with the embroidery of flowers on the front. Accompanied by gold jewelry. With Julong by her side, Qian Lan makes her way to the palace garden. In the far back was a white pavilion that stood out.
"Jiang!"
Qian Lan calls out as she approaches the pavilion. Jiang motions for his guards to keep a distance as Qian Lan approaches and seats herself across from him.
"Beautiful day today!"
Qian Lan says smiling as she stares at the beautiful scenery before her. Jiang takes a moment and stares at the beautiful woman in front of him.
"No, you're beautiful Qian Lan."
Qian Lan instantly blushes and tries to hide her embarrassment behind her tea cup. With her ears red as a tomato, Jiang couldn't help but smile at the reaction of his beautiful soon to be wife.
"How will you handle anything if such words can make you bright as a tomato my bride?"
"You....you just took me off guard that's all. Besides, I'm just not used to it."
"Well, this is nothing compared to how I feel and what I think about you inside my heart, much less what goes on inside my head."
"Cough Cough!"
Once again, Qian Lan blushes and quickly sips her tea and stuffs her face to avoid locking eyes with Jiang. Not only was Qian Lan embarrassed, she was also shocked at how the man in front of her was no longer hiding his desires for her.
"Jiang, you're like some wild tiger that hasn't been fed in days."
Jiang laughs at Qian Lan's remarks and sips on his tea as he continues to tease his soon to be wife. The two continued to eat and enjoy the weather. Before long the afternoon hours were now over and Jiang had to head back to doing his duties. As the two were about to part, Jiang grabs hold of Qian Lans right hand and places a soft kiss on it.
"We will be wed in four days. Even though it was only three days in your time it was three months here. We're long overdue for our wedding."
"Four days?! But we haven't prepared anything?!"
"You have your wedding dress already from mother in law. I think its only right to wear that and honor her."
"Jiang....you're okay with that? The other gods won't judge me for it?"
"Who would dare to? I have sent invitations already and will see you in four days Qian Lan. I'll be busy till then so if you need anything just tell Julong."
"Alright."
Jiang smiles in satisfaction and disappears into thin air.