The rosy dawn spread across Qingqiu Mansion.
The courtyard was a painting of vibrant blossoms, while the brook outside the gate babbled pleasantly.
The small garden was planted with hundreds of flowers with different blooming seasons and preferences, yet they all blossomed at the same time. The magic array shrouding the entire mansion deserved some credit, as did the hard work of the Grass Sprites and Flower Sprites, along with the various magical potions brewed by the fox girls.
Zheng Qing sat on the steps, looking at the spring scenery filling the garden, but he felt little vigor or vitality. All he felt was exhaustion.
Behind him, Poseidon sat on the broad windowsill, hugging a copy of "Classical Talisman Studies" far larger than she was. She swayed her head as she read in a drowsy, sing-song voice. Zheng Qing could not tell how much the Little Fox had learned; all he heard was the resentment in her repeated muttering: "I'm exhausted, I'm exhausted."
A tall figure stepped through the gate beneath the morning light and amid the blooming garden, accompanied by the Little Fox's whimpering morning recitation. Zheng Qing sprang to his feet. Faster than him, however, was the Little Fox on the windowsill. Like a streak of white lightning, she flashed past the young wizard and slammed into the witch's arms, tearfully launching into her complaints.
"How unusual!"
Su Shijun removed her cloak and handed it to Su Man. Pinching the Little Fox's two front paws, she lifted her up before her and carefully inspected every strand of fur, curiosity written all over her face. "Didn't you used to love being with your dad the most? It's only been a few days. Why are you already coming to complain to me?"
The many words Zheng Qing had spent so