Even after a minor incident where the little fox caused trouble, she appeared to explain, announcing to everyone that she hadn't just adopted a fox, but also a wife.
While the common folk didn't readily accept a fox, they held the Grand Tutor in such high esteem, bordering on blind faith, that they grudgingly accepted a mischievous fox spirit out of affection for her.
The sunlit courtyard was filled with warmth. Dao Yu Yue sat reading in the yard. Xing Yuan ran in from outside and then lay down in Dao Yu Yue's arms, whimpering with a hint of grievance.
"Sister, they all say I'm not good enough for you. Do you think so too?"
"How could I?" Dao Yu Yue chuckled softly, her long, narrow phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. She gently stroked Xing Yuan's disheveled hair. "Others don't know the truth and just repeat what they hear. Does little fox not know sister's feelings?"
Xing Yuan's fox ears perked up happily, their tips a faint pink. However, her expression remained strained. She softly pleaded with Dao Yu Yue, "Then sister, prove it with actions!"
"Oh~" Dao Yu Yue put down her book, her eyes full of amusement. She bent down, picked up the lazy little fox, and carried her into the room.
She leaned over her, her fingertips lightly tracing her lips. Looking down from above, she asked, "Is this how I prove it?"
Xing Yuan shook her head, smiling shyly. "If you change positions, that will prove it."
The calculation behind this request was so loud that even those outside the room could hear it.
"It's not impossible, but it depends on little fox's performance," Dao Yu Yue narrowed her eyes, her voice low and seductive, like a hook drawing in the eager-to-win little fox.
The little fox, dizzy and disoriented, immediately cupped Dao Yu Yue's face and kissed her, her eyes brimming with excitement.
"Not enough," Dao Yu Yue lowered her head to seek out the little fox's lips, and then gently licked her earlobe.
A fox's ears were far more sensitive than a human's. Xing Yuan's ears trembled slightly, her expression a little uneasy. She tightly clutched Dao Yu Yue's clothes, nervously saying, "Sister, you promised me."
Dao Yu Yue's eyes darkened. She let out a cold scoff, "Little fox, sister will teach you a lesson today. In bed, it's not just men whose words can't be trusted, but women's too."
Before the little fox's limited brain capacity could process this, her clothes were stripped off, and Dao Yu Yue used her spiritual energy to guide her tail into view.
Dao Yu Yue's voice was hoarse, "Little fox, today, we'll play something different."
"No~" The little fox's voice was a mere whisper from her throat.
But the Grand Tutor's usually serene face was now filled with complex emotions of excitement and anticipation. She ignored the faint pleas emanating from the little fox's mouth.
Another memorable night.
This was Xing Yuan's ninety-sixth failed attempt to take the initiative. After suffering the consequences, she decisively crossed off the option of playing the victim.
No matter what she did at other times, her sister would indulge her. But on this matter, no matter how many times she tried, even if Dao Yu Yue had sworn to her just moments before, once they were in bed, she would always break her promise, leading to yet another failure.
Feeling somewhat recovered, Xing Yuan prepared to run away from home again. In each of these ninety-six failures, she would leave home to convey her anger to Dao Yu Yue.
However, she never actually left the capital. She would simply find an inn not far from the Grand Tutor's mansion and wait for Dao Yu Yue to coax her back.
The reason she stayed in an inn instead of elsewhere was a rather sad story.
On her nineteenth failed attempt, she had gone to a brothel. Not only did she not achieve her desired outcome, but she was forcibly taken to a room and punished. From then on, she had a profound realization and never set foot in a brothel again.
Ten years later, Yu Zhen was trained into an excellent successor for the position of Grand Tutor. Dao Yu Yue retired with honors and fled overnight with the little fox.
Only after leaving the capital did the two slow their pace. Dao Yu Yue looked at Xing Yuan, who was too lazy to walk herself, and her mouth twitched. With a tone that was both scolding and indulgent, she poked Xing Yuan's forehead. "Look at you, you've gotten so fat! You should exercise more."
Xing Yuan smiled sweetly at her, her tone a little roguish. "It doesn't matter, I'm a fox who's wanted. I'm not afraid of getting fat."
"Aren't you afraid sister will dislike you?" Dao Yu Yue teased intentionally.
Xing Yuan shrunk her head, her eyes showing a hint of grievance. She affectionately rubbed her head against Dao Yu Yue's chest, sighing comfortably, and said slowly, "Even if you dislike me, there's nothing you can do. I'm already stuck with you."
Dao Yu Yue smiled and whispered, "You'd better be stuck with me forever."
Xing Yuan huffed, finally willing to jump down and walk a few steps on her own. Her eyes darted around, showing a hint of cleverness. "If sister doesn't want to carry me, how about carrying me on your back?"
"No," Dao Yu Yue refused outright. "A little more exercise is good for your health. When we reach the next town, I'll buy a carriage, and then it will be more convenient."
"Why do we have to leave so quickly? They said they wanted to hold a farewell banquet for you!" Xing Yuan pouted, looking confused.
Having been a fox for so long, her mind had stopped working.
"This will avoid a lot of trouble," Dao Yu Yue explained patiently, without showing any disdain for Xing Yuan.
"Alright! Then where are we going?" Xing Yuan nodded her head, seeming a little lost.
"I heard Fox Mountain has beautiful scenery. I want to go there first."
"Great! A while ago, Xiao Jing sent a message saying she was tired of playing outside and came back with fox cubs. This time, I can go back and see her." Xing Yuan agreed.
The Grand Tutor, who used to be so jealous, was still as protective of her possessions as ever. She said with a hint of sourness, "What, do you miss her?"
"Mmm... not exactly," Xing Yuan said deliberately. She raised her eyebrows slightly, a hint of melancholy in her eyes. "It's just that she's been with more than ten handsome men, and I only have sister. It feels like a bit of a loss!"
"Isn't having me enough?" Dao Yu Yue said in a deep voice, her tone carrying a hint of menace, making Xing Yuan involuntarily shiver.
But she hadn't flirted in a long time and was somewhat addicted. She looked at Dao Yu Yue like a seasoned rake, then after a long while, she traced her finger along Dao Yu Yue's face and commented critically, "The quantity isn't enough, so it has to be quality. Little lady, you're quite good-looking, so it's not a total loss."
Before Xing Yuan could retract her hand, another cool hand grasped her wrist. Dao Yu Yue said coldly, "Who taught you this?"
Xing Yuan's heart trembled with nervousness. It should be reasonable to learn something like this instinctively, right?