Kiyomi Tsuki and His Fox

Chapter 147

The white fox hopped and skipped after its owner, completely forgetting the terrible trouble it had just caused. Hey, it's the happiest of all.

Chapter Fifty-Five: Conspiracy

The sky was filled with blooming, snow-white magnolias. A gentle breeze stirred, and petals drifted down, covering Qingjian Yue's cheeks, hair, and robes. In the warm sunlight, her rosy-white face slept peacefully and serenely, while her dark blue hair shone with an alluring radiance.

Lu Qingcheng stared blankly for a while, thinking: He just fell asleep like that. After arranging for Hong Wantong's family to rest in the guest courtyard, Lu Qingcheng was worried about him and hurriedly returned to the Orchid Courtyard in the Ice Garden, only to see this scene before him. He was somewhat amused and exasperated, and picked up the thin blanket that had fallen to the ground to cover Qing Jianyue.

A white fox peeked out from behind the artificial hill, then suddenly leaped down and ran quickly, letting out a cry.

Lu Qingcheng bent down and picked it up, as if she were holding a big, snow-white ball of fluff. "Little guy, when you came with your owner, you were only this small. Now you've grown up so much."

The white fox grinned with its pointed snout, its large, snow-white tail swaying back and forth.

"You're back." Qing Jianyue rubbed her eyes and said lazily, "Why aren't you with the beautiful Hong? Aren't you two a match made in heaven?"

Lu Qingcheng placed the white fox on his lap, squatted down, put one arm around his shoulder, and caressed his fair and rosy face with the other, gently smiling, "Can I take that as you being jealous?"

Qing Jianyue awkwardly dodged his hand, picked up the white fox from the chair, and said, "I'm hungry. Ah..." Suddenly, he was lifted into the air by Lu Qingcheng, who scooped him up in his arms. He exclaimed, "Lord of the Fortress, you...you..."

"Don't make a sound, hug my neck." Lu Qingcheng carried him along the path where magnolias were in full bloom. The willows had already sprouted and were swaying in the wind, seemingly trying to slow them down. "I was worried about you, so I came back to check on you. Who knew that you, you heartless rascal, would be sleeping so soundly in the sun."

Kiyomi Tsuki obediently wrapped her arms around his neck. "I originally wanted to sincerely repent, but with the warm sun shining, the snow-white magnolia blossoms exuding an intoxicating fragrance, and the orioles singing sweetly in the distance, I unknowingly became intoxicated."

Lu Qingcheng said in surprise, "From what you're saying, it's not that you're heartless, but rather that this bright spring is to blame."

Kiyomi Tsuki lifted the white fox up and laughed, "Fox, you're the most beautiful. Where else can your master find someone cuter than you?"

The white fox cried out loudly: "Of course, Master! You should pamper me even more! Could you change my daily jasmine bath to every other day? And could I have a big, fat fish and a braised chicken every day? I'm not afraid of gaining weight at all!"

Lu Qingcheng burst into laughter at the sight of the master and the fox.

What a heartwarming scene! Under the sunlight, the magnolias were in full bloom, the handsome and tall male master, the beautiful young man, the snow-white fox, and the guards from near and far were all mesmerized.

Stepping into the warm and fragrant flower hall, Qing Jianyue found Qing Feng, Cai Bo'an, Lin Feng, Lei Yongxiang, and Fang Runmin all there. She quickly slid from Lu Qingcheng's arms to the floor, pretending not to see their ambiguous smiles, and put the white fox down, letting it play freely. After taking her seat, a little sparrow brought over some refreshing fragrant tea. Qing Jianyue leaned against the French windows, while a little crow held a tray with three strings of specially made candied hawthorns on a snow-white plate. Qing Jianyue picked up a string and took a bite.

Fang Runmin said, "According to reports from my subordinates, we have recently spotted a suspicious person moving around the fort. However, this person is extremely slippery and very skilled. At the slightest disturbance, he disappears without a trace. I suspect that this person is Li Zhen, who has absconded."

Kiyomi Tsuki reflexively raised her head, her mouth still bulging.

Cai Bo'an said, "Brother Lin has also received such a report."

Lin Feng nodded.

Lu Qingcheng picked up the teacup, lifted the lid, blew on the jasmine flowers floating on the tea, and then took a sip politely. Her long, dark eyelashes drooped down, concealing the sparkling light in her eyes.

