The Little Fox Spirit Doesn't Want to Carry a Cub - Chapter 26

Jiang Shen watched the youth leaning against the carriage window, his gaze lingering for a long time. The youth wore red, his back looking slightly delicate in the belted outfit. Jiang Shen had specifically chosen this color from several options his subordinates had found, thinking it best suited the boy’s complexion. Unfortunately, the size was still a bit large; the sleeves were rolled up twice, revealing snowy, slender wrists.

The scene from moments ago still wouldn’t leave Jiang Shen’s mind. There were only the two of them in this carriage; the youth had been leaning against the window without moving. There was no reason Jiang Shen should have seen a bright red phantom flash by—one that seemed to… wag quite joyfully.

But if he hadn’t seen it wrong, then the youth was…

Jiang Shen instinctively reached out toward the boy, wanting to confirm if there really was a tail behind him. Before he could touch him, the youth suddenly turned around.

“What is it?” Li Ruan asked in confusion.

Jiang Shen snapped back to reality. “N-nothing. What were you about to say?”

Li Ruan pointed outside. “We’re entering the city!”

Citizens had gathered at the city gate. As the convoy drew closer, the atmosphere became increasingly fervent. When Jiang Shen looked out the curtain Li Ruan had lifted, people were already crowding forward, desperate to catch a glimpse of the Crown Prince’s true face. The scene was so chaotic that even the gate guards struggled to maintain order.

Jiang Shen quickly pulled Li Ruan back into the carriage.

“They… are so enthusiastic,” Li Ruan said with lingering fear. “Scarier than foxes during mating season.”

Jiang Shen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “What kind of comparison is that? Comparing people to foxes in heat?”

“It’s very similar, haven’t you seen it?” Li Ruan said. “I saw the most impressive one once—seven or eight male foxes chasing a single female across half the mountain. It looked exactly like this.”

“Nonsense.” Jiang Shen lightly tapped him on the head. “Does that make me the female fox?”

Li Ruan muttered under his breath, “It would be great if you were; I’d just carry you back to my den in my mouth.”

Jiang Shen didn’t hear clearly. “What?”

Li Ruan: “N-nothing.”

The carriage soon entered the gate. There were even more people inside the city than outside. The city guard had been deployed to line the long street, ensuring the convoy could pass. Li Ruan, afraid that opening the curtain again would cause a riot, only dared to hide in the corner and peek through the gaps.

As he looked, he marveled: “So many houses… but they’re all so small. I can’t believe they don’t fight while living inside. Amazing.”

Jiang Shen grew more puzzled as he listened and asked, “Have you never been to the capital before?”

“No,” Li Ruan said. “I’ve always lived in the mountains.”

In the mountains. The youth had said this before, but when asked which mountains, he couldn’t answer. Jiang Shen had assumed he was a villager from near the capital, but over the past few days, the youth had shown a strange curiosity about things ordinary people took for granted—as if he had never lived among humans.

Before, Jiang Shen might not have suspected much, but then he remembered that flash of bright red. Living in the mountains, possessing extraordinary martial arts, coming and going like a phantom, yet ignorant of the world… These traits combined didn’t suggest an ordinary person. Instead, they reminded him of the supernatural legends he had read.

He couldn’t have… encountered a little demon, could he? Jiang Shen watched the youth’s back, his expression becoming contemplative.

“What is that?” Li Ruan was still curious, unaware his secret identity was in jeopardy. He pulled Jiang Shen over. It was just a sugar-figure stall.

The youth was full of curiosity; as the convoy moved, he asked questions, and Jiang Shen answered every single one. As they passed the bustling market toward the Imperial Palace, the road finally grew quieter. But Li Ruan remained glued to the window, peeking through the curtains as if everything were brand new.

Jiang Shen asked curiously, “Even if you lived in the mountains, your home shouldn’t be far from the capital. If you’re so interested, why didn’t you ever come in to see?”

Li Ruan’s fingers curled against the window frame. He withdrew his gaze. “There were… reasons.”

Before meeting Jiang Shen, his life had been a pool of stagnant water. Centuries spent in cultivation; he never gave a thought to the mortal world. Cultivating, facing tribulations, healing—that was his life for hundreds of years. While experiencing it, he didn’t find it boring. He had a goal, and every day spent working toward it felt fulfilling, even if it lacked color.

It was just… he wondered if he could ever return to that life of quiet cultivation after all this. Li Ruan suddenly felt a bit of worry.

Jiang Shen noticed the youth’s mood had dipped. Thinking he hadn’t seen enough, he coaxed, “In a few days, if I have no business, I’ll take you out of the palace to play, okay?”

Li Ruan’s attention shifted instantly, but he was still worried. “Aren’t you afraid they’ll see you and chase you like a female fox again?”

