Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 229 The Mysterious Beauty Reappears

In that tranquil and secluded valley, a gentle breeze rustled through the dense foliage. At the valley's edge lay a peaceful courtyard, where flowers and plants bloomed freely, their vibrant colors releasing a captivating fragrance. A woman dressed in pale blue sat quietly on a stone bench in the courtyard. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, like a spring flower in full bloom, especially her bright, clear, and lively eyes, reminiscent of Gu Liuli. This was Qingwan, the recluse of this valley, isolated from the world yet possessing an extraordinary and refined air.

A pure white nine-tailed raccoon leaped gracefully onto the stone table. Its fur, as pure as snow, shimmered softly in the sunlight. The raccoon's nine tails swayed gently, as if expressing its joy. It affectionately rubbed against Qingwan's cheek, purring softly, as if it were playfully teasing her.

"Little Nine, you're being naughty again," Zhao Min said, her voice clear and melodious, like a babbling brook in the mountains. She reached out and gently stroked the Nine-Tails' head, her fingers running through its soft fur.

Nine-Tanuki squinted its eyes, enjoying Qingwan's caresses, occasionally rubbing its head against Zhao Min's palm. Suddenly, as if it remembered something, it jumped off the stone table, ran to the corner of the courtyard, picked up a delicate little cloth bag, and ran back to Qingwan's side.

Zhao Min took the cloth bag, opened it, and saw several crystal-clear spiritual fruits inside. "Little Jiu, you went to find spiritual fruits for me again, thank you," Zhao Min said with a smile, her eyes full of tenderness and gratitude.

Nine-Tanuki seemed to understand Zhao Min's words. Its tail wagged even more enthusiastically, and it meowed as if to say, "As long as you like it, that's fine."

The afternoon sun was warm and gentle, casting dappled shadows through the gaps in the leaves. Qingwan rose and walked to the pond in the courtyard. The lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom, their pink petals swaying gently in the breeze, like shy maidens. Jiuli Cat followed her, leaping onto a rock by the pond, its eyes fixed on the fish in the water, seemingly searching for a plaything.

"Xiao Jiu, don't scare the fish," Zhao Min said softly.

Nine-Tanuki glanced back at Zhao Min, seemingly reluctant, but still obediently jumped down, ran to Zhao Min's side, and rubbed its head against her leg.

Zhao Min squatted down, hugged Jiu Li Mao, and said, "Xiao Jiu, what do you think the outside world is like?" Her eyes revealed a hint of longing. Although she lived a peaceful and comfortable life in this valley, she would occasionally be curious about the outside world.

Nine-Tails tilted its head, looking at Zhao Min, seemingly pondering the question. Suddenly, it jumped down from Qingwan's arms, ran to the courtyard gate, and meowed at the outside, as if inviting Qingwan to come out and see.

Zhao Min looked at the Nine-Tails and a thought struck her: "Little Nine, do you want to take me out?"

As if it understood Zhao Min's words, the Nine-Tails wagged its tail even more happily and kept meowing.

Zhao Min hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Alright, Xiao Jiu, then you'd better lead the way for me."

So Zhao Min followed Jiu Li Mao out of the courtyard and along the path in the valley. Along the way, Jiu Li Mao skipped and hopped ahead, occasionally looking back to make sure Qing Wan followed. The scenery in the valley was breathtaking; colorful wildflowers covered the mountainsides, butterflies danced among the blossoms, and birds sang merrily in the branches.

As they walked, they came to a mysterious forest. The trees in the forest were tall and dense, and sunlight could hardly penetrate through the gaps in the branches and leaves, making the forest somewhat dark. Suddenly, the Nine-Tails stopped, its ears standing straight up, and it looked around warily.

"Xiao Jiu, what's wrong?" Zhao Min asked softly.

The nine-tailed cat did not answer. It slowly approached Zhao Min, pressing its body tightly against her legs, seemingly to protect her.

Just then, a strange sound came from the forest, like the roar of some wild beast. Qingwan's expression changed slightly, and she instinctively hugged Jiuli Mao tighter.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here," Nine-Tails suddenly said, her voice clear and childlike.

Zhao Min looked at Jiu Li Mao in surprise: "Little Jiu, you can talk?"

Nine-Tanuki nodded: "Yes, I've always known, I just haven't told you. There's a ferocious magical beast in this forest, we need to be careful."

Zhao Min took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down: "Okay, Xiao Jiu, let's think of a solution together."

Nine-Tails jumped down from Zhao Min's arms, and a powerful spiritual energy suddenly emanated from its body, making its nine tails even brighter. "I'll distract the demonic beast, you take the opportunity to leave," Nine-Tails said.

“No, I can’t leave you,” Zhao Min said firmly.

Just then, the roars of the monster grew closer, and a huge black monster charged out from the depths of the forest. Its body was enormous, more than two people tall, its fur as hard as steel needles, and its red eyes flashed with a fierce light.

"Xiao Jiu, be careful!" Zhao Min shouted.

Undeterred, the Nine-Tails charged at the monster, its nine tails lashing out like whips. Enraged by the Nine-Tails' attack, the monster opened its gaping maw and lunged at it.

Seeing this, Zhao Min also rushed forward. Although she didn't possess strong spiritual power, she held a dagger in her hand. Seizing the opportunity, she stabbed at the monster's eyes.

The monster cried out in pain, its body swaying as it temporarily ceased its attack. Taking advantage of this, the Nine-Tails launched an even fiercer attack, continuously channeling its spiritual energy into its tail, making the light on it grow ever brighter.

With the combined efforts of Nine-Tails and Zhao Min, the monster was finally defeated. It turned and fled into the depths of the forest, disappearing without a trace.

"Xiao Jiu, are you alright?" Zhao Min rushed to Jiu Li Mao's side and asked with concern.

Nine-Tanuki shook her head: "I'm fine, how about you?"

Qingwan smiled and said, "I'm fine too. Xiao Jiu, thanks to you, otherwise we would have been in trouble today."

Nine-Tanuki looked at Zhao Min with tenderness in her eyes: "No, it was us who defeated the monster together. From now on, I will always protect you."

Zhao Min gently hugged Jiu Li Mao, her heart filled with emotion: "Okay, we'll be together forever."

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Zhao Min and Jiu Li Mao slowly returned to the courtyard along the valley path. Their bond had deepened after this adventure.

"Xiao Jiu, when you go out, you must protect Liuli well and not let her get hurt."