Chapter 17 The Fox's Fame Spreads! "Your Highness, do you now wish to rid yourself of...?"
The fox stared in shock at the surging crowd ahead, completely bewildered, and could only clung to Tinglan's sleeve.
Why are they coming over? Are they going to beat me up?
The Imperial Guards were well-trained; with just a glance from the Emperor, they immediately stepped forward to separate the crowd.
Tinglan then turned around, using the wide sleeves of her magnificent robe to shield the young prince, and said softly, "This servant has offended you."
In the shadow cast by the sleeve, Tinglan gently pulled open the young prince's collar to examine his neck closely. It was fair and smooth, without a single scratch. Tinglan breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "There are too many people here. Would Your Highness like to leave first?"
The fox nodded vigorously, "Okay."
My best friend is still the best! Extremely reliable!
Tinglan lowered his eyes, the shadows concealing the murderous intent within them, while his hands meticulously adjusted the young prince's collar. His pale, cold fingers intentionally or unintentionally brushed against the prince's neck as he softly admitted his mistake, "It was my fault today."
If you say this was purely an accident, Tinglan doesn't believe it at all. Someone must have been behind it. But ultimately, it was his fault.
The fox widened its eyes, shook its head, and leaned close to his ear. "It's not your fault, it's that annoying guy's fault. But I've already beaten him up, so let's continue shopping."
The fox's little head spun around and around, but it still couldn't figure out what this matter had to do with Tinglan.
They have absolutely no connection whatsoever.
He reached out and grabbed Tinglan's wrist, then strode forward past the Imperial Guards. "If you think that person is mean to you and annoying, I'll go kick him a couple more times."
Tinglan did not answer; he simply looked down at his hands, his heart pounding like a drum.
With their wide sleeves hanging down, onlookers couldn't actually see that they were holding hands; they just thought they were standing very close...
The military officers who had just ridden past on horseback also returned. They missed the commotion and could only reconstruct the scene from the conversations of passersby.
"Let me tell you, the Thirteenth Prince was kicked away by that thug in one kick!"
“You’re blind. You didn’t use your feet. I saw it clearly just now. His Highness gently squeezed, and that person’s hand broke. Then he gently patted it, and that person flew backward, flying higher than the trees by the roadside.”
When the soldiers of the Military Command heard that the bandits had taken the prince hostage, their minds were racing, and they thought their lives were probably over.
But who could have imagined that the situation would suddenly turn around, and the prince would actually throw the bandit away himself.
"Boss, do we have another prince?" a soldier asked curiously in a low voice.
The commander gave the soldier a hard poke in the groin. "Watch your mouth. His Highness the Thirteenth Prince was lost among the common people and has only just been found." Oh dear, if His Highness hadn't just been found, he would have already achieved great things.
The soldier was really curious and looked around, trying to find a trace of this mysterious prince. After searching in vain, he nudged the guard next to him and asked, "Brother, have you seen what the Thirteenth Prince looks like?"
He must be eight feet tall, imposing, tall and strong, with enough space for a horse to run on his arm and a person to stand on his shoulder.
The Imperial Guard hesitated for a moment, recalling how His Highness had spoken to them earlier. His tone became slightly hesitant as he replied, "His Highness is as beautiful as jade and as precious as gold; he is a rare find in this world."
The soldier was dumbfounded. Hearing the crowd of people talking louder and louder, he slapped his thigh in regret. He wished he had run faster. He wanted to catch a glimpse of the Thirteenth Prince and see people flying higher than houses.
*
In the quiet place, the fox and Tinglan walked towards the river. Most of the people on the road had gone to watch the excitement, leaving only a few passersby and stalls selling river lanterns.
"Your Highness must have been frightened today. Would you like to return home soon?"
The fox shook its head like a rattle drum, "I finally got to come out, and I haven't had enough fun yet, so I'm not going back."
"Would Your Highness like to release a river lantern?"
The fox's eyes lit up instantly. "Great! What's that for? How do you put it?"
Tinglan was already used to the young prince's ignorance of some things, and explained, "It means that after lighting the river lantern, you can let it float downstream and use it to pray for blessings and make wishes."
He bought two lotus lanterns from a small stall and handed one to the young prince.
The river surface shimmered under the lights, and one by one, the lotus lanterns, glowing with color, drifted along with the waves. Occasionally, one or two would be overturned by the ripples and quietly sink into the water.
The fox squatted by the riverbank, looking curiously at both sides. "Why is someone crying over there?"
"Because river lanterns can also be used to express grief for the deceased."
The fox blinked and nodded, seemingly understanding.
Tinglan asked softly, "Does Your Highness have any wishes?"
The fox hugged its legs and counted on its fingers, "I want to eat roast chicken, steamed buns, braised tendon, lots of delicious food... I hope my sister is happy every day."
He looked up at Tinglan and smiled, "I hope we can keep playing together."
Tinglan's hands could barely hold the lantern. He squatted down, lowered his head, and reached out to hold the little prince's shoulder. "Your Highness, if you do this, this servant will take it seriously."
