A Fox Spirit Between Her Thighs - Chapter 18

Li Yao summoned all the women of the royal residence for an inspection. With such a commotion taking place, Princess Consort Mu grew anxious, uncertain about what had happened. She had been summoned by the Empress Dowager the day before and was only now free to investigate the situation and check on her daughter’s condition.

When she saw Su Ya standing at the door, Princess Consort Mu raised an eyebrow. With restrained authority, she asked, “Why are you standing here instead of attending to the princess inside?”

Su Ya bowed with her head lowered and replied helplessly, “Your Highness, the princess instructed me to wait here.”

Li Yao had been bedridden for years and rarely left her chambers. She required constant care and always needed someone at her side to serve tea and assist her. For her to dismiss Su Ya today was truly unusual. Su Ya, despite her meek nature, was diligent and capable. She had served closely at Li Yao’s side since childhood. Knowing Su Ya would never defy her mistress, Princess Consort Mu said nothing further and entered the room.

Inside, Ning Yan heard the voices outside and quickly pushed Li Yao, who was still lying on her, to the side. “That must be your mother,”

Li Yao, deprived of her warm and fragrant embrace, looked displeased. When she heard it was her mother, she asked with curiosity, “How do you know?”

Ning Yan gave her a sidelong glance with her violet eyes. “I am a demon,” she explained. She could sense everything within a five-mile radius. For anything beyond that distance, she could rely on her Thousand-Mile Hearing spell to listen in.

If Ning Yan had not reminded her, Li Yao would have continued treating her like an ordinary person. She laughed and said, “Well, if she is here, then she is here. That is no cause for concern.”

Since she planned to keep Ning Yan in the royal residence, her mother would need to find out eventually. Li Yao saw no reason to hide it. However, Ning Yan’s identity as a demon could not be easily revealed. That truth might lead to complications.

Ning Yan noticed the clothing scattered chaotically on the floor. There was no time to dress properly, so she lifted her hand and cast a spell. The clothes swiftly clothed her body.

In just the blink of an eye, Ning Yan was fully dressed. Li Yao looked at her in wonder, then became excited and exclaimed, “Quick, do that for me too!”

Ning Yan considered it and agreed. If her mother saw her daughter in such disarray, she might let her imagination run wild. She cast another spell, dressing Li Yao as well.

Princess Consort Mu entered in a hurry. As she passed the screen, she caught the lingering scent of sweetness in the air. As someone experienced, she immediately recognized what it meant. After a few more steps, she saw Li Yao stepping down from the bed, with an unfamiliar young woman standing nearby.

Princess Consort Mu had come to speak privately with her daughter. However, with another person present, she hesitated, uncertain how to begin.

“Mother,” Li Yao stepped forward and offered a formal greeting. Noticing that her mother’s gaze was fixed on Ning Yan, she led her forward and said, “Yan’er, this is my mother.”

Though unfamiliar with human etiquette, the fox was quick-witted. Mimicking Li Yao’s gesture, Ning Yan bowed and said, “I am Ning Yan. Greetings, Princess Consort.”

Now that the young woman stood close, Princess Consort Mu could take a proper look at her. She found herself astonished. This woman was even more beautiful than Consort De, who was famed throughout the realm for her beauty.

“You may rise,” Princess Consort Mu said with a nod, then turned her gaze to Li Yao. “Chun’an, you seem…”

She had originally intended to ask about her health. However, seeing Li Yao’s rosy cheeks and healthy complexion, she altered her words and continued, “You seem much improved.”

Chun’an was Li Yao’s formal title. It had been chosen for its associations with gentleness, virtue, and the hope for her continued well-being.

Li Yao’s eyes sparkled. “It was Yan’er who cured my illness.”

Over the years, the royal residence had brought in the most renowned physicians from across the land to treat Li Yao, yet none had succeeded. Now, this woman had seemingly cured her overnight?

Princess Consort Mu harbored doubts. Even so, her daughter’s complexion was clearly healthier than before. She said, “Let the court physicians examine you again later.”

Li Yao already understood the origin and nature of her mysterious illness. She knew no ordinary person could treat it. Still, to ease her mother’s concerns, she said, “I will follow their advice and take good care of myself. You do not need to worry.”

Ning Yan stood quietly to the side. She observed Li Yao behaving with such elegance and composure, so different from the childlike manner she had shown earlier in bed. She could not help but press her lips together, suppressing a smile.

There was no need for further explanation. From the expressions of the two girls, combined with the lingering scent from earlier, Princess Consort Mu had already pieced everything together. With a knowing smile, she said, “Let us arrange for Miss Ning Yan to move into Wuyun Courtyard.”

It was not a significant matter for the princess to take a favored companion. Since Li Yao had found someone to her liking, she could make that choice freely. What surprised Princess Consort Mu was that her frail daughter had the strength to engage in intimacy at all.

Wuyun Courtyard was located just across a single palace wall from Baize Courtyard, where Li Yao currently resided. It had once been the private quarters of Li Yao’s older sister, Li Shu. She had married three years ago, and the place had remained vacant ever since.

Li Yao did not want Ning Yan to be away from her, not even separated by a wall. She pleaded, “There is an empty room within Baize Courtyard. Please let her stay here. That way it will be easier for me to call on her.”

The side rooms within the courtyard were typically reserved for maids. Princess Consort Mu did not suggest placing Ning Yan there, which made it clear she did not consider her a servant. As for Li Yao, although she mentioned the side room, it was obvious she had no intention of treating Ning Yan as a maid. Most likely, she intended to summon her to share her bed each night.

Princess Consort Mu chose not to comment on this directly. Instead, she offered a gentle reminder. “Take care of your health.”

Li Yao immediately picked up on the implied meaning behind her mother’s words. Her ears flushed red with embarrassment.

After a brief pause, Princess Consort Mu added with a serious tone, “The Flower Banquet will be held in a few days. Chun’an, you should accompany me to the palace.”

The Flower Banquet was a grand annual event held in the imperial gardens. Hundreds of flowers, both common and rare, would bloom together in a sea of vibrant color. It was a breathtaking spectacle. The Empress Dowager ordered the banquet to be held and extended invitations to the noblewomen from the households of princes and senior ministers, so that they might enjoy the splendor of the imperial family.

Li Yao had been born into royalty and was well-acquainted with the intrigue hidden behind the palace walls. Though the banquet was held under the pretense of flower appreciation, it was truly a gathering meant to consolidate influence, uncover secrets, and remove threats.