Lian Muxiu gave Ying San a glance and said lightly, “If you’re having a sore throat, you can pick up some medicine on the way back to avoid passing the discomfort onto Little Nine.”

  Ying San, at that moment, wanted to cry. He had followed his master for many years, risking his life for him, yet he found that he couldn’t even compare to a little fox in the eyes of his master.

  As a man, Ying San couldn’t let himself be too melancholic, so he took a deep breath and said, “Understood, Master.”

  Ying San made a decision then: he would serve his master even better, to increase his standing in Lian Muxiu’s eyes.

  Looking at Little Nine, Ying San wanted to take a good look at this little fox who was so highly regarded by his master. But to his surprise, he found nothing but disdain in her eyes. Ying San rubbed his eyes, but the disdain didn’t go away. He sighed, “Master, is Little Nine… looking down on me?”

  Lian Muxiu turned to look at Little Nine, and sure enough, there was clear disdain in her eyes. He chuckled softly, “Ying San, Little Nine clearly thinks you’re a bit slow.”

  Ying San was immediately infuriated, “What? She dares to look down on me? I...”

  Before Ying San could finish, Little Nine turned her back on him, not even looking at him anymore. She was afraid that if she kept staring at this fool, she might get infected.

  Little Nine tugged at Lian Muxiu’s sleeve on the table, “Squeak, squeak.” She had been interrupted by Ying San when she was trying to ask something earlier. Lian Muxiu still hadn’t explained it.

  Lian Muxiu, now distracted by Little Nine, said, “Ying Yi, tell us about Taibai Ju.”

  “Yes, Master.” Ying Yi replied, “Though Taibai Ju is on Yipin Street, the true owner behind it is someone else.” At this moment, since they were on the second floor of a private room, Ying Yi couldn’t speak too openly. If anyone overheard, rumors might start spreading.

  “Who’s the other person?” Little Nine asked, confused.

  Lian Muxiu patted Little Nine’s head. “It’s a bit too complicated to explain in a few words. I’ll explain it to you in detail when we get back. How about that?”

  Little Nine nodded eagerly. Her stomach was growling, and that was the most important thing now. She was starving.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Little Nine tugged at one of Lian Muxiu’s fingers, pointing to her belly to let him know how hungry she was. Lian Muxiu, however, was too engrossed in the softness of her belly to notice, his finger gently tracing along. The touch startled Little Nine, and she squealed, “Squeak!” Who says that foxes don’t feel ticklish?

  Lian Muxiu smiled, his lips curving. “Heh, Little Nine, you’re so cute. I’m really starting to like you more and more.”

  Little Nine, hearing Lian Muxiu’s compliment, didn’t feel happy at all. She bared her sharp teeth at him, warning him that if he didn’t give her food soon, she’d bite him!

  Lian Muxiu patted her head soothingly. “I’ll have Ying San hurry up, Ying San.”

  “I?” Ying San pointed at himself, and seeing Lian Muxiu’s determined gaze, he reluctantly walked out of the private room, muttering, “I knew it, always bullying the good people. Why didn’t Ying Yi go? I’m an elite guard, and now I’ve been reduced to delivering food for a fox… sigh.”

  As he bent down to pick something up from the floor, Ying San noticed a small glass bead, but before he could touch it, he heard Lian Muxiu’s voice, “If you don’t go to the kitchen right now, when we return, you’ll be assigned to follow Ying Si.”

  Ying San froze. “Master, I was wrong. I’ll go immediately.”

  In a flash, Ying San vanished, and Lian Muxiu nodded in satisfaction.

  Little Nine raised her head, confused, “Is Ying Si really that powerful? Why is Ying San so afraid of him?”

  Lian Muxiu seemed to recall something and smiled, explaining to Little Nine, “Ying Si is also one of my guards. She’s a woman, but she’s not any less capable than the other three men. When we get back, I’ll have all four of my guards come to meet you.”

  Little Nine nodded vigorously. She liked this idea.

  “Master, the food is ready. Should we bring it in now?” Ying San’s voice came from outside the room, having clearly visited the kitchen already.

  Lian Muxiu replied, “Yes, bring it in. Little Nine is already hungry.”

  “Yes, Master.” Ying San’s voice clearly showed he was grinding his teeth in frustration.

  Little Nine lowered her head and quietly pouted. She almost wanted to laugh at Ying San’s misfortune. But then, she thought better of it. It was more important to get the food now. Besides, Ying San wouldn’t escape. She’d save her next bout of disdain for him.

  With a response from Ying San, Ying Yi lifted the curtain, and several waiters came in, each carrying a tray. On the trays were Taibai Ju’s signature dishes, specialty snacks, and one waiter carrying tea.

  Ying Yi intercepted the last waiter who was carrying tea. “It’s well-known that the National Master doesn’t drink tea. Does Taibai Ju not know this?”

  The waiter, who was just following orders, didn’t know and was startled. Seeing Ying Yi’s cold expression and the murderous aura around him, the waiter quickly knelt, “I didn’t know… Please forgive me, National Master.”

  “It’s fine, Ying Yi,” Lian Muxiu said without even looking up. “Ignorance is no sin. My not drinking tea is a personal preference, and there’s no need to make it known to all of Tancheng, causing trouble for others.”

  “Yes, Master,” Ying Yi replied, bowing respectfully, and then addressed the kneeling waiter, “Get up. I overreacted. I apologize.”

  The waiter, hearing Ying Yi’s apology, stood up but immediately knelt again, saying, “I apologize! Please forgive me, Master!”