Chapter 10: Little Bamboo-like Paws Blooming in His Palm…

The kitten’s belly rose and fell slowly as soft purrs began to resonate from her throat and chest—a low, contented sound that vibrated through Chu Tingyan’s hand resting on her.

Was she feeling comfortable? Or was it trust? Chu Tingyan studied her half-closed eyes.

Yun Huan tilted her head to glance at him. Why had he stopped?

Human thoughts were beyond her comprehension and concern. Yun Huan yawned, revealing four sharp fangs, and used her paw to hook his sleeve.

Human, keep petting me, or I’ll eat you.

Chu Tingyan grasped the cat’s paw, surprised to find the pads were a soft pink and cool to the touch. Almost unconsciously, he pressed one—unbelievably soft.

Meow~ Yun Huan narrowed her eyes, her little bamboo-like paws blooming open in his palm.

Quite comfortable after all. She wouldn’t eat him—better keep him as a poop-scooper.

*

It had to be said that Lieutenant Li Yan was quite a decent human.

This was Yun Huan’s conclusion after observing him over this period.

When she was a cat, he proved to be a qualified poop-scooper—diligent with feeding and skilled at massage. When she was human, he was also a decent guard.

Morning, Yun Huan greeted Chu Tingyan.

Since being transferred to Danfeng Palace, he often crossed paths with Yun Huan. Both worked outdoors and would frequently exchange harmonious greetings before tacitly slacking off together.

With their bond from her cat days, Yun Huan was especially friendly toward this slacking partner, gifting him a broad smile.

Let’s go, Chu Tingyan said after a moment when no one was around.

Yun Huan glanced around warily, but Chu Tingyan reminded her, You have a Waist Token.

Right. Yun Huan relaxed. Today she had legitimately received a task from Mo Gugu to gather flowers from the Imperial Garden for vase arrangements. Since the other palace maids were busy, she had simply asked Lieutenant Li to help carry the flowers—though of course, it was perfectly normal for them to sneak off to that ruins area and dig up some gems along the way, right?

After such a warm invitation, how could she refuse? Yun Huan lifted her chin, radiating righteous confidence.

Chu Tingyan smiled faintly.

Right here, he pointed to a patch of scorched earth. The pillars originally had gold leaf, but it’s long gone—completely bare now. There are still plenty of gems to dig up underneath.

Mhm, I know, Yun Huan replied, glancing downward.

Chu Tingyan wasn’t surprised. Of course—you’ve been in the palace for a long time.

During the rebellion, fleeing palace staff had first taken gold, silver, and jewels, along with easily liquidated decorations from the buildings. Yun Huan certainly knew that.

Reading his expression, Yun Huan simply smiled without responding.

Did he know why the pillars were completely bare?

She had already dug them all up, of course!

Late on the first night of the rebel army’s invasion, she had diligently transported all the gold leaf away. This area was originally the Eastern Palace, but the last emperor of Xia Dynasty had no heirs, leaving it long abandoned and inconspicuous. After the fire, the charred ruins attracted few visitors. Amid the chaos, she hadn’t dared to move in human form—a little cat making countless trips through the night until not a speck of gold leaf remained.

Unlike gold, gems were harder to liquidate, too heavy, and difficult to hide, forcing her to reluctantly abandon them. But since Li Yan had invited her today, she was more than happy to go. When it came to money, the more the better.

No tourmaline, no amber either—those aren’t easy to sell, Yun Huan stood on the stone path, bending down to speak to Chu Tingyan. We want rubies and sapphires. Yes, yes, these! This big one.

Chu Tingyan busied himself following her instructions, then climbed up holding two pouches: What else do you know that sells well?

Yun Huan: Of course I do. Every month there are eunuchs going out to make purchases. We’re not nobility—we have to plan for our future. I’ve been asking around about what sells well so when we leave the palace, we can bring some hard assets. That way we can buy a house and have something to rely on for the rest of our lives.

Here, Yun Huan generously split one pouch and handed it to him. This bag is for you.

No need. Chu Tingyan instinctively refused.

Don’t be polite! We came here together, so we should split it equally, Yun Huan said. Actually, I wanted to ask you a favor—gems are too conspicuous, and I have nowhere to hide them. Could you keep them for me and return them when I leave the palace? Consider your share as payment. Is that alright?

Fine, she had everything so well arranged it was hard to refuse. Chu Tingyan agreed, When do you want to leave the palace?

Maybe in two more years, Yun Huan casually found a spot to sit under the corridor, squinting her eyes. I’ll earn money for two more years first.

Though she said this, her tone differed from before. She tilted her head, hugging her knees and resting her cheek against them, her expression calm yet wistful.

The autumn sunlight was pleasant. Wildly growing flowers and plants sprawled out, nearly level with the railings, still bearing buds of various sizes—they thrived vigorously. Chu Tingyan wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, so he casually brushed aside some plants, examining the fuzzy leaves in his hand. Yun Huan asked, Do you know what flower this is?

Lychnis coronata, Chu Tingyan replied.

You recognize it too? Yun Huan wasn’t surprised he knew the flower, but rather that he could name it instantly. Lychnis coronata was vibrant and could spread across entire courtyards like roadside weeds. She had worked hard to prevent these few plants from encroaching on the poppies nearby.

