450 Years Ago
It was sheer panic the moment that she arrived.
She hadn't forgotten her father -- the young immortal was recognizable even in her mortal form. After all, Le Xu seemed to have been drawn to unromantic men her entire life. The first one was the Fox Emperor who never even realized she had feelings for him when they attended the same academy as children. The second, her husband.
Her husband who was not only unromantic but cruel and disconcerting.
When they found out the mortal Su Jin dragged before the Heavenly Lord was pregnant, her husband had her thrown into an abandoned hall of their palace (and only because she intervened). She was a nine-tailed fox in mortal form, Le Xu was almost certain of it. She may be relatively mediocre in order to not draw attention to herself, but she wasn't a fool by any means.
"... What a waste of food. Everyone knows she's going to be killed soon."
Raising her brow at the sound of the maids as they clean up the tray Su Su had thrown off of the table in her plight for answers, she remains tucked away out of sight as she listens in on their conversation.
She'd have to wait until they left to see the girl for herself, anyway.
"Be careful -- I don't want either of us to lose our heads if someone hears us saying the wrong thing."
By the time they're quietly scrambling away, Su Su is at the door, pleading and crying to know if Ye Hua is alive after the battle in the Western Sea.
Walking up to the entrance, Le Xu casts a quick spell to unlock the doors before walking inside just as Su Su scrambles backward to avoid being hit. She shuts the doors behind her and turns to face her, "That's not how you're supposed to greet royalty of the Nine Heavens."
Her voice is just as cold as she intends it to be. This woman can't think of her as a friend during her time here; she's only here for the well being of her future grandson or granddaughter.
"Please," Su Su's voice is pitifully frightened and rough from crying, and Le Xu feels herself almost swaying just slightly to be gentle with her while no one is looking, "Please, tell me, where is Ye Hua? Is he... Is he..."
Even if she doesn't like the girl in front of her for the trouble she's gotten her only son into, she wants to comfort her... but she can't risk even that.
Eyes are everywhere.
"Why haven't you eaten your food?" Le Xu asks quietly, "We're not going to poison you, if that's why."
Su Su shakes her head desperately, "Please, I need to know. Ye Hua..."
"You're in no position to ask for anything." Le Xu answers in a harsh tone, fighting a raised brow of a surprise when Su Su flinches back fearfully, "Eat your meals, drink the water you're being provided. The only reason you're alive right now is because you're carrying the Heavenly heir. If not for that, you'd already be dead. What do you think they will do to you if your child dies?"
Su Su is looking up at her; confused, hurt, and scared.
Le Xu can't take it a moment longer and turns to leave, locking the door behind her. When she rushes up to the doors to start pounding on them once more to plead for knowledge of Ye Hua's health, she nonchalantly gives her parting words from over her shoulder.
"If you eat, you might live to see him again."
o~O~o~O~o
Present Day
The first thing Mo Yuan sees when he wakes is Bai Qian snuggled into the quilt they shared the previous night. Loosely wrapped up in the light blanket, she's hugging her pillow close in place of lying against his side in anticipation of him waking up earlier than her. She's gently clutching onto the hem of her sleeve -- unconsciously attempting to hide the fact that her hand had been kneading against the pillow in her sleep.
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In Darkness
FanficA blind seven tailed fox being looked after by her niece. A royal family (and their kingdom) wrongfully accused and exposed to the worst torments the Nine Heavens could conjure. A grieving brother mourning the loss of his twin. Bai Qian had always g...
