163 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

When faced with challenges, she realized that alongside Yan Zhao, they should be searching for solutions rather than avoiding them. Simply disciplining was just a reflection of her own cowardice and didn't truly help Yan Zhao understand right from wrong. But who was she to really discern true from false, good from evil, right from wrong? At the core, it was her fear of Yan Zhao growing up and no longer needing her. This fear led her to overlook the changes in Yan Zhao over the past two years. Her mixed emotions left Ren Qingyue both comforted and ashamed. A single tear slid down her cheek, caught delicately by a hand. She was then pulled into the embrace of the Fox Empress. The Fox Empress held her gently, patting her softly on the head. “You're still just a child, it's okay not to be so strong.” Unable to hold back any longer, Ren Qingyue buried herself in the Fox Empress's shoulder and cried silently. After some time, as her shoulders' trembling subsided, and her emotions calmed a bit, a small hand reached out beside her, a finger playfully poking the Fox Empress. The Fox Empress turned to see Yan Zhao standing beside her, confidently making her desires known: “I want to hug Shijie too.” Bai Jin, overhearing this, immediately jumped up: “Me too! Me too!” The Fox Empress hesitated: “…” Ren Qingyue found herself unable to continue crying. She moved to wipe her tears away, embarrassed at being seen in such a state. Unexpectedly, the Fox Empress spread her arms wide and enveloped both Yan Zhao and Bai Jin, squeezing them together. The three young ones were gathered tightly, cheek to cheek in the tight embrace. With a smile in her voice, the Fox Empress spoke softly to them: “While each must walk their own path, we are not isolated islands; no matter what happens in the future, as long as we help each other, be brave and kind, we won’t have regrets.” Bai Jin raised an arm, declaring loudly in agreement: “Aunt’s right!” In response, Yan Zhao and Ren Qingyue were pulled even closer. Their gazes briefly met, close enough to feel each other’s breath. Ren Qingyue’s trembling eyelashes, glistening with tears, caught Yan Zhao’s eyes. Seeing such a vulnerable Shijie, Yan Zhao’s heart stirred. Ren Qingyue, however, felt embarrassed and turned awkwardly, her cheeks flushing red. She felt she was so embarrassing today. Seeing this, Yan Zhao felt a secret disappointment, wondering if this had changed Shijie's view of her. What should she do in the future? Suddenly, the back of her hand brushed against another. That hand paused, its owner lowering her gaze to secretly glance through the gap. Yan Zhao was lost in thought, her focus not on the hands. Ren Qingyue turned her attention elsewhere, the tips of her ears red. By her side, with just the slightest bend of her finger, she gently hooked Yan Zhao’s pinky. Chapter 176 Ren Qingyue's movement was light; Yan Zhao, deep in thought, didn't notice. “Tomorrow is the full moon, a special day for our kindred spirits. The city will be bustling,” the Fox Empress, releasing the three from her embrace, extended a warm invitation with a gentle smile: “Why not stay an extra day and experience the festive atmosphere of Qingqiu?” Ren Qingyue let go, curling her fingers to hold onto the lingering sensation in her palm unnoticed. To avoid attracting the Fox Empress's attention, she lowered her gaze and casually bumped Yan Zhao's arm: “Ah Zhao, what do you think?” Yan Zhao paused, surprised that Shijie was asking for her opinion. Without hesitation, she replied: “I’ll listen to Shijie.” “Alright then.” Ren Qingyue nodded and responded to the Empress, “We’ll leave after tomorrow.” She also needed to inform Elder Chen, with an extra day to plan, they wouldn’t be in a rush. “Are you really leaving?” Bai Jin popped her head in, “Can’t you stay?” Before Ren Qingyue could respond, the Fox Empress lightly tapped Bai Jin's forehead: “Renyue and Yan Zhao have responsibilities. Unlike you, wandering about without a care.” Bai Jin pouted, “But I’ve been working hard on my cultivation.” The Empress smiled warmly, her tone gentle, “Then tell me, in the past half month, has your cultivation time totaled more than an hour?” Bai Jin coughed, “...eh.” Busy visiting her cousin every day, where was the time to cultivate? During their chat, Ren Qingyue and Yan Zhao stepped back slightly, and Yan Zhao whispered in Ren Qingyue’s ear: “Shijie, are you still angry?” “What?” Ren Qingyue, caught off guard, “Angry about what?” Yan Zhao explained, “About earlier...” She hadn’t listened to Shijie’s warning and had used the magic spirit to tear apart the assassin. Yan Zhao always thought Ren Qingyue was mad about that incident. Realizing this, Ren Qingyue felt a twinge of bitterness, surprised that someone as forgetful as Yan Zhao remembered for so long. “I’m not mad.” She told Yan Zhao, “That person deserved to die. I just worry about you losing control of your power…” She hesitated, choosing her words carefully, “And me being unable to restrain it.” She averted her gaze, finding an excuse for her emotional impulse: “If you stray from the right path, I’d feel I let our master down.” Yan Zhao didn’t quite grasp what was meant by the wrong path or feeling guilty, but she realized that misusing her power might push Shijie away. “I won’t!” Eager to prove herself, Yan Zhao reassured Ren Qingyue: “I’ll listen to you.” “I know.” Ren Qingyue nodded, her tone soothing and reassuring to Yan Zhao, “I trust you.” Those words, more powerful than any other, instantly calmed Yan Zhao’s anxious heart. Bai Jin, turning around, saw this scene. Yan Zhao and Ren Qingyue were whispering to each other, seemingly oblivious to the world around them. They were so close, their actions so natural. But for some reason, an odd feeling stirred in Bai Jin’s heart. Though they had just been embraced by the Fox Empress, growing closer seemed apparent. Yet, why did she feel like an outsider? · That night, Yan Zhao accompanied Ren Qingyue back to the room and