The first kiss came too quickly, like a tornado. It ended just as swiftly, like a summer thunderstorm.
Wang Daxia smacked his lips, still craving more. Never one to follow rules, and with no one around, his courage swelled. He coiled around her like a snake, eager for another try.
Wei Caiwei immediately covered her lips with her palm. Wang Daxia planted a smacking kiss on the back of her hand.
Instantly, Wang Daxia felt as though he had lost ten billion gold coins. "This isn’t fair. My first active kiss was given to your hand."
Wei Caiwei retorted, "Didn’t your first time also go to your hand?"
Ah! Wang Daxia immediately retreated three steps, staring at Wei Caiwei in disbelief—like Xu Xian during the Dragon Boat Festival, witnessing Bai Suzhen transform into a giant white snake after drinking realgar wine!
Wei Caiwei had revealed her true nature as a seasoned player from her past life, no longer the cold, abstinent young widow she once appeared to be.
Wang Daxia was terrified, thinking, I’m worse off than Xu Xian. He fainted on the spot—why am I still standing? I wish I could faint too.
In his extreme embarrassment, Wang Daxia’s mind went blank: Who am I? Where am I? What am I saying?
And who is she?
"Caiwei, you... you... you’re so..." Wang Daxia stammered for a long time, unable to get the words out—like a refined young lady deceived by a wolf in sheep’s clothing, left with a swollen belly and no way to voice her suffering.
How did you know! Did you spy on me!
Wei Caiwei thought to herself: Because you told me so yourself in your previous life.
In their past life, the emasculated Eunuch Wang would sometimes reminisce with Wei Caiwei about the youthful days when Wang Xiaoxia was still around, recalling those dense, eventful years.
Though Eunuch Wang claimed it didn’t matter and he didn’t care—saying that if Wang Xiaoxia had remained, he couldn’t have been with Wei Caiwei and so on—Wei Caiwei could see that he actually wished to have both Xiaoxia and a wife. He truly adored children, especially after turning thirty, when he and Wei Caiwei would often gaze fondly at innocent children, smiling with paternal and maternal affection.
If... if they could have had both, wouldn’t their lives have been better?
Wang Daxia had even tentatively suggested adopting a child, but Wei Caiwei refused. Deep down, she also wanted a child, but if it wasn’t the fruit of their love, she would rather not have one at all.
Because he had lost Xiaoxia, Eunuch Wang cherished every memory and openly shared with her all the intimate moments between Wang Xiaoxia and "Fifth Girl." The lively Wang Xiaoxia, preserved in memory, had once been so active.
Eunuch Wang still missed the days with Wang Xiaoxia and often fantasized about what life would have been like if Xiaoxia were still there, and he and Wei Caiwei could...
Not only that... Wei Caiwei’s gaze fell on Wang Daxia’s right hand.
This was her rival, "Fifth Girl." Wang Daxia was a man of steadfast loyalty. Wang Xiaoxia only acknowledged the right hand; the left hand remained lonely and neglected, never favored.
As the most hidden corner of his heart was exposed under the midday sun, Wang Daxia flinched as if scalded, instinctively hiding his right hand behind his back.
A confession without coercion.
Wei Caiwei smiled. The terror of nearly losing her life in that afternoon’s kidnapping vanished. Given a second chance at life, no matter the hardships, being able to protect Wang Daxia’s five limbs intact and seeing his still-immature self made it all worthwhile.Seeing Wei Caiwei's smile, Wang Daxia felt as if he were looking at a familiar stranger. She seemed to know everything—but why?
She had burst into his life so abruptly. In just five months, his world had turned upside down. Could he have imagined five months ago that he would become a Hundred-Household Commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, converse casually with the emperor, tie up Prince Jing like a lecherous rogue, or even become the subject of rumors with the unattainable Commander Lu?
"Are you... a celestial being or a demon?" Wang Daxia asked.
He even began recalling any small animals he might have saved in the past. "When I was hunting in Xiangshan, I once spared a fox. Are you a fox spirit who transformed into human form to repay my kindness?"
Wang Daxia had heard too many tales of fox spirits repaying favors—helping their benefactors pass imperial exams, attain high ranks, even offering their bodies as companionship, adding romance to late-night studies, and even bearing children for their saviors.
Wei Caiwei observed Wang Daxia's startled expression and knew he was terrified. He had a fatal weakness—he feared ghosts, deeply so. He believed in all those mysterious tales of spirits, demons, and monsters.
Calm down, stay composed, don’t rush. He’s still young; he can’t bear the weight of our shared past from the previous life yet.
Wei Caiwei thus retracted her white snake tail and resumed her usual aloof and detached expression. "Of course I'm human. Have you forgotten? I'm a physician, skilled in gynecology and with some knowledge of andrology. After all, men’s bodies are all alike. When Chen Jingji suffered that injury to his foundation, I was the one who removed the damaged part, sutured it, and applied the medicine. Is it so strange that I know these things?"
Wei Caiwei smoothly covered her tracks.
Wang Daxia breathed a sigh of relief, but he still had doubts. "How did you know I used... that hand?"
At this moment, Wang Daxia’s right hand was still hidden behind his back at his waist. His "Fifth Lady" (right hand) was like a secret mistress unexpectedly running into the lawful wife—shy, timid, and afraid to show her face, terrified of being scratched and beaten by the wife.
Wei Caiwei said, "I guessed. You only have two hands; I had a fifty percent chance of being right. It seems I guessed correctly."