The fox blinked, still not understanding. "Does Tinglan have any wishes?"
The old man's gaze suddenly froze, as if the question was extremely difficult for him to answer.
The fox, holding the lantern in both hands, placed it in the water, muttering incantations and making a wish.
There are so many wishes, the list of dishes alone is so long, it can't all be written on the lantern.
He stood up and looked at Tinglan curiously, "What did you wish for? Can you tell me?"
Tinglan smiled and said, "I won't say."
"That's not fair! I've already told you everything. I won't tell anyone else. Can you tell me secretly?" The fox chased after her, grabbed Tinglan's hand, and started shaking it.
Under the lamplight, a line of small characters was written on the lanterns released by the Ninth Prince: "May you have this day every year."
*
After returning to the palace, the fox resumed his life of eating, drinking, and playing with Tinglan whenever he woke up.
However, many rumors about him circulated both inside and outside the palace.
Rumors are all about excitement. Some say he's a man of both literary and martial talents, fearless in the face of danger, and resourceful... completely different from who he really is.
In short, they went to great lengths to praise him as a cunning fox.
What outsiders think when they hear these words is anyone's guess.
Anyway, the little fox only knew that he was being nice. Every night before going to bed, he would stand in front of the mirror and happily praise himself, "Hehe, I'm so great, I'm the most amazing fox."
Then he jumped onto the bed.
Today, after having a free meal at Tinglan's place, the fox strolled back home and spotted another person in the distance.
Having learned from its previous experience, the fox immediately sensed something was wrong and turned to the side.
But the man quickly followed.
The fox walked fast, and he walked fast too; the fox slowed down, and he slowed down as well.
Ji Qing suddenly turned around and stared straight at the other person.
What are you doing!
The other person's gaze made him feel uneasy, so he quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, I have long admired you. This is not the place to talk. May I move to another room for a chat?"
The fox immediately shook his head. "Let's just get straight to the point." Although there seemed to be someone perched in the tree ahead, he had been munching on an apple for quite some time, so he should be fine.
The other party visibly flinched and said in a low voice, "Your Highness is so talented, there is no need to humble yourself and feign compliance with that palm print."
Ji Qing blinked, he didn't understand, and couldn't even guess what it meant. "You... continue."
If you say more, I can guess what you mean.
I, the little fox, am very clever!
“Your Highness is already well-known. Your past entanglements with eunuchs were merely a temporary measure. Don’t you want to get rid of that Grand Eunuch Tinglan? After all, it wouldn’t look good if word got out…”
The fox remained dumbfounded. He understood every single word the man said, but why couldn't he understand them when they were put together?
Why do I want to get rid of Tinglan, who is such a good person to me, who treats me to meals every day and plays with me?
Will I even be able to eat anymore?! Why did you have to leave my best friend?!
"You're a bad thing, I'm not talking to you anymore," the fox said angrily, turning to the side and preparing to leave immediately.
To everyone's surprise, the other party thought there was a chance. The Thirteenth Prince got angry as soon as he mentioned the eunuch, which must have been a long-standing grudge. It makes sense, who can develop real feelings for a eunuch?
The man pressed his advantage, saying, "I have a plan that can help Your Highness get rid of this person completely."
The fox covered its ears, "I won't listen," and then turned and ran away without looking back.
There might be some story behind this road. I'll never walk this way again. I always run into some strange guys!
The shadows of the trees ahead swayed slightly, and a dark figure silently swept past.
A moment later, an urgent report was presented to the Ninth Prince's desk.
Tinglan wasn't in a hurry to look through it, and casually asked the guard reporting to him, "Has His Highness returned?"
"I've returned, but I... have discovered something important."
Tinglan removed her hand from the letter.
I opened it and stared at it for a long time.
The room was completely silent, save for the occasional crisp sound of paper folding.
“Tell me everything about how His Highness answered and reacted,” Tinglan said indifferently, as if the incident had nothing to do with him.
The guards below immediately stood up, covering their ears. "That's what His Highness said back then, 'I won't listen.'"
Tinglan suddenly chuckled, "You may leave now. Go to Chen Yu and collect your reward."
The heavy wooden door closed gently, and the room returned to silence, with only the warm fragrance emanating from the Boshan incense burner on the table.
The Ninth Prince stood up, opened a drawer, and found it filled with the little prince's favorite trinkets: small beads, pebbles, shuttlecocks, and little chicks made of feathers...
I was just intimate with him today, His Highness would never think of getting rid of me.
Absolutely not...
But even if you think about it, it's useless.
Outside, the setting sun was like blood, and a west wind was blowing. Tinglan pushed open the window and sat by it, gazing out into the distance, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Covering your ears and saying you don't want to hear it, that's definitely your style.
The next second, Tinglan leaned against the window frame, raised her hand, covered her face with her sleeve, and let out a suppressed laugh.
A note from the author:
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[Crying][Crying] I'm late again, oh my god, I'm so sorry! Almost done.
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