Chapter 49 I really lied to you. "Okay, let's not look..."

Upon hearing this, Tinglan's face turned bright red.

He knew perfectly well that the young prince did not understand what it meant to serve the emperor in bed, but he still could not control his emotions, nor could he control the erotic images that suddenly flashed through his mind.

He lowered his eyes and nodded somewhat stiffly.

The fox was very satisfied and pulled Tinglan's hand over, "In that case, you can do your thing during the day, and we'll sleep together at night."

"Then Your Highness won't come to keep me company on ordinary days?"

The fox lowered its head, looking at its toes. "Did I cause you trouble by constantly bothering you?"

"How could that be? This servant is eagerly awaiting Your Highness's arrival."

"Really?" The fox looked up in surprise, immediately becoming happy and shaking Tinglan's arm tightly. "You're the best!"

Actually, the fox does have some of the characteristics of a fox spirit. For example, he is particularly good at acting cute, likes to tug at people's sleeves, and then stares at them longingly.

Although this tactic is childish, like a child asking for candy, it does have some effect. Others may not know, but the Ninth Prince has reached this point and is basically helpless against him, so he is prepared to compromise.

"I served you in bed, so what did Your Highness do that night?" Tinglan asked with a smile and raised an eyebrow, deliberately trying to tease him.

The fox thought for a moment and replied, "I'll warm your bed."

Tinglan couldn't help but smile, her lips curling up repeatedly.

According to the young prince, one of them would serve the emperor in bed while the other would warm the bed, so neither of them would take advantage of the other.

Outside Changqiu Palace, Chen Yu rushed over, standing under the corridor without daring to go in, and knocked on the door, "Master, I have something urgent to report."

Tinglan frowned, strode to the door, and yanked it open. "What's the rush?"

Chen Yu whispered a few words in Tinglan's ear.

The Ninth Prince's eyes suddenly changed, becoming gloomy and deep, like a bottomless well. He said coldly, "It's alright, let's go back first."

Chen Yu immediately bowed and retreated outside the door, standing in the corner of the wall.

Tinglan turned to look at the young prince, her expression unchanged, her tone gentle, "Something urgent has suddenly come up, and I'm afraid I can't accompany Your Highness today."

The fox nodded. "Then remember to come back to sleep tonight."

Chen Yu, who was outside the door, slipped and tripped over his own feet, almost falling.

How could he possibly listen to that? He wiped his face with his sleeve, thinking to himself, "I should have left earlier. I've just had to listen to things I shouldn't have."

After Tinglan left, Chen Yu couldn't help but secretly tilt her head and look up at the palm print's expression.

"What are you looking at?"

"You look quite well today, Chief of the Imperial Seal." Chen Yu lowered his head, put his hands in his pockets, and started to change the subject.

I never expected the little prince to say something like that, asking if I'd be coming home to sleep tonight. It's like we're already husband and wife...

Although he had known for some time that the relationship between the Grand Seal and the young prince was unusual, he was still shocked to see it with his own eyes.

"The young prince is just a bit clingy because he's young," Tinglan said casually.

Chen Yu nodded, thinking to himself that the Palm Seal's ability to cultivate one's character was truly remarkable. He must be feeling incredibly good inside, yet he was still pretending to be nonchalant.

Since his friend was busy, the fox went out for a stroll by himself.

When it comes to going out for a stroll, the fox form is more comfortable; four paws are always less strenuous than two legs.

The fox stretched out its two front paws, yawned comfortably, and, with its big tail held high, happily kicked the pine cones around like a ball.

Compared to humans, foxes are actually quite small. Even including the length of their tails, they are only about the same size, just the right size to hold in one's arms.

It snowed again recently, and the fox's white fur blended into the snow, making it almost invisible unless you looked closely. All you could see was a pine cone rolling around in the snow.

The fox, carrying a pine cone in its mouth, walked forward with its head held high, leaving plum blossom-shaped paw prints in the snow.

Where to go for fun? Anywhere is fine. This whole palace seems heavily guarded, but for a fox, there's no place it can't go. No matter how secure the place is, it's just a matter of jumping over a wall or squeezing through a small hole.

The fox ran happily, not knowing where it ended up, but it climbed over several walls and crawled through several small holes.

The weeds here are very tall. The fox lay down and stared intently at the bushes.

He heard a noise in the bushes; it might be a pheasant or a rabbit.

Suddenly, a creaking sound came from behind, as if a rusty door hinge had been pushed open again.

The fox's hunt was interrupted, and it darted into the bushes with a whoosh, peering out warily.

The sound of shoes crunching on gravel came from outside, two people, two sets of footsteps... No, that sounds familiar.

The fox peeked out and saw a familiar hem of clothing.

We're good friends!

Seriously, didn't you say you were going to be busy? Why are you out having fun by yourself?

With a squeak, the fox darted out of the bushes and blocked Tinglan's path.

Hmph, I caught you red-handed. Let's see where you're going now.

The fox stood proudly on the road, head held high.

With its four little paws together, its long, fluffy tail resting on its paws, its ears twitching in the wind, and its round eyes staring intently at people, it looked very clever.

What a beautiful fox!

Tinglan only needed one glance to recognize that the plump, white fox was the one that the young prince kept.

