Mo Yuan, Bai Qian, Ye Hua

Part 8

"What?  No!" Bai Qian cried as her father stood over her and Ye Hua looked on smugly.  

 Bai Qian couldn't believe this was happening.  It's so unfair, it wasn't her fault, why was he being so mean?

"Xiao Wu." Her fathers penetrating glare came at her as he looked down at her.  "Starting today, you are under house arrest until I personally lift it.  You will accept The Crown Prince as your guest for one month, and you will compose apology letters to The East Seas King, The East Seas Princess, Die Feng of the West Sea, Mo Yuan and The Crown Prince Ye Hua."  

This can't be happening she repeated to herself.  Deciding to throw it all into air, she stood up defiantly and faced her father with a penetrating glare of her own.  

"Fine!"  she yelled back, before turning her glare on Ye Hua.  "He can stay here, but don't think for one minute I'm going to personally host him, betrothed or not.  I'm in love with Mo Yuan, and I have every intention of cancelling this marriage arrangement and marrying him!" throwing a spiteful glare in Ye Huas direction.

Turning to leave, her father grabbed her by the arm and roughly forced her back to face him, before gently pushing her back down onto the seating.

"Xiao Wu.  I am well aware of your feelings for Mo Yuan as is Ye Hua.  However, as the marriage arrangement is a Political one, and both clans need it to strengthen our bonds, I have agreed to a one month trial.  Should you still feel the arrangement is not to your liking, we can talk about it then.  In the meantime,  Ye Hua will stay here with you, and you will personally host him. You will be gracious, civil, courteous, accommodating and respectful." He stated, he voice though low, was controlled, which meant he was exceptionally angry.

Near tears, which she was fighting to hold in, refusing to allow Ye Hua the chance to see her cry, she battled on.  "Mo Yuan won't agree to this, he loves me and I love him. Why can't you just leave us be, we've only just reunited!" the tears now raining hotly down her cheeks, as her cheeks flushed angrily at her lack of self control to hold them in..

Her father looked down at her in pity.  He had always known of her love for Mo Yuan, but this was a political arrangement, and one that could not be broken without good reason.  Unfortunately, being in love with someone else was not a reasonable excuse.  Matters of the heart held no sway over political decisions and she knew it.  Hence why he agreed to a one month trial.  It was a chance for her to release herself from the agreement.

As Ye Hua himself was still agreeable to the arrangement, then she had no choice but to go through the trial with him.  Should she still feel the same way, then they would have reason to cancel the marriage.  At least that way, they could then say without a shadow of a doubt that the two were not suited having lived together.

Bending down to raise her to her feet, her father took her in his arms and held her as she cried. "Its one month Xiao Wu.  After that, you are free to do as you please." he comforted her quietly for her ears only.  

"Father, what about Mo Yuan?" she sobbed into his chest, unable to look up.

Stroking her hair gently he kissed the top of her head.  "He's not happy about it, but he knows he has no choice but to accept it.  Xiao Wu, fourth brother will stay here with you as will Feng Jiu,  You won't be alone." 

Nodding her head that she understood, she dried her eyes and looked up at her father.  "Alright Father, it's only one month." 

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Mo Yuan was in seclusion.  On his return from The Peach Tree Woods, he had stormed straight to his meditation Cave and threw up a barrier.  

When he arrived at the Peach Tree Grove, The Fox King was there having been summoned by Bai Zhen.  They were already in deep discussion on the previous evenings events and his arrival put them on edge even more, but Mo Yuan was not going to budge.