Chapter 1
"lady."
Baozhu, half asleep and half awake, heard her maid calling her.
She opened her eyes, looking blankly at the intricate carvings covering the canopy of the bed, and mumbled, "What time is it?"
"It's already Chen Shi (7-9 AM)," a beautiful maid dressed in a light-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) replied softly.
It was already past Chenshi (7-9 AM), long past the time Li Zhi was supposed to attend court.
Baozhu woke up and sat up in annoyance, saying, "Didn't I tell you to wake me up earlier?"
Upon hearing this, the maid smiled ingratiatingly and said, "It's not that Chunhua doesn't want to, but the master specifically instructed us not to wake you before he left, and that you should just continue sleeping."
Li Zhi's words were indeed pleasing to the ear. Baozhu hugged the brocade quilt and lay back down dejectedly.
However, he has been leaving early and returning late these days, and Baozhu hasn't had a proper conversation with him for a long time.
Seeing that Baozhu's complexion was not good, Chunhua cautiously asked, "Breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat now, Madam?"
Baozhu shook her head and said in a muffled voice, "I don't want to have breakfast today."
This year marks the 25th anniversary of her marriage to Li Zhi.
No matter how Li Zhi treated her, even if Baozhu were to nitpick, she couldn't think of anything wrong with him.
According to Chunhua, a maid, if you ask around the whole capital, who doesn't envy Baozhu? This dignified Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet has only one female relative in his family, and although he has not had children for twenty years, he still cherishes her like a precious jewel.
“In the capital, this is it!” Chunhua gave a thumbs up.
When Chunhua spoke like this for the first time, Baozhu was overjoyed.
But after Chunhua repeated it many times, Baozhu listened with only a perfunctory expression.
In recent years, she has felt increasingly uneasy, but Baozhu couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong with what she was saying.
In this vast mansion, there were only two proper masters, Baozhu and Li Zhi. Baozhu didn't have to greet anyone in the morning and could sleep as long as she wanted.
She closed her eyes again and snuggled into the soft, fluffy, and fragrant quilt.
According to another maid named Qiuyue, the quilt covering Baozhu was also made by Li Zhi himself, who instructed his servants to find the best silk and the most skillful weavers from Jiangnan.
Because Li Zhi heard Baozhu complain that the bed seemed a bit hard.
When Qiu Yue presented it, he was beaming with pride.
"My lord truly cherishes his wife dearly!"
Baozhu smiled subtly as well.
After she stopped laughing, she felt a strange emptiness in her heart.
The bed is too hard, naturally because the person next to you is always out early and back late, or simply sleeps in the study all night. What does it have to do with the blanket?
Baozhu's thoughts were racing. Half asleep and half awake, she heard the maids quietly leaving the room. The room was neither too hot nor too cold, and the fragrance was light and elegant, just right for taking a nap.
The woman on the bed gradually transformed into a fox with a gorgeous coat.
When I woke up again, I was disturbed by the quiet footsteps of the maids outside the room.
The fox, nestled in the soft bed, curled up and covered its head with its bushy tail, hoping it would block out the noise from outside.
But the fox had excellent hearing, and the maids' suppressed laughter still reached Baozhu's ears.
She tucked her tail in and let out a long sigh.
It was time to get up, but with the long day ahead, Baozhu didn't know how to pass the time. When she woke up, all she was faced with was a room full of flattering maids and a room full of dazzling treasures.
She sighed again, transformed back into human form, and sat up from the bed.
"Come in," Baozhu said.
"Hey." Upon hearing this, the maids waiting outside filed in, bringing hot water to help Baozhu wash up.
Chunhua, who was washing Baozhu's face, gently pressed her silk scarf against Baozhu's delicate, jade-like skin.
Suddenly, she paused, hesitatingly saying, "Madam is getting younger and younger."
Upon hearing this, Baozhu reached out and touched the corner of her eye.
Her eyes were very smooth, without a trace of time, which was obviously unusual for ordinary people.
Baozhu hadn't intended for this to be unusual; she had simply forgotten.
"Don't joke around, you're over forty years old."
Baozhu stared into Chunhua's eyes and blinked gently.
