After the rain, the river swelled, its waters roaring thunderously down the path beside the road.
Luo Ting carried Yu Zhi as if walking on level ground, striding confidently through the muddy country lanes toward the main highway. Few people were on the road. The guards and Imperial Physician Zhang followed at a respectful distance.
Half an hour later, they returned to the Prefectural Governor’s residence.
Lu Jing was efficient and dependable. Within a single day, he had secured a residence. Located in the western part of the city, it had belonged to a wealthy merchant. Shortly after the house was completed, the family had moved to the capital, leaving the residence vacant ever since. Yesterday, Lu Jing had ordered the entire compound thoroughly cleaned inside and out.
Upon hearing this news, Yu Zhi decided to move in that very day.
Prefect Lin grew anxious: “Why does Your Majesty wish to relocate? Have I failed in my duties?”
Yu Zhi smiled and patted the prefect’s shoulder gently. “I shall rely on you for many matters henceforth, so I see no need to conceal this from you. I am expecting, and require a quiet place to nurture the pregnancy. Your residence is too crowded and exposed to prying eyes, making it inconvenient for such matters.”
The Prefect sucked in a sharp breath, his gaze instinctively drawn to the emperor’s belly beneath the loose white robe. Upon closer inspection, he discerned a faint, rounded curve.
Struck by both shock and joy, he stood frozen in place, utterly flustered. Words failed him, and he could only stammer, “Wonderful! Wonderful!”
It was unclear what exactly had him so excited, as if he himself were the child’s father.
Luo Tingshi looked extremely displeased. Suppressing the coldness in his eyes, he casually used his wide sleeve to shield Yu Zhi’s lower abdomen, offering a forced smile. “There’s no time to waste. We should depart immediately.”
County Magistrate Lin’s expression froze. He’d been so preoccupied with rejoicing for His Majesty that he hadn’t considered who the child’s other father might be.
Was it this man?
County Magistrate Lin felt a sudden chill.
He knew nothing of the man’s true identity, only that he hailed from the Kingdom of Sheng. If he truly was the father of the royal heir, then…
County Magistrate Lin sensed trouble brewing.
–
Magistrate Lin escorted the Emperor to the estate.
The wealthy merchant was a man of refined taste. White stone bridges spanned paths, while pine and bamboo windswept through the grounds. A small bridge arched over water, surrounded by lush trees and flowers, with pavilions appearing and disappearing amidst the foliage. A short walk along the garden path led to a lake, where lingering lotus blossoms offered a pleasant breeze. The estate was built to Yu Zhi’s heart’s content.
After accompanying Emperor Yu Zhi on a brief tour, Magistrate Lin took his leave.
Upon returning to his bedchamber, Imperial Physician Zhang awaited him, taking the Emperor’s pulse to ensure his well-being.
“All is normal, Your Majesty.”
Yu Zhi smiled faintly, picking up a small kitten nearby to feed it.
It was a small white kitten, but it was terribly weak. Its fur was dry and sparse, making it look rather pitiful.
Luo Tingshi glanced at the drab little creature and chuckled, “Your Majesty seems quite fond of cats? When I was a child at the embassy in Yu Kingdom, I once saw a little white cat. It was the most beautiful kitten I’ve ever seen. Have you seen it, Your Majesty? Is it still around?”
These words reached Imperial Physician Zhang’s ears. He immediately looked up at Yu Zhi, his eyes filled with questions.
“Your Majesty, did you actually go to the villa to look for it when you were a child?”
Yu Zhi nervously avoided Zhang’s gaze and replied calmly, “I have never seen any white kitten.”
Luo Tingshi: “Never mind. When we go to the capital later, I will take Your Majesty to see it. I hope it is still alive.”
Yu Zhi: “…”
Of course the kitten is alive—it’s right in front of you!
Recalling his childhood, Yu Zhi couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion. His relationship with Luo Tingshi was truly a karmic entanglement.
The first time he saw Luo Tingshi, Yu Zhi had actually liked him very much.
That year, he was only five, while Luo Tingshi was just nine.
The nine-year-old boy had shed his childishness, revealing a hint of youthful handsomeness. His gaze was serene, his posture upright; standing there, he resembled a green pine tree. Being of royal blood, the boy carried an innate dignity that commanded respect.
When he accidentally stumbled, the boy rushed forward and caught him in his arms.
Yu Zhi looked up, meeting the boy’s steady gaze. His small frame felt so dependable.
A surge of joy filled Yu Zhi’s heart. He wrapped his arms tightly around the boy’s neck and flashed him a sweet smile.
