Bai Qingyue's mouth stretched into a thin line, his fingers clenching tightly. What nonsense was she blurting now? Should it not be 'power, prestige, wealth'?

Why did it seem that, despite the countless assets he had at his disposal, she constantly desired something else?

The only sound in the room, other than Li Meirong's soft, sleeping breaths, was that of Bai Qingyue's sharp exhale. The darkness concealed his gloominess from any potential watcher.

"Would you rather marry a poor man or a rich one?" he persisted. He was not willing to give up just yet. How could he?

"…don't wanna marry men…" Li Meirong paused a moment, a frustrated moan breaking from her throat. It was as if she could not be bothered with the conversation. "…troublesome…" she added finally.

"!!!" Bai Qingyue's urge to throttle the woman only heightened with every word that he drew from her lips. 'How can this silly wife be so difficult?!'

His eyebrows drew down into a frown, and his expression took a turn for the menacing. He refused to give up, though, and continued his probing questions.

"But if you had to choose?"

"Poor is better."

"Of course…" he muttered bitterly, and growled a little to himself. What had he expected? He should know by now to expect her desires to be the exact opposite of what he could provide. She always wanted the opposite!

Bai Qingyue's eyes glowed with a murderous light. If Li Meirong were to wake up right at that moment, he was not sure he would be able to prevent himself from having his way with her.

"Why do you think Zhu Qingyue is a bastard?" His whispered question was tinged with venom.

"He's… bad news…"

"Woman!" Bai Qingyue hissed, outraged. Fortunately, Li Meirong stayed in her semiconscious state. His hand was poised over her throat, claw-like nails extended threateningly. Between uneven breaths, he whispered his next question dangerously. "Who is Mo Cheng to you?"

A bloodthirsty aura surrounded him, prepared to lash out should her reply incense him further.

"A fr'end…" she mumbled, almost inaudibly.

"Do you have feelings for him?" The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Li Meirong's skin prickled with goosebumps.

"No. No…" her face contorted into a grimace, head turning to the side as if to avoid the distasteful question.

The vehemence of her response calmed Bai Qingyue's wrath somewhat, and turned the bitter taste in his mouth into the sweetest honey.

"Hmm…" He hummed appreciatively, moving the predatory claws higher, reaching for her pale cheek, and then turning so his palm stroked her tenderly. His knuckles brushed against her skin ever so gently. The violent air around him had dissipated entirely.

If she was so easy to capture, where would be the fun in that?

Bai Qingyue lowered his head until his breath mixed with hers, slowly pressing his lips against her rosebud mouth. It was only brief, a moment of contact, but the soft feel of her lips remained with him, even the warmth remained.

Regretful as it was, Li Meirong's answers caused Bai Qingyue's resolve to waver. His wife's unpredictable thought patterns made him wary, uncertain as to her reactions and decisions.

Admitting his true identity may prove too hazardous a risk to gamble with.

It would indeed only be appropriate to reveal himself after she had fallen deeply in love with him.

Bai Qingyue covered Li Meirong's small hand with his own, knowing that it was the last opportunity he had this night to see her. He gave her dainty hand a squeeze, and then reluctantly transported himself out of the room.

***

On the island of the Bestiary Division, in the courtyard of Grandmaster Zhu Zhang's mansion, was a path cloistered by archways and pillars, each crafted from nephrite jade and gold bricks. The stunning path led to an ancient, five-story pagoda. Each carefully designed eave of the tower was covered in a layer of yulan magnolia petals. The pure white of the petals gave the illusion of falling snow.

The scenery gave off a feeling of gentleness and tranquility. A grand residence surrounded by the purest of energies.

The Grandmaster of the Bestiary Division, former Sovereign Lord of the Celestial Foxes in the Heavenly Realm and deserter of his clan, Bai Zhang, sat on the balcony of the final floor of the tower.

The god in question was in his usual human disguise, reclining against the rail. His eyes were clouded over; he stared absentmindedly at the nearby foliage as he lost himself in thought.

A tendril of mist formed behind Bai Zhang's back, just before he heard the informal greeting of his son – the current Sovereign Lord and ruling Fox God, Bai Qingyue.

"No wonder you are in no hurry to return. There is enough splendor in your mortal palace to last you a lifetime."

At the taunting words, Bai Zhang squeezed his eyes shut to clear them of their near constant despair, and then turned around to confront his son.

"Did your mother not teach you manners when speaking to your elders?" Bai Zhang rebuked.

Bai Qingyue's gaze hardened, and he greeted his father with a mock salute.

With a sigh, Bai Zhang ignored the greeting. It would take quite a while to make peace with the boy. It was his fault for leaving, after all.

Bai Qingyue spread his long dark sleeves wide in a flamboyant manner, gracefully lounging in a lacquered softwood chair.

"There has been a change of plans." His near androgynous features had a wicked appeal to them, the edges of his lips curling up into an arrogant smirk as he touched his knuckles to his chin.

Bai Qingyue was a man who rarely showed any delight he may feel, but when he did smile, it made his enemies cower in fear. Bai Zhang was unfamiliar with his own son's attitudes, but even he could tell those flashing fangs carried vengeful malevolence rather than good natured intent.

'This devilish spawn is my child?' Bai Zhang thought worriedly to himself.