"Here we are... Orchard Peak."
Gao Chen stepped out first, a smile on her lips as she glanced around at the dozens of fruit trees around the entrance of my childhood home.
Turning back, she reached her hand out, helping me out of the carriage.
Nodding to her, I clasped my hands inside my robes sleeves as I remained one step behind her, my eyes taking in the familiar palace.
Made from Solar Stone and Lunar Wood, the Celestial Palace was a perfect balance of Yin and Yang, each material measured exactly to create this balance.
Standing at the front entrance of the Celestial Palace were four armored statues, two gold, two silver.
They were Mother Ai's pride and joy, the Twins of Tranquility and the Twins of Pandemonium; they were two sets of Inscribed Armors that had Dharma Realm power, maybe even Low King Realm.
Each one represented the good and bad of Yin and Yang; Day and Night.
The two sets of twins bowed to us as we approached, a hollow, ringing voice echoing from each ones helmet as they said "Lady Ai and the Matriarch await inside the Serenity Hall."
Gao Chen glanced at me, not knowing much about the inside of the Celestial Palace; no one besides the Matriarchs Family were allowed inside.
Nodding to her, I gulped as I reached out and grabbed her hand, guiding her forwards.
The woman stared at our hands for a moment, before shrugging as she allowed me to lead her through the opulent palace.
Dozens of unique and powerful scrolls hung on the walls, be them poems, paintings, or techniques.
Mom had created the Palace for the same reasons Gao Chen had created hers; it was a status symbol, so many of the halls and rooms lay empty and unused for decades now.
Even so, the entire Palace was made from high grade materials, ensuring the opulent and lavish display of power that she wanted.
One large piece of the Palace was the main hall, which was filled with lush, verdant vegetation, which was why it was named Serenity Hall.
It was Mom's favorite place in this Palace of hers, and it was where I had the most memories of her; she often read to me inside that Hall, both of us laying under the various trees and enjoying the fragrant smells as we read and read...
Sighing, I felt my mood turn melancholic at that thought; we had done that for maybe a year or two before Mother Ai had become pregnant again, and then Mom's attention had begun to split unevenly amongst her children.
At least half went to my newest sibling, Li Fen, whilst a majority of her remaining time was spent grooming Li Hui Ling to be who she was today.
I was lucky to get a minute or two a day when either Mom or Mother spoke to me and only me.
That was when I had started to change.
Gao Chen clenched my hand in hers, making me stare back at her in confusion.
"Are you okay?"
Hearing the worry in her tone, I felt my heart skip a beat before looking into her orange eyes, where a warning lay.
"Yes..."
My heart grew heavier instantly, and I turned back towards the long, winding halls, guiding my fiancee towards my parents.
Reaching the giant wooden inscribed doors, I took a deep breath before reaching for the golden hoop, lifting it and knocking it.
"Come in."
A calm, powerful voice echoed from behind the door, and I took another deep breath as I pushed the heavy doors open, revealing Serenity Hall.
Just like I was used too, a forest awaited us inside, not a room.
More trees and shrubs grew around the soil laden floor, all whilst the sounds of rushing water could be heard from the various fountains and the large waterfall in the back.
Stepping onto the stone cobbled path, I led Gao Chen, who was wonderstruck, towards the main sitting area of the hall.
I had many fond, and terrible memories of this table.
Many a day was spent reading with Mom at this long mahogany table.
Many a day was spent sitting at this table, alone, even when my family sat around me.
Staring at the same table, I saw six women sitting around it.
At the head was Mom, her long black hair and sharp azure eyes staring straight at me, whilst her pale white skin glimmered in the sunlight.
Her broad shoulders and muscular frame was well hidden beneath her simple dark blue robes, and leaning against the throne beside her was the pair of golden and silver chains she used to fight.
Sitting on her right side was a curvaceous woman, her jovial features brightening up the room as she glanced at me.
Like Li Hui Ling, she had two large rabbit ears rising from the top of her head, whilst her silvery hair cascaded down her shoulders.
Shimmering in the air around her were various silver runes, popping in and out of existence at random intervals.
Mother Ai was gorgeous, and that beauty was gifted to her first child, who sat on Mom's left.
Li Hui Ling was smiling just like Mother, and she gave Gao Chen a nod when we entered.
Next there were Mom's two new King Realm Concubines; one was a short, buxom woman, her giant breasts barely contained in her tight green robe, whilst her plump red lips were wrapped around a pipe.
Her green eyes were dazzling, her bronze skin flawless, and she had a seductive air around her, which made my heart race.
Sitting opposite her was a elegant, scholarly woman, her pristine white robes hanging loosely over her petite frame, whilst her glasses gleamed in the light.
Her skin was as pale as Mom's, and she stared with interest at both Gao Chen and I.
Finally there was the Dharma Realm Forgemaster, the muscular woman crossing her large arms across her ample chest as she looked around the Hall in wonder, her ruby red eyes trying to decipher what made this Hall capable of housing this many lush plants.
Wearing a black apron and dark red robes, the Forgemaster had a scarred face, the pale pink flesh contrasting her darkened, almost burnt tanned skin, whilst her red hair was pulled into a tight bun behind her head.
Looking at each of my new Aunt's, I stopped a few feet short from the table and cupped my hands, Gao Chen mirroring me.
"Yi'er greets the Matriarch!"
"Chen'er greets the Matriarch!"