Chapter 107: The Little Fox

The days flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the Flower Viewing Banquet arrived.

After finishing breakfast, Shangguan Liqian set off toward the Imperial Garden as was her custom.

Halfway there, she suddenly remembered that today’s banquet had likely drawn many talented young men and elegant young ladies. At this hour…

The Imperial Garden was surely already crowded.

Her footsteps faltered. Involuntarily, an image surfaced in her mind—a certain person who lived to swallow jars of vinegar and find reasons to be jealous. Without much hesitation, Liqian prepared to turn back.

She could visit the Imperial Garden anytime; there was no need to make Wushuang unhappy over something so trivial.

But before she could turn, a startled cry reached her ears:

“Wow! What a cute little fox!”

A little fox? Where would a fox come from in the middle of the Imperial Palace?

Liqian instinctively followed the sound with her gaze.

Not far away, crouched beside a cluster of flowers, was a fox. It was snow-white all over, save for a single splash of vibrant red at the tip of its tail. Its spirited eyes scanned its surroundings with a hint of panic.

Several young ladies were gathered nearby, looking on with curiosity. One woman, dressed in a pale pink gown, couldn’t help but reach out, wanting to stroke it.

Sensing someone approaching, the little fox’s fur bristled instantly. It bared its teeth and let out a low, soft growl, seemingly threatening her to stay back.

However, the fox’s adorable appearance didn’t frighten the woman; instead, it only fueled her misplaced sense of affection.

Just as the woman leaned down, intending to scoop the fox into her arms, a sharp, hurried voice rang out behind her:

“Stop! Don’t scare her!”

A “man” dressed in a pale green robe came running over with frantic steps, his face still flushed with a lingering sense of anxiety and panic.

After receiving the Imperial Sister’s decree, Luo Wuyan had originally intended to enter the palace alone. But before leaving the estate, she had hesitated repeatedly, unable to bring herself to leave the little fox home alone.

Even though she knew her trusted confidants were at the manor and could surely protect the fox, she didn’t dare take the risk. She felt that Youran—in her fox form—could only be safe if she stayed right under her nose.

So, she had changed her clothes and carried the little fox into the palace.

Who would have thought that the fox would wake up before they even reached the Imperial Garden?

Upon waking, the little fox’s eyes had been misty and filled with a hazy, adorable confusion.

Luo Wuyan had looked down, a smile just beginning to form on her lips, when the little fox saw her. As if struck by some great fright, the fox’s body went rigid before it suddenly leaped out of her arms.

Worried the fox might hurt itself, Luo Wuyan had hurriedly crouched down. In that brief window, the little fox shot off like an arrow from a bow, vanishing in a flash.

She could only follow the direction the fox had fled, searching the entire way. When she heard someone cry out “little fox,” she didn’t dare delay for a second as she rushed toward the source.

Seeing the newcomer, the little fox’s amber eyes seemed to light up. Its tense body gradually relaxed.

As if it had completely forgotten how it had just fled from this person, it trotted back to Luo Wuyan on its short, wobbly legs.

Shen Youran had been startled when she first woke up and saw Luo Wuyan. Seeing the other woman smiling at her, she had thought her secret identity had been exposed. Only after running away did she realize there had been no malice in that smile.

She hadn’t known where she was and wanted to return, but in her frantic flight, she had no memory of the path she had taken. Just as she was trying to get her bearings, she had been discovered.

When the young lady cried out, Shen Youran’s first instinct was to hide. But facing a swarm of people, her attempts to hide were futile.

When the woman’s hand reached out, she had instinctively gone on the defensive. Fortunately, Luo Wuyan arrived just in time.

Otherwise…

A flicker of lingering fear passed through the little fox’s eyes. As Luo Wuyan leaned down, the fox nipped gently at the hem of her trousers and looked up at her.

Seeing the dependence in the little fox’s eyes, the corners of Luo Wuyan’s lips curled slightly. She gently gathered the creature into her arms.

As she softly smoothed down the fox’s bristled fur, Luo Wuyan looked up. Her gaze landed on Shangguan Liqian nearby. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she gave a small nod of acknowledgement before redirecting her attention to the young ladies.

Seeing Prince An, the young girls offered a slight curtsy. Their eyes swept briefly over the Prince before returning to the little fox in her arms.

The little fox buried its furry head into Prince An’s chest, leaving only the back of its small head visible, its pointed ears twitching occasionally. It looked incredibly precious.

They truly adored it. The woman in the pink dress gathered her courage and asked, “Is this little fox raised by Your Highness? It’s so cute, and its coat is beautiful. May we pet—”

Before she could finish, Luo Wuyan cut her off.

“This is my beloved pet. She is quite timid, so it would be inconvenient.”

Her voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

Seeing her firm attitude, the woman had no choice but to let the idea go. She cast a few more regretful glances at the fox before walking away with her companions.

Luo Wuyan was about to turn and leave with the fox, but her peripheral vision caught Shangguan Liqian still standing there. After a moment’s hesitation, she adjusted her hold on the fox and stepped forward.

Seeing the graceful Shangguan Liqian standing alone without the Imperial Sister by her side, a wave of turbulence stirred beneath Luo Wuyan’s calm facade.

Since her rebirth, it seemed many things had deviated from the original path.

Take this woman, the one the Imperial Sister had designated as the future Empress. Luo Wuyan remembered that in her past life, this woman had lost her freedom very early on. Now, the Imperial Sister was comfortable letting her wander around with only a few palace attendants.

Was it because this Sister-in-law had made different choices in her interactions with the Imperial Sister than she had in the previous life? Or…

As the latter possibility occurred to her, Luo Wuyan’s eyes darkened, and her gaze toward Shangguan Liqian became more scrutinizing.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Liqian was also carefully observing the fox in Luo Wuyan’s arms.

Unlike before, the fox’s bristled fur had smoothed over under Luo Wuyan’s ministrations. Its pointed ears lay flat and peaceful. It looked docile and sweet.

Liqian’s gaze swept lightly over the pair before she discreetly looked away.

From the moment she saw Luo Wuyan’s intense nervousness over the fox, she had felt something was amiss.

Specifically, the way Luo Wuyan looked at the fox now—with a gaze full of deep affection and tenderness—didn’t look like someone looking at a pet. It looked like someone looking at their beloved.

Recalling the scenes from her dreams, a bold guess sprouted in her heart.

Could Prince An’s consort actually be a fox demon?

With this thought, Shangguan Liqian stole another glance at the little creature in Luo Wuyan’s arms.

It was so small and soft, looking quite pitiful. It didn’t look much like a demon.

But… demons are supposed to be experts at disguise, right?

Liqian’s bright eyes flickered. She looked at Luo Wuyan and spoke tentatively.

“Her Majesty mentioned a few days ago that she wanted to send people into the mountains to find a few foxes to raise. I see that the one in your arms, Prince An, is quite lovely. I wonder if the Prince would be willing to part with his treasure?”