Chapter 4 Encounter with a Fox Spirit at Night: "What an adorable little chubby dog..."
As the hour of Hai (9-11 PM) approached and the night deepened, the Crown Prince rose, stretched his stiff wrists and shoulders, and frowned as he asked the servant beside him, "Why hasn't Xinze returned yet?"
"Your Highness, Prince Ning has returned... however, he is currently in the storeroom."
"What is he doing in the storeroom again?" The Crown Prince raised one eyebrow.
"This subordinate is unaware..."
Footsteps approached, the study door opened, and Prince Ning appeared in the doorway with a long box tucked under his arm. "Brother, I've taken your Green Steel Sword."
The prince sat down, waved his men away, and asked, both amused and exasperated, "Don't you have your own sword? Why do you need to take it from me?"
"Brother's things are good." Prince Ning put down the box in his hand, picked up the tea on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.
"You went to see the thirteenth brother?"
"I saw him. The chef Father Emperor assigned to me is quite skilled; his dishes were excellent." Prince Ning put down his teacup and plopped down next to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince stroked the newly delivered intelligence report on the table. He knew exactly what Ji Qing and Prince Ning had discussed today. With a smile on his lips, he slowly said, "I suppose your thirteenth brother's character and personality are compatible with yours, and you feel like old friends at first sight."
Although the Crown Prince and Prince Ning are brothers, one resembles his father and the other his mother, and their personalities are completely different. At this moment, the Crown Prince narrowed his eyes and considered the matter calmly. If Ji Qing was really no threat, that would be a good thing and not worth taking action against. However, if this person was cunning and easily deceived Xin Ze, then he would probably have to put in more effort.
Based on past experience, the second type is more likely to occur...
"Brother... have you heard that Tinglan has homosexual tendencies?" Prince Ning asked in a low voice, suddenly sounding mysterious.
These words completely interrupted the Crown Prince's thoughts and pulled him directly into Tinglan's bed.
After all, he was his own younger brother, so it wasn't appropriate for the Crown Prince to say anything. He was stunned, sighed helplessly, and continued, "I've never heard of it, but homosexuality is prevalent among nobles in our dynasty, so it's not surprising that Tinglan has this kind of fetish."
"Why are you asking this? Is it because you've discovered..." The Crown Prince, being young, couldn't control his curiosity.
“No! I didn’t find anything.” Prince Ning shook his head violently. “I just ran into him today and suddenly remembered him, so I just asked him casually… really, just casually.”
The crown prince's gaze was meaningful, but he didn't press the matter. He picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and watched his younger brother brandishing the sword haphazardly. He wore a brotherly smile and said, "Why do you want my sword today? I wanted to give it to you before, but you didn't want it."
"It's not for me; I was planning to give it to my thirteenth brother."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't been wrong. Pei Jiqing was indeed no ordinary person. He had gained Xinze's trust so easily after only one meeting.
He turned his head away helplessly, staring at the flickering candle flame in the wind, lost in thought. It seemed he still had to meet it in person.
Pei Xinze's brain is useless.
*
Meanwhile, Ji Qing, no ordinary person and a man of deep cunning, is secretly preparing to stir up trouble.
He had already told Qiu Yuan to go about her own business, and Ting Lan had also left long ago. Now, he was the only fox in the palace.
Since there's no one around, I can do whatever I want.
Ji Qing chuckled twice, then leaped onto the couch.
A flash of light, and the handsome young man rolling around on the couch transformed into a fluffy, adorable little white dumpling...
No, it's a handsome fox.
His magnificent daytime attire had all crumbled and fallen, and he lay quietly on the embroidered brocade quilt.
This scene truly resembles a scene from a supernatural tale, so magnificent it's almost absurd. The white fox escapes from the exquisite pearls and jade, nimbly leaping to the ground.
At that moment, the bright moon hung high like a mirror, reflecting the fox leaping out of the window and disappearing into the begonia bushes.
Oh dear, I want to go out and play!
The fox looked back at its big tail with satisfaction, and stroked it with its paw. It hadn't let its tail out for a long time and was really bored.
The fox ran forward with its head held high and chest puffed out, like a perfectly straight bench.
Who would notice a little fox in the flower bushes? Nobody would see it at all.
Ji Qing happily took off running. According to his plan, he intended to get some grapes for a late-night snack. If there were no grapes, apples or peanuts would also be fine; he wasn't picky.
He headed toward the garden, where food seemed the easiest to find.
In the Imperial Garden at night, the shadows of the trees were dappled. Lanterns, blown by the night wind, bounced and bumped against the wall, making soft rustling sounds. A fox stood on the wall and curiously poked at it with its paw.
Boring.
The fox jumped down from the wall. He had already searched the garden, but he couldn't find any grapes, peanuts, or apples. He was only chewing on a few red berries that he had picked from the crabapple tree. They tasted alright, but they weren't enough to eat.
These people are really strange. With such a big place, why don't they grow more food and raise a bunch of chicks?
The fox chewed on the crabapple and slunk away.
The sound of trampling grass came from afar. The fox nimbly hid in the bushes, leaving only its eyes peeking out curiously.
Who went out hunting? There's nothing here; I suggest you go home and sleep.
A familiar red hemline swept past.
It's Tinglan.
The fox tilted its head in surprise, ready to jump out, but then remembered that it was in fox form and would scare its good friend if it went out, so it had to stay in its nest.
Voices came from outside, "Master, the area is safe. I've already checked it."
