Chapter 53: It should be burned

When Liu Qiu returned to her room, she found the little fox sprawled across her bed, sleeping soundly.

After everything that had just happened, a faint unease lingered in her heart.

The unease came from seeing things blur before her eyes twice in a row, and from the strange attitudes of the two sisters.

Rather than be toyed with by them until death, she would rather simply die of illness.

The mess in the room had been cleaned up by someone at some point, leaving behind only a few dark stains.

Liu Qiu sat at the edge of the bed and began to cough softly.

The taste of blood surged up her throat.

She bent forward in panic, hurriedly grabbing a piece of cloth and pressing it to her lips, coughing all the blood into the dry fabric.

Her cheeks quickly turned pale, and her body felt weak for a moment.

“Aw!”

The little fox’s delicate cry sounded out.

Liu Qiu turned her head to look at it and forced a faint smile.

“I’m sorry. I woke you up.”

The tips of her hair were slightly damp.

Her frail figure, skin pale to the extreme, and the trace of blood at the corner of her lips gave her delicate features an eerie kind of beauty at that moment.

Su Li had seen many humans, but never one who would apologize to a mere beast over something so trivial.

She flicked her tail and leapt onto Liu Qiu’s thigh, propping herself up.

Not knowing what the little fox intended to do, Liu Qiu gently stroked its head.

“By the way, you haven’t eaten yet. Do you need something to eat?”

Su Li’s gaze fell upon Liu Qiu’s opening and closing lips, where a smear of blood still lingered.

She raised her fluffy head and extended her tongue to lick Liu Qiu’s lips.

Liu Qiu did not dodge and was caught squarely.

Canines often lick people, so she wasn’t surprised.

It was just that a fox’s tongue had tiny barbs, and the sensation left her lips tingling and prickling.

Liu Qiu lowered her eyes and smiled.

“Don’t lick me anymore. You haven’t rinsed your mouth yet.”

Her voice was neither loud nor soft, slightly hoarse, and paired with her faint smile, it sounded especially gentle.

In Su Li’s golden eyes was reflected Liu Qiu’s image.

She opened her long mouth again and extended her tongue to lick her once more.

This time Liu Qiu was prepared.

She tilted her head to avoid the sticky tongue, but it landed on her cheek instead, leaving her feeling both itchy and prickly, causing her to unconsciously shrink her neck.

“Little Li, stop messing around. I need to rest.”

Her stomach was somewhat hungry, yet she had no appetite to eat and only wanted to sleep early.

As if truly understanding her words, the little fox stopped licking her, jumped down from her lap, and moved to the pillow, seemingly waiting for her to lie down.

“Aw, aw.”

It sounded like a gentle urging.

Seeing this, Liu Qiu’s heart softened.

How could something so fluffy be so adorable?

It was a pity she would not live much longer.

She wondered whether, after becoming a ghost, she would still be able to touch it.

Liu Qiu slowly lay down.

The little fox carried a very special scent—not unpleasant, but a faint fragrance she couldn’t quite identify, though it was very pleasant.

The closer she leaned, the stronger it became, gradually invading her mind and calming her heart until she drifted into sleep.

The moon hung high in the sky, and various noises sounded outside.

Birdcalls, insect chirps, and the distant roars of wild beasts.

Liu Huang sat on her bed, staring ahead.

The sensation of Liu Qiu sitting in her arms earlier was still vivid in her memory.

She couldn’t understand it.

Wet fur should have been soft—so how had it pricked Liu Qiu?

So delicate and spoiled—did she truly think she was some noble young lady?

Yet the sensation of rubbing against that place had been strangely peculiar.

Tingly and numb.

Especially since Liu Qiu’s entire body was so soft and tender, no different from a piece of tofu.

Hairless, pink and pale, curved where it should curve.

Liu Feng hadn’t been wrong—Liu Qiu’s body there was indeed beautiful.

Not just there, even the twin peaks were strikingly lovely.

Even the faintly protruding ribs were beautiful, wrapped in thin pale skin that stirred an impulse to lick, bite, and devour.

At the thought, Liu Huang’s lower abdomen tightened slightly, and the heat in her body refused to subside.

She got out of bed, grabbed the water kettle from the table, and roughly poured cold water into her mouth.

These past two days, she wondered if she had fallen ill.

Her body kept heating up, so much so that she could hardly sleep.

Setting down the kettle, Liu Huang sat on the cold, hard stool and pondered for a long while.

Until a knock sounded at the door.

She snapped back to her senses and called out, “Come in.”

The only person who would come looking for her this late was Liu Feng.

The moonlight was bright enough that even without candlelight, Liu Huang could clearly see the visitor.

As expected, it was indeed Liu Feng.

Liu Huang remained seated without moving.

