Hsien Lian followed Tao Wu through the golden rooms, floors made of the shining material. Was this all his? That was what Tao Wu had said. However, the god had said a lot. "Hsien Lian, you are very special to me." Tao Wu voiced through the silence. Hsien Lian knew great things about the gods and Chinese Taoist Mythology. It was the Han Dynasty's official offering.
Hsien Lian nodded. "I have been watching you specifically. Maybe more than I should have. But you," Tao Wu turned around to face the prince, Hsien Lian turning his head to look at the other's kind eyes. "You have only purity in your heart. And I must respect that. As even the best of gods do not have the sincerity like you, Hsien Lian."
Hsien Lian bowed slightly at the compliment. "Thank you, sir." He mumbled. Tao Wu only hummed, turning back around. "You learned from a Taoist priest, correct? So I expect that you know the different levels of Heaven." That's where they were, in Heaven. It looked fictional, from a scroll. But Hsien Lian could touch the walls, feel the flooring. It was all real, somehow.
"Yes, sir." "So then, what are they?" Tao Wu stated. Hsien Lian sucked in a breath, thinking for a moment. He felt like he was being tested. If he didn't get this wrong, he would die. Or something worse. "Everyone who goes to Heaven becomes a Noble God. If you follow the rules and do as told, you can become a Melee God. After a certain point, and if the celestials notice your godly deeds, you can become a Royal God." Hsien Lian recited. That was all he knew.
Tao Wu hummed in appreciation.
Hsien Lian smiled proudly. "Well, there are some other things you don't know. But I won't be the one to tell you that. " A young lady walked in. Her skin was fare, with large green eyes. A large green and gold crown stood atop her head, hanging down to her stunning features. Her body was both thin and delicate, with green and gold bands falling down her slamm waist. Her hanfu had natural linings of greens, turquoise, and sheer blues.
Hsien Lian bowed to her, but the young woman quickly shook her head. "No need to do that, Your Highness." Jing Mei. He had heard of her. The Queen of the Gods. They weren't married, at least Hsien Lian didn't think they were. Gods can't get married. But they both held the title. Both Jing Mei and Tao Wu were in charge of the Gods, they were on the same level. No one was in charge of the other.
Hsien Lian smiled as Tao Wu cleared his throat. "I will show you to your room, Your Highness. As well as talk to you about some other important matters." Jing Mei explained. Hsien Lian nodded softly. Tao Wu softly bowed. "If either of you need me, I will be in my kingdom." Tao Wu voiced, before walking out of his own kingdom, disappearing past the door.
Jing Mei smiled towards him. "Tao Wu is very proud of you, as am I." Jing Mei voiced wisely. For how young she looked, she had the wisdom of a thousand years. "How old are you, boy?" Jing Mei asked. She began to walk down a corridor, not going the same way that Tao Wu had gone previously. Hsien Lian quickly followed.
The place was giant. Bigger than the palace, maybe bigger than the capital. With a golden green garden, silver dining tables, and smaller areas. DId Hsien Lian really own all of this. It seemed the corridor went on forever, but Jing Mei stopped at a door. She turned around to look at him with a curious look. "Well?" She asked. Oh, the question.
"Fifteen, ma'am."
Her eyes went wide. She didn't know how old he was? How did she not know? She quickly changed her look, clicking her tongue and nodding. "So young, yet have done so many things." She whispered to herself. Hsien Lian looked down at the solid gold floors, feeling around for any cracks or pebbles, even though there wasn't any. As smooth as possible.
"Hsien Lian, what do you think you are the god of?"
Hsien Lian was taken off guard by the question, but silently started thinking. The young boy didn't know. What decided what a god was. What were they in charge of? Hsien Lian didn't have an exact answer. He thought that he might not ever get one. I- I don't know." He whispered, looking down, ashamed by his lack of creativity. A delicate hand was placed on his shoulder.
