Marry First, Love Later With The White Cat Princess - Chapter 33

At noon, the convoy arrived near the hunting grounds at the palace.

Lotus Yi had slept well, and when Liu Fenyun woke her up for lunch, she was much clearer headed than when they had first set out.

The cat lying in her lap stretched lazily, then immediately transformed into a human, wrapping around Liu Fenyun’s neck and murmuring sleepily, “Carry me.”

Liu Fenyun, having maxed out her strength, tested it carrying her didn’t seem to be any trouble. So she picked her up, got off the carriage, and followed the personal attendant to the sleeping quarters where they were to stay.

Most princesses stayed in neighboring quarters, but Lotus Yi preferred quiet, and being a demon, even without requesting it, the Ministry of Rites would have assigned her somewhere secluded.

So arriving at the cold, empty Handan Hall, neither Liu Fenyun nor Lotus Yi found it strange and happily entered.

The bedchamber had already been tidied by the maidservants. Lotus Yi sat on the edge of the bed, looked around, slightly dissatisfied, and said to Liu Fenyun, “You go pick the food; I’ll arrange this place a bit.”

With that, she spread out the neatly folded bedding and began to fuss with their “little nest.”

Following the personal attendant to the palace’s Baishan Hall, Liu Fenyun had finished picking the food and was about to leave when she suddenly felt a cold gaze watching her. She turned around but couldn’t find the source.

“Did someone just look at me?” Liu Fenyun asked the system in surprise.

“There was one,” the system said, displaying the map and circling a green dot representing a human. A line connected the dot to Liu Fenyun, indicating “here,” and the identity was unknown, confirmed as someone the host had never met.

Following the system’s direction, Liu Fenyun looked and saw a black clad girl sitting among the passing attendants. The girl had a signature royal slightly curly brown hair that spilled over her shoulders untidily, looking as if it hadn’t been combed at all.

The girl was gobbling down the lamb on her plate, immediately stuffing pieces into her mouth as soon as she tore them off the leg, her cheeks puffed out, eating ferociously.

Sensing Liu Fenyun’s gaze, the girl glared at her, her sharp eyebrows and starry eyes full of alertness.

Liu Fenyun studied her carefully but couldn’t recognize her, so she withdrew her gaze and left Baishan Hall.

When she entered Handan Hall with the food box, Lotus Yi was still directing the attendants to move furniture. Seeing her return, she quickly grabbed the food box and pulled her out the back door.

“Where are you taking me, Your Highness!?” Liu Fenyun was utterly confused.

“There’s a pond here, full of blooming lotuses!” Lotus Yi said with a smile.

Liu Fenyun thought it normal for Handan Hall to have lotuses and was about to comment, then suddenly remembered it was only early spring then realized something was off.

“This is truly rare!” she hurriedly followed Lotus Yi.

By the pond, several maidservants had gathered, whispering among themselves.

“How strange! This morning it was just a pond of lotus leaves, how did it bloom overnight?!”

“I… I saw the buds grow and the flowers fill the pond it’s like a dream.”

“Must be magic! Didn’t a demon move in today?”

“Terrifying…”

Hearing approaching footsteps, the maidservants panicked and scattered.

Lotus Yi’s ears twitched; she had already heard their whispers. Stopping, she turned to Liu Fenyun with a slight pout: “Those humans were so scared, they actually thought I made the lotuses bloom! I don’t have that kind of power!”

Looking at the swaying pink flowers, Liu Fenyun asked instinctively, “It’s not Your Highness’s magic?”

“Of course not!” Lotus Yi frowned. “Though we demons can use magic, only an almost-ascended great demon could reverse the seasons to make plants grow like this.”

She then mused: “Then there must be a senior great demon living in this human palace? Are they welcoming us with the blooming flowers?”

Liu Fenyun didn’t think so. Pulling Lotus Yi along, she said seriously, “It’s too dangerous here. Let’s stay somewhere else! There can’t be two tigers on one mountain. If Handan Hall is really occupied by a great demon, blooming a pond of lotuses as soon as we arrive might be a warning for us to stay away!”