Chunhua suddenly became confused, and her movements became slower and slower until Qiuyue quietly poked her waist with a finger, which snapped her back to her senses.
The maids quickened their pace, and soon Baozhu was almost ready.
Sitting in front of the glass mirror, Qiuyue, who was behind Baozhu, opened her makeup box, picked out a few hair ornaments that Li Zhixin had sent, and said with a smile, "Madam, would you like to wear this ruby phoenix hairpin today, or would you prefer something simpler, like this pearl hairpin?"
Baozhu glanced at it and saw that the ruby on the phoenix hairpin was so bright and vivid that it made the golden phoenix look like it had been reborn from the ashes. The simpler hairpin with pearls was also made with pearls that were as big as a thumb, and they were smooth and shiny.
These were all specially ordered by Li Zhi to be found by his servants in order to please his wife. Baozhu dared to say that the jewels in her makeup box were the most precious in the entire capital, even surpassing those of the empresses in the palace.
But over the years, she has lost interest.
Baozhu pointed listlessly to the pearl hairpin: "This one will do."
Qiuyue agreed, inserted the hairpin into Baozhu's black hair bun, and then carefully arranged some other hair accessories.
Once Baozhu was fully dressed, the group of people escorted her toward her small study.
In the small study, an elderly woman was already waiting. When she saw Baozhu coming over, she quickly stood up and bowed to her, saying, "Good day, Madam."
Baozhu nodded and smiled, "You go ahead with your work."
The old woman nodded and lowered her head to carefully examine the account book in her hand.
Baozhu is a fox demon who loves to play and be lazy by nature. It's already quite a challenge for her to barely recognize a few words while following Li Zhi. Asking her to take care of the entire family's food and drink would probably mean that the household would be starving in just a few days.
Li Zhi did not insist, but simply found a suitable housekeeper to handle all the affairs of the household.
Baozhu only needed to listen to her report and nod.
In less than half an hour, the head housekeeper had sorted out all the affairs of the household and reported them to Baozhu one by one. Baozhu was completely confused, but her face remained expressionless. She responded with a simple "hmm" to whatever the other woman said.
After the stewardess took her leave, Baozhu finished all her work for the day—but there was still more than half the day left.
The maids served her the meal and then asked Baozhu in a flattering manner, "Madam, what would you like to do next?"
Baozhu leaned against the chaise lounge, gazing listlessly at the scenery outside the window.
It's meaningless, every day is the same, and she doesn't want to do anything.
Baozhu waved her hand, and the maids tactfully withdrew.
For a moment, the room was extremely quiet.
If Baozhu were to throw a silver needle on the ground right now, the echo would be unbearable for her.
She stared blankly into space.
Li Zhi explained that his wife, the wife of Grand Secretary Li, never attended gatherings of noblewomen in the capital.
No one has ever seen the lady go out alone or stroll around the capital—all the utensils used by the Grand Secretary's residence are delivered to the residence.
The people of the capital had only heard of this legendary favor, but had never seen the rumored mistress.
In the courtyard, a leaf drifted down from a carefully pruned branch.
Baozhu's gaze drifted down along with the leaves.
It wasn't that she didn't want to go out and have some fun. When she first arrived in the capital, in the dead of night, Baozhu would transform into a fox and try to sneak around the city for a while, looking for some fun that fox spirits could have.
The first time, during curfew, she encountered soldiers patrolling the city.
Although she used her deception very well, the soldiers in the capital were no ordinary people.
Soon, news of fox spirits appearing in Yong'an Ward reached the Temple of Strange People.
That was the government office in charge of demons and evil spirits in this dynasty. Baozhu had heard Li Zhi say that the celestial masters in the Temple of Strange People were all skilled in catching demons, and even the current emperor's most trusted national advisor came from the Temple of Strange People.
However, since Baozhu came down the mountain after gaining sentience, she has always stayed by Li Zhi's side. Li Zhi has risen rapidly in rank, and no one would go looking for trouble with a high-ranking official without good reason. She has never experienced the power of the Temple of Strange People.
The second time, Baozhu wanted to go out for some fresh air in the middle of the night, but she fell into the trap set by the celestial masters and almost lost her life.
She exerted all her strength to escape the trap during a moment of carelessness by the Taoist priests and managed to return to her residence.
