The music was good, the demons on stage were beautiful, and the food was delicious.
Shao Fei tipped the pot of wine into her mouth, enjoying the captivating sight in pure bliss. In front of her, a group of dancers twirled in a circle, their robes flowing elegantly in the air like flowers dancing in the air.
Currently performing were three of the most popular demons of Fox Tavern, the biggest brothel within Bingxin. Not only were their looks the finest, their skills were also unbelievably top notch. As their sole client at the moment, Shao Fei was treated with extreme care.
If she so as slightly shifted in her seat, they would give her a wink or a flirtatious smile to keep up her energy. If she frowned, they would immediately switch up the music and put on a different choreography. If she, however, lifted the corners of her lips, they'd know she was satisfied and carried on with utmost pride.
Today, she haven't shown a sign of her opinion yet. Her busy eyes never strayed from the stage, waiting for the climax of the show, as her hands continuously popped lychees into her gluttonous mouth.
Ah, life was good. Indeed, it was good.
"Princess."
Shao Fei tore her eyes away from the three handsomes, impatience swiped all over her face. Standing beside her was her military advisor, Ha Jin. "What is it?"
"Your mother calls for you," Ha Jin whispered.
The piece of cake froze halfway to her mouth. A string of curse words popped into her head.
Shao Fei stood up at once and generously placed a bag onto the table. She threw an air kiss to the confused demons, not once exposing the complicated feelings swimming inside her heart, "We shall continue the fun on another day, handsomes."
In no time, her figure was seen flying down the palace corridors. From a distance away, Shao Fei could hear the distinct voices of her family arguing strongly over a matter. Discussions nearing arguments were in full swing.
Shao Luhui, the current reining Fox Queen stood proudly on the throne, watching in observation while the princesses argued away. Although she was dressed in a white dress, the mere sight of her would scare anyone away. There was no person more powerful than the Fox Queen in Bingxin.
Sun Yan, the Fox King, sat to the side calm and collected despite the situation. He, too, hadn't spoken and was listening to each princess as they spoke.
There was an air of elegance and an invisible aura of power around the Fox Queen no matter what little action she did. She waved her hand once and the room immediately hushed into silence.
At the sight of Shao Fei's figure entering the large hall, that same woman stated blankly, "Late again."
Shao Fei met her mother's cold eyes with her own signature smile, a corner of her lip curving upwards. "Greetings, mother."
Immediately, the princesses turned around. They all breathed a silent sigh of relief, as if the dilemma could suddenly be solved with Shao Fei's presence.
Shao Qiang, the fourth princess, was the first to speak, "Fei, how do you feel about seeing a handsome man?"
That smug smile turned into a full grin. "Why? You've got one?"
Shao Qiang and Shao Hualing, the fifth and youngest sister, shared a glance. "... Yes, the top quality one. The best of the best."
Shao Fei's mind flashed back to the gorgeous performance from earlier. "Can his looks beat Qin Yuanchao? Is his voice as sweet as Li Shenxing and can he dance better than Fang Wu?"
Shao Qiang was so excited by Shao Fei's interest, she almost jumped in joy. "His looks are better than Qin Yuanchao, his voice can capture the hearts of thousands of maidens and he is the number one disciple across the realm. As for dance, surely he can if he excells at everything else..."
Shao Fei's brow raised, "Such a perfect man exists? Why has no one told me before?"
"Of course, but you've never seen him. He's not from our Fox Clan."
"Give me his name, I'll book a day to play with him—"
"Preposterous! Is the brothel the only thing on your mind all day?" Shao Luhui roared in anger. "You just returned from the borders yesterday, went out playing all day today, and still can't think of anything else?"
Shao Fei's playful expression almost slipped off. A few days ago, while monitoring the borders, there was an urgent message stating her father was ill. For two days and one night, she rushed back without resting, only to see her father sitting in the garden and eating well.
Of course, she was glad he was in good health, however, what she did not appreciate was something she took as life and death was no more than a joke or a tool used by others.
This morning, she put on her most flamboyant dress and made a big impression on the streets, marching straight to Fox Tavern fully ensuring everyone could see her face. Realizing this call may yet be another manipulative move, Shao Fei felt her already sparse patience disappearing by the seconds.
"Jiejie...?" Shao Hualing called out cautiously.
Shao Fei couldn't help rolling her eyes slightly, "Is this perfect man Wu Zihan, the Bird Prince?"
Shao Hualing's hopeful expression turned grim.
Wu Zihan of the Bird Clan was a name familiar to Shao Fei, although she had not seen the man himself. For the past several thousands years, the Fox and Bird Clans were loyal allies, but times had changed. Rumors of instability filled the land once again and there were talks of an alliance marriage to strengthen the connection between the two clans.
Shao Fei had been away, but she'd also paid attention to the rumors spreading around. Her growing suspicion was soon confirmed by her mother's next words.
