Chapter 26: Identity Revealed [VIP]

Chapter 26: Identity Revealed [VIP]

Chapter Summary: How can one understand the complexities of human nature and the emotions of love in this world?

The next day at dawn, at Jingyang Ridge.

The warbling of orioles and the murmur of swallows in the pines.

The morning sun swept across the lush green slopes and vine-covered ravines on the east side, casting its rays upon the fox den behind an old pine tree on the south side of Jingyang Ridge.

All around was peaceful and serene; someone was still sleeping soundly on the bed.

Sunlight streamed down, and a sliver of sunshine, carried by the warm breeze, brushed past her eyes. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and the person on the couch frowned slightly. She subconsciously raised her fair wrist to shield her eyes before slowly opening them.

"Songsong?"

Pan Yue's eyes were still blurry with the sleepiness of someone just waking up. She vaguely saw the little fox sitting upright in front of the bed, intently licking its tiny paw pads. Her eyelashes suddenly drooped, and she said in a hoarse voice, "What's wrong today..."

The words "still here" were still on her lips when she sensed movement on the bed. The little fox's clear eyes lit up, and she wagged her tail and rushed forward, her front paws resting on the edge of the bed, excitedly asking, "Yunyun, you're awake?"

The warbling of orioles and the chirping of swallows fill the air, and the clear sky seems to ripple like silk threads.

On the couch and beneath it, a man and a fox stared at each other, their eyes wide open. Apart from the gentle breeze rustling through the pines, the cave was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Its tail, which had been swaying like a spinning top, suddenly drooped down. Just as she was feeling unwell, it hopped onto the stone bed, flattened its ears, and snuggled into her arms.

"Yunyun?"

Yunyun...yun...yun?!

The words “Yunyun” were like a thunderclap from a clear sky, startling Pan Yue so much that she sat up abruptly, pushed away the little fox that was desperately trying to get closer, and retreated to a corner against the wall.

She wrapped her arms around her knees, her eyes wide open, trembling for a long time before cautiously peering out through the narrow gap between her knees.

The little fox, Songsong, sat upright before the couch, its usually perky ears drooping, its bushy tail idly brushing against its feet, seemingly restless. Its eyes, still clear and bright, gazed at her, but beyond worry, there seemed to be a hint of sadness.

"you……"

Upon recognizing her surroundings, Pan Yue swallowed hard, her eyes wide open, her cheeks pale, and slowly straightened up.

"You are a fox..."

Her hands, wrapped around her knees, tightened involuntarily. She looked up at the fox den, then through the swaying shadows under the ancient pine tree, and finally up and down the fox den, until she reached the stone bed in front of the little fox, its body bathed in the morning light, its expression innocent yet wounded.

"……Refined?"

As if to welcome guests from afar, the fox den was more lively than usual today.

The melodious chirping of birds, the joyful passing of deer, the flowers and grasses swaying in the wind... until the words "fox spirit" were uttered, they suddenly disappeared, and the cave was instantly silent.

After an unknown amount of time, a ray of sunshine, glistening with morning dew, swept across the stone bed.

The little fox paused slightly, glanced back at Granny Pine outside the cave, who remained relaxed as usual, then turned to the bed, its tail still gently swaying back and forth. It asked incredulously, "Yunyun, are you... a human?"

Upon witnessing Songsong speak human language, Pan Yuexin trembled. She instinctively tightened her grip on her clothes, abruptly averting her gaze, her expression filled with panic.

Seeing the undisguised fear in her eyes, Songsong instinctively stepped forward, but before he could touch the stone bed, he turned back. Without understanding why he did this, he dashed out of the cave, transformed into the appearance of Wu Song, and then hurriedly returned.

He feared that Yunyun still couldn't accept it, so he paused in front of the bed, his outstretched hands rising and falling repeatedly, but he dared not touch her slightly trembling shoulders.

"Yunyun, don't be afraid!" He took a half step forward and said anxiously, "It's me! I'm Song, Wu Song!!"

Pan Yue buried her head in her knees, her shrugged shoulders trembled slightly, she suddenly let go of her hands, and slowly raised her head.

The face etched in her heart was reflected in her eyes, which were bathed in the morning light. All the grievances she had suffered since their separation surged into her heart, and Pan Yue felt a sudden pang of sadness in her nose and her eyes reddened.

