Marry First, Love Later With The White Cat Princess - Chapter 42

After seeing Qi Ran off, Yu Qingyue asked, “Who is Luo Tingxian?”

“She is a younger sister of my clan. She died six years ago in palace intrigue,” Luo Binglun replied lightly as she lay back in the bird’s nest. “As Qi Ran said, I was indirectly responsible for her death.”

“I heard that you didn’t get along with the Fourth Princess. Was that feud born back then?” Yu Qingyue ran her fingers through Luo Binglun’s brown hair, twirling it in her hand. Seeing Luo Binglun nod silently, she continued, “You seem unwilling to tell me the full story.”

“Yes, because it is my own fault,” Luo Binglun said calmly, looking at her fingers. “I hate the poisoner with all my heart, but if she wants revenge for Tingxian… I will accept it.”

“I won’t let you die at Qi Ran’s hands,” Yu Qingyue immediately said, her voice turning cold.

“This is between us,” Luo Binglun said, stroking her feathers. “I understand her grievances, so please don’t make things difficult for her.”

Seeing the genuine guilt in her eyes, Yu Qingyue huffed and hugged her tightly. “If both of you feel guilty toward Luo Tingxian, what’s the point of hurting each other? In my opinion, it’s better to point your anger at the Fourth Princess she is the true culprit.”

She held her tightly, and Luo Binglun buried herself in her arms, almost unable to breathe.

For the first time, Luo Binglun realized how warm Yu Qingyue’s embrace was. Her black hair fell over Yu Qingyue’s neck, tickling her, and she couldn’t help shrinking her neck slightly.

“The time hasn’t come yet,” Luo Binglun murmured. “But soon.”

Liu Fenyun’s consciousness lingered in darkness for a long time before unexpectedly entering the grand hall she visited every night.

She sat on the floor, leaning against a bookshelf. Turning her head, she saw Lianyi standing beside her, glaring fiercely.

Realizing that the darkened cat had cast a “return” spell on her, Liu Fenyun felt both anger and a strange warmth in her heart.

After calming down, she realized that her choice had been rash. Now that she was about to form her demon pill, staying in the hunting grounds was indeed dangerous.

“Are you planning to trap me here, Your Highness?” she asked, standing up.

“Of course,” Lianyi snorted. “I don’t like giving advice.”

Liu Fenyun could only laugh wryly. Since she couldn’t persuade her, she was forcing the issue?

She glanced at the system panel and frowned. Lianyi’s corruption value had already reached 50 points and showed no sign of decreasing.

The only relief was that Lianyi hadn’t locked her in that dark prison; at least here she could still read.

Feeling warmth in her arms, Lianyi moved closer, hugging her tightly.

“Don’t think about leaving,” Lianyi said. “Until this is resolved, I won’t let you go.”

Liu Fenyun had no intention of returning to the hunting grounds. She lowered her head to explain but saw Lianyi’s pale face and lips devoid of color and couldn’t help asking, “How is Your Highness’s injury?”

In the spirit realm, Lianyi could take her original human form. Her fur was pure white, and her eyes were a deep blue. With her cat ears and tail visible, she looked like a beautiful fairy from an anime.

Now, injured by Luo Binglun, even her spiritual form appeared weak.

She was about to say “It’s just a minor wound,” but seeing Liu Fenyun’s worried expression, she adjusted her voice and said softly, “You remember I was injured?”

With this reminder, Liu Fenyun recalled that at the time, she had been worried only about her master and had let the injured cat return alone to take refuge. She felt embarrassed and immediately concerned for Lianyi’s well-being, especially since she had coughed up blood back then.

“Then… after I leave, I’ll only heal Your Highness and not return to the mountain. Is that okay?” Liu Fenyun asked cautiously.

But the cat shook her head firmly.

She preferred to heal slowly herself rather than risk Liu Fenyun’s safety.

Seeing this, Liu Fenyun let her lean against her chest and gently stroked her back.

Lianyi lay on her, feeling her hand trace down her spine, and a tingling sensation spread across her flesh, making her squint in pleasure and purr. Her tail emerged from beneath her skirt and swayed.

She simply loved that Yu Yun focused all her attention on her.

Liu Fenyun rubbed her for a while and, seeing the tail swaying in front of her eyes, reached out to stroke it.

Startled, Lianyi shivered like she had been electrocuted. “Why are you suddenly touching my tail?!” she exclaimed, smacking her hand. After hearing Liu Fenyun cry out, she hurriedly returned the tail, her voice softening, “You… if you want to touch, just ask…”

She unconsciously softened her tone, even rubbing Liu Fenyun’s hand gently, asking in a small voice, “Did I hurt you?”

Knowing the cat’s tail was Lianyi’s most sensitive spot, Liu Fenyun shook her head smiling and rubbed her head.

Her snow white hair slipped through Liu Fenyun’s fingers. Soon, Lianyi placed her ears in her palm and nuzzled them.

Noticing Liu Fenyun’s amused gaze, Lianyi looked up and curved her eyes: “Meow~”

Liu Fenyun froze, holding the cat’s face in her hands, and before she knew it, she had kissed Lianyi.

Because no one could see them, Lianyi was clingier in the spirit realm, and her innocent, charming smile felt utterly healing.

When Lianyi’s soft tongue brushed against her, Liu Fenyun felt a fleeting familiarity, but it vanished almost instantly.

“Your Highness, you must take care outside too,” Liu Fenyun said after the kiss. “Heat the medicine in water beforehand, and after drinking it, have Sister Xian brew it. Her medicine isn’t so bitter.”

