The High Goddess said there’d be a surprise, and back at Peach Blossom Haven, there really is one!
A huge surprise!
Their Mother Goddess—High Goddess Vivian Lu—is actually pregnant!
And her belly is already round and high—she’s due in just one month!
Ryan Lu jumps up in excitement, bouncing around like a little monkey—one moment touching their mother’s belly, the next peppering her with questions.
Mother! You didn’t even tell us! Lucia Lu steadies her. You’re almost due and still didn’t say anything!
High Goddess Vivian Lu laughs: “Isn’t it nice to surprise you? I thought I’d wait until you came home and let you meet your new little sister. But you came back early!”
“Is it a little sister?” Lucia Lu asks.
“Yes.” High Goddess Vivian Lu strokes her belly, her face glowing with maternal love.
“She’ll definitely be as beautiful as her big sister!” Luna Lian beams. “I can’t wait to meet our little beauty!”
Me too, me too! Ryan Lu chimes in.
Lucia Lu glances at Ryan, suddenly pouting: “I’m actually a little jealous of our new little sister!”
“Jealous of what? You’re all grown up!” High Goddess Vivian Lu taps her on the forehead.
“Our little sister will have me and Luna to protect her!” Lucia Lu says. “Not like when we were kids—Ryan was always bullying us! He’d steal our food and never let us have anything!”
“I did not!” Ryan Lu protests, eyes wide. “If anything, I got beaten up by our big brother because of you!”
“Serves you right!” Lucia Lu says.
“Oh, come on! At the Palace Guard Barracks you’re the perfect elegant lady, but at home you turn into this! Who are you putting on a show for at the Barracks? I wonder what a certain someone would think if they saw your wild side!” Ryan Lu pouts.
“Who’s this certain someone?” High Goddess Vivian Lu asks.
“It’s—”
Lucia Lu clamps a hand over his mouth: “Mother, don’t listen to his nonsense! There’s nothing going on.”
High Goddess Vivian Lu smiles: “You can cover one mouth, but can you cover a second? Luna, tell me—who is it?”
Luna Lian looks helplessly at Lucia Lu: “Sis, maybe cover my mouth too? I’m so torn!”
Lucia Lu obligingly covers Luna’s mouth too, and the three siblings burst into laughter, their giggles fluttering through the peach trees like butterflies.
All right, all right, enough! I won’t ask anymore. Anyway, you’ll have to tell me one day!” High Goddess Vivian Lu laughs. “My three Divine Generals have worked so hard—your big brother will be home today, and we’ll hold a banquet in Peach Blossom Haven…
In Peach Blossom Haven, it’s spring all year round.
Best of all, in this peach formation, the trees in each spot are of different ages.
Some places are bursting with peach blossoms, some have tiny fruits, some bear big ripe peaches, and some only have leafy branches. From afar it’s dazzling; up close, it’s full of variety.
They set up the banquet in the peach grove—an octagonal table floats three feet above the ground, golden lacquered immortal-wood chairs perched securely on clouds. The whole family gathers, lively and joyful.
Divine Lady Tanya Lu is also at Peach Blossom Haven, carefully helping High Goddess Vivian Lu to sit beside High God Quentin Lian.
Lucia Lu looks at her and says, “Every time we come home, we get to see Aunt Tanya!”
High Goddess Vivian Lu says, “You don’t know—ever since I got pregnant, your Aunt Tanya has been taking care of me! She’s worked so hard.”
Divine Lady Tanya Lu laughs: “You’re my big sister—who else would I take care of?”