Upon learning of the Yusheng Emperor’s marriage alliance proposal, Yuguo’s court officials petitioned Yu Zhi to revoke the decree.
The Assistant Minister of Works, clutching his ceremonial tablet, spoke passionately: “Throughout history, no two emperors have ever wed—such a union harbors grave dangers! Your Majesty, there are three grave flaws in marrying the Emperor of Sheng.
“First, while each sovereign governs their own realm, how would you resolve conflicts between them? Entangling romance with state affairs is a cardinal sin. If personal affection harms your own people, it would surely break their hearts.
“Second, how can you be certain your bedmate won’t harbor treacherous thoughts? Guarding against enemies is one thing, but betraying from within is far more dangerous. Stealing state secrets from your own bed would be as easy as turning over one’s hand. Even if he is loyal now, who can guarantee his heart won’t change in the future? By then, regret will be too late!
“Third, the imperial bloodline of Great Yu has long been thin. If you bear only one son, whose throne shall he inherit? I implore Your Majesty to consider this carefully!”
“Clap clap clap—” Yu Zhi clapped his hands in laughter upon hearing this. “My minister speaks wisely.”
The Minister of Works’ eyes blazed: “Are you willing to rescind your decree?”
Yu Zhi smiled serenely: “Not at all.”
The Minister of Works: “Your Majesty…”
“Deputy Minister Zhao, you are mistaken!” Lu Jing interrupted the official, stepping forward to bow to Yu Zhi before continuing, “Your Majesty has initiated an unprecedented transformation, truly with the welfare of the realm and its people in mind. Deputy Minister Zhao, do not limit your vision to the path immediately before you.”
The Vice Minister of Works: “Lu Jing, you—”
“The wedding date between this Emperor and Emperor Sheng has been set. This matter shall be discussed no further. Dismissed!” Seeing the Vice Minister of Works bristling with fury, ready to argue with Lu Jing to the bitter end, Yu Zhi dropped that statement and swiftly departed the Purple Forbidden Hall.
The ministers filed out in small groups.
The Minister of Works strode out of the palace gates, blocking Lu Jing’s path. Pointing an accusing finger at him, he shouted, “You scoundrel, Lu Jing! To find justification for such absurdity before His Majesty—no wonder he holds you in such high esteem!”
Lu Jing remained unmoved: “Deputy Minister Zhao, are you implying His Majesty favors treacherous flatterers?”
“You…” The Deputy Minister of Works’ hand trembled as he hastily waved it away. “I didn’t mean that. Don’t speak nonsense.”
Lu Jing offered a forced smile: “If there’s nothing further, Minister Zhao, kindly step aside. With His Majesty’s wedding approaching, neighboring nations will surely send envoys to offer congratulations. The Ministry of Rites must receive these envoys and draft protocols for His Majesty’s review. I’m quite busy.”
The Deputy Minister of Works flushed crimson, flung his sleeves, and stormed off in indignation.
Quick-witted officials gathered around, whispering to Lu Jing, “Deputy Minister Lu’s words in court seemed deeply meaningful. Might you share a hint?”
Lu Jing bowed toward the direction of the Emperor’s chambers and replied, “This concerns relations between two nations. I dare not speak lightly. You shall understand in due course.”
–
Yu Zhi left the court to attend to state affairs when his imperial carriage was halted midway.
He lifted his gaze to meet a pair of smiling eyes, their warmth mirrored in the balmy spring scenery.
His eyes swept over a patch of white. Yu Zhi focused and saw three white kittens circling Luo Tingshi’s feet. His heart skipped a beat. “Quick, hop aboard!”
Luo Tingshi lifted the three cats and stepped onto the imperial carriage.
“Meow~” The moment they saw Yu Zhi, two of the kittens excitedly pounced into his arms, affectionately nuzzling him.
Xiao Bai, now grown into a large cat, sat gracefully in the imperial carriage, watching father and son play.
Moments later, the procession arrived at the East Pavilion.
Luo Tingshi and Yu Zhi entered arm in arm. The attendants inside were dismissed one by one, and the palace doors slowly closed.
Not far away, a pair of cold, dark eyes fixed intently on the door, accompanied by a sinister chuckle.
