Choices and Consequences

Marriage Alliance

Kunlun Mountain

Mo Yuan looked up from the missive he's reading when he felt his brother's essence and unsettled energy at the entrance of his mountain. Something big must have happened to ruffle his normally composed and calm younger brother. He waited for Ye Hua to join him in his study as he usually does but he felt him move to the lower valleys where the waterfalls and hot pools are.

Ye Hua walked the familiar path to the lower valleys. He needed to cool down and calm his energy before facing Mo Yuan. As his favourite waterfall came into view, Ye Hua decided that some time spent under its cascades is exactly what he needed. Slowly he stripped off his robes and stood naked at the banks of the pool. As he walked towards the cascades, the muscles of his well defined torso and legs rippled as he moved. With his arms braced against the stone wall of the falls and legs slightly apart, he welcomed the cool water as it hit his upturned face before meandering through his body. It felt like silk as it touched his heated flesh. Its cooling touch is slowly calming him. He knows that it is his duty to provide an heir to the celestial throne as his brother Mo Yuan has chosen a life of celibacy. As the God of War, he has put the safety of the realms as his main priority over his own needs.

"Ye Hua, I have arranged for you to formally meet the Crown Princess of Qing Qui, Bai Qian. Her Father has agreed to this meeting. This marriage will strengthen our alliance with Qing Qui and our position in the realm." Haode looked at his grandson with understanding in his gaze for he knows that Ye Hua will be opposed to the arrangement. His grandson has always made it known that he will marry for love and not for political reasons. But at 160,000 years old, he has not shown any lingering interest in any of the women that he has had dalliances in the past. Haode is feeling his long life catching up with him. He wants to hand over the imperial crown to Ye Hua but he wants him settled down first.

Ye Hua looked at his grandfather in surprise. This formal meeting has come out of the blue, blindsiding him. Anger is slowly building in his chest. He has made it clear that he will choose his own bride and he will not countenance being railroaded into meeting a princess who has secluded herself from the world. No one has seen or met her. People have speculated of her appearance over the years. Some say that she is more beautiful than her mother who was the number one beauty in her heyday. Others say that she has a deformity that made her shun people. Ye Hua didn't care about the gossip. What he cares about is he doesn't know her and he is not interested in meeting her. For his grandfather to suggest a marriage alliance is unacceptable. His only recollection of the princess is of the little girl who he accidentally knocked into the lotus pond. He received severe punishment from his father for the humiliation that the princess endured.

"Grandfather, I am not interested in meeting Princess Bai Qian. I will marry when I have met the person that I love and not before then. I am sorry to disappoint you but it's my final decision on this matter. And please, never make such an arrangement again on my behalf." "Ye Hua, I have made a commitment for you to meet Bai Qian. Do this for me as a favour and if you don't like her, then I will accept your decision."

Ye Hua stormed out of the hall. He agreed to the meeting to appease his grandfather. He needed to get away and decided to go to Kunlun to seek his brother's advice.

Mo Yuan looked at his younger twin with compassion in his soft eyes. "Ye Hua, meet Bai Qian as arranged. If you don't like her, I will speak with Haode to drop the idea of a marriage alliance with Qing Qui. There are other ways of strengthening the alliance between the fox clan and the celestial tribe. It's late, get some rest. I have something important to discuss with you tomorrow." "Thank you Dàgē."

Mo Yuan watched his brother leave his study. A frown etched in his brow and worry in his heart as his eyes returned to the missive that he has been reading. The missive that he will discuss with Ye Hua.