68 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

The four of them enjoyed themselves until late at night. All of a sudden, a servant appeared and called Chongseng away, suggesting that something had happened. Su Yang reassured Yue Bai and his companions not to worry, and he led them out of the main pavilion towards the rear courtyard of the estate. “This place is quiet,” Su Yang said, leading them to a small courtyard not far from where Chongseng lived. “You two can rest here for now.” “Alright,” Yue Bai responded, glancing toward the main pavilion where the sound of merriment still echoed. “Don’t worry,” Su Yang smiled, “Such disturbances are common in places like this, it’s nothing major.” "Ah Yang,” Ji Wu Nian casually approached, wrapping an arm around Yue Bai’s waist and resting her head on his shoulder. Her fox ears brushed against Yue Bai’s dark hair. She smiled and said, “The third young master of the Lu family died a few days ago during the Ming Yun incident, having had his soul searched by Nian Yin and subsequently scattered. However, the Lu family has a secret technique. After retrieving Lu Xi's corpse, they’ve been searching for artifacts to gather his spirit, attempting to let his soul rest in peace and enter reincarnation once more. Although such soul techniques are rare and obscure, if Die Zhuang can help, it would certainly earn us their favor.” Su Yang's expression grew thoughtful as he said, “Miss Jiang Xiao, your capabilities are indeed extraordinary.” “It’s not a matter of talent,” the red fox, still clinging to Yue Bai, chuckled. “It all comes from hard work.” After expressing his thanks and bidding farewell, Su Yang departed. Ji Wu Nian led Yue Bai into the room, lit all the candles with a sweep of her hand, then opened a lattice window, sitting by it to gaze at the high-hanging moon. Yue Bai had been silent throughout the night and didn’t feel much like talking now either. She sat opposite the red fox, leaning against the window just watching her. Ji Wu Nian’s face transformed continuously, hiding many secrets. Yet, her eyes always held something constant, like the bright polar star hanging in the northern sky, sometimes glowing bright, sometimes dim, but unyieldingly steady. “Hmm?” The red fox turned her head, mimicking Yue Bai’s posture as she leaned against the window and met his gaze. “Master, do you find me beautiful?” There are countless ways to describe beauty. Yue Bai extended her hand and gently plucked the question from the air. Before she could retract her hand, Ji Wu Nian seized it, pulling herself closer to steal a quick kiss, playing and biting lightly, not letting go until Yue Bai’s breath changed. Ji Wu Nian laughed, noticing the faint ripples in Yue Bai’s eyes. She whispered by his lips, “Master Yue Bai, you’re not going back tonight, are you?” Before Yue Bai could respond, Jiu Yi chimed in knowingly, “I’ll take my leave.” Seeing the situation, it was clear his host was about to be overwhelmed. What else could Jiu Yi do but retreat? Ah... She’s already calling her “Master”... “At least be the dominant one for once...” Jiu Yi muttered to himself, though knowing it was unlikely. “Sigh, forget it.” Even the system fell silent that night, only leaving cryptic comments that puzzled Yue Bai momentarily. “Yue Bai?” Snapped back to reality, Yue Bai felt Ji Wu Nian poke at her face. Yue Bai grasped the mischief-maker’s fingers. With a voice like ice in a mountain stream, she answered, “Not going back.” Since she wasn’t returning, they had the whole night ahead, plenty of time to indulge in pleasure. The little fox leaned forward to continue but was halted by one of Yue Bai’s fingers against her lips. Ji Wu Nian blinked innocently. Before Yue Bai could speak, her small pink tongue darted out, licking the finger. Her naturally red lips, moistened by the action, radiated an even more attractive hue. A true fox with a thousand faces, always appearing so enticing when drenched in demonic charm. Yue Bai withdrew