Marry First, Love Later With The White Cat Princess - Chapter 32.1

On the day of departure, just before boarding the carriage, Liu Fenyun caught sight of Yu Qingyue supporting Luo Binglun as they approached.

Her master still wore that usual cold, indifferent expression exuding the aura of “I am an emotionless Heavenly Rank physician”.
Yet the moment her master’s gaze fell on Luo Binglun, a hint of warmth suddenly appeared.

From afar, Liu Fenyun bowed to Yu Qingyue. Only after her master nodded did she step into the carriage.

The carriages used for the spring hunt were spacious, equipped with small tables and a soft couch for resting. Liu Fenyun layered several quilts on the couch, moved the small table to the center, then spread a thin blanket over it, inviting Lianyi to crawl inside and test it.

“This is the ‘kotatsu,’ right?” Lianyi had seen it several times while peeking into her memories before.

Liu Fenyun smiled and nodded. “Though a real kotatsu should have a heater. But since it’s already the spring months, this level of warmth is perfect.”

As the saying goes, spring brings lingering chill. Though spring had begun, their caravan would be traveling through mountain paths cold was inevitable.

Once inside, Lianyi didn’t want to come out. She curled up, eyes narrowing contentedly. Liu Fenyun removed her shoes and slipped in as well, their feet touching.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

Suddenly, the pair of cool little human feet vanished. Liu Fenyun peeked inside and found a large white cat sprawled belly up under the blanket. Unable to resist, she reached in, grabbed two fluffy paws, and gently massaged the soft pads.

While she was fully enjoying the bliss of kneading paw pads, the carriage swayed lightly the journey had begun.

Liu Fenyun drew open the curtain to let sunlight in and to observe the scene outside.

As tradition dictated, the royal procession departed from the palace, ostentatiously passing through both inner and outer city districts on its way to the outskirts.

The day the procession left the city was also the day commoners witnessed their sovereign’s majesty. Nobles of the inner city stood waiting at their gates when the monarch’s carriage passed, they knelt reverently, reciting the doctrines of the Fire God and offering blessings.

Normally, the carriages of the Saintess and the High Priestess should also have been decorated splendidly. But Lianyi disliked attracting crowds, and Luo Binglun was still recovering from poison and needed rest. Thus this year, their carriages remained low-profile, leaving all attention fixed on the monarch.

“Will Miss Xian and the others follow us?” As the procession approached the outer city, Liu Fenyun saw a cat dart past the wheel and suddenly remembered.

“They will,” Lianyi replied lazily. “Every spring hunt, they go to the hunting grounds to feast. We demons still prefer the wild prey of the mountains even if raised by humans, it’s acceptable.”

They had played too hard the previous night. From morning until now, Lianyi had been exhausted, fighting off sleepiness while still enduring the false greetings of fawning officials.

Liu Fenyun watched the scenery as she chatted with her.

Her voice sounded like a lullaby to Lianyi before long, the white cat fell asleep.

Liu Fenyun slid closer, scooped the cat into her arms, and stroked her twice only to notice something odd under her hand. Looking down, she found tufts of fur between her fingers, and more white fluff scattered across her black robe like dandelion seeds, glaringly obvious.

For days, Lianyi had stayed in human form, doing adult things with her. Liu Fenyun had never imagined that the big white cat had silently entered shedding season!

Gathering the loose fur into a ball, she took out a comb meant for cats and carefully brushed Lianyi’s coat.

A rumbling “grrruu” came from Lianyi’s throat. She slit her eyes open, glanced at the comb, then closed them again.

Liu Fenyun worked quickly, collecting the shed fur into a cloth pouch. After finishing the brushing, she took advantage of Lianyi’s deep sleep to freely squish and cuddle the fluffy cat.

Ever since their soul link, Lianyi seemed far less sensitive about being touched in her demon form. Even when Liu Fenyun buried her face in her soft belly to inhale, she didn’t wake at most, her ears twitched slightly.

After getting her fill of cat-petting, Liu Fenyun sank back into the kotatsu and began reviewing the hunting instructions provided by the system.

She had trained in martial arts under Yu Qingyue, but had never learned horseback archery. During royal hunts, physicians usually handled logistics and rarely needed to draw a bow.

After reading for a while, she felt that using her new talismans would be easier for hunting unfortunately, the monarch had expressly forbidden talisman use. She really had to learn proper riding and archery.

“Here is the roster of those participating in the spring hunt.”

Shortly after the caravan departed, Luo Binglun took out a booklet and handed it to Yu Qingyue.
“It includes attendants, guards, and servants.”

