❝𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆.❞
𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑑 𝑥 𝑓𝑒𝑚 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟
The emperor of the heavens did not mingle with humans. Not only was he far too busy for it, he also found no need to. The heavens had everything and more, what could the humans give to compare to that?
Nothing, is the answer.
Was he right? Perhaps. But then again, this is the god that has only visited the mortals less than a handful of times.
Emperor Xianliang, the emperor of the heavens, was not a kind god by any means. In war, he was bloodthirsty and merciless. In court, he judged fairly but emotionlessly. Personal feelings were not to interfere with his work.
Although his work ethic was admirable, his lack of emotion threw off the other gods. His face was in a permanent glare, and if looks could kill, one too many gods would have fallen. It was why he could stay in his workplace for long periods of time without getting interrupted, as the one of the only gods who did not fear him was his right hand man, who respected him greatly.
"Good afternoon, my lord." Liu Wei greeted with his head tipped to show his respect. Xianliang nodded in acknowledgment, taking a sip of yellow tea from his porcelain cup.
"Ah? Xianliang is here?" A feminine voice cut through the silence, making Liu Wei nervously smile and Xianliang's eye twitched in slight annoyance.
"Yes, my lord here is enjoying his tea, Changying." Liu Wei replied, shooting his lord a quick glance that said 'sorry'. Xianliang shook his head, signifying that he was not angry at him.
"Oh! Xianliang, you won't believe what a particular mortal I've found!" She pranced into his workspace, taking a seat on one of the cushioned chairs diagonal to his table.
"I am not interested in mortals, Changying." He said calmly, not batting an eye in her direction as he continued with his paperwork.
"You're always uninterested," she rolled her eyes. "You're such a downer."
Xianliang hummed in reply, his right hand gracefully using the bamboo of his brush to sign his documents. Changying and Liu Wei's meaningless chatter faded into white noise as he continued to sign, only stopping to drink his tea every few minutes.
He needed a break.
In the mortal realm, you are a girl by the name of Jin (Y/N). Your name was well known throughout the lands, for your exceptional beauty and kindness, as well as your infamous naivety.
An interesting girl you were, usually dressed in a red and white hanfu that nearly touched the floor and equipped with a white fan decorated with pink peonies. Your hair was usually done into a half-up half-down hairdo, the half that is up done into a bun and then adorned with hair sticks, and gold hair pins and clips.
Simply put, you were most men's ideal woman. Beautiful, and so innocent, so easy to manipulate and mold to become the perfect wife.
It was a shock how your father had managed to retain your innocence even after all the men that thirsted after you. What dogs some of them were, going after a girl no older than fifteen, while they themselves were at least forty.
However, you did not distract herself with such matters and instead took the time to stroll into the woods and play with the animals and the occasional ghost that had appeared. Your childlike innocence was quite adorable, and your charm, while unintentional, was irresistible. Gods and humans alike were entranced, so much so that some gods took the form of their sacred animal to spend time with you.
"Good afternoon, my lady." Your maid, Yue Xiu, greeted.
"Good afternoon Yue Xiu!" You smiled, your eyes closing into crescents. "What else shall we do today?"
"After lunch you will be going along with your father to meet with more potential husbands for two hours." She answered robotically.
"Aaah? That again?" You pouted. "Do you think I could persuade my father into allowing me to not go?"
"I'm afraid not, my lady. You tried last time and he said no."
"Okay, but today is a new day! Maybe he's feeling nicer today!" You looked at Yue Xiu hopefully, mischief twinkling in your (e/c) eyes.
"If you feel so, then let's start now." She chuckled at the your cheering, watching the accessories on your head collide with each other and produce soft chimes.
"Let's go, Yue Xiu!" You stood up and took you by the arm, walking straight towards your father's office. The both of you stopped right outside, with Yue Xiu knocking on the door.
"Master Jin, your daughter has come to ask a question." You both stayed in silence for a few moments, with you anxiously waiting at the door for your father's approval to come in.
"Bring her in." Came a gruff voice. Yue Xiu slid the door open, waiting for you to step in first before she followed behind.
"Greetings, father." You bowed, your (h/c) hair falling beside your face.
"Stand straight, (Y/N)." He ordered, watching you rise back up from his order. "What is it that you seek?"
"Could I, perhaps, not follow you to see my suitors?"
"Why?"
"I'd like to go into the forest again and play with the animals!" Your eyes twinkled brightly, your lips in a hopeful smile and your hands clasped together in an effort to persuade him. "I promise I'll bring a guard with me! And Yue Xiu will be there as well!"