Now that things have come to this, how can she still deceive herself?

"Yunyun's wrist is injured, Songsong, please lick it for her!"

"The human realm is indeed perilous!!"

“Songsong grew up in Jingyanggang since he was a child…”

"..."

Every single thing that happened after we met is still vivid in my mind.

Wu Song's innocent and naive nature, his unusual way of expressing himself, and his extraordinary keen sense of smell; the little fox that traveled a hundred miles to follow her to Yang Valley, the little fox that knew her nature and helped her out of trouble, the little fox that never appeared at the same time as Wu Song... all of these confirm what is seen before one's eyes.

It turns out that from the very beginning of their acquaintance, the little fox had already revealed his purpose.

Are you a vixen?

Songsong lingered in the human world, which he had always disliked, not for any other reason than to find his kind.

Or perhaps...

Their eyes met, and Pan Yue felt her heart sink.

Wu Song, who grew fox ears under the full moon; Wu Song, who stewed chicken soup without plucking the feathers; Song Song, who moved freely in and out of the "secret room"; Song Song, who rarely appeared in the daytime...

Perhaps she had suspicions in her heart, but dared not believe them, much less investigate them further.

The name of "fox spirit" that she desperately wanted to get rid of, which had been attached to Jinlian for thousands of years, turned out to be the source of her acquaintance with "Wu Song"!

After confirming that Yunyun was no longer frightened and dodging, Songsong cautiously approached.

Before he could utter a word of comfort, he looked up and saw that her eyes had reddened again. The fact that there was no other fox spirit in the world that should have made him dejected and depressed was completely forgotten. He scratched his head vigorously, turned around and ran out of the cave, picked up the bouquet of flowers that he had prepared at the cave entrance, and rushed back inside.

"Yunyun!"

He shoved the wildflower, glistening with morning dew, into her arms and said anxiously, "Yunyun, don't be afraid! This flower is my witness: from now on, if Yunyun doesn't wish it, Songsong will never again appear in fox form!"

Pan Yue subconsciously opened her hands.

Just then, a ray of morning sunlight leaped into the fox den, brushed past the dewdrops among the flowers, and reflected into her eyes.

From Songsong's perspective, it seemed as if a layer of crystal-clear light had suddenly appeared in her bright eyes, making them brimming with tears.

"Yunyun, don't cry!"

Before the other person could speak, Songsong panicked and sat down on the stone bed. She wanted to reach out, but was afraid of startling the other person.

"If Yunyun doesn't want to stay in Jingyanggang..."

The five fingers that had been hovering in the air curled slightly, and Songsong abruptly withdrew his hand. He scratched his head, looked at the shimmering sunlight outside the cave, and then turned to her, saying, "Once the storm has passed down the mountain, Songsong will send Yunyun down! Yanggu, Qinghe, wherever Yunyun wants to go!"

And what about you?

Pan Yue's pale eyes trembled slightly. She tightened her grip on the daylily in her arms and suddenly raised her head.

The person before me had clear, bright eyes and an innocent, naive expression, just like she did yesterday.

She lowered her eyes to look at the daylilies in her arms, and after a moment, she sighed softly and said out of the blue, "Did you pick them from Dongpo early this morning?"

Songsong paused for a moment, then subconsciously followed her gaze and reached out, her fingertips lightly touching the soft daylily petals. She nodded gently and said, "On my way to Tokyo, I encountered a band of mountain bandits and rescued a brother and sister who had been kidnapped by them... The woman was skilled in calligraphy and painting, and to express her gratitude, she gave me a painting she had painted herself; the brother wrote a poem on the painting and even taught me to recite the two lines of poetry: 'Though the daylily is a small flower, it stands out proudly on its own.'"

The five fingers in front of the flower and leaf paused slightly. Songsong looked up at Pan Yue, her eyes filled with shyness, and said softly, "Songsong thinks these two lines match Yunyun perfectly, so..."

"Though the daylily is a small flower, it stands out beautifully on its own..."

Pan Yue lowered her eyes and murmured to herself.

The clouds come and go, and the sun rises higher and higher.

After a long while, as if finally confirming or accepting something, Pan Yue suddenly raised her head, her clear eyes reflecting Songsong's image, and said earnestly, "Songsong, I'm not a fox!"

