Chapter 29: Xuanyuan Yu's Concern

Xuanyuan Yu held the little fox, soothing it along the way. The creature, usually so lively and spirited, now lay motionless in his arms, its heavy tail drooping listlessly. The little fox felt deeply sorrowful, unable to even twitch its tail.

The palace where Liyue resided was remote, and her room was gloomy and devoid of light. The ground was damp, and the room was barren, furnished only with a simple, makeshift bed. The little fox gazed at Liyue with reddened eyes; it could not believe its maid was forced to live in such a place.

The little fox tugged at Xuanyuan Yu’s lapel, pointing toward Liyue, and let out a series of squeaks. "Master, can we find Liyue a better place to live? This spot isn't even as good as the cave I used to live in."

Seeing the tears welling up in the little fox’s violet eyes, Xuanyuan Yu’s heart ached. He stroked its fur while surveying the room. Hadn't this palace been abandoned long ago? How could it still be used to house someone? It seemed someone had treated his commands as nothing more than wind passing by his ears.

"Master, is it impossible to move Liyue to a new place?" The little fox raised its small head, staring at Xuanyuan Yu with large, watery eyes. As it tilted its head back, the tears threatened to flow backward, prompting the fox to quickly wipe its eyes with its tiny paws. It looked just like a little girl brushing away her tears.

"Very well, we will move Liyue to a better place so she can keep you company every day. How does that sound?" Xuanyuan Yu cooed, his voice filled with an uncharacteristic, profound tenderness.

The sudden gentleness startled Imperial Physician Zhang, who was busy applying needles to Liyue, causing his hand to tremble so violently he nearly pricked himself. He could not help but let out a long sigh; surely, he was growing old, for he was now even suffering from auditory hallucinations. It was time to resign from his post!

Xuanyuan Yu carried the little fox to the bedside. The creature looked at Liyue, its eyes filled with concern. "Old man, is my Liyue alright? Is her injury very serious?"

Imperial Physician Zhang, unable to understand the fox's squeaks, stood there in awkward silence, unsure of how to respond.

"How is Liyue? Is it serious?" Xuanyuan Yu placed the little fox on the bed and turned to ask the physician.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Imperial Physician Zhang replied, "Miss Liyue’s injuries are not critical; she simply needs quiet rest. I shall prescribe some medicinal pills, and she will recover once she has taken them."

"Very well," Xuanyuan Yu nodded softly. He looked at the little fox with doting eyes, but when he turned back to the physician, his expression was icy. Frightened, the physician hastily wrote out the prescription and hurried away with his medical chest on his back.

The little fox lay on the bed, nudging Liyue, its small paws brushing lightly against her hand. It stared at her with dull, listless eyes. *Why haven't you woken up yet? Do you know how worried I am? I haven't even thanked you for shielding me from that cruel, wicked woman, Weiyang. We haven't even had our revenge yet—you cannot die.*

"Alright, little fox. Liyue needs peace and quiet to heal. Besides, your own tail is injured and requires rest; only then will you be able to help Liyue get her revenge." Xuanyuan Yu picked up the little fox and hummed soothingly, though he felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. This maid had only been with the fox for a single day, and yet she had already, with lightning speed, usurped his place in the little fox's heart. It would be a wonder if he weren't jealous.

The little fox nodded. *Fine. Liyue, I will come back to see you tomorrow.*

The little fox glanced back at Liyue with lingering attachment. Xuanyuan Yu’s expression hardened as he cast a deep, inscrutable look at the maid. He turned and walked away without looking back, already contemplating whether he should replace her with another maid to care for the little fox. If things continued this way, he feared this little girl, Liyue, might replace him entirely.