Yu Zhi carried the two kittens into the side chamber of the East Pavilion. He bent down to place them on the soft couch, then turned to scold Luo Tingshi: “Why did you bring the babies out? They’re still so young. What if they catch a chill?”
Luo Tingshi gathered Yu Zhi’s fingertips pointing at him and kissed them lightly.
Yu Zhi felt a tingle on her fingertips and glared at Luo Tingshi. “You’re in the wrong. Trying to seduce the Emperor for forgiveness?”
Luo Tingshi shook his head. “I’m not in the wrong. I just wanted to kiss you.”
Yu Zhi pulled his finger away. “You scoundrel.”
“Meow! Meow!” A series of cat cries came from behind them. Yu Zhi turned quickly to see the two kittens, ignored by their fathers, meowing anxiously.
Each man picked up a kitten and sat on the couch to play with them.
Luo Tingshi played with his son’s tiny paws as he explained to Yu Zhi, “The kittens are nearly five months old now. They’re strong, climbing and scrambling everywhere, and walking steadily. It’s time to take them out to see the world. You wouldn’t believe it—these two little rascals nearly snuck out today. Luckily, I caught them just in time.”
“What?!” Yu Zhi gasped, his face turning pale.
Luo Tingshi gently wrapped an arm around Yu Zhi’s shoulder and said softly, ” We can’t keep them cooped up in the palace forever. Spring is in full bloom now, the weather is warm—taking them out for a look won’t hurt. It’s better than letting them sneak out on their own. If anyone sees them, just say they’re Little Bai’s children. Besides, there’s no such thing as a wall that doesn’t let the wind through. Many palace servants already know you’ve been raising three white cats. Why hide them forever over this?”
Yu Zhi pondered for a moment before looking up at Luo Tingshi. “You’re right. Father also asked me to bring the babies out for walks earlier. They’re growing up now; I can’t keep them cooped up in the palace halls forever.”
Luo Tingshi chuckled softly, lowering his head to kiss Yu Zhi’s lips.
“Oh dear, what are you—” Yu Zhi immediately covered her daughter’s eyes with one hand while fumbling frantically inside Luo Tingshi’s robe with the other.
Luo Tingshi grunted softly, his husky voice escaping from their pressed lips: “What are you touching?”
Yu Zhi withdrew his hand lightning-fast, cheeks flushing slightly. He gave the man’s thin lips a gentle bite and pouted, “It’s all your fault. Cover Tuantuan’s eyes quickly.”
“Covered.” The man’s voice carried a hint of dampness.
Left unattended, Xiao Bai sat on the floor, tilting his head to watch them, his round eyes filled with confusion. He’d witnessed this scene countless times in Gu Yue. He’d even seen that mountain of a man pin his meowing master to the bed. When the meowing master couldn’t take it anymore, he’d let out some unmentionably seductive cat cries.
Once, it had even attracted a tabby tomcat.
Xiao Bai puffed out its chest, a hint of pride in its expression.
It had chased that cat away.
Though only this cat knew about that incident.
Inside the room, the two were locked in an intense embrace. Seeing this scene, Xiao Bai, though puzzled, followed suit, lifting a paw to cover its own eyes.
“Meow~”
The two kittens thought their father was playing a game with them, excitedly rubbing against the palms of the two.
Yu Zhi felt the tickling on his palm and laughed as he pulled away from Luo Tingshi’s lips, his breath slightly uneven. “We’ll continue back in the bedchamber.”
Luo Tingshi’s eyes brightened. “Tonight, Your Majesty may…”
Yu Zhi: “I grant you permission to attend to me.”
Yu Zhi turned to the food box on the small table beside them: “Oh, what is this? I meant to ask earlier.”
Luo Tingshi gave Yu Zhi a deep look, then rose to open the box. He took out its contents and arranged them one by one on the table, explaining to Yu Zhi: “This is called Spring Dew Cup.”
“This is…” Yu Zhi stared in surprise at the small delicacies on the table. The pale pink jelly shells glistened against the porcelain white cups, moist and translucent, looking so tempting it made one’s mouth water.
Luo Tingxi smiled. “During my journey through ancient Yue, I brought along the finest chef who crafts Autumn Dew Cups. A few days ago, I asked him to experiment with creating a Spring Dew Cup. To my surprise, he succeeded! He substituted mountain berries for autumn pears. Try it and see if you like it.”