He had truly adored Luo Tingshi back then.
He wanted to play with the boy, to take him to his favorite stone forest. Little did he know…
In the cave, the moment the fanged monster burst into view, terror seized him. His heart pounded wildly, nearly leaping from his throat. Sweat drenched him, his legs went weak, and he collapsed straight onto the ground.
The monster seemed to have been lurking outside all along. He dared not look up, burying his head firmly between his knees as he repeated the words over and over in his mind.
“Don’t eat me! Kitten meat isn’t tasty!”
He didn’t want to make a sound and draw the monster’s attention, but he couldn’t control himself. The entire cave echoed with his heart-wrenching cries.
Big brother…
Why hasn’t my big brother come to save me yet?
A pang of resentment welled up inside him.
To play with the boy, he had ordered all his attendants to stay outside the stone forest, forbidding them from entering.
No one could save him.
He must stop crying, lest he lure the monster closer.
He clamped his hands over his mouth, forcing back the sobs. Shivering, he hugged himself tightly, tears falling silently in the darkness.
Terrified, he hadn’t noticed when the monster had left.
When he finally came to his senses, he was alone in the cave.
He scrambled out of the stone cave, crying as he ran. At the entrance, he bumped into the young boy. He looked up, ready to demand why the boy hadn’t come to save him.
Suddenly, he caught a familiar scent—
It was the same scent as the monster from earlier.
Bearing demonic blood, their senses were sharper than ordinary humans. He was certain the boy before him was that very monster.
In his terror, he hadn’t noticed the discrepancy.
Yu Zhi’s heart shattered.
He didn’t understand why the boy before him had frightened him. Had he done something to anger his brother?
Yu Zhi cried even harder.
Yu Zhi felt deeply hurt. He had clearly liked this young brother from Shengguo so much.
But the boy seemed to dislike him.
Hmph! Then I won’t like you either.
Yu Zhi wiped his tears, wriggled free from the boy’s embrace, and leaped down from the large rock: “I’m not playing with you anymore. I’m going to find my father.”
Back in his bedchamber, Yu Zhi felt increasingly wronged.
He couldn’t resist transforming into his true form and sneaking out of the palace to the guest quarters, wanting to see what that despicable bastard was up to.
When he found the room Luo Ting had been staying in, Luo Ting was painting.
Curious, Yu Zhi scurried up the pillar to the rafters and peered down.
He saw a pair of eyes.
A pair of eyes filled with tears.
Yu Zhi frowned. Those eyes felt so familiar, as if he’d seen them somewhere before. After staring for a long while, Yu Zhi suddenly realized—
Those were his own eyes!
Great. Scare me to tears, then paint my crying face for your amusement.
You rotten thing!
Yu Zhi’s fur bristled. He leapt from the beam onto the table, swiftly dipped his paws in ink, and stomped wildly across the painting.
After destroying the painting, Yu Zhi immediately tried to flee, only to be grabbed by the scruff of his neck by the person.
“Meow!” Yu Zhi bared his claws fiercely at the youth.
The youth’s eyes were cold: “You ruined my painting.”
In that instant, Yu Zhi keenly sensed a murderous intent. His body stiffened, and his fiery aura instantly subsided.
He clung tightly to the youth’s shoulder, mimicking the behavior of an ordinary kitten. He cautiously rubbed against the youth’s cheek, meowing softly in a pleading tone.
The youth tilted his head, their eyes meeting.
Slowly, the youth spoke: “Your eyes resemble his.”
Yu Zhi’s heart skipped a beat. What did he mean by that? Had he discovered the truth?
Father Emperor had warned him: no one must ever learn they were demons.
Panicked, Yu Zhi pressed closer, extending his tiny tongue to gently lick the youth’s cheek.
The youth suddenly smiled, releasing his grip on Yu Zhi’s nape.
Yu Zhi stretched out his body, willingly exposing his furry belly for the youth to stroke. After playing with the youth for a long while, every inch of his body had been thoroughly petted.
Seeing no unusual reaction from the youth, Yu Zhi finally relaxed.
He probably hadn’t noticed.
Exhausted.
Taking advantage of the boy’s distraction, Yu Zhi darted out the window and fled.
This long-buried memory surfaced before Yu Zhi’s eyes. He pursed his lips and shot Luo Tingshi a displeased glare.
He was already so rotten as a kid.
He’s even worse now that he’s grown up.
Once those two little brats are born, he’d personally teach them. He absolutely couldn’t let them turn out like this bastard, going around causing trouble for innocent people.
Leave a Reply