Chapter 3:

All the colour drained from Juying's features. She hadn't expected that the opulent-looking steps would have been made from such low-grade material that they could be burnt by her qilin fire.

Puzzled, the Matchmaker scratched his head. "Celestial fire? Where could it have come from?"

The beginnings of a smirk spread across Runyu's face. "Celestial fire that is hot enough to scorch the jade steps of the Empyreal Cloud Palace can only be produced by two creatures. A phoenix or a fire qilin."

The Matchmaker stood up abruptly. "A phoenix? Has Xufeng returned?" He looked around frantically.

"Uncle, please calm down. If Xufeng has indeed reincarnated, how can we be the last ones in the Six Realms to find out?" Runyu said cooly. "It is more likely that a fire qilin has appeared in our midst."

Juying squirmed under the heat of the Heavenly Emperor's calculating gaze. She shot a sideways glare at the trembling official, gathering all the hatred and rage she could muster with that single look. Meanwhile, the official strived to avoid eye-contact with the angry diamond at his side, growing weak with fear at the thought of what damage her celestial flames could do to him. Heavens, he was only trying to do his duty!

"If xiaode may be so bold as to inquire of the Light Immortal, what is your true form?" An official spoke up from the crowd.

Heaving a breath of resignation, Juying replied, "A fire qilin."

A wave of shocked gasps rippled through the group of officials. Runyu, of course, already knew this. Possessing an unwarranted vendetta against the Light Immortal, he had personally conducted an extensive background check on her in the hopes of finding something incriminating that he could use to send her home. His investigation, however, had been futile. She had lived a blameless life, and everyone all but sung her praises. It frustrated him to no end.

"Oh? The Light Immortal wouldn't happen to know anything about the scorched jade steps, would you?" Runyu asked, feigning ignorance. He quite enjoyed watching her shift with discomfort.

Juying watched the smug Heavenly Emperor through narrowed eyes. He knew. A stab of hurt and anger shot through her at his undue hostility. What had she done to offend him?

Dishonesty was a bad habit of Juying's that she often relied on to get herself out of trouble. In that moment, however, the Light Immortal recognized that she had been cornered and no lie could save her.

Sinking to her knees to perform a su bai once again, Juying responded meekly, "May the Heavenly Emperor forgive me. Juying was too eager to commence her new duties, hence I shifted into my true form, thinking that I'd be able to report to the Heavenly Emperor sooner. I should have been more careful so as to avoid burning the palace steps. Juying won't dare to repeat this mistake in the future." She bowed her head to the ground three times to express her profound apology.

Runyu stared at her, unimpressed. He wasn't going to let her off so easily. "Even the Heavenly Emperor has to make the climb up all 888 steps, unaided by magical abilities. Who gave you the right to ascend the easy way?" He accused, "One would think that the Light Immortal was trying to approach Heaven with a single stride.*"

Heat rushed to Juying's cheeks and she gritted her teeth. "Master Doumu has taught Juying the dire consequences of laziness." (Which she was finally learning in real-time.) The Light Immortal adopted a piteous expression that seemed to proclaim her irreproachability, "Please don't wrong me, your majesty. I would never do such a thing."

She continued, "As the saying goes, he who is clumsy needs to start early.* I am new to the Empyreal Cloud Palace and simply wanted to familiarize myself with the grounds and my new responsibilities sooner, such that I may execute my duties to the best of my ability and not disgrace the Heavenly Emperor. May your majesty be gracious this once and look past my great sin."

"How diligent and hardworking! You all should take a page out of the Light Immortal's book. So young, yet already so knowledgeable," the Matchmaker praised.

"A hundred merits cannot hide a single demerit." Runyu cut in icily.

"Yu'er, I'm sure she didn't mean to scorch the jade steps. Anyway, material things can be replaced. Why pursue such a petty issue?"

Juying bit back a victorious smile. Her ability to curry favour was indeed unmatched. She had only just met the Matchmaker and he was already defending her. She only needed to give a final nudge in the right direction...

She turned to the Matchmaker and folded her hands together. "Juying expresses her utmost gratitude to the Matchmaker for speaking up for her. However, it is my fault for being unfamiliar with the rules and rituals of the Heavenly Realm and not learning them beforehand. I feel most guilty for involving the Matchmaker in this unpleasant situation. Please accept my kowtow* of apology."

The Heavenly Emperor saw right through the Light Immortal's ploy. How irksome. What sickened him even more was the fact that it was actually working.

Before she could bow to the Matchmaker, he hastily stopped her and desperately implored his nephew, "Yu'er, don't torture her anymore. It was an honest mistake. I'm willing to plead for mercy on her behalf. For my sake, please forgive her."

Runyu narrowed his eyes at the scheming Juying. With the Matchmaker's interference, there was no way that he could pursue the matter without appearing unreasonable. Resentful, he responded in a strained, clipped tone, "Forget it. Seeing as the Matchmaker has pleaded for mercy on your behalf, I shall no longer hold it against you."

"Thank you, Heavenly Emperor, for your grace! And thank you, Matchmaker. Juying won't forget your kindness, I will definitely find a way to repay you," she effused.

With his next words, the Heavenly Emperor's voice dropped several octaves, and Juying was able to detect the threat in them. "Heed my advice. Don't forget that he who cheats the earth will be cheated by the earth.*"

Unfazed, Juying plastered the most enchanting smile on her face. With a voice smoother than honey, Juying replied, "The Heavenly Emperor is wise! Thank you for your teaching." She hoped that the arrogant ruler would be able hear the absolute disdain dripping from her saccharine tone. And hear it he did, which made him bristle, but could do nothing but dismiss her tersely.

"This girl certainly seems interesting. I can already tell that she's going to liven up the Empyreal Cloud Palace and be a wonderful addition to my Yu'er's court," The Matchmaker grinned as he watched her receding figure. "So lovely, innocent and simple! Tell her to come by and play at the House of Marriage often. I would very much enjoy her company."

Simple? Runyu scoffed at the thought. The events of that day all but confirmed that the Light Immortal was not what she appeared. A wonderful addition to his court? Please, the dragon spirit could already feel the beginnings of a headache working its way through his temples. He had a sneaking suspicion that if action was not taken, the young immortal would soon become the death of him.

Yet, there was something about her naivety and eagerness that bore a striking resemblance to Runyu's younger self. It all but intrigued him, as well as made him feel an invasive urge to ruin her. He brooded in silence, wondering just what, or how long it would take for her to lose that youthful innocence...

Glossary:
Approach Heaven with a single stride: 一步登天 (yī bù dēng tiān), attempting to achieve a goal in one go without hard work (idiom)
He who is clumsy needs to start early: 笨人先起身，笨鸟早出林 (bèn rén xiān qǐ shēn，bèn niǎo zǎo chū lín), if you don't know how to get your work done, you'll need to start as soon as possible to learn how to do it properly and finish the job (proverb)
He who cheats the earth will be cheated by the earth: 欺骗土地的人将被土地欺骗 (qī piàn tǔ dì de rén jiāng bèi tǔ dì qī piàn), those who deceive and take shortcuts will ultimately receive their retribution.
Kowtow: to bow