Yu Zhi picked up a piece with his chopsticks. The first bite brought a refreshing sweetness, sweeter than Autumn Dew Cup but not cloying—perfectly satisfying.
Yu Zhi’s eyes crinkled. “It’s delicious. Thank you.”
Luo Tingshi: “There’s no need for thanks between us. Pleasing His Majesty is my duty as your husband.”
Yu Zhi paused, shooting him a sideways glance. “Always with the smooth talk.”
Luo Tingshi raised an eyebrow. “I’m not just talking nonsense. Between the sheets, your husband is also…”
“Stop, stop, stop!” Yu Zhi twisted his wrist, stuffing a small piece of food into Luo Tingshi’s mouth. “Don’t say those things in front of the baby.”
“Meow!” The kitten in Yu Zhi’s arms protested loudly.
Her caught a whiff of something incredibly delicious, but her fathers were too busy eating themselves to share a single bite. Unhappy, it scratched at Yu Zhi’s arm, trying to wriggle free from his embrace.
Yu Zhi held her down, speaking earnestly, “You’re still too young. You can’t eat these things.”
The little kitten bared her not-quite-sharp little claws and hissed at Yu Zhi: “Meow!”
Yu Zhi immediately looked up to complain to Luo Tingshi: “Your daughter is being mean to me.”
Luo Tingshi promptly grabbed his daughter by the scruff of her neck, setting her down on a small table nearby. He lectured her sternly, “You must not be mean to Father Emperor. He endured so much hardship carrying you both. You must love and protect him just as I do.”
The little kitten didn’t understand, only meowing loudly. Her brother joined in with soft cries too. Xiao Bai jumped onto the table, staring longingly at Yu Zhi, meowing sweetly for food.
The cat cries rose and fell in waves, turning the entire East Pavilion into utter chaos.
Yu Zhi pressed his hand to his forehead. Children really were difficult to raise!
–
Amidst the chaos, Yu Zhi’s wedding day arrived.
The night before the wedding, Luo Tingshi was forced to return to the Sifang Pavilion. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep, his mind churning with unsettled emotions.
His lifelong wish had come true, yet it felt strangely unreal.
Suddenly, a faint clatter at the window. Barely audible footsteps approached him silently—
It was the sound of a cat walking.
Luo Tingshi’s heart stirred. He lifted the curtain, and a white cat leapt onto the bed. In the dark night, its round eyes glowed with a soft green light.
“Xiao Yu, have you missed me too?”
The white cat gave a soft “Mmm.”
Luo Tingshi was overjoyed. He grabbed the cat’s soft paw and pulled it into his embrace, kissing it repeatedly. The cat rested its paws on his chest, letting him kiss it obediently.
Luo Tingshi smiled warmly: “I thought I was the only one who couldn’t sleep all night.”
The white cat glanced at him, then spoke slowly in a soft, drawn-out voice: “You sleep beside me every night. I’ve grown accustomed to having someone by my pillow. Without you, I cannot sleep.”
Luo Tingshi smiled warmly: “But Your Majesty has the little bear, don’t you?”
In recent days, Yu Zhi had confided everything about himself to Luo Tingshi. He had even taken him to the Eastern Palace, allowing him to witness his past with his own eyes.
Learning that Yu Zhi had slept clutching that plush bear since childhood, Luo Tingshi consumed an entire vat of jealousy.
“You held it close while sleeping. Every part of your body has been touched by it.”
Yu Zhi was utterly baffled. “By your logic, the blankets I cover myself with and the bed I sleep on every day have also touched me. Are you jealous of them too?”
“I don’t care! I just don’t like it!” Luo Tingshi’s face was flushed with anger.
Left with no choice, Yu Zhi agreed to Luo Tingshi’s many unreasonable demands, leaving him unable to get out of bed the entire next day. When the Emperor found out, he gave both of them a stern scolding.
Yu Zhi snapped, “You dare mention that little bear again?”
He suspected Luo Tingshi had done it on purpose that day—deliberately feigning jealousy to make him…
Recalling that night, Yu Zhi’s claws curled involuntarily. Those unfamiliar positions, those obscene words.
