Volume 1, Chapter 12 – The Little Fox Demon’s Happiness

"No, Ah Xi doesn't feel that the sword practitioner sister did anything wrong," the little fox demon said, her natural smile radiating warmth.

"After all, Ah Xi was the one who offended the sister first."

"It's only natural that the sister would be angry."

"Besides, even though the sister was angry, she didn't do anything to Ah Xi."

"So, sister is a good person."

Song Shiyuan felt a blush creep onto her cheeks, warmth flooding her face.

Anyone would feel flustered under such earnest praise from a girl whose beauty seemed almost ethereal. The little fox demon's head tilted up, her eyes sparkling with admiration, making her look even more enchanting.

Her striking features were naturally too captivating.

Such beauty could ignite envy even in another woman, yet here she was, gazing with innocent, ardent eyes that seemed to shine with sunlight and purity.

It sent a wave of shame through Song Shiyuan, whose mind had been clouded with less-than-pure thoughts.

"Sword cultivator sister, can you tell Ah Xi your name?" The little fox demon's eyes curved into delicate crescents, radiating curiosity. "Ah Xi doesn't know your name yet."

Lowering her eyes, Song Shiyuan replied, "Song Shiyuan. My name is Song Shiyuan."

"Sister Song Shiyuan," the little fox demon exclaimed, her voice bubbling joyously. "Sister, you are beautiful, and your name is beautiful too."

The little fox demon's compliments were refreshingly straightforward, her innocent admiration making Song Shiyuan even more embarrassed.

It was as if she were an adult caught in a moment of youthful innocence, feeling out of place in her own skin.

"You're also very pretty," Song Shiyuan mumbled awkwardly, eager to shift the focus away from herself. "What's your name? It must be beautiful too."

"Sister, Ah Xi's name is Ming Zhaoxi."

The little fox demon answered sweetly, her voice soft like a gentle breeze.

"This name was given to Ah Xi by the Fox Monarch."

A proud look lit up her face, and Song Shiyuan's heart skipped a beat.

[…Meow?!]

[Host, are you alright?!]

Lu Zhuxin quickly chimed in the depths of her consciousness, towards the being watching the scene unfold.

"What? Can't I use this name?"

[…]

"That vicious woman, Ming Zhaoxi, ruined me. So, borrowing her name to do some bad things isn't so bad, is it?"

"Besides, I came up with this name anyway."

[Host, do as you please.]

Unaware of the inner dialogue between Lu Zhuxin and the system, Song Shiyuan was suddenly jolted by the little fox demon's words.

No matter how innocent and pure she appeared, the little fox demon was still a fox demon.

And Song Shiyuan, a mere concubine captured by the Fox Monarch, felt a chill creep up her spine.

To be given a name personally by the Fox Monarch suggested a close relationship with the unseen Fox Monarch.

The cruel and capricious nature of the Fox Monarch loomed large in her mind—there was no way she would bestow a name upon an unrelated little fox without good reason.

What exactly was the identity of this little fox demon?

But, if Fox Monarch truly favored her, what about the situation Song Shiyuan had just witnessed then?

What was the true identity of this little fox demon?

If the Fox Monarch genuinely favored her, why had Song Shiyuan just witnessed such a disgraceful scene?

Song Shiyuan wasn't naive.

She had overheard the cruel taunts from those fox demons, and now, a pile of dirty clothes lay discarded beside the little one.

Perhaps the innocent little fox demon didn't grasp the implications of what had transpired.

But Song Shiyuan, as a responsible adult, instantly understood the gravity of the situation.

If this little fox demon was indeed close to the Fox Monarch, why would the Monarch allow those lowly fox demons to torment her?

"Just now, they were bullying you, do you understand?" Song Shiyuan spoke, her tone serious and her eyes fixed intently on the girl.

"Sister Shiyuan," the little fox demon blinked her big, watery eyes. "Are you worried about me?"

"Sister is truly a good person."

A rush of warmth flooded Song Shiyuan's cheeks at the sweet title.

But deep down, she knew she couldn't call herself a good person.

If she were, she wouldn't have waited for those bullies to leave before pretending to care.

"This is a serious matter," she insisted, trying to maintain her stern demeanor.

"Wuu…" The little fox demon sensed the gravity in Song Shiyuan's voice and lowered her gaze.

"It's Ah Xi's fault, not those sisters'," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

"…?" Confusion flickered across Song Shiyuan's face.

"Ah Xi just… wants to do something for the sisters," the little fox demon continued, her head bowed. "After all, Ah Xi has no other use here. For Ah Xi, being able to help everyone in the Fox Palace is what brings her joy."

As she cautiously lifted her head, the little fox demon noticed the growing seriousness in Song Shiyuan's expression. Tentatively, she reached out and tugged at Song Shiyuan's sleeve.

"Sister Shiyuan, don't be angry with Ah Xi, okay?"

"You…" Song Shiyuan found herself at a loss for words.

Her brow furrowed as she grasped the little fox demon's hand, her grip firm yet gentle.

"Ah—!" The little fox demon gasped, startled, instinctively trying to withdraw her hand.

But Song Shiyuan held on tightly.

In the dream world, the little fox demon was the one who held power over her.

Yet here, in reality, a seasoned sword practitioner, blessed with strength and skill, towered over this untrained little fox demon.

"What's going on here?" Song Shiyuan demanded.

The little fox demon stood before her, hands once white and tender now frozen a deep crimson. Those delicate fingers, so deserving of care and protection, bore the scars of abuse and neglect. Yet, she continued to wash clothes for those ungrateful fox demons.

Among the pile of dirty garments, Song Shiyuan's gaze fell upon a few intimate undergarments. Did the fox demons, raised by the Fox Monarch, lack the ability to care for themselves and require someone else to handle their personal items?

"Even to this extent, you're not willing to tell the Fox Monarch about this?"

Song Shiyuan's eyes bore into the little fox demon, her expression unyielding, pressing for the truth.

"If you told Her Majesty, those fox demons wouldn't dare treat you like this, right?"

The timid fox demon lowered her head, a shroud of shame enveloping her.

Lu Zhuxin understood that the Sword Sect junior sister was probing for information about her connection to the Fox Monarch. This was exactly the bait she had set, and she played her part well.

"No," Lu Zhuxin quickly interjected, shaking her head. "We can't disturb Her Majesty over such trivial matters."

She continued, "Ah Xi is useless. Her Majesty letting Ah Xi stay is already a great kindness."

"And a few days ago, Her Majesty told Ah Xi that she has found a powerful and excellent sword practitioner for Ah Xi."

A flicker of hope ignited in the little fox demon's eyes.

"As long as Ah Xi is obedient and well-behaved, Her Majesty will give Ah Xi to that sword practitioner."

The look of longing blossomed on the little fox demon's face; as if she could already taste the happiness of a brighter future.

"Her Majesty said that as long as Ah Xi becomes that sword practitioner's concubine, Ah Xi will find happiness."

Song Shiyuan's heart raced, shock washing over her.