Chapter Eleven: Discussing the Marriage

Before leaving, Bai Shengyun suddenly spoke coldly, “You’d better behave and not run off on your own, or you’ll bear the consequences.”

Some people never give up the idea of escaping; if not warned in advance, they might vanish in the blink of an eye.

Hearing this, Xie Yingying rolled her eyes. “I know what I should do.”

“That’s for the best. Otherwise, if I have to catch you myself, it won’t be pleasant,” Bai Shengyun replied in a clear voice, but there was an unmistakable threat in his tone.

A chill ran down Xie Yingying’s spine. She was fully aware that Bai Shengyun would use any means necessary, but that didn’t stop her from quietly plotting her escape.

How could she ever break free from danger if she didn’t even try?

Besides, she had no intention of living every day under Bai Shengyun’s thumb, enduring his whims and endless threats, forced into submission at every turn. No one could bear such a life for long.

Bai Shengyun narrowed his eyes, his voice turning icy. “You’d better truly behave and not just brush me off—or I’ll let you experience what you did before, all over again.”

Xie Yingying forced a dry laugh, feigning compliance. “Once was lesson enough—I wouldn’t dare let it happen again.”

In truth, if she were able to best Bai Shengyun, she’d have loved nothing more than to slap that insufferable face of his a few times. But reality forced her to swallow her anger and curse him only in her heart.

“It’s good you know yourself. That saves me the trouble of acting personally,” Bai Shengyun said with a deliberate sigh, as if he truly relished the idea of playing a game of cat and mouse with her.

Xie Yingying smiled back, though her face was stiff with fatigue. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to rest now. After such a long day, I’m worn out.”

With that, she turned and left, swift and decisive.

The longer she remained in Bai Shengyun’s presence, the more she feared her temper would get the best of her, and then she’d suffer the consequences.

It was a pitiful situation—to have to please Bai Shengyun and endure his temper, like a hapless punching bag.

Once back in her room, Xie Yingying wasted no time locking the door. She sorted through her few magical implements, secretly plotting a flawless escape.

Her room’s window faced outward, and she could already see that the flow of people outside had grown much heavier than before.

Most of these people had come from all corners of the land to attend the Celestial Fox Grand Ritual—a gathering both vast and chaotic.

But for Xie Yingying, the Fox Dueling Tournament was a perfect opportunity. If luck was on her side, she could slip away unnoticed while everyone was preoccupied with the competition.

The problem was Bai Shengyun’s constant vigilance. She’d have to wait until his guard dropped, or his attention was diverted, to find her chance.

Thinking of Bai Shengyun’s current state, Xie Yingying sighed and leaned on the windowsill, lost in thought.

She desperately wished someone would come to distract Bai Shengyun and give her a chance to escape, but it was only a hope.

Meanwhile, Ning Qingqing had made sure her room was near Bai Shengyun’s, hoping proximity would bring opportunity—but she was left disappointed.

After dressing meticulously, she went to Bai Shengyun’s door, only to find several guards stationed there.

They stopped her without hesitation. “Sorry, outsiders must stop here.”

Ning Qingqing froze, then explained softly, “I am the attendant to the Immortal Lord. Please inform him—I have something to discuss.”

But Bai Shengyun’s quarters had already been arranged by the fox clan elders, with no chance for outsiders to enter easily.

“There is already someone to attend the Young Lord. Please return,” one guard said.

Ning Qingqing bit her lip in frustration. “I only wish to see the Immortal Lord for a moment. Please, make an exception.”

She had hoped for a chance to approach Bai Shengyun, but she was too late.

Clearly, someone had anticipated her and ensured Bai Shengyun would be isolated, making it impossible for any outsider to get close.

When Bai Shengyun arrived at Gufeng Mountain, the fox clan’s elders hastily arranged everything, clearing the area around his residence.

Xie Yingying and Ning Qingqing were allowed to stay only because they had followed Bai Shengyun without causing trouble.

However unwilling Ning Qingqing was, she still could not see Bai Shengyun and finally had to leave in frustration, stifled and restless.

Bai Shengyun, meanwhile, summoned several elders of the fox clan. They sat together with solemn faces.

“This time, I brought someone with me. She and I… have already been intimate. As the young emperor of the fox clan, it is my duty to take responsibility.”

Some things could not be changed, and arrangements had to be made.

No matter what, the incident with Xie Yingying had already occurred. For the sake of peace, he had to explain himself to the elders.

“How does the Young Lord intend to arrange matters for this woman?” the chief elder asked cautiously, the others exchanging glances.

Who would have thought Bai Shengyun, having survived hardships outside, would have become entangled with a woman? Now there was no way to part from her.

What’s more, the Celestial Fox clan had unique customs. Once they were intimate with someone, they had to remain devoted, or they would suffer indescribable torment, a fate worse than death.

Bai Shengyun had always been upright, never entangled with women, rarely even seen with a close female companion. Yet now, an exception had occurred.

“In accordance with our clan’s rules, I must take responsibility,” Bai Shengyun replied lazily, his meaning clear.

He had already brought Xie Yingying to his side, so naturally, he would bring her to the fox clan, giving her a legitimate status—he would not be an irresponsible man.

“Today, I wish to discuss our marriage with the elders and choose an auspicious date for the ceremony.”

He knew little of marriage customs and entrusted all arrangements to the elders, letting them handle the details.

“Once the Fox Dueling Tournament ends, I ask the elders to make arrangements, so our marriage can take place as soon as possible, granting her formal status.”

Bai Shengyun was content to leave all responsibilities to the clan elders. As for marrying Xie Yingying, her wishes were not considered—she would have no say in the matter.

He simply explained their relationship, omitting the details of their intimacy, for such private matters were not fit for public discussion.