In Darkness

Regards (pt.1)

Mo Yuan watches in amusement as Bai Qian's hand continues to obscure her face from the nose down. It's a pitiful attempt at hiding herself, yet he can only find it endearing. Walking past the open gate to Yaozu's home, he quietly opens the door to the small hut with a small wave of his hand, sparing no effort in making sure the becoming blush on her cheeks doesn't fade.

"... Where are we?" Bai Qian finally speaks up for the first time since they left the flower house, "It smells familiar..."

She isn't seeing with her cultivation and it's still too bright outside for her to travel without her blindfold.

She's trusting him more.

"Yaozu's childhood home. He's returning to his fiancee once he's finished watching the gates tonight."

"Mo Yuan, why do you know that?"

"He is my brother-in-law. It's only right-"

Her interruption is whispered, almost as if she doesn't want to bring herself to speak, "Mo Yuan, will you promise me something?"

"What is it, Qian Qian?"

''In a few days, I want to send Yaozu and A-Jiao to you. Look after him, will you? He might not be particularly accomplished, but he's far more intelligent than we let other's believe. And A-Jiao, she..."

"Qian'er, you are my wife. I've already stated that I will treat your family as my own. There's no need to convince me." Carrying her over to an isolated bedroom, he lifts the curtain separating the room from the rest of the house, "Is all you have to do is ask. But this time, you must tell me, why are you so anxious to suddenly send him away from your side?"

"A-Jiao is carrying Yaozu's child. Mother is delighted." When he carries her over to the bed and goes to set her down, the grip on his shoulders doesn't loosen. Instead, her dragon settles down onto the bed with her as she continues speaking, "Xuan Nu is unpredictable, and it's no secret that Qing Qiu doesn't have enough heirs to cover its territory. I want my brother to live a peaceful life. I don't want him to end up like me or our Mother."

"... Alright, but you must promise me something in return."

"What?" Bai Qian sits up, unable to keep the curiosity off of her face.

"In a week, I will be visiting the Northern and Western Seas. I want you to accompany me."

Bai Qian watches him curiously for a moment before tilting her head to the side slightly, "Could we visit Lord Hexie and Queen Dongmei?"

A small stretch of silence passes between them before Mo Yuan gives her a patient nod, "We should be able to arrange a visit to both of them."

Smiling softly, Bai Qian settles her head back down onto his shoulder, "In that case, I agree."

o~O~o~O~o

Death...

She was going to end up dying on this damn bed if she laid around any longer---left waiting only for her slow poison to be concocted. Since the day her lover-turned-demon attacked her, she was more than certain it was an intentional strike.

What Dongmei couldn't figure out was who and why. 

Bai Qian's unique ability to control the plague-infected citizens of Qing Qiu made her the Swan Queen's first suspect. Although the fox was fair and loyal to her supporters, she was also intensely wary of outsiders and always fighting against her own suspicions. The High Queen of Western Qing Qiu's biggest shortfall was her suspicious and sometimes rash nature.