284 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Halfway through her speech, she shifted her tone: "However, the disturbances in the Demon Palace remain unresolved, and the fate of the Fox Queen is uncertain. Please bear with us for a while longer; once I've managed the affairs of the Demon Palace, I shall provide you with an answer." Upon hearing this, Qing Yue responded, "Ya Zhao and I have already escorted the Fox Queen out of the Demon Palace." Tu Shan Han Zhi looked at her, asking, "Where is the Fox Queen now, and how is her condition?" Qing Yue replied, "She's in a poisoned coma, but the poison's origin is unknown. At the moment, Ya Zhao and I have settled her in Qing Ming Mountain." "Qing Ming Mountain..." Tu Shan Han Zhi was quite surprised. Qing Ming Mountain was a considerable distance from the Demon Palace, requiring at least ten to fifteen days for a round trip. Qing Yue candidly added, "Ya Zhao possesses a magical artifact, known as the Heavenly Scroll." Tu Shan Han Zhi suddenly understood. "I see." "In that case, I must trouble you to bring the Fox Queen back." Tu Shan Han Zhi sighed, "The upheaval in the palace caught us off guard. Let's first examine the extent of the Fox Queen's injuries." Qing Yue nodded in agreement. As everyone prepared to leave Qing Shuang Residence, Yan Zhao suddenly spoke up, "Could I take a look at the ancient texts about shaman healing arts?" She directed this question to Tu Shan Han Zhi. Tu Shan Han Zhi paused, her eyes scanning Yan Zhao's face before she frowned, "Though you indeed have such a talent, you're ultimately not one of us. The ancient secrets of the demon tribe cannot be shared outside; I hope you understand." The refusal was expected, and though Yan Zhao felt disappointed, she didn't persist. At this moment, the voice of Nan Gong Yin rang in their ears, "Since the ancient texts of Qing Qiu cannot be shared with outsiders, what if one becomes an insider?" A question mark appeared on Tu Shan Han Zhi's forehead, "An insider?" "To be honest, there is another reason for my visit to Qing Qiu." Nan Gong Yin spoke candidly, "I wish to propose marriage on behalf of my daughter." Tu Shan Han Zhi was even more confused. "Propose marriage?" Nan Gong Yin brought Yan Zhao to her side with one hand, while the other rested on Qing Yue's shoulder, bringing them closer together. "Isn't the young mistress of our demon tribe quite a match for your Qing Qiu Imperial Princess?" Chapter 310 "......" Tu Shan Han Zhi and Bai Qing Cang both fell into silence. Jiang Ying showed a subtle expression, while Lei Shuang leapt up, cheering loudly, "A perfect match! Absolutely perfect!" Hearing this, Yan Zhao beamed with happiness, completely forgetting her earlier desire to obtain the demon tribe's secrets. Her mind was now filled with the idea of A Yin seeking a proposal for her with her senior sister. She stealthily glanced at the person beside her, noticing Qing Yue gently pursing her lips, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Yet she didn't voice her stance, neither consenting nor outright rejecting. From Tu Shan Han Zhi's experienced perspective, she immediately grasped the sentiment conveyed by Qing Yue's demeanor—a daughter smitten, making her feel overwhelmed. "But, but both are women," Tu Shan Han Zhi stammered. Nan Gong Yin was about to argue when Tu Shan Han Zhi continued, "It's not that women can't become couples, but here in Qing Qiu, the royal lineage cannot ignore the issue of heirs. Now that Tu Shan Yu is deposed, the Fox Queen's only child is Feng'er. Honored Demon Lord, please don't press for the impossible." Qing Yue's cheeks lost all color, her expression turning pale and restrained, while Nan Gong Yin and the others fell into contemplation. At this point, Yan Zhao blinked in confusion, "Mother and A Yin had me, they didn't end their lineage. Can’t my senior sister and I have our own little fox?" Tu Shan Han Zhi felt quite embarrassed, thinking this child is truly bold and speaks without restraint. Yet she remained firm in her stance, "But your case is an exception, it can't guarantee the same outcome for others. Our Tu Shan clan cannot take this risk." Before Yan Zhao could argue further, Qing Yue reached out to stop her. Meeting Yan Zhao's puzzled gaze, Qing