Xu Weiyuan looked up, eyes glancing at Shan Mingxia. "Mother, you already knew?"

Opposite of him, Shan Mingxia's face revealed a hint of pain. "I knew that something was wrong from the start. It wasn't until a while ago that I pieced everything together and finally found out the truth behind his identity." There was a hidden sorrow in her eyes, recalling the death of Tang Shouxin.

Hearing this, Xu Weiyuan's eyes grew deeper. If Shan Mingxia knew, then the only problem now was Tang Qingshan. "Than what about A-Shan? How do we tell him?"

As soon as Shan Mingxia heard this, she sighed. "I don't know. He... ever since he was a child, he couldn't help but hate the fox demons for the death of his father. Even now, he still hates them to his very core, seeking revenge. It would break him to know that Lu Fengmian is a fox demon, one who is so close to the one who killed his father. But even so, the truth is going to be revealed sooner or later. We should come clean before him."

Xu Weiyuan gently nodded his head. "I understand then. I will have everything in order. I have already contacted my older brother and he shall be making his way to the capital, the only thing we can do now is wait for A-Shan and reveal the truth to him."

Shan Mingxia looked at Xu Weiyuan as she then asked, "Did Fengmian find out about your identity?"

"I believe so. It was hard for me to notice that Lu Fengmian was a demon because his aura was hidden too well. I believe that he is a strong demon, a fox demon born with a mass amount of power. With how much power he had, one way or another, he would have noticed something strange about me." Xu Weiyuan came clean with what he had found out.

Shan Mingxia's eyes were filled with a heavy light. "My only worry is what Qingshan will do. I know that he truly loves Fengmian and trusts him. Fengmian's sister, Yingyue is not a good person. She had the strength to kill my husband, I don't believe she hasn't done anything over the years."

"I had my people search the surrounding of the manor. We tracked a huge amount of power centered on one trail, from the manor to the forest. I estimate that Fengmian has met up with his sister and that they have escaped after noticing my identity." Xu Weiyuan grabbed something from his waist.

"I... wanted to believe that he was not a fox demon. Even though I could tell that there were hints given from him, I didn't want him to be a fox demon. He was kind and truly gentle, but his sister is a seasoned fox demon, one who has killed many. It is only-" Shan Mingxia stopped, freezing in her sentence as a door slammed open.

Xu Weiyuan and Shan Mingxia turned to look at the door. From the door, Tang Qingshan stood with a pale expression on his face.

"What did you say?" Tang Qingshan's face was pale without color, his eyes slightly red. "What do you mean?!"

Shan Mingxia took one look and knew that he had already found out from their words. She looked at Xu Weiyuan who gently nodded his head. Finally she turned and said, "Qingshan, take a seat. There is something that we must tell you."

Tang Qingshan was still pallid, his own heart pulling and tugging at him from the words he had just overheard. But slowly, even as his body ached, he walked forward.

It was impossible. How could Lu Fengmian be a fox demon? How could such a gentle and kind man be a viscous killer, a demon? How had he not known?

No, what was going to happen now? Were they now going to part and fight against opposite sides?

-

As Lu Fengmian opened his eyes, revealed to him was now a place shrouded with light.

Lu Yingyue let go of his hand, looking around the room and then calling out a name, "Daiyu?"

It was then that Lu Fengmian noticed that the room was actually big and spacious, a room that was also slightly cold.

"Yingyue?" From the corner of the room, a beautiful woman looked up from her papers. Dressed in a green and white robe. She had beautiful pins in her hair, jade earrings on her ear. A green jade necklace outlined her neck, a green fan was next to her side, resting on the table. Her features were elegant and beautiful, her lips a deep red. Her eyes were a light brown, almost appearing yellow. Her name was Hong Daiyu, the leader of Chen, otherwise, the association for many fox demons to join. She was also the one helping Mo Shen.

