Mo Yuan, Bai Qian, Ye Hua

Part 2

Bai Qian decided to wait for Shifu to call her forward, choosing to stand at the entrance of the Grand Hall, partially hidden behind one of the grand pillars as she listened to him explain her true form to her shocked seniors. So far he had only mentioned the fact that she was female and not the boy they all thought she was.  He had yet to inform them of her true identity and rank.

 From where she was standing, she had a good view of them all as she watched their shocked faces, some openly questioning his reasons for taking her in.

Prepared for their questions, Mo Yuan answered them truthfully.  "You were all there, when The Fan of Kunlun chose her." he replied.  "Fate cannot be questioned, nor can it be ignored." he added.

  The apprehension was building within her, as she waited, suddenly wishing she were somewhere else getting drunk as her stomach twisted and tightened.

But it was when he gave her real identity that the shock really hit them.  "She is High Goddess Bai Qian?" Die Feng asked, the astonishment on his face was mirrored on all of their faces.

"The Queen of Qing Qiu? Zhi Lan asked, suddenly feeling fearful of all the mean things he had ever said to her.  The thought that, that runt,  was actually Royal, hit him the hardest.  She had the power to squash him and there wouldn't be a thing he could do about it.

The stories about her were many.  Her infamy had spread far and wide as the gossip mongers took great delight in portraying her as either a ravishing beauty, or a homely elder who was so old, she could barely walk.  Others were less kind, portraying her as a Medusa, ugly and demented with a vicious streak that could bend a grown mans knees with just one look.

Reading their minds, having also heard many of the unflattering comments himself, he decided they had waited long enough.  Turning to the entrance he called her in. "High Goddess Bai Qian, Queen of Qing Qiu,  please come forward." 

As one, her seniors rose, turned and instantly bowed as she appeared before them.  "Gu Gu." they chanted as she slowly made her way to the front.  None yet had looked up as she passed, instead waiting for her to halt before them.  

Bringing her own hands up she bowed slightly.  "Seniors." she greeted them, before lowering her hands and turning to Mo Yuan.  "Shifu" she said, as she lowered herself elegantly to the floor to bow before him, her seniors waiting patiently for her to rise and face them.  From what they could see of her back, she was still graceful and lithe of build, and her voice had changed but it was her face they wanted to see.  

Rising slowly, she stood before Mo Yuan and looked up at him.  Giving her a small smile she turned to face them.  

"Seniors, I am Bai Qian, of Qing Qiu, and your Seventeenth Disciple Si Yin." she greeted them formally, once again her hands raised as she bowed to them.  

If they thought they were prepared for her big reveal, they were very much mistaken.  The gaping faces that stood in shock as they took in her beautiful features put the whole hall into stunned silence.  Not one of them could speak, their mouths too busy swallowing and gaping simultaneously to utter a sound.

Stepping down from his seating, Mo Yuan stood beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder.  He could feel her tensed muscles beneath his hand, so putting an end to the show, he turned to Die Feng, and gave the order for him to continue with what they were doing, as he led her out of the hall, leaving her seniors to gape at her receding back.

After she left, the incredulous murmurings began.

"Si Yin is Bai Qian? and Bai Qian is that woman? Cried Chang Shan in shock.