Choices

27 - Slumber

Sleep is the brother of Death. - Chinese proverb

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In a chamber inside the deepest recesses of Taichen Palace's innermost Yangshu Tower, an ancient god lay asleep. At his bedside, a beautiful maiden puttered about, humming a soft tune as she wiped the god's hands with a wet cloth.

"Dihou. Lord Xie Guchou has arrived."

With utmost care, the pair of calloused yet still elegant hands were placed back beneath the cloud quilts. A moment was spent to push back a wayward lock of silver hair that fell across the chiseled face, and smooth a tiny crease in the collar of purple silk robes. Doe-like eyes lifted from the sleeping deity's peaceful countenance to peer through the curtains that hid the bed from view.

"Thank you, Zhonglin. I will be there shortly."

The steward bowed, kept the pose as he took three steps backwards, and left the bedchambers.

Behind the curtains, the beauty with mesmerizing eyes took a long look at the sleeping deity on the bed, and dropped a soft, slow kiss on his forehead. With a sigh, she stood up, the folds of her silk robes falling around her body in a shimmer of lavender-hued fabric and showing the contours of a year-old pregnant stomach. After one last, critical glance around the spacious room to ensure that nothing is amiss, she phased out of Yangshi Tower towards Taichen Palace's main hall to receive her guest.

"Lord Xie." She attempted a bow, but was halted by the other before she could do so.

"Have you forgotten your station, now?" The Lord of the Underworld said, his grim tone belied by the teasing gleam in his usually taciturn eyes. "Not to mention, its not good for your condition to bow about so much."

The mild scolding was met with quiet laughter. "You sound like my Aunt and Zheyan. And Zhonglin, too." She pouted, which was good, but a bit sad because it was so muted compared to the faces she can make before. "Even Yan had become a worrier."

"I think our reactions cannot compare, once His Majesty wakes up and sees the way you are running about," Xie Guchou retorted, leading her with an elbow to sit up the dais, and taking the seat opposite.

The pensive edge in her smile became more pronounced. "That won't be for a long time yet," she murmured, before gathering herself together with visible effort. "You wish to speak with me about some serious matter?"

At this Xie Guchou's expression took on a grave cast, and he proceeded, without ado, to his purpose for coming. "I was browsing the soul registry the other day, and found something peculiar."

The goddess before him didn't reply, but gave a quiet hum to show her interest. Xie Guchou took a moment to receive the cup of tea she offered before continuing.

"It was a soul with neither a previous or subsequent existence. When I looked into it, I found that its source came from Taichen Palace."