her hand and evaded her, heading further inside. Chongseng had prepared the room meticulously. Jade vases and emerald trinkets adorned the place, elegant yet lavish from every angle. Inside, a solid wood, intricately carved bed lay ready, complete with cushions. A shelf had chess pieces and a writing desk, above which hung a gauzy green curtain, with carved noble flowers and heavenly cranes. Yue Bai sat on the bed, a chest carved with three plum blossoms standing half her height before her. Everything seemed perfect, yet something felt subtly off. Ji Wu Nian followed, kneeling beside Yue Bai. “Yue Bai?” “This place feels... strange.” It wasn’t the spiritual energy or anything tangible, just an atmosphere. “Strange?” Ji Wu Nian looked around, then suddenly laughed as if realizing something. “Does it feel like something’s hidden here?” “Mm.” “Come,” Ji Wu Nian pulled her up and led her to the bed, then pushed her onto it. In that moment of spinning heavens and earth, Yue Bai saw the noble flowers and heavenly cranes change before her eyes—into countless explicit carvings of spring scenes, each a work of masterful craftsmanship. Now, Yue Bai identified what had felt subtly wrong. Intricately carved erotic scenes filled the surroundings, showcasing astonishing craftsmanship. As her long robes fell aside, Ji Wu Nian straddled Yue Bai’s waist, leaning forward to cast a shadow while her smile sparkled with playful mockery. “Is this Chongseng’s taste? Does my lord want me to learn?” Yue Bai didn’t reply; her lips were once again seized, her hands overwhelmed by the greedy little fox. Ji Wu Nian had far too much patience today, sparking some irritation in Yue Bai. Just then, a certain furry ear brushed against her cheek... “Ouch,” Ji Wu Nian exclaimed, covering the tips of her ears with a laugh-cry, “Master Yue Bai, since when did you learn to bite?” Yue Bai’s clothes were half-open. Her clear, cold eyes glimmered with something elusive, filled with anger, frustration, and unspoken desire. Ji Wu Nian’s heart was snatched by that gaze, reminding her that her Master Yue Bai didn’t enjoy being teased... Suddenly, her wrist tightened. Ji Wu Nian barely had time to react before her arms were pulled upward. Looking up, she found a red ribbon had somehow looped around her wrists, the other end weaving through the bed’s frame, floating down into Yue Bai’s hands. Just moments ago, those eyes held fleeting emotion, now focused on the ribbon in her hand. When they looked up again, it sent a wave of panic through Ji Wu Nian. “...Yue... Yue Bai?” Tossing the ribbon aside, Yue Bai lazily propped herself on one arm. “How familiar are you with Chongseng?” Ji Wu Nian swallowed hard, “First time we met in this life.” First meeting yet so familiar? Given her previous rejection, her closeness to Su Yang, and her familiarity with this place, Yue Bai could only assume she was lying again. But Yue Bai didn’t want to force her into honesty, so she shifted the topic, “You still owe me a dance, don’t you?” Still feeling a bit displeased, Yue Bai intended to make her repay that debt. The little fox bit her lip, simultaneously enjoying this version of her master and feeling slightly overwhelmed. Hands tied, her waist itched but she dared not move. “But a fox dance needs a fan... Yue Bai...” “It’s not a fox dance.” Ji Wu Nian dared not retreat any further, “Then... what is it?” A soft laugh, her eyes resembling a crimson moon. “A Red Dust Smile.” A red ribbon, bare skin—wasn’t it a perfect rendition of Red Dust Smile? The drifting red ribbon winding up from her tail tip, reversing along the fur route, nearly made Ji Wu Nian jump. “Wait, wait…” Waiting? As if. “Yue Bai!” Blindfolded and with her tail bound, Ji Wu Nian's voice turned both embarrassed and indignant, probably blushing all over. “Yue Bai...” The little fox felt uneasy. Every movement made her ears brush against her arms. Delicate beauty like thin ice, skin like snow. Ji Wu Nian truly lived up to her name. As Yue Bai