As the Turtle Demoness spoke these snickering words, Li Meirong blinked a pair of limpid onyx eyes once, twice, then rubbed her eyelids just to be sure she wasn't imagining what she was seeing. Gradually opening her eyes once more, she stared, practically hypnotized by the sight.

The image before her had been painfully imprinted into her brain, inducing her to conclude that it was unquestionably not an illusion.

There were two overgrown men locked together in an ambiguous position on the bed. On her bed, to be precise. One of them, she instantly recognized, as for the other, he was a complete stranger.

Senior Zhu Qingyue, her teacher, the man who had just recently returned after having disappeared for countless months, was straddling this unknown male, his body pressed ambiguously upon the man below. His knee-length silvery hair cascaded onto his sides and veiled the person beneath him.

As it were, Li Meirong couldn't see much of the person underneath Senior Zhu, except for the frame of his bulky physique, and a pair of pitch black eyes that stood out against the stranger's fair skin. It was a solid black colour that gave no white to the eyes, like a seal, or a horse's irises. They gleamed like dark jewels from the curtain of Zhu Qingyue's pale hair strands, seemingly wide with surprise.

Li Meirong stood silent, taking in a deep breath. Her dainty hand on the door trembled slightly as her surprise was exchanged with the bitter taste of disappointment, followed by a strong feeling of resignation. 'I dared not believe it, but the evidence lies here before me. I've been taken for a fool yet again.'

Zhu Qingyue immediately noticed her presence with a frown on his face. In an almost mechanical way, he turned to regard her, letting go of the man underneath and rising to greet her.

"Wife-"

"I'm searching for my little fox spirit, Snowball." she cleared her throat and muttered, "Apologies… I didn't mean to interrupt." Li Meirong retreated a few steps, backing out through the doorway, and avoided Zhu Qingyue's penetrating gaze, her long lashes casting shadows over her cheeks and eyes that have hardened with resentment.

The door was instantly shut in the Fox Lord's face, leaving him more bewildered than ever.

Bai Yu used this opportune moment to save his hide and vanished from the cabin once His Lordship's attention was directed towards his wife, sending a silent message of gratitude towards the Sovereign Lord's wife. 'Her Ladyship is my saviour!'

Meanwhile Bai Qingyue who now remained alone, pinched his chin in thought. His frown deepened still as he stared blankly at the shut door. "What is my foolish wife thinking of?"

He didn't wait to find out. The room filled with smoke again as he opened the door, transforming himself into a snow fox cub and rushing outside, wondering how his mortal wife managed to get so close without him sensing her presence.