Yip-yip." The little fox’s eyes were full of confusion. What’s wrong with the emperor’s younger brother?

The National Teacher understood her meaning and lightly tapped her forehead. "You know, if you hadn’t met me today, Fifth Prince would have caught you and skinned you alive."

The little fox, hurt by the tap on her forehead, rubbed it with her little paw. She glared at the National Teacher, Don’t touch my head.

The National Teacher chuckled and gently rubbed the spot where he tapped her, amused. "You’re quite fierce, little one. I just like to tap your head, don’t you like it?"

The little fox bared her teeth at him, expressing her discontent.

Just as the National Teacher was about to tease her more, the little fox’s stomach made a loud "grumbling" sound.

If the little fox’s fur hadn’t been in the way, her red face would have been clearly visible from embarrassment. She was mortified.

"Ha ha!" The National Teacher laughed heartily, thoroughly entertained by the little fox’s situation.

The little fox, feeling embarrassed by his laughter, buried her face in her paws, unwilling to come out, making squeaking sounds.

Seeing the little fox curl up in embarrassment, the National Teacher patted her paw. "What would you like to eat? I’ll have someone bring it to you."

"Yip-yip!" Food?

Hearing the promise of food, the little fox immediately lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with excitement. It seemed this was one little fox who loved to eat.

The National Teacher, in turn, was delighted by the shining eyes of the little fox. "Wait here and don’t move. I’ll have someone prepare something for you. Got it?"

Before the National Teacher finished speaking, the little fox eagerly nodded. As long as there was food, she wouldn’t mind staying still. After running and fleeing, she had become so dizzy from hunger that she couldn’t even think straight anymore.

Seeing that she was obedient, the National Teacher left the tent and instructed the palace maids to prepare the food. Not knowing exactly what the little fox liked, he decided to have a bit of everything made, then see which one she liked the best.

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About a tea time later, the National Teacher returned. He found the little fox sitting exactly where he left her, not having moved an inch. She had grown stiff from holding the same position for so long.

"Did I tell you not to move? I didn’t say you had to freeze in that position!"

The little fox, hearing this, finally relaxed and stretched her limbs. I knew it! Why did he make me hold that pose? My legs were cramping. I’m going to eat a lot now to make up for that injury to my pride.

Soon, the palace maids brought in the food. The table was piled with various dishes, leaving only a small spot for the little fox to lie in.

Dizzy from the sight of so much food, the little fox didn’t know where to start. She grabbed the nearest pastry and popped it into her mouth. It melted instantly, and it tasted so good.

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she continued munching. The National Teacher, watching the little fox enjoy her food, felt a warmth in his heart, something soft stirred inside him. With a gentler tone than usual, he asked, "Do you like these things?"

"Yip-yip." Without hesitation, the little fox nodded eagerly. It’s so delicious!

"Then... if you stay by my side, you can always have good food whenever you want. Would you like to stay?"

"Yip-yip." Sure!

A smile appeared on the National Teacher's face. He had never thought that one day he would use food as a little trick to keep a fox by his side.

The little fox, munching happily, suddenly froze. She looked up sharply at the man with a smug grin.

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What just happened? What did I just agree to? Did I just sell myself out for a bite of food?

The little fox was confused, and the pastry she was holding fell from her paws without her noticing.

After coming to her senses, the little fox pointed accusingly at the National Teacher, her eyes full of blame. You big liar...

The National Teacher, seeing the accusing look in her eyes, couldn’t help but feel a softness in his heart. This little creature was so amusing. Trying not to laugh, he cleared his throat. "Cough. Don’t look at me like that. Wouldn’t being with me be better than living alone in a deep mountain?"

What’s so good about it? I’ve lost my freedom.

"I will always keep you by my side. You’ll get the same treatment I do—the living, the comforts, especially the food. Could you get such delicious pastries in the mountains?"

The National Teacher emphasized the word "food," his tone full of temptation. As soon as the little fox heard about the food, she was already interested. When the National Teacher used food to tempt her, it worked even better.

She was naturally a lazy fox. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have lived as a little fox in White Spirit Mountain, lounging around with Bai Ting, resting on his body all the time.

Thinking of Bai Ting made the little fox’s mood sour. She wondered if she would ever see him again. Though Bai Ting was a little silly, he had always treated her kindly. She had just disappeared without telling him anything.

The little fox, feeling a bit wronged, lay on the table, tears welling up in her eyes. Yet, her paw still reached for another piece of pastry, taking a bite. She was sad for a moment, then chewed on the pastry.

The National Teacher, feeling a little neglected by the little fox, noticed her change in mood. He picked her up and tried to distract her, wanting her to focus on him.

"Little one, what’s your name? I can’t keep calling you 'little fox' forever, can I?"