Embers of Love

Chapter 8

    "Do you think he'll like it?" Juying asked Kuanglu anxiously.

    Kuanglu reassured, "Of course he will. Juying invested so much effort into preparing this surprise for the Heavenly Emperor, there is no way that he won't be pleased."

    "I hope so," Juying said eagerly. "If my plan succeeds and he repromotes me early, I'll be sure to reward you greatly! Anything you'd like, just name it. I promise to give it to you."

    The Heavenly Emperor's servant shook her head adamantly. "Kuanglu is just doing her duty to assist the Light Immortal. I seek no compensation nor reward."

    Juying smiled and clapped Kuanglu on the shoulder, who flinched at the impact. "Capable and humble! A servant like you is truly rare to come by. How would you like to come and work at Yongxia Palace? I might have to ask the Heavenly Emperor to grant you to me one day..."

    "Kuanglu is flattered," she replied, feeling quite delighted to have received the Light Immortal's approval. "However, I have pledged to serve the Heavenly Emperor. I'm afraid that I can't go back on my commitment to remain at his side."

    "And loyal too!" Juying clapped her hands. "Well... If you ever change your mind, my door will always be open to you." Although initially doubtful of all the praises sung of the Light Immortal, Kuanglu finally ascertained that they all held true. She couldn't understand why her master possessed such an animosity towards Juying, who was affectionate and generous.

    To be in her company was a special thing. It was to feel like you, too, were someone, that you were understood and seen just as you would have liked to, that you had been warmed by summer rays regardless of the season. Nothing felt more magical than when she directed that sparkling, irresistible smile at someone, and they knew that for at least an instant, they possessed her unwavering attention and prejudice in their favour.

    The reason why Juying had taken action was because of the earful she had received when her parents got wind of her demotion. Juying's mother had called her, screaming, via the luminous pearl, expressing her disappointment in her daughter for utterly disgracing their clan. Her pleas and whining about being set up were duly ignored. The fire qilin also made up her mind to call Wenshao, who expressed his concern, then related that Master Doumu did not seem particularly angered by the news. Rather, she said nothing and went to meditate. The Light Immortal decided that the best solution to appease her mother would be to regain her title as soon as possible.

    "Kill them with kindness," Juying always believed. "And there is no insurmountable Mount of Flames.*" There was no way that she couldn't win over the Heavenly Emperor.

---

    "Your majesty, watch your step," she grasped a disgruntled Runyu's arm and gently pulled him along, back to Xuanji Palace.

    "What are you up to? I don't have time for your nonsense-" he grumbled through closed eyes.

    "Almost there. Be patient," Juying said as she led him a few steps forward. She began to feel a little nervous; heart fluttering and stomach in knots, and wondered why. "Probably because reclaiming my dignity depends on this," the fire qilin reasoned.

    "And maybe... I just wanted to do something nice for him," a quiet voice said at the furthest corner of her mind.

    She led them to a stop. "Alright, you may open your eyes!"

    Runyu did as he was told, and his lips parted at the astonishing sight.

    The once plain and bare courtyard of Xuanji Palace was now illuminated in tiny floating candles that resembled fireflies, flickering brightly against the dark sky. They were arranged in drooping lines, stretched out in all eight directions, casting the scene before the two immortals in an ethereal glow.