Mulan and the Jade Emperor by Vivienne Savage

Author:Vivienne Savage [Savage, Vivienne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Payne & Taylor

Mulan had never been to the Temple of the Jade Dragon, though she had seen the holy place depicted in paintings and heard stories passed down for generations from a time when their doors were open to the public.

Centuries ago, Liangese made pilgrimages to worship their goddess. They had walked those halls and communed with Yüying. In the years since, the priests no longer took visitors. They claimed their connection to the goddess had been damaged, and nothing but devout prayer could restore it.

Was it Cheng they were looking for? She smoothed her thumb over the pearl she received from Queen Anastasia, as afraid to use it as she was of being sighted—and recognized—on the road. Even with her hair down and her exceptionally beautiful clothing, courtesy of the faerie queen, the fear nibbled at her courage.

She walked the winding path to the temple, passing between colorful fire maples and slim silverwood trees. Every time the wind stirred the branches, soft chimes rang and silk ribbons whispered. The temple was more beautiful in person than art could capture, surrounded by lovingly tended gardens. No one came out to speak to her until after she crossed a small footbridge over a creek.

“The temple takes no visitors, young miss,” a monk said, his voice soft yet firm.

The man blocking her path gazed at her with hard eyes, his stance too stiff and proud. The slight bulge in his robes drew her gaze to what may have been a concealed weapon hidden beneath the golden-orange fabric.

“I only wanted to look upon it from afar,” Mulan lied easily. She placed both hands together and bowed. “It has been a long journey, and the sight of Yüying’s temple is all I need. Please, good priest, allow me only that.”

“Perhaps,” he said, gaze raking over her in a manner unlikely of a legitimate monk, “something can be arranged for you to come nearer.” His gaze dropped to the jade statuette connected to her sash by a twisted gold and scarlet rope in addition to a lucky phoenix she’d received from her grandmother years ago, passed down through their family. Her heart sped, hammering in her chest with a furious kick when recognition gleamed in his eyes.

“Where did you get that?”

“This? Only a good luck charm from my parents. When I expressed my desire to see Yüying’s holy temple and ask for her guidance in finding a husband, my mother decided I should take it.” Mulan smiled and dropped her gaze, giving an impression of demure propriety. “It is not much, I know, and worth little, but it brings me comfort.”

The man hesitated, his wariness wavering. “As I said, perhaps we can arrange a closer visit.”

Her senses told her not to trust him. Gripping Cheng’s statuette in one hand, she followed behind the monk impersonator.

Warnings echoed through her thoughts, Cheng’s voice urging her to beware.

I do not trust him. That is no monk of Yüying.

The temple grounds were quiet. That wasn’t remarkable for a temple, except this silence was anything but peaceful.

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