Mo Yuan, Bai Qian, Ye Hua

Part 7

Bai Qian, having returned to Qing Qiu the night before was mulling over the nights events. The thought of staying two nights at The East Sea Palace, did not appeal to her at all, especially after the way she treated their Princess. She may be The Queen of Qing Qiu, but on reflection, her behavior had been appalling.

Not only had she failed to repay Qing Qiu's debt, she had incurred two more and the thought of owing anyone anything was abhorrent.

And it was all Ye Huas fault. If he hadn't used such an informal greeting and then sat there stone faced most of the night, she would have been more understanding of that Princess!

Instead he instantly put her on edge forcing her to taunt him every chance she got, and then unintentionally and inappropriately offend the whole of the East Sea Palace. Crossing her fingers that Zhe Yan wouldn't hear of her misdeeds, she lay down on her bed.

Thinking of Ye Hua, she realized, that even though he looked like her Shifu, they were actually very different. His demeanor was cold and biting, unlike her Shifus soft and tender manner, nevertheless, he was approachable and somewhat likable. And he was definitely handsome, though his features were not as delicate as her Shifus, they were sharper and more well defined. Probably the lack of facial hair and his youth, she thought.

And thinking of youth, he was anything but the child she had imagined him to be as she remembered how close their lips came to touching. And the feel of his chest under her fingers was definitely a mans chest, he was taut and buff, she could actually feel the tightness of his masculine frame through the heavy robe that he was wearing, and the strength in his arms when he held her. Suddenly blushing at the rising inappropriate thoughts, she quickly stomped on them.

"He's a child regardless Bai Qian!  And you love Shifu." she berated herself audibly.

"You do?" a voice came at her, as her fourth brother walked into her chamber, causing her to sit bolt upright.

She had been so lost in thought, she'd failed to hear the entrance of her family. Rising quickly, she launched herself into his open arms. "Si Gu!" she cried happy to see him. He had been at his Northern Territory Mansion for strategy talks for weeks and seeing him, she hadn't realized how much she had missed him.

Trying to see over his shoulder to see if Zhe Yan had come with him, her brother laughed, knowing she what she thinking. "Yes, he's here too." he winked at her, but his sideways glance gave her cause her to pause.

Oh no, she thought. He's going to berate me for taking his 1000 year wine, she thought to herself, as her brother dragged her out into the main room.

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After an extraordinary drama filled evening and under intense scrutiny,  Ye Hua was feeling overwhelmed by all the unwanted attention.   Having returned to the main hall without Qing Qius Bai Qian, the gossip started immediately, and it wasn't flattering.  

Word had spread rapidly as to what had happened in the secluded garden, and Ye Hua had, had enough.  The Princess held considerable sway among the lower clans here, and Bai Qians actions was causing quite a commotion as separate conversations became animated and for some angry, after the Princess had to be escorted from the hall in tears.  Her version of events fresh on their minds.

Slamming his fist into his table, sending his dishes flying, he rose after only having returned for a short moment.  Ignoring the shocked stares and sudden silence,  he left for the guest chamber that had been prepared for him. 

Ye Hua had been raised under strict conditions that required constant adherence to rules and regulations by the Sky Lord, his Grandfather.   His life was structured by order and discipline.