Chapter 50 Confession, Waaah, I'm a wicked, big-time liar fox...

The fox curled up in Tinglan's arms, which were warm. Tinglan's one hand steadily supported the fox's rump and the base of its tail, while the other hand gently stroked the fox's fluffy, round head, running from the top of its head to its cheeks, and occasionally scratching the tips of its little ears.

My good friend's massage technique was excellent and skillful, and the fox felt very comfortable, but he couldn't be happy.

He wondered, "Am I a bad fox for lying to people?"

If not, should I tell my best friend?

But if he confesses, will Tinglan get angry and never speak to him again?

The fox lowered its head, drooped its ears, and kept burying its head into Tinglan's arms.

Tinglan looked at the unusually well-behaved fox in her arms, somewhat surprised. Why was it so obedient today? Had it suffered some mistreatment outside? Had it lost a fight, or was it starving because it couldn't find anything to eat?

Tinglan reached out and scratched the fox's chin, as if teasing a child, then lowered her head and whispered, "What's wrong?"

The fox looked up at its friend, stretched out its soft front paws, gently placed them on his chest, and then buried its head in them again.

Only two furry ears were left exposed, fluttering and trembling, the pointed hairs on them shaking wildly.

Tinglan was both amused and exasperated. It's true what they say, like father, like son. The little prince's fox has the same hobbies as him; its hands are always restless and it likes to touch things indiscriminately.

While the Ninth Prince was all smiles and warmth, Chen Yu's situation was far less relaxed. He first beat up the Prince of Wei to vent his anger.

But the talk about breaking bones was just a scare tactic. The fact that there were so many broken bones was too obvious. How could such a forced confession leave any traces or evidence? It's so unprofessional.

Breaking one or two bones is fine; you can say it was an accidental fall. But breaking too many bones is not acceptable. After all, what position could break all the ribs?

Chen Yu straightened his back, peeled off a piece of soaked mulberry paper, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you've pretty much confessed, haven't you? This is called 'adding an official title with a sticker.' The advantage is that it leaves no trace. Even if you die, no one will know. If you survive, it's fine too. The Eastern Depot has many similar tricks."

"...I'll still die even if I confess, won't I?"

Chen Yu frowned and pressed the paper back down. Ugh, interrogating this kind of person is such a hassle.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Prince of Wei confessed, "I only found one person who brought Pei Jiqing back. He said he didn't know who Pei Jiqing was, that he found him on the road, and that his parents and place of origin were unknown."

King Wei's eyes were bloodshot as he said, enunciating each word clearly, "He is a complete bastard."

Upon hearing this, Tinglan, carrying the fox, strode over and kicked over the chair that was holding the King of Guards.

Chen Yu reacted quickly, immediately pulling the chair back and standing aside to make room, implying that if you wanted to kick it, you could kick it again.

“His Highness Prince An is of noble birth, how dare you insult him?” Tinglan sneered, but continued to leisurely tease the fox in his arms.

The fox was obedient, lying motionless in the crook of his neck, not daring to look back, just tucking its ears in and burying its head, as scared as a quail.

"Pei Jiqing is truly skilled, managing to get the Ninth Prince to protect him so much. I wonder if he's telling the whole truth?"

Upon hearing this, the fox trembled with fear and clung tightly to its friend's neck.

But I didn't lie on purpose.

Tinglan chuckled, "It would be good if he told me the truth, but it wouldn't matter if he told me a lie. Prince Wei is just being a bit nosy."

The fox suddenly raised its head, staring blankly at Tinglan's profile, its eyes brimming with tears, feeling even more distressed.

Waaah, I'm such a big liar, a bad fox.

I shouldn't have lied to Tinglan; he trusted me so much.

The foolish fox was completely immersed in self-blame and grief, failing to consider that with her intelligence, it would be truly a miracle if she could deceive Tinglan...

King Wei seemed to feel he was about to die. He tilted his head and asked, "Do you know how my mother is? Is she alright?"

Tinglan lowered her head. "Her Majesty is well, but she sheds tears every day when she thinks of His Highness."

The King of Wei closed his eyes. "I'll tell you everything I know. Will you guarantee my mother's life?"

"Your Majesty's life is not in danger, so why talk about protecting it?"

King Wei laughed, opened his eyes, and looked at Tinglan, "Your fox is quite cute."

“Raised by Prince An.”

“If he raised it, then it’s not cute.”

Tinglan held the fox's paw, lowered his head and smiled, "Your Highness, please take good care of yourself."

He turned and left, switching his arm to hold the fox; holding it with one arm for so long was starting to ache.

Chen Yu cut the ropes binding the Prince with a single stroke, then turned and left.

King Wei, his face bruised and swollen, sat there watching their departing figures, panting heavily, and roared, "You're not going to kill me?! Why won't you kill me? If you don't kill me, I'll immediately tell Father that your precious Prince An is an imposter!"

He was a little weak and sat there for a while, touching his aching face, muttering to himself, "Really not going to kill... me?"

No sooner had Tinglan left than the Imperial Guards locked the courtyard gate tightly, ensuring that not even a fly could escape.

