Chapter 19: I Am a Fox
The little fox felt so heartbroken inside that tears nearly shattered on the ground. Crestfallen, she dragged her small tail and took one hesitant step after another toward the hall's exit. Then she barked wildly at Flame, “Didn't you say you'd forgive me? You liar!” Clearly, her master was very angry—so angry that he no longer even showed the expression of anger; this was unmistakably the sign of having been infuriated to the point of losing consciousness.
Though Flame couldn’t understand what the little fox was shouting, the intensity of her cries made it clear she was scolding him… even if he didn’t know what exactly she was saying. Resigned, he scooped up the little fox and carried her back inside the hall.
“My lord, the little fox says she wants to come over.”
Xuanyuan Yu looked up at Flame, then turned to the little fox. She pouted, her purple eyes blinking pitifully, casting a sorrowful gaze at Xuanyuan Yu. Her two little paws restlessly reached out, seeking to be held. Xuanyuan Yu sighed, stood, and took the little fox into his arms, signaling Flame to step aside.
“What made you want to come over? Are your injuries severe? What did the imperial physician say?” Xuanyuan Yu carefully examined the little fox, worried she might have hidden ailments.
“Eek eek eek!” It tickles so much, stop it! Don’t think that just because you’re my master, you can tickle me!
Seeing the little fox’s weak struggles, which didn’t seem to express discomfort but rather a trace of joy, he asked, “Are you ticklish?”
The little fox shyly nodded, then nestled into his embrace. She rubbed against Xuanyuan Yu’s clothing and took a deep breath—indeed, the scent of her master, cool and refreshing, was wonderful.
The next morning, the little fox awoke lying on something cool and smooth. She opened her eyes drowsily, saliva dripping onto Xuanyuan Yu’s chest, which she quickly wiped away with her paw. Then, blushing, she admired the beautiful sight before her.
At that moment, she was sprawled with all four limbs spread out on Xuanyuan Yu’s wheat-colored chest. His long black hair cascaded over the dragon bed, his long eyelashes fluttering and stirring her heart. His shifting, shimmering eyes were closed, but that breathtakingly handsome and domineering, devilishly charming face held her utterly captivated.
Her master was so handsome, even more beautiful than a fox! When she transformed, she vowed to become even more beautiful than him, so she could be worthy of her master. “Master, just wait for me to grow up!”
The little fox set this ambitious goal, then realized she was awkwardly sprawled atop her master’s chest. She thought to quietly slip down, lest her master accuse her of being a lustful fox. She was clearly pure and adorable, with her pristine white fur—how could she be lustful? Pure white, that’s all!
“The little fox is awake,” a lazy, magnetic male voice whispered near her ear. The little fox grinned, signaling that she was neither embarrassed nor lustful at all.
He had been awake long before she looked at him, only keeping his eyes closed to watch what she intended to do. But seeing her lost in a daze made him smile; even animals knew how to daydream these days.
The little fox’s eyes darted about, trying not to get caught by Xuanyuan Yu. Yet he seemed to know what she was thinking and pointed to his chest, saying, “The little fox even drools in her sleep.”
Wrapped in a silk blanket and caught with the evidence of her drool, Xuanyuan Yu removed the quilt from her and then got out of bed, passing by her to enter the side chamber. The little fox followed, just in time to see him undress. Startled, she covered her eyes with her tiny paws but peeked stealthily. She patted her fox face, silently chanting a hundred times, “I am a fox, I am a fox, I am a fox…”