The Crazy Fox Demon Devours My Heart - Chapter 37

Qingyu returned to the Lakeheart Courtyard as night fell, and the moment she stepped inside, someone grabbed her tightly.

The voice was anxious: “Qingyu, where have you been? Why are you coming back so late?”

Qingyu patted his back lightly. “I just went out to clear my mind.”

Only then did Hu Yan release her. “Why didn’t you call me to go with you?”

“You’ve been too busy these past two days,” Qingyu said softly, her voice weary and faint.

Hu Yan thought she was reproaching him for not spending time with her.

“I’m sorry. Qingyu, wait a little longer. Once these two days of work are over, I’ll never leave your side.”

Qingyu didn’t respond. In fact, she hoped he would stay busy.

“Qingyu, why do you look so pale?” Hu Yan’s fingers brushed her injured lips. His eyes flickered with concern. “How did this get hurt?”

Qingyu turned her head, avoiding his hand. “Maybe I didn’t rest well.”

She touched her lips, knowing that if she didn’t explain clearly today, he would insist on finding out.

“I accidentally bit it,” she said lightly.

Hu Yan squinted, staring intently at the mark. “When did you get so careless that you’d bite yourself here?”

Qingyu shivered all over, nearly losing the strength to stand. She didn’t want to explain further and said lightly, “I’m very tired today. I’ll go rest.”

Inside her room, Qingyu wrapped herself in a blanket. Her hands and feet were still cold, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t warm them.

Outside, Hu Yan remained standing for a long time. The night wind blew through the corridor, stirring his waist-length black hair, casting shadows darker than the night itself.

Before leaving, Hu Yan made a hand signal. Cangya immediately leapt down from the roof. “Young Master, what are your orders?”

“Check where Qingyu went today and who she had contact with.”

An hour later, Cangya returned from the neighboring room. “Today, Your Highness first visited the clinic. When I arrived, the doctor was not present, so I don’t know what was discussed. Then you went to see the rabbit spirit, who only said you came to visit Sanwa. Nothing unusual seemed to have happened.”

“Do we need to ask the doctor more thoroughly tomorrow?”

“No need. You may leave.”

Yet, Hu Yan’s mind remained fixated on the injury to Qingyu’s lips.

Qingyu, what are you hiding from me?

The next morning, Qingyu was awakened by Fu Yin. “Princess, you slept so deeply today. Why?”

Qingyu felt dizzy and weak, collapsing back onto the bedding.

Fu Yin smiled as she helped her up. “Princess, are you still behaving like a child, wanting to stay in bed?”

“Come on, get up and dress. The Young Master is waiting outside.”

Qingyu was reluctantly pulled up and sat at the dressing table, appearing lazy and sluggish.

Fu Yin worked skillfully, quickly completing her makeup. With the blush, Qingyu’s face looked much more radiant.

Hu Yan had been waiting outside. Seeing her emerge, he immediately approached.

“Qingyu, today I’ll take you somewhere.”

She followed him to the courtyard outside the Fox Clan royal palace. The pale stone floor was lined with red silk cloth, embroidered with black thread in the pattern of nine-tailed foxes.

Hu Yan pointed toward the high platform. “Tomorrow, I will hold my coming-of-age ceremony here. You must come and see me.”

“After my ceremony, we will marry. All customs will follow human traditions. If you have any wishes, Qingyu, you may tell me freely.”

Qingyu lowered her eyes, her smile faint. “I have no wishes.”

She was already planning to leave; this was no longer her concern.

Hu Yan looked at her, pleading in his eyes. “Tomorrow is my ceremony. Qingyu… have you prepared a gift for me?”

“Of course.” The nine vials of bl00d she risked her life to obtain were more than enough to serve as a meaningful gift.

A smile spread across Hu Yan’s lips, his eyes shining with delight. “What is it? Can I see it today?”

“Not today. Tomorrow, you’ll know.”

Though momentarily disappointed, the thought of their wedding brightened his eyes again. He would personally ensure it was a grand celebration.

Tomorrow was the ceremony. Hu Yan had to leave to handle affairs, glancing back at Qingyu with lingering reluctance. A restless feeling gnawed at his heart, making him unable to look away.

Qingyu stood in place, waving to him, watching his retreating figure. She finally exhaled in relief.

Goodbye, Mo Mo. No—goodbye forever.

Since learning he was Mo Mo, Qingyu had often wanted to speak with him, to persuade him to cancel the wedding.

But he was no longer the small dog in the Cold Palace, and she was no longer the child she once was. Every conversation revealed his stubbornness, his strength, and his endless anticipation for the wedding.

She was now his medicine; neither he nor the Elder Lady would let her go. She had to hide the truth from him.

After leaving, she still needed to find a way to cure his illness.

That night, Qingyu stared at the soft sword on her wrist, feeling distracted.

The soft sword wrapped in a circle around her wrist, its crystalline sheen resembling a dewy bracelet.

Fu Yin curiously peeked. “Princess, the Young Master truly put thought into this. It’s carefully selected, perfect for your temperament.”

Qingyu didn’t respond. She removed the soft sword and placed it on the dressing table.

“Fu Yin, where are the tokens I asked you to keep before?”

Fu Yin thought for a moment, then searched the corner, taking out a small box. She unlocked it, revealing a small furry accessory resting quietly inside.

“Princess, why do you want this token now?”

Qingyu held it in her palm, stroking it. The smooth texture reminded her of Mo Mo’s fur.

His fur had been so soft. At first, he wouldn’t let her touch it. Later, when she seized the chance, she hugged it, rubbing it forcefully. Perhaps worn out by her attention, he no longer resisted.

Qingyu tucked the token safely into her chest. “Fu Yin, pack our things. Tomorrow, we leave.”

Fu Yin was puzzled. “Leave? Where are we going?”

“Anywhere. The world is vast. Anywhere is better than here.”

Fu Yin’s round eyes widened. “Princess, do you mean… we’re running away?”

“Yes. Escape.”

Fu Yin froze, stunned.

Seeing her lack of excitement, Qingyu asked, “Why? Don’t you want to leave?”

Fu Yin buried her head low, fidgeting with her sleeves. “I… I… it’s not that I don’t want to leave. I just feel that this place isn’t as terrible as we thought. The Young Master has treated you well too.”

Qingyu looked at her meaningfully. Her voice was calm but firm. “Fu Yin, I don’t want to live a single day with my life in someone else’s hands.”

“Have you thought about it? We are humans, not demons. We must return to a place that belongs to us. You, I, and the nanny will have freedom, a beautiful life. If we stay here, mingling with demons every day, we will eventually be at their mercy. Hu Yan can protect us temporarily, but not forever. We need to grow strong and take control of our own destiny.”

Qingyu understood Fu Yin didn’t want to leave, but if they escaped, leaving Fu Yin behind would make her a target for the Elder Lady. Fu Yin had to leave with her.

Fu Yin finally understood, wiping away her tears, and said firmly, “Princess, I understand. I’ll go pack our things right now.”