"The Bird King has made an offer," Shao Luhui's gaze rested on each of her daughters and stopped at Shao Fei. "There will be a marriage alliance at the next clan meeting."
The Bird Clan wanted to make peace and thus, offered their best prince. In return, a candidate of the Fox Clan must be chosen. Shao Lihui's gaze slowly descended upon each of her daughters.
Shao Fei felt a horrible premonition coming. Shao Hualing reached for her hands and she pulled Shao Hualing to the back. While she was away, Shao Hualing had grown well into a young maiden. As the youngest in the family, Shao Hualing was given freedom others used to only dreamed about.
Her parents suddenly went gentle on their youngest child, resulting in a slighty spoiled and demanding child. Still, Shao Hualing was kind at heart and had a lot to see of the vast world. Something like a marriage alliance was akin to having a bucket of water splashed over a growing flame.
Shao Qiang crossed her arms. "Marriage is not my current focus."
"Yulin?" Shao Luhui glanced at her oldest daughter. The First Princess, Shao Yulin, was the best in studying, cultivating, and medicine. Other than her talents and interests, she was beautiful and had a good reputation. In terms of matching with Wu Zihan, only she would be an equal match.
Shao Yulin lowered her eyes, speaking for the first time, "Please accept my deepest apologies, mother."
Shao Luhui sighed and turned to her second daughter. The last option. "And what about you, Fei?"
While her mother questioned her sisters, Shao Fei had positioned herself comfortably on one of the luxurious, soft cushioned chairs. She was the last to arrive and the first to cozy up in the cold hall. Her fingers were held up against the bright sun rays filtering through the tall glass wall windows, appearing as if she was studying the black lotuses painted on her nails. Behind her hands, though, was a pair of complicated eyes.
The Five Clans ruled over the Dark Realm. Out of those five, the Fox and Bird clans were once the closest. With rumors of war brewing in the past months, the clans started clambering to partner up before anything broke out. Wu Zihan, that man was the crown prince of high standing and constantly claimed to hold high standards. If he had the choice, he would for sure choose any other woman.
The black lotuses on her nails seemed to be even darker against the sun. As black as the night sky without stars. Then, the back of a figure emerged from the starless sky.
Shao Fei turned to face the Fox Queen, knowing how the conversation would go, as it's gone countless times before. "Mother, have you forgotten?"
Shao Luhui immediately recognized what her daughter meant. She raised her hand so strongly, creating a gush of wind that was able to push the others in the room, causing the princesses to nearly fall back. "In my world, an orphan with no background, slaving away has no right to stand beside you. Regardless of what you do in the brothels, you are still a princess, Shao Fei!"
Shao Fei was the sole one who remained unaffected. "Xie Yuan is his name, mother. Until you recognize him, I will take no part of this conversation."
"You!"
"My sisters and I have all voiced our thoughts, a rejection may have to be called upon," Shao Fei spoke up what others were too afraid to say.
The other princesses didn't dare speak, but all nodded. Their mother... when angered was more frightening than an enemy.
"There will be no rejection," the Fox Queen stated firmly. "You all are dismissed."
Shao Fei was about to get up and follow after her sisters when her mother added. "You, stay behind."
Slumping back into the cushioned chair, Shao Fei didn't get to the enjoy the chair's softness for even a second before the Fox Queen swung her ice staff around, stopping only a few inches away from Shao Fei's neck. "It seems four years at the border gave you the impression you're too high for my rules. You are to be under house arrest until your mind clears."
Shao Fei did not flinch, almost as if she expected such a response from her mother. It was true she'd been avoiding returning home. Since the incidents four years ago, she left for the borders and never visited again.
During the holidays every year, even the soldiers had time to visit their families. While the soldiers went home, she stayed in the military camps. As one of their generals, she had the privilege of leaving almost anytime, but she never did so.
Stepping into "home," into what was supposed to be comfortable and safe was akin to being suffocated inside a bag and locked inside a gilded cage with no windows. When she was away from here, she could be out of her family's reach. By the borders of Bingxin, in Sanhe City, was the coldest in the kingdom and had the roughest living environment. She had already began to miss it after just a day. When she was there, she could be out of her family's reach.
"Mother, perhaps you should reconsider your words. When my sisters rejected the marriage, you raised no questions. Yet, when I said no, you rushed to bend me to your will." Shao Fei coldly glanced at her mother, no longer bothered to keep up a facade. "I'm no longer the child you can feed to the monsters."
Sun Yan looked back and forth at the mother and daughter pair. His wife's expression became uglier with each word while his daughter's became harder to read. His wife threw slammed her ice staff angrily onto the floor, sending an icy wave towards the cushioned chair and splitting it into halves.
Only to be too late.
In a flash, the daughter who sat relaxingly leaning back with legs crossed, was already gone. The figure was no longer there, only a voice echoed behind.
"You can't keep me anymore, mother, you know that yourself. I have long surpassed this game of yours."