Cai Bo'an said, "Therefore, I am very worried, especially about the safety of the old lady, the fortress lord, and Young Master Jianyue. I invited the second and third lords here to discuss with the fortress lord whether we should make some changes to the fortress's security measures."

Lu Qingcheng put down his teacup, leaned back, and stretched like a beautiful black panther. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and said, "Xu Lan is by the old lady's side. With him there, I'm not worried. However, we still need to send someone to remind him. As for Jian Yue's side, temporarily transfer Xicheng over and have him specifically responsible for Jian Yue's safety during this period. In addition, the security of the guest courtyard must be taken into full measure. Send Zhiqiang over there. After all, Hong Wantong is an official of the imperial court. If something happens to him, we will be in big trouble. Brother Yongxiang, put aside other matters for now. You assist Brother Bo'an in bringing Li Zhen to justice no matter what. It's too dangerous to leave him here."

Everyone nodded.

Qing Jianyue swallowed the candied hawthorn in her mouth, jumped down from under the window, held up the candied hawthorn, and shouted, "Has the Lord of the Fortress overlooked something? And who is responsible for the Lord of the Fortress's safety?"

Lu Qingcheng was taken aback at first, then smiled like a flower, "You don't need to worry about me, I'd love for Li Zhen to come to me."

Kiyomi Tsuki hurriedly said, "But it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."

Qingfeng chimed in, "Jianyue is right, cousin, you should still be careful. Li Zhen's specialty is sneak attacks. I think..."

“No need,” Lu Qingcheng interrupted. “If we bring in more people, we might not have enough manpower.” He then looked at Qing Jianyue and smiled, “If you are worried about me, don’t leave my side.”

"Huh?" Kiyomi Tsuki was a little confused.

Lu Qingcheng smiled and said, "You came here to protect me, right? Then Jian Yue can take care of my safety."

Kiyomi Tsuki's face suddenly turned bright red as she thought to herself: Why, why is this person suddenly saying such things?

Qingfeng burst out laughing, and the others joined in.

Kiyoshi was both embarrassed and ashamed. Just then, Little Sparrow came in and said with a smile, "Young Master, Young Madam He sent someone to deliver some homemade pastries. Please enjoy them."

"Wow, there's delicious food! Lord, may I go?" Upon hearing about food, Qing Jian Yue's shyness vanished completely.

Beyond the clouds, they drooled with envy.

Lu Qingcheng glared at him. "Wipe your drool. Do I need you to feed me? You turn into this as soon as you hear about food."

Qingfeng clutched her stomach and laughed without any regard for her image. As for the others, they weren't much better off; their joyful laughter almost lifted the entire roof off.

Lu Qingcheng laughed as she took out a handkerchief to wipe her drool. "How old are you anyway? If you dare to say again that the peach blossoms have bloomed and faded for twenty-three years, and the fish have been fat for twenty-three years, I'll give you a good spanking."

Kiyoshi blushed and whispered, "I am immortal."

"Bring it in," Lu Qingcheng instructed.

"Yes." The little sparrow glanced at its master with a grin and then left.

That evening, Lu Qingcheng hosted a small banquet for the Hong Wantong family. Hong Wantong, a seasoned official, was witty and composed, and with the subtle flattery of Bai Yiting and Cai Zhonghe, he stole the show at the banquet. Madam Hong kept urging her eldest daughter to toast Lu Qingcheng, who, unable to refuse due to etiquette, had to accept. During the toasts, the daughter even delicately stumbled into Lu Qingcheng's arms; even a blind person could see what was going on.

Kiyomi Tsuki was very unhappy, as the pleasure of eating had been completely ruined.

Zhang Zhichun appeared out of nowhere and whispered, "Young Master, Young Master."

Kiyomi Tsuki, who was guzzling vinegar, slipped on her bottom and fell off her chair to the floor, startling the white fox who was dozing on the floor, looking extremely bored. Kiyomi Tsuki exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing? What are you doing?"

Zhang Zhichun squatted down and whispered, "Please inform the Lord of the Fortress and ask him to go to the Hall of Punishments immediately."

Kiyomi Tsuki suddenly perked up, "Did they capture Li Zhen alive?"