Chapter 108: Life is Hard for a Fox

Upon hearing those words, the little fox, who had been nestled quietly against Luo Wuyan’s chest, suddenly stiffened. Her fur stood on end once more.

She was a demon; under normal circumstances, she could not go near a mortal sovereign.

Otherwise, the Dragon Qi and her demonic energy would clash.

If the dynasty’s fortune was flourishing, she would be wounded by the Dragon Qi. Such injuries were incredibly difficult to heal and would be extremely detrimental to her future cultivation.

However, if the dynasty’s fortune was waning, her demonic energy would harm the mortal emperor instead.

At that point, she would be burdened by the karmic backlash of an entire empire’s destiny. Forget cultivation—she would likely be struck by heavenly lightning until not a single strand of fox fur remained.

Therefore… she did not want to stay in the palace, and she certainly did not want to stay by the sovereign’s side.

Sensing the little fox’s unusual agitation, Luo Wuyan lowered her head slightly. She met the little fox’s moist eyes, which were filled with pleading and apprehension.

Luo Wuyan’s hand, which had been stroking the fox, paused for a moment. However, she quickly regained her previous air of nonchalance and spoke with a smile.

“This little fellow in my arms is wild and untameable. I fear she would only disturb Her Majesty. However, since my Imperial Sister-in-law likes her, I will certainly do my best to find another for her.”

As she spoke, Luo Wuyan gently patted her pet as a small gesture of comfort.

Initially, Shen Youran had felt a surge of indignation when she heard Luo Wuyan call her ‘wild and untameable.’ However, after hearing the subsequent refusal, the entire fox instantly relaxed.

Thank goodness. This human didn’t give me away like a gift.

Otherwise, in a palace this vast, escaping would have been no easy feat.

Belatedly realizing she was actually inside the imperial palace, Shen Youran caught Shangguan Liqian’s scrutinizing gaze. Her body instinctively stiffened again.

Once she regained her wits, she cooperated by baring her teeth at Shangguan Liqian, seemingly confirming Luo Wuyan’s evaluation of her being ‘wild and untameable.’

If I have to be ‘wild and untameable,’ then so be it. It’s better than being blasted by heavenly lightning.

Watching the little fox struggle to save herself, Luo Wuyan doted on her by stroking her small head. “Don’t be rude to my Imperial Sister-in-law,” she scolded.

Yet, the smile deep within her eyes could not be hidden.

Shangguan Liqian lowered her eyes slightly, masking the contemplation within them.

Judging by the little fox’s reactions, it seemed exceptionally intelligent…

Looking at it this way, the possibility of it being a demon seemed even higher.

But if this little fox truly was Shen Youran, why would she show herself in her fox form?

Could it be that this person and fox had come to the palace today with other motives?

Shangguan Liqian frowned. When she looked up again, all her emotions were perfectly concealed.

“In that case, I naturally cannot deprive you of what you love. I shall have Her Majesty send others to search instead.”

Hearing Shangguan Liqian say this, both the human and the fox breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

The smile on Prince An’s face grew more sincere. She cupped her hands toward the woman before her and said, “Thank you for your understanding, Imperial Sister-in-law. I shall take my leave.”

Shangguan Liqian nodded slightly. She stood in place for a long time, watching the retreating backs of the pair.

Leng Yue and Leng Yu, hidden in the shadows, felt alarm bells ring in their hearts. They shared a secret glance. Seeing Leng Yue nod slightly, Leng Yu was about to turn back to Phoenix Hall to report the anomaly to the Emperor when she heard Shangguan Liqian suddenly call out to her.

Leng Yu had to temporarily set aside her thoughts of reporting. She revealed herself from the shadows and approached Shangguan Liqian.

Shangguan Liqian withdrew her gaze and looked at Leng Yu, whispering, “Leng Yu, keep a close eye on the little fox in Prince An’s arms during today’s banquet. Do not let it leave your sight.”

Leng Yu cupped her hands to accept the order. Before chasing after them, she couldn’t help but ask, “If you like Prince An’s fox, Lady Shangguan, you only need to inform Her Majesty.”

With the Empress’s devotion to Lady Shangguan, forget a single fox—even a mountain full of foxes would be hers if she but asked.

Shangguan Liqian shook her head and said nothing.

She didn’t like foxes; she was just worried that this pair might act against Wushuang.

However, if the fox in Prince An’s arms truly was a demon, she feared even Leng Yu might not be able to keep track of it.

Shangguan Liqian sighed, her brow furrowing slightly. She secretly pondered how she should tell Wushuang about the fox later.

That fox was extremely suspicious. She must ensure Wushuang does not get too close to it.

Because of Shangguan Liqian’s sudden order, only Leng Yue remained as a personal guard behind her.

To prevent any accidents, Leng Yue did not withdraw. Instead, she used a sound transmission to command a Secret Guard to report the events here to the Emperor, while she herself remained hidden in the shadows—both to protect and to monitor.

With so many eyes watching today, if anything happened to Lady Shangguan, she feared the Emperor would skin her alive.

Shangguan Liqian took one last look in the direction Luo Wuyan had gone, then turned and began the walk back to Phoenix Hall.

Once she sensed the scrutinizing gaze from behind disappear, Luo Wuyan lowered her head and poked the little fox’s paw.

“See? I told you to run off. You were almost snatched away, weren’t you?”

“Ying~” the little fox let out a soft, whimpering cry that sounded like acting spoiled.

Luo Wuyan’s feigned sternness instantly shattered. Her voice softened as she used a mix of coaxing and intimidation. “There will be many people at the banquet today. Be good and don’t run around, or someone will catch you and turn you into a roasted fox.”

The little fox buried her head against Luo Wuyan’s heart. Taking advantage of the fact that she wasn’t looking, the fox secretly rolled her eyes.

Do I look that easy to fool?

But how did she end up in this person’s arms anyway? Why didn’t she have any memory of it at all?

And… this person probably hadn’t seen through her identity, right?

The little fox peeked upward. Meeting Luo Wuyan’s eyes, which were full of laughter, her heart gave a violent shudder and then began to thud rapidly.

This person is actually quite good-looking.

Moreover, whether she was this person’s Princess Consort or in her original form, this human seemed quite gentle.

It was a pity she was a demon. Humans and demons walk different paths.

Otherwise, being the Princess Consort to such a gentle person wouldn’t be so bad.

The little fox unconsciously wagged her tail. Her four tails fanned out, swaying back and forth.

Seeing four tails waving together before her eyes, Luo Wuyan couldn’t resist. She reached out and stroked them one by one.

They were fluffy yet resilient; the texture was exceptionally good.

Her hand moved from the tips all the way to the base of the tails. It was only when she noticed the little creature in her arms gradually stiffening that Luo Wuyan belatedly realized her mistake.

This… seemed to be the most sensitive spot on a fox’s body.

Had she… been a bit too heavy-handed just now?

In her previous life, whenever Sister Youran transformed into her original form, she had always teased her like this. To the current little fox, it seemed a bit presumptuous.

Thinking this, Luo Wuyan lowered her head to cautiously check the fox’s reaction.

The little fox in her arms had her tiny eyes tightly shut. Her once stiff body was now trembling slightly, as if she were desperately enduring something.

Luo Wuyan swallowed quietly, forcing herself to look away…

Unexpectedly, the slight sound of her swallowing seemed to startle the fox. The snowy fur was just about to bristle when Luo Wuyan calmly smoothed it back down.

“Fine, I won’t tease you anymore. We’ll stay here for a while and head over when the banquet is about to start.”