Chu Tingyan raised an eyebrow: We saw plenty by the roads during military campaigns. It can disperse blood stasis, relieve pain, clear heat, and stop diarrhea—all soldiers know it.

I forgot you’ve fought battles outside the palace, Yun Huan said. The world beyond the palace is vast, right? What other flowers are out there?

Do you want to leave the palace? Chu Tingyan asked.

Of course, Yun Huan still gazed at the fiery red flower between Chu Tingyan’s fingers. It must grow taller outside the palace, not cramped and confined to a small flowerbed, forced to make space for other exotic blooms. I dream about it every day.

She had been yearning for this since transmigrating here—nineteen years now.

She was a modern person who inexplicably ended up in ancient times through fetal transmigration, and was thrown into a half-demon’s body. If she were human, she would have escaped during the previous dynastic changes. But as a fragile half-demon, leaving the palace might mean being devoured by powerful demons. She could only cultivate and save money in the relatively safer palace first. Once she gathered the materials required in ancient texts to fully become human, she could finally leave and enjoy freedom.

Lately, she grew weaker day by day, and this feeling was stronger than ever before. She didn’t know why. Yun Huan sighed.

Have you mentioned this to Mo Gugu? Chu Tingyan asked. If you want to leave the palace, I can bring it up for you.

He specifically suggested bringing Yun Huan to collect gemstones to make up for the previous misunderstanding. Releasing a palace maid wasn’t difficult for him – he could even provide some money and silk, arranging a small courtyard in the capital for Yun Huan, thus settling this misunderstanding properly.

No need. Yun Huan shook her head. After years of saving up, she only needed a few more medicinal ingredients. Otherwise, what would be the point of leaving the palace as a half-demon? Just to become appetizers for powerful demons?

If it’s about money, don’t worry about it.

Such big talk, Yun Huan interrupted Chu Tingyan, laughing, as if you’re the chief steward of the palace. Come now, you’re just a captain – though your rank is higher than mine, how much money could you possibly have? I know military officers who’ve been to battlefields have more money, but you shouldn’t spend it like this. You can’t trust me – if you lend me money and I run off with it, you’d suffer huge losses!

He might even lose his marriage savings.

Not necessarily a bad thing, Chu Tingyan smiled.

Yun Huan also smiled but said firmly: No.

All these years in the palace, I’ve been dreaming of leaving every day. When that day comes, I wonder if I’ll be able to adapt, she gazed at the blue sky and said, Let’s wait until I’m fully prepared.

Chu Tingyan didn’t press further: Just let me know if you need help anytime.

Alright, Yun Huan said, You’re so loyal – I’ll watch your back too!

I saw today… He Zaizhi hesitated.

Speak directly, Chu Tingyan didn’t look up.

Fine then, He Zaizhi said, That palace maid from the other day – what are your plans for her? I saw you two in the Imperial Garden today. What were you doing?

Chu Tingyan: …

He couldn’t possibly say he had taken Yun Huan to his Eastern Palace to steal gemstones.

He Zaizhi looked at him sideways: You haven’t even chosen a Crown Princess yet, isn’t it improper to take an Imperial Concubine first? If the Empress asks, what should I tell her?

I haven’t… Chu Tingyan found it hard to explain.

A Consort won’t do either! He Zaizhi slapped the table. The Empress is my aunt, and I’m your cousin! If you do something wrong, my aunt and uncle will suspect I’m the bad influence – then I’ll be in trouble!

What are you thinking? There’s really nothing! Chu Tingyan said.

Really nothing? He Zaizhi asked suspiciously. Then is it still about that Demon Clan spy business? Didn’t you say she’s been cleared of suspicion?

Yes, Chu Tingyan said, But when we suspected her before, it even reached the supervising matron. I caused trouble for her, so now that she needs help, I naturally should assist – consider it making some amends.

You’d better be, He Zaizhi said.

As for marriage, my parents haven’t even started looking for matches yet, but you’re already planning for me? What business is it of yours? Chu Tingyan grabbed an inkstone and threw it at him. Get out, get out!

After being driven out, Chu Tingyan sat back at his desk and inexplicably continued along the train of thought He Zaizhi had started.

He currently had no plans to marry, though having too many people in the rear palace could cause chaos. If he ever did marry… it should be like his Father and Mother – one man, one woman for life.

With noble families becoming increasingly powerful and already restraining the empire, compared to noble daughters, Yun Huan would actually be quite suitable… but she wanted to leave the palace…

Chu Tingyan smiled again. These were all baseless thoughts – why was he imagining things? Going to the Library Pavilion was more important. He had found some ancient texts there about half-demons in previous dynasties’ palaces.

That night, Yun Huan entered the Library Pavilion like a silent shadow, right on time.

Outside the main gate, two young eunuchs whispered to each other: …Last time, all those pastries were finished again. Should we put out more this time?

Quite right.

The noble one truly lives up to their status, even their appetite is so extraordinary…

Well… actually, I ate them all.

Yun Huan felt somewhat guilty. She leaped onto the windowsill and saw the Scholar inside, his expression calm and composed, completely unaware that he had become a majestic foodie in the eunuchs’ minds.

She cast an apologetic glance at the Scholar who was innocently taking the blame: So sorry, but you’re a tall, strapping man—it shouldn’t matter if people think you eat a lot, right?

Author’s Note:

———————-

Yun Huan (performing blooming paws for everyone): [cat paw][cat paw][cat paw]

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