"You Hsien Lian, are the God Of Flowers. The god of the delicate and devine plants that grow from the Earth and the sky. The blooming and the captivating petals flood the Spring days.."Jing Mei answered, with warmth in her voice. He was the God of Flowers. Lotus flowers.
"Just like your name."
The two stepped up to a door to a room. The door was somewhat see-through, a beautiful papyrus paper attached to wood, making geometric shapes. Jing Mei gripped the piece of the wood, sliding open the door. Hsien Lian looked inside. It was... it was Hsien Lian's bedroom. From the palace. Somehow. A queen-sized bed with a blue and white bed set, different colored pillows that was still in theme with the room. The bed was backing into the corner, white lace colored onto the sides to hide the rest of the bed. A small desk was on the opposite side, wooden and antique. Yet seemingly new.
However, the most shocking part was the man on his bed, only slightly older than Hsien Lian. He tapped his foot, obviously impatient. He clicked his tongue when he saw Hsien Lian, not bowing like how the young boy was used to. Instead he crossed his arms, leaning to one side. "Nice to see you once again, Your Highness." The man voiced. Hsien Lian smiled brightly.
"Fang Hai?"
Fang Hai rolled his eyes dramatically. He was always like that, Hsien Lian was happy the man hadn't changed. "I wasn't just your housekeeper. I did more than just keep you up in the morning." The god voiced, rolling his eyes. Hsien Lian quickly shook his head. Hsien Lian has never thought of Fang Hai anywhere close to 'just a housekeeper.' He never thought of anyone like that. "No, no." Hsien Lian quickly apologized, "I understand greatly. You are definitely more than that, way more. I'm sorry." Hsien Lian lowered himself as an apology, but Fang Hai grabbed his shoulder, lifting him back up.
Fang Hai turned to Jing Mei. "Has he been shown the gardens? If not, can I?" Fang Hai asked politely, his sarcastic tone being rearranged into a polite one. Jing Mei sighed, shaking her head. She held her hands behind her back, an upright posture. Hsien Lian has always learned that she was a loving and kind lady, though stern and reasonable. Hsien Lian at first couldn't see it well, but now he definitely could.
"I'm sorry. But there are certain matters that must be done. You should know as a Melee God about the issue?" Jing Mei asked. Fang Hai was silent for a moment. An issue? There was an issue in Heaven? Hsien Lian hasn't been in the realm for long, but issues weren't a thing. Not in Heaven. At least, that's what Hsien Lian was told.
"Yes, indeed I do. Should we go now?" Fang Hai asked, stepping away from Hsien Lian and back towards Jing Mei with a grim look. Jing Mei nodded, humming. "We should," She turned to Hsien Lian, her grim face being replaced with a hopeful one. "Please stay in your kingdom. However, if you have any problems, we will be in the main hall at the capital. One of the Noble Gods will show you."Jing Mei voiced, before stepping out the room, Fang Hai after her.
As the door slid shut, Hsien Lian had time to himself. To think, to remember, to recollect. He slowly sat onto the bed, slightly warmed from Fang Hai's body, looking down at the wooden floor. The crack on the ground that mystically sprung into a flower shape, the small indents from different falls or spills. The black ink that was spilled from writing simply Chinese characters.
Everything was here. All his memories were in this room. Would he forget them? Gods, could they remember everything? From their human life and their godly one. Wasn't there a ceremony to be one of Heaven's Deity? It was how you became a part of Heaven. Apart from the Realm. Not that Hsien Lian minded not having a ceremony. He would rather not. The prince had gone through his fair share of ceremonies.
Him being a Noble God meant- wait. How did that work? Only Melee Gods could actually own a kingdom, filled with Noble Gods. So, if Hsien Lian had a kingdom, he must have been a Melee God. But, Melee Gods couldn't be known. That was a question the young boy needed an answer to. So, one of the youngest people to ever become Heaven's Deity, stood from his bed, beginning to walk towards his door. He must know the answers.