"Lord Shenzi, you speak wisely. After all, I am so handsome and dashing. If some yokai were to capture me for nefarious purposes, it would be truly terrifying. What should we do, according to Lord Shenzi?"
Feng Yi went along with Yae Miko's words, curious to see what scheme the fox maiden had in mind.
"Therefore, it would be safest to stay at my shrine for the night and descend the mountain tomorrow!"
Yae Miko said, blinking her eyes. She was entirely concerned for Feng Yi's safety, not at all for the idea of Feng Yi grooming her.
"That sounds good, too. I also miss the days when I used to groom and bathe you, Lord Shenzi!"
Feng Yi didn't refuse and readily agreed. After all, who could refuse an opportunity to spend a pleasant evening in close proximity with the conniving fox?
"Bathe? Groom?"
Yae Miko seemed to recall past memories as well, letting out a rare, shy exclamation.
Such a sound made the shrine maidens waiting outside the side hall very surprised.
That cry sounded like that of Guuji Yae, no doubt.
But… but, Guuji Yae had always maintained an image of calm wisdom. How could she have such an uncharacteristic reaction?
Could it be that the man had done something excessive to Guuji-sama?
"Guuji-sama? Are you in trouble?"
Kano Nana and another shrine maiden hurried to the side hall's entrance, asking with concern.
"No need to worry, Little Nana. Please help me prepare some hot water for a bath. I wish to relax!"
After her initial fluster, Yae Miko quickly regained her composure, returning to her usual calm and wise self as Guuji.
"I understand, Guuji-sama!"
As the sound of the shrine maiden's footsteps receded, Yae Miko turned, picked up the golden earring from the tea table, and put it back on her ear.
"Feng Yi, do you wish to help me bathe and groom me? Come with me!"
Yae Miko stood up and led the way, then turned back with a smile, gesturing for Feng Yi to follow.
"Then… I was just joking, Lord Shenzi. I suddenly remembered I have something else to do, so I'll be going now!"
Feng Yi's eyelids twitched. He saw a meaningful smile curl on Yae Miko's lips. This was undoubtedly a trap waiting for him.
He knew all too well how much Yae Miko enjoyed teasing people. It was time to play it safe, lest he be utterly ruined by her schemes.
"Want to leave? Too late!"
'You have the desire, but not the guts!'
Yae Miko teleported, appearing on Feng Yi's path.
"Lord Shenzi, hear my advice. A forced melon isn't sweet. Turn back while you still can!"
Feng Yi's bad premonition intensified, and he tried to reason with her.
"I like eating melons that aren't sweet!"
Yae Miko gave a wicked smile, pounced on Feng Yi, pinning him against the wall. Staring into his eyes, she declared forcefully.
"Lord Shenzi, you are playing with fire!"
Feng Yi warned her benevolently.
"No, we're not playing with fire. We're about to play with water!"
Without giving Feng Yi a chance to refuse, Shenzi grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the bathing room.
"Guuji-sama, the water is ready!"
Kano Nana announced from the door.
"Mmm, you're so efficient. I'm busy today, I'll reward you another time!"
Yae Miko smiled mysteriously at Kano Nana.
"Um, Guuji-sama, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now!"
Hearing Yae Miko's mention of a reward, Kano Nana was instantly scared away.
The last time Guuji-sama said she would reward her, it was a half-day holiday, with the condition that she bring back some snacks and toys on her return.
The time before that, Guuji-sama had given her a one-day Guuji experience card, allowing her to wear Guuji's attire and listen to the wishes of those who came for divination, while Guuji-sama herself, disguised as an ordinary Inazuman woman, sneaked down the mountain and played all day.
The time before that…
In short, any reward from Guuji Yae was never a proper reward. Kano Nana wondered what strange thing awaited her this time and felt that this place was not suitable for lingering. Retreat was the best course of action.
"Alright, the distractions are gone. Now it's our time for a romantic evening!"
Yae Miko smiled faintly. Some things were unavoidable, for Kano Nana as well as for Feng Yi.
"Feng Yi, do you want to bathe first, or shall I, or perhaps, we bathe together?"
Yae Miko led Feng Yi into the bathroom. Seeing the hot water and flower petals ready, she said with a smile.
"Then let's do it together!"
Since he couldn't escape, he might as well face it bravely!
At worst, it would be a drain on his vitality, not a big problem!
"Since you've chosen to be together, then I'll go first!"
Yae Miko winked at Feng Yi, then drew the shower curtain. What a captivating little fox.
Feng Yi thought to himself, since you already had an answer, why bother asking me?
What a truly contemptible fox!
The rustling sound of clothes being shed, the splashing sound of entering water.
It felt like cat claws scratching at Feng Yi's heart.
The art of temptation was mastered by this contemptible fox.
"Feng Yi, weren't you going to groom me? You can come in now!"
Yae Miko's voice came from behind the curtain.
Feng Yi, with slight excitement, pulled back the curtain, only to find the bath filled with cherry blossom petals, obscuring Yae Miko's alluring curves.
A large, fluffy pink fox tail lay draped over the edge of the tub, hanging down naturally.
Feng Yi took the comb Yae Miko handed him, sat by the edge of the tub, cradled Yae Miko's fox tail in his arms, and began to play with it.
Just as he was thoroughly enjoying himself, Feng Yi looked up and saw Yae Miko staring at him with a face full of indignant shyness. The air instantly fell silent.
Three seconds later, Feng Yi submissively picked up the wooden comb.
Don't misunderstand, he was just checking Yae Miko's tail for fleas.
After confirming there were no fleas, he could begin the proper grooming.
To be honest, Yae Miko's tail was indeed large and fluffy. The pink fur on it was incredibly soft, like fingers running through fine sand.
Seeing that Feng Yi was genuinely grooming her, Yae Miko withdrew her angry gaze, closed her eyes, and quietly enjoyed the peace.
It was as if, at this moment, she had returned to six hundred years ago, when Feng Yi had patiently groomed her tail just like this.
However, this moment of nostalgic enjoyment lasted less than a minute before Feng Yi's actions shattered the tranquility.
That guy was combing against the grain of the fur?!
How outrageous! Didn't he know how uncomfortable that would make her?
It was like an intentionally asymmetrical picture, infuriating for someone with OCD.
Yae Miko's anger surged in her chest. She scooped up some bathwater and splashed it towards Feng Yi.
Little did she know, this action of hers had washed away the petals that had been covering the "white slime" in front of her.
..................
ps: Brothers, I have some family matters next month and won't have as much time for writing. Updates for this book will temporarily be reduced to one chapter per day, with an effort to avoid hiatus.
(Mihoyo releases plot points too slowly. If I write too fast, I'll run out of material.)
Double updates will resume later. The specific time will be announced then.