Jiang Shen: “…” He pressed his forehead. “Stop comparing me to a female fox.” To be loved by the people was one thing; to be compared to a fox in heat by this little fellow was simply ridiculous.

Jiang Shen explained, “They were so enthusiastic today because we are in the Crown Prince’s carriage. But they don’t know what the person inside the carriage looks like. Understand?”

Li Ruan: “So as long as you don’t say you’re the Prince, they won’t recognize you?”

Jiang Shen: “Correct.”

Li Ruan’s brows knitted slightly. “But then… the one they like isn’t you at all. It’s just your name.”

Jiang Shen’s gaze moved. He looked away and let out a soft breath. “Yes. What they like is nothing more than the symbol of the Crown Prince’s status.” Not just the citizens—since childhood, among all those who flattered and followed him, who wasn’t doing it for his title? In other words, if he stripped away that status, how many would remain by his side?

Li Ruan said, “But I like you.” He looked at Jiang Shen seriously. “I don’t like you because you’re the Prince. I like you because you’re Jiang Shen.”

The youth’s sincere gaze felt almost physical, tapping against Jiang Shen’s heart. Jiang Shen’s expression softened. He reached out and touched the youth’s hair, replying softly, “Okay.”

At dusk, the convoy stopped at the palace gates. From here, the outer carriage could no longer enter; they had to switch to the Crown Prince’s sedan chair. The sedan had been waiting. Jiang Shen led Li Ruan out of the carriage, and someone approached them.

“Greetings, Your Highness.” The speaker was a middle-aged eunuch, over fifty, who bowed respectfully. “Has the journey been smooth?” This was Chang An, the Chief Internal Attendant to the Emperor, who had practically watched Jiang Shen grow up.

“Don’t joke, Eunuch Chang,” Jiang Shen said. “Someone tried to kill me at the Ancestral Temple, nearly burning the hall and making me a sinner for eternity. Haven’t you heard?”

Chang An lowered his head and said with a smile, “This old slave only heard that a blessing fell from the Heavens that night to extinguish the fire for Your Highness. It is the protection of the Heavens for Your Highness, and for the Jiang dynasty.”

Eunuch Chang had served the Emperor for years and knew best how to judge the situation. Jiang Shen gave a faint smile. “You are as silver-tongued as ever. Remember to go to the Eastern Palace for a reward later.”

Chang An bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness.” He then asked, “How is Eunuch Chang free to be here today? Is there an edict from Imperial Father?”

“His Majesty has prepared a welcome feast for the Crown Prince and requests Your Highness visit the Qianqing Palace upon your return.”

Jiang Shen frowned. “Now?”

“Yes. His Majesty has prepared a sedan for Your Highness. Please follow this old slave.”

Jiang Shen didn’t leave immediately. He looked back at the youth beside him. Since getting off the carriage, Li Ruan had been following him quietly without a word. Noticing Jiang Shen looking back, he said, “Go ahead. I’ll wait for you where you live.”

Jiang Shen thought for a moment and said to Chang An, “Eunuch Chang, wait a moment.” He then took Li Ruan’s hand, led him to the Crown Prince’s sedan, and helped him in. “I’ll be back soon. Wait for me in the bedchamber.”

Li Ruan nodded obediently. “Okay.”

Two palace maids from the Eastern Palace were kneeling by the sedan. Hearing Jiang Shen’s words, they were both shocked. “Your Highness, this…” one began. But before she could finish, she met Jiang Shen’s gaze and swallowed the rest of her words.

Li Ruan didn’t understand palace etiquette and didn’t know what was wrong with Jiang Shen’s action, but people in the palace certainly did. The Crown Prince’s sedan chair was only for the Prince. If he were to share it with someone, it could only be… the Crown Princess.

This person… The two maids exchanged a look of mutual shock and confusion. The Prince had not yet taken a consort and had avoided both women and men for years. People had tried to send beauties to his bed before, but he had driven them away without a touch. He was so ascetic that some even suspected there was a medical issue. Yet he goes to worship the ancestors and returns not only with someone but places them directly in his sedan.

The maids were dying of curiosity, only regretting they hadn’t dared to look up and see what kind of person the Prince had brought back.

Jiang Shen ignored them and called for Yu Xiu. “I will go to see Imperial Father alone. You return to the Eastern Palace with them.” He glanced at the youth in the sedan. “Take care of the Young Master.”

Yu Xiu was the only one who knew his master had been “fooling around” with the youth for days. Feeling emotionally numb, he replied calmly, “Yes.”

As the sedan departed, Jiang Shen said to Chang An, “Eunuch Chang, let us go.”

The old eunuch’s gaze was still fixed on the retreating sedan. He withdrew his look and turned to Jiang Shen with a spark of interest in his eyes. “It seems Your Highness has gained much on this trip.”

