296 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Translation: How could she let her daughter bully her disciple, even if Ren Qingyue was just a student to her? But before she could get up, Nangong Yin suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back onto the bed. "The kids have mutual feelings for each other, why are you worrying so much?" Nangong Yin lazily tugged up the quilt and yawned, showing no intention of getting up, "You never had so many rules for yourself. Xiaozhao is three hundred years old, not three. Come on, let's sleep and not disturb them." "You only know how to sleep!" Yan Yuanqing lightly patted Nangong Yin's shoulder. In her heart, whether Yan Zhao was three hundred years old or three, it made no difference. When Yan Zhao was born, she was only as big as two palms, her small face wrinkled, her body soft as if boneless, scenes still vivid like yesterday. How could she let Yan Zhao, still so young, stray off, not knowing anything, and prematurely perform adult rites? If any of them regretted it in the future, who would take responsibility for this confusion? She naturally didn't oppose the kids deepening their emotional bonds by being close, but not like this! Yan Yuanqing, unable to endure it any further, wasn't stopped by Nangong Yin. In the blink of an eye, Yan Yuanqing dressed up and rushed out of the room to knock on Yan Zhao's door. Nangong Yin sighed deeply. Clearly, her body was too exhausted, but she had no choice but to muster strength to get up, dress up, and check next door, preventing Yan Yuanqing from making too much noise. At the time of the knock, Yan Zhao was gently stroking a small fox's belly. The little fox tilted its head, eyes moist and bright, even extending its little tongue to lick Yan Zhao's fingertips. Feeling the wet sensation, Yan Zhao's heart skipped a beat, and she saw a captivating allure in the little fox's slightly raised eyes. If it wasn't a fox, but her senior sister... Just a hint of association made Yan Zhao's heart pound. When the knock came, Yan Zhao withdrew her hand to open the door. The little fox whimpered, hugging Yan Zhao's wrist with a small paw, not wanting her to leave. Yan Zhao patted the little fox's nose, unconsciously lowering her voice, "I'll be back soon." The little fox still wasn't willing to let go, but the knocking continued. Yan Zhao couldn't just ignore it. Somehow, inspired, Yan Zhao suddenly leaned over to give the little fox a peck on the head. The little fox indeed relaxed its paw but raised its neck, tongue gently brushing Yan Zhao's chin. Ever since Ren Qingyue revealed her identity to Yan Zhao, there hadn't been such intimate interactions with the little fox. Such soft obedience reminded her of when they had just met. Actually, it felt even more intimate than when they first met. As Yan Zhao withdrew her hand, leaving the little fox on the bed, she got up to open the door. To her surprise, the one outside was Yan Yuanqing. “A-niang?” Yan Zhao looked puzzled, glancing at the sky, feeling even stranger, “Isn’t it late for sleep?” Yan Yuanqing, having knocked, suddenly felt stuck, unsure how to start the conversation with Yan Zhao. And how to explain she knew what happened inside the room? Faced with Yan Zhao’s innocent bewilderment, Yan Yuanqing swallowed her words multiple times. Suddenly, Yan Zhao felt a movement on her pant leg. Looking down, she saw the little fox had chased to the door, flirtatiously rubbing her ankle. "Why did you run out?" Yan Zhao bent down to pick up the little fox, skillfully stroking its head, while explaining to Yan Yuanqing, "I used the technique A Yin taught me to treat it, and it seems effective." As she spoke, the little fox squirmed in Yan Zhao's arms, restless as ever. Yan Yuanqing silently cast a calming spell, and it closed its eyes and fell into a quiet sleep. Yan Zhao paused, “Huh?” Hesitant for so long, Yan Yuanqing finally chose a middle ground, explaining to Yan Zhao, “That technique is indeed effective for healing the soul, but it also has negative side effects, like