Chapter 26: The Pitiful Little Fox

"So what if it's the Emperor's pet? I don't believe my cousin the Emperor would make trouble for me over a mere beast." Princess Weiyang hesitated for a moment, yet she truly did not think Xuanyuan Yu would punish her for a fox.

"Continue the slapping," Weiyang commanded Xiao Cui, clutching the little fox tightly in her arms.

"Yes, Your Highness." Xiao Cui proceeded to slap Liyue across the face again and again. Liyue let out muffled cries, her mouth swelling from the blows, her face covered in tears, yet she dared not resist.

The little fox was furious. *Squeak, squeak, squeak! You dare to hit my maid? Stop it at once!*

Weiyang glanced down at the restless, screeching fox in her arms, slapped its head, and threatened viciously, "Behave yourself, or I’ll kill you and peel your fur to make a scarf!"

The little fox’s fur stood on end. It clawed at Weiyang’s fair, delicate hand. Dammit, this is the umpteenth time! Why is every woman obsessed with my fur? If a fox doesn't show its teeth, you think I'm just a kitten? Let’s see how you like these claws! With a flurry of movement, the little fox not only shredded Weiyang’s hand but also raked its claws across her exquisite, beautiful face.

"Ah! You wretched fox!" Weiyang shrieked, flinging the little fox away as she clutched her face. The stinging sensation told her that her most prized possession—her face—had been marred.

Dazed and dizzy from the fall, the little fox scrambled to its feet. *Squeak, squeak, squeak! You damned woman, how dare you throw me! I’ll have my master execute you!*

"My face! You damnable fox, I’m going to kill you!" Weiyang approached the fox with a look of madness, her aura so terrifying that the little fox retreated in fear.

"Princess Weiyang, please, no!" Liyue pushed Xiao Cui aside and stood in front of the little fox.

"Get out of my way!"

Liyue trembled at the roar but refused to move. A storm brewed in Weiyang’s eyes. "Since you refuse to step aside, you can die along with this little fox."

Weiyang’s hand glowed with a brilliant green light as she struck Liyue. Liyue was sent flying, spitting blood as she hit the ground, lying there on the verge of death. Yet, her eyes were filled with desperate pleading, begging Weiyang not to harm the little fox.

*Squeak, squeak, squeak!* Liyue, are you alright? The little fox darted to Liyue’s side, looking at her with concern. It nuzzled her with its tiny head, its small paws frantically patting her body.

*Squeak, squeak, squeak!* Liyue, don't scare me! What’s wrong? The little fox let out sharp, frantic cries, the intense sorrow evident in its voice. Its violet eyes welled with tears that were on the verge of falling.

Weiyang stepped forward and crushed the little fox’s tail beneath her foot, a crazed look in her eyes. Her face had been scratched by this beast, and she would have its life in retribution. She ground her heel down hard, wishing to crush the tail into dust.

The little fox wept from the pain, but Xiao Cui held its body down, preventing it from struggling. It let out a miserable wail, "Squeak! Let me go! My tail hurts so much!"

"Princess Weiyang, I beg you, let the little fox go!" Ignoring her injuries, Liyue crawled over and hugged Weiyang’s leg, pleading. How could the Princess be so cruel? The little fox’s agonizing cries tore at Liyue’s heart.

"Get lost, you lowly wretch!" Weiyang kicked Liyue away, knocking her unconscious. Weiyang then stepped down hard on the little fox’s tail again. She wanted to torture the creature until it died, to let it know the price of offending Princess Weiyang.

The little fox was tormented until it lost consciousness. Finally, with a twisted smile, Weiyang raised her foot to crush the fox’s small head. But before she could apply any force, she was sent flying through the air by a sudden blow.