As the emperor and his empress graced the banquet hall with their presence, an air of reverence swept over the assembly. All the courtiers and ministers, accompanied by their families, knelt and bowed in deference to their rulers.
Feng Li, the crown prince, remained standing, for he held a unique status that exempted him from such formalities. In his arms, the little fox, Yu Xin, observed the proceedings with quiet curiosity.
Once the emperor and empress took their respective seats, a subtle signal marked the commencement of the banquet.
The atmosphere grew lively as the festivities unfolded. Courtiers and ministers engaged in animated conversations, their smiles painting a picture of shared enjoyment. Meanwhile, the emperor and empress, playfully feeding the metaphorical "dog food" to unattached individuals at the banquet, added an element of humor and intrigue to the evening.
Feng Li took a succulent piece of roast chicken and gently offered it to his little companion, Yu Xin. As the fox tasted the delectable morsel, its eyes brightened with newfound delight, and it continued to savor each bite.
Gradually, the satisfying meal filled Yu Xin's belly, and he nestled comfortably in Feng Li's arms. His eyes, now content and serene, were drawn to the enchanting dancers who swayed gracefully at the heart of the grand hall.
Laughter and joy permeated the entire space as guests shared lively conversations and raised their glasses brimming with wine in celebration.
The courtiers, this time accompanied by their daughters, approached Feng Li with a single objective: to foster connections with the crown prince and regent. Their intentions were clear, whether through marriage or concubinage, they sought an alliance with the esteemed figure of Feng Li.
Feng Li couldn't help but feel a creeping headache as he watched the ministers and courtiers, each accompanied by their hopeful daughters, advancing towards him. The grand banquet hall was not the place he'd choose for such encounters, but he couldn't simply excuse himself; it would be deemed disrespectful to his father, the Emperor.
With each approaching figure, Feng Li's irritation grew. He was well aware that his father, the Emperor, had an agenda – he wanted him married by year's end. There were no longer any wars to serve as an excuse to break off engagements, like the one with the female protagonist. Now, there was no escaping the looming matrimonial negotiations.
Feng Li clenched his jaw, his once neutral expression now a mask of frigid composure, as the chill seemed to radiate from his very being, effectively setting the vicinity around him to a frosty temperature.
Top of Form
As ministers and courtiers pressed on with their matrimonial propositions, oblivious to the frosty aura around Feng Li, they approached him, daughters in tow. Their intentions were clear, their desires for their daughters' futures unwavering.
However, within this tense atmosphere, Yu Xin sensed the inevitable. His heart sank like a needle piercing through it. In response, he slipped off Feng Li's lap and bolted from the bustling banquet hall.
Feng Li didn't hesitate. He rose abruptly, his concern for his furry companion overpowering the weight of his princely responsibilities. "I'll be right back; my pet ran away," he declared before rushing out into the night.
He scoured the palace grounds, his anxiety growing with every passing moment. Eventually, he ventured into the palace garden, where a small, white figure caught his eye. Assuming it was Yu Xin, he approached the creature carefully and embraced it, only to find that it was a young white puppy.
Unbeknownst to Feng Li, Yu Xin, concealed in another bush, witnessed this scene with dismay. He raced toward Feng Li, his vocal protests an unspoken reproach, declaring, "You're a scoundrel, daring to embrace another creature!"
Feng Li's eyes widened as he caught the little fox, who was crying in despair. Those watery eyes, now glistening with tears, seemed to beg not to be abandoned.
Initially prepared to scold Yu Xin for his impulsive escape, Feng Li's resolve melted when he saw the fox's pitiful tears. He sighed, his tone softening. "Baby, don't cry; I'll give you delicious food, okay?" he cooed gently.
Yu Xin had initially intended to flee to avoid being exposed in his human form; it had nothing to do with jealousy.
Qin Ling, who had ventured out to find her little puppy, was taken aback by the scene before her. She had never imagined that the bloodthirsty and ruthless Regent would sport such a gentle smile.
The little puppy, spotting her owner, barked happily and scampered toward Qin Ling, her tiny paws a flurry of excitement.
As the puppy's excited barks echoed through the garden, Feng Li and Yu Xin both turned their heads toward the source of the commotion.
In an instant, Feng Li's face transformed from gentle warmth to icy indifference, a stark contrast that seemed to deny any previous tenderness. Yu Xin, curious, observed Qin Ling closely, as if attempting to unravel the mystery of her identity.
Despite having encountered many beautiful and handsome individuals in his life, Yu Xin couldn't help but acknowledge the girl's exceptional beauty. Her loveliness was akin to that of his dad, a rare and striking presence.
Qin Ling, on the other hand, felt a shiver run down her spine as she met Feng Li's cold, unwelcoming gaze. Her body involuntarily stiffened in response.
The puppy yelped in excitement, and Qin Ling's momentary lapse was quickly replaced by a show of respect as she gracefully bowed to greet Feng Li.
Feng Li acknowledged her gesture with a nod and departed, cradling Xiao Bai in his arms, leaving Qin Ling alone with her puppy.
Exiting the banquet hall after it concluded, Feng Li returned to his residence. He disembarked from his carriage and entered through the grand main entrance, his presence signifying authority. Inside, he instructed the housekeeper to prepare a warm bath for him.
The housekeeper, dutiful and efficient, acknowledged his request and promptly relayed the order to the maids responsible for heating the water.
Feng Li, accompanied by his faithful little fox, entered his bedroom and gently placed Xiao Bai on the soft bed. It wasn't long before the housekeeper reappeared, announcing that the bathwater was now ready.
Feng Li gently set Xiao Bai on the comfortable bed and then proceeded to prepare for his bath.
Observing his human's movements closely, Yu Xin detected the opportune moment. He recognized that with Feng Li out of the room, he could safely transform back into his human form. With this in mind, he commenced the transformation. However, things took an unexpected turn from what he had anticipated.