Chapter 11: How Dare You Ask This Majesty to Catch Mice?…

The little cat slipped into the room unnoticed, stretching luxuriously beside Chu Tingyan and earning herself a gentle stroke in return.

She had grown quite familiar with him by now, knowing this Scholar never touched the snacks. He seemed to have never spoken with the two eunuchs guarding outside either—they didn’t even know his identity, only that he was some distinguished personage here to consult materials in the Library Pavilion.

With no communication between the two parties, Yun Huan seized the opportunity to freeload meals. After devouring all the pastries in the outer chamber, she leaped onto the desk and settled into her favorite spot at the upper left corner.

As the night deepened with heavy dew, she lazily curled up by the warm lamp, occasionally tapping the desk with her tail or hooking it around Chu Tingyan’s wrist to demand pets. Buried in his books, he rarely looked up, mostly indulging her requests while occasionally shaking his wrist free to turn pages—only for Yun Huan to gently wrap her long tail around it again.

The furry sensation around his wrist was unmistakable. Since becoming acquainted, this cat had clearly grown increasingly spoiled, and Chu Tingyan indulged her without protest.

Knock, knock.

A soft tapping came from outside the door.

Chu Tingyan lifted his eyelids: Enter.

Who could it be? Both human and cat looked up toward the doorway.

Honored guest,the lead eunuch bowed slightly, shall we replenish the pastries in the outer chamber?

Hm?Chu Tingyan responded, What pastries?

The two young eunuchs abruptly looked up: The pastries placed in the outer chamber every time! Last time there were twenty boxes, this time thirty—how did you find their taste?

They were always completely emptied. If not by this honored guest before them, then by whom?

Yun Huan sensed trouble and rose to leave.

How infuriating!

She’d only been moaning meals for half a month, and this Scholar didn’t come every day—at most she’d eaten a few meals total. Yet they’d already been discovered. These two eunuchs were far too impatient! For a full-grown man over six feet tall, was eating a bit more worth questioning? Could the palace not afford to feed him?

I haven’t been to the outer chamber.Chu Tingyan looked down at Yun Huan sharply.

He never revealed his identity, maintaining low profile—always exiting through the side door and rarely speaking with eunuchs along the way.

Yun Huan shuddered, but Chu Tingyan already had her by the scruff. The two eunuchs’ gazes converged on Yun Huan and they suddenly exclaimed in unison:

Could it be rats?

Yun Huan was astonished—what twisted logic were these two following?

How dare you ask this majesty to catch mice?

Unaware of Chu Tingyan’s identity, the eunuchs assumed he was some junior official from the Hanlin Academy ranked eighth or ninth, so they weren’t particularly intimidated: Rats in the Library Pavilion are no trivial matter! Snacking is minor, but gnawing books is serious. Could we borrow your civet cat slave?Indeed, the Imperial Treasury reported missing items just the day before yesterday—supposedly precious artifacts from the previous dynasty.The attending palace staff were severely reprimanded. I suspect rats likely damaged them too.

Yun Huan:…

These two genuinely seemed to want to borrow her for rat-catching. She was a cat demon, not an actual cat—she had no idea how to catch mice!

But being exposed would be worse. Should she pretend?

The Imperial Treasury is investigating spies, yet you blame rats,Chu Tingyan chuckled faintly, sweeping a glance over them. I understand. You’re dismissed.

The two servants were terrified of being accused of negligence by their superior. Seeing that Chu Tingyan wasn’t pursuing the matter, they found it somewhat unbelievable.

Was it really not rats?

The cleverer one chimed in: We’ll definitely be more diligent and guard carefully against spies!

This cat is quite alert. It can stay here to help guard the Library Pavilion.

Yun Huan was still being held down by Chu Tingyan, unable to break free. Listening to these two people chattering about spies and rats, she felt utterly exhausted. She couldn’t catch rats anyway – her only suggestion would be to buy some rat poison and scatter it around. If they were lucky enough to poison something, then it would prove they were dealing with ordinary rats.

—And if they were unlucky and nothing died? That would be worse! It would definitely mean the rats had become demons! Then they’d have to offer abundant tribute to the Cat Queen so she could suppress the rat demons!

Most likely it was this cat who ate them,Chu Tingyan said. Alright, you may go.

The two young eunuchs withdrew. Chu Tingyan’s gaze returned to the cat – could a normal cat really eat this much?

The cat lay on the table with a displeased yet pitiful expression, all four limbs poised to jump away at any moment, its tail flicking impatiently from side to side like a nimble snake.

He asked quietly: Was it you who ate them?

Chu Tingyan’s gaze felt almost tangible, making Yun Huan feel as if she were being seen through – a terribly uncomfortable sensation.

Receiving no response, Chu Tingyan showed no urgency. His other hand slowly stroked the top of her head, adopting a posture suggesting he was prepared to wait indefinitely. Yun Huan bared her teeth at him: Did he actually expect a response from a cat?

If I really spoke human words, would you dare to acknowledge it?

She stretched out her front paws and suddenly flipped over a ancient text on the table. Taking advantage of Chu Tingyan reaching to pick up the book, she rolled over and scampered away.

Meow, this kitten doesn’t understand human speech!

Chu Tingyan gazed thoughtfully at the opened book pages, rereading the passage about half-demons. After a moment, he began spreading paper and grinding ink.

Li Yan seemed off today.

Yun Huan glanced at him and asked: Tired? Didn’t you sleep well last night or something?

Some matters on my mind.Chu Tingyan smiled.

Yun Huan had also heard about the spy caught in the Imperial Treasury. The Imperial Guards must be under increased pressure. She waved a hand: Sit and rest for a while. The patrol can wait a bit longer.

Thank you.The Imperial Garden was nearly empty. Chu Tingyan sat beside her, then leaned back casually and actually lay down on the grass.

Yun Huan sat hugging her knees, comforting her friend: The imperial palace is so vast, and it’s not ours anyway. As long as nothing happens in our designated areas, why bother with unnecessary worries?

Chu Tingyan curved his lips: Don’t you have any grand ambitions? Rising above others, making great fortunes… anything at all.

None. I just want to save money to leave the palace, buy a large estate, and live off rent collection every day.Yun Huan declared with remarkable lack of ambition.

If one day, the entire imperial palace belonged to you, what would you do?Chu Tingyan suddenly asked.

Ah?Yun Huan didn’t process it immediately. What do you mean the entire palace would be mine?

Literally meaning the whole palace would be under your control. You could do whatever you want,Chu Tingyan plucked a blade of grass and lazily placed it between his lips, reaching for his water pouch as he asked with a smile, Don’t you really want that day to come?

If it’s about dreaming, that’s her specialty!

When one person achieves enlightenment, even their pets ascend to heaven. You’ll definitely get your share of benefits when that happens,Yun Huan first painted an optimistic picture, I’ll… I’ll appoint you as the Grand Commander of Guards!

She didn’t know the specific official hierarchy either, only that the Chief Steward seemed to be a very high-ranking position in the palace, with authority over everyone.

With a sputtering sound, Chu Tingyan sprayed out all the water he had just drunk and nearly choked. Trembling, he said, The Chief Steward position can only be held by eunuchs.

This kind of fortune he truly couldn’t handle.

Author’s note:

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