Yu Qingyue didn’t take it. Instead, she lowered her eyes, smiled faintly, and asked, “Why give it to me? I don’t know who’s who.”

“It’s inconvenient for me to hold it,” Luo Binglun explained. “I want you to keep it.”

Only then did Yu Qingyue accept the booklet and open it in front of her.

Luo Binglun sat upright, occasionally covering her mouth to cough. Her gaze drifted intentionally or not to Yu Qingyue’s long, pale fingers, and a forbidden hope stirred in her heart.

Yu Qingyue had long noticed but acted as though she hadn’t.

“Is everyone from the Fourth Princess’s group listed?” She flipped to the page with Cha Xiaoman’s name as she asked.

Luo Binglun blinked, then quickly answered, “Yes, all of them.”

Yu Qingyue nodded. Her eyes settled on one familiar name.

Qi Ran.

“Who is she?” Yu Qingyue tapped the name.

Luo Binglun glanced over. “The Fourth Princess’s shadow guard. She’s been in her residence for six years.”

“Only a shadow guard?” Yu Qingyue asked intentionally. “No other identity?”

Luo Binglun froze, thought carefully, then shook her head.

“I’ve heard of this name.” Yu Qingyue drummed her fingertip lightly on the two characters Qi Ran. “Among the demon clan, she is a demon slayer skilled at using blood energy to conceal her presence. Her true form is unknown.”

Luo Binglun’s eyes widened. “The Fourth Princess keeps a demon?!”

The poison had damaged her voice her tone was already weak, but even so she quickly covered her mouth.

“It’s not uncommon for humans to keep demons as shadow guards,” Yu Qingyue said. “If she is indeed the Qi Ran I’ve heard of, your poisoning may very well have come from her.”

Luo Binglun clenched her fist, suppressing the surge of killing intent.

“Calm yourself.” Yu Qingyue closed the booklet, soothing her with a gentle hand on the back. “Tonight, I’ll find a chance to meet her. Just act as though you know nothing.”

“Don’t go!” Luo Binglun instinctively grabbed her hand.

Yu Qingyue looked back at her. Their gazes collided; heat rose in Luo Binglun’s cheeks. She released her hand and hid her face in a coughing fit.

“If she’s a demon, you’re no match for her. You might even die,” Luo Binglun whispered. “Don’t go I’m begging you!”

Yu Qingyue examined her quietly, then said:

“Your plea lacks sincerity.”

Luo Binglun froze then latched onto the words like a lifeline.
“Then… what must I do for you not to go?”

“If I name a sincere condition, you won’t fulfill it.” Yu Qingyue’s voice was cool. “Don’t overthink it. I only want to see if the rumors are true. I won’t fight her.”

“You will,” Luo Binglun sighed.

She knew this old friend too well. Other Heavenly Rank physicians traveled with heavy protection, but Yu Qingyue was different she could beat a grown man to the ground with her bare hands.

Now that someone had poisoned her friend lethally, Yu Qingyue would never let them go so easily.

“Name your condition,” Luo Binglun insisted. “I want to hear exactly what you think I can’t do.”

“I want you to kiss me of your own accord,” Yu Qingyue said in her usual emotionless tone.

Luo Binglun: “…”

“You see? You can’t.” Yu Qingyue tugged her lips into a faint, provocative smile.

Suppressing the sudden flutter rising in her chest, Luo Binglun gritted out, “You know very well I am the High Priestess. You know I am devoted to the Fire God’s teachings…”

“I do. And I’m not forcing you.” Yu Qingyue slowly closed the booklet. “Just sleep well tonight. The road is bumpy you’ll need rest…”

“Yu Qingyue! Cough cough…”

“And don’t get angry,” Yu Qingyue added, ignoring her glare. She rose and stepped out of the carriage. “It’s time for your medicine. I’ll fetch warm water.”

She left of her own accord, leaving Luo Binglun inside, coughing so hard she trembled.

Once she finally calmed, Luo Binglun lay back on the couch, curling up, feeling her heart pounding violently.

She was no longer the naïve girl who knew nothing of love. She was very aware of what she had felt toward Yu Qingyue all these years.

Four years ago, Yu Qingyue had rejected her cruelly.

At the time, Yu Qingyue had not even glanced at her. She had simply said coldly, “High Priestess, mind your dignity,” flicked her sleeve, and walked away never looking back no matter how many times Luo Binglun called after her.

So now she preferred unrequited love over trying again.

Even if Yu Qingyue was the one making advances.