In a separate courtyard of the Tushan residence.

The morning sunlight spilled in through the window frame and fell across the little boy’s face.

Lying on the bed, Xiao Mo drowsily opened his eyes.

The first thing Xiao Mo saw was neither a familiar ceiling nor unfamiliar bed curtains, but a pair of bright, watery eyes blinking as they looked at him.

Behind the little girl, that snow-white fox tail was still swaying back and forth.

When she saw Xiao Mo wake up, a flash of light passed through the little girl’s eyes, and the fox tail behind her wagged even harder.

“Xiao Mo, you’re awake.”

“Where is this?”

Xiao Mo’s mind gradually cleared.

He only remembered that he had been attacked last night, and then he and Tushan Jingci had fallen into the water together.

After that, he had lost consciousness.

“This is only an ordinary room where servant maids live.”

A voice with an inborn seductive softness entered Xiao Mo’s ears.

The next moment, Xiao Mo saw Madam approaching. Her figure and features were both flawless.

Tushan Xinhua brushed her hands over her skirt. The long dress clung to her waist as she slowly sat down by Xiao Mo’s bedside, then reached out and touched his forehead.

Xiao Mo felt a warm, gentle stream of spiritual power slowly flow into his body.

A moment later, Tushan Xinhua lowered her hand and said, “There is nothing seriously wrong with your body. You only suffered a fright to your mind. For the next few days, you do not need to work in the kitchen courtyard. Rest and recover properly.”

“Yes. Thank you, Madam,” Xiao Mo answered.

Tushan Xinhua glanced at her daughter again and rubbed her head.

“Jingci, step out for a little while first. Mother has something to say to Xiao Mo.”

“All... right...”

Hearing her mother’s words, the little girl still had a trace of worry in her eyes, but she obediently went out anyway.

After Tushan Jingci left, only Xiao Mo and Tushan Xinhua remained in the room.

Xiao Mo, who had been lying on the bed, pushed himself upright, got down, and bowed with cupped hands toward Tushan Xinhua.

“Last night, I touched the Young Lady’s body and broke the house rules. I ask Madam to punish me.”

Tushan Xinhua looked at the little boy, standing there and saluting her properly. Her eyes blinked lightly. Resting both hands on her thighs, she asked, “That bow of yours is quite standard. Who taught you?”

“Madam, I have always learned things quickly since I was little. Before, I saw a few scholars salute like that. I thought it looked nice, so I copied it.”

Xiao Mo had not expected Tushan Xinhua to ask that, so he explained casually.

“Mm.”

Tushan Xinhua nodded. She did not think too much of it and accepted Xiao Mo’s explanation.

“You may rise. There is no need to be so formal with me. Yueshi has already told me what happened. Although you touched Jingci, it was only because the situation was urgent and you had no other choice. And if not for you, Jingci would most likely have been in real danger as well.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Madam.”

Xiao Mo straightened.

He was actually somewhat surprised.

Although Xiao Mo did not know why Jingci could not be touched by any male, regardless of species, not even a single strand of hair, he had thought that after committing such a grave offense, his life might well be forfeit.

But to his surprise, this Madam Tushan was so reasonable.

“All right. Later, you may return to the kitchen courtyard. Remember this well. You are not to tell anyone about touching Jingci. As for your reward, once Jingci’s birthday celebrations are over today, you will certainly not be left out. Besides that...”

Tushan Xinhua took out an old book from her sleeve and handed it to Xiao Mo.

“Madam, this is...?”

On the cover of the old book, Xiao Mo saw four large characters:

Great Dream of Yellow Millet.

“This is a human Daoist book. It is one of the treasured collections of our Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan. It records human Daoist spell arts. When I examined you just now, I discovered that your natural foundation is indeed quite good. You are suited to cultivating Daoist spell arts.”

“Take this book and read it first. If there is anything you do not understand, you may ask me four times each month.”

“Although what I cultivate is not Daoist spell arts, I can still explain a thing or two to you.”

Xiao Mo accepted the book with both hands and thanked her solemnly.

“Thank you, Madam, for transmitting the teaching...”

“I am not transmitting any teaching. I am only giving you a path. As for the road afterward, and how far you can cultivate along it, that will depend on you.”

Tushan Xinhua looked at Xiao Mo seriously.

“If you truly can do it, then I will provide you with cultivation resources. In the future, you may even serve as a retainer of the Tushan residence.”

“If you cannot, then in the future, be a courtyard guard and live a steady life.”

“The road lies beneath your own feet. In the end, you must walk it yourself.”

“Yes.” Xiao Mo nodded and bowed with cupped hands. “Then I will take my leave first.”

Xiao Mo tucked Great Dream of Yellow Millet into his clothes and walked out of the room.

Not long after Xiao Mo left, Tushan Xinhua let out a soft sigh and called toward the door, “Enough. Stop hiding there and eavesdropping. Come in.”

As soon as Tushan Xinhua finished speaking, Tushan Jingci walked in with her little head lowered, poking one finger against the other. She looked exactly like someone afraid of being scolded.

“Mother, I’m sorry...”

Tushan Jingci’s tail drooped low, and she looked genuinely full of self-blame.

Ever since she was very little, her mother had taught her that she could not touch male creatures, not even once.

Although Tushan Jingci did not know why, she had always obeyed the rule her mother set.

But now... she had broken it.

“It’s all right. It’s already over.”

Tushan Xinhua shook her head. Looking at her daughter, she could not help feeling some pain in her heart.

“From today on, Jingci, you may play with anyone you like. You may also go outside the residence. Mother will not place any restrictions on you anymore.”

“Really?” Tushan Jingci lifted her little face and blinked happily.

“Really.” Tushan Xinhua smiled faintly and stroked her daughter’s cheek. “But you must remember this as well. You are a girl. You must know how to carry yourself properly. Men and women should not touch freely. In the future, you cannot let boys touch you casually either, understand?”

“I understand, Mother.”

Tushan Jingci nodded her little head, but very soon a trace of worry surfaced in her eyes again.

“Mother, do you really... really not blame Xiao Mo?”

“Mm. Mother does not blame him,” Tushan Xinhua said softly.

“Then can I still go play with him later?” the little girl asked the question she cared about most.

Tushan Xinhua froze slightly, then gave a helpless smile, drawing out her words.

“You can... but today, you must be good. A great many guests will be coming later. You have to celebrate your birthday first, and only then think about anything else. Understand?”

“I understand, Mother. Mother is the best.”

Tushan Jingci rose onto her toes, kissed her mother on the cheek, and ran happily out of the room.

Watching the girl’s tiny figure skip farther and farther away, the soft smile on Tushan Xinhua’s face gradually disappeared, replaced by a sorrow that lingered for a long time.

“Forget it... let nature take its course...”

“That will do...”

“It can only... be so...”