Su Su had witnessed the sharpness of the Emei daggers before. She lifted her head to avoid having her skin cut.
"I'm very tired right now, I don't want to fight you," Su Su said. "The fox demon might return. Are you sure you want to stay here?"
With that, she tried to push the Emei daggers away.
Just as Tantai Jin was about to speak, he noticed a change in Su Su's eyes—her expression turned somewhat vacant.
She blinked, and her originally clear black-and-white eyes now showed a faint, eerie purple hue in their pupils.
Tantai Jin suddenly recalled the drop of essence blood the fox demon had flicked into Su Su's brow before leaving.
What exactly was that?
Always wary of the unknown, he prepared to restrain her, only to find that Su Su had grasped the Emei daggers in his hand.
The next moment, a grimy little face pressed against the back of his cold hand.
The light reflected from the snow allowed Tantai Jin to see the look in her eyes clearly.
Her clear eyes now reflected his image.
Su Su gazed at him intently, her eyes filled with tender affection and devotion.
Tantai Jin sneered, "Afflicted by demonic arts—how disgusting."
What else could the essence blood of a thousand-year-old Seven-tailed Fox be? It was obvious.
Tantai Jin had no intention of wasting time with Su Su. Since she was awake, killing her had become nearly impossible.
Night had already fallen. Since he couldn't obtain the fox demon's Demon Core, he needed to leave quickly. Any delay would be too late.
As for Su Su, what would happen to her was entirely beyond his concern.
Just as he tried to rise, the girl snatched the Emei daggers from his hand and, in the next instant, pinned him to the ground.
Pressing down on his shoulders, the girl's light purple eyes shimmered with amusement.
She reversed the Emei daggers and held them against him, whispering in his ear, "Tantai Jin, are you this weak? Or do you simply have no guard up against me?"
Tantai Jin said, "You're asking for death!"
His dark eyes deepened, and a small patterned snake appeared behind her. Tantai Jin let out a cold laugh.
The snake moved silently, lunging toward Su Su.
Tantai Jin watched coldly. Since she wasn't in her right mind, she might as well die. A cruel smile tugged at his lips. Whoever it was, when faced with death and terror, would become ugly and wretched—she would be no exception.
Su Su seemed unaware of the venomous snake behind her. Pressing down on the young man's shoulders, the smile in her purple eyes grew even more pronounced.
Under his indifferent gaze, she suddenly cupped his face and leaned down.
Before Tantai Jin could conceal the malice in his expression, he felt a soft touch against his cheek.
The small snake behind Su Su abruptly froze. With no one controlling it, it clumsily fell from the branch, confused as to why it had been roused from hibernation and thrust into this situation, then fled toward the cave as if its life depended on it.
Su Su, lying on Tantai Jin's chest, suddenly burst into laughter.
Her laughter was clear and crisp, seeming to warm the bamboo grove on that January winter night.
Tantai Jin's expression turned extremely grim.
Killing intent raged in his eyes, but she suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, curling up in his embrace.
"It's okay if you're weak. I'll protect you from now on."
"Get off!" He grabbed the back of her neck, wishing he could strangle her right then and there.
The girl's purple eyes shimmered with a radiant light. Though the color was eerie, on her face, it didn't seem evil but instead added an inexplicable, enchanting beauty.
Su Su rested her chin on his shoulder.
Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of shyness in the quiet winter night, noticeable if one listened carefully.
"I won't. I like you."
"Shut up!" Tantai Jin pressed his lips into a tight line, using force to try and pry her off him.Never before had he harbored so many curses for one person in his heart—despicable and shameless! Degrading and debased! Lewd and filthy...
She was as filthy as that fox sprite!
All for just a drop of essence blood, she had turned into this wretched state.
Su Su’s neck was nearly crushed by his grip. She strained to lift her head, feeling somewhat helpless.
Yet, she couldn’t help but want to laugh.
Both of them were now covered in mud from the swamp. With her hands pressed against Tantai Jin’s chest, she gasped for breath and complained, “Hey, if you keep choking me, I’ll really die.”
The hand around her neck paused for a moment. She saw a cold smirk curl at the corner of Tantai Jin’s lips.
