auspicious
After sealing the letter and giving some instructions to the disciples, Yun Shu looked up and sensed the biting wind and snow of Yunhua, as if she wanted to use this pure substance to wash away the memories of that wicked disciple from her heart.
"Snap, snap."
The snow was trampled and the raging north wind was blocked by Murong Jin's body heat.
Yun Shu turned around and took the hand that was supporting her: "Let's go."
The emperor's procession was grand and efficient. Amidst the fragrance of ambergris and Murong Jin's laughter, Yun Shu was properly escorted to a palace called "Yilan" deep within the imperial city in less than a day. Yilan Palace was adjacent to the Hall of Mental Cultivation where Murong Jin resided, and both were patrolled day and night by imperial guards, their security far surpassing that of the summit of Yunhua Mountain.
On the first day Yun Shu settled in, the news that "the Emperor welcomed the fox spirit into the palace" spread like wildfire along with the grand imperial procession. In no time, the people all said: His Majesty has been diligent and virtuous for many years, which is why auspicious omens have descended upon the world to bless the world with peace and protect His Majesty's long life.
Inside Yilan Palace, it was as warm as mid-spring, with an even richer, more potent ambergris incense burning in the incense burner. The intensely intoxicating fragrance almost completely masked the fresh, mountain-scented scent of grass, trees, rain, and snow emanating from Yun Shu. Exquisitely crafted gold and jade artifacts, smooth-to-the-touch brocade and silk, priceless delicacies, rare and precious elixirs… the rare items that Murong Jin had gathered were continuously delivered to Yilan Palace; the list of items the palace maids collected each day was three inches thick.
The Yilan Palace was lavishly decorated with all sorts of rare treasures, and even the fox spirit herself was made to look more luxurious by the palace maids.
That day, Yun Shu sat quietly by the window again—though the scene outside was no different to him. Fortunately, he could still hear, smell, and sense the sounds of the bustling city life in the capital, from all over the palace and even beyond the palace walls. The footsteps of the imperial guards on patrol, the laughter of the palace maids in the imperial garden, the haggling of the people in the rice shops… all seemed to be veiled in a hazy, indistinct mist, as if isolating him, the fox, from the outside world.
"Fox Fairy." The young palace maid in her light green palace dress was only fourteen or fifteen years old, yet she managed the Yilan Palace perfectly. "His Majesty and the Prime Minister discussed state affairs and decreed that there was no need to wait for His Majesty any longer. It is getting late now, so would the Fox Fairy like to have dinner first?"
Yun Shu twitched her ears, listening to the changing of the guards, and nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble."
Murong Jin is indeed extremely busy.
It wasn't about indulging in pleasure, but rather about being truly busy with countless affairs every day. Although Yun Shu confined herself to the small space of the Yi Lan Palace, her fox ears and the great demon's keen senses allowed her to clearly see the emperor's almost self-torturing lifestyle.
Every day before dawn, Murong Jin would rise quietly—even if he had been reviewing memorials late into the night or had been sleeping with Yun Shu in the Yi Lan Palace. After the morning court session, there would often be a court assembly that lasted all morning. Yun Shu had often heard the weariness of the ministers at the assembly, but Murong Jin's voice remained steady and powerful, carrying the unquestionable majesty of the supreme ruler, as he discussed state affairs with his ministers clearly and concisely.
Even in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Murong Jin never slacked off.
He never guarded against Yun Shu, therefore, Yun Shu could often hear the decisive pronouncements he made when conversing with his ministers in the Hall of Mental Cultivation:
"...The northern border is suffering from snow disaster. Issue the order to immediately allocate disaster relief grain and silver to help the disaster victims relocate and settle inland...The prefectures along the way should open their granaries to distribute grain. Anyone who dares to withhold grain or abandon the people will be executed without mercy..."
"...The Grand Canal is vital to the nation's survival, and the dredging and silting of the waterways are crucial to the people's well-being... The project must not be delayed. Considering that it is currently winter planting season, laborers must be paid double wages when conscripted... Laborers' working hours must not be extended without authorization, and the people must not be disturbed..."
"...Border military report? Present it. Ah... Order the Zhenxi Army to be on high alert. If any foreign tribes dare to invade our territory or disturb our people, instruct the generals not to wait for a reply from the capital, but to repel them on their own... However, there is no need to launch a preemptive strike, so as not to waste national resources and cause unnecessary hardship to the people..."
"..."
In the afternoons, Murong Jin often came to Yilan Palace to dine with Yun Shu. He never mentioned the troubles of the court in front of Yun Shu, only picking out some folk anecdotes or legends from ancient books to tell a few jokes. Whenever this happened, Murong Jin's tone was always gentle, as if he were not the same person as the decisive and efficient emperor. After resting for half an hour in Yilan Palace, he would often get up to say goodbye and personally delve into the books in Wenyuan Pavilion, carefully searching for a way to detoxify. It wasn't until before going to bed at night that he would return to Yilan Palace with medicinal food and candied fruit, personally test the temperature of the medicine, and then feed it to Yun Shu's lips spoonful by spoonful. After Yun Shu finished drinking, he would patiently wipe away the medicine stains for his dear friend. After the palace servants took away the bowls and plates, Murong Jin would sleep on the other side of the soft couch, sleeping in the same bed as Yun Shu.