"This is not the first time you have skipped meetings with your suitors, (Y/N). You are fifteen, and you still have yet to be wed. I suppose part of that is my fault as well, but you need to choose someone, else you will end up being alone and unable to produce heirs for the family." He sighed, bringing a hand to his head.
"I'm aware, father, but I am just not interested in anyone. Besides, brothers Li Qiang and Li Jun have children on the way, right? They can carry on the family!" You gave him your signature puppy dog eyes, your lips in a pout and eyes slightly down-casted.
"Fine, fine." His posture slumped slightly in defeat. "But tomorrow, you must follow along with no complaints."
"Okay! Thank you father!" You cheered, grabbing Yue Xiu's wrist and skipping out of the room and sliding the door shut. "Let's go, Yue Xiu!"
"We can, once we get a guard to follow along, my lady."
"Aww, damn it."
"Your father will not be pleased to hear that words such as those have escaped your mouth."
"But I trust that you won't tell, right Yue Xiu?" You smiled.
"Of course not, my lady." Yue Xiu couldn't help but give you a smile as well.
Xianliang had been having dreams lately.
It was not to say that he never had dreams, it was just that he usually forgot them as soon as he woke up or they were, simply put, dumb. (He once dreamt of snorting tea, and he woke up in a cold sweat with his mind running a mile a minute. He still does not understand the dream, but no one needs to know about that.)
These dreams of his revolved around a girl with (h/c) hair and (e/c) eyes, (s/c) skin and a seemingly everlasting smile on her face. She was probably a foot shorter than him as he had to lower his head to see her.
He had never been able to get her name, as she always either ignored him or answered with a question.
"...Changying." He put his bamboo brush down onto a cloth, reaching for his tea instead.
"Yes, Xianliang?" Changying hummed.
"You are quite close with the other goddesses, I presume?"
"Some of them. Others I just can't seem to get along with or don't bother. Why?" She questioned before a gasp left her lips. "Are you trying to court someone?!"
"My lord, have you... finally fallen in love?" Liu Wei put a hand to his mouth, brown eyes wide with shock.
"I have not." He sharply replied, a scowl present on his face.
"If not love, then what? Curiosity? But why..." Changying pondered for a few seconds, her arms crossed over her chest.
"I have been having dreams lately." Xianliang sighed. "This... girl has been appearing in all of them. She has long, (h/c) hair and (e/c) eyes. Every time I see her, she is dressed in a red and white hanfu."
"Interesting," she grinned. "Who knew Xianliang had dreams about girls? Or even memorable dreams at all?"
"I do have memorable dreams," he snapped.
"Oh yeah? Like what?" She smirked. "Do tell, emperor of the heavens."
"I..." It was at that moment that Xianliang knew, he fucked up.
He was not the best liar, preferring the truth, but it was at times like this that he wished that he had learnt how to create a believable lie on the spot.
"Oh come on Xianliang, it can't be that embarrassing, can it?"
"I am curious as well. Please enlighten us, my lord."
"Fine... but you must swear that you will never tell anyone and anything or I will personally kill you myself." He threatened.
"Yeah sure, now come on! Tell us about the dream!"
"I... was snorting tea. The leaves were grinded into powder and in a line, and I shamelessly snorted the powder." Xianliang could feel the embarrassment build up, his body suddenly feeling hot and his cheeks reddening slightly. Silence had followed the end, until his audience of two had burst out into laughter.
"Y-you dreamt of SNORTING TEA?" Changying howled in laughter, an arm clutching her stomach as she keeled over laughing. Liu Wei snorted trying to keep his laugh in, face turned away from his lord.
"Now that you know, answer my question. Do you know anyone that is like that?" He demanded, irritation clear in his voice. Changying had finally stopped laughing hysterically, taking a moment to catch her breath.
"Not that I can think of." She shook her head. "Maybe she's a mortal?"
"Mortal?" He frowned. "Do you know any mortals like that?"
"Yes, actually." She nodded. "A pretty girl, aged fifteen. She is exactly as you described. She's actually the 'particular mortal' I was talking about earlier."
"Oh, was she?" He muttered to himself.
"It seems that she is playing with the animals in the forest now. If you would like to meet her, there is no better time than now. I found out that she is actually pretty well known among the gods who take interests in humans." Changying added. "Perhaps I should pay her a visit."
"I suppose I can take a break and inspect her." Xianliang stood up, stretching his back and walking out the sliding door. "Liu Wei, I am leaving you in charge. Changying, show me where she is."
