Hanfuji froze, his body going completely stiff against the soft cushions of the carriage. The sudden question hung in the dark space between them, leaving him completely caught off guard.
A red blush crept up Hanfuji's neck, spreading all the way to his ears. He coughed awkwardly, clearing his throat and looking everywhere except at Fu Teng's calm, searching eyes.
"I... well, Fu Teng, what kind of weird question is that?" Hanfuji stammered, waving his hand around nervously. "Bai Ming is a woman! Why would you even ask something like that?"
Fu Teng didn't laugh, nor did he look away. He kept his dark eyes fixed on Hanfuji's flustered face, his expression deeply serious.
"Just answer me, Hanfuji," Fu Teng repeated softly against the quiet creaking of the carriage wheels. "If Bai Ming were born a man... if everything else about her stayed the same her mind, her laugh, her core would you still love her? Would you still want to be with her?"
