"Yes, Your Highness!" The Fox Spirits answered in unison.
"Disperse." With a wave of his hand, Bai Qingyue dismissed the servants. They collectively disappeared, not daring to linger a moment longer.
Shortly after, the Fox Lord settled himself upon a silken cloth draped across the wooden tiles, reaching to grasp the latest collections of scrolls he was obligated to sort through.
As soon as he had left Li Meirong's cabin, he had summoned a pair of trusted high ranked female servants, appointing them to accommodate and protect his wife. The Fox Spirits accepted the decree without hesitation. It was considered a great honour to become personal servants for the Bai clan's consort.
After being instructed to hold their tongues, the servants instantly departed to attend Her Ladyship.
Up until he met Li Meirong, the passage of time had never bothered Bai Qingyue in the least. As a diety, one was required to possess a state that attained Nirvana. A higher form of consciousness, spending a lifetime of dedication to wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline.
Indeed, Bai Qingyue had always carried himself with grace. His duties had always been the top priority for him. The godly realm which he governed had forever been his only concern. He had never bothered himself with anything else, had never needed nor desired anything.
He no longer felt that way.
Time began to disintegrate into itself. As though chained in purgatory, the stifling sensation of a formless entity locked forever in an ache of wanting was his ever constant torment.
The hours passed by painfully as Bai Qingyue dealt with a portion of his sovereign obligations. He assumed that at this moment, Li Meirong was attending her first classes.
His assumption was shattered when Bai Yu unexpectedly came back.
"Sire, Her Ladyship isn't waking up and it's been a while since the classes have started!" Bai Yu spoke frantically, his fluffy tail wagging back and forth as he panted heavily.
As soon as he heard this, the Fox Lord tossed aside the valuable scrolls in his hands and vanished, only to instantly appear at Li Meirong's side. She was curled up on the bed like a frightened rabbit with her hair spread around the bed like black ink, her face pale and contorted. Evidently, she was experiencing a nightmare.
The assigned servants previously tucked Li Meirong under a blanket and silently observed her from a distance. However, when the Royal Consort became restless in her sleep, they were too fearful of approaching her. And as for Bai Yu, he certainly didn't have the nerve to check up on Her Ladyship either, and only tried to wake her by calling to her from afar.
The three attendees speechlessly observed their oppressive and tyrannical Fox Lord as he knelt by the bedside, gently caressing the Royal Consort's cheek as she slept.
Seeing the intimate act, the stupefied trio tactfully left the premises.
Without delay, Bai Qingyue placed his palm on Li Meirong's forehead and transferred soothing energy into her as she slept. In a short breath of time, her frown was eased and her ragged breathing steadied into a peaceful rhythm.
Li Meirong woke up that evening to a pair of almond shaped amber eyes.