Chapter 2:
The summons arrived without warning. Before Juying could even begin to process what was happening, she was exchanging tearful goodbyes with her best friend Wenshao, then sent to make her final preparations and packing for the Empyreal Cloud Palace by her master.
A few days earlier, her only cares in the world were playing with the koi spirits, hurling magic fireballs into the sky and getting into all sorts of mischief with the other disciples. Her responsibilities included - but weren't limited to - orchestrating gorgeous sunrises and sunsets as night descended and receded, weaving streaks of golden, orange, red and pink through the clouds, as well as ensuring that the sun was always travelling along its proper course.
Who could have predicted that in the blink of an eye, she would be walking through the magnificent gates of Heaven and making the long, treacherous climb up the pearly white steps to the Great Hall, where the Heavenly Emperor sat waiting for her. Soon, the duty of bringing daytime to the Six Realms would rest on her lean shoulders. Juying wasn't sure if she was ready, or even worthy, to carry such a great responsibility.
She clutched the growing stitch in her side, thoroughly regretting being greedy that morning and tricking Wenshao into giving her his share of dumplings. Juying craned her neck, hoping to see the summit of the steps. To her dismay, they seemed to stretch on endlessly before her, and she released a pitious outcry. Glancing back, she realized that the ground was no longer visible either. Juying found herself all alone, stranded on a jagged path of luminous stone, Heaven knows how much further from her destination.
It hadn't even been two hours before she started missing her master. Everyone always claimed that Master Doumu was the strictest with her, but that she also doted on Juying the most. The Light Immortal felt a lump in her throat upon recalling her master's parting words, delivered as Juying unceremoniously flung herself into the high immortal's arms- decorum be damned -while bawling her eyes out.
"Your teacher can open the door, but you must enter by yourself," Master Doumu said in between Juying's inconsolable sobbing and awkward pats on her disciple's back. They were simple instructions which roughly translated to: "Grow up, Juying. The time has come for you to be independent."
Wiping the back of her sleeves across her eyes, Juying stared up at the neverending steps with a stirring defiance. Well, nobody can accomplish anything without the necessary means.* Closing her eyes and centering her chi, Juying muttered a simple incantation. She felt her body shifting into its true form.
The fire qilin* released a satisfied chime that resembled the tinkling of bells, then proceeded to gallop up the stairway to the Great Hall. With each powerful thrust of her hooves, Juying wondered why she didn't come up with this idea sooner. It would have saved her that much more time and energy.
It wasn't long before she finally arrived at the summit. Juying shifted back into her human form, smoothing down her silk robes with a triumphant smile. Turning to face the imposing doors of gold and white, the Light Immortal drew in a breath to steady herfself.
"Finally, I get the opportunity to meet you. I wonder what you're like?" She pondered while waiting for her arrival to be announced to the Heavenly Emperor.
Enjoying a flask of peach blossom wine while admiring the coruscating stars in the night sky had always been one of Juying's favorite pastimes. She longed to meet the creator of those resplendent scenes and could hardly believe that the chance had come knocking. The Light Immortal wondered if the Night Immortal ever noticed the great efforts she put into painting the skies the perfect shade of cerulean blue, or dyeing the cotton clouds in an array of splendid colours at daybreak and nightfall, in an attempt to impress him.
Unbeknown to her, the Heavenly Emperor had in fact, during the rare, quiet moments of rest and reflection, taken notice of her extraordinary landscapes. On one hand, he'd silently scoff at the unnecessary extravagance of the scenes, feeling inexplicably chagrined by the superfluous pains she took to arrange the sky.
On the other, as much as he tried to resist it, Runyu could never quite understand why the sight would sometimes cause his breath to catch in his throat and the ground to seemingly lurch beneath his feet. He'd then tear his gaze away from the view and angrily force down the perplexing rise of emotions within him.
"Announcing the arrival of the Light Immortal!" A palace guard called out as the doors began to swing open, breaking Juying out of her reverie.
As the Light Immortal set foot into the Great Hall, fervent whispers arose from the palace officials. "Is that her?"
"So beautiful!"
"Is she engaged? It's about time my son found a wife..."
The Matchmaker craned his neck, eager to get a better view of the immortal who had come to assist his beloved nephew. When his gaze fell upon her lovely face and posture poised with elegance as she glided across the hall, his jaw dropped. "Wow... What a pretty immortal. Yu'er, you sure lucked out," he murmured.
Juying fought to keep the smile off her face as she caught wind of his words. She knew just how pretty she looked - the light bended to illuminate her features with a romantic affection in all the right places, made it so.
Peering up at the Heavenly Emperor, she realized, with slight astonishment, that his gaze was the only one not fixated on her. Instead, his head rested on a clenched fist as he stared into space, oblivious, or perhaps indifferent to her presence. His look of utter disinterest struck Juying as foreign; it was a first for her. At the same time, Juying couldn't help but think that the portraits she'd seen of him over the years did not do him justice. There was an attractiveness to his cold dispassion that sent Juying's insides to turmoil.