Lianyi buried herself in her arms again, responding softly. Her voice pressed against Liu Fenyun’s skin and penetrated to her bones and organs.

After a while, Lianyi felt discomfort in her physical body, the injured parts aching again. She reluctantly pulled away, taking a book and placing it in Liu Fenyun’s hands before leaving.

“Read well I’ll check on you at night.”

Night?

Liu Fenyun looked outside and saw daylight in the spirit realm.

“How can she check at night?” She looked at the book, guessing its content. “Recite it?”

“Practical inspection,” Lianyi said before vanishing.

Thankfully, it wasn’t recitation. Liu Fenyun took a deep breath, repeatedly telling herself, I can do this, and began reading.

Outside the spirit realm, in the Morning Star Hall,

After tucking Liu Fenyun in, Lianyi went alone to the study to meditate and heal her injuries.

She had thought it a minor wound, but upon calm inspection, six-tenths of her meridians were damaged, and her organs still ached. Without treatment, she would continue to bleed.

She silently circulated her demonic energy. In the spirit realm, she had hidden her true condition from Yu Yun to prevent her from insisting on returning to the physical world.

After an hour of meditation, she stopped, spitting out some clotted blood, feeling better.

Just then, Xian Lihua rushed in with water. Seeing her in such a state, she transformed from a cat to human, panicked, and handed her a cloth.

“Why didn’t you tell Liu Daren?” Xian Lihua asked anxiously. “If she were caring for you…”

“I was afraid she’d leave,” Lianyi said softly, wiping her lips. “Although she loves and respects me, there’s still some distance. We’ve spent too little time together. She wouldn’t think of me first.”

Yu Qingyue had been by Liu Fenyun’s side since childhood, like family. This was understandable, yet it annoyed Lianyi.

Despite having spent more time with Yu Yun, she felt invisible in her mind, though she didn’t know why.

After drinking warm water, Lianyi felt better. She didn’t show it, but Xian Lihua felt wronged for her. Knowing Yu Yun’s personality, she didn’t speak.

By evening, the demon hunters returning from the mountains brought news that Yu Qingyue had been devoured by a demon.

Lianyi, feeding catnip to subordinate cats, was stunned. She told her subordinates not to go out, had Xian Lihua help her change clothes, and went with her to the Guizhi Hall.

Along the way, she overheard the servants discussing Yu Qingyue.

“That Yu doctor is dead? What a pity!”

“She was a Heaven-grade doctor! There are few like her in the human realm!”

“What about the Liuzhi Kingdom? Even if she was eaten by a demon, it happened in our territory…”

“Better worry about serving that big demon than a dead person.”

“That demon seems to have a pact with the High Priest, serving as the city’s guardian for three years. After the spring hunt, it will live in the Priest’s Hall.”

The thick demonic aura wafting from Guizhi Hall made Lianyi realize Yu Qingyue was likely feigning death, deliberately letting everyone think she had been eaten, then appearing in her demon form.

Xian Lihua also sensed the familiar aura and tugged her sleeve. “Daren…”

“Let’s go back,” Lianyi said, her voice unreadable. “You can wake Yu Yun.”

She recalled seizing the Seventh Princess’s body. The High Priest had summoned top demon hunters to attack her.

She suddenly felt sympathy for the Seventh Princess. Though a disciple of the High Priest, after death, she was resented despite her loyalty.

Even though the cat that possessed her body did nothing malicious, it was only a greedy cat after food and comfort.

Lianyi felt aggrieved for herself.

Upon waking, Liu Fenyun learned of her master’s “death” and sat dumbfounded. Then, shaking her head, she sighed in relief. “Master’s fine! How wonderful!”

Lianyi stared at her. “Are you crazy? I said Yu doctor was eaten by a big demon.”

Liu Fenyun shook her head. She had only seen her master’s spiritual mark return to Guizhi Hall, turning the light into a demon’s.

“Your Highness, don’t worry. Trust me,” she said, squeezing Lianyi’s face. “If you’re still uneasy, we can check Guizhi Hall together later.”

Lianyi didn’t reply. She had wanted to use Yu Qingyue’s death to test Liu Fenyun, but the plan had failed.

A heavy punch of helplessness hit her. She smiled faintly, grabbed Liu Fenyun’s hand, and said softly, “No need. You’re worried about your master and Luo Binglun, aren’t you forgetting how she attacked me?”

Her body ached, and despite much medicine, the injuries healed slowly.

Seeing her pale face, Liu Fenyun immediately stopped smiling, helped her sit at the table, and took out the medicine box.

“Come here,” she said, examining her pulse.

Lianyi did as instructed, cooperating silently.

After the check, Liu Fenyun sighed, her expression grave.

“Why didn’t you call me to heal you earlier?” she asked, pressing gently on Lianyi’s stomach. Pain quickly spread, making her arch her back.

“Most of Your Highness’s demonic energy is in me now,” Liu Fenyun said, concerned. “The Seventh Princess’s body was already weak. Without demonic energy, recovery will take at least a month.”

She took out several bottles of medicine, fed Lianyi five pills slowly, then held her back on the bed and began writing prescriptions. After finishing, she dried them and had Xian Lihua fetch the herbs.

Watching her busy, Lianyi recalled winter months when the room smelled of bitter medicine, and Yu Yun coaxed her to take medicine with sugar and a kiss.

Lianyi held the blanket, feeling slightly guilty.

Since their marriage, Yu Yun had always cared for her. Yet, Lianyi had often been jealous over trivial things.