"The Master just let him go like that?" Chen Yu was somewhat surprised.

"Let's keep him for now. He knows a lot of things and can't get everything out of him in a short time."

"Aren't you worried that Prince Wei will..."

"He wouldn't dare, his mother is still in the palace."

Tinglan looked down at her hands. From now on, for the sake of the young prince, she should try to avoid getting her hands stained with blood...

Once the fox left the dilapidated yard, it finally breathed a sigh of relief and its spirits were restored.

He twitched his ears, jumped down from Tinglan's arms, and stood flat on the snow with all four paws, looking up at Tinglan while squeaking.

"Say it again, it sounds so nice." Tinglan squatted down and gently stroked the fox's ears.

The fox nibbled at Tinglan's sleeve with its teeth, then rubbed its face against Tinglan's hand, circling around Tinglan's legs and acting coquettishly the whole time, hooking its fluffy tail around his wrist.

My God, what kind of treatment is this?

The sudden enthusiasm caught Tinglan off guard and left her feeling somewhat overwhelmed and at a loss. She could only gently hug the fox's head and ask, "Are you hungry?"

The fox that the young prince kept, like the young prince himself, had a huge appetite and was often hungry.

The fox patted Tinglan's hand with its paw.

"Aren't your paws cold when you walk in the snow?"

The fox nuzzled Tinglan with its tail again.

Under such temptation, the Ninth Prince could no longer resist. He picked up the furry fellow, held him in his arms, and said softly, "I'll take you to eat."

Chen Yu was dumbfounded. Why did the fox like the palm print so much? He wanted to pet the fox too, but he didn't manage to touch it at all.

The palm print carried the fox back to Changqiu Palace. As soon as he put it down, the fox turned around and disappeared like lightning.

Tinglan stood there, smiling helplessly, feeling a little disappointed.

From inside the half-open door, a series of crackling sounds suddenly came, as if someone had walked very fast and knocked over a bunch of things.

The flustered little prince appeared at the door, but seemed somewhat timid, standing with his head down.

"Did Your Highness see the fox? He just ran inside."

"I saw him... he's already gone to eat."

Tinglan thought to herself, "They must be hungry." "I'll go take a look."

The fox was so frightened that it hurriedly stopped him, muttering and gesturing wildly as it tried to explain, "Don't look! The fox doesn't like people watching him eat, and after he finishes eating, he goes to sleep. You'll only see his butt."

"Alright then."

The fox lowered its head and tugged at Tinglan's sleeve, "What were you doing in such a hurry just now?"

"The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs has some matters to attend to."

"Oh," the fox whispered.

"I'll come back to serve Your Highness when I'm done with my work," Tinglan said with a smile, reaching out to pinch the little prince's cheek. The little prince had a very good temper; he blushed but didn't get angry, obediently lowering his head.

At this moment, our foolish, deceitful fox is deeply repenting for lying to others.

He walked to the dining table with his head down, then stuffed a chicken leg into his mouth with his head down.

The chicken leg smelled delicious, but the fox felt very bitter.

Tinglan looked at him, feeling slightly puzzled. The little prince's shyness had lasted far too long this time. "What's wrong, Your Highness?"

The fox shook its head. "It's nothing."

Tinglan was still somewhat concerned about what the Prince Wei had said about the young prince's parents' place of origin. After thinking for a moment, she asked.

"Where did Your Highness reside before entering the palace?"

"Living in the mountains."

"Who else is in Your Highness's family? And Your Highness's sister, should we bring her to the capital...?"

The fox interrupted him, lowered its head, and whispered, "I was just kidding."

Tinglan was stunned, and looked up in surprise, "What did Your Highness lie to me about?"

“I am not a prince, nor a prince... I am not the person you are looking for.”

The fox finally blurted it all out. He lowered his head and wiped his eyes, his voice muffled, "But I really didn't mean to lie to you. I have no idea what happened. They brought me here."

Tinglan fell silent. He stared at the young prince in front of him for a long time before finally speaking.

"Your Highness told me this...is it because you trust me?" Tinglan's heart pounded.

He never expected the young prince to be so honest with him.

Tinglan had originally prepared to keep this secret hidden for the rest of her life.

He pinched his palm in disbelief, staring blankly at the young prince.

The fox's eyes were red from wiping them, and her eyelashes drooped damply. Her voice trembled, "Don't hate me, and I didn't want to lie to you."

The fox explained somewhat incoherently, his voice growing softer and softer, tinged with a slight sob, "They told me they just wanted to do me a favor. I don't know what this little prince does, but what they said seemed to make sense. I didn't understand, so I agreed."

Tinglan stepped forward and hugged Ji Qing tightly, patting his back gently. "Don't be afraid, I don't hate you."

"Really, you're not angry?" The fox looked up at him incredulously.

"I'm not angry." Not only was she not angry, Tinglan felt as if she were in a dream.

She actually confessed like that? That shows how much trust she has in me...

The fox whimpered and snuggled into his arms. Feeling much better, it wrapped its arms around Tinglan's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. "You're so good to me!"

The fox likes you!

But actually, it seems I've been hiding something else from you.

The big liar fox began to have second thoughts again.