Chapter 32: A Fox Spirit Ahead, a Ghostly Maiden Behind

Fox Den.

The stone chamber was brightly lit. Tu Shan Xue wore a simple dress in pale colors, her hair styled in twin rings, and on her feet, a pair of pearl-embroidered satin shoes. She appeared exquisitely beautiful, carrying a natural charm unique to her kind.

The Fox King had arranged for her to serve Xu Xuan tonight, and the little fox, overjoyed, readily agreed.

Xu Xuan was not only her savior, but that of the entire tribe, having risked offending the Old Ancestor of the Black Clouds for their sake.

Such a debt of gratitude was immeasurable; even if Xu Xuan asked her to warm his bed, Tu Shan Xue would not utter a single word of refusal.

She helped Xu Xuan make his bed and smiled, saying, “Benefactor, it's getting late. You should rest.”

Xu Xuan nodded and walked to the bedside, where Tu Shan Xue unexpectedly assisted him in removing his outer robe and shoes, then lifted the quilt, inviting him to lie down.

As soon as Xu Xuan sat on the bed, Tu Shan Xue fetched a basin of warm water and placed it at his feet.

She knelt gracefully, her slender jade hands cradling Xu Xuan's feet and placing them gently into the water.

This little fox maiden personally washed his feet, and from above, Xu Xuan’s gaze was inevitably drawn to her alluring figure.

“Benefactor, is the water temperature comfortable?”

At that moment, Tu Shan Xue looked up and asked, locking eyes with him. Xu Xuan found himself embarrassed.

Seeing his awkwardness, Tu Shan Xue pressed her lips into a smile, a hint of delight in her expression.

These were tasks Xu Xuan could have done himself, but her earnest care was hard to refuse, lest he hurt the little fox’s feelings. In the end, he could only let her have her way.

“Thank you, Miss Tu Shan,” Xu Xuan said after his feet were washed, settling under the quilt and offering his gratitude to Tu Shan Xue, who stood by the bed.

“Benefactor, you needn't thank me. The Fox King asked me to serve you; it’s my duty. And you may call me Xue’er from now on.”

Tu Shan Xue waved her hand and gave him a sweet smile.

“Very well, I’ll call you Xue’er from now on. You needn’t call me ‘Benefactor’ every time. If you don’t mind, just call me Brother Xu.”

Though the little fox’s true age far exceeded Xu Xuan’s, the lifespan of the demon clans was so long that, in comparison, Tu Shan Xue was indeed younger.

“As you wish, Brother Xu.”

“Xue’er, if there’s nothing else, you should get some rest as well.”

Seeing that Tu Shan Xue had no intention of leaving, Xu Xuan was forced to gently ask her to go.

A man and a woman alone in a room, especially when the woman was a fox maiden, born with an enchanting allure that men found irresistible.

Xu Xuan, however, could not break his vow, and besides, there was a female spectator hidden in the yellow gourd.

If anything were to happen between him and Tu Shan Xue, he would immediately experience the mortification of social death.

“Brother Xu, actually... actually, Xue’er could... could stay with you tonight...”

Tu Shan Xue lowered her head shyly, speaking in halting fragments, standing nervously by the bed with her cheeks quietly flushed.

Hearing this, Xu Xuan’s head spun; what he feared most was happening.

A fox maiden with such natural allure—few men could resist her charms.

Yet Xu Xuan could not break his vow now; even if a celestial beauty stood before him, he would have to remain a monk.

“Well... Xue’er, I’m rather tired tonight. I’d like to rest early. You should go to sleep, too.”

Xu Xuan could only gently refuse her, but dared not meet her eyes, fearing he might hurt her feelings—or worse, that she might misunderstand and think he despised her.

“Brother Xu, I...”

Tu Shan Xue seemed about to say more, but swallowed her words and, after a gracious bow, left with a face full of disappointment.

It was a somewhat abrupt scene, but Xu Xuan didn’t dwell on it. Her departure, in fact, brought him relief.

He did not know that Tu Shan Xue’s retreat was entirely thanks to Zhao Jin Qian.

As the saying goes, people have their words, beasts their speech; mountain spirits and ghosts possess unique ways to communicate, able to conceal their talk from Xu Xuan.

Originally, Tu Shan Xue intended to remain and serve him, but Zhao Jin Qian angrily drove her off.

“You little chit, not much to look at, but you sure have high hopes. Be sensible and leave at once. My husband is not someone you can hope to win over.”

Zhao Jin Qian assumed the posture of a mistress, directly calling Xu Xuan her husband, which startled Tu Shan Xue.

Only now did she realize Xu Xuan had a woman at his side. Brother Xu, who seemed a gentleman, was fond of hiding beauties away.

Chided by Zhao Jin Qian, Tu Shan Xue felt like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, hurriedly apologizing, “Please don’t be angry, madam. The Fox King asked me to serve him tonight; I only wanted Brother Xu to be comfortable.”

“Hmph! Even thinking of it is a crime. If you have such thoughts again, beware—I won’t be so gentle next time.”

The more Zhao Jin Qian looked at Tu Shan Xue, the more she saw her as a wanton servant, a shameless vixen. Fortunately, her young master was a gentleman, or else how could he resist such temptations?

But then she thought: having ruined her young master’s opportunity, would he be unhappy?

If he was, perhaps she could fill the vacant role herself.

With this in mind, Zhao Jin Qian immediately revealed herself. She was tall and strikingly beautiful, her face always tinged with a delicate pallor that invited one to hold her close and protect her.

Xu Xuan was about to sleep when he suddenly saw Zhao Jin Qian appear. Yet tonight she seemed different from usual.

In a word: she didn’t look like someone with good intentions.

Perhaps it was the wine she’d drunk—her pale cheeks now burned with a shy red.

“Young master, I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d talk with you.”

Taking advantage of her tipsiness, Zhao Jin Qian bit her rosy lips in a bashful gesture, like a thief caught in the act.

Xu Xuan was momentarily stunned, unsure what tricks she was up to.

But gazing at her lovely face, an image flashed in his mind—a wicked smile reminiscent of Hong Shi Xian.

“Why are you up so late? What do you want to talk about?”

Xu Xuan smiled at Zhao Jin Qian, curious to see what she intended.

“Young master, now that the little fox has left, aren’t you feeling a bit disappointed?”

“Disappointed? A little, I suppose,” Xu Xuan admitted with a sigh. But what could he do? He was bound by his vow.

“You needn’t be disappointed, young master. In truth, whatever that little fox could do, I... I can do as well.”

“???”

Just as Xu Xuan was bewildered, Zhao Jin Qian suddenly lifted the quilt and slipped into the bed.

A delicate fragrance filled his nose, leaving Xu Xuan stunned, his body tense and uncertain how to respond.

This girl was surprisingly bold after drinking.

At this moment, Xu Xuan felt utterly helpless—one fox spirit had just left, and now a female ghost arrived. Was there no end to this torment?

Sensing the change in his body, Zhao Jin Qian giggled softly, her breath warm as she whispered, “Young master, tonight Jin Qian can stay with you, too.”

With things at this point, there was nothing left but to play dead.

“Snore... snore...”

“Young master, are you listening?”

“Snore... snore...”

“Are you asleep?”

“Snore... snore...”

“How can you fall asleep so quickly?”

“......”