The Crazy Fox Demon Devours My Heart - Chapter 16

Qingyu woke up in the lakeside courtyard. Fuyin had already prepared the washing set.

“Is your wound feeling better?” Qingyu asked, picking up a towel to wash her face and hands.

“Much better. The medicine the Young Master gave me works really well.” Fuyin had felt her wound greatly improved since morning.

When Qingyu finished washing, Fuyin immediately stepped forward to tidy up.
Qingyu stopped her, drying her hands with a clean towel. “Be careful. Don’t let your wound touch water.” Then she rolled up her sleeves and lifted the basin to pour the water out herself.

Just as she stepped outside, two women came toward her.

They were both breathtakingly beautiful, their figures graceful and alluring.

The two bowed gracefully. “This servant, Night Butterfly. This servant, Water Lotus. We greet Your Highness, Princess.”

“Grandmother sent us to serve you.”

Qingyu walked past them and poured the water into the flowers. “I don’t need anyone to serve me.”

Fuyin, seeing the two lovely faces, grew wary. “The princess has me to attend her—there’s no need for you!”

Even though they were rejected, the two women did not leave and continued standing by the door.

Night Butterfly’s eyes flicked toward the basin in Qingyu’s hands, and a trace of contempt appeared in her gaze. What kind of mistress carries her own water?
And her maid looked more like the master, just standing there doing nothing.
Clearly, this so-called princess wasn’t much of one—she even let a servant boss her around.

Water Lotus, seeing Qingyu pour the water herself, quickly stepped forward to take the basin. “Your Highness, allow this servant. Please, the side hall is ready—the morning meal has been prepared.”

Night Butterfly didn’t move. She and Water Lotus had been carefully chosen to serve the Grand Elder; being around her was an opportunity for advancement.

Besides, the Grand Elder had deliberately sent them here—surely not only to serve.
The Young Master still had no maids by his side. If she could get closer to him, maybe she could stay by his side permanently.

The fox clan was born with seductive charm—they never shied away from such things. Compared to her, this princess looked dull and prudish, utterly lacking allure.

Just thinking of that face like a carved jade crown made Night Butterfly’s heart flutter.

She shot Water Lotus a glare—if the girl wanted to do menial work, let her.

Qingyu observed the pair’s expressions. It seemed they were determined to stay. Whether she wanted them or not, they would probably refuse to leave.
And even if she dismissed them, another pair would surely be sent in their place.

So she simply ignored them.

Inside the room, Fuyin was helping Qingyu dress and whispered at her ear, “Princess, are you really going to keep them here?”

Qingyu, holding the comb and slowly running it through her hair, said calmly, “Since they wish to serve, let them stay. That way, you’ll have less to do.”

The Grand Elder likely hadn’t sent them merely to attend her—serving was the excuse, surveillance the real purpose. Refusing them outright wasn’t an option.
Having two extra pairs of eyes around would make things inconvenient, but she would find a way to deal with them later.

Fuyin, seeing her princess so unconcerned, grew anxious. Those two were far too beautiful to be ordinary maids—especially that Night Butterfly, with her sultry eyes and seductive manner. She was clearly sent to compete for favor!

They weren’t even married yet, and already such vixens were being sent over. Unacceptable! She would have to watch these fox spirits carefully!

When Qingyu finished dressing and went to the side hall for breakfast, Fuyin followed close behind, blocking Night Butterfly and Water Lotus at the door.

The table was covered with an exquisite spread—three-delicacy meatballs, shredded pork tripe, steamed fish, crystal dragon-phoenix cakes, and tofu soup with greens, alongside several colorful side dishes.

Night Butterfly, stuck outside as doorkeeper, was displeased—until she saw someone approaching.

He wore a black robe embroidered with lotus patterns, a dark-red cloud-patterned belt cinching his waist, and a piece of warm white jade hung at his neck. When he came closer, she realized—it was the Young Master himself!

She quickly smoothed her hair, adjusted her expression, and gave a delicate curtsy. “Young Master…”

Hu Yan strode through the threshold without even glancing at the two maids. As soon as he entered, his gaze locked onto Qingyu—like a hunter sighting prey.

Night Butterfly froze in disbelief at being completely ignored. Her teeth clenched.
He must not have noticed me, she told herself. If he did, with my looks, he would never ignore me like that!

Hu Yan sat opposite Qingyu, faint blue shadows under his eyes, and quietly watched her eat.

Qingyu ignored him, picking up a bite of shredded tripe and placing it in her mouth, chewing slowly.

Her small mouth opened slightly, revealing pearly teeth and the soft pink of her tongue.

Hu Yan’s eyes darkened.

For as long as she ate, he watched—until she could no longer continue.

Night Butterfly, seeing Qingyu pay Hu Yan no mind, felt scornful. Doesn’t even ask if he’s eaten yet—what a useless woman.

She took it upon herself to glide inside, her hips swaying, eyes dripping charm. “Young Master, allow this servant to serve your meal.”

The delicate tension between the two was instantly broken. Hu Yan’s brows twitched with faint displeasure as he finally noticed Night Butterfly’s presence.

Seeing him look her way, Night Butterfly’s heart leapt with excitement. Her eyes shimmered as she said sweetly, “This servant is called Butterfly, sent by the Grand Elder to attend the Princess.”

Fuyin couldn’t bear the woman’s shameless behavior any longer and shoved her aside. “Since you’re here to serve our princess, then stand by the door. I can handle everything here.”

Trying to steal our princess’s man? Dream on!

Night Butterfly’s feet felt like lead; she couldn’t move. Her eyes reddened as she looked pitifully at Hu Yan. “Young Master…”

Fuyin, hands on hips, glared at her. “Still not leaving?”

Hu Yan didn’t look at her again. His gaze returned to Qingyu. “It’s fine—you could use more people to take care of you.”

Night Butterfly realized he wasn’t going to indulge her. Dropping the pitiful act, she reluctantly retreated to the doorway, seething inside.

Water Lotus glanced at her; Night Butterfly turned her head away in irritation, humiliated.

Qingyu, unable to stand being stared at any longer, set down her chopsticks.

Resting her chin in her hand, she stared back at him.

You like watching people eat, huh? Fine. Then let’s just stare at each other.

Hu Yan, seeing her gaze lock with his, straightened up, his eyes burning brighter.

One pair of eyes full of smoke and fire; the other soft with unspoken affection.

Fuyin found the sight unbearable—she lowered her head and pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

At the doorway, Night Butterfly cursed inwardly. Early morning and she’s already throwing flirtatious looks at the Young Master! Shameless vixen!

The longer Qingyu looked at the fox clan’s Young Master, the more her brows furrowed.

This man really has no shame! She had only wanted him to experience what it felt like to be stared at, but instead of being uncomfortable, his eyes only grew warmer and happier.

The real “fox seducer” looked positively pleased under her gaze, his lips curling into a faint smile.

Ah Yu looked at me for so long—she must think I’m handsome. I’d better ask Cangya to prepare a few more outfits, so I can wear something new every day for her to admire.

Qingyu finally turned away in defeat, her mood sour.

It felt like punching cotton—utterly pointless and unsatisfying.

She still couldn’t figure this fox clan Young Master out. What kind of heart hid beneath that gentle, flawless mask?

Her instincts told her—he was far from what he appeared to be.

She didn’t have the patience to rip off that mask and see the truth beneath, yet she had no choice but to keep dealing with him… for now.