Songsong paused for a moment, about to speak, when Pan Yue waved her hand, signaling her to finish what she was saying.

"You descended the mountain to enter the world in search of your kind, but..."

She paused slightly, looking into Songsong's clear eyes, and continued, "There is no other little fox in the world as intelligent and gifted as Songsong... For hundreds or thousands of years to come, perhaps no other fox will ever become a spirit and accompany Songsong to appreciate the spring flowers in March and watch the sunrise and sunset..."

Pan Yue leaned forward, looking at her reflection in his eyes, and slowly asked, "Will Songsong be disappointed?"

"lose……"

Her clear eyes trembled slightly, and she easily averted her gaze, turning her head to look at the swaying pine shadows and the warm breeze outside the cave. After a long while, she frowned slightly and suddenly turned her head away.

His brows were relaxed, and his bright eyes shone with a clear and cheerful light.

“Yunyun is right. Songsong dislikes the noise and complexities of the world. But there’s a saying that Songsong thinks makes a lot of sense.”

A hint of seriousness appeared in Songsong's eyes as she said, "What is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force." Songsong couldn't find a second fox spirit, but by chance, she met Yunyun.

Her fox-like eyes suddenly curved downwards. Songsong reached out and touched the soft, drooping daylily petals, continuing, "Yunyun is also unique here, and the time spent with Yunyun will not come again. Why should Songsong be disappointed?"

Soft fingertips brushed across the daylily flowers, as if gently landing on her heart.

Pan Yue abruptly looked away, her heart feeling as soft and yielding as the grass in March.

"you……"

Pan Yue sat beside him on the couch, gazing at the warbling of orioles and the swaying shadows of pines outside the cave. Suddenly, she said, "Speaking of which, back in Qinghe, how did Songsong recognize me at first glance as the kind of person you were looking for?"

"It's my mother-in-law!"

As usual, Songsong tilted her head back, grinned, and said matter-of-factly, "Grandma Song has heard the gossip from all over the county!"

"Mother-in-law?"

Pan Yue subconsciously raised her head.

Hearing the word "mother-in-law" again now carries a different meaning.

If Wu Song were the little fox on Jingyang Ridge, the old woman he often talked about...

"Rustle"

The ancient pine tree at the cave entrance vaguely reveals the hearts of people.

The moment she looked up, the pine branches and leaves suddenly unfurled, letting in wisps of sunlight and dappled cloud shadows, which, along with the wind that swept across the mountains, gently enveloped the two of them.

Before I could even ask to confirm, I heard Songsong's joyful and seemingly matter-of-fact response.

"Grandma said that Yunyun is the first fox spirit in this area to cultivate intelligence. Perhaps because she is lonely on the mountain, she transformed into a human and lingered in the human world."

"Grandma said that we are of the same kind, and are the only two foxes in this area who have cultivated into spirits, so we should take care of each other..."

"My mother-in-law said that once she's decided on Yunyun, she should put Yunyun first in everything."

"Grandma said that Yunyun's constitution is different from that of the fox clan, and the old ginseng from the mountains can replenish qi and blood..."

"My mother-in-law said..."

"My mother-in-law said..."

Realizing something, Pan Yue tightened her grip on the daylily in her hand, frowned slightly, and turned to look at Songsong, who had a serious expression.

“Grandma is right, but Songsong…”

Songsong was stunned for a moment, and looked back at her with eyes full of confusion, as clear as a child's.

Pan Yue suddenly felt the air in the cave was thin, and her chest felt tight. She frowned and stared at him for a long time, then suddenly lowered her eyes and softly asked, "Has Grandma ever told Songsong what love in this world is? Does Songsong know what a lover is?"

"spouse?"

Seeing the fleeting sadness in her eyes, Songsong was like a child suddenly being tested in school, her eyes wide open, at a loss for what to do.

But in Pan Yue's eyes, it seemed to have a completely different meaning.

Pan Yue felt a slight twitch in her heart. She looked down at the daylily in her arms, her fingers trembling slightly. She couldn't straighten up or speak for a long time.

How could she be so self-righteous and fanciful?

The pine breeze on the strange mountain was too gentle, the light and shadow at the entrance of the strange cave too tender… In a fleeting moment while sitting together on the couch, a shameful and utterly absurd thought even flashed through her mind.

So what if it's just one person and one fox?