Liu Feng stepped into the room and gently closed the door behind her.

“Elder Sister, it’s so late. Has something happened?” Liu Huang asked.

Liu Feng lowered her gaze and smiled lightly.

“Huang’er, I’m afraid Sister Qiu doesn’t have long to live.”

Hearing this, Liu Huang’s brows furrowed instinctively.

“Sister, what have you done?”

Liu Feng lifted her eyes and studied Liu Huang carefully.

After a moment, she spoke without directly answering.

“Huang’er, it seems you don’t dislike her as much anymore.”

Liu Huang’s eyes flickered.

She parted her lips and uttered two words.

“Perhaps.”

Liu Feng was too clever—she had perceived Liu Huang’s feelings toward Liu Qiu even before Liu Huang herself fully understood them.

Indeed, she no longer detested Liu Qiu as much.

On the battlefield, she had thought that if she could return alive, she would make sure Liu Qiu died.

The resentment of her youth had long accumulated in her heart.

But when she truly returned and saw Liu Qiu—thin and frail, as though she could be crushed with a single finger—the desire for revenge diminished greatly.

Liu Feng slowly said, “I have a medicinal powder. It can influence a person’s mind.”

“If the body is weak, the spirit naturally won’t be strong either.”

Liu Huang raised a brow.

“Will it poison her to death?”

Liu Feng let out a soft laugh.

“No. It only causes hallucinations. Just something to frighten people.”

Liu Huang poured herself another cup of cold water.

“Then why did you say she’s going to die?”

“She looks quite spirited to me. I’m afraid she could hold on for several more years.”

Her expression showed no sign of worry.

A teasing smile curved at her lips, as if discussing nothing more serious than eating or drinking tea.

“Whether she dies or not has little to do with us. I suppose only Father and Mother would be saddened.”

Liu Feng shook her head with a faint smile.

“Huang’er, your temperament truly hasn’t changed from before.”

“But you’re right. I was too hasty.”

She raised her hand, revealing a small jade vial resting in her palm.

“This is the medicine.”

She placed it on Liu Huang’s small table.

“I know you don’t dislike Sister Qiu anymore, but there’s still bitterness in your heart. This will make you feel better.”

Liu Huang stared at the vial, no larger than half a palm.

When she had bathed Liu Qiu tonight, she had noticed the stiffness in her body.

It must have been the effect of this powder.

Quite amusing.

It didn’t harm the body, yet could frighten someone.

She could toy with Liu Qiu a little more.

Liu Huang picked up the vial and tossed it lightly in her hand.

“Sister truly has a clever mind.”

Liu Feng lowered her long lashes, concealing the depth of her dark eyes.

A person who does not wish to die, once frightened enough times, will eventually wish for death.

A brilliant smile spread across her face.

“I won’t disturb Huang’er’s rest tonight.”

“Sleep early. I’ll be leaving.”

The night was deep and silent.

The bright white moonlight streamed through the square window into the dark room, adding a soft glow to the space.

Su Li slowly opened her eyes.

Her brilliant golden pupils shimmered in the darkness.

She rose gently and glanced at the sleeping Liu Qiu before stealthily moving to her wrist.

The weather was hot.

Once this human slept deeply, she would tug her clothes open, leaving her arm exposed.

It made things convenient.

The power contained in pure vital blood was even better than she had imagined.

Her heart had been injured, and she had long relied on her demon core to protect it.

But since the wound had been inflicted by a Daoist priest, it refused to heal.

Yet after drinking a little vital blood last night, the injury had actually improved somewhat.

Su Li leaned close to that snow-white slender wrist, licked it lightly, then pierced the thin skin with her sharp canine teeth.

Blood welled up.

She licked it clean without hesitation, drinking more than she had the previous night.

The essence contained in the blood was refined the instant it entered her body.

The little fox’s body slowly lengthened and enlarged.

In place of the fox now lay a long-haired, naked woman, sprawled over Liu Qiu’s wrist as she sucked.

Her crimson tongue curled the blood into her mouth.

Su Li narrowed her bewitching eyes and licked the bite mark she had left on Liu Qiu’s wrist.

Straightening up, she swept her long hair behind her head, revealing an exceptionally seductive face.

Skin white as snow, a sharp chin, fox-like eyes half-drunken and half-clear, faint red at the corners, cherry lips and a delicate nose—every feature exquisite.

She looked at Liu Qiu, whose eyes were tightly shut.

Placing her hands on either side of Liu Qiu’s face, she leaned over her.

This human was truly useful.

She wanted to keep her by her side and have her provide vital blood every day.

Su Li lowered herself and gently blew into Liu Qiu’s ear.

“My name is Su Li.”

That night’s sleep was unusually deep.

When Liu Qiu awoke, it was already bright outside.

Headache and weakness greeted her the moment she opened her eyes.