Everyone in the palace was sharp; they could easily see Jiang Shen’s intent. It wasn’t unusual for royalty to bring a beauty back from outside the palace. Jiang Shen’s younger brothers had done it often. But how that person was treated depended entirely on the master’s attitude. Those from the common folk usually didn’t know etiquette; when they first entered the palace, nannies and maids would often come to “teach” them. In reality, it was a test, a way to show them their place. Those not valued might even be bullied.

Jiang Shen didn’t want to see the youth bullied. Ordinarily, he would have taken the boy back to the Eastern Palace himself to set the rules for the servants. Since the Emperor had summoned him, he had to use this method. Letting the youth ride his sedan and having his personal guard captain escort him was a clear message to everyone about the boy’s status. Even if he were to be neglected, it would only be for the duration of one dinner.

Not even the most favored concubine had received such treatment upon entering the palace. Eunuch Chang thought to himself, Never seen such doting.

Jiang Shen didn’t explain further. He let Chang An lead him to the Emperor’s carriage to head toward the Qianqing Palace.

Since falling ill, the Emperor rarely visited the Imperial Study; he handled affairs and lived in the Qianqing Palace. As Jiang Shen stepped inside, the first thing he smelled was a strong scent of herbal medicine. The Emperor was taking his medicine.

The current era was the Chongxuan era, and the Emperor was Emperor Chongxuan. He was handsome, and despite his aged appearance and weary spirit, one could still see his past brilliance. He had become Emperor when Jiang Shen was six; it had been less than twenty years, so he wasn’t actually that old. His aged look was brought on by being bedridden.

Seeing Jiang Shen enter, he beckoned. “Come here.”

Jiang Shen stepped forward. People said the imperial family lacked kinship. Emperor Chongxuan had been busy with state affairs when he was young and paid little attention to his children. Thus, Jiang Shen felt no special affection for his father. It wasn’t until the Empress passed away a few years ago that the Emperor, in his grief, would often summon Jiang Shen for comfort, and their relationship improved. Over the last two years of illness, he had become even more dependent on family ties.

“I heard that Li Hongzhong tried to harm you at the Ancestral Temple,” Emperor Chongxuan said, his voice weak and breathy. “You weren’t frightened, were you?”

“No,” Jiang Shen replied. “I made Imperial Father worry.”

“That is good, that is good.” The Emperor let out a sigh, his tone still gentle. “The man has been brought back, has he not? How do you wish to handle it? Shall I execute his entire clan?”

Jiang Shen didn’t answer immediately. He took the medicine bowl from an attendant, knelt by the bed to feed the Emperor, then used a silk handkerchief to wipe his lips. “I hope Imperial Father can leave this matter to me.”

“You think more people can be dug out from behind Li Hongzhong?”

“It is worth a try.”

The Emperor seemed to have expected this. “Then try. Do as you wish; I will not interfere.”

“Thank you, Imperial Father.”

The Emperor waved his hand, about to speak, when he suddenly couldn’t catch his breath and began coughing violently. Jiang Shen quickly helped him. The coughing lasted for a long time, and when it stopped, there was a trace of blood on his lips.

Jiang Shen frowned. “Since changing to this new medicine, Imperial Father’s condition has worsened. Why not let me search the common folk again—”

The Emperor raised his hand to stop him. He wiped his mouth and chuckled. “It’s not the medicine. When a person is fading, even a divine pill cannot bring them back.”

“Imperial Father was strong just two years ago,” Jiang Shen argued. “It’s just that a good remedy hasn’t been found yet. There’s no reason it can’t be cured.”

“Your young imperial uncle says the same.” The Emperor smiled. “He sent a memorial a few days ago saying he wants to build a ship to seek medicine overseas. At his age, he still likes to cause a stir.”

They talked for a while. The Emperor’s spirit improved slightly, and he had Jiang Shen help him up to order dinner. A person with a heavy illness rarely has an appetite; the Emperor ate little, then said: “In half a month is the Spring Imperial Examination. I have no energy to manage it now and plan to leave it entirely to you. What do you think?”

Jiang Shen’s movement paused. The dynasty followed the civil service examination system. The Spring Examination, held every three years, was the only path to selecting officials. With the Emperor’s poor health, there had been rumors that he would delegate it. But he hadn’t stated who would take it.

This wasn’t just about managing a test. It was the only chance to appoint talent to the court. For competing factions, whichever one managed the exam would see their power greatly increased. Especially given Jiang Shen’s recent actions, many high-ranking officials were being purged, leaving many vacancies. This year’s exam was even more critical.

Part of the reason Jiang Shen had made such a display of going to the Ancestral Temple was for this. Other factions had likely targeted him for the same reason. Now that the Emperor had spoken, Jiang Shen had won this round. But his face remained calm as he replied, “It is my honor to share Imperial Father’s burdens.”

The Emperor laughed, then added, “State affairs are done. Let’s talk of family.”

