Kunlun Mountain Part 4 - The Return

Chapter 72 - The Past

Turning to stare, all eyes were on him as he not only looked to Bai Zhi to come up with something quickly, he immediately caught the cold hard gaze of the Empress before quickly bending down to pick up the cup which luckily had remained intact.

That was a glare he knew all too well and she was looking at both men with a look that said she knew they were up to something.  Watching as Mo Yuan fumbled with the cup and then at Bai Qian who was staring in confusion, she turned her hard glare back to Bai Zhi.

He was the one she knew so well, and the way his face had instantly reddened had her leaning forward towards him.

"Dongmei.  Whatever happened to her?" she asked ignoring the uncomfortable squirming coming from Mo Yuan and the even more confused frown coming from Bai Qian.  But looking back at her and the glint of suspicion in her eyes,  Bai Zhi knew he could not lie to her face, she would know immediately.

"I don't know." he replied unable to maintain eye contact.  It was a blatant lie and they all knew it.

"I see." she said smiling while her eyes then moved towards Mo Yuan who was looking down at his feet.  "Did you ever meet her Mo Yuan?" she asked knowing now, that something was going on.

"Uhhh..... I don't believe so." he also lied which she also saw.

Watching the exchange, Bai Qians frown deepened.  She knew immediately that he had just lied.  The man who never lied in his entire life, who was just as honest and trustworthy as her father, had just blatantly lied to her mothers face.  And like her mother, she was growing suspicious.

"Mo Yuan?" she said drawing his attention to her face.

"Qian Qian, it's getting late, why don't we return.  It is snowing outside and I don't want you getting sick." he said bringing the uncomfortable conversation to and end and a soft sigh from her father.

Looking at her mother, Bai Qian realized that she too was thinking the men were up to something, though considering it was her little cousin who had brought on the suspicion, like her mother, she could not make any sense out of it.

Rising quickly, her father suggested that they return.  "Mo Yuan is right.  You need to look after your health my dear." he said before quickly gathering up her overcoat which she had carelessly thrown over the back of his seat and almost throwing it at her.  But his movements only made him look even more suspicious if not guilty.

Though by that time, Mo Yuan was already on his feet and dragging her up with him.  Then rushing her into her coat, he suggested her parents visit them for dinner one day soon.

"Yes, that would be nice.  We will be there." The Empress said.  And though she had every intention of finding out what that was all about, she too agreed that it would be best if Bai Qian returned home before the cold weather settled in for the night.

Making the hastiest retreat the Empress had ever seen, Bai Qian and Mo Yuan caught a cloud straight from the entrance to the den.  Though once they were in the air she waited until they were almost halfway home before forcing the cloud to a stop.  Then turning around in his arms, she gently forced him back.

The snow was still light, so she wasn't too concerned about the weather and seeing as Mo Yuan was still looking guilty she immediately asked him again if he knew Dongmei.

Knowing he was now in a very precarious position, Mo Yuan didn't lie to her this time, but he did limit his answer.

"I know of her.  But..."

"So you did lie.  Why?"

"Qian Qian ..."

"Don't you dare lie to me again Mo Yuan.  I can see it in your eyes!" she said softly as her eyes narrowed.  That he knew of Dongmei was one thing, but that he was actually considering lying again which she could see in his expression, had her even more confused and more than angry at the secrecy.