Su Su’s hand gently touched his face—
Right where she had kissed him.
“Tantai Jin, stop liking Ye Bingshang. Like me instead,” she said with a laugh, a little embarrassed. But the young girl mustered her courage, her cheeks flushed, and declared, “She doesn’t love you—she’s someone else’s wife now. I’ll love you very much. I won’t let you suffer anymore, and I won’t let anyone bully you. I’ll even give you lots of children. How does that sound?”
The next moment, the young man shoved her off him.
His lips were pale, whether from anger or hatred, it was unclear.
“You’re dreaming!”
Su Su rubbed her sore elbow, then pressed a hand to her chest, feeling as if this sudden surge of affection was too overwhelming to contain.
It seemed she had never liked someone so intensely before—like a moth drawn to a flame, she longed to draw closer to him.
But before she could approach, several cold, sharp arrows landed at her feet. Su Su’s instinct for danger was still intact. She quickly retreated a few steps, stumbling and falling onto the snowy ground.
From the bamboo grove, several shadowy figures in black emerged one after another.
They knelt before Tantai Jin. “Your Highness, we apologize for our delay.”
The leader glanced at Su Su. “Shall we kill her?”
Tantai Jin looked down at Su Su with cold indifference.
The young girl’s face was filled with confusion and a hint of grievance as she stared back at him.
Rage churned within him, and he said curtly, “Take her with us!”
The man in black exclaimed in surprise, “Your Highness?” How could they bring an unfamiliar young girl with them on their return to the Zhou Kingdom?
Tantai Jin curled his lips into a cold smile. “She is Ye Xiao’s only legitimate daughter. Bring her along. If necessary, kill her to intimidate Ye Xiao.”
“As you command, Your Highness.”
Outnumbered and overpowered by the highly skilled men in black, Su Su was quickly tied up.
As the fox sprite’s essence blood dissipated, the light purple in her eyes gradually faded until she finally lost consciousness.
By the time the group disappeared into the forest, the yellow-clad fox sprite stepped out.
It licked its paw and spoke in a human voice, “How amusing.”
That drop of essence blood was supposed to make one sincerely believe the person before them was their true love, with an added lustful effect. Yet, that girl had merely kissed Tantai Jin and joyfully confessed her feelings, even vowing to protect him.
Such simple, fervent love—even if it was a fleeting illusion—would likely move anyone’s heart.
What a pity she had directed it at that young man in black.
Ye Bingshang saw Xiao Lin land in the courtyard and hurried over to him. “Your Highness, what happened to you?”
Xiao Lin opened his eyes.
A faint rustling sound came from the air. Xiao Lin raised his hand, shielding Ye Bingshang behind him.
The next moment, Yu Qing fell from the sky.
Yu Qing landed hard, the impact jolting him awake.
He let out a pained cry, “My back!”
Startled by his sudden descent, Ye Bingshang gently tugged at Xiao Lin’s sleeve and asked uneasily, “Your Highness, what is going on?”Xiao Lin said guiltily, "Something happened after court adjourned, making you worry."
Ye Bingshang smiled gently, "The captain of the guards told me. I'm just glad you're safe."
She looked at Yu Qing, "And this is?"
Xiao Lin didn't hide it from her, "My junior brother, Yu Qing."
Yu Qing, who had just managed to control his grimacing expression, opened his folding fan upon seeing Ye Bingshang and resumed his elegant young master demeanor.
The two exchanged greetings.
"Yu Qing, wait for me in the main hall," Xiao Lin said.
Yu Qing knew Xiao Lin had something to discuss. His senior brother's concubine was delicate—last time with the nightmare demon incident, she had been badly frightened. Likely, Xiao Lin wanted to discuss the Seven-tailed Fox privately to avoid scaring her.
Once Yu Qing left, Xiao Lin said to Ye Bingshang, "Come."
He took her hand and led her to sit in the pavilion.
The sky had turned ink-blue, and the lanterns in the estate were still lit.
Xiao Lin took out a brocade box from his sleeve and said tenderly, "Open it."
Ye Bingshang opened it, and a small, adorable wooden bird popped out. Surprisingly, it flapped its wings and flew up, singing as it went.
