Chapter 15

After Qixue fell asleep, his consciousness arrived in a void. There, he met Lady Shanyin’s true form.

Her true dharma body stood a thousand zhang tall, shrouded in illusory mist. As a tiny rabbit tuan, Qixue could not see this true form at all—only vast darkness filled his view.

Though he could not see Lady Shanyin, the rabbit tuan knew she had arrived. He bounced excitedly and bowed to her. “This disciple pays respects to Your Ladyship!”

Lady Shanyin’s voice emerged from the hazy depths, laced with a hint of amusement. “I’ve seen all your recent performances. You’ve done very well—not only have you made Wei Huai utterly devoted to you, but you’ve also ensnared Ji Yuheng’s mind and heart. His future path will surely not be as smooth as before.”

Hearing Lady Shanyin’s praise, the rabbit tuan’s body stiffened. He did not appear particularly happy.

His rabbit ears drooped limply. “But… this disciple originally wanted to kill Ji Yuheng, yet I ended up spilling the Core Poison on myself instead. This disciple is too foolish…”

Moreover, he did not want Wei Huai to be utterly devoted to him. At this rate, it would be hard for them to part on good terms—unless Lady Shanyin helped him erase Wei Huai’s memories.

“This is not your fault.”

Lady Shanyin said, “I summoned you here this time to tell you not to rush into killing Ji Yuheng and Xie Shu. They are protected by the Heavenly Dao and brim with destiny. No matter what methods you use, you cannot kill them. You might even suffer backlash from the Heavenly Dao and lose your own life.”

The rabbit tuan suddenly understood. So, his accidental nap and spilling the Core Poison were not his own failings, but the influence of the Heavenly Dao. He had wondered why he was so unreliable—falling asleep just from being petted.

Still, he had been careless. He should have realized earlier: if Ji Yuheng and Xie Shu could be easily killed, Lady Shanyin would have done it herself long ago. It would not have been his turn.

Lady Shanyin continued, “The Heavenly Dao’s destiny is not impossible to unravel. I sent you to Shangjing precisely to prepare for this. As long as you gradually erode their destiny, one day they will lose the Heavenly Dao’s protection, and I will be able to kill them.”

The rabbit tuan asked expectantly, “How should this disciple erode their destiny?”

“Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed. Once you enter Shangjing, I will send my dharma body to assist you,” Lady Shanyin said.

“Thank you, Your Ladyship.”

The rabbit tuan spun in place, then hesitantly spoke up. “Your Ladyship, this disciple has an unreasonable request. Could Your Ladyship erase Wei Huai’s memories for me?”

“Why?”

Lady Shanyin asked. Qixue explained the situation, and she laughed. “I could help you, but I do not want to. I know you can do better.”

The rabbit tuan did not quite understand. He said puzzledly, “Please enlighten this disciple, Your Ladyship.”

“Wei Huai is already utterly devoted to you. Why not try making him love you even more? Love you to the point that even if you abandon him, he will accept it gladly, willing to give everything for you—even his life.”

Lady Shanyin’s voice was soft and seductive, full of temptation.

“Make him love you to madness. What does betraying your vows matter then? Even if you tell him to die, he will obey meekly. He will be like a dog wagging its tail at your feet, never daring to defy your will…”

“Can you do it?”

Her final question tested the rabbit tuan. His mind heated up, and he shouted loudly, “Yes!”

“Good. I knew you would not disappoint me.”

Lady Shanyin smiled and waved her hand, sending the rabbit tuan out of the void.

The rabbit tuan’s consciousness detached from the void, and he slowly woke up.

…

Qixue opened his eyes, his mind somewhat dazed. Before falling into a coma, his last memory was of accidentally spilling the poison. He remembered nothing after that—not even a fragment.

Of course, he was unaware that his rabbit demon identity had been exposed. As the aphrodisiac faded, his demon power stabilized, and his ears and tail retracted, leaving no trace of abnormality.

Qixue moved his sore body and slowly sat up. The blanket slid off him. He lifted the bed curtains and found himself still in Ji Yuheng’s bedroom, though Ji Yuheng was not there. Bright daylight shone through the window.