Not long after, the Taoist priests from the Temple of Strange People came to Li Zhi's door to apologize, saying that a demon seemed to have entered Li Zhi's residence and wanted to search it.
Li Zhi was furious, believing that the Temple of Strange People was trying to rise above the court. How could they search the residences of important officials without an imperial edict?
After a series of negotiations, Yiren Temple finally gave up.
Baozhu was seriously injured that time and it took her a long time to recover. She also learned to be afraid and realized that the capital was not like other places, and that the Celestial Masters were very capable.
From that day on, Baozhu stayed obediently in the golden cage that Li Zhi had built for her, waiting for her husband to spare some time from his heavy official duties to spend with his wife.
She waited and waited, and then came a more powerful husband, a bigger house, more magnificent jewelry, and more servants.
But her husband spent even less time with her.
Baozhu only occasionally received apologetic kisses from him, telling her that he was busy with official business and needed to rest in his study.
If a fox spirit also has a human heart, is her heart empty?
Baozhu sat listlessly by the window, watching the trails of falling leaves.
As the sun gradually sank below the horizon, bathing her small garden in its golden light, Baozhu saw a figure knock on the gate and speak to her maid.
Qiuyue's expression wasn't very good. After nodding, she took something, saw the person off, and walked towards Baozhu.
Before Qiuyue could even speak, Baozhu already knew what she was going to say.
She cheerfully opened the box in her hand and showed it to Baozhu, saying, "My master said that there will soon be no flowers left in the garden, and thinking that Madam would have no fresh flowers to see, he collected this little trinket to give to Madam."
Inside the box was a flower made of gemstones, exquisitely crafted and extremely beautiful.
Baozhu glanced at it and smiled, "He probably said something else too."
Qiu Yue stopped laughing and said softly, "The lord also said that His Majesty has an important task to entrust to him. He will come back tonight to pack his things and leave overnight."
"So anxious?" Baozhu murmured.
Her words seemed to echo throughout the room.
As night fell, Li Zhi indeed hurriedly returned.
He took the teacup that Baozhu handed him and drank it all in one gulp before he could catch his breath.
Baozhu rested on his shoulder, staring blankly at Li Zhi's face.
Grand Secretary Li is no longer young. Over the years, every step he has taken in his official career has been extremely difficult, and the marks of time have been etched on his face long ago.
Baozhu reached out and gently touched the lines under Li Zhi's eyes, sighing, "You've gotten old."
Li Zhi paused, his expression complex, and then grasped Baozhu's hand in return: "Baozhu is still the same as before."
How could Baozhu answer this? Should she continue as before? She had already told her husband far too many lies.
Baozhu remained silent, quietly embracing Li Zhi's increasingly frail body.
Li Zhi calmed down and patted Baozhu's arm reassuringly, coaxing her, "It was indeed my fault. I'm leaving for several months this time, leaving you alone at home. It's really unfair. When I come back, it will be autumn, and I'll take you to stay on Pagoda Mountain for a few days. I won't go anywhere else; I'll just stay with you."
Baozhu hummed in agreement and buried her head in Li Zhi's arms.
She knew that Li Zhi had only come back to see her. His servants were waiting outside, and the carriage was already pulled up at the door, with all the luggage loaded onto it.
This time, Baozhu suddenly felt a strong reluctance for Li Zhi to leave.
But she still let go of Li Zhi's hand and let him go.
Baozhu watched as Li Zhi hurriedly left the courtyard, just as he had arrived.
Even after he had walked far away, Baozhu still did not sit down.
The weather was fine tonight, and the moon was bright. Baozhu stood for a while, then dismissed the maids and transformed back into her fox form under the moonlight.
She nimbly made her way to the back garden and climbed up to the tallest pavilion in the courtyard.
Under the moonlight, the fox demon watched Li Zhi's convoy drive away and leave through the western city gate.
Then, she turned and looked to the east.
To the east is Pagoda Hill, a popular tourist destination for people from the capital. Li Zhi accompanied her there several times.
Actually, he doesn't need to accompany you.
Baozhu gazed at the low hill in the distance, something growing wildly within her.
She's a fox who grew up in the mountains. What mountain does she need someone to accompany her to go to?
