[Host, I think your way of thinking is wrong.]
The system chimed in, eager to set the record straight.
[Whether someone is the "top" or the "bottom" isn't determined by age or body type. Older "bottoms" and younger "tops" are actually quite common.]
"System, you seem to know a lot about this," Lu Zhuxin remarked, her interest piqued.
[It's all in the system's database.]
"Wow, your database is surprisingly comprehensive, even covering topics like this," she replied.
[Just a friendly reminder, host: being the "top" or "bottom" has nothing to do with body shape. This body may be a bit small right now, but that doesn't mean it won't develop in the future.]
The system offered some rather inexplicable promises about what was to come.
"..."
Lu Zhuxin rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
Her gaze drifted back to the shimmering water mirror in front of her.
"Maybe you're right. I shouldn't dwell on this," she said, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she studied her reflection.
The girl in the water mirror beamed back at her with an innocent smile.
She lowered her head slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, which momentarily shadowed part of her face.
Suddenly, the reflection took on a more somber expression.
Lu Zhuxin raised her head and laughed, revealing a pair of pointed fox teeth.
In the mirror, the girl laughed like a mischievous little vixen1.
Amused, Lu Zhuxin began to experiment with various expressions in front of the mirror.
Sometimes she appeared cute, other times sinister; at times natural, and sometimes gentle.
She effortlessly embodied a range of temperaments and postures.
No matter how she posed, her charm was undeniable.
With her pretty face, she exuded beauty in every form.
[Host, you seem to be enjoying yourself.]
"The adaptability of this body is surprisingly impressive," she mused.
"The only downside is that it's a bit… flat." She glanced down at her chest, a touch of regret in her tone. "But maybe that's not so bad. Smaller ones can be padded. If they were too big, hiding them would be a hassle."
[Has the host completely accepted this?]
"This body seems capable of taking on any role—perfect for acting."
"And it's also ideal for role-playing games," she added thoughtfully.
"The gift from Ming Zhaoxi doesn't seem so unacceptable now."
With that, Lu Zhuxin waved away the water mirror, ready to put on her clothes.
But as she reached for the garments, her hand paused.
She suddenly found herself unsure about how to wear women's clothing.
Modern clothing may be straightforward, but ancient costumes are a different story for her.
"Someone, come here," she called out.
As the Fox Monarch of her generation, she had little reason to fret over such matters.
Two maidservants entered the room, their gazes fixed respectfully on Lu Zhuxin, who stood by the bathtub.
"Your Majesty," they greeted in unison.
Lu Zhuxin recognized these maidservants. They were the personal attendants of the Departed World Fox Monarch and managed the Demon Palace with impressive skill.
Their loyalty was unquestionable, and they possessed a captivating beauty—one exuding allure, the other embodying elegance. Their curvaceous figures perfectly matched Lu Zhuxin's vision of fox demons.
It was the same two who had previously whisked Shixuan away to prepare the bathtub for her.
"Help me get dressed," Lu Zhuxin instructed.
The maidservants stepped forward, their movements careful and deliberate as they assisted her in putting on her clothes. Lu Zhuxin observed them closely. Not once did they falter or show any discomfort at her state of undress. Their actions were natural and skillful, which left her feeling quite satisfied.
Personal maidservants should embody obedience and consideration.
"You two, show your fox ears and tails," Lu Zhuxin commanded.
The maidservants exchanged surprised glances, a faint blush creeping onto their cheeks. Although the request seemed a bit unusual, they complied, revealing their fox ears and tails.
One had striking crimson fur, while the other was adorned with pure white. A red fox and a white fox.
Lu Zhuxin recalled the white fox spirit who had been considerate enough to cover Shixuan's mouth earlier.
"Let me touch them," she said, extending her hand.
The two fox spirits, taller than Lu Zhuxin, gracefully knelt before her, bowing their heads slightly as they offered their furry ears for her to play with.
As Lu Zhuxin caressed the soft fur, she felt an undeniable allure. She had always had a weakness for these furry, beast-eared girls.
"Your Majesty…"
It seemed her playful touch had stirred something within them, causing their breaths to grow heavier.
[Host, do you know what it means for a fox spirit to manifest their ears and tail?]
"Oh? What does it mean?" Lu Zhuxin replied mentally, knowing only she and the system could hear this exchange.
[It signifies they are seeking intimacy.]
A smile crept across Lu Zhuxin's lips.
"You're just a system. How do you know so much about these things?"
"I naturally understand this setting. After all, I wrote it myself."
[Tsk…]
The system fell silent, choosing not to engage further with Lu Zhuxin.
Lu Zhuxin couldn't help but smirk slightly, having spent enough time with the system to get a feel for its unpredictable nature.
Reluctantly, she let go of the fox's soft ears, turning her attention to the two fox demons before her.
"Hu Mei'er? Hu Xian'er?" she recalled, their names surfacing from the depths of her memory.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they chimed in unison.
The red fox was Hu Mei'er, and the white fox was Hu Xian'er.
Their roles in the original story were minimal, which explained Lu Zhuxin's somewhat haphazard naming.
Hu Mei'er was a seven-tailed fox spirit, equivalent to a sixth-realm cultivator, at the Void Enlightenment Stage.
Meanwhile, Hu Xian'er held six tails, ranked as a fifth-realm cultivator at the Spirit Ascension Stage.
Lu Zhuxin recalled the unwavering loyalty these fox spirits had towards the Fox Monarch, Ming Zhaoxi.
But with the original monarch long gone, their allegiance now belonged entirely to her.
What a stroke of luck to have such capable and devoted fox beauty assistants!
"In the Demon Palace, you don't need to hide your tails and ears. I like you just as you are," Lu Zhuxin said.
"Yes," the two fox spirits replied sweetly, with blush still on their faces.
"Now, I have a very important task for both of you," Lu Zhuxin stated, her expression shifting to one of seriousness.
[What does the host want to do?]
"Of course, it's to bring in the next capture target to the Fox Palace."
Lu Zhuxin had thought long and hard about how to disrupt the protagonist's destiny and luck.
Though the system hadn't laid it out explicitly, her experience as a writer gave her the insight she needed.
In the classic trope of villain system, one cliché emerges: the way to snatch away the protagonist's destiny and luck often involves intercepting their opportunities. These could manifest as either a stunning woman or a coveted treasure.
Lu Zhuxin's novel ventures into the realm of smut, with the cultivation elements taking a backseat. The protagonist's primary opportunities naturally involved a series of enchanting women.
Take Ming Zhaoxi, for instance. Though she assumes the role of the villain BOSS, she also stands as one of the protagonist's fated lovers. Before her encounter with Shixuan, she maintained her chastity.
And another of such destined lover, was not far from the Fox Palace.
According to Lu Zhuxin's novel, she was engaged in border training alongside her fellow disciples at this very moment.
She was Shixuan's younger sister, Song Shiyuan, another character who received considerable attention in the story. A junior sister of the fairy sect, she is known for her courage and determination, showcasing strength and talent that rivals Shixuan's own.
And from the beginning of the novel, she had been by Shixuan's side, one of Shixuan's behind-the-scenes supporters.
Although they are siblings, they have no blood relation.
Upon discovering her own background, she embraces her feelings for Shixuan without hesitation.
"Right now, Song Shiyuan remains blissfully unaware that she and Shixuan share no blood relationship."
"Consequently, she keeps her unspoken emotions hidden away, buried deep within her heart."
"And this, my friends, presents a golden opportunity."