Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

”En, you are doing well.” Lady Liu praised the Blood Fox, as she had the body and perseverance to learn from her.

The Umbra Fox was too stiff and Aiko would often get too exhausted, but none of them tried to escape from Lady Liu. Why?

”You are not bad, but if you do this, then-”

She would slowly explain everything and if they struggled she would slowly guide them forward, unlike other teachers who went by ’feeling’.

This change was a breath of fresh air, providing a new learning experience for the trio. Thus increasing their favourability of Lady Liu more and more, especially because she was a woman, unlike a certain closet pervert.

They didn’t need to worry about her trying to pursue their Aiko, so they felt safe and in turn more willing to be taught.

”My apologies, Lady Liu. Today we have an appointment with the Royal Family.” The Chen Youth bowed towards his teacher.

”Really?” She narrowed her eyes.

”It’s true, we want that treasure, so he was bringing us inside.” Aiko said slowly. ”But you should hide just in case.” She was concerned that she would get hurt, since she wasn’t a Cultivator.

She saw the concern and she was surprised as most Cultivators wouldn’t care about mortals, not to mention Beasts.

”Then I will spend time in little Chen’s study.” She smiled gently, caressing Aiko’s head. She realised how ’outspoken’ Aiko was and couldn’t help, but giggle. This gentle-looking girl was speaking like those fishermen and sailors. It was a completely different image to that of the gentle, young-looking Miss she appeared to be on first glance.

The Chen Youth was also surprised, he didn’t expect this group to like humans, but to go so far as to warn them... He would have to re-evaluate this group again since it was an important part of his plan.

Later, right now he has to survive the meeting with the Royal family. He was worried that Aiko’s mouth might enrage them.

”Here is the Token for the Study, Lady Liu.” He readily handed her the Access Token that protected his study with countless Inscriptions. You could even say that the whole study was one big sturdy safe that would survive a few hits from a Body Integration Cultivator, but it was impervious to anything below Void Amalgamation Stage.

”Be careful, little Chen.” Lady Liu smiled gently. ”And you too, girls. That perverted prince might take a liking to you, don’t drink or eat anything that he offers you!” She warned them, as she was used to those kinds of things. That was also the reason why she couldn’t Cultivate.

She didn’t wish those girls to be slighted by some 3rd rate Royalty, especially when they had the perseverance to keep up with her lessons.

”We will be careful.” The Team cupped their hands towards Lady Liu and left the place.

She likewise moved to the Study, where she sat down and prepared some fragrant tea, then rested. Her age was catching up to her and it was much harder to hold her lesson, but she would still persevere and teach them well.

Those girls were like the last shining lights at the end of her life. She will savour it and teach them well, so they could shine even brighter than before.

She won’t be able to see their shine once they are fully matured, but she would still watch over them from beyond...

...

Aiko left with her team towards the Royal Palace. It was a grand palace that would make one sigh in awe, but at the same time... it was too big.

The roads were too wide, the decoration was too lavish. Maintaining this place would cost so, so many resources that Aiko didn’t like it.

She preferred tight and smaller palaces since you were not overwhelmed, but you could still display your wealth through paintings and relics on displays.

Aiko sighed. Humans loved to waste resources on such lavish things, but at the same time, the common people who were the blood of the country were squeezed dry and slowly killed.

Aiko didn’t understand this thought process. If the lowest people prospered, there would be even more things for the Royalty to brag about, but it appeared that there was a wide and deep chasm between them... like the Royalty tried to distance themselves from their people.

They arrived at their destination and Aiko got out of the cart. The ride was clunky and uncomfortable. Her butt hurt from all the vibration and uneven slabs.

She sighed, her group was in a similar fashion, but the worst was the Blood Fox.

”Are you alright?” Aiko came close to her, hugging her gently.

”I will be fine soon.” The Blood Fox smiled, but cursed her motion sickness internally. This had happened before, but not as severely. She could only sigh and bear with it, since Aiko wanted that treasure.

”We can come back later if you don’t feel well.” Aiko didn’t like that treasure more than her companions, so she didn’t mind postponing her plans.

”It is alright.” The Blood Fox was touched by this and gently caressed Aiko, before moving with the group.

Aiko was concerned about the Blood Fox so she stuck close to her.

The Handsome Youth didn’t think that the little Fox was so caring about her team. It seemed like he would have to curb the Royalty himself, or she might flip out and slaughter them.

He sighed at the amount of work he had to do, since these little rascals appeared, not to mention he couldn’t just kick them out since his Teacher was fond of them. What a struggle!

...

