The Priest nodded toward Hu Li on the bed and approached the Chieftain.
“Chieftain, I can testify. Most of the Females in the tribe have given birth with my assistance, and Hu Li is no exception.” She then repeated everything Hu Rong had said outside that day.
Although the civilization of the Beast World was backward, it didn’t mean they couldn’t understand the implications of those words. Everyone gasped upon hearing it, but the Chieftain remained much calmer. She looked up and met Hu Rong’s panicked eyes—Hu Rong’s heart sank completely.
“Hu Rong, did you really say these things? Did you also cause Hu Li to fall into the Forbidden Land?”
The Chieftain’s words weighed on Hu Rong like a heavy stone, making it hard for her to breathe. She absolutely could not admit it—harming a Female, cursing a Female—each charge alone could mean her death.
“Chieftain, I’ve contributed so much to the tribe. You know me well. How could I possibly do such things? They’ve all conspired to lie and frame me.”
“Are you saying I’m lying too?”
The Priest’s words struck fear into Hu Rong’s heart, throwing her into utter panic. “No, that’s not what I meant… I mean…”
“Enough! You can’t even give a proper reason. Would our tribe’s esteemed Priest conspire with a weak Female to frame you?” The Chieftain was furious. Females were the rarest of all; even having one more weak Female than other tribes made their tribe stronger.
“Hu Rong has harmed a Female, shown malicious intent, and cursed a Female and her Cub. As punishment, her family will no longer enjoy any conveniences provided by the tribe, their voice in tribal matters is revoked, and they must daily contribute half of the food hunted by their household to the tribe.”
“What?” Hu Rong collapsed to the ground, the fat on her belly wobbling twice. “Chieftain, you can’t do this to us! If we have to give half our daily hunt, how will we feed our Cubs? I have so many Beast Husbands—if they don’t eat enough, how will they have the strength to work and hunt?”
“Hmph! When you harmed that Female, did you ever think about what would happen to your Cubs and Beast Husbands if your actions were discovered? It is already merciful that we haven’t exiled your entire family from the tribe. From now on, you will stay quietly at home and help your Beast Husbands care for the children. Now go!” With that, the Chieftain ordered several Females to escort Hu Rong out and sent one to notify two of her Beast Husbands to come take her home.
“No! I did nothing wrong! It’s all Hu Li’s fault! She’s just a white fox—why should she enjoy the privileges of us red foxes? She should be driven out of the tribe! Hu Li is the best at deceiving Beastfolk—sooner or later, you’ll all be fooled by her…”
Hu Rong’s voice gradually faded into the distance, but the cave remained silent. A few Females nudged each other, wanting to speak but not daring to.
The Chieftain had lived long enough—it would be strange if she didn’t notice.
“If any of you have something to say, speak up now!”
The boldest among them stepped forward.
“Chieftain, after witnessing Sister Hu Li’s bravery today, we can’t bear to stay silent any longer. I want to report Hu Rong for bullying her own kind, especially Females. All of us here have been privately mistreated by her.”
“Chieftain, I also want to report her.”
“I want to report her too.”
The Chieftain looked at the resolute faces of the Females before her, feeling both comfort and disappointment in her heart. She was comforted that the Females of their Tribe had become braver, thanks in large part to Hu Li’s leadership. Yet she was disappointed because she had always held high hopes for Hu Rong. Hu Rong, despite her young age, had given birth to over twenty Cubs for the Tribe, including three Females, and was expected to strengthen the Tribe in the future, protecting it from oppression by other Tribes. However, she had abused the trust placed in her, acting arrogantly and domineeringly within the Tribe—truly a profound disappointment.
The Chieftain now felt remorse toward Hu Li. Last time, when Hu Rong pushed her into the Forbidden Land, she had not believed Hu Li’s words. How could she now have the face to ask Hu Li to help strengthen the Tribe?
“Hu Li, I apologize for not believing you last time,” the Chieftain said sincerely, especially since the Priest and other Females were present.
Hu Li was somewhat moved. For a Chieftain to humble herself like this, it would be unreasonable not to forgive her.
“There’s no need to apologize, Chieftain. We are all victims.”
The Females nearby were first shocked that the Chieftain had apologized to a Female. The Chieftain held an especially high status—how could this be allowed? But after hearing Hu Li’s words, they realized how magnanimous she truly was. Everyone’s impression of Hu Li changed. Though this frail Female might not be physically strong, she was not bad at heart. In contrast, the strong Female was rotten inside. Even their impression of Hu Zhuo began to shift.
The Chieftain then sent people to deliver many items before leaving with the Females. She intended to personally handle Hu Rong’s matter, as every Beastfolk in the Tribe had the right to know about it.
Hu Li gently played with the little tiger cub’s paws. The pink paws twitched slightly as the cub yawned and fell back asleep.
Hu Zhuo stepped forward and lightly patted the cub twice, making it sleep even more soundly. “A Li, you seem very happy now.”
“Hmm? You can tell?”
Hu Zhuo half-knelt by the stone bed, stroking the corner of her eye. “Yes, your eyes are smiling.”
“A Li, in my eyes, you are beautiful—the most beautiful Female in the world.”
“Why are you suddenly calling me A Li? Didn’t you prefer calling me Hu Li before?”
“No, I’m different from them. I am your Beast Husband now, so of course I have the privilege of a name that belongs only to me.”
Hu Li’s face began to burn, feeling hot. Though it wasn’t yet the hot season, she suddenly felt the air grow stiflingly warm! She asked Hu Zhuo to bring her a basin of warm water.
Inside the cave were various wooden basins and buckets of different sizes. Hu Zhuo chose a smaller basin, just right for A Li to wash her face.
The warm water was just the right temperature. Hu Li cupped it in her hands and splashed it over her face. It felt warm and soothing. As the water in the basin gradually turned dark, Hu Zhuo’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“A… A Li, your… your face.”
“Hmm? What’s wrong with my face?” There was no mirror here, so Hu Li had no idea what she looked like. This was the first time she had washed her face since crossing over.
“Hu Zhuo, could you find a stone and polish it smooth for me?”
Hu Zhuo was more than willing. Though shocked, he first followed A Li’s request and went to polish a stone.
About half an hour later, Hu Zhuo returned with a stone about the size of his hand, handing it to her triumphantly.
The stone was polished to a smooth finish. Hu Li held it up to her face; though the reflection was slightly blurry, she could still make out the general features. It turned out the original owner wasn’t ugly at all—in fact, she was quite beautiful, especially that delicate face. Previously darkened by some unknown substance, now washed clean, her skin appeared even more tender and fair.
This was the most beautiful face she had ever seen, ethereal as a celestial being. Perhaps the original owner had also known her striking looks would cause quite a stir in the Beast World, hence concealing her true appearance.
“A Li, you… you lied to me.”
Hu Li looked over and met the gaze of a fox nearly cooked through—well, its fur was fiery red, and now its face was flushed crimson too.