Chapter 16

Yun Huan remained silent, only continuing to knead persistently…

The person and the cat remained locked in a stalemate, staring at each other for a while.

The Golden Guard nearby narrowed his eyes and peered for a moment before finally noticing the cat on the beam.

It’s a stray cat, Your Highness. Should I remove her?

Chu Tingyan shook his head slightly. No need.

Come here. Chu Tingyan sheathed his sword and extended his hand.

When did the Crown Prince discover her? Yun Huan’s heart pounded wildly.

But fortunately, she was just a kitten now.

Cats can’t understand human speech!

Since she hadn’t run away earlier, she couldn’t run now either, lest he become suspicious. But she couldn’t go to him either.

Yun Huan stretched extravagantly on the beam, pretending to be uninterested in the humans below. She nimbly jumped down, bypassed the mess on the floor, and treated a nearby solid wood cabinet as a scratching post, giving it several good scratches.

Meow, I’m just an innocent little kitten passing through, meow.

She still hadn’t run away? Wasn’t she afraid of him?

Lingzhi, Chu Tingyan glanced at the characters on the cabinet, Want to eat this?

Xi Changyun’s letter had mentioned that because half-demons couldn’t cultivate, food ensured they had enough Demon Power to maintain human form. Their need for food was dozens, even hundreds of times greater than ordinary humans.

No wonder. Chu Tingyan recalled encountering Yun Huan previously in the Imperial Kitchen and later in the Library Pavilion—she had been looking for food both times.

Yun Huan actually didn’t want to go. She was somewhat afraid of the human before her.

Unlike the guard Li Yan or the Scholar from the Library Pavilion, this was the Crown Prince—someone who could truly turn clouds and rain with a flip of his hand, who could end her life with a mere gesture.

This made her feel dangerous.

And he had just killed someone! Yun Huan still remembered how casually he had swung his sword. The sound of the Fat Eunuch falling had been loud and heavy, yet he hadn’t even looked back, as if what fell was merely a tree rather than a living person.

But he had the Vermilion Bird Beak.

The kitten’s round eyes darted about twice. She cautiously twitched her nostrils twice, warily glanced at him, and after some unknown consideration, actually climbed up as instructed. She stepped once on his extended arm and curled up in his embrace—small and warm.

The sensation of her claws catching on his robe was peculiar, as if countless threads were pulling at something. The force was light, yet each tug tugged at the heartstrings.

Inform Eunuch Gao to open the storeroom and bring this case of lingzhi back, using my seal, Chu Tingyan instructed.

Yes, the Golden Guard replied.

I didn’t expect the Crown Prince to be so understanding, Yun Huan thought delightedly. The Crown Prince is a cat person too! Well, who could resist the boundless charm of a little kitten?

Yun Huan was very confident in the appeal of her true form, but she didn’t forget her main objective. She began trying to hook the small case on his chest with her claws.

Chu Tingyan had stored the case quite securely. Her true form was small, and her claws were tiny; she couldn’t reach it after much effort. Worried that someone of the Crown Prince’s status might be temperamental—what if he decided to kill the cat over a single scratch?—Yun Huan didn’t dare extend her claws. Bypassing the cold half of his armor, she explored his chest using only her paw pads.

The man’s chest was broad, with warm muscles rising and falling like mountain ridges. The texture under her paws felt excellent. After exploring twice, she began to knead.

After kneading twice, Yun Huan couldn’t help but knead a couple more times… It was quite comfortable.

The muscle texture underneath was really good—everyone who kneaded it would approve, and once you started kneading, you’d want to keep kneading.

After finishing the meal and running off, she really is… He unconsciously smiled.

Your Highness, another palace attendant entered, where would you like this lingzhi mushroom stored… How is it empty?!

I had someone else take it away, Chu Tingyan said without changing expression, don’t concern yourself with it.

In such a short time, where could it have been taken? The attendant was baffled, retreating in confusion.

Chu Tingyan casually tossed aside his garments, leaving a small gap in the window. Moments later, he glanced up at the window frame again.