Startled, Lotus Yi said nothing more and silently followed her.

Unbeknownst to them, Handan Hall didn’t actually have a “great demon” resident the lotus pond was an ancient relic, absorbing sunlight and moonlight, now awakened with some intelligence but not powerful enough to transform into human form yet.

“Oh no, it seems a deity has descended without memories and misunderstood our intentions!” one lotus sighed.

“It’s okay, we’ve already welcomed them warmly. Our manners are proper,” another lotus said as it closed its petals, enviously thinking of the white cat, so close to the deity.

Handan Hall had princesses every year, and the lotus pond usually only bloomed in summer. It had never bloomed in early spring before.

After hearing Lotus Yi, the ruler agreed it was not suitable to stay in Handan Hall and allowed them to choose another chamber.

Lotus Yi, remembering Liu Fenyun’s words, took the token given by the ruler and headed toward Luo Binglun’s chamber.

“Your master is already a very powerful great demon,” she whispered to Liu Fenyun. “Staying near her is always safe.”

Liu Fenyun nodded.

Thus, they moved to Morning Star Hall beside Guizhi Hall.

When attendants were moving their luggage in, they met Yu Qingyue scouting the area.

The noise of moving luggage made her frown. She stopped the team, fiercely demanding, “The High Priest’s illness requires rest. Who allowed your mistress to move here?”

The attendants were intimidated and silent.

Finally, the personal attendant hurried over respectfully: “Your Excellency, it is the Seventh Princess. Because her husband is your apprentice, His Majesty approved it.”

Yu Qingyue: …

“Then continue, but keep it quiet while moving,” she said, passing by into Morning Star Hall.

Once settled, Lotus Yi calmed down and obediently ate lunch, no longer fussing with the furniture.

As Liu Fenyun served her soup, she noticed a flash of moon-white at the doorway and froze.

“What’s wrong?” Lotus Yi asked, taking the soup. Following her gaze, she saw Yu Qingyue entering.

Yu Qingyue glanced at the plain meal, took a seat, and asked, “Why move here?”

“Handan Hall was too quiet; it’s more comfortable near Master,” Liu Fenyun said with a smile, serving tea.

Yu Qingyue also smiled: “It’s fine to move here. This spring hunt, other demons have also come. Wear this.”

She took a piece of white jade on dark green silk, extended it to Liu Fenyun, and said, “Keep this close; it will conceal your true aura.”

Liu Fenyun accepted it; the system said, “Detecting surface isolation barrier… activated.”

“Master, are there really other demons here?” Lotus Yi asked, surprised.

Yu Qingyue wanted to correct her, but seeing her smile obediently, she went along: “Yes, and they’re troublesome. Stay with others during the day, and don’t go out at night.”

They exchanged a glance, silently agreeing not to ask further.

After serving flower tea and snacks, Yu Qingyue went to check on the Fourth Princess’s chamber.

“Your Highness, you nearly scared me to death!” Liu Fenyun exhaled after Yu Qingyue left.

“Master doesn’t like outsiders to call her that…”

“Am I an outsider?” Lotus Yi retorted confidently.

“You are… no! Not!” Liu Fenyun stammered, nearly biting her tongue. “Ah, that’s why Master didn’t say anything.”

“You’re too scared of her,” Lotus Yi laughed. “She’s easier to deal with than Luo Binglun in my opinion.”

Liu Fenyun smiled wryly, “Master is very strict. You’ve never seen her angry.”

After lunch and organizing their luggage, Lotus Yi called for Xian Lihua and the others.

Liu Fenyun sat by the window, noticing the system map quickly light up with seven points representing demons. Soon, seven cats arrived at Morning Star Hall, circling under Lotus Yi’s seat, mewing.

After petting them, Lotus Yi warned, “There are great demons in the palace, more than one. Be careful yourselves.”

“Okay, meow!” the cats chorused.

“Lihua, go check the hunting grounds. If the field is empty, let me know,” Lotus Yi said. “Cloud isn’t skilled in riding yet. To do well in the spring hunt, I need to teach her.”