making it act strange. Didn’t you notice?” Yan Zhao nodded honestly, “Yes, a little.” It became extraordinarily clingy, unable to stand her leaving even for a moment. “If this happens again, bring it to me or A Yin.” Yan Yuanqing gently reminded Yan Zhao, “Don’t delay, or it could harm its body.” Yan Zhao was taken aback. It didn't matter much if it harmed her own body; she considered herself resilient enough. But if it harmed her senior sister, she would treat the matter seriously. No wonder A-niang forbade her to use this technique to treat her senior sister before. “I understand, A-niang.” Yan Zhao nodded obediently. As Nangong Yin arrived, she overheard the conversation between Yan Yuanqing and Yan Zhao, which brought a smile to her lips. Yan Yuanqing, relieved of her worries, told Yan Zhao, “Alright, it’s time to rest. You should go to sleep too.” After the two mothers left, Yan Zhao closed the door, turned, carrying the little fox back to the bed. She suddenly remembered she hadn’t asked A-niang why she appeared at her door so late. Never mind, it wasn’t too important. Yan Zhao lay sideways on the bed, bringing the little fox into her embrace. The fox’s tail lightly swept across her arm, reminding Yan Zhao of the earlier moments. In the dim room, the little fox's sleeping posture unexpectedly overlapped with her senior sister’s silhouette in slumber. Yan Zhao hugged the little fox tightly, emotions surging. Unable to resist, she stole another quick kiss. Chapter 324 Lying on the bed with the little fox in her arms, Yan Zhao soon felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her. Perhaps it was the drain on her soul’s energy from performing the healing technique that left her feeling exhausted, for she quickly fell into a deep sleep. The night passed soundly, and the next morning she awoke to sunlight filtering through the window, warming her cheek. Her brows flickered, eyelids fluttered, and after a few moments, she finally opened her eyes. Though awake, her mind was still foggy, with a sense of disorientation as if not knowing what day it was. Gradually, as sleep faded, her senses awakened. Yan Zhao felt the little fox’s furry head pressed snugly against her neck. Turning her head slightly, she saw the little fox still sound asleep in her arms. Recalling the events of the night, Yan Zhao felt a mysterious tug in her heart, as if teased by the fox’s paw, prompting her to nuzzle closer to the little fox, rubbing her cheek against its small head. She lingered on the bed for a while longer before becoming fully alert. Lifting the fox with her, she opened the window to look outside, surprised to find it was already mid-morning. "It’s already this late," Yan Zhao murmured to herself. Peeking into the adjacent room through the window, she noted Yan Yuanqing and Nangong Yin’s door was still shut, suggesting they hadn’t awoken. Sitting at her vanity, Yan Zhao placed the soft little fox on her lap and picked up a wooden comb, proceeding to brush her hair herself. Back when her senior sister wasn’t injured, she always did Yan Zhao’s hair for her, which is why Yan Zhao never learned to tie the elegant updos her sister styled. She merely smoothed her hair and tied it with a simple ribbon. Since her mothers hadn’t awakened yet, Yan Zhao pondered for a moment, then dashed over to their room to knock on the door. Shortly, the door swung inward, revealing Yan Yuanqing, disheveled and weary-looking, standing sleepily behind it. "Xiao Zhao?" Yan Yuanqing opened in a drowsy tone, “Why are you up so early?” Yan Zhao blinked: “A-niang, it’s after breakfast, it’s not early.” “Breakfast?” Leaning one hand on the door, the other rubbing her eyes, Yan Yuanqing’s unstoppable sleepiness surged again and again as she stifled yawn after yawn, “Then perhaps we’ll just sleep till the afternoon. Be good, Xiao Zhao, entertain yourself.” “Oh,” Yan Zhao replied. Just as Yan Yuanqing was about to close the door, Yan Zhao asked, “A-niang, do you have bugs in your room?” “Huh?” Yan Yuanqing questioned, reflexively