Ye Bingshang was stunned, looking at Xiao Lin in surprise.
Xiao Lin's appearance and temperament were like an exiled immortal—it was hard to imagine he would have such thoughts, specifically to please her.
Xiao Lin coughed lightly and said, "A few days ago in the palace, I saw Ninth Sister with these delicate little toys. She said girls like them. So I went and found one too. Do you like it?"
Ye Bingshang nodded with a smile.
Xiao Lin said, "I'm sorry. Since marrying you, I've rarely been with you."
"I understand your intentions, Your Highness," Ye Bingshang said softly. "I don't ask for much—just to be with you forever is enough."
She had married a husband skilled in both civil and military affairs; naturally, he couldn't be confined to the rear courtyard all day.
Moreover, Xiao Lin's rear courtyard had no concubines or maidservants. Countless women in the imperial city envied Ye Bingshang.
"Chang'er," Xiao Lin hesitated for a moment before advising, "Go out less recently. If you want to go out, have the hidden guards accompany you."
"Has something happened?"
"The emperor of Zhou Kingdom has passed away. The one who ascended the throne is the third prince of Zhou Kingdom."
Ye Bingshang's eyes widened slightly.
Xiao Lin said, "The new emperor is ambitious and has stationed troops at the border. I'm afraid war will break out soon."
Yu Qing took a sip of tea and clicked his tongue, "Finally willing to deal with this lonely soul? If you hadn't come soon, I'd have sat here till the oil dried up and the lamp went out."
"Sorry to keep you waiting, junior brother."
"Enough, enough, cut the formalities. Is your concubine asleep?"
Xiao Lin nodded.
Yu Qing looked Xiao Lin over and smirked mischievously, "You're not this rigid and boring in bed too, are you?"
Xiao Lin glanced at him, a faint smile on his lips.
Yu Qing raised his hands, "Alright, alright, I won't say anymore. Speaking of which, weren't we in the swamp? How did we get back to your estate? I almost thought I'd die there today."
"Wasn't it you who brought us back?" Xiao Lin asked.
"I don't have that ability!"
Who it was went without saying. Yu Qing said, "Where's Third Miss Ye?"
Xiao Lin shook his head, his expression grave.
Yu Qing said, "She probably escaped. If she had the ability to send us away, she must have left too."
Xiao Lin was still uneasy and sent someone to discreetly check if Third Miss Ye had returned to her estate.
"What about the Seven-tailed Fox? Let me say this first—I can't handle it. Whoever wants to go can go; I'm not going again!""Of course, I won't make you go again," Xiao Lin said. "There's only one person who can deal with the fox sprite now. Junior Brother, I must trouble you to find Uncle Ji."
Yu Qing gritted his teeth. "That old man Ji has already retired to seclusion. Where am I supposed to find him?"
Xiao Lin took a sip of tea and smiled gently. "But doesn't Junior Sister Rong like you? She should be able to lead you to her father."
Yu Qing spat disdainfully. "I'm not going to see that little chili pepper."
He had finally managed to escape and become a retainer for the rival prince of his senior brother in the imperial city—how impressive was that? He had no desire to run around the mountains with a wild girl catching pheasants.
Xiao Lin raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Junior Brother's issues could be cured by Junior Sister Rong giving him a couple of beatings. If two weren't enough, a few more would surely do the trick.
Yu Qing asked, "Are we really going to war?"
Xiao Lin nodded.
"The new emperor of Zhou Kingdom certainly has courage. But isn't Tantai Jin still a hostage in our court? Isn't the new emperor afraid we'll kill his brother?"
"Royal families have never been sentimental," Xiao Lin replied.
"True. I heard the new emperor has nearly killed off all the princes and princesses of Zhou Kingdom."
"His Majesty sent people to capture the hostage today."
Yu Qing, crossing his legs, recalled the young man who had nearly crawled between Prince Zhao's legs. "That guy is pretty pathetic and utterly incompetent. Prince Zhao detests him to the core—I bet he'd love to personally chop off his head when the time comes."
"No, His Majesty didn't find him," Xiao Lin said gravely. "Junior Brother, don't underestimate the enemy. Tantai Jin is a formidable character."
