164 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

At this moment, the Fox Empress suddenly spoke, "Jin'er, this child, she can be quite troublesome, yet her parents are rarely around. Aside from Yu'er, she doesn't have any siblings, so it's understandable she feels lonely." So, Bai Jin wasn't without parents after all. Her mother was Han Zhi, the sister of the Fox Emperor, and her father was Bai Qing Cang, the most renowned warrior in Qingqiu. However, this couple was unconventional; they had distinct personalities and an especially keen interest in traveling and experiencing the world. Bai Jin's parents had a true love for each other, while Bai Jin herself was an accident. They raised her until she matured at a thousand years old, then used the pretense of her needing independence as an excuse to let her establish her own dwelling. Afterwards, both left Qingqiu, and no one knew where they went to enjoy their fox lives. With her parents absent, Bai Jin largely remained in Qingqiu and frequently visited the demon palace, growing closer to the Fox Empress than to her elusive parents. Listening in, Yan Zhao thought to herself: It turns out Bai Jin's parents aren't around either. She realized her senior sister never mentioned her own parents. It seemed that for cultivators, being without parents was perfectly normal. Before long, Bai Jin returned with her purchased steamed jade cakes, happily trotting back with small, enthusiastic steps. She carried two kraft paper packages in her hands and, as she approached, casually handed one to Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao blinked and accepted it with both hands, offering her thanks. The Fox Empress glanced at the two, her phoenix eyes slightly tilted, "Why did you only buy two portions?" Bai Jin cheerfully sidled up next to Ren Qing Yue, grinning, "I'm always in Qingqiu and can eat these anytime, so I don't crave them. Sharing one with Sister Ren is enough." Yan Zhao was about to shove a generously syruped steamed jade cake into her mouth but paused upon hearing this, turning to look at Bai Jin. Bai Jin unwrapped her paper package to reveal her steamed jade cake, lifting it to Ren Qing Yue's mouth, "Sister Ren, would you like to try?" Ren Qing Yue noticed the cake, uncut and whole, yet its aromatic and flavorful presence was irresistible. Feeling that this offer was slightly too intimate, Ren Qing Yue was a bit cautious. Yet, hearing the Fox Empress talk about Bai Jin's past, she felt an unexplained affection toward this cousin she barely knew, making it difficult for her to decline outright. After a moment's contemplation, she decided to tear off a small piece to taste. However, before Ren Qing Yue could even raise her hand, a head suddenly popped in nearby. Yan Zhao opened her mouth and took a big bite out of the steamed jade cake in Bai Jin's hand. Bai Jin was dumbfounded, "Huh?" Ren Qing Yue was also stunned as Yan Zhao continued eating without pause, devouring most of the jade cake in just two bites. Then Yan Zhao returned the untouched piece in her hand to Bai Jin while grabbing the remaining half from Bai Jin's hand and handing it to Ren Qing Yue, boldly completing the distribution. Yan Zhao's quick actions took a moment for Bai Jin to fully comprehend. She immediately exploded, "Ahhhh, what did you just do?!" Ren Qing Yue looked at the half piece of jade cake in her hands, the feeling in her heart fluctuating strangely. Thankfully, in the dim candlelight of the night, no one could see the blush rising on her cheeks. Ren Qing Yue discreetly glanced at Yan Zhao, who was provocatively teasing Bai Jin, "It's better for Sister to share with me!" Bai Jin, feeling outmatched, despaired, "You're too much! Waaah!" Ren Qing Yue, with no other choice, tore off a small piece from the portion Yan Zhao had already bitten, returning the rest to her, and spoke with gentle calmness, "I don't really like sweet treats, a taste is enough. Miss Bai, you can have it yourself." At her words, Bai Jin could only relinquish her argument, pouting as she took a big bite of the jade cake. As they moved forward, Yan Zhao clutched her remaining small piece and asked Ren Qing Yue, "Sister, are you sure you don't want any?" Ren Qing Yue's ears turned slightly red, momentarily panicking. She instinctively glanced at the Fox Empress. Seeing that the Empress was engaged in conversation with Bai Jin, not noticing them, she breathed a relieved sigh. Feeling anxious, she recalled Yan Zhao's earlier actions with lingering apprehension. Both embarrassed and hurried, she feigned anger, whispering to scold Yan Zhao, "How could you expect me to eat your leftovers?" "...Um." Yan Zhao was left speechless momentarily before sheepishly offering, "Then next time I'll let Sister have the first bite?" Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Seven Ren Qing Yue was speechless. You can't even be bothered to spend a bit more and buy an extra piece, huh? It seems the bond between senior and junior sister is just this close. Ren Qing Yue awkwardly turned her flushed face away, fearing Yan Zhao would overhear her thunderous heartbeat. Yan Zhao was puzzled, still pondering why her answer didn't satisfy her senior sister. Unaware, they reached the bustling Fox Temple. The Fox Empress led the three younger ones to the temple for blessings. The ritual for expressing wishes to the fox spirits wasn't complicated. One simply dipped a willow twig into the clear spring to sprinkle away impurities, then followed Qingqiu etiquette in bowing to the fox spirits to complete it. After explaining the customs of the demon tribe's wishing ritual to Ren Qing Yue and Yan Zhao, the Fox Empress added, "You can make a wish when praying to the fox spirits. Our fox spirits are very effective." Standing in front of the fox deity statue, Yan Zhao pondered briefly before closing her eyes, quietly wishing in her heart: I hope Sister likes me a little more. After leaving the Fox Temple, Yan Zhao noticed many demon tribe members gathered along the riverbank. Flickering firewheels floated downstream on the water's surface. Yan Zhao asked her sister, "What are they doing?" Ren Qing Yue followed her gaze, patiently answering, "Releasing flower lanterns." Some cities in the mortal realm also have the custom of releasing flower lanterns. By letting the lit lanterns drift with the water, they send their thoughts to loved ones afar. No matter the distance, those thoughts will reach the intended heart. After listening to Ren Qing Yue's explanation, Yan Zhao seemed lost in thought. "Sister, I want to release a flower lantern too." Hearing this, Ren Qing Yue felt a stir inside. Yan Zhao had indeed grown up, now understanding longing and even wanting to send a lantern for her master. Given Yan Zhao's endearing nature, Ren Qing Yue naturally couldn't refuse her, promptly taking out a spirit stone to buy a flower lantern nearby. Bai Jin wanted to join the fun but was held back by the Fox Empress, who warned, "There are too many people. Don't run off." "..." Bai Jin pouted, disgruntled. Yan Zhao used a fire incantation to light the lantern's wick, and Ren Qing Yue helped her place the lantern on the water. Watching the lantern gently drift away, Ren Qing Yue grew curious and turned to ask Yan Zhao, "What did you tell your master?" "My mother?" Yan Zhao was momentarily confused, then replied, "I didn't send any message to my mother with the lantern." Ren Qing Yue was taken aback, "So who did you send the lantern for?" "For Snowball," Yan Zhao answered plainly. "I told it we're going back to the mortal realm soon and it should listen to Ayin. I'll come for it soon." Ren Qing Yue: "..." Oh right, there was that matter too. Yan Zhao didn't mention it, and she'd almost forgotten. Yan Zhao was being more and more clingy, growing increasingly harder to deceive. Once back in the mortal realm later, how could she cook up a believable reason to revert to her little fox form without Yan Zhao discovering the truth? Thinking about this dilemma, Ren Qing Yue began to worry. How much longer could she keep up the charade? The central area of Fox City had a spacious open field where, on full moon nights, the demon tribe would gather around a bonfire. Young men and women would dance and sing around it. Ren Qing Yue, wrapped up in her thoughts, exuded a palpable aura of "stranger, keep away." Yan Zhao, however, was drawn to the massive bonfire in the distance. The areas illuminated by the firelight were as bright as day, while the zones farther from the flame grew increasingly dark and shadowed. Ren Qing Yue's face was cast into the shadows, her ears drowned in the surrounding revelry, so Yan Zhao didn't notice her distraction. A demon tribe woman, tired from dancing, withdrew from the most animated