Seeing that he had slept until this hour, Qixue anxiously transformed into the rabbit tuan and fled the County Princess Mansion. He knew Wei Huai had surely returned to the military camp. Before Wei Huai entered the city, he had to swap identities with Ying Niang—or trouble would ensue.

Not long after Qixue left, Ji Yuheng returned to the bedroom. He walked to the bedside and gently lifted the bed curtains to check on Qixue.

He had stayed up all night, pondering many things. He only needed the little rabbit demon to wake so they could talk.

But when he lifted the curtains, the bed was empty. Even after searching the entire bedroom, he found no sign of the person—or a fluffy little rabbit. The little rabbit demon had truly left.

“…”

A trace of disappointment flashed in Ji Yuheng’s eyes. After a moment’s thought, he went alone to the back garden and beckoned to the tabby cat playing on the rockery.

The tabby cat leaped down lightly and meowed once in greeting.

Ji Yuheng crouched down and asked the tabby cat, “Have you seen a rabbit demon recently? Its true form is small and snow-white, with considerable cultivation. It can transform into human shape.”

“A rabbit demon that can turn human? No, I haven’t.”

The tabby cat spoke in human tongue, surprised. “The rabbit clan is born with weak demon power and finds cultivation difficult. Few manage to form a human body. It must have cultivated diligently… What’s wrong, Young Master? Are you looking for this rabbit demon?”

“Yes.” Ji Yuheng nodded. “Please help me find him. I… have words for him.”

He wanted to see him again.

–

The rabbit tuan raced all the way to Qiwan Pavilion. He slipped into Ying Niang’s boudoir unnoticed, only to find neither Ying Niang nor Luxiangqiu there. A strange little bird guarded the window.

Seeing the rabbit tuan, the little bird flapped its wings. “Are you A Xue?”

“Yes, I’m A Xue,” the rabbit tuan said. “Did a parrot named Luxiangqiu send you to find me?”

“Yes.”

The little bird said, “Luxiangqiu asked me to take you to Weicui Pavilion. She and Ying Niang are there. She also told me to remind you to hurry. If Wei Huai finds out, you’re done for!”

The rabbit tuan dared not delay and followed the little bird straight to Weicui Pavilion. Upon arrival, he finally understood why Luxiangqiu had urged him to come quickly.

Weicui Pavilion was a brothel, dedicated to men’s pleasures. After reading erotic novels, the rabbit tuan knew exactly what this place was. He paled in shock.

Ying Niang coming to a brothel was one thing—but she was still using his identity. If something happened with the girls or guests and Wei Huai found out…

The rabbit tuan felt as if struck by lightning. He darted inside. Luxiangqiu, waiting at the door, saw him and quickly led the way. “Hurry, second floor!”

On the second floor, the rabbit tuan saw several Zhu Huai Guards, but Apricot was absent. Luxiangqiu whispered, “Apricot couldn’t come in, so she went back to inform Wei Huai. He’s probably almost here.”

The rabbit tuan nearly fainted. “Why did Ying Niang come here?”

“She had no choice.”

Luxiangqiu said helplessly, “You didn’t return all night, and your human form is too beautiful. Maintaining the illusion consumes massive demon power. Ying Niang couldn’t hold out and came to Weicui Pavilion to borrow power from her sisters.”

Qixue realized it all boiled down to his own fault. He deeply regretted the assassination attempt on Ji Yuheng—but he blamed it all on that beast. Couldn’t he just kill himself!

Dodging the Zhu Huai Guards’ sight, Qixue and Luxiangqiu slipped into Ying Niang’s room.

Inside, several spirit foxes lay limp on the floor, their demon power drained, unable to maintain human form.

Ying Niang’s face was pale and weak. The moment she saw the rabbit tuan, tears nearly fell. “You’re finally back!”

In the next instant, Ying Niang turned into a white fox and collapsed on the chair, snoring away. The rabbit tuan immediately shifted to human form, guiltily picked up the foxes, placed them on the bed, and tucked them in.

“Let’s go!”

Luxiangqiu urged. Qixue nodded and pushed open the door, about to head downstairs—when he heard familiar footsteps ascending the stairs, heading straight toward him.