habitually prepared to meditate on the floor. Ren Qingyue called her, “Ah Zhao.” Yan Zhao lifted her gaze, turning her head towards Shijie. “Come here.” Ren Qingyue beckoned her. Without hesitation, Yan Zhao rose and approached Ren Qingyue. Ren Qingyue patted the edge of the bed: “Don’t sit on the floor; cultivate on the bed tonight.” Upon hearing this, Yan Zhao’s eyes twinkled. Previously, she would simply have followed Ren Qingyue's arrangements, but today, perhaps emboldened by her softened attitude, she dared to ask: “Where will Shijie sleep?” “I’m not tired; I’ll be on the roof absorbing the moon’s essence.” Ren Qingyue’s voice was gentle as she apologized, “I’ve been too harsh on you recently. Don’t take it to heart.” Of course, Yan Zhao wouldn't take it to heart, but she didn't want to be separated from Shijie, so she said, “Then I want to go to the roof with you.” Ren Qingyue looked up, meeting Yan Zhao's eyes briefly, seeing in them straightforward hope. There had been instances of shared cultivation before, even sleeping side by side at times. Yet, uncertain whether it was her own emotional upheaval or some other cause, Ren Qingyue now sensed a fluttery tingling facing Yan Zhao’s open and sincere affection. She understood now, after the Fox Empress's advice, that internal conflict was like a vast flood—better to channel than to block it. Since self-restraint wasn't possible, she stopped insisting. Whatever comes, comes. Future concerns for the future. Meeting Yan Zhao's clear, eager gaze, Ren Qingyue smiled slightly, “Alright.” Yan Zhao's eyes lit up. It seemed Shijie had changed. If it had been yesterday, such a request would have been sharply refused. Now, Shijie wasn't rejecting her. This discovery filled her with joy. Beyond this, though, she couldn’t yet discern what else had changed about Shijie before her. Yan Zhao didn’t dwell on it too much; she instinctively felt closer to Shijie, something that pleased her greatly. Shijie no longer wore a cold, slightly angry face. Now, she had agreed to cultivate on the rooftop together, visibly amiable. Did this mean Shijie didn’t dislike her anymore? With this thought in mind, Yan Zhao felt quite pleased with herself. Ren Qingyue was uncertain about what was going on in her mind. But she could see how Yan Zhao, having shed her worries, was beaming with joy, easy to notice. Ren Qingyue wondered if her emotions were just as obvious to the Fox Empress. Impatient to begin, Yan Zhao tugged at Ren Qingyue, urging her to the rooftop for cultivation. From within the main hall of Qingyao Palace, the Fox Empress noticed the movement and glanced out the window. She saw the two sisters climbing to the rooftop, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, absorbing the essence of the moon. A smile spread across the Fox Empress’s face, filled with emotion: “Youth is truly wonderful.” · On the full moon night, the world was rich in spiritual energy. It was a day for the kindred spirits to worship the fox immortals. Nearly all kindred spirits took to the streets this day, and the city was bustling with decorations—lanterns, flags, even people's attire bore embroidered patterns of blessings. Children gathered in small groups, each holding clay figures of the fox immortals, laughing and playing in the streets. As the Fox Empress passed by, cheers erupted, and colorful flags embroidered with fox patterns fluttered and swayed. Ren Qingyue led Yan Zhao at a slow pace, following behind the Fox Empress through the streets of the spirit city, experiencing the unprecedented festive atmosphere. Unlike in the human realm, where emotional exchanges were more complex, establishing such pure trust was difficult. This unity and harmony amazed Ren Qingyue. It helped her understand why the Fox Emperor, ruler of Qingqiu, showed no wariness towards the guile of human cultivators. The Mist Devil Gorge formed a natural barrier between the spirit realm and the human world. Human cultivators found it challenging to linger long in the gorge, allowing the kindred spirits to develop their unique customs. In the midst of such lively scenes, Bai Jin, usually animated, was notably quiet. She stayed quietly by the Fox Empress's side, watching as children ran past and dove joyously into their parents’ arms, unable to stop herself from glancing over. A child tripped and fell while running, and Bai Jin instinctively stepped forward to help her up. Soon after, the child’s mother arrived, offering Bai Jin a respectful bow and instructing her child to thank Bai Jin. Bai Jin, feeling bashful, waved it off: “Just a small gesture, no need to thank me.” As the mother led the child away, Bai Jin stood still, momentarily lost in thought as she watched them leave. “Jin’er.” The gentle call from the Fox Empress snapped Bai Jin out of her reverie. Turning back, Bai Jin found the Fox Empress smiling warmly and gesturing for her to return: “Come back, stay close.” Rejoining the Fox Empress, Bai Jin felt the protective arm wrap around her shoulder as the Empress playfully inquired: “Want some steamed jade pastries?” Bai Jin brightened up, her previous forlorn demeanor replaced with a grin: “Yes, with some fruit syrup too!” The Fox Empress laughed: “Then go buy some, let Yue’er and Little Zhao have a taste as well.” Taking the spirit stones given to her by the Fox Empress, Bai Jin scurried to a small stall nearby selling steamed jade pastries, lining up. Hearing about the treats, Yan Zhao looked on eagerly. Ren Qingyue marveled at how the spirit royalty and their subjects interacted so harmoniously. Bai Jin, a princess, queued up without complaint, and the surrounding citizens didn’t treat her any differently due to her status. Amazingly, she even started chatting with the kindred spirits in line. "I'm not looking forward to the moon, but to meeting you." Support this website through donations This site is non-profit, relying on donations for server costs! Fear of getting lost, feel free to add your contact info on the donation page! Click to go to the donation page >>