How long will this cage made of gold thread imprison her?
How long will it take to play a role that is just an ordinary person?
The fox demon saw that her eyes were dry and she was almost in tears before returning to her room.
Inside the canopy bed, carved with intricate patterns, the bedding was neatly laid out, and her favorite incense burned in the room, just like any other day.
Baozhu's heart was not as peaceful as usual.
In the months since Li Zhi left, Baozhu has become increasingly lethargic. She is rarely awake and spends most of her time sleeping.
The maids were very worried and tactfully suggested that they should find a doctor to come to the mansion to examine Baozhu.
Baozhu rejected all of these offers.
She waited in a daze until Li Zhi came home.
That day was just an ordinary day. Li Zhi's attendant came to report that his carriage was about to return to the mansion.
Baozhu suddenly became happy and enthusiastically went to the front door to greet him.
But Li Zhi did not get off the carriage. His voice was a little hoarse as he softly called out, "Baozhu, I'm back."
Ignoring the stares of others, Baozhu jumped onto Li Zhi's carriage.
She saw Li Zhi, who was pale-faced and seemed to have suffered a severe injury, with his life force constantly draining away from his body.
Baozhu was stunned; her mind went blank.
Li Zhi laughed first. He reached out and hugged Baozhu, whispering affectionately in her ear, "Why can't you move? It's okay, it's okay, I just suffered a minor injury."
No, it's not a minor injury.
Baozhu was terrified. Her vision blurred, and she grabbed Li Zhi's thin, frail hand, tears streaming down her face, and said, "You're lying to me."
You lied to me; you can't come to Pagoda Hill with me anymore.
On his first night back home, Li Zhi was finally able to sleep peacefully beside Baozhu, staying by her side all night.
He didn't sleep well; the physical pain tormented him, preventing him from sleeping peacefully.
Baozhu was also unable to fall asleep.
She sat up and stared blankly at Li Zhi's face.
He was a bit older; his once tall frame was now somewhat hunched, and there was a deep furrow between his brows.
In her youth, Baozhu was obsessed with exploring each other's bodies with Li Zhi.
But she was, after all, a demon, and when a fox demon was moved by love, she found it difficult to control herself from devouring the life essence of her beloved.
Li Zhi's health started to decline from then on; he would get a fever if he was exposed to wind or rain.
Baozhu was terrified.
She was afraid that Li Zhi might suddenly fall ill and die.
Since then, Baozhu has been much more restrained in matters of the heart, but even so, the handsome scholar she was infatuated with gradually faded with time.
Only now does Baozhu finally understand what it means to fall in love with a mortal.
The fox spirit stared at her husband without moving.
After a long while, she leaned down and gently kissed Li Zhi's lips.
A steady stream of fox demon essence entered Li Zhi's body, and his originally dilapidated body was pieced back together by the precious pearl.
After a while, Baozhu released Li Zhi and straightened up.
Her tears flowed in large drops, falling onto Li Zhi's face in the darkness and sliding down his cheeks, as if the scholar were weeping with her.
He did not hear Baozhu's final farewell.
"Goodbye, Li Zhi."
The fox demon left the Grand Scholar's residence.
She ran wildly through the deserted streets of the capital city late at night, her blood rushing to Baozhu's head. How long had it been since she had tasted the joy of running freely?
Heading east, Baozhu was careful and did not get discovered by anyone.
She jumped out of the city gate and ran desperately forward across the open field.
The distant, unreachable Pagoda Mountain was reached in just a quarter of an hour as the pearl sped forward.
She was free. How wonderful freedom is!
Baozhu jumped onto a big tree and let out a long howl.
Her heart was pounding, and she was screaming incessantly as if she had gone mad.
Until the entire Pagoda Hill moved slightly.
The restless fox demon was stunned.
In the next instant, Pagoda Mountain split open like soft mud, swallowing the unsuspecting fox demon whole into its belly.
Baozhu's consciousness became blurred.
She felt someone pick her up from the ground, and a voice that was neither male nor female chuckled, "Just what we needed, huh? How did you end up walking right into our trap?"
As he spoke, the man placed her into a container.
After a sharp, piercing pain, Baozhu completely lost consciousness.
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