Master, These Noodles with Savory Gravy Smell Amazing—What Did You Make Them With?

After flipping down from upstairs, the Herrscher of Reason sidled up to Fu Hua and spoke.

Fu Hua said nothing. Turning around, she carried Shirin out of the mansion.

"Hey~ Old Fossil!! Say something!"

Watching Fu Hua's retreating back, the Herrscher of Reason puffed out her cheeks and followed after her.

In just a few steps, she caught up to Fu Hua's side. Staring at her profile, the Herrscher of Reason seemed to still be waiting for an answer.

"Your legs are moving pretty fast. You don't look dizzy at all."

"Hey, you don't get it. This is... this is something internal, you know?"

Shirin, in Fu Hua's arms, spoke up then.

"How about you put me down, Miss Fu Hua? I can walk."

Hearing that, Fu Hua's expression changed completely from how she had treated Little Herrscher earlier. She lowered her head with a smile at the corners of her lips.

Her tone was exceptionally gentle.

"You needn't force yourself, Miss. If you get hurt later, you'll be the one suffering."

"We'll be out soon. You don't need to worry about me."

Shirin's cheeks reddened as she nodded shyly.

"Thank you, Miss Fu Hua. You're so considerate~"

"You flatter me. This is a necessary duty of Victoria Housekeeping."

"Miss Fu Hua~ You~ are~ so considerate~"

A strangely sarcastic voice came from beside them. Fu Hua rolled her eyes at Little Herrscher.

"Please don't mind her. My younger sister is a bit mischievous."

"Haha... it's fine, it's fine. She's quite amusing like this."

Shirin waved her hand and covered her mouth as she laughed.

The group smoothly left the Hollow.

Fu Hua and Little Herrscher escorted their client all the way home.

The commission was considered successfully completed. On their way back, Fu Hua looked at Little Herrscher beside her and spoke.

"Come on..."

"What?"

"Aren't you dizzy? I'll carry you back."

The Herrscher of Reason looked at Fu Hua in surprise.

"You're serious?"

"So you were lying to me?"

"O-of course not. I really am a little dizzy."

The Herrscher of Reason immediately jumped onto her.

Like a koala, she wrapped herself around Fu Hua.

Smiling helplessly, Fu Hua held her and slowly made her way toward the dessert shop.

As evening fell, the lingering red sunlight spilled down. The Herrscher of Reason rested her chin on Fu Hua's shoulder.

She held Fu Hua's phone in her hand.

Displayed on it were the desserts Li Sushang and Cui Ji wanted to eat.

Hehe... it's so soft there~

"Little Herrscher! You're thinking improper thoughts, aren't you?"

"N-no! I'm looking at which desserts to buy."

"Is that so? Get down first. We're at the dessert shop."

"So soon?"

"What are you talking about? I walked here. That was already slow enough."

"Fine, fine. I'll go in first."

The Herrscher of Reason waved her hand and hurried into the dessert shop.

Tilting her head, Fu Hua followed her inside.

When the two reached the counter to order, the Herrscher of Reason caught sight of fox ears at a window seat out of the corner of her eye.

"Old Fossil, I'll leave this to you. I'm going over there to take a look."

Fu Hua took the phone. Seeing that Little Herrscher had gone to find Hoshimi Miyabi, she sighed and said to the shop owner, "Three of these cream puffs, and three donuts."

"Certainly, Miss. Please wait a moment."

Having finished training, Hoshimi Miyabi was enjoying a rare dessert.

Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder.

She looked up and froze.

When did she get here? How did I not notice—

"Little fox, you're really something, huh~"

"Lord Herrscher of Reason, may I ask what you mean? I don't understand."

The Herrscher of Reason Lord did not care where they were and immediately reached out to pinch her little face.

"At first, I thought you little fox had a silly-cute image, but I never expected you to be this sly."

At that, Hoshimi Miyabi's ears twitched.

"Lord Herrscher of Reason, I was merely training myself to persist in not eating Spring Never Ages."

"Training? What kind of strange training is that? Is it even useful?"

"Of course. For example, I am currently training myself to eat mousse in at least two flavors every day.

I feel that my willpower has significantly strengthened."

"Isn't that just you being greedy?"

Hearing that, Hoshimi Miyabi frowned and rubbed her chin in thought.

"But the training has been very successful."

"Obviously. Even a dog could do that."

"I shall continue my training. Lord Herrscher of Reason, please refrain from disturbing me."

Apparently unable to find a point to refute, Hoshimi Miyabi continued eating her mousse.

"Little Herrscher, we should go."

"Got it, Old Fossil."

"Teacher, I'll be going up the mountain tomorrow. I hope you'll offer me some guidance."

"Mm. However—Miyabi, you'd best finish your work on time."

"If I find that you've pushed it onto Deputy Section Chief Liu again, then I'll have no choice but to bar you from entering."

"!"

"...I understand, Teacher."

"Haha, you got scolded! Little fox."

The Herrscher of Reason Lord rubbed Hoshimi Miyabi's head, then turned and left with Fu Hua.

Outside, the Herrscher of Reason Lord walked beside Fu Hua and reached into the bag.

She casually felt around.

Then pulled out a chocolate bun.

After breaking it in half, she took a bite first.

The moment it entered her mouth, the rich, silky chocolate flavor blended with the soft, fluffy bread.

The Herrscher of Reason Lord's eyes lit up.

She gestured excitedly at Fu Hua.

"Old Fossil, this is delicious!! Hurry up and try it."

As she spoke, she stuffed the other half into Fu Hua's mouth.

Frowning, Fu Hua muttered as she ate the bread.

"Little Herrscher..."

"What do you think? Tasty, right? Wait! Old Fossil, you—"

"Hahahaha—"

After swallowing the bread in her mouth, Fu Hua tilted her head in confusion.

"What is it?"

"The corners of your mouth are covered in shit-gray sauce. It just looks—hahaha—"

Realizing what the other was about to say, Fu Hua became somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.

"Stop laughing, Little Herrscher."

"I understand, haha, but you really look—"

"Take this. I need to wipe my mouth."

After laughing for quite a while, the Herrscher of Reason Lord ignored the bag Fu Hua handed over.

She took out a tissue and held it up to Fu Hua's face.

"I'll help you... hehe."

Seeing this, Fu Hua adjusted her posture slightly and hesitantly leaned her face over.

Taixu Mountain.

After landing, Fu Hua handed a large bag of items to Li Sushang.

"Desserts and some fruit. Remember to put them in cold storage."

"Understood, Ancestral Master."

"How was Cui Ji's training today?"

"Martial Aunt is amazing. It feels like her talent is even better than mine.

In another year or so, she'll be able to cultivate Spirit Essence."

"Ah, it's not as exaggerated as Sushang says. Master, I still think I have a long way to go."

Smiling, Fu Hua patted Cui Ji on the head.

"No need to be so modest, Cui Ji. I believe in you. All right, I'll go make dinner. You two chat."

With that, Fu Hua switched into her Phoenix form and slowly headed toward the kitchen.

At that, Sushang and Cui Ji immediately tensed up.

Fortunately, the Herrscher of Reason behind them spoke up and guaranteed, "Don't worry. Old Fossil won't be making those leafy steamed buns tonight."

"Really? Then I'm looking forward to it."

Li Sushang chuckled.

At dinner, Fu Hua brought out a large basin of rinsed noodles.

She set it on the table, then brought over another basin of gravy.

"Mmm~ Master, your noodles with gravy are so delicious. What did you put in them?"