If one is sincere enough, perhaps one can, like in the Legend of the White Snake, overcome countless difficulties and achieve a happy ending.

It is clearly distinguishable...

Out of the corner of her eye, Pan Yue caught sight of the little fox's bright, innocent eyes, and she felt her heart sinking lower and lower, becoming increasingly confused and uneasy.

Butterflies can distract him, flocks of birds can entice him to chase them, spring flowers can make him linger, and spring grass can make him reluctant to leave...

He's just a free-spirited little fox living in the moment; how could he possibly understand the complexities of human nature and the emotions of love?

My own desire for luxury is so absurd it's laughable.

"Yunyun, I..."

Sensing something amiss, Songsong quickly waved her hand, about to speak, when the daylily bouquet trembled slightly. Pan Yue suddenly came to her senses, a slightly forced smile on her face, turned to look at Songsong, and said in a hoarse voice, "Speaking of which, I was so shocked just now that I didn't have time to ask Songsong. Now that you've brought me up the mountain, I suppose you've already explained things about Li San and the pancake shop?"

A hint of impatience flashed in Songsong's eyes. He tugged at her sleeve and shook his head, saying, "That fellow just won't listen to reason! Yunyun, don't go down the mountain!"

"Don't go down the mountain?!"

The daylily in my hand trembled again.

Dewdrops fell, soaking her hands and body.

Pan Yue looked at him with a blank and surprised expression and asked, "And then what? Bear the stigma of fleeing from justice, and hide in the mountains with Songsong for the rest of your life?"

The sleeves of the garment in her hand suddenly fluttered down.

She loosely clenched her empty fingers, and a look of sadness appeared in her clear eyes.

"I……"

Pan Yue choked up, wanting to explain something, but not knowing how to begin.

What should she say?

She wasn't scolding her.

It's not that Jingyanggang is bad, nor that Songsong is bad; it's that she has a strong conviction that she can postpone her feelings and "career" as long as she can't let "Jinlian" be tainted and trapped in the ditch!

She could not hide in the mountains for her own selfish interests and temporary peace, and then watch helplessly as the name "Golden Lotus" was misinterpreted, misrepresented, spread with falsehoods, and stigmatized for thousands of years!

"Take care of yourself!"

With a slight twitch of her brow, Pan Yue forced herself to look away, turning to gaze at the sunlight streaming into the cave outside. Her expression somber, she hurried away.

The pine trees at the entrance of the fox den stopped fluttering, and the deer and monkeys all stopped to look at the little fox inside, who seemed to have lost its soul. They talked amongst themselves, their minds filled with worry.

"...left?"

"Jingyanggang Mountain is wonderful in every way, so why does Lady Yunyun refuse to return to that filthy world?"

"Poor Songsong..."

As the sun sets, the pine breeze rustles through the pines, urging the monkeys and deer to return home.

Songsong slowly walked out of the fox den. As usual, she leaned against Granny Song and gazed at the lone goose, the layered mountains, and the twilight shadows of the distant mountains. She was momentarily confused. How magnificent and grand the sunset was yesterday, with its melting gold, had become today. Why had the evening clouds and the verdant mountains turned gray and white?

"Mother-in-law..."

He lowered his eyes, his ears drooped, and after a long while, the tip of his tail poked his heart, murmuring something almost inaudible.

"……pain."

The ancient pine tree swayed gently, casting dappled shadows of the setting sun, embracing him. Granny Pine's voice followed: "Is Songsong afraid that Yunyun is not of the same clan and will eventually be separated from him, or is he afraid that he will never see Yunyun again from now on?"

The fox's slightly raised ears suddenly drooped, and its tail swept left and right and twirled gently.

The answer is already self-evident.

As smoke rose from chimneys and birds returned to their nests at dusk, Granny Pine heard a barely audible murmur in the wind.

"But she refused..."

The wind rustles through the pines, their branches swaying like a comb.

Grandma Song's gentle voice rang out with the evening breeze: "Songsong, do you still remember the macaque that used to roam around on Grandma Song about two hundred years ago?"

"A macaque?" Songsong looked up, her expression confused. "I remember, why did Grandma suddenly bring him up?"

"He was delighted by Songsong's snow-white plumage, and every day he would take bird eggs and offer them to Songsong's cave, a practice he maintained for three months without fail..."