It was utterly shameful.
A muffled chuckle echoed in the darkness: “Xiao Yu is embarrassed?”
“…I’m ignoring you. I’m leaving.” Yu Zhi declared indignantly.
“Why leave so soon after arriving?” Luo Tingshi pinched the white cat’s neck and lifted him back, apologizing sweetly, “It’s all my fault. I was wrong. Xiao Yu, don’t be angry.”
Yu Zhi glared at him, his emerald eyes wide and round. Luo Tingshi couldn’t resist and leaned down to kiss him again.
Yu Zhi swatted Luo Tingshi’s arm with his paw, his face full of displeasure. “Kiss, kiss, kiss. All you ever do is kiss me.”
“Being close to one’s beloved is the most comforting thing in the world. Your Majesty, do you not wish to be close to me?”
Spring clouds obscured the moon, plunging the room into darkness.
Yet to Yu Zhi, it felt like broad daylight. Gazing into the sincere eyes before him, the words of denial stuck in his throat.
Romantic attachments truly must not be indulged.
He had always dreaded his own heat cycles, believing they would distract him from governing. He wished only to focus on state affairs. Yet after meeting the one he desired, he discovered this longing was even more tormenting than the heat itself.
He yearned to be glued to Luo Tingshi every single hour of the day.
Intimacy… naturally, that was something he desired as well.
Only now did he understand that humans could experience constant heat, far more terrifying than the monthly heat cycles of his own kind.
Yu Zhi hung his head, silent for a long while.
Luo Tingshi spoke up: “Your Majesty, why do you remain silent? Is it because you do not desire it?”
“Of course not!” The handsome face before him was filled with disappointment, his brows and eyes drooping in a pitifully sorrowful expression. Yu Zhi’s mind went blank, and he blurted out everything on his mind.
“Luo Tingshi, I like you. I want to kiss you, hold you, be intimate with you…”
Seeing the man’s smiling eyes slowly narrow, Yu Zhi stuttered, unable to continue. He turned her head away in embarrassment, her little claws clutching Luo Tingshi’s robe, opening and closing nervously.
Luo Tingshi gently turned the kitten’s head back, meeting her eyes with a serious expression. ” This emperor will never betray Xiao Yu in this lifetime. If there is a next life, and the next, and the next, I will love and cherish you for all eternity.”
Yu Zhi’s heart trembled, overwhelmed by the oceanic depth of his devotion. Softly, he replied, “This emperor feels the same.”
“Xiao Yu, can you turn into a human so I can hold you?”
Yu Zhi hesitated: “This… it’s not that I’m unwilling, but seeing me without a thread of clothing—could you truly control yourself?”
Luo Tingshi smiled: “Xiao Yu, rest assured. Tomorrow’s wedding ceremonies will be exhausting. Tonight, I won’t tire you out.”
After a moment of silence, the white cat vanished from Luo Tingshi’s embrace, replaced by a slender, naked beauty.
Luo Tingshi’s throat moved, his eyes instantly deepening.
Though countless desires stirred within him, his body remained perfectly composed, merely loosely encircling the beauty in his arms without the slightest movement.
They embraced silently for a moment before Yu Zhi spoke softly, “Luo Tingshi, I don’t know why, but my right eyelid has been twitching all day. I keep feeling like some misfortune is about to happen.”
Luo Tingshi raised a finger to gently massage the furrowed spot between Yu Zhi’s brows, smoothing away the tension. His voice was warm and reassuring. “Tomorrow is the wedding. Perhaps you’re simply too nervous. Relax, don’t be afraid. We’ll deploy extra personnel tomorrow. Nothing will happen.”
Yu Zhi leaned against Luo Tingshi’s chest, the steady, powerful beat of his heart reaching his ears. A weight lifted from his heart as if by an invisible hand, and he felt instantly lighter.
“Perhaps… it really is just nerves.”
He lifted his head and kissed Luo Tingshi’s jawline, his eyes crinkling with a smile. ” Soon, we shall be husband and husband in name and deed. Your Majesty will no longer need to sneak into your chambers like this.”
Luo Tingshi smiled and kissed Yu Zhi, his voice muffled.
“Doesn’t Your Majesty find this illicit affair rather… delightful?”