Chapter 7: As Expected, No One Can Resist a Kitten!…

Yun Huan left the Imperial Guards’ quarters and wandered through the palace streets and alleys, searching for the next human willing to offer tribute.

She couldn’t stay too close to those Imperial Guards—if the two groups she had adopted happened to meet, there was a risk of exposure. As an exceptional kitten, she had to master time and space management, preventing problems before they arose. Different caretakers must never appear in the same place at the same time.

To achieve this, she had to bravely explore new territories. Yun Huan toiled tirelessly, scaling the high palace walls and making her way to the Front Hall.

After some searching, Yun Huan felt disappointed. The Front Hall was where the bearded civil officials held court, and now, with lantern-lighting time approaching, everyone had returned home. Not a soul was in sight—not even a ghostly shadow.

Ah, after walking so far with such effort, hoping to venture farther, how could she have forgotten this detail?

But she could only roam the palace at night, and she had no time to come back during the day tomorrow.

The little kitten sorrowfully drooped her whiskers.

Wait—there was light in the palace hall ahead!

Yun Huan instantly perked up, raised her tail, and swiveled her ears, carefully discerning every faintest sound carried by the breeze.

Confirmed—there were human voices.

Yun Huan shook her whiskers with pride. As expected, she was a clever little kitten!

Following the sound, Yun Huan quickened her pace, leaping twice across the dark streets and alleys. She looked up at the three large characters above the hall’s entrance: Library Pavilion.

Perhaps it was some civil official stationed here on duty? Or a scholar who had come to borrow books?

Regardless, there would surely be food. Yun Huan pushed off the wall for momentum, leaped onto the wall’s edge, blinked twice, and the scene inside immediately became clear.

Sure enough, inside the Library Pavilion, there was a figure buried in books, dressed in scholar’s attire—likely a minor civil official. His face looked somewhat familiar, though she didn’t know any civil officials; it was probably just a kind-looking face.

A kind face was good. Kind-faced people were good people; they certainly wouldn’t let a cat go hungry.

This was the place. Yun Huan looked satisfied. She had decided: you would be her second caretaker!

You are a fortunate human, for you have been chosen by this meow.

She let out a meow, jumped onto the window lattice, pushed open a crack in the wooden window, and then, like liquid, slipped through bonelessly.

The starry night was deep.

Lanterns were lit in the palace’s Library Pavilion. Chu Tingyan sat by the window, holding two scrolls of books, flipping through them.

Although it had been confirmed today that the palace maid was not a demon, what about the ears from that day?

Chu Tingyan’s fingers gripped the White Jade Token, rubbing it for a moment. He couldn’t have been mistaken.

Most emperors of previous dynasties firmly believed in alchemy, some even openly invited sorcerers into the palace to perform rituals, prioritizing spirits over the people. Thus, the Library Pavilion held many texts related to capturing demons, exorcising evil, and mystical arts like soaring to the heavens or burrowing into the earth. Ninety-nine percent of them were baseless claims, half of the remainder consisted of useless scattered tales from various regions, and only a handful of the remaining few were worth reading.

He turned another page of the ancient book, his gaze swiftly scanning the mottled ink stains. The room was extremely quiet, with only the occasional soft pop of a candle wick falling from the flame.

With a rustle, another page was turned. Chu Tingyan’s eyes fixed intently.

Near the page header, the ink was mottled, but through the stains, the original text could faintly be discerned:

There are demons that can mimic human voices, transparent and formless, often dwelling on people’s backs…

This type of transparent demon is extremely difficult to detect, as they are cunning by nature and frequently change hosts. Often, with just one encounter between two people, it leaps onto another person’s back. If any abnormality is discovered, this demon immediately switches hosts, and once it vanishes, no trace of irregularity remains on the originally possessed individual.

Chu Tingyan’s index finger slowly traced the ink marks on the page, unconsciously pressing harder at the end.

Two knocks sounded on the door. Chu Tingyan casually closed the book without looking up. Enter.

He Zaizhi pushed the door open. You came here right after the evening meal and have been here until now. Is there something urgent you’re investigating?

His gaze fell upon the desk, where only a rolled-up book lay.

Just browsing, Chu Tingyan raised his eyes to look at him. What is it?

Nothing, He Zaizhi said irritably. I’m just born to be a mother hen. Don’t forget you’re currently an imperial guard on duty tomorrow. If you’re late, I’ll have no choice but to ask General Huang, who oversees palace defense, to reluctantly administer caning, Lieutenant Li.

He emphasized the last three words.

Thank you, Chu Tingyan smiled slightly and cupped his hands in acknowledgment. I’ll return after finishing this volume.

He already had some ideas but remained uncertain, wanting to organize his thoughts before revealing anything. He Zaizhi was merely an ordinary mortal, and Chu Tingyan feared the matter might involve deeper complexities that could harm him.

Fine, He Zaizhi lowered his voice. Also, something happened today… a palace maid approached Mo Gugu, claiming she encountered a suspicious person in a remote corner of Danfeng Palace. Couldn’t tell if it was really a patrolling guard or a thief who slipped in. Was that you?

Chu Tingyan: …Yes.

He Zaizhi struggled to contain his laughter but couldn’t hide his gossipy eyes. What exactly did you do?

Chu Tingyan didn’t answer, but that didn’t stop He Zaizhi from continuing cheerfully: What a coincidence too! Seems like it’s the same palace maid you encountered in the Imperial Garden that day. How is it you keep running into each other?

I’ve already investigated this person. Her name is Yun Huan, a palace maid sent to the palace by her family several reigns ago. The registration records from back then still exist, though her family outside the palace probably can’t be found anymore. Mo Gugu says she’s clean – usually quiet and quite capable as a second-rank maid. What exactly did you do to her? He Zaizhi asked.

Stop prying into nonsense, Chu Tingyan lazily lifted his eyelids since there was no serious business at hand. Get out.

Give me a straight answer, He Zaizhi said seriously. In your opinion, is there anything suspicious about this palace maid?

He didn’t believe Chu Tingyan was the type to act recklessly. Since he was inexplicably paying such attention to a palace maid, there must be some reason behind it.

No, Chu Tingyan said.

If it truly was as he suspected, and this maid named Yun Huan was merely possessed by a demon, wouldn’t mobilizing the imperial guards to investigate openly endanger her life?

Chu Tingyan said he would personally explain to Mo Gugu tomorrow and dismissed He Zaizhi with a few words. He reopened the book, spread out paper, and began grinding ink. Not long after, the window lattice suddenly rattled.

A cat climbed in.

You again?

Chu Tingyan couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to beckon the familiar cat. Come here.

Indeed, nobody can resist a kitten! Yun Huan proudly jumped onto the desk, surveyed her surroundings, then very familiarly rolled over to expose her belly. Chu Tingyan very familiarly began petting her.

Yun Huan was being stroked into utter contentment, lazily sprawling across the table. Hmm, this minor official before her was quite perceptive—though it was their first meeting, for some reason, every caress sent waves of pleasure through her body, as if he had taken advanced courses in cat pampering.

Still, Yun Huan hadn’t forgotten her purpose for coming. She blinked her eyes and let out a delicate, high-pitched meow, her meaning unmistakable:

Human, it is your honor to behold such an adorable little cat—hurry up and feed me!

Author’s Note:

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