“…I heard you brought a very beautiful young gentleman back from outside. When will you bring him for me to see? If you truly like him, you must give him a status.”

The male-loving culture was prevalent, and men could marry each other. There were several male concubines in the harem, though because they couldn’t bear children, they were usually only given the status of side-consorts or concubines.

Jiang Shen looked down and didn’t answer, though he was surprised. He knew he couldn’t hide bringing someone back, but he didn’t expect the news to reach the Emperor’s ears in the short time it took him to get from the gate to the palace. This long-ailing Emperor still had a clear grasp of everything around him.

“He is just an ordinary youth from the common folk,” Jiang Shen said. “I saw he was lonely and brought him back. He doesn’t know the rules yet; once I have taught him, I will bring him so he doesn’t disturb Your Majesty.”

The Emperor gave a “Good.” Perhaps because of his long illness, the Emperor—who had been a strict, humorless man—had become much kinder over the last two years. He talked with Jiang Shen for a few more minutes before growing tired and letting him withdraw.

Chief Eunuch Chang walked forward to help the Emperor back to his bed. “Your Majesty seems very happy today?”

“Of course.” The Emperor looked weary but was in a good mood. “The spectacle of the Crown Prince entering the city today… the last time I saw such a thing was when I broke through several border cities and returned after a victory. The Prince has won the people’s hearts; I am happy for him.”

The Emperor thought of something and sighed. “But I have three other sons…” He had five sons and three daughters; one died young, one was under house arrest, and two were still in the capital. “The third dared to try and kill the Prince under my nose; there’s no guarantee the other two won’t follow suit. Even with the Spring Examination, the Prince’s path ahead will not be easy.”

“If Your Majesty is worried, why not follow the ancestors and enfeoff the fourth and fifth princes as kings and send them to their lands?”

The Emperor glanced at him. Chang An immediately knelt by the bed. “This old slave should not discuss state affairs. I acknowledge my crime.”

“Rise. I am not punishing you.” The Emperor smiled faintly. “You are right. Sending them away is the permanent solution. But… why should I help him?”

Chang An froze. He looked up at the dragon bed. The Emperor lay there, his expression calm, with a slight smile. Many thought the Emperor had grown kinder with age, but Chang An knew some things never changed. He was still the Emperor who had killed his own father and brothers to secure the throne.

The Emperor closed his eyes, his voice light but carrying a cold excitement: “The throne is meant to be fought for. He must show me his capability.”

Leaving the Qianqing Palace, Jiang Shen returned to the Eastern Palace. It had been dusk when they arrived, and after staying with the Emperor, the moon was now high. Servants bowed to him along the way, but Jiang Shen ignored them and walked straight toward the bedchamber.

Li Ruan had returned in his sedan, and the servants likely hadn’t known where else to put him, so they placed him in the Prince’s bedchamber. The lamps were lit, the doors shut, and Yu Xiu was guarding the entrance.

“How is it?” Jiang Shen asked. “Did the Young Master eat? Is he resting?”

“The kitchen prepared dinner, but he refused to eat,” Yu Xiu said. “He said he would wait for Your Highness to return so you could eat together.”

Jiang Shen frowned. “Did you not tell him I was eating with Imperial Father?”

“I did. But he said… said…” Yu Xiu hesitated.

“What did he say?”

Yu Xiu glanced around and lowered his voice. “He said… they say ‘accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger.’ He said Your Highness wouldn’t be able to eat well with the Emperor and he would wait for you.”

Jiang Shen: “…” Accompanying a tiger was true, and he hadn’t eaten well. But was that something that could just be said?

Yu Xiu added, “Don’t worry, Your Highness. No one else heard him.”

Jiang Shen nodded. “Good.” He pushed open the doors while instructing Yu Xiu, “Remove the guards from near the bedchamber. Unless they are needed for service, don’t let anyone near. And…”

A table of dinner sat in the middle of the room, untouched. The youth wasn’t there. Jiang Shen looked toward the inner room, his gaze freezing on a certain spot. He turned back to Yu Xiu. “You go first.”

Yu Xiu was a step behind and couldn’t see inside. He only saw his master suddenly turn around, pull the door half-shut, and block the view entirely.

“Go out. Guard the door well. Don’t let anyone in.” Then, with a bang, the door closed.

Yu Xiu: “…”

Inside the bedchamber, the candlelight flickered. Jiang Shen stood behind the door for a moment, taking a breath before walking toward the inner room.

The youth hadn’t touched the dinner; he was lying on the small couch in the inner room. He had curled himself into a small ball and seemed to have been asleep for some time. Jiang Shen walked up to him, his gaze moving from the boy’s face to his back.

A fluffy tail had appeared behind the youth—thick and long, coiling around to wrap him up. His hair was scattered across the couch, and a pair of pointed ears poked out from among the strands.

They were furry.