(Hong Daiyu (Black Jade), 132 years old, leader of Chen)

Lu Yingyue smiled and looked back at Lu Fengmian. Hong Daiyu also directed her eyes towards him and then smiled.

"We meet once more, gentleman." Hong Daiyu stood up and walked towards them, her footsteps light and quick.

Lu Fengmian furrowed his brows at hearing this familiar voice. It was the voice of the woman from before. "I didn't expect to meet you again."

To this, Hong Daiyu merely shook her head. Then, her eyes glimmered as she asked in a rather venomous tone, "Have you experienced the pain I told you? From the moment I saw you look at General Tang like that, I knew you had fallen. It was only a shame that he already had a loved one next to him." She then quietly examined Lu Fengmian, whose features had changed.

"Daiyu, have you met my brother already?" Lu Yingyue's face was still cold, but her voice had softened.

Hong Daiyu turned to Lu Yingyue, "Yes, I was on a mission to attack General Tang. Unfortunately, your brother has great skills and I had to forfeit that mission." She looked at Lu Fengmian's white hair, his blue eyes, and the mysterious mark between his brows. His expression was much more sunken, a sense of sorrow imprinted onto his face. Yet, the smile on her face did not diminish, her eyes still wicked. She had known since long ago that he too, would suffer.

"Come and sit. Yingyue, you returned quick. You even brought your brother." Hong Daiyu did not continue their conversation when she saw how Lu Fengmian bit his lips in silence. Well, foolish he was, but now, he will have to change.

Lu Yingyue looked carefully at Lu Fengmian, who merely looked back up with a small smile as he walked forward to sit on the chair.

"I am Hong Daiyu, leader of Chen, currently 132 years old. As of current, I am helping Yue Junwang, hence going against the Emperor and General Tang." While saying this, she purposely looked at Lu Fengmian. When the man merely nodded, she finally looked away. "You are my good friend's younger brother, hence I can only protect you. But that doesn't mean that you do nothing but rest all day."

Hong Daiyu paused in her sentence, carefully examining Lu Fengmian's facial features before she announced, "Fengmian, I'll have you work at Hong Pavilion."

To this, Lu Fengmian furrowed his brows, not knowing what this Hong Pavilion was. But even so, he didn't refuse, merely following along. After all, he had already steeled his heart.

But next to him, Lu Yingyue refuted, "Daiyu, how can you have my brother work there? Isn't that a brothel?"

Now, Lu Fengmian widened his eyes a bit.

Hong Daiyu stared at her good friend and corrected, "It's only a brothel for the lower class fox demons. You know that I have other fox demons there who merely sell their talents. They always wear a veil so that their face is covered, hiding them from view. Fengmian has already changed so much, it will be hard to tell who he is if he covers his face. Not to mention, Hong Pavilion is also a secret network for Chen. Right now, this is the only way that I can protect him under my wings. I also know that having him will bring great benefits for Hong Pavilion."

But still, Lu Yingyue's brows were still knitted. She didn't want her brother to work in such a place but she also knew that her friend was always true to her words.

Lu Fengmian could see Lu Yingyue's worries and finally consoled, "Sister, it is alright. I will listen to Daiyu's words. My appearance has already changed, if I wear a veil, no one will recognize me." He was alright with this position that Hong Daiyu had gotten for him. After all, he would merely think of it as another character for him to play.

Hearing Lu Fengmian's words, Hong Daiyu smiled brightly in turn, leaning her chin on her open palm as she raised a brow towards Lu Yingyue, "See, even your brother agreed. I'm always true to my words. In any case, his role is less dangerous than yours. After all, I'm having you accompany Bingqing in infiltrating into the palace and fooling all of the concubines."

"Alright, I will listen to you then. But, make sure you monitor all those who get close to my brother. Although I'm assure that Feng'er can protect himself, it's best to take precaution." At long last, Lu Yingyue took the defeat.

Lu Fengmian didn't smile, a cold look on his face, mirrored with a touch of pain and sorrow. "I can at least put my skills to use now. I will be alright."