The subtle clinking of the jade artifacts pulled Yun Shufei back to reality.
"Immortal, immortal, please have your meal..." This timid tone and awkward movements were clearly not those of the palace maid that Yun Shu was familiar with.
He tilted his head and smiled reassuringly: "Don't be nervous, I... don't eat people."
The young palace maid knelt down with a thud, repeatedly explaining, "No, no! I... this servant wouldn't dare! It's just... it's just..."
Yun Shu's teasing remark emboldened her considerably. The young girl steeled herself, lowered her head to the floor, and said, "It's because the Fox Fairy is too holy... I... I was momentarily stunned, that's why..."
Yun Shu was both amused and exasperated. She quickly reached out to help the young palace maid up and gently comforted her, "It's just the two of us here. If you're not used to it, you don't need to refer to yourself as 'this servant.' Do you still not know how to address me?"
"This servant... my name is Jinzhu. What are your orders, Immortal?"
“Alright. Jinzhu,” Yun Shu stepped aside slightly, inviting her to sit with her, “I heard you’ve been pruning flowers all day without eating or drinking… If you don’t mind, would you like to have a meal with me?”
The child was out there, so hungry his stomach was rumbling.
Jinzhu's legs went weak, and she almost knelt down again: "I... I am not worthy of being with the Fox Fairy... If you wish to reward me, please give me what's left! What if my sisters..."
That's how it is.
Realizing she had been somewhat inconsiderate and had caused the young palace maid such fear, Yun Shu stopped insisting and simply told her to stand by the carved railing.
About half an hour later, Yun Shu put down her jade chopsticks. Jin Zhu was so hungry that she was drowsy. Hearing the noise, she quickly perked up, brought water for the fox fairy to wash her hands, and went to clear the dishes. Only then did she see that the eight-treasure duck, the bowl of rose shortbread, and the small dish of red bean and lotus seed cake on the table were all intact and untouched.
"I didn't have much of an appetite today because A-Jin wasn't here." Yun Shu coughed twice, feigning discomfort. "These are... for you. You may leave now."
Jinzhu repeatedly expressed her gratitude and was about to take the food out when she saw the fox spirit tap the table again, pointing to the other side. She was even more grateful and, avoiding the other palace servants, sneaked into an empty side hall to secretly enjoy it.
He was a pitiful person too.
Yun Shu lowered her eyes, listening to the ongoing conversation inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, then leaned against the window and closed her eyes to rest.
He was gently awakened by someone after several hours.
"Xiaoxue slept so soundly today that she didn't even notice I came." Murong Jin was still as gentle as ever, helping Yun Shu to sit up against the cushions before opening the jade box with a smile. "Good news. The Southern Border heard that the Fox Fairy was injured and rushed over with a spiritual herb called 'Flaming Sun Grass,' saying that its properties are extremely potent and can suppress the Yin-Cold Demonic Poison. The Imperial Hospital has examined its properties and considered the prescription, saying that its effects are quite strong and taking it now might cause some discomfort. I was worried about your pain, so I ordered them to study it for a few more days... However, the tribute bearer said that the longer the herb is stored, the weaker its effects become. I..."
The sentiments expressed in his words were genuine and heartfelt.
Yun Shu's heart stirred slightly, and a faint hope arose: "Why bother the imperial physicians anymore? Ah Jin has already done so much for me... Why don't I take the medicine tonight? Otherwise, it will lose its effectiveness if left for too long, and all your good intentions will be wasted."
Murong Jin seemed somewhat worried: "Between you and me, why bother with these things... Are you really not afraid of the strong effects of the medicine? Don't wrong yourself for my sake."
“How could that be… No matter what, I am a great demon known as the ‘Fox Fairy.’ It’s just a matter of carrying medicine a few times.” Yun Shu shook her head with a smile, reaching out to touch Murong Jin’s brow, feeling both gratified and reproachful. “But you, Jin, the injuries you sustained in the cold palace when you were a child were finally cured, yet now you’re working hard until late at night every day… I’m afraid you’ll collapse from overwork.”
Murong Jin was taken aback, and after a long while, he chuckled softly again. He carefully pulled the hand from between his brows and pressed it against his heart. The emperor's heartbeat was steady, throbbing slowly in Yun Shu's palm.
“Yes…those were such cold and lonely days…fortunately, you ran into the Cold Palace that year, and thankfully, I fooled the Crown Prince who was hunting us…if it weren’t for you, Xiaoxue, I probably wouldn’t have survived that harsh winter…Let’s not talk about that.” Murong Jin held Yun Shu’s icy hand and asked one last time, “Xiaoxue, are you sure you want to take the medicine tonight?”
