The Serpent and the Lotus Blooms

Youth, Beauty and a Warm Heart

The hour was early. Xiu Ying stepped out of the small study, having been briefed by Bai Yusheng on the current state of affairs in the trial between the Angelic and Demonic Court. They had been thorough, answering all her questions patiently. She was as prepared as she could be on such short notice, but despite the lack of time, she felt...confident, actually. Xiu Ying had hardly stepped away from the door when she passed Yi Tengfei. She stopped, turning to move out of his way and bowed politely as he passed.

“Good Morning, Shifu,” she greeted, and he bowed his head in her direction. Then, he stopped for a moment, looking at her ornate robes with some confusion. 

“Shouldn’t Xiu Ying be heading to classes?” His tone was steady, and if Xiu Ying was being honest, he sounded unbothered. Normal even, and she didn't know whether this eased her heart or frightened her. She lifted her head and smiled at him. 

“This disciple has been tasked with assisting in the trial between the Demonic and Angelic Court,” she answered, and Yi Tengfei regarded her more carefully this time. While her hair was always very nicely done, it was especially put together today. She kept it simple, the twists very neat and clean with floral ornaments as accents. Normally she kept some of her silky black hair loose, but today only her bangs hung down. She was the picture of a refined lady, wearing the signature emerald green accents of their peak and the lotus emblem across her breast. Though there was much suspicion cast upon him, Xiu Ying was soft. She was gentle. This man had helped to raise her and Li Jun after all. He had a much closer relationship with Li Jun growing up, as the two could relate easily with their love of martial arts and sword skill. While Bai Yusheng was also a strong martial enthusiast and very, very skilled as well, they had bonded closely with Xiu Ying over her love of the arts and dance in particular. There was much that crossed over between the two talents after all. 

    Yi Tengfei looked like he wished to question her, his brows drawing together in what looked like concern, but she couldn’t be sure. However, he did not press her, and he gestured for her to go. She bowed once more before turning to leave, hearing Bai Yusheng’s soft voice greeting him before she made it outside. She had hardly taken two steps when she heard her name drifting on the breeze to her ears. She turned towards the sound, seeing Saalah and Li Jun approaching her at a jog. She covered her smile with her sleeve as they approached. 

    Li Jun was the first to reach her, his breathing only slightly heavier with the exertion. Saalah wasn’t far behind, though he was considerably less winded. It probably had something to do with his demon side. 

“Ah, Shixiong! Shouldn’t you and Shidi be in class right now?  Who will keep everyone on track while Yi Shifu speaks with Shizun?” Her tone was only teasingly stern, and she was warmed by the smiles on their faces. It must be hard for both of them right now, but still they had come to see her off. She had tried to get Li Jun to speak with her about his thoughts on the suspicion cast on Yi Tengfei. She knew it had to be weighing heavy on his heart, but he had disarmed her line of questioning with his warm smile and told her not to worry. Still…something in his expression seemed tense, and she wished she could help him. Perhaps at the next Day of Rest she could convince him to speak with one of the counselors of Fengge Pavillion.

“We came to see you off, Shimei!” Li Jun said proudly, , and she couldn’t help the small giggle at his infectious enthusiasm. 

“You, too, Shidi?” She asked, turning to look at Saalah who shrugged and smiled.

“It’s an important day for you, isn’t it, Shijie? We wanted to wish you luck.” Saalah’s voice was much calmer, but warm, still. She let out a soft, huff, straightening herself and stepping forward to catch the lapels of Li Jun’s robe, straightening it from where it had become disheveled on their jog over. The way his ears burned was endearing, and she reached up to pull a leaf from his wayward hair.  There was no small fix for his wild waves, she knew. That would require a concentrated effort that she just didn’t have time for. Besides, it added a charming contrast to his neat, clean robes that she quite admired.