You’ve been transferred back? Yun Huan looked at Li Yan, somewhat surprised.

Though it made sense – their group of Imperial Guards had entered the palace specifically to investigate spies, so deploying them everywhere was normal.

Yes, Li Yan said, I was stationed at the Imperial Treasury recently. Quite boring, though there were some interesting things. Is there anything you’d like to know?

Don’t, I don’t want to know, Yun Huan warned him, When investigating spies in the palace, the worst thing is having a loose tongue. This is a matter that could cost you your head! You need to be more careful.

I know, thank you, Chu Tingyan nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips, There are some matters I also thank you for keeping confidential.

Although Yun Huan already knew his identity, for now at least, it wasn’t the time for complete disclosure.

Don’t worry. Yun Huan patted her chest reassuringly.

I do know the earth-shattering secret that the Crown Prince has returned to the palace, but unfortunately I can’t tell you.

If I told you, we’d both lose our heads.

Yun Huan looked at Li Yan with some pity, feeling she was being very considerate of him. Recently the Imperial Guards had been transferred to the Imperial Treasury to assist in the spy investigation, but the actual capture was handled by the Golden Guard under the Crown Prince’s command, showing how top-secret this matter was.

Now it appeared the palace was tightly secured like an iron barrel. Those rumors about spies that could be heard were mostly permitted to be leaked, while the truly classified information – such as the Crown Prince’s return to the capital, or the recent death in the Imperial Treasury – hadn’t leaked at all.

The palace remained like still water, without even a ripple.

Yun Huan had no desire to test the Golden Guard’s control over the palace with her own life.

Chu Tingyan changed the subject: But there are many rare objects in the Imperial Treasury. Is there anything you’re looking for? I might come across it.

Are you crazy?!

Yun Huan’s eyes widened. If she wanted something, would he actually steal it for her?

She only dared to scrape gold leaf from remote, damaged buildings. Only someone like Li Yan who had been on the battlefield would be so bold as to consider targeting the guarded Imperial Treasury!

Yun Huan warned him with a serious expression: Don’t even think about it. The palace is currently investigating spies, and security is tight. We don’t even know if it’s over yet. You should focus on your duties. Until all the spies are uncovered, I don’t think the entire palace can be at peace. Don’t cause trouble for your superiors.

Normally causing trouble might just mean docking some monthly pay, but at a sensitive time like this, you could easily get executed.

She couldn’t say it explicitly, but she practically begged Li Yan not to entertain such thoughts and to properly perform his duties.

Chu Tingyan suppressed a laugh, feeling warmed inside: Alright, I was just joking.

Stop messing around. If you get reckless, ten heads wouldn’t be enough to pay for it. I have afternoon duty, I should head back now.

Wait, Li Yan called after her, This is for you.

Huh? The object felt heavy in her hand. Yun Huan looked down blankly to see a phoenix-patterned peony hairpin with a double happiness design engraved on the back.

You gave me an amulet last time, I wanted to give you something in return too. Chu Tingyan said.

Wait, what?

She gave a copper amulet, but the hairpin Li Yan gave seemed to be made of pure gold!

Take it. I have matters to attend to today, so I’ll take my leave. Before she could refuse, Chu Tingyan had already pushed the hairpin into her hand and strode away.

Huh?

Yun Huan looked up in a daze. Li Yan today… why was he acting so strangely?

You went to Danfeng Palace again today? He Zaizhi said.

Yes. Chu Tingyan didn’t deny it.

Oh, the two sat facing each other as He Zaizhi took a sip of tea, his tone teasing, Was it the Crown Prince Concubine or the Consort?

Stop talking nonsense. Chu Tingyan said.

He Zaizhi sneered: Still pretending?

I’ve already told my mother – it’s not a concubine, it’s the Crown Princess.

He Zaizhi spat out his entire mouthful of tea, coughing violently.

In Danfeng Palace, Yun Huan inexplicably sneezed.

Author’s note:

———————-

[Owl] Here I am

💝 Support the Team

soowe05

✍️ Translator

💙 PayPal