The Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Sovereign, two solitary souls who had been single for who knew how many years, were solemnly discussing taking concubines. They really were in a class of their own.
If you two really have those sorts of needs, never mind taking concubines-just find an immortal maiden in the palace to tide you over. Nobody would say anything. Yet here you are, worrying about marrying the wrong person, saying marriage is a major event in a bear's life, and deciding to try taking concubines first. You're acting like children.
Well, that's fair. In this respect, the two of them really are children, without a scrap of experience.
Looks like a "senior" like me will have to give them some guidance.
"Ahem." With that thought, the Queen Mother of the West cleared her throat, then said to the bear and dragon, "For a sovereign to take concubines is no ordinary matter. In my view, even Heavenly Consorts ought to have different ranks. Since Your Majesties have broached the subject today, why not settle those ranks together while we're at it? As for the Heavenly Queen, heh, she would naturally stand supreme, so there's no need to discuss her."
"That makes sense." Gungun looked up and spoke to the Queen Mother of the West.
Ao Yue nodded as well, thoroughly agreeing.
Then they-chiefly Gungun and Ao Yue-began discussing the ranks of the Heavenly Consorts in earnest.
About half a day later, they finished their discussion and drew up a hierarchy for the Heavenly Consorts. From highest to lowest, the six ranks were Radiant Consort, Elegant Consort, Beauty, Eight Attendants, Attendant of Fulfillment, and Immortal Maiden Changshun.
"Actually, I think we could add a few more. This is too few. Once there are more of them, it'll be hard to