"You mean he escaped in advance?" Yu Qing's expression turned strange, as if he'd seen a ghost. News from Zhou Kingdom had only arrived today, yet Tantai Jin's information was somehow faster than theirs.
Xiao Lin nodded. He had intended to tell Su Su today, but there hadn't been time. He wondered how she would feel when she learned the news.
"How could he possibly leave Xia Kingdom? A hostage who grew up in the cold palace—where did he get such influence?"
"I don't know either," Xiao Lin said.
And that was precisely what made that man terrifying.
The winter night was windy at the ferry.
When Su Su woke up bound, everything was dark. The person beside her immediately shoved her. "Stay still."
It was a woman's voice.
Su Su recalled what had happened after the fox sprite's essence entered her body and felt utterly hopeless. She gritted her teeth—damn that seven-tailed fox!
She had actually confessed to Tantai Jin and even kissed him!
Remembering the intense feeling of adoration she had for Tantai Jin at that time was absolutely horrifying.
The more severe consequence was that she was now tied up, blindfolded, and had no idea where she was.
Hearing the wind, Su Su sensed they were in a windy area. The woman pushed her forward.
After walking for an unknown distance, the group stopped.
People around them knelt with a rustling sound, exclaiming excitedly, "Your Highness!"
Su Su was kicked by someone and forced to kneel. She kept her composure. Though unclear about the specifics, the situation was obviously very bad.
Su Su tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
Familiar footsteps crunched on the snow. Someone said, "Your Highness, your lady is waiting for you."
Soon, a woman's voice called out, "Your Highness!"
She seemed to be walking against the wind, her voice fragmented by the gusts. "You've suffered all these years."
Tantai Jin replied, "It's nothing."
The woman looked at the blindfolded Su Su. "And she is..."
Su Su heard Tantai Jin's cold voice. "Ye Xiao's legitimate daughter."The woman murmured, "So she's that old scoundrel's daughter. What a generous gift."
Then, as if recalling something, she said with complexity in her tone, "I heard His Highness seems to have married Third Miss Ye."
If Su Su were truly brought back to the Zhou Kingdom, she would undoubtedly die—whether by whose hands, it would be inevitable.
"A fitting death is all that matters," Tantai Jin said.
Su Su couldn't see his expression, but she felt his voice was colder than a winter night's wind. She sighed inwardly; fortunately, the Sprite fox blood's influence was only temporary. Otherwise, if she had genuinely grown fond of him, she didn't know how heartbroken she would be.
She remained relatively calm, analyzing her own situation.
So many people addressed Tantai Jin as "Your Highness" with respect—he definitely wasn't from the Xia Kingdom. Could it be... he was from the Zhou Kingdom?
What did the people of Zhou Kingdom want to do?
Soon, Su Su was taken aboard a ship. Her heart sank as she understood: Tantai Jin was probably returning to the Zhou Kingdom. If he went back, she, as the daughter of an enemy general, absolutely couldn't go with him!
And who was that composed female voice?
"Your Highness, where should we imprison Third Miss Ye?"
Tantai Jin paused mid-step and glanced back at Su Su.
The young girl's cheeks were porcelain fair, and the black silk ribbon over her eyes accentuated her serene demeanor. Her lips were rosy—she didn't seem frightened at all. Truly, the more one looked, the more detestable she appeared.
He sat in a chair, staring coldly at her for several seconds.
Seeing Tantai Jin remain silent, his subordinate had no choice but to repeat the question. "Your Highness, Third Miss..."
"Anywhere," he snapped impatiently. "Why ask me?"
Su Su realized the ship was about to depart. Before being dragged away, she spoke up, "Tantai Jin, don't take what I said earlier seriously. I don't know what came over me either."
His expression remained cold, and he said nothing.
Hearing no response from him, Su Su thought to herself, I overthought it. Everyone knows fox Sprites excel at bewitching minds—he probably doesn't care anyway.
The moment she stepped over the threshold.
Tantai Jin suddenly spoke coldly, "Throw her in the warehouse—the filthiest, coldest, foulest one."
Su Su: "..."
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