answering, “No? Where are there bugs?” Yan Zhao pointed at her neck earnestly, “A-niang, there are red bumps here as if bitten by bugs. Several of them.” Yan Yuanqing: “…” Sleep fled instantly. Yan Yuanqing quickly tightened her collar, coughing awkwardly as she offered a garbled excuse, “Ah, this, maybe there are.” Yan Zhao, unaware of any anomaly, nodded at her words and added, “Should I ask Elder Dongfang to get some bug repellent ointment for you?” Yan Yuanqing hastily waved a hand, “No need, it’ll be fine soon, don’t worry.” After much effort, Yan Yuanqing finally managed to send Yan Zhao off, and as soon as the door closed, she heard a soft laugh behind her. Turning around, she saw Nangong Yin propped up against the headboard with a pillow. "Well, well, is our world-renowned sword cultivator, Yuanqing Immortal Sovereign, feeling a bit embarrassed?" "..." Yan Yuanqing was speechless. Even someone as thick-skinned as her couldn't bear having her own daughter spot certain tell-tale marks and point them out directly. She had to save some face. Seeing Yan Yuanqing looking defeated was quite amusing to Nangong Yin. In this world, the only one who could make Yan Yuanqing show such an expression was likely Yan Zhao. "You actually dare to laugh at me." As soon as Yan Yuanqing closed the door, her demeanor changed completely. She swooped around to Nangong Yin's side, laying into her arms without another word. "Have you considered who put me in this situation!" "Here, and here!" She parted her collar, showing Nangong Yin the fresh marks one by one. "I don’t know which big bug bit me, and with such ferocity!" Nangong Yin’s ears turned bright red, feeling awkward, she raised her hands in surrender, gently shoving Yan Yuanqing, "Alright, alright, stop it. It's getting late, let's get up." "No, I won't!" Yan Yuanqing refused to budge, laying in Nangong Yin's embrace, "My delicate body and heart have suffered great trauma; I’m unhappy now, you have to comfort me!" Nangong Yin: "..." "Okay, I’ll comfort you." After a moment of thought, Nangong Yin suddenly tilted Yan Yuanqing's chin, placing a soft kiss on her lips. Yan Yuanqing raised her eyelids, unexpectedly falling into a deep, tranquil pool. A smile tugged at Nangong Yin's lips as she softly asked, "How would you like me to comfort you?" As she spoke, one of Nangong Yin’s hands stealthily glided over Yan Yuanqing’s waist. "Like this..." she pinched one spot. "Or..." and then another, "like this?" Nangong Yin asked with a smile, "My dear, which do you prefer?" Yan Yuanqing: "!!!" · After leaving the small courtyard, Yan Zhao went as usual to pay her respects to Su Zijun. The aftermath of the battle at Wanbao Palace had left many issues, and Su Zijun had arisen early to manage them. When Yan Zhao arrived, she was discussing how to address the shortage of medicinal herbs with Yaoshengzi and others, given the numerous wounded disciples. A disciple outside reported Yan Zhao’s visit, and Su Zijun turned to see Yan Zhao entering the hall, cradling the little fox. "Xiaozhao." Su Zijun beckoned her over, asking, "How did you sleep last night?" Yan Zhao greeted her with "Godmother," and replied, "I slept very well, actually woke up late this morning." "Sleeping in is fine once in a while," Su Zijun patted her shoulder, noting the new hairstyle, different from before, she teased, "Is your hair unkempt because you overslept?" Yan Zhao pursed her lips, "My sister used to do it for me, but I can't." Su Zijun paused at her words. Yan Zhao couldn’t do her hair; so had it been Ren Qingyue all these years doing it for her? Inadvertently, Su Zijun recalled the attentive look Ren Qingyue directed at Yan Zhao, and it dawned upon her, a realization hitting her like a revelation. "Your sister is very kind to you," Su Zijun remarked with a smile. Yan Zhao wholeheartedly agreed. Not lingering on the topic, Su Zijun switched subjects, "Why aren’t your two mothers here?" Yan Zhao blinked, and with no reservations, told Su Zijun, "A-niang and A Yin didn’t rest well last night; they’re still sleeping."