Back in Haicheng, Lin Wan threw herself into her “intensely busy” work.
Her job consisted of:
Cooperating with the two aggrieved countries to investigate the artefact theft case.
Lin Wan’s description of this work was:
Morning meetings and chats, an afternoon nap followed by some snacks, then around six o’clock producing a report stating no clues had been found, after which she could clock off.
“After all, we are a responsible major power. We have to keep up appearances. Specially allocating manpower and time to handle this matter is one thing, but whether we actually find anything is quite another.”
“Brilliant!”
Lu Zheng gave a thumbs up. After all, the Palace Museum had experience with this sort of thing. No doubt they had not uncovered anything last time either.
…
When Lu Zheng returned to the ancient era once more, it was also nearing the time for New Year celebrations.
Although cold winds whistled through the county town, they could not dampen people’s enthusiasm for preparing New Year goods.
However, the Lu family and the Liu family did not need to prepare New Year goods this year, because they were going to spend the festival in the East Sea Dragon Palace.
“Lu Lang!”
Liu Qingyan wore a lily skirt of green willow bamboo silk gauze. Her hair was fastened with a jade willow leaf hairpin. She twirled gracefully in front of Lu Zheng, lightly lifting her skirt hem, and asked softly, “Lu Lang, do you think this outfit is suitable for the East Sea?”
“Absolutely stunning!” Lu Zheng nodded vigorously.
Liu Qingyan gently bit her lower lip, pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, “I’ll go change into another one. You can take a look.”
Soon, Liu Qingyan changed into an apricot yellow silver-edged flowing water cloud pattern skirt, adorned with a gold-inlaid jade flying cloud hairpin. Her water sleeves were light gauze as she walked out gracefully and elegantly.
“How about this one?”
Lu Zheng clapped and cheered. “It suits you perfectly!”
Liu Qingyan’s eyes sparkled with extraordinary light, shimmering like waves. Under Lu Zheng’s fervent gaze, her jade-like face flushed, revealing a slight smile with pearly teeth.
“Then I’ll change into another one!” Liu Qingyan turned back to the inner room excitedly.
Lu Zheng, “…”
In the end, Liu Qingyan settled on her initial outfit, the green willow bamboo silk gauze lily skirt, which matched her surname and temperament the best.
Having finally seen Liu Qingyan off, Lu Zheng was preparing to return to the modern world for a breather when the wooden plaque at his waist transmitted a faint summons.
When Lu Zheng arrived at Peach Blossom Flat, Xiao Cui led him into the master bedroom. There, Shen Ying wore a pink brocade falling cherry scattered flower ice silk skirt, her head adorned with a red jade drop pearl gold hairpin. She emerged gracefully from behind the screen.
“Lu Lang, do you think this dress is more suitable for the East Sea than my usual trailing skirt?”
Lu Zheng’s eyes held sincerity as he said earnestly, “You look beautiful in anything!”
Shen Ying smiled charmingly, her peach blossom eyes full of smiling intent. “I have prepared several outfits. Husband, please help me decide.”
“Alright!”
In the end, Shen Ying chose a pink and white flying flower flowing cloud facing moon snow gauze skirt, paired with a gilded white peach gold hairpin, a pair of pink beaded earrings, and two silver thread entwined jade bracelets.
She twisted her body in front of the full-length dressing mirror by the door. Her face was like peach blossoms, her curves enchanting, breathtakingly beautiful.
Shen Ying caught sight of Lu Zheng’s ardent gaze in the mirror. She turned leisurely, her willow waist swaying as she approached him gracefully. She leaned in faintly, her peach eyes blinking slightly, her pink lips parting softly.
“Lu Lang, do you think I am beautiful?”
…
“Father! Mother!”
When Ao Jin and his wife appeared again, little Ao Qian leapt straight into Ao Yi’s arms.
“Greetings to the Jade Dragon King, greetings to the Dragon Queen!”
Ao Yi stepped forward and took Madam Liu’s hand. “It seems everyone is ready? Why not head to the East Sea today?”
Lu Zheng nodded. “We have long heard that the East Sea Dragon Palace is a fairyland on earth. We have all been eager to experience it.”
Since they were going to the East Sea for the festival, Lu Zheng naturally could not return to White Cloud Mountain. He had already visited early to deliver wine and gifts to Daoist Priest Ming Zhang, asking him to take them back on his behalf.
Hearing Lu Zheng’s words, Ao Jin could not help laughing heartily. He looked around and asked, “Is anyone still missing?”
Lu Zheng quickly replied, “Just us here.”
Those present, besides old Master and Madam Liu and the Liu Qingyan sisters, included Shen Ying, Du Yueyao, and Wang Xiaowan, plus Yue Honghai, the attendant Lu Zheng kept by his side.
Wang Xiaowan had originally felt embarrassed about going, but Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao dragged her along. Without her, Du Yueyao would have felt a bit awkward too.
Yue Honghai had earlier grumbled privately that in his centuries in the East Sea, he had never visited a dragon clan palace. Now, after coming to the Central Plains to serve as a guard, he unexpectedly got the chance to spend New Year there.
…
Ao Jin surveyed the group, said “Good”, and then everyone felt their figures sway as they arrived among the white clouds in the sky.
Protected by Ao Jin’s magic, clouds and mist swirled around them. Chatting along the way, they hardly noticed the passage of time.
…
East Sea, Jade Dragon Sea.
Clear skies for thousands of miles, bright sun high above, gentle breeze blowing, sea surface like a mirror.
Although it was winter, the cold wind was not biting. With the sun out, it gave a warm, sunny spring or autumn feeling.
But…
Since they were celebrating deep under the sea, did the surface conditions matter?
At the bottom of the Jade Dragon Sea, amid undulating mountain ranges, lay a vast complex of buildings.
Though deep underwater, this area was bright as daylight, illuminating hundreds of miles around.
The sprawling building complex occupied most of that space.
There were palaces, towers, high pagodas.
There were barracks, hunting grounds, spiritual fields.
There were coral forests, pearl rivers, lava lakes, multicoloured waterfalls.
“So beautiful!”
“So magnificent!”
Those visiting for the first time, seeing the grand sight of the Jade Dragon clan palace from afar, were so shocked they could only exclaim in admiration.
Including Lu Zheng!
Do not blame Lu Zheng for his limited experience. He truly had never seen such a fantastical scene in the real world.
“Roar!”
A dragon chant resounded through the seabed.
“Welcome the Dragon King home!”
The next moment, from the buildings on the edge of the palace complex below, thousands of figures rushed out in dense formation.
Lu Zheng looked closely. They were all sea demon clans. In terms of cultivation, they were similar to the water soldiers in the Lushui River God mansion.
They were probably created by great beings using magic, with limited potential but sufficient for support and pageantry.
Moreover, quantity can lead to quality.
After all, these thousand sea clans were only from one corner of the palace edge. If the entire Jade Dragon clan palace mobilised and set up a grand array, it would be truly terrifying.
Ao Jin waved his hand, then led Lu Zheng’s group onward toward the centre of the palace complex.
Soon, true dragon clan members of status and position appeared in the sea.
There were valiant youths in armour.
There were indolent men in blue robes.
There were aloof women in palace attire.
There were elegant and gentle beautiful matrons.
These were the direct lineage of the Jade Dragon clan, qualified to greet and pay respects to Ao Jin.
As for the likes of Turtle Prime Minister, Crab General, Whale Guard, Shrimp Clerk, Clam Maid, and so on, they could only watch from afar, not daring to approach.
