The Fox's Smile Doesn't Reach His Eyes

"Mu'er, are you sure this will work?" Yating whispered as their horse cart was allowed through the palace gates.

Feng MuLing grasped Yating's hand, entwining their fingers, marvelling how the delicate fingers stood in stark contrast to his thick, calloused hand. "It's going to be alright, darling. Once Mang XueYa kills Le Rong, you will be free."

"But, the ownership… we can never have children, Mu'er. If he holds it-"

"Don't think about it," Feng MuLing pressed a kiss on Yating's temple, calming the distraught fox. "As long as you are no longer under Le Rong, we can live in peace. Even…" Feng MuLing's voice was on the brink of breaking, and he scrambled to pull himself together. "Even without children. No one will touch you ever again."

"Can we trust him?" Yating's amber eyes shined in the shadows of the cart, mesmerizing as they looked up at MuLing, searching for assurance on his visage. "What if he-"