The Little Fox Spirit Doesn't Want to Carry a Cub - Chapter 25

After sending off Physician Feng, Jiang Shen returned to the room.

Li Ruan was still sleeping soundly. Without Jiang Shen by his side, he had curled himself up tightly again, making his figure look even smaller. This was originally his habitual sleeping posture as a fox, but after hearing Physician Feng’s words, this posture in Jiang Shen’s eyes was interpreted as a lack of security.

His heart ached even more. Jiang Shen walked back to the small couch and leaned down to take him back into his arms.

“What exactly happened between us?” Jiang Shen stroked the youth’s thin back, letting out a sigh.

Actually, before the youth appeared, Jiang Shen had already suspected that his lost memories were likely related to someone. In his mind, all matters regarding the capital were very clear. The only things he couldn’t recall were where he lived during that time, whom he met, and what happened around him.

If it were ordinary amnesia, there was no reason to only forget one specific part of events. Therefore, what he forgot wasn’t “events,” but a “person.” The jade pendant he found on himself confirmed this. Someone had saved him, healed his injuries, and likely lived with him day and night for a period.

But it was too strange to forget that most important person so precisely upon returning to the capital. Such targeted memory loss couldn’t be caused by an accident. Moreover, the physicians had long since confirmed his body was perfectly healthy.

Was he also traumatized? Or… was it man-made?

Jiang Shen’s eyes darkened slightly. He knew there were many mysterious arts in the world—witchcraft from the South or sorcery from the West—that could cause this. If someone had intentionally erased his memory and…

Jiang Shen tightened his arms around the youth. And let his person suffer so much that he was traumatized into a delusion. He would surely make that person pay the price.

Lost in thought, the youth moved slightly, bringing him back to reality. He let out a breath, picked the youth up, and walked toward the inner chamber. The small couch outside was only for short rests; the inner chamber had a slightly wider bed.

Jiang Shen placed him on the bed and was about to get up when the youth turned over and tightly grabbed his sleeve. Jiang Shen tried for a while but couldn’t pull his sleeve out of the youth’s surprisingly strong grip.

He stood by the bed and recalled Physician Feng’s advice: the youth’s delusion was a sickness of the heart, which could only be cured with the “medicine” of the heart. Since he was sick because he feared Jiang Shen leaving, he should remove that worry at the source. In short—give him whatever he wanted.

Sleeping in the same bed as a youth he barely knew was against etiquette, but if it was for a cure, it was justifiable. Jiang Shen lay down beside him. The ancestors who built this temple believed that austerity showed sincerity, so the bed was only a small single bed. With two adult men, it was a bit cramped.

As the night grew deep and weariness hit, Jiang Shen found himself unable to move without nearly falling off the edge. Especially since the youth kept burrowing toward him, trying to get closer. Clingy like a puppy.

Jiang Shen looked at the face close to him, opened his arms, and the youth instinctively burrowed into his embrace. The bed finally didn’t feel cramped. The posture was so perfectly fitted it felt as if they had done it a thousand times. Jiang Shen squeezed the back of the youth’s neck and closed his eyes—not even realizing how terrifyingly practiced the movement was.

The next morning, Jiang Shen woke up to the bright sunlight. Still half-asleep, he reached out to feel beside him. The youth was still in his arms. The youth was very light and soft, feeling more comfortable to hold than the silk pillows in the Eastern Palace.

Jiang Shen didn’t understand how someone so thin could feel so soft. He stroked down the youth’s shoulder and felt something different. It was soft, warm, and felt like fur, tickling the back of his hand.

In his muddled state, he didn’t open his eyes or realize what it was. He stroked the fluffy fur, kneading and pinching it until he reached the base. The body in his arms suddenly jolted and scrambled away.

Jiang Shen opened his eyes to see a pair of watery, indignant eyes.

“You took advantage of me!” Li Ruan cried, face flushed.

Jiang Shen snapped awake, realizing what he had done. He sat up, ears burning. “I… I’m sorry, it wasn’t intentional.”

Li Ruan backed against the wall, hands covering his backside, glaring at him.

“Don’t be angry,” Jiang Shen coaxed gently. “I really didn’t mean to. I… where did I touch you?”

Now fully awake, he realized the sensation hadn’t felt human. It felt… like a tail. He looked behind Li Ruan, but there was nothing there.

He wasn’t wrong; it was a tail. Li Ruan had used too much magic yesterday and hadn’t absorbed enough essence, so his tail had popped out in his sleep. He was half-terrified of being caught and half-aggrieved. He didn’t mind Jiang Shen touching him—in fact, he wanted it—but not there! The base of a fox’s tail is the most sensitive spot. Back when they dual-cultivated, a gentle touch there could make him cry. Doing it now while refusing to dual-cultivate was too much.

Seeing the youth was truly angry, Jiang Shen dropped the subject. “Are you feeling better?”

“Much better,” Li Ruan whispered. “Just a bit hungry.”

Jiang Shen, eager to escape the awkwardness, quickly went to order breakfast. Once he left, Li Ruan released his hands. A bright red tail popped out, fur puffed up to twice its size in indignation.

“You’re not allowed out again,” Li Ruan scolded his tail. “What if you scare him to death?” The tip of the tail drooped and patted the bed. He cast a spell to hide it again.