Surprisingly, the conversation with Royalty went smoothly. The Emperor was even overjoyed to see them, but he still shut his sons up, so that they wouldn’t make any improper remarks towards the group that followed the Inscription Saint.

They moved places to a smaller ballroom, where they hosted food and drinks.

Aiko was curious about the taste, so she munched on a few of them, but...

[You have been poisoned.]

[The poison was nullified by your treasure.]

When they spoke about the Poison with Lady Liu, Aiko took out the Snake Badge, which helped against low-grade Poisons.

Now she could enjoy the food, without the risk of being affected, but she still warned her team with her gaze.

Only the Inscription Saint and Aiko ate. This slightly upset the Emperor, but he also knew that those two might be retainers and it would be a great insult for those servants to eat with their masters.

”You have a good taste in servants.” One Prince raised his cup to honour the Inscription Saint’s taste. Those two beauties truly ignited his loin-cloth, but fortunately, they were sitting down with comfortable yet loose clothes, so nobody would be able to know about it.

The Inscription Saint frowned, but didn’t say anything. He raised his cup since it would be rude not to do so. But on the other hand, he didn’t need to humour his words and could ignore them.

This displayed that he still honoured the Royal family, but didn’t agree with the sentiment. Allowing both parties to keep their face without any issues.

Aiko was bored and just tasted the food. While most Humans would never notice the taste of these poisons, but Aiko was not Human, after a few different dishes she noticed one peculiar taste that just didn’t fit the food.

She lost all appetite because of it and only glanced at the pretty dancers here and there.

Yet those dancers were likewise uninteresting. After a single day of etiquette training, Aiko realised that there is more to the body than it appears at a single glance.

The way people moved and behaved had great importance for the subconscious and after seeing Lady Liu’s short dance she was convinced that these girls were complete amateurs!

Aiko lost interest and only chatted with the Inscription Saint here and there, but that got old quickly too...

The Chen Youth realised that Aiko was bottling up a lot of pent-up feelings and coughed lightly.

”Your Majesty, I heard that one of your sons is afflicted with a ’peculiar’ condition.” The Chen Youth said slowly.

”That is indeed the case, Saint.” The Emperor sighed, but then he paused. ”You wouldn’t happen to know why?” The Emperor narrowed his eyes, he didn’t believe that the Inscription Saint would change the topic just because his group was bored.

Little did he know that was really it. The Chen Youth just didn’t want the little Fox to blow up, so he didn’t need to take care of the aftermath.

”I know a little, but my companion knows more.” He cupped his fists.

’I do??’ Aiko was completely caught off-guard. She didn’t expect him to just push her forward.

She coughed awkwardly, but she was still able to carry herself with some air of nobility.

The Emperor appraised the little girl. It was obvious she was learning etiquette, but she was not that bad, maybe he could convince her to become a concubine to one of his sons...

”Your Majesty, does the prince happen to favour one person, when he previously favoured many?” Aiko asked vaguely, but everyone in the room understood her words.

The Emperor was suddenly enlightened. It was true that his stupid son had too many concubines, but lately, he was only interested in a single princess...

’I thought he changed, but did something happen to him to favour that girl...?’ His thought process sped up and he looked at the Young Miss in a new light. ’She is too smart for my sons.’ Sigh. ’If only they learned as well as this Young Miss.’ He lamented in his mind.

”That would be the case.” The Emperor nodded readily, he was now more worried about his image than his son. He was worried that the curse his son was inflicted with would spread.

Aiko nodded slowly, but reassured the Emperor. ”Everything will be alright as long as others would not favour ’that’ person, your Majesty.” Aiko said slowly, but with firmness in her eyes.

The Emperor heard the oddity. He gestured for all regular servants and attendants, to leave and only continued when they had done so.

”Is that the fault of ’that’ person?” The Emperor was talking about the princess from the fallen Kingdom.

”That I do not know, It might be. It might not be. We can only say more after meeting them, your Majesty.” Aiko shook her head.

The Emperor was deep in thought for a moment. He didn’t want this Young Miss to meet them, so her image of Royalty wouldn’t change.

He still had some hopes about bringing her into the Harem, but if she saw that side without being shackled... She would surely reject him.

The Emperor sighed. He was looking forward to beautiful children, but his face and health were more important, so he scrapped that idea.

”Notify them and bring them to my study.” The Emperor commanded his personal servants and they dispersed to fulfil the Emperor’s orders.

Aiko nodded gently, she was impressed by the servants’ conduct. They were much better than the servants that were previously around them and served their food.

Aiko sipped the tea and waited for them to be called...