Qixue recognized the steps and froze, instinctively retreating into the room. But the newcomer called out, “A Xue.”

The footsteps drew nearer and stopped behind him.

Qixue’s heart pounded. He quickly shut the door to hide the room full of foxes—but now he had nowhere to hide. Strong arms lifted him from behind.

Wei Huai’s handsome face entered his view, looking no different from usual. His peach-blossom eyes curved slightly, revealing a smile.

He lowered his head and asked Qixue gently, “What’s this? Not done playing? Want to go back in?”

“It’s not like that, Seventh Brother. Listen to my explanation…”

Qixue shook his head, racking his brain for an excuse, panic rising inside.

He regretted it. He really should have asked Lady Shanyin to erase Wei Huai’s memories. She had overestimated him—how could he turn Wei Huai into his dog?

He had read in books that human men called behavior like this “wearing a green hat”—a great humiliation. Extreme personalities might even kill their partners in rage.

Especially after last night, when he had sworn eternal love to Wei Huai, promising marriage and never to leave…

Qixue thought that even he would want to kill someone treated this way—not to mention Wei Huai, who was not normal to begin with.

Wei Huai carried Qixue out of Weicui Pavilion and onto the carriage, then sat inside himself. Propping his chin, he said, “Explain. I’m listening.”

“Weicui Pavilion has old acquaintances of mine. I just came to catch up. Nothing else happened.”

Qixue figured Ying Niang could not have done anything with her sisters, so he boldly fabricated, “I told them I’m about to marry Seventh Brother. They were so envious and wished us a hundred years of harmony.”

“Is that so?” Wei Huai said noncommittally. “And?”

Qixue clung to Wei Huai’s arm, nestling into his embrace ingratiatingly. “And… to make Seventh Brother like me more, I specially asked them for some bedroom secrets. I think I got the hang of it. Just waiting to try them with Seventh Brother…”

He kissed Wei Huai’s earlobe, his fingertips tracing ambiguous circles on Wei Huai’s chest. Wei Huai fell silent for a moment, then chuckled softly. “Alright.”

He turned his head and kissed Qixue’s lips. Qixue wrapped his arms around Wei Huai’s neck, kissing back with all his might, his gaze misty and affectionate—though his mind was elsewhere. Had he passed?

Wei Huai brought Qixue back to the military camp and went to drill the troops. Qixue waited all day with no incident. When Apricot delivered food midway, he inquired discreetly—no word of Wei Huai erupting in fury. It seemed he truly was not suppressing anger.

Qixue’s suspended heart finally settled. That evening, he proactively bathed and dressed, changing into thin gauze robes, awaiting Wei Huai’s return.

Soon, Wei Huai lifted the tent flap and entered, a smile playing on his face, in high spirits.

“Seventh Brother…”

Qixue called sweetly, diligently helping Wei Huai remove his armor. Wei Huai took a delicate box from his bosom and handed it to Qixue. “A gift for you.”

Wei Huai often brought Qixue gifts every few days, so Qixue thought nothing of it and opened it happily. “Seventh Brother is so good to me.”

Inside was a pair of earrings, unusually styled: short silver rods dangling tiny red gems. When lifted, the deep red gems swayed on short silver chains, sparkling beautifully.

Qixue held them to his ear, then said troubledly, “They’re lovely. I like them. But I don’t have pierced ears.”

Moreover, in his true form, such earrings on his ears would expose him. He absolutely could not wear them.

Wei Huai smiled. “No ears? No problem. These aren’t earrings.”

“Not earrings?” Qixue examined them closely. “Then what are they?”

“Didn’t they teach you?”

Wei Huai drew close to Qixue and tapped his chest. “They’re worn here.”

Qixue froze in shock, his face draining of color. Th-this was clearly meant for…

Wei Huai kissed his forehead tenderly. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll put them on for you myself. It’ll be quick and painless.”

He lifted Qixue’s gauze robe and held the other nipple piercing against his body, sizing it up.

“Very beautiful, and very striking.” A smile appeared on his face. “This way, they’ll all know you’re my wife, won’t they?”