Yue shook her head, her expression somber, signaling her not to continue. Ever since she decided to return to Qing Qiu and confront her original identity, she knew she would have to shoulder the responsibilities of being the Imperial Princess of Qing Qiu. She anticipated resistance to Nan Gong Yin's marriage proposal to Qing Qiu—it could stem from various reasons, like the historical grievances between the demon and mystical tribes. But she hadn't expected the true obstacle to arise from her own identity. Qing Yue, disheartened, felt the spark of hope ignited by her master's and Nan Gong Yin's support instantaneously extinguished by reality. She felt lost, unsure of her path. Yan Zhao too hung her head, silent. Seeing this, Tu Shan Han Zhi offered, "Given your efforts in aiding Qing Qiu, we're grateful. Let us first assess the Fox Queen's condition. Once she awakens, I will acknowledge your achievements and propose access to ancient texts for Yan Zhao." As Qing Qiu was unwilling to allow Yan Zhao and Qing Yue's marriage, Tu Shan Han Zhi stepped back, agreeing to offer the ancient texts to dissuade Nan Gong Yin from further matchmaking efforts. With her proposal to her senior sister rejected, Yan Zhao felt dejected—the significance of reading the ancient texts paled in comparison. Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying looked displeased, but Nan Gong Yin, yet to voice her thoughts, signaled for them to hold their complaints. Nan Gong Yin, touching her chin, seemed deep in thought. What kind of knowledge had Su Zi Jun shared with Yan Yuan Qing regarding the method for two women to have a child? Instead of blocking, perhaps addressing the concern directly was better. If the root problem for rejecting the marriage was ensuring a royal heir, would having Yan Zhao and Qing Yue bear a child resolve the issue? Unaware of Nan Gong Yin's thoughts, Tu Shan Han Zhi assumed her earnest words had been understood. "Princess Feng," Tu Shan Han Zhi turned to Qing Yue, "Please return the Fox Queen to Qing Yao Palace." Coming to her senses, Qing Yue resisted her tumultuous emotions, agreeing, "Alright." She turned to Yan Zhao, "Ya Zhao, may I borrow the Heavenly Scroll?" Yan Zhao puffed up her cheeks, her expression serious, "I want to accompany senior sister." "You've already exhausted yourself twice with spellcasting; you should stay and rest, besides spending time with Senior Nan Gong whose injuries just healed," Qing Yue advised, "The round trip to Qing Ming Mountain won't take long. I'll be back soon." Yan Zhao was reluctant; they had always acted as a pair, rarely separating like this. About to argue, she sensed Qing Yue's resolve, "Ya Zhao." Her instincts warned her that disobeying might upset her senior sister. Perhaps upset wasn't the right term, but she sensed her sister wasn't in the best mood. Yan Zhao lowered her eyes, retrieving the Heavenly Scroll from her mystical pouch to hand to Qing Yue. Receiving the scroll, Qing Yue began chanting a spell. Bright golden light enveloped her, and in an instant, she vanished from sight. Yan Zhao's heart thudded heavily. She had been inseparable from her senior sister for over three years, always together, even when her sister transformed into a little fox. The only prior separation was when her sister escorted the Fox Emperor back to the demon realm. Again, it was the demon realm's people hindering her and her sister from being together. A sense of resentment towards this place and its people began to brew in Yan Zhao's heart. Could she simply steal her senior sister away to the demon realm? But then, her sister would be separated from the Fox Queen. Yan Zhao, having experienced the pain of separation from her birth mother, knew it wasn't right. Troublesome. Why not take the Fox Queen too and let whoever wants the Qing Qiu throne have it. Lost in thought, Tu Shan Han Zhi's attendants came to escort Nan Gong Yin and her party to rest in a side hall of Qing Yao Palace. After the Crown Prince's capture, order quickly restored in the Demon Palace. Those who sided with the Crown Prince surrendered without much resistance at the sight of Bai Qing Cang and Tu Shan Han Zhi, willingly accepting punishment. Yan Zhao remained outside the side hall, gloomy, refusing to go inside. She hugged