When Yuelan woke up both Willow and Camphor were sitting on stools by her bed. Once she opened her eyes and sat up Willow stood and hurried out of the room. Yuelan looked around feeling a little confused for a moment before realizing she was back in the posthouse and must have fallen asleep while leaving the shrine. “Where is Willow going?” Yuelan asked Camphor. Her voice was hoarse and her mouth felt like she’d tried to eat cotton.

“To get Miss some congee,” Camphor explained as she stood up and poured a glass of water for Yuelan. She offered the glass to Yuelan and watched as her mistress drank the contents in just a few swallows. “Would Miss like some tea?”

“Yes please.” Yuelan covered her mouth and yawned. “How long was I asleep for?”

An entire day. Byakko’s mental voice had become quite familiar and Yuelan looked around her room for the tiger. What she found was a black and white tiger the size of a housecat curled up on her bed beside her.

“...Byakko?” Yuelan’s voice was hesitant as she studied the creature.

The little cat nodded. This form is easier for staying in confined spaces. It will also let me watch over you more closely. The dragon says you’ve been abducted before. Byakko snorted and stepped on top of the blankets to curl up in Yuelan’s lap. He should be capable of doing much better than he has been no matter how busy he gets.

Yuelan shrugged. “I managed to escape and come back safely. I was kidnapped as a child a few times as well, so it isn’t really anything new.”

Byakko only snorted again and closed his eyes as Yuelan started petting him. I am not a pet. But I will permit this if it makes you feel better.

“Thank you.” Yuelan smiled and continued to pet the cat-sized tiger.

Camphor set a cup of tea on the small table next to Yuelan’s bed and looked over at her mistress. “His Highness asked to be informed as soon as you were awake. Should I go and tell him?” she asked.

Yuelan nodded. “May as well. He’s probably worried.”

“Miss was in the secret room of the shrine for three days. His Highness wanted to remain at the temple to wait for you, but had to return to confirm details with Zhongshu’s emperor for her highness the second princess’ wedding,” Camphor explained. “When Miss finally came out His Highness wasn’t there to welcome you and Miss was asleep already when we returned here to the posthouse. His Highness has been waiting anxiously for Miss to wake.”

Yuelan waved a hand. “I understand. Help me get dressed before you go and inform him that I’m awake.”

Stolen story; please report.

Camphor dipped a shallow curtsy. “Of course, Miss.”

Yuelan slid off the bed and went behind an elegant folding screen with paintings of birds on branches covered in plum blossoms. Camphor picked out clothing and helped Yuelan dress. The pretty maid had just finished putting Yuelan’s hair up with a simple hairpin when Willow returned with a bowl of congee for Yuelan to eat.

While Yuelan sat down to eat her congee at the small table in the room, Camphor headed out to inform Guangfeng that Yuelan had woken up.

A few minutes later Camphor returned and smiled at Yuelan. “Miss, His Highness asks that you join him in the main hall once you’re finished eating if you feel up to it.”

“I’m fine. I think I’ve more or less recovered. And I’m almost finished with breakfast. We’ll go and join him soon.”

Both maids bowed a little and stood to the side to wait for more instructions. As soon as Yuelan was finished eating they followed her to the main hall of the posthouse to join Guangfeng.

The third prince of Longuo was sitting in the main seat with his younger sister in a chair beside him listening to an official of Zhongshu droning on about the preparations that were underway for the upcoming wedding. As soon as Yuelan stepped into the room Guangfeng stood up and made his way over to her, causing the official to stop speaking.

The interrupted official looked quite grumpy as he watched Guangfeng head over to Yuelan and take one of her hands.

“You look much better,” Guangfeng said in a relieved voice as he gently stroked the back of Yuelan’s hand with his thumb. “I was worried when you came back from the shrine unconscious and pale…”

Yuelan smiled at Guangfeng. “I was just tired. I hadn’t slept for three days and it was draining work as well.”

“Come sit down. Zhongshu’s Minister of Rites was just explaining the wedding for us. Since you’ll be giving Ainuan’s marriage your blessing you should listen as well.” Guangfeng smiled and led her by the hand to the main seat, letting her sit down there while he moved to the seat on the other side of her from his sister. He ignored the startled expression of the minister of rites and waved for the man to continue speaking.

The official started droning about the upcoming ceremony only to stop and stare with wide eyes as a large, white tiger came into the room and lay down at Yuelan’s feet. The tiger ignored the official and everyone else as he put his head on his paws and closed his eyes.

“Y-y-your Highness…” the official stammered. “This tiger…”

“Byakko is my contracted divine beast,” Yuelan said calmly as she leaned back in the seat. “You don’t need to be concerned unless you have thoughts about me that you shouldn’t. Please continue, Minister.”

The official frowned at Yuelan and turned to Guangfeng. “Your Highness, this woman is…?”

“Priestess Long Yuelan,” Guangfeng answered calmly. “Did your emperor neglect to inform you that she was here and would be granting her blessing during the marriage ceremony?”

“I did not hear anything about a priestess,” the official answered in a grumpy voice. “But even if that were the case, does Longuo not abide by the rules that women should remain silent in the presence of their superiors?”

Yuelan’s expression darkened and Byakko lifted his head to stare at the official with golden eyes.

Guangfeng raised an eyebrow. “She has no superiors,” he replied calmly. “Yuelan is the Dragon Priestess as recognized by theWhite Tiger, Byakko, and the dragon Long He. She is also my betrothed and you should treat her with respect.”

The official did not look happy, but he also didn’t have the authority to argue and was forced to move on and return to explaining the details of the ceremony.