"Perfect then! I can already tell that you will be a perfect addition to the Four Beauties of Hong Pavilion. I expect that you will stand at the top of the Four Beauties and earn yourself a new name as soon as I introduce you. I already have everything prepared, we shall introduce you tomorrow at night during the Moon Festival." Hong Daiyu was planning much further ahead, and it was then that Lu Fengmian noticed how this woman's attitude easily kept changing.

But Lu Fengmian nodded his head, his long white hair waving gently. His blue eyes were clear and cold, mirroring the person he had lost, someone he had shed. After the pain had fade, Lu Fengmian wasn't hurting all that much now. Having come face-to-face with reality, Lu Fengmian could only accept it, especially after learning everything that was hidden from him.

"Xi Feng!" In the midst of Lu Fengmian's silence and Lu Yingyue's long stare, Hong Daiyu called for a name.

"Master?" Walking, a beautiful woman walked in. Xi Feng was dressed in crimson robes, highlighting her curves and hugging against her womanly figure. Her appearance was truly beautiful, even more beautiful than Hong Daiyu. While not as outstanding as Lu Fengmian's deity-like features, there was a sense of innocent-seductress waving from her.

"Xi Feng, this is Lu Fengmian and Lu Yingyue. Lu Fengmian is my new addition to the Four Beauties of Hong Pavilion. I'm hoping that you will be able to take good care of him as he does have an interesting background." Hong Daiyu briefly said.

Xi Feng listened in with a smile and nodded her head. Contrary to her fierce and seductive beauty, her demeanor was very different. She looked up at Lu Fengmian and her smile got even brighter, "He will be a great addition, especially with such a peerless face. I will take good care of him, Master."

"Bring him to Fuqin courtyard. That courtyard will belong to him from now on." Hong Daiyu carelessly said.

Lu Fengmian looked down at Xi Feng and walk forward to stand next to her, knowing that the woman was not dangerous.

"I will do so," Xi Feng complied.

Lu Yingyue looked briefly at Lu Fengmian and then said, "I have something to speak about with Daiyu, Xi Feng can be trusted so depend on her from now on."

"I understand." Lu Fengmian knew from Lu Yingyue's glances that she had something to talk about so he didn't try to stay with them.

"Then we will take our leave." Xi Feng decisively said and walked out with Lu Fengmian.

Lu Fengmian walked behind of Xi Feng following her as the woman began asking, "You must be a fox demon?"

"I am," Lu Fengmian could feel that this woman meant no harm by asking that question so he answered truthfully.

"That's why... you really are beautiful. Although Master had already told us all that we would have a new addition soon, to see that you are still so peerless does make one speechless." Xi Feng had a motherly heart, a brightness that came from her making her even brighter.

"Don't worry, Master is always true to her word. While I am a human, many of the humans here have already entered Chen. We have devoted to lives into this association and all of us have known about the fox demons who enter Chen. Chen was made for the fox demons, but Master was kind enough to let us, humans enter Chen too. I will carefully guide you so please do not hesitate when you need me." Xi Feng had a bright smile on her face, radiating joy and bright-fullness from her.

Lu Fengmian was a bit shocked by the energy Xi Feng showcased. But still, the woman was making him feel at peace and forgetting all the pain he had gone through recently.

Maybe... maybe this was an escape for him. To escape away from the man he loved, from a man Lu Fengmian knew he couldn't compare to.

Maybe this was the time for him to embrace the fact that reality couldn't be changed just because of him. He wasn't willing to destroy their relationship, not when he knew how much Tang Qingshan loved Xu Weiyuan. That was why he gladly bowed, taking his defeat. Now, everything was coming to different roads.

Yes, this was a way for him to take a new identity.

The future didn't seem too bad, if he were to be honest.

Lu Fengmian's blue eyes looked forward.

It was time to move forward... even if it meant leaving a piece of him behind.

.

.

.