She stopped walking, knelt down and did a su bai.* "Light Immortal Juying greets the Heavenly Emperor and Matchmaker," her clear, confident voice rang out across the Great Hall.
"Rise," said the bored dragon spirit as he finally turned to face her. Though his face gave away no reaction, Runyu was internally stunned at just how captivating the Light Immortal was. He tore his gaze away before she could think that he was staring.
She certainly was very beautiful, Runyu conceded, but that didn't mean anything. There were plenty of other beauties just like her in Heaven. "I trust that you know why you have been summoned?" Runyu stated more than asked.
"Yes, your majesty. Juying has been tasked with the duty of bringing and withdrawing day from the Six Realms," she responded.
The Heavenly Emperor gave a single, approving nod. "Indeed. From this day forward, you will live and work alongside me in the Heavenly Realm. Yongxia palace* will be yours. As long as you remain punctual to fulfilling your duties, you may come and go as you please. Later, I shall send over some maids, from which you may take your pick of a few to serve you.
"Juying thanks the Heavenly Emperor for his generosity." She continued sweetly, "As a show of my appreciation, I have prepared some gifts for your majesty and the Matchmaker. I will send someone to deliver them to your palaces later."
The Matchmaker was pleasantly surprised. "No, how can we let you do that? You're the one we should be thanking, for coming all this way to assist us."
"Not at all, Matchmaker. Please don't stand on ceremony. I am a guest here, it is only natural for me to bring some gifts to thank you for your hospitality," she responded politely.
"What a thoughtful and well-mannered girl! May I ask... what gifts did you prepare for us-" The Matchmaker exclaimed before being interrupted by a painful jab to his right shoulder. He whipped around to glare at Runyu, who had not moved an inch from his position and maintained a serene expression, behaving as though he wasn't responsible for the Soaring Needle spell that had just been sent the Matchmaker's way.
Juying put on a dazzling smile. "Juying has heard that reading is a favorite pastime of both the Heavenly Emperor and the Matchmaker. Hence, I have prepared for the Heavenly Emperor copies of Master Doumu's sacred sutras, and for the Matchmaker, a few scripts from my favourite plays in the mortal realm."
The Matchmaker released a cry of delight. "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! Yu'er, you must treat her well. It's not every dynasty that you get to meet such a sweet and considerate girl."
Runyu narrowed his eyes at the blushing young immortal who graciously accepted his uncle's praise. It all seemed too good to be true. Everything was orchestrated a little too perfectly. In mere minutes, she had won the admiration and approval of Runyu's trusted officials and his uncle.
Granted, his uncle took an immediate liking to almost anyone, but how did Juying know that scripts from mortal plays would please him? She seemed to be all too familiar with the art of currying favour.* If Runyu's instincts were right and it was all just a show, then wouldn't that give him ample reason to distrust her?
A faraway look entered the Heavenly Emperor's eyes as he entertained the scheme of sending her back where she came from. He had only sent for her to pacify his officials and remained unconvinced that any sort of assistance she could provide would be worthwhile.
Little did he know that his suspicions would be put to the test as a breathless official burst through the doors of the Great Hall, causing a great commotion. He rushed up beside Juying at the foot of the throne and cried out, "Greetings to his majesty!"
"How daring. This is the Empyreal Cloud Palace. Who allowed you to behave in such a reckless manner?" Runyu said frostily.
"Please forgive me. Replying to his majesty, xiaode has an urgent matter to report."
Alarmed, the Matchmaker questioned, "Well, what is it? Tell us, quickly!"
The official hesitated, shooting a look of discomfort at Juying. She blinked innocently back at him, a look of confusion painted across her winsome features.
"Reporting to his majesty, the last 427 steps leading up to the Great Hall have been scorched by celestial fire!"
Glossary:
Nobody can accomplish anything without the necessary means: 巧妇难为无米之炊 (Qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī), to get your work done, you will need the proper tools and resources.
Fire Qilin: Often referred to as the "Chinese unicorn". Has the head of a dragon, antlers of a deer, the body of a horse and scales. The qilin likes to help people who are 孝 (xiào, fulfill filial duties) and do good deeds. Thus, it is also called the 仁兽 (rén shòu, benevolent creature). The appearance of a qilin is considered an auspicious omen.
Su bai: The most formal kowtow (bow). Used when greeting the emperor or worshipping the Gods. Done by first bowing to the hands, then placing one's palms on the ground and bowing one's head.
Yongxia Palace: 永夏宫 (yǒng xià gōng), Palace of Eternal Summer
Curry favour: 夤缘攀附 (yín yuán pān fù),to cling to the rich and powerful (idiom); to advance one's career by currying favor. social climbing