The Birth of a Villainess

The way to the capital was no longer interrupted as everyone who accompanied them on the journey did not show any misbehavior, fearing that they would be sent away and punished like what happened to Gu Nan.

Even the three brothers, who thought that Qu Xing Xu was a cold-hearted beast who was only interested in making his enemy go through a painful and arduous life, had their views shattered.

How could somebody be so shameless when flaunting their authority and even punishing the emperor's soldiers just because he didn't want to disturb the Duchess' sleep?

Since then, nobody tried to make a sound whenever Lin Xiaofei decided to stay inside the carriage. Even breathing loudly was not allowed. They were too afraid that they would make a loud noise, awaken the Devil Duke, and get punished.

When the entire group arrived in front of the capital's city gate, the people inside the city welcomed them warmly and in a celebratory manner. The battle against the Chu Empire's army and how it ended with the Chu Empire's soldiers turning back in defeat with their tails tucked between their legs were spread across the Zheng Empire, furthering Qu Xing Xu's reputation as the God of War.

A few years ago, the title of God of War was buried with all the scholars being held high up. There weren't any wars to win and no more empires in conflict after the Four Great Empires decided to have a truce. And so, military men who fought in the previous year's wars were soon left behind and forgotten like books on shelves whose duty was to gather more dust to cover their glories.

And the God of War was one of them. Qu Xing Xu didn't care and never bothered with that title. It was given to him by the humans who wanted to boost their egos by naming someone a godly title.

But what would happen if they discover that the person they praised and welcomed into their cities turned out to be a Nine-tailed Fox Demon? Would they scorn him and drive him out of the city?

"We're here, Your Lordship," said Gu Yan as soon as the carriage stopped inside the Duke of Xin's residence.

The vast and wide residence still stood splendidly after two months of being away. Nothing changed, and every servant did their responsibilities seriously as if their lives depended on it.

Qu Xing Xu lifted the curtain to look outside before turning his head to look at Lin Xiaofei, who had her head on his lap, sleeping deeply.

After thinking about it, he told the servants outside: "Prepare the room and draw a warm bath for us to use."

Nobody questioned, and neither was shocked when they heard the duke use 'us' instead of 'me.' They were already used to their masters bathing, sleeping, and eating together. There was no stopping them now, even if they told them that rules said that man and wife cannot do these things together.

...

Ran Xueyi woke up when she felt the lapel of her robe was being pulled. She drowsily opened her lidded eyes and saw Qu Xing Xu staring at her. "What time is it?"

She sat up, let him continue taking off her outer robe, and heard him say, "It's already afternoon."

"That late?" Lin Xiaofei remembered that she slept around 11 in the evening last night. She actually slept more than 12 hours. And yesterday, she slept in the morning and afternoon as well.

What was going on with her?

Seeing the concern flash past her eyes, Qu Xing Xu said: "There's no need to worry. You absorbed a huge quantity of my fox essence, and your body is adjusting to it."

"Fox essence?"

Qu Xing Xu nodded. "I told you that I was born as a fox-demon. A mythical creature like us doesn't have the same human body type. Every fluid in our body has an effect on a human. A fox spirit can make humans drink their essence, and a healing effect will occur. As for a fox-demon, the effect of my Yang essence is much more tremendous than just a healing effect."

Ran Xueyi looked down at her stomach and wondered if there really was something happening to her body due to his essence. Though she didn't care about it, sleeping for a whole day was a bit too inconvenient. What would happen if they got attacked and she was asleep in bed like a sloth, unknown of the dangers that would come to her?

Seeing through her thoughts, Qu Xing Xu eased her mind again: "This side-effect will only happen for the first few days after taking the essence. It won't appear again after a few days."

"I see." Lin Xiao paused and looked up. "Then, I guess we must live separately from now on."

Qu Xing Xu blinked. "Why?"

Lin Xiaofei said with a severe expression, "If taking your essence means me having to go through this type of side-effect, I can't let you in my room or sleep in my bed from now on."

Qu Xing Xu: "..."

They both knew how indecent and immoral Qu Xing Xu was whenever the two of them were confined in one room. He didn't even care about the place or time. If what he said was true, that means Lin Xiaofei can't let him have his way from now on.

She didn't want to become a real sleeping beauty.

Looking at her being serious, taking this matter with a sincere mind and grave expression, Qu Xing Xu could no longer stand it. His laugh echoed throughout the whole courtyard, making the guards and servants stationed outside flinch and feel their souls flying out of their bodies.

After laughing so much and receiving a deathly glare from Lin Xiaofei, Qu Xing Xu finally stopped and wiped the tears that slipped from the corners of his eyes.

He really couldn't live without Lin Xiaofei. She was too adorable and a perfect match for him. No other person could replace her in his life and heart.

Afraid that the misunderstanding would continue and that his privilege to sleep with her in the same bed would be robbed, Qu Xing Xu quickly said, "It's okay. The side-effect will only happen the first time."

Lin Xiaofei narrowed her eyes at him: "Oh? And how did you know that? Have you tested it already?"

Qu Xing Xu: "..."

That night, Qu Xing Xu proved to Lin Xiaofei that he had never tested it on anyone else. It was something that was known to every fox-demon and fox spirit, like eating and sleeping. He also proved that he had never tried it before and tested this theory with her over and over again until the daylight shone through the window.

The next day, Lin Xiaofei really found out that the side-effect never appeared again. But she was considering whether to let Qu Xing Xu stay in another room or get another bigger and stronger bed next time?