She sat up wearily and glanced aside.

The little fox was still curled by the pillow, sleeping soundly.

Perhaps it was her imagination, but its fur seemed glossier.

Pressing her temple, Liu Qiu quietly got out of bed just as Fang Lian entered with a basin of water.

Seeing Liu Qiu standing by the bed, Fang Lian exclaimed, “Qiu girl, why is your face so pale?”

Liu Qiu touched her face and smiled faintly.

“Mother, perhaps it’s just because I’ve just woken up.”

Fang Lian set down the basin and worriedly felt her forehead.

“In this hot weather, you’ve caught a chill.”

“Qiu girl, lie back down. I’ll have your father fetch a doctor to examine you.”

She pressed Liu Qiu back onto the bed and quickly yet gently wiped her face and hands clean.

Then she hurried out with the basin.

Liu Qiu sat at the edge of the bed, gazing out the window.

A faint smell of smoke reached her nose, making her chest feel tight and her breathing grow hurried.

Someone else entered.

This time, it was Liu Huang.

She placed a food box on the table.

Seeing Liu Qiu sitting blankly on the bed, lost in thought, Liu Huang knocked lightly on the table.

With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, she said, “Sister Qiu, come eat.”

Thanks to Liu Qiu, she had another absurd dream last night.

In the dream, it was no longer her holding Liu Qiu, but Liu Feng.

Liu Qiu was opened toward her.

And she herself was applying medicine to Liu Qiu, her slightly darker fingers smearing ointment repeatedly over her skin.

Liu Qiu’s eyes brimmed with tears as she reached back to clutch Liu Feng’s arm, her voice small and trembling with sobs.

“Don’t… please…”

She had stared at that trembling place, leaning closer and closer, and just as she was about to touch it, the dream shattered and she woke.

Her undergarments were soaked again.

Liu Huang couldn’t understand herself.

Why was she so fixated on a woman’s body, even dreaming of it?

That place was for relieving oneself—wasn’t it filthy?

Yet she had wanted to lick it, as though bewitched.

Liu Qiu didn’t notice Liu Huang’s abnormality.

Liu Huang had always been unfriendly toward her, and today even more so.

Her smile was so fake it was obvious at a glance.

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together and dragged her tired body over to sit down.

As she inhaled the salty fragrance of the food, she caught another scent mixed within it—the same scent Liu Feng carried.

She looked at Liu Huang strangely.

Liu Huang smiled.

“Sister Qiu, why are you looking at me?”

“Do you need me to set it up for you as well?”

Liu Qiu withdrew her gaze and said nothing more.

She opened the food box and took out the dishes—a bowl of porridge with minced meat and scallions, and a plate of greens.

Having not eaten the previous night, she felt certain she could finish it all.

But she had overestimated herself.

After only half a bowl of porridge, nausea rose in her stomach.

She pushed the ceramic bowl aside and stood, walking back toward the bed.

“I won’t eat anymore,” she said softly.

Liu Huang let out a light laugh and did not urge her to continue.

Instead, she strode forward and came up behind Liu Qiu.

Watching Liu Qiu slowly climb back onto the bed, Liu Huang suddenly grabbed her waist and leaned close.

“Sister Qiu, do you know how to drug someone?”

Her breath was heavy, her body scorching hot, brimming with vigorous vitality.

Liu Qiu lay prone on the bed, her waist gripped, her lower back dipping slightly.

She frowned and asked, “Liu Huang, what are you talking about?”

Her body felt terribly uncomfortable, and she had no desire to quarrel.

Liu Huang stared at the slender back before her and the curve of her hips, her gaze darkening.

It was this feeling.

The moment she touched Liu Qiu, her body heated up and she wanted to do something.

“Aw!”

A sharp fox cry rang out beside them.

Liu Huang released Liu Qiu and turned her eyes toward the white fox standing on the bed.

The little fox bared its teeth at her, looking extremely aggressive.

Liu Huang glared at it, irritation in her tone.

“You little beast. I should’ve left you to die wherever you were. Wasted five taels of silver on you.”

Liu Qiu immediately pulled the fox into her arms and looked at Liu Huang unhappily.

The little fox’s eyes rolled, and its voice turned pitiful.

“Ying ying ying.”

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together.

“Liu Huang, you can’t say that. Little Li is very smart.”

“She can understand what you say.”

Liu Huang raised a brow, displeased.

“If she’s so smart, she ought to be burned, lest she become a spirit.”

“Fox spirits absorb human essence.”

No matter how Liu Huang twisted her words, she was intent on killing the little fox.

Liu Qiu knew she truly would do such a thing.

The fox had barked at Liu Huang earlier, likely because it felt Liu Huang was bullying her.

After all, the little fox usually only made coquettish sounds.