Yun Shu nodded again.
“…Alright,” Murong Jin exhaled a breath of turbid air, “I’ll have them fetch it right away…Don’t worry, A-Jin is with you, and the imperial physicians are waiting outside the palace. Nothing will happen to you…No, nothing will happen to you. Xiao Xue, you…you are an auspicious creature whom even the common people have spontaneously built temples to worship, and you should be blessed by the heavens, Lord Fox Immortal.”
However, when Yun Shu actually drank the medicine made primarily of "Flaming Sun Grass," he truly understood just how much pain its supposedly "fierce medicinal properties" could bring. Just as its name suggested, it felt as if a raging fire was searing his entire body's meridians, and when it collided with the chilling demonic poison, the excruciating pain almost tore him in two. Yun Shu convulsed in agony, and uncontrollable cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner garments, dampening Murong Jin's hands as he held him.
"Xiaoxue! Hold on!" Murong Jin's voice was anxious, he was quite frightened by the scene. "Imperial Physician! Come in and check on him quickly!"
Pure dragon energy surged wildly into Yun Shu's trembling body, coursing along her meridians, attempting to soothe the violent medicinal properties and toxicity. His embrace was warm and reliable, becoming almost Yun Shu's only comfort in her suffering.
The extreme pain lasted for nearly an hour before gradually subsiding under the protection of the new medicine and the dragon's energy. Yun Shu collapsed weakly into Murong Jin's arms, her breath barely a whisper.
"Xiaoxue? Xiaoxue, are you feeling better... Don't scare me..."
Murong Jin carefully wiped away his sweat and helped him change his clothes, completely disregarding his imperial image, his movements as gentle as if he were holding a fragile piece of glass. His fingertips brushed across Yun Shu's sweaty forehead, then gently covered his tightly closed eyes, his expression filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Ah Jin should have been firmer... I've made you suffer." Murong Jin muttered to himself. He carefully put Yun Shu down, personally tidied her hair and tucked her in before getting up. He then pointed to a palace maid and said, "Take good care of the fox spirit. If anything happens to him, I will hold you responsible."
Jinzhu had only been mingling among the palace maids preparing and delivering medicine, secretly checking on the kind-hearted fox spirit to see if she was feeling better. Upon hearing the Emperor's decree, she hurriedly knelt to receive it, kowtowing repeatedly: "Yes! This servant will certainly not allow anything to disturb the fox spirit!"
Yun Shu was too weak to respond and fell into a deep sleep, enveloped in the ambergris. Murong Jin raised his hand one last time to stroke his eyelids, and that dark golden light slowly and carefully entered Yun Shu's brow once more. The fox spirit in his sleep seemed to feel better because of this power, and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
Sweet dreams, Xiaoxue.
Leaving behind this blessing that sounded like a sigh and the trembling golden pearl, Murong Jin walked out of Yilan Palace.
Outside Yilan Palace, the Imperial Guards patrolled in unison, ensuring the absolute safety of Yilan Palace and the Fox Fairy.
Only after leaving Yilan Palace did Murong Jin reprimand the imperial physician who prepared the medicine, and then accept the message handed to him by his attendant.
"Strange activity in the Demon Realm... Hmph, that beast had better behave himself and stop bothering Xiaoxue while she recuperates." He casually burned the letter, then changed the subject, "Let's proceed to the Imperial Preceptor's residence."
Demon Realm.
The newly enthroned Demon Lord listened to his subordinates' reports with a blank expression.
"...The Demon Clan has long suffered from accumulated problems and urgently needs...As Your Majesty instructed, the Medicine Master has rediscovered traces of 'Ember Orchid' in the Demon Abyss, but due to the presence of ferocious beasts guarding it, she was unable to approach it. Therefore, she has written to inform Your Majesty...In addition, the Human Emperor has conscripted a large amount of 'Flaming Sun Grass' to the capital, but the Book Master Ye has searched through ancient books and found no relevant records. Furthermore, the Book Master Ye observed the direction of the Human Clan's imperial city and even detected unusual dragon energy. It is unknown what the Human Emperor's intentions are."
Mo Yiheng gripped the skull armrest of the throne tightly, and in a short while, he crushed the notoriously hard demon dragon head into dust.
The demonic energy surged, and the severe injuries from a few days ago began to ache again. Mo Yiheng paid no heed, swallowing the metallic taste, and said, "Tell Wu Ying to continue searching through medical books to see if any other herbs are needed... I will personally fetch the Ash Leaf Orchid. As for Ye Xiuluo, have him continue to monitor Murong Jin's every move and report any developments immediately. Go back."
The subordinate left respectfully.
Mo Yiheng raised his eyes, his abyss-like gaze fixed on the human realm, filled with undisguised regret and anger.
"Master..." He stroked the jade pendant at his heart—even after being repaired, the crack still felt acutely noticeable, digging into his hand. "Wait for me... Heng'er will definitely..."
No matter the cost.
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