As her mother-in-law continued reminiscing about the past, a hint of embarrassment flashed in Songsong's eyes. She nudged Songmugan, looking awkward, and said, "Mother-in-law knows I'm annoyed by him!"

"Yes, Songsong hates it when he makes decisions on his own."

A rustling rain of pine needles fell beneath the tree. Grandma Pine, barely able to contain her chuckle, leaned out a pine branch and gently patted his shoulder, still speaking slowly and deliberately: "He travels back and forth every day, bringing the freshest bird eggs to Pine, not for any other reason than that the eggs please him. But he doesn't know that Pine never uses bird eggs..."

“Songsong is clever from a young age. Don’t be like that monkey who is too straightforward. If you want to please someone, ask them what they like, not what Songsong likes.”

No matter how carefree life was at Jingyanggang, it was only for the little fox Songsong, not for anyone else.

The evening sunlight filtering through the tree canopy swayed in the wind, shimmering like a starry river at night.

Yesterday and today intersect, and unexpectedly, the scene of Yunyun's drunken night suddenly flashed into Songsong's mind.

Since we met, Yunyun has never been so happy.

In a half-drunk, half-awake state, he asked Yunyun what made her so happy, aside from her upcoming birthday.

At that moment, Yunyun's eyes were half-closed with intoxication, filled with a tenderness and affection she had never shown before. Her pupils were bright and expressive as she whispered softly.

"...For this reason, I have something to worry about...for this reason, I can finally walk openly and honestly in this bustling world!"

Yesterday's whispered words still echoed in her ears. Recalling her bright eyes and smiling face under the clear moonlight, Songsong felt her heart pounding uncontrollably and inexplicably.

Yunyun had already revealed her true feelings.

What she truly desires is the simple joys of life and a life of integrity.

And what he sought...

Songsong's clear fox eyes flickered, and she suddenly sat up straight, looked up at Grandma Song, and said loudly, "Grandma, Songsong understands!"

Whether or not he returned to Jingyanggang was never the important thing. What he truly cared about was whether Yunyun could get what she wanted and be able to live freely!

"Shh shh shh"

The long breeze under the evening sun was more refreshing and pleasant than ever before.

The fallen pine needles wove a net, which was then woven into a straw hat and placed on the head of the little fox who hurriedly got up.

The little fox shook its head, shouldered its bag, and listened to the gentle breeze carrying Grandma Pine's usual earnest advice.

"Protect her well, and protect yourselves too... Grandma is waiting for you to come back on the mountain..."

"good!"

Songsong nodded slightly, and facing the magnificent sunset, ran wildly in the direction Pan Yue had left.

[Author's Note]

Babies, please add my pre-order for "The Empress's Ascension Guide [Journey to the West]" next door to your favorites! [heart emoji]

[Monkey King Fangirl/West Liang Women's Kingdom Yingyang Post Station Administrator vs. Monkey King]

Kindergarten teacher Ye Xixian dies while saving a child from drowning. When she wakes up, she finds herself inexplicably transported into a game called "The Empress's Promotion Guide".

The talkative system in the form of an oriole told her that the promotion system in the game was linked to the favorability of the target; the higher the favorability of the target, the higher her level/official rank in the game.

When her favorability rating reaches 100%, she will be able to ascend to the throne, complete the game, and break free from the system's constraints.

"Whether you return to the mortal world or remain here, it is entirely up to you!"

Ye Xixian: It's just a palace intrigue game, no problem! So who is the target? The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, or the ever-popular Qing, Song, or Ming dynasty time-travel stories?

System: I've heard that the [Buddha's Disciple] theme is very popular lately, and your target is also a Buddha.

Ye Xixian: A Buddhist disciple? Not a big problem. Is he a rising star in the court or a descendant of a century-old aristocratic family? Does he suffer from skin hunger disorder or childhood trauma PTSD?

System: Hehe.

System: [Strategy Mission 1: Within 24 hours, cause fluctuations in the target's favorability level.]

Ye Xixian: Wait! So the target is?!

A figure slowly entered through the intricately carved corridor, draped in a brocade robe and holding a nine-ringed staff.

"This humble monk is a monk from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East, who has been ordered to travel to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek the true scriptures!"

Ye Xixian: ? ? ? Who are you talking about?!