her knees, sitting at the corridor's edge, staring towards the Qing Yao Palace's main hall, wondering if her sister had returned with the Fox Queen. Behind her, the wooden floor creaked softly, indicating someone's approach. But Yan Zhao didn't turn. Soon, the figure settled beside her, speaking in a gentle voice, "What's wrong? Zhaor, what's on your mind?" It was Nan Gong Yin. Jiang Ying and Lei Shuang weren't nearby, likely sent for a break. Hearing this, Yan Zhao didn't respond. It had been a long while since she'd ignored someone in conversation like this. Nan Gong Yin recalled when she first met Yan Zhao, as she had been similarly silent. At some point, Yan Zhao began to speak more, willing to communicate with her, almost forgetting Yan Zhao's initial silent demeanor. "Are you thinking about Qing Yue?" Nan Gong Yin propped her chin with her hand, gazing into the distance along with Yan Zhao. This time, Yan Zhao nodded gloomily, "Yes." Nan Gong Yin tilted her head and asked, "Do you wish to become Dao partners with Qing Yue?" Yan Zhao didn't hesitate, "I do." Nan Gong Yin then inquired again, "Will your affection for Qing Yue waver because of these setbacks and obstacles?" Yan Zhao turned to meet Nan Gong Yin's eyes, "It won't." "In that case, what's there to fret about?" From somewhere, Nan Gong Yin produced a tea set, placing it before them. She gestured to harness the essence of the world, transforming it into a clear stream to fill the teapot. Once the water boiled, she brewed a pot of tea, pouring it into two small cups, handing one to Yan Zhao. She asked Yan Zhao, "Did Yuan Qing ever tell you about our past?" Yan Zhao's lashes fluttered as she replied, "No." Mother only mentioned meeting A Yin for the first time in the ruins of the Nine Nether, rescuing her from a pile of corpses while she still drew breath. As for how Nan Gong Yin and Yan Yuan Qing came to know and love each other, Yan Yuan Qing never elaborated. Nan Gong Yin held her cup, eyes reflecting nostalgia, as she began her story, "When I met Yuan Qing, she was already renowned, legends of her spanned the three realms." Yan Yuan Qing, creator of the Yuan Qing sword technique, had ascended beyond the void and found Celestial realms dull. With her sword, she broke through the Heavenly Gate, defeating one hundred and eight celestial generals, returning to the human world. Thereafter, she wandered the three realms, favored by destiny, going wherever she pleased. Initially, she just acted on a whim, saving Nan Gong Yin's life out of kindness. Later, she found Nan Gong Yin, a member of the demon tribe, quite intriguing. Whatever Yuan Qing offered, Nan Gong Yin accepted without hesitation—she even drank poisonous concoctions Yuan Qing intentionally gave her, totally unlike the scheming nature typical of demons. Yan Zhao, captured by Nan Gong Yin's story, had her curiosity piqued and eyes sparkling, eager to hear more. "Yan Yuan Qing, you could say she is aloof and indifferent, unapproachable. Yet she casually rescued a blood demon at death's door. But if you think she is truly kind-hearted, you're gravely mistaken." "Isn't mother kind?" Yan Zhao blinked, puzzled by Nan Gong Yin's words. "She possesses great character," Nan Gong Yin sighed, a complex expression on her face. "But at the same time, she's carefree and unbound by rules, both man-made and divine." Yan Yuan Qing's soul was serene, her heart unburdened. She roamed freely across the three realms, living untethered. After staying in the demon realm for a time and gathering the materials she needed, she simply discarded Nan Gong Yin. The way she picked her up was how she discarded her, dusting off her sleeves, ready to return to the human realm. For the first time in her life, Yan Yuan Qing faced a setback when Nan Gong Yin ambushed her at the Cold Nether Hill. Yan Zhao's eyes widened in surprise, "Wow." This twist in the tale was truly unexpected. When Yan Yuan Qing awoke, she found herself bound like a cocoon and tossed into the cave she'd been residing in the demon realm, while Nan Gong Yin sat at her bedside with a blank expression, going through her mystical pouch, examining its contents one by one. "And then what happened?" Yan Zhao asked. How did mother and A Yin not become enemies after all this?