Though Wang Daxia was wearing his Flying Fish Uniform, he felt as if he were naked, completely seen through by Wei Caiwei. His right hand remained frozen behind his back, unmoving.
Wei Caiwei sat on the luohan bed and patted the cushion beside her. "Come sit. I won’t eat you."
Wang Daxia obediently sat down next to her.
Wei Caiwei said, "Could you move a bit—you’re sitting on my tail."
"Ah!"
Wang Daxia let out a shriek, his rear end springing up as if propelled by a coil, jumping three feet high.
Wei Caiwei had never seen such an adorably foolish side of Wang Daxia. Covering her mouth, she burst into laughter. "I told you I’m not some fox spirit. It seems you still don’t believe me."
Outside, Lu Ying, who was inspecting the carriage, heard the commotion and rushed over. "What’s going on?"
Inside the room were only Wei Caiwei, bent over with laughter, and Wang Daxia, his right hand still hidden behind his back.
Lu Ying glared at Wang Daxia. "What are you screaming for? I thought something had happened to you."
Maintaining a rumored relationship was such a hassle—always having to keep an eye on the other person.
Wang Daxia shook his head. "I’m fine, I just... um..."
Wei Caiwei came to his rescue. "I was just joking with him, saying there’s a ghost in the carriage."Wang Daxia was afraid of ghosts. When Lu Ying led people to dig up Miss He's grave on a rainy night, Wang Daxia hid in the carriage, not daring to come out. He was covered in temple amulets and had even stolen a bronze Buddha from the temple for protection!
So Lu Ying believed Wei Caiwei's nonsense. "In broad daylight, there are no ghosts. I've already informed Wang Niqiu that this case will be handled by the Imperial Guard Office. The evidence, including the carriage, will be sent there as well. We'll investigate carefully. Let's go back."
When it came to serious matters, Wang Daxia finally snapped out of his embarrassment. "Until the culprit is found, Doctor Wei remains in danger. What if the kidnappers return? Let me be her personal bodyguard."
Lu Ying said, "You're not entirely safe either. Since you're already staying at my place, Wei Caiwei can come along temporarily. No matter who is behind this, they wouldn't dare lay a hand on anyone in the Lu residence."
That was the safest option. Wang Daxia agreed, "Commander Lu is so considerate, always thinking of the victim. I truly admire you!"
Wang Daxia's flattery didn't sway Lu Ying, who remained focused on the case. "We'll split up. You escort Doctor Wei to the Lu residence. I need to rush back to the office to send a pigeon post to Ding Wu and have someone quickly deliver the White Lotus Sect's evil Precious Scrolls hidden in the carriage. We need to determine if this is the work of the White Lotus Sect."
Lu Ying left in a hurry. Wei Caiwei thanked Commander Wu and Wang Niqiu once more.
Commander Wu, having seen Lu Ying and Wang Daxia emerge from Wei Caiwei's room one after another, pretended not to notice and politely said, "It's my duty. I was just patrolling the streets."
Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei boarded the carriage, escorted by Imperial Guard cavalry. Sitting opposite each other, Wang Daxia remained silent for a while before shifting to sit beside Wei Caiwei, their arms touching. He said:
"Whether you're human or a fox spirit, I accept you. Our three-year agreement stands—no going back. Even if I achieve great success in the future, you can't turn back into a fox and return to the deep mountains, nor can you bear little foxes and run off to continue your lineage. I saved you because I wanted to, not for any repayment."
Wei Caiwei was at a loss for words. "How many ghost and monster stories have you read? I'm human, not a fox spirit. If you don't believe me, hire a Taoist priest to perform rites and sprinkle black dog blood—see if I transform into a fox demon?"
Wang Daxia replied, "If you were a fox spirit, you'd surely have nine tails, a celestial nine-tailed fox." So cunning!
She had brought this upon herself. Wei Caiwei regretted revealing her true, experienced self and had no choice but to roll up her sleeve, exposing the blood-stained bandage on her upper arm to prove her innocence. "Look at my injury. If I were a fox spirit, how could I be so helpless, forced to shed blood as a warning to survive? I'm just an ordinary person."
Seeing Wei Caiwei's jade-like arm, Wang Daxia's eyes instantly sparkled like stars, his gaze slowly tracing every inch of her skin.
Wei Caiwei wasn't shy; she even moved her arm closer. "You can touch it and see if it's fox fur or human skin."
Wang Daxia's face flushed red again, and he turned away with difficulty. "Don't come closer. I'm afraid I might lose control and do something to hurt you."
Wei Caiwei asked, "Do you believe I'm human now?"
Wang Daxia quickly nodded. "I believe you."
Wei Caiwei lowered her sleeve and let out a soft "aiya."
Wang Daxia immediately turned back. "What's wrong? Does your wound still hurt?"Wei Caiwei repeated her old trick, pointing at his foot. "You're stepping on my tail."
Wang Daxia was about to lift his foot but restrained himself just in time—he had almost fallen for it!
Wei Caiwei nodded approvingly. "It seems you've truly stopped overthinking and suspecting me of being a fox spirit."
Wang Daxia stared at her when suddenly his gaze froze, and his breathing quickened.
Wei Caiwei asked, "What's wrong?"
Wang Daxia pointed at her ears. "Your ears... why are they growing fur?"
Wei Caiwei instinctively reached up to touch her ears with both hands.
Wang Daxia immediately jumped up laughing hysterically. "Haha, you fell for it too!"
Author's note: After several intense and thrilling chapters, here's some candy to soothe your nerves~
OpenNovel