felt herself igniting from the inside, she didn’t want to let Ji Wu Nian off the hook so easily. “What do you suppose... is inside that cabinet over there?” In a room like this, what else could be inside? Ji Wu Nian felt a burning shame, “Yue Bai, don’t...” Whatever was inside, she didn’t want... With vision cut off, other senses heightened. Being a fox demon now, the creak of the cabinet opening, the rummaging sounds, and the bell’s tinkling resonated sharply. “Ding-a-ling.” Ji Wu Nian shivered. “Ding-a-ling. Ding-a-ling. Ding-a-ling.” The sound drew closer, until it rang right by her ear. Almost instinctively, Ji Wu Nian turned her head away. But someone who enjoyed mischief waited by her other ear, each breath softly stirring the downy fur within, “How do you suppose this is used?” “Don’t... Don’t use it,” Ji Wu Nian was genuinely trembling, “Yue Bai, don’t use it.” Don’t. Really. Yue Bai, initially amused, gradually stopped smiling. This kind of trembling wasn’t from tension. She was scared. Why? Yue Bai glanced at the silver bell in her hand, then clenched it into powder. Ji Wu Nian, hearing no sounds for a while, felt uneasy. “Yue Bai?” “You’re right.” Suddenly, a warm body pressed against hers again, gently soothing her cold skin. Soft kisses fell on the back of her neck, “Unlike certain others, I should be tender. After all, it wouldn’t do to break one’s own fox...” “...What...?” What did she mean by breaking, “Mmph…” ..... Watching the person beside her panting, skin flushed, Yue Bai kissed Ji Wu Nian’s quivering eyelids, deeming it best to let her recover for a moment. During the wait, Yue Bai found herself drawn to the flicking fox ears, unable to resist nibbling lightly. “...Fur.” That’s what Ji Wu Nian had heard Yue Bai mutter once. Releasing the fox ear, Yue Bai lay back to watch his companion. The little fox’s complexion was flushed, lips bitten until they bled, eyes brimming with unsated desire. Yet, Yue Bai felt none of her previous dissatisfaction, only wishing to stoke the fire in those eyes further. After all, now this little fox was hers alone. To soothe her, it was Yue Bai's responsibility. Thinking this, Yue Bai felt indulgent, gently stroking her head. Ji Wu Nian finally caught her breath and looked up, only to see that Yue Bai beside her was fully clothed, just as disheveled as before when she had messed with her. Her eyes were a bit more tender now, but still retained that cool detachment. In stark contrast, Ji Wu Nian was in shambles, her clothes torn and strewn who knows where, faint red marks marring her arms and thighs. Over the past moments, she hadn’t seen Yue Bai’s face once, and the most aggravating part was… Yue Bai had only teased her from the outside, leaving her with lingering emptiness. Ji Wu Nian didn’t care if Yue Bai's actions were out of kindness or something else, but since Yue Bai had left her with feelings of emptiness, she intended to get back at her. Grasping the hand on her head, the little fox crawled two steps closer, looking down at her master with a pair of small fangs showing, “Did you enjoy yourself?” Sensing something in the air, Yue Bai smiled, indifferent, “Yes, quite enjoyed it.” The small fangs pressed against Yue Bai’s collarbone. Ji Wu Nian, with hands that should have been ablaze, returned them to her master's body, “Then, is it my turn to play with you?” The word “play” felt ill-used. “Have it your way.” Yue Bai’s smile bloomed like a night cactus. That very composure made Ji Wu Nian's heart itch with more annoyance, but she maintained her patience a while longer, “Are you planning to return tomorrow?” Yue Bai considered this, “I was planning to.” “No need to go back,” the fox approached, tongue flicking over her own fangs, her vertical pupils turning red, clearly yielding to her beastly nature, “I’ll make it so you won’t be able to.” …Did I offend her somehow? “I—” Before Yue Bai could finish, her lips were sealed shut again, pulled once more by the red fox into a sea of desire.