It is indeed safe, except there is still a fox around, but what is there to be unsafe about a little fox?
"Is there any further movement from the Prince of Wei?"
“Last time, the Prince of Wei was severely weakened and remained quiet for quite some time. I’m afraid he will no longer be able to compete for the position of Crown Prince.” The man’s tone was slightly hesitant as he carefully considered his answer.
"That's not necessarily true."
The two were talking in a language the fox couldn't understand, and it idly scratched at the branches on the ground with its paws.
The man who had been stammering suddenly turned serious, and called out in a low voice towards the bushes, "Who goes there!" He then drew his sword and approached, using the blade to cut through the obscuring flowers and trees, trying to find the peeping tom.
The fox was hiding in the flower bushes, so no matter how hard the other side tried to cut it, they couldn't reach it, but they were still a little angry.
I only ate a few fruits from you, and I've already swallowed them. I can't spit them out. I'll compensate you. Why are you being so fierce?
The fox didn't run away; it stood still, glaring at the fox as if it were doing so fiercely.
Tinglan was surprised to see his subordinates freeze in shock. They crouched down, put down their knives, and cautiously approached the flower bushes. In a low voice, they were quite pathetic, not even turning their heads to speak, "Sir, it's a little fat dog, so pretty."
Ji Qing got even angrier. What an idiot! You're the fat dog!
The moonlight was perfect. Tinglan glanced past the foolish back of his subordinate and saw a white blob standing among the flowers. He couldn't help but say, "That's a fox, isn't it..."
Upon hearing this, Ji Qing snorted, finally calming down. "My good friend is so smart."
The white fox nimbly leaped out of the grass and walked straight to Tinglan's feet. In their gaze, time seemed to stretch out, and even the silver moonlight seemed to thicken.
It seemed as if a fox spirit had entered my dream at night.
The fox casually nuzzled against Tinglan's clothes, its long tail sweeping across him, causing a strange stirring in his heart.
Where a white fox passes, it does not leave no trace.
The fox raised its paw and left a perfectly round paw print on the expensive shoe of the nine-thousand-year-old with satisfaction.
I'm leaving you a comment, bye-bye, my friend, I'm going back to sleep now.
People watched as the white figure easily leaped over the high wall and disappeared from sight.
"Is there any noble lady in the palace who keeps foxes?" Tinglan asked, looking down and lifting the hem of her robe.
Such a friendly demeanor suggests it's not a wild fox.
"No, sir... Could we have encountered a fox spirit? The fox spirit is so close to you, sir. This is a very auspicious sign!" The subordinate said, his eyes gleaming, slapping his thigh.
"Ridiculous." Tinglan looked down at the footprints on her shoes. For some reason, she felt no displeasure at having her shoes dirtied by some unknown fox...
A moment later, Tinglan raised her head, her tone as calm as ever, "Continue to monitor, and report immediately if there is any unusual activity."
"Should we keep an eye on the newly arrived thirteenth prince?" the subordinate asked tentatively.
"He... doesn't need to send anyone over for now, I'll come myself."
If the person is genuinely stupid, there's no need to monitor them; if they're faking it, then those few people are completely useless and might even alert them.
Upon hearing this, the subordinate blinked, wondering if it was just a gust of wind and he had misheard.
But there must be a reason why you made this arrangement. Perhaps this thirteenth prince is cunning and scheming, and you need to take action yourself.
Tinglan walked out of the Imperial Garden alone. In the distance, the lights of the many palaces had been extinguished and hidden in the darkness.
Ji Qing.
He slowly uttered the name in his heart. The matter of tonight was over, and that person would surely be on guard.
What a pity.
On the osmanthus tree not far away, a spider was weaving its web under the cover of night.
The next morning, Tinglan was reviewing documents when a guard rushed in to announce, "Master, His Highness the Thirteenth Prince has arrived in the corridor."
Tinglan paused in turning the page, looked up, and asked again, "Who did you say came?"
"It's the Thirteenth Prince. He said he's here to see you."
Tinglan ignored the scattered scrolls in his hand, stood up, hurriedly pushed open the door and went out, where he saw a handsome prince sitting on a stone chair in the courtyard, waving at him incessantly, "Tinglan, I brought you some steamed buns and snacks."
The morning breeze carried the fragrance of unknown flowers.
Why is the young prince here? Tinglan quickly stepped forward, lowered her eyes, her eyelashes concealing the emotions in them, and bowed to ask, "What urgent matter does Your Highness have? You can simply send someone to deliver the message; there is no need for you to come in person."
The fox held up the food box in its hand. "Actually, it's nothing. I just wanted to play with you and then eat together."
Tinglan straightened up and stared at Ji Qing for a long time, her eyes dark and unreadable, as if she were thinking about something.
Ji Qing opened the food box, laid out various dishes on the table, and handed over a pair of chopsticks.
But Tinglan remained inactive.
"You've already eaten?" The fox was shocked. He should have gotten up earlier, but the bed was too comfortable, so he couldn't be blamed for sleeping in.
Ji Qing lowered his eyes again and said slowly, "Never."
The fox was starving and didn't want to listen to Tinglan's nonsense anymore. He reached out and pulled the man aside, then picked up a pastry and stuffed it into his mouth, muttering, "Then eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."
Seeing Tinglan pick up her chopsticks, the fox chuckled to himself, thinking, "I've always said I'm good at taking care of people."
Don't worry, I'll take good care of you.
A note from the author:
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