One Tail at a Time

The World Reacts - 2

The meeting between Kunlun Mountain and Qing Qiu is a far cry from the last nights celebration, though I wouldn't go so far as to say it was bad or anything, it was just as I kind of expected it to go.  If anything, my parents are being overly polite which is only making it awkward for us both, but Mo Yuan is a professional in every way,  so I am sure he is managing just fine.  Its only, my brothers were far more elated and ready to party the entire week away, whereas Mother has prepared a selection of tea and rather than euphoric laughter, there is only polite smiles, nods of heads and quietly spoken words as Mo Yuan explains his feelings for me and our intention to marry.

Even so, I cannot help but notice the look of disappointment in Mothers eyes when I inform her that I agree to the marriage, and though she is somewhat subdued having just been shocked senseless, I can see that she has something to say, but is being far too polite to voice it.  But whatever is on her mind, will not be verbalized at this meeting seeing as father is quietly accepting a gift from Kunlun Mountain which Mo Yuan seems to have prepared some time ago which only makes me blush because it is obvious that I was on his mind even before he died, which we have not yet spoken of.

"It is beautiful." Mother says politely as the solid gold brush and ink set engraved with a stylized form of nine tails is passed over to her to put away.

"The artist is very talented." father adds with a smile.

"Yes he is.  A Mortal I hired to create it and one who is now an Immortal." he says which has me wondering who on earth that person might be so my questioning look soon has him chuckling.

And it is here that Mo Yuan shows just how vicious he can be, because not only am I sitting beside him cringing, but so is mother.

"General Liang from our trial." he says now looking super pleased with himself....  "I was going to marry you in Mortal form, so I had the brush and ink set created for your family and it was still in the Emperial archives when I went back to retrieve it." he explains which only has my eyes narrowing in on the quivering of his eyes which is filled with mirth.

"Liang created that set?" I asked stunned while mother quickly places it down on the table as if it is something toxic.

I guess I should have known he would pull a stunt like this, but I really didn't think he would stoop this low after all, he is well aware of how close Liang came to becoming his one and only real rival.  It might have been short lived, but Mo Yuan is no fool, he could see Liangs affections for me grow over the years even if I was a little slower at realizing it, and he was more than aware of them last night.  Liang may have returned to his past lover, but his affections for me was there for all to see which Mo Yuan was no doubt thinking of when he handed that gift to my father with a flourish.  And because I have witnessed his jealousy first hand, I can hardly say anything, because the look he is giving me now, is challenging me to do just that, with or without my parents present, in fact, I have a strong suspicion that I might actually face his wrath later for daring to question him.

Actually, something else just occurs to me too!  Not only has he given his only rivals gift to my parents, but it is now proving to be a dig at my mother for having dared to show disappointment in our marriage announcement, because not only is mother looking horrified, but it is obvious that she had hoped I would marry Liang which Mo Yuan is too quick to pick up on, so the laughter and triumph in his eyes is bordering on evil.  

"Of course Qian Qian.  Back then, he was my most trusted ally and best friend, so I had him create it for me." he says with a dangerous glint in his eye as if he really is pushing me to take it further.

This man! I swear he is the biggest.... ughhh!  But I keep my thoughts to myself, because Zhe Yan has now reached forward to pick up the brush and ink set to inspect the masterful creation with a strange look on his face.