It's been a while since I've seen you. How did you end up here? This place is remote; you might not be able to find your way back.

Tinglan sighed, bent down and picked up the fox. It was just the right size to hold in her arms, and it felt soft and comfortable to the touch.

The fox, nestled in Tinglan's arms, hugged its tail and turned its head away, thinking, "Don't think that just because I'm hugging you, this matter will be over. You'll have to treat me to a big meal before I forgive you."

"Should the Master take him with him?" Chen Yu asked from the side. "It would be better if I carried him, so the Master could have an easier time."

These palace people are just different; they speak in roundabout ways, like taking a winding, circuitous route.

For example, if he wants to hug the fox, he won't say it directly. He'll say that it would be easier for him to hold the paw print. In short, he seems very considerate of the paw print, but in reality, his eyes are glued to the fox.

How could the palm print not understand what Chen Yu meant? He turned to look at Chen Yu and replied indifferently, "No need."

Then he lifted the fox up, so that his neck could touch the fox's soft fur, and walked forward leisurely.

Chen Yu pursed her lips and followed.

We passed through a large gate.

The fox had its two front paws wrapped around its best friend's shoulders, looking around with great curiosity. Where was this? It didn't look like there was anything fun to be had.

This is a somewhat dilapidated palace, but it looks like it is still inhabited.

A cup suddenly flew out from an angle, shattered not far away, and shards littered the ground.

"Get out!" A furious roar came from the darkness.

“Your Highness Prince Wei’s voice is full of energy; it doesn’t sound like you’ve injured your lungs.” Tinglan said with a playful smile.

"It's better to save this cup from breaking, so we don't run out of things to use later."

The fox knew who the person inside was—the big bad guy who pushed his best friend into the water.

Goodness, you really know how to hide! I've finally found you.

Take this from me right now! I'll beat you up, you scoundrel who bullied my best friend!

The fox clenched its paws, braced itself with its belly, and bent its hind legs, preparing to leap out of Tinglan's arms and punch him.

The palm print seemed to sense the fox's intention, gently patted him, and said in a low voice, "There are shards of porcelain. Jump down and you'll hurt your paws."

The fox looked down.

You really are a villain! You even set traps to try and harm me, Little Fox!

The fox relaxed, puffed up its cheeks, and lay in Tinglan's arms, whimpering with its little belly sticking out. "I'm not happy. I'm going to beat someone up."

Tinglan lowered her head and chuckled softly, gently stroking the fox's soft fur.

"The power of the seal-bearer is immense. It seems that offending you, sir, will not last long in the palace." King Wei emerged from the shadows, now pale and emaciated, completely different from his former appearance.

"You're wrong about that. Didn't I still let you live until now?" He lowered his head and gently stroked the fox in his arms. His movements were gentle, but his voice was as cold as iron. "Where exactly are the people who went to pick up the little prince back then?"

"I don't know, maybe he's dead." King Wei stared at the fox in Ting Lan's arms and laughed sinisterly. "You really care about my bastard brother, because of these things, you've managed to keep me alive until now."

"You seem to know very well in your heart."

"That's right, then I definitely can't say anything, or I'll be silenced immediately by the palm print."

"You think you're not going to die now?"

The fox froze, its paws gripping Tinglan's sleeves. It looked up at the Prince of Wei, then tilted its head to look at Tinglan again.

Wow, even best friends can argue this fiercely! I couldn't quite understand what they were saying, but it sounded like something really important.

"How could you help him like this? How exactly did he make you feel good in bed?"

Tinglan's expression darkened, and he took a step back.

Chen Yu stepped forward silently, bowed, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, I apologize for my rudeness."

As he spoke, he delivered a kick, striking the king squarely in the abdomen. The king, in pain, curled up into a ball, like a boiled shrimp.

The fox tilted its head again, looking at Chen Yu incredulously.

Tinglan lowered her head, teasing the fox in her arms with her hand. Her voice was soft and gentle, as if she were appraising a delicacy. "If you tell me, you'll get a quick and easy answer. If you don't, we'll have to see just how many bones His Highness Prince Wei has."

“Pei Jiqing is a fake. If I can find out, others can too. Do you think you can get away with it?”

The fox froze, stiffly shrinking into Tinglan's arms, and fearfully covered its face with its paws.

Oh no, we've been exposed! Our impersonation of a prince has been discovered.

"That's utter nonsense. His Highness Prince An is His Majesty's own son, as recorded in the Imperial Genealogy. How dare you slander him?" Tinglan sneered. "Chen Yu, continue."

"Prince An? That bastard bestowed the title of Prince An?" Prince Wei's eyes widened, and he suddenly burst into tears, "Father, you're confused! How could you let such a bastard blind you?"

The fox lowered its paws from its face, looked up at Tinglan, its eyes glistening with tears.

He thought, "But I really lied to you."

I am the imposter.

I am not some little prince, nor am I some kind of parent-child.

I am a fox spirit. I live on a snowy mountain, next to an orchard. This is my first time coming down the mountain. I really didn't mean to lie to you.

Please don't hate me.

Tinglan turned around, covered the eyes of the dazed fox in her arms with her hand, lowered her head, and whispered to him, "Be good, we won't look."