"Understood, my lord." Liu Wei bowed, leaving his workspace to go to his own.
"Oooh, is the ever so cold and uninterested emperor Xianliang taking an interest in a mortal?" She teased.
"This is a one time thing, Changying." He rolled his eyes.
"Whatever you say~"
"Waaa! There are so many animals today, Yue Xiu!" You cheered, staring lovingly at the animals that awaited you.
"Indeed, my lady." Yue Xiu nodded, laying out a blanket for you to sit on. A guard followed closely behind you, face hidden by his mask.
A river flowed nearby, the sound of the rushing waters calming to the your ears. You could hear the occasional splash usually caused by the fishes jumping about. In the forest, you were visited by your usual companions: deers, ducks, birds, rabbits and the occasional panda.
You beckoned them into your arms, and they all complied. If one didn't know any better, one would think that you were Snow White. Which... in terms of animal whispering wise, you were, but not the other aspects.
"Hello my little baby!" You cooed, gently rubbing the head of a rabbit that had jumped into your lap. It nuzzled its head on your hand, closing its eyes as if to go to sleep. A deer took place to the left of you, laying down and closing its eyes as well. Birds chirped around them, pretty wings flapping in the air as they flew around.
A raven you had never seen before squawked and flew around you, before finally landing in front of you.
"Oh hello," you greeted, lifting your left finger to gently stroke the head of the raven. Its feathers were black as night and had a shiny overcoat. Its beady black eyes stared at you curiously, head cocking to the side. "I've never seen you here before. Are you new?"
It flapped its wings gently, hopping onto your knee. It looked at the dangling charm on your wrist with interest, squawking loudly.
"Oh, do you want it?" You unclasped the charm from your wrist, holding it in front of the bird. It opened its beak to clamp down on the charm, wings fluttering excitedly. "You're so cute!"
The rabbit on your lap squirmed uncomfortably, its eyes now opened. It looked at the raven and pawed at it, seemingly trying to push it away. The raven squawked in protest, setting the charm in its mouth by your side and using its claw to swipe at the rabbit.
"Guys, don't fight!" you pushed them away from each other, sighing. "Or else none of you get to sit on my lap."
The rabbit huffed and curled into itself on your lap, while the raven squawked again and hopped onto your shoulder. Suddenly, the animals departed, save for the rabbit and the raven, as a white fox emerged from the bushes.
"A white fox?" You looked at it in wonder, your left hand reaching out to touch it. The guard had stepped in front of you, ready to strike it down if it got too close.
"My lady, I believe this is our cue to leave." Yue Xiu said standing up, reaching out a hand for you to take.
"We haven't been here for long, though..." you frowned, shaking your head. "I want to play with the fox."
"It may be hostile and attack you. Please think about it." Yue Xiu's eyes darted to the fox, sweat beginning to form on her brow.
The fox skilfully dodged the guard, turning to sit in front of you, golden eyes studying you. The guard turned around, about to hit it, before you shook your head and raised your hand to stop him.
"It won't, see? It's just sitting there." You pointed. The raven flapped its wings and flew over to the fox, landing right on top of its head. The fox growled in warning, but the raven did not listen and continued to be a menace to it. "Aww, look, they're friends!"
"It seems to be quite the opposite, my lady." Yue Xiu nervously chuckled.
"Mr or Ms raven, could you tell the fox to come closer?" You asked, cupping your hands together to welcome the fox. The raven started jumping on the fox's head, flapping its pitch black wings every now and then. The fox yipped in anger, reluctantly standing up and dragging itself over to you. The raven squawked some more, making the fox growl again and hesitantly lift its head to rest it on your cupped hands. "Look Yue Xiu, it's friendly!"
Yue Xiu sat down apprehensively, watching the fox and the raven. Something about them felt off to her, the way they seemed to understand each other despite being completely different animals. Even the rabbit and the raven seemed to understand each other! Was she going insane? There was no way, unless both her and you were going insane and having the same hallucinations...
"I feel like I should name you all something..." you hummed, bringing your right hand up to stroke the soft white fur of the fox.
The raven jumped excitedly, making the fox hiss and shake its head violently in hopes of getting the bird off. You let out a small gasp of surprise, before removing her hands from it and scooping the overexcited bird carrying your charm in your hands, and setting it down on your shoulder.
"Is that better, Xue Qin?" You pet its head. "Oh right, I forgot to tell you that I named you Xue Qin because of your fur."