“Really going hunting, the healer?” Liu Fenyun was surprised. She had only practiced hunting with the system to have fun with Lotus Yi, not for real competition.

“You’re more than just a healer,” Lotus Yi scolded. “Don’t forget, you’re the Seventh Princess’s husband and also the Sixth Prince of Liuzhi Kingdom. If you don’t do well, others will ridicule or bully you. Don’t come crying in my arms!”

“I…!” Liu Fenyun nearly said, “I would never cry in your arms,” but noticing the expectant looks of the cats, she gave a nod, “Okay, I’ll learn quickly. Teach me, Your Highness.”

In truth, Liu Fenyun had always feared operating vehicles. Before crossing over, she hadn’t even driven a car, afraid of traffic even riding a shared electric bike was scary.

Previously, when Lotus Yi had been a white cat carrying her, she had been terrified.

Xian Lihua went to the hunting ground; the other cats followed, leaving Liu Fenyun and Lotus Yi alone.

Without hesitation, Lotus Yi pulled two riding outfits from the wardrobe, tossing the male version to Liu Fenyun.

While Liu Fenyun puzzled over how to wear it, Lotus Yi had tied her hair into a ponytail and worn boots looking very stylish.

“You don’t even let me help you?” Liu Fenyun stared.

Lotus Yi suddenly moved close, adjusting the outfit on her.

“I’ll help you.”

Both outfits were grayish white, designed as a pair. As Liu Fenyun looked at Lotus Yi tying her belt, she couldn’t remember when the outfits had been custom-made.

Lotus Yi raised her head to meet Liu Fenyun’s gaze, then leaned close. Liu Fenyun felt her chin brush the soft cat ears and hair, the faint scent making her hug Lotus Yi instinctively.

“Alright, stop being cute,” Liu Fenyun said, rubbing her head, feeling warm inside.

Luck was on her side the racetrack next to the hunting ground was empty. She faced a tall horse before she was mentally prepared.

“This horse is called Wang Yunzhui,” Lotus Yi introduced, then told the horse, “This is my husband, first time riding. Don’t scare her.”

Liu Fenyun looked up; the horse walked toward her, gently swishing its tail.

The horse was gentle, but Liu Fenyun’s hands shook with fear.

“Don’t be afraid, Liu Daren” Xian Lihua and the cats cheered from the side.

Liu Fenyun didn’t even know how she got on the horse, clutching the reins like a statue.

The racetrack was managed by beast tamers; the horses were intelligent. Wang Yunzhui didn’t need guidance and slowly circled, letting her get used to riding.

After two laps, Liu Fenyun felt a little confident and tried to steer. Suddenly, the sound of hooves approached from behind.

Lotus Yi rode up alongside her.

“Tell the horse like this,” she said, showing Liu Fenyun how to control direction.

Though not a demon, Lotus Yi treated the horse as a beast or an unawakened demon, using light, gentle movements.

Liu Fenyun learned quickly, aided by the system. In less than an hour, she was galloping across the track.

Riding was thrilling; the wind blew past her, and she let out a joyful yell, hearing Lotus Yi’s shout beside her.

At this moment, the system alerted: “Skill [Riding] unlocked. Maximum points applied. Current mount: Wang Yunzhui. Attributes and aura logged.”

“Didn’t expect your functions to be so complete,” Liu Fenyun said, pleasantly surprised.

After riding, she rested briefly, took the bow Xian Lihua handed her, and prepared to learn archery.

Lotus Yi was too small to teach her, so Xian Lihua took over.

With Lotus Yi watching, Xian Lihua was nervous at first, hesitating to guide Liu Fenyun’s hands. After calming words, she began explaining.

“First, practice stationary targets, then shoot from a horse, then the actual hunt…”

The bow was heavy, even for Liu Fenyun with maxed strength. After a session, her arms felt numb.

For the official hunt, she might need magical assistance.

Her movements were imprecise Xian Lihua took the bow for a demonstration.