Heaven's Garden and The Immortal Fruit

"Mmmm....."

Qian Lan slightly groans as she feels the weight of Jiang's arm wrapped around her. Slowly turning around, Qian Lan continues to look at the sleeping face of her husband. Smiling like a child, Qian Lan lightly brushes away Jiang's hair that was partially falling on his face.

"Knock Knock."

A sudden knock on the bedroom door suddenly brings Qian Lan to a halt. As to not disturb Jiang, Qian Lan slowly crawls out of bed and throws on a quick silk robe. Quietly opening the bedroom door, Qian Lan slips out into the hall way and is greeted by the head maid.

"Good morning, my lady."

"Good morning, head maid. You're here early today."

"My lady, it's been five years since you and my lord got married. Did you forget what today is?"

"I didn't forget...….Five years....hah, I can't believe its been five years already."

"Did you prepare a present for my lord?"

Qian Lan smirks at the head maid and shrugs her shoulders.

"Of course. It's something he's always wanted too."

The head maid leads Qian Lan into her dressing room and helps prepare her for the day. Like any other day, this was Qian Lan's daily routine. It had now become her norm. Dressed in a light pastel green dress, adorned with pink lotus prints, Qian Lan finished off her look with some gold hair pins to accompany her braided and styled up hair.

"Head maid, is Jiang awake yet?"

"Yes, my lady. Master was just looking for you when I left to go grab some snacks for you. He is getting ready and will meet you in the garden."

"Very well, you're dismissed."

The head maid bows and sees Qian Lan off. Even though today felt like every other day, Qian Lan knew it was going to be different. Qian Lan continued to enjoy the scenery as she walked to the garden where they first met.

Once the garden was in sight, Qian Lan could see a familiar figure from afar. Breaking into a smile, Qian Lan waves her hand as she calls out to the figure.

"Jiang!"

Qian Lan quickly walks towards Jiang, who was waiting by the bridge.

"Good morning husband."

"Good morning, my wife."

Qian Lan still blushes from hearing Jiang call her his wife every time, even though it has been five years. Jiang always enjoyed the refreshing reaction of Qian Lan, hence why he purposely does it. Jiang digs into his shirt pocket and takes out a golden key for Qian Lan.

"What's this, Jiang?"

"Come with me."

Jiang smiles and extends out his left arm. Qian Lan stares blankly at Jiang before quickly grabbing hold onto Jiang's arm without any hesitation. With a wave of his arm, Qian Lan and Jiang were now standing in front of the golden gate that Qian Lan once saw by chance.

"This.....place....it's where the immortal fruit is, isn't it Jiang?"

"Yes...that key unlocks the entrance to my fruit."

Qian Lan could see the nervousness on Jiang's face. Unable to hold back, Qian Lan gives Jiang's left hand a squeeze. Smiling from ear to ear, Qian Lan couldn't believe that Jiang had beaten her to it.

"Hah.....to think we had the same thing in mind."

Jiang looks up and locks eyes with Qian Lan.

"What do you mean, Qian Lan?"

Qian Lan smiles and assures Jiang by continuing to hold his hand.

"Today is our five year anniversary Jiang. You know.....I spent the last few years thinking about this moment. I would be lying if I didn't say I was scared. I mean.....forever is such a long time, and seeing as I'm a human, forever doesn't exists for us. Our life span is very different. I know I took a long time to come to terms with it, but Jiang I love you and I do see a future for us....I'll be more than happy to be your forever person. This is my gift to you. Happy five year anniversary, dear husband."

As if to hold back tears, Jiang quickly pulls Qian Lan into an embrace as the two remained silent for what felt like forever. Taking the key Jiang gave her, Qian Lan walks towards the golden gate and unlocks the entrance. With the powers and help of Jiang, Qian Lan was able to retrieve the immortal fruit. Qian Lan takes a moment and glances at the fruit.

"It resembles a white peach, huh?"

Jiang snickers at her comment and assures her it's not just a peach. Without any hesitation, Qian Lan bites into the peach. Unlike anything she's ever had before she couldn't even begin to describe it.

"Oh my....this is really delicious! Probably one of the best thing I've ever tasted Jiang!"

The two continued to stand below Jiang's immortal fruit tree as Qian Lan finishes the peach. The moment Qian Lan took the last bite of the fruit, Jiang's tree quickly crumbled into ashes and nothing but an empty lot was left in where it once stood.

"Wha...what just happened?"

"Don't worry Qian Lan. The immortal tree only bears one fruit per god. It's finished it's task and therefore returned to dust."

"I...I see. I don't feel any different though?"

"You're not going to gain powers like gods and goddesses, but you will never get ill or age."

"Wow.....no wonder humans fought over the fruit."

Jiang extends his arm out once again for Qian Lan. Without any hesitation, Qian Lan grabs hold of Jiang's arm and closes her eyes as he teleports them back to the water palace.

"We're back Qian Lan."

Qian Lan slowly opens her eyes and breaks away from Jiang's hold only to be pulled back into his embrace.

"Wha.....what are you doing Jiang?"

"I also forgot to mention something. The fruit also enables female mortals to bear the children of gods. Heh Heh. How about it wifey, bear my children?"

"What?!"

THE END!

*Side comment for what happened to Qian Lan and Jiang*

In the human realm, its been said a story of a young girl with a mysterious identity was sacrificed to appease the water gods wrath decades ago. Through her sacrifice the humans were once again able to thrive with nature. Rumors has it, the woman went on to bear three children for the water god. Two sons and a daughter. Sometimes at night, humans have spotted beautiful people bathing in the waterfall of a mountain not too far from the Royal palace. This was the story of a present day girl finding love in the most unexpected form.