The fox could only look at you blankly, though his wagging tail spoke otherwise.
X...Xue Qin?! Snow White celery?! Just what were you thinking? Do you not know that you are speaking to the emperor of the heavens, the mightiest being in existence-
"I hope you like the name!" You continued to pet his head, a wide smile on your face. "I wonder if you're a girl or boy...?"
His eyes widened, trying to cross his back legs together. No way in hell was he going to allow you check his gender. Changying was snickering at him from her place on your shoulder.
"Do you mind if I just take a peek, Xue Qin?" Your muttered. "Let's just push you down quickly..."
He yipped and shot away, tail puffed up.
"Oh dear, it seems like it doesn't want to let me see..." you had a crestfallen look on her face, and he couldn't help but feel guilty for making you like that. But why was he feeling guilty when it wasn't his fault to begin with?! Had you not been so curious, then none of this would have happened-
"This fox seems to understand you, my lady." Yue Xiu murmured.
"That's good then! I don't have to intrude into its personal space, and can just ask it instead!" You cheered. "Now, how should I ask..."
The raven flew away from your shoulder, before coming back with three sticks and setting them down, two sticks in the shape of a plus sign and the remaining one in a negative sign.
"Eh?" You blinked at the signs in front of you. "Is one supposed to be yes and the other no?"
It seemed that Xianliang overestimated your intelligence. He let out a strangled sound, before skittering over to the plus sign.
"Is this a yes?" You inquired. He yipped in approval, walking over to the negative. "And that's a no...?"
He yipped once again.
"Waaa! I'm learning so much!" You cheered once again. "More than I've ever learnt in my entire life, I think!"
Xianliang shot you a deadpan expression.
"Now that I don't have to violate your privacy, can you tell me if you're a boy or girl?" He yipped, tail wagging behind him slightly. "If you're a boy, stand at the yes sign, and if you're a girl, stand at the no sign!"
He walked over to the plus sign and sat in front, cocking his head to the side.
"Ah, so you're a boy! And what about you, birdie?" You cupped your hands together and brought it up to Changying, watching as she hopped down onto your hands and flew over to the negative sign. "Ooh, a girl!"
She let out a caw of approval.
"Hmm, what to name you..." you took the rabbit off of your lap and set it by your side, leaning down to inspect Changying's raven form more closely, (e/c) orbs scanning over her black fur. Xianliang watched from the sides, his own golden orbs scrutinising them. He hadn't known you for long, yet he couldn't help the uncomfortable feeling growing in his chest. "Oh! I got it! Ling Ling!"
E...eh?
Ling Ling?
Of all names you could have chosen, you decided on one of the most lazy, most generic names.
He snorted, sending a foxish grin to Chang Ying, who looked baffled by the name.
"And you too, Mr or Ms rabbit... are you a boy or girl?" It peeked open its brown eyes, standing up to sit on its hind legs and looked at the plus and minus signs contemplatively. After a few moments, it hopped over to the plus sign, nose twitching cutely. "Ooh, another boy?"
Yue Xiu was... not surprised at how easily you got along with animals, but these animals were too intelligent to be wild. Never in her life had she imagined she'd see a fox, a white one no less, so comfortably interacting with a human.
White foxes were the symbol of the king of the heavens, the mightiest being in the world. He was the god everyone worshipped, and all those who defied his will were met with death by his hands. Perhaps it was a sign that the heavenly emperor was blessing you? If so, then your family must know about it. Additionally, the raven was the symbol of the patron goddess of scholars, Changying. While ravens appear more often than foxes, they rarely stay for longer than a few minutes before squawking and flying away. A blessing from a god is not one to be overlooked, especially not when it is from some of the most worshipped gods.
And the rabbit... the sacred animal of the god of the moon, Wang Shu, who is said to spend his time sleeping in the day and patrolling the skies during the night. While he is not as commonly worshipped, having the god of the moon grant his blessings when he seldom does is quite the spectacle.
"You're both so handsome," you cooed at the rabbit and the fox, one hand on each of their heads. The fox nuzzled your hand, lifting his head to lick your palm. You giggled, eyes closed into crescents.
"My lady, it is getting late. We must leave now before your family starts to worry." Yue Xiu did feel bad for cutting your bonding time with the animals short, but time forbade it. She stood up, dusting herself before extending a hand to you.
"Aww, I see..." you pouted, hands reluctantly parting from their heads. "I guess this is where I go home, and you all go back to where you live. Maybe we'll see each other again?"
