/
The Strongest Fox-Demon (33)
Seeing Chu Xiang’s expression, Bai Yi immediately lowered her head like a child who has done something wrong, twisted her clothes restlessly with her hands, and stammered, “I-I kept in mind what you said to me. I didn’t lose myself to the point of being deceived. I just
 I found that he likes me. Then I-I also think he is quite great. I am very happy with him, and I miss him when I can’t see him. S-So I just
”
Bai Yi recalled how they had been getting along these days and smiled shyly. “Xiang’er, do you know? Benefactor had no idea that I could hear him whenever he spoke to the little fox about Bai Yi, so he poured all his feelings for Bai Yi, I mean, me. Whenever he talked to me, he also said multiple times that he especially liked the little white fox, which is also me. Isn’t this called ‘fate’?”
Chu Xiang gave her a long perusal. Bai Yi’s expression and eyes were completely that of someone in love. In fact, she could understand very well, because since Bai Yi’s childhood, no one has ever treated her nicely as the scholar did. Moreover, unlike her, Bai Yi was neither worldly wise nor was she knowledgeable about the complexity of the human heart.
Chu Xiang pondered for a while, nodded and said, “Everyone needs to grow up alone. How can you grow up without experiencing some hardships yourself? If you want to marry him, go ahead, but listen to me. Don’t have children. If you want to have children, wait three years after marriage. If you are still firm in your relationship at that time, I will sincerely bless you both.”
Her words sounded a bit wrong, brimming with ominous prophecy. Bai Yi grabbed her arm and shook it, “Xiang’er, do you hate Benefactor? Are you afraid that he will treat me badly?”
Chu Xiang glanced at the scholar who was arguing with Zhuang Liu from a distance and smiled. “I don’t feel anything for him. I don’t hate him or like him. If you’re asking me whether your union with him will be a happy one, I would say ninety-nine percent no. But then again, there is a slim chance that you’ll live a lifetime of happiness. Yiyi, getting along with mortals is a complicated matter, and the change in the human heart is also under no one’s control. If I let you back out of it now, you’ll probably regret it for the rest of your life. That being the case, why don’t you just experience it yourself and grow up with the Zhuang family? Remember, there’s nothing you can’t get through. Come to me when you figure it out. I’ll always be here.”
Bai Yi blinked vigorously, blinking away the tears in her eyes. She hugged Chu Xiang in delight. “I knew that Xiang’er will always treat me the best in this world. If you were a man, I would have married you!”
Li Yufeng coughed heavily. “Ahem, excuse me. We’ve come for something else. It’s you who harmed Miss Jiang, aren’t you? Her family is a noble household, but now they invited Daoist masters into their house. Once it is found out that there’s some connection with you, I’m afraid the Zhuang family will never be at peace.”
“Did they invite Daoist masters?” Bai Yi asked, puzzled. “Isn’t it said that she is some kind of concubine’s daughter from the Jiang family who is not favored? What’s with all the fuss and fanfare?”
“It’s because the reputation of that concubine’s daughter may affect the reputation of all the ladies in the family. There are many rules in the world, that’s why I told you never to raise your hand impulsively. Only by knowing these rules can you know when to act and when not to,” Chu Xiang explained to her the importance of concubine born ladies, legitimate descendants and women’s honor.
Of course, Bai Yi couldn’t understand it. This was the first time she had heard of such a thing. In the stories of her seniors, there were even unmarried and pregnant women. How could she have known that there were such strict rules in the world?
Bai Yi said regretfully, “It seems I was too impulsive. That day
 I was so enraged that I didn’t even bother to argue with her. She wanted to take us home and feed us to the dogs. I was afraid of causing trouble, so I just gave her a small lesson. I didn’t expect that it would still cause trouble. What should I do? How about
 Should I persuade my benefactor to go to the capital ahead of time and leave this hotbed of troubles.”
Chu Xiang and Li Yufeng looked at her at the same time. Bai Yi was caught off guard. With a puzzled expression on her face, she asked, “Why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong?”
Li Yufeng patted his chin and weighed his words. “It’s a good idea to leave this place where you’re apt to get into trouble, but
you caused trouble here. Wouldn’t it get worse if you go to the capital? The Daoist masters here are average, and you can hide if you wish. If you go to the capital, you might really be caught and skinned to be refined into an elixir.”
Bai Yi retorted, “Don’t look down on me. I was ignorant before, but now I know my weaknesses. I must reflect on it and never use magic recklessly.”
Chu Xiang shook her head. “That being the case, I’m afraid you will suffer.”
The three no longer spoke after a short exchange. The mother and son inside had finished arguing too. Seeing this, Bai Yi hurried back, pretending to have just come out of the house. She said via voice transmission, Xiang’er, don’t worry. I will be careful. I won’t let myself be wronged.