group, unnoticed by Yan Zhao, and accidentally bumped into her. "Sorry." The woman halted and turned to apologize to Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao stepped back, replying, "It's alright." The woman turned back, her eyes meeting Yan Zhao's unexpectedly. Under the bonfire's glow, Yan Zhao's eyes sparkled brightly, filled with countless stars, captivating anyone who looked into them. "This, this young lady," the demon woman suddenly spoke with an awkward tone, briefly averting her gaze, looking around, then returning her focus to Yan Zhao, cautiously asking, "Are you alone?" "I'm not," Yan Zhao replied, "I'm here with my sister." With that, she turned to call for her sister, but with a quick glance around, she found no trace of Ren Qing Yue. "Hey, Sister?!" She had lost her way from her senior sister! Not only was her sister missing, but so were the Fox Empress and Bai Jin. "Young lady, you—" The woman barely began speaking when Yan Zhao turned and walked away. Her steps were hurried, without a moment's pause. · Yan Zhao retraced her steps, but there were too many people on the open field. Even though it was a full moon night and not particularly dark, the masses of demon tribe members gathered in activity formed an overwhelming crowd, and Yan Zhao couldn't spot Ren Qing Yue. "Sister!" Yan Zhao called, glancing left and right, searching for her sister as she ran. She felt frustrated with herself for being so distracted by the bonfire that she hadn't kept close to her sister. "Miss Yan." Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from the crowd, causing Yan Zhao to halt. She turned around to see the path clearing as the Fox Empress gracefully approached her. Yan Zhao's face lit up as she quickly dashed to the Fox Empress, asking urgently, "Senior! Have you seen my sister?" A flicker of surprise crossed the Fox Empress's face, "You got separated too?" Yan Zhao noticed the emphasis on the word "too" and her usually rusty mind suddenly clicked into gear, "You weren't with my sister either?" Calmly, the Fox Empress replied, "I became distracted for a moment and got separated from Zhi'er and the others." "Ah..." Yan Zhao frowned, feeling troubled, "What should we do then?" The Fox Empress proposed, "Let's search together." There wasn't much else they could do, Yan Zhao realized. So she nodded in agreement, "Okay." Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the field, Bai Jin called out to Ren Qing Yue. "Cousin!" Ren Qing Yue stopped in her tracks, realizing Yan Zhao wasn't by her side. She turned around to see Bai Jin approaching quickly. "Where's Ah Zhao?" Ren Qing Yue inquired of Bai Jin, "Where did she go?" Bai Jin gestured towards the crowd, and Ren Qing Yue followed her pointing finger, seeing Yan Zhao with the Fox Empress. The distance wasn't too far, and with the Fox Empress overseeing Yan Zhao, Ren Qing Yue felt relieved. She was about to head over and regroup with Yan Zhao, but Bai Jin spoke again, "Cousin, please wait a moment." Ren Qing Yue paused her step and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. She sensed the gravity in Bai Jin's tone and felt an unusual atmosphere between them, an intuition telling her something was about to happen. Bai Jin hurried her steps to stand before her. Now that she was closer, the leaping firelight in the distance cast Bai Jin's expression vividly before Ren Qing Yue's eyes. Her features were knitted with tension, hands clenched tightly around her sleeves, lips pressed firmly together, her entire demeanor broadcasting her undisguised nervousness. Ren Qing Yue spoke first, asking, "What's the matter?" "Cousin." Bai Jin took a deep breath, seeming to gather immense courage, "I have something I want to say to you." She had pleaded with the Fox Empress for over half an hour to finally gain her help in diverting Yan Zhao's attention. There were words she wanted to say to her cousin alone. During these past days, Ren Qing Yue and Yan Zhao were inseparable, so even when Bai Jin wanted to find time alone with Ren Qing Yue, every attempt was thwarted. But seeing that Ren Qing Yue and Yan Zhao were about to leave Qingqiu, if she didn't seize this opportunity, once her cousin left, she would never have another chance to speak. Ren Qing Yue was puzzled, unsure of what Bai Jin wanted to say but felt she couldn't take it lightly given Bai Jin's earnestness.