The raven hopped to you and gave your hands an affectionate peck, almost as if giving you a kiss on the hand. The fox growled and used his snout to push the crow away and lay his head on your lap, licking your hands. His eyes looked up at you, asking you to stay.
"I wish, Xue Qin, but I really have to go." You kissed his forehead, a hand petting his back lovingly. You pet his forehead one last time before removing him from your lap and taking Yue Xiu's hand, standing up and allowing her to dust you off.
He watched as you left the forest, a feeling of loneliness setting itself in his heart.
"Wang Shu? Didn't think that the ever so mysterious god of the moon would mingle with humans." Changying shifted to her godly form, long, silky black hair cascading down her pale back, the charm that you had given her dangling from her right wrist.
"It is a once in a blue moon thing, Changying." Wang Shu sighed, having shifted back to his own godly form. "What about you, emperor of the heavens? You seem to prefer to not... mingle with humans, and yet here you are."
"Personal reasons, Wang Shu. It is none of your concern." His amber eyes narrowed at Wang Shu's questioning gaze. "Let us make our way back to the heavens."
"Sure, Xianliang." Changying smirked.
As promised, you followed your father to meet your potential husbands the next day. Your complaints were kept to a minimum, with most of them staying at the tip of your tongue before slowly dissipating into nothing.
However, for the entire day, you could not help but feel a pair of eyes burning into your soul. At first, you thought that it was the guards and Yue Xiu just keeping an eye on you, but you realised that their stares were not as intense.
Due to those eyes burning into your soul, you were far more tense than usual. You were not as lively and rather quiet, and you blanked out more often than you already did. Obviously, your father was not pleased, and your maid was worried.
"What is up with you today, (Y/N)?" Your father glared harshly, looking down on her.
"Sorry father, I have just been distracted today." You apologised, head hanging low, unwilling to look up and meet his harsh glare.
"Get your act together the next time we go to meet your suitors. You are sabotaging both yourself and our good name. Dismissed." He did not spare you a second glance, immediately closing his eyes in frustration as you scurried out of his work room.
"That girl... I have been too lenient with her." He murmured to himself, opening his eyes to look at the silk he was to sign. Just what he was to do about this child of his?
Xianliang's face planted onto his table, heart beating uncontrollably and face incredibly red. He was unfamiliar with romantic feelings, but he was not so dumb to not realise that what he was feeling for you was love.
Admittedly, it was a little fast. One may say it was love at first sight.
Of course he would vehemently deny it, but even the most oblivious god could see that he was already head over heels in love.
"I've barely known for her a few hours, so why..." he mumbled to himself, white hair sprawled across the table messily. "Why does my heart feel this way now, after three thousand years of ice?"
"You seem to be conflicted about your feelings for her." Changying slid open his door and made herself comfortable on the same chair she previously sat on, a grin set on her lips. "Come now, tell big sis Changying what's wrong."
Xianliang scowled at her entry, displeased at her lack of respect. However, she was also his elder, meaning he had to respect her to s certain extent, and Xianliang was not one to ignore his elders unless their intentions were harmful to him or the heavens.
"I feel that I am falling for the human too quickly." He spits out begrudgingly, lifting his head up to meet her gaze.
"Ever heard of love at first sight?" She cocked her head to the side almost mockingly, opening her folding fan to lightly fan herself. "Or are you too disconnected from the world of romance?"
"I am well aware of that idiom, Changying. Do you take me for a fool?" He snarled.
"A fool in love, yes." She chuckled, black eyes gleaming. "How do you plan to court her?"
"I... do not know."
"This is a first. Who could have imagined, the almighty emperor of the heavens, the strongest god, not having a plan?" She laughed heartily. The charm on her wrist making small clicking noises every time she moved harshly.
Xianliang was already frustrated at Changying making a mockery of him. He was not to be trifled with, let alone laughed at. Just as he was about to order her to leave, she stopped laughing and smiled at him mischievously.
"Not to worry, for I have one."
For the next few months, Xianliang watched.
He watched from above, his longing gaze never leaving your figure. He noticed that lately, you had been more tense, less lively than when he had first met you. He chalked it up to you being uncomfortable with having to meet so many sleazy old men that only want you for your body, because what else could it be?
(He did not realise that it was because of him. Not that he would acknowledge that it was, anyways.)
He wanted so badly to take you away, to hold you in his arms and shield you from the world of dogs that surrounded you. In a dog eat dog world, who was going to protect you, his innocent flower, if not him?
(All your suitors had suspiciously passed away a week after you visited them. Your father never told you, though.)