Because of the previous night’s events, Jiang Shen kept the guards at the hall. When he returned, the youth was sitting by the small couch. Since they couldn’t expose his presence, the youth was wearing Jiang Shen’s clothes, which were far too large. The shoulder seams hung down, the sleeves hid his hands, and his snowy feet peeked out from wide trouser legs, dangling casually.

Jiang Shen’s throat felt dry. He looked away. “Don’t you have any other luggage? Clothes?”

“I only have that one set,” Li Ruan replied. He could have manifested clothes, but he needed to save his strength. Besides, how would he explain appearing clothes to a mortal?

Jiang Shen remembered the youth had come empty-handed. He couldn’t fathom how the boy had traveled hundreds of li with nothing. How much has he suffered? His heart softened again. He stroked the youth’s hair. “It’s fine. When we return to the capital, I’ll have many made for you.”

Li Ruan didn’t answer but peeked at him. “I feel… you’re different from before. Weren’t you refusing to be close to me?” Yet he had held him all night.

“Is that not good?” Jiang Shen asked. “You came all this way; didn’t you want me to treat you better?” He didn’t mention the physician’s diagnosis. Delusion was a serious matter. He remembered his uncle who once had a similar condition and only recovered with rest and care. He wouldn’t let the youth be triggered again.

Li Ruan didn’t know about the “medicine for the heart” plan, but he was happy Jiang Shen was closer. He looked up. “Then can you kiss me now?”

Jiang Shen froze.

“Just once,” Li Ruan pleaded. “It’s been so long.”

He really needed the essence, or the tail wouldn’t stay hidden. Jiang Shen’s voice turned husky. “You… you want it that much?”

Li Ruan nodded seriously. “Yes, very much.”

Jiang Shen leaned down. The youth’s clothes were loose, revealing a bit of porcelain skin at his collar. He looked so happy, his eyes full of joy, even reaching up to rest his hands on Jiang Shen’s shoulders.

They grew closer. Jiang Shen’s breathing quickened.

Suddenly, a knock came from the door: “Your Highness, breakfast is ready.”

Jiang Shen stiffened, but before he could react, the youth pushed himself up and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was a fleeting touch, but Jiang Shen clearly felt a soft, moist tongue-tip brush past. Li Ruan pulled back and licked his lips, saying politely: “Thank you.”

Jiang Shen nearly choked. That’s it? He hadn’t even tasted anything yet! He couldn’t blame Li Ruan, so he directed his glare at Yu Xiu as he entered with the food.

Poor Captain Yu entered a room full of resentment. He placed the breakfast for two on the table and hesitated. “About the assassination last night…”

Jiang Shen suppressed his annoyance. “What is it?”

Li Ruan pecked at his food but listened. He was hungry, but he always waited for Jiang Shen to eat first.

“The assassins are still held in the temple,” Yu Xiu reported. “The one who started the fire—he’s awake.”

Li Ruan accidentally dropped his chopsticks. He had knocked that man out yesterday but hadn’t had time to wipe his memory.

“Don’t see him yet. Keep him locked up,” Jiang Shen ordered. He noticed the youth’s guilt but said nothing. Yu Xiu mentioned the dark oil used for the fire. Jiang Shen suspected it was the “black oil” (crude oil) the Bureau of Works was studying.

Once Yu Xiu left, Jiang Shen turned to Li Ruan. “Why aren’t you eating?”

“Waiting for you.” Li Ruan handed him a pair of chopsticks.

Jiang Shen didn’t take them. “Don’t you have something to tell me? You’re a terrible liar, Li Ruan.”

Li Ruan lowered his head. “I… was it that obvious?”

“Very,” Jiang Shen said. “The man who started the fire—you knocked him out, didn’t you? You know martial arts.”

Li Ruan whispered, “I… know a little.”

Jiang Shen laughed. “More than a little. You bypassed my guards twice and took out a trained assassin. Even imperial guards would struggle against you. Why hide it?”

“I was afraid… of scaring you,” Li Ruan admitted.

Jiang Shen thought it over. If he had known the youth was a master, he might not have let him stay. “When we return to the capital, keep it hidden. It’s for your protection. You’re a bit of a simpleton.”

“Why does everyone say I’m stupid?” Li Ruan frowned. “If you tell me I’m silly too much, I’ll actually become silly.”

“Fine, I’ll praise your intelligence instead,” Jiang Shen coaxed. He found the youth’s bright, innocent nature to be like a rare gem in the scheming capital. And he loves me so much.

Jiang Shen recalled the requested kiss and the brief, teasing touch from earlier. “About what we didn’t finish…”

Li Ruan, who was starving, had already picked up a sugar cake and taken a huge bite. He looked up with a full mouth. “Finish what?”

“…Nothing,” Jiang Shen sighed. “Just eat.”

Jiang Shen completed the three-day fast. Li Ruan stayed with him the entire time. Three days later, the convoy departed for the capital.

As they reached the city gates, the streets were packed with cheering citizens. Li Ruan peeked out the curtain. “Wow, so many people!”

He was now dressed as a personal attendant. Jiang Shen explained that the failed fire at the temple was seen as a sign of divine protection for the Prince, increasing his popularity.

Li Ruan beamed, his heart full of pride. He had helped Jiang Shen! If his tail weren’t hidden, it would be wagging furiously.

Jiang Shen watched the youth’s joyful expression and smiled. But out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of bright red behind the youth.

It looked exactly like a fluffy tail.

Jiang Shen rubbed his eyes and looked again. There was nothing.

…Did he see it wrong?