A Crown for a Tail

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Later that evening after Mo Yuan and Di Jun had left, having spent a considerable amount of time going over the intricacies of Ye Huas marriage trial with Princess Mei, the real reason for their visit, the Fox Clan reassembled themselves to discuss the possibility of Princess Mei stubbornly refusing to leave.

"What if she lasts the whole four weeks?" Bai Qian asked slumping even further into her seat. If she lasts the whole month, Ye Hua will have to marry her. It was the condition of his arrangement and this time, there would be no other options available to them.

"We will discuss it if it comes to that Qian Qian." Her mother said airily as if it were of no consequence. "In the meantime, as Mo Yuan suggested, your marriage trial will take place here. There is nothing in the agreement that states you have to complete it in the Celestial Heavens." She smiled.

Placing a comforting hand over her own Ye Hua smiled down at her. "Qian Qian, after what I just witnessed, even I'm a little afraid of you lot." He grinned turning to look at them all. "I doubt very much that she'll last the week." He said confidently, but he knew that after her welcome, if she didn't leave the following day, they would have to pull out everything they had.

"Alright, it's late and I'm tired." The Fox Queen stated yawning, but unlike Bai Qian, she covered her mouth politely before rising, and insisting they all get a good night's rest. "If she insists on staying, we will pick up where we left off." She chuckled lightly, before taking hold of Bai Zhis hand to leave.

Wanting a private word with her mother before they retired for the night, Bai Qian rose quickly to intervene, then pulling her aside briefly, she whispered into her ear. After an exchange of words, her mothers head suddenly shot back to glare down at her.

"You are no longer pure?" her mother asked shocked. Then turning to face Ye Hua, her legs moved quickly to his side to bend over him giving Bai Qian no chance to warn him.

"You took my daughter before marriage?" she snapped at him as her anger began to rise.

Sliding off his seat and onto his knees in an instant, Ye Hua bowed low. "Forgive me Empress, I have no excuse." He said softly while keeping his head down.

Though if her father was stunned by the sudden turn of events, he didn't show it, instead he watched on quietly as if it didn't concern him at all. As far as he was concerned, they were both of consenting age and times had changed since they were young, but knowing his wife, he thought it prudent that he did not interfere.

"Then let me give you some advice Ye Hua." She said softly. "Not only will you do everything in your power to get rid of that girl, you will honor my daughter and marry her. Otherwise that girl will not only gain a Crown Prince, she will also gain a Eunuch." She snapped down hard at him causing every man in the room to visibly cringe, because they knew for a fact, she would do just that.

Keeping his head down and his mouth shut, Ye Hua waited for the Qian Qians parents to leave, before rising up onto his knees shaking.

Bending over him, Bai Qian lowered her hand to assist him to his feet before smirking up at him. "Don't worry Ye Hua, with the whole Fox Clan behind you, it won't come to that." She smiled sweetly at him, as she led him to her chamber.

"I'm very afraid of your mother Qian Qian." He grimaced as her word hung in the air refusing to leve him alone. But as Bai Qian continued to drag him away from his own chamber and going by the look in her eye, he would not be sleeping there that night.

"Your mother agreed we could share a bed Qian Qian?" he asked stunned, because he had already resigned himself to remaining celibate while at the Fox Den, knowing how strict her mother's rules were regarding sex before marriage, especially after that little speech.