The next morning when the sun peeked from its horizon, Ying Yue woke up to the chirping of birds outside. One may argue that she was not an early bird when it came to sleeping, but after the exhausting day she had followed by sleeping in an unknown environment, no matter how comfortable the mattress was, she was bound to sleep and wake up early.
Before she opened her eyes properly a tiny part of her hoped that would be back to her own house by now, that all the things that happened to her was a part of some big nightmare triggered by her obsession with watching period dramas. But she was proven wrong and thus she simply sat on the bed with a gloomy expression before there was a knock.
"Miss Yue, the fire lord has asked me to wake you up", the voice of Bao Li asserted from outside her chamber.
"I'm awake" Ying Yue shouted to let her know.
"May I come in miss"? Bao Li asked her politely.
"Yes" Ying Yue let her know.
"The Fire Lord wanted me to help you to get ready. You shall leave in an hour". She bowed as stated. Ying Yue didn't say anything much and simply nodded at her. She still hadn't given up on returning home, but if she were stuck here she might as well as figure out this place. Besides, maybe going to that white haired man's palace will help her find out more about him so that she could get out of this marriage.
Bao Li helped her get inside a brand new robe and applied makeup on her. By the time she was done, even Ying Yue was surprised by the woman who stared back at her when she gazed into the mirror. As a former athlete, never did she ever have such long hair, let alone wear dresses like this. Even in all the parties she attended she dressed modern and simple.
Bao Li tied half of her hair in a beautiful bun supported by a red and golden brooch, symbolizing the fire and a red ribbon that traced her hair length till her waist. It took Bao Li around the whole hour due to lack of coordination and cooperation from Miss Yue. She was confused about how come she had to tell her every simple thing like raise your arms, turn around etc. It was as if Miss Yue forgot how to dress altogether.
Bao Li accompanied her to the main gate along with her mother, Dongmei. Her father and her brother were already there waiting for her on their respective horses. Her father's horse was pitch black in color, whereas her brother rose a husky brown one. Excited, she looked around for a third horse that she would get to ride, only to be disappointed by a carriage attached to a few horses. Surrounding them stood multiple guards who ensured a safe escort to the Jin Palace.
The journey turned out to be longer than she was expecting. Even though they did not take any breaks it still took them almost 2 hours to reach. Ying Yue was starting to feel uncomfortable in those heavy apparel. One can imagine how she rejoiced when one of the guards announced that "We have arrived in our destination".
Ying Yue couldn't help but take a peek at this 'Destination' of theirs. She saw a large palace surrounded by a considerably longer moat. The palace seemed way bigger than her own sect, or even the house she used to live in before she came to this strange world.
The Door of Jin palace slowly lowered down to cover the moat so that they could make their way in. The palace was expecting the soon to be bride of Young Lord Fu and thus they even tried to look at the woman who finally managed to catch her heart. While many knew about the Cicatrix of Death, hardly few were aware that only his destined bride was the cure to it.
Still peeking, she stared at the huge walls that hid most of the palace. The walls were coloured in different shades of blues. Once they crossed the main door she looked around further to see large blue and white curtains. It appeared to her that blue and white might be their signature colour like she was red and yellow. She didn't think much of it back then, but now it was undeniable.
Along with the beauty of the walls and the lakes that were present there, she also caught the attention of many curious faces who stared at the bride-to-be. They knew she was coming and couldn't help but be curious who was the lucky one. She even caught a few whispers like 'She is so lucky' or 'how can she be his bride, she is so ordinary' and all.
Even if she hated being his bride and would do anything to change that, still those comments hurt. As a champion of swimming she was used to admiration and praises and a tinge of jealousy from her competitors. But never was she ever treated as ordinary. She hated being ordinary and worked hard to prove them otherwise.
She put her head back inside her carriage and decided not to look out unless she absolutely had to. A moment later they stopped and her father called her to come out. Ying Yue stepped out from her carriage to find herself in a beautiful garden surrounded with a few fountains and a chamber where it was written in ethereal font "Kèfáng" which meant guest room.
Few disciples made their way to Kèfáng and bowed in front of the Mofeng. "Fire Lord, Young Lord Fu has asked us to show you around and escort you to the main hall." It surprised her how active everyone was even if it was still quite early.
"Go ahead." The Fire Lord stated. One of the disciples bowed in front of them. "I'm a disciple of the Jin sect, Chao Li Jei. Please follow me this way." Chao Li stated.
Daisung told his sister, Ying Yue to walk carefully on the stairs. Yue nodded and picked the long gown slightly up which made her white socks visible.
Seeing this Bao Li whispered in Ying Yue's ear, "Miss, what are you doing? Lower down the gown. Your socks are visible."
"Then how will I walk? Because of this long gown I'm not able to see the stairs. What if I fall?" Muttered Ying Yue. The palace maids who were going that way, laughed slightly at her clumsiness. Ying Yue glared at them and they lowered her eyes.
"Yue, why aren't you coming?" Daisung asked who was at the top of the stairs.
"Coming," said Ying Yue and paying no heed to Bao Li she picked her gown up and ran through the stairs. Her father, her brother and the disciples of the Jin sect looked at Ying Yue confusedly. The disciples lowered their eyes seeing this.
She reached upstairs and then smiled. "Yue, how are you walking? Lower your gown." Daisung whispered in her ear. Ying Yue found they all were from an ancient era where such things weren't expected from a woman.
"These people are really weird." Ying Yue thought. Bao Li stood beside her. Li Jie and five other disciples with him escorted them to the Guest Room. Ying Yue turned her gazes all around the spacious room. The white walls with light blue and white curtains giving it the magnificent touch.
"Please have a seat. The water Lord and Young Lord Fu are coming in a while." Li Jie told them. He told the other disciples to go out. Bao Li was adjusting her Miss clothes when the water Lord entered the room with Young Lord Fu and two other men.
Bao Li stood behind Ying Yue. Mofeng and Daisung got up from their seats in respect of the Water Lord. Seeing them, Ying Yue too got up. "They don't have white hair unlike this white hairy guy." Thought Ying Yue.
Mofeng raised his both hands ahead till his shoulder, slightly bowed his head and made a formal greeting to the Water Lord, Hua Shou Jin, followed by his son Daisung. Hua Shou also greeted the Fire Lord, Mofeng, followed by his three sons, Mencius Jin; Fai Zhen Jin and Fu Shui Jin.
"Please have a seat," said the Water Lord gesturing towards the seats. Fire Lord thanked him and they all sat on the respective seats.
Ying Yue was looking around when his eyes fell on Shui Jin who was looking at her. She blinked her eyes and then averted her gaze. "Why is he staring at me?" Thought Ying Yue and touched her face.
"Yue, please give the Water Lord a formal greeting." The Fire Lord, Mofeng, told her daughter. Ying Yue nodded and got up from her seat. She walked towards the mid and then turned herself to the Water Lord. She recalled how Bao Li taught her to greet the elders in the Jin Palace.
"I will do the opposite so that they will refuse for this marriage," thought Ying Yue. A broad smile appeared on her lips as she waved at them. "Hello, the name is An Ying Yue." She then winked at Shui Jin who was startled by her act.