However, he had to continue with Changying's plan. Although he hated to admit it, he was a newborn faun in the world of romance, while Changying was practically a veteran in it. She was no goddess of love, but she might as well have been one.
"Soon, my flower..." he whispered, hand reaching out to touch the illusion in front of him, only to have his hand go through it. "Soon, and we shall be together for the rest of eternity, and you will not have to worry about the world of filthy dogs beneath our feet."
It started with a cold.
A cold that never seemed to go away, followed by a slowly rising fever. After, muscle pains that appeared throughout your body, and a fading consciousness that turned into a coma, and eventually, a permanent sleep.
"What a tragedy," a passing noblewoman whispered, hand covering her mouth. "She was so beautiful too."
"Indeed," her partner whispered, watching the women of your grieving family cry their hearts out, while the men stood tall and strong even though inside, their hearts wept.
Corpses of various animals as well as your favourite foods were burnt, along with various jewelleries and an abundance of plum flowers and orchids that decorated the inside of your coffin. A few small pottery figures lay by your side, representing the attendants and servants that would accompany you to the afterlife. You were dressed in your favourite hanfu, white and red silk hugging your body protectively while a ghost of a smile haunted your features.
Your sickness was not unexpected. Everyone had assumed it to be just a common cold, one that would pass with time as they had every year. However, they did not expect this one to persist as long as it did, and to claim your life when it left.
"香消玉损*," your father whispered, bowing in front of your coffin. Your family was dressed in white, the clothes of mourning. A priest was leading the prayers, with your family following behind. They had decided against cremating you, wishing for you to stay as you were, beautiful and innocent, taken too young.
Yue Xiu had taken your death the worst, having been your caretaker since your birth. She weeped and sobbed, begging day and night for the gods to take her life instead of yours. In the end, her pleads were ignored, and thus, an innocent live taken, on a peaceful night where one could have seen Wang Shu driving the carriage for the moon in the skies.
You opened your eyes slowly, blinking in an attempt to adjust to the light. Your joints felt stiff and your limbs felt sore.
"Welcome to the heavens, my love." An oddly familiar man with white hair and amber eyes greeted you, cradling you in his lap. "I have been anticipating your arrival."
"Who are you?" You sat up slowly, rubbing your eyes and yawning.
"I am Xianliang, the emperor of the heavens. And soon, your husband." He smiled, caressing your cheek lovingly.
"E...emperor? Heavens?" You blinked in confusion. "Wait, did I die?!"
"...yes?" He said hesitantly, waiting for your response.
"Oh...?" You looked down at your lap silently, a look of contemplation of your face. "I miss Yue Xiu."
"Yue Xiu...? Oh, was she your maid?" He recounted, recalling the first time you both met with Yue Xiu as one of your witnesses. You nodded, fiddling your hands.
"I want her to be here, because she knows me best." You pouted.
"As you wish," he chuckled. "Anything for you, my empress." If you asked me to kill every god and human, I would, just to see you smile, for your smile is the most precious thing in all the heavens and earth.
Thousands of years had passed since you ascended, and since you got married. To him, you are his everything. His sun, his moon, his stars and more. He could live without air and without food, but he could not live without you.
"Beloved, it is time to wake up." A raspy voice whispered into your ear, a fluffy tail curling around your thigh. You squealed at the feeling of his warm hands running up and down your body, shyly smiling.
"Five more minutes?" You turned to face him, (e/c) eyes meeting amber ones.
"Ask me to stay for a thousand years and I would, my goddess." He nuzzled his face into the crevice of your shoulder, long white hair cascading down his back.
"Then let's stay for another hour." You proposed as he playfully bit your neck, fangs puncturing your skin, successfully marking you as his and his only.
Unbeknownst to you, all those who dared to interrupt his precious time with you were killed without a second thought by the blade of his right hand man who stood outside your door, the sound of blood splattering against the wood an all too satisfying sound to both men.
No, you did not need to know that, and you never would.
a/n:
Xianliang - worthy brightness
Liu Wei - analytical, fearless etc
Changying - flourishing and lustrous
Jin (金）- gold
Li Qiang - responsible, protective etc
Li Jun - talented, handsome
Xue Qin - snow white celery
Wang Shu - the name of the god who drives the carriage for the moon
香消玉损 (xiāng xiāo yù sǔn) - fragrance is dissipated; jade is broken (spoken of on the death of a beautiful young woman, can also mean 'whom the gods love die young')
i am so sorry for the lacklustre ending lmao-