Marry First, Love Later With The White Cat Princess - Chapter 55

To be safe, they skipped dinner. Each took a Bigu Pill (Fasting Pill) sent by Yu Qingyue, while Lian Yi took the medicine for her heart and lungs. After finishing, they began practicing walking in the room.

Just as they finished, they heard Xian Lihua outside the door: “Lady Lian Yi, Master Liu, the carriage is waiting outside the hall.”

“Understood, we are coming,” Liu Fenyun replied in Lian Yi’s voice. After responding, she whispered a reminder to Lian Yi: “Try to speak as little as possible tonight. The change in your voice isn’t obvious, don’t let them find out.”

Lian Yi nodded. As she opened the door to leave, she straightened her back. She supported Liu Fenyun and asked softly, “Why can your voice change so significantly?”

She had wanted to ask this for a long time.

Liu Fenyun recalled a phrase she’d heard before her transmigration and blurted out: “Maybe because voice actors are monsters?”

Lian Yi: “???”

While going down the stairs, Lian Yi subconsciously took small, dainty steps. Only after walking a bit did she realize their roles were swapped, she immediately switched to skipping two steps at a time.

She was practically jumping down.

Liu Fenyun had to hold her tightly, fearing she would miss a step and tumble down. Lian Yi glanced down at Liu Fenyun’s cautious, tiny steps and burst into a laugh: “What kind of footwork is that? Are you afraid of stepping on an ant?”

Liu Fenyun ignored her and continued her cautious shuffling.

The Journey to the Inner City

After swapping identities, Liu Fenyun hung the white jade pendant, used to mask one’s aura on Lian Yi. Thus, once they boarded the carriage, even Xian Lihua couldn’t tell them apart.

This was a carriage specifically provided by the Ministry of Rites. Lian Yi, still physically weak and unused to the ride, soon frowned. Feeling dizzy, she subconsciously leaned her head on Liu Fenyun’s shoulder. Liu Fenyun instinctively let her lean. When she looked up, she met Xian Lihua’s “I’ve seen a ghost” expression.

The driver and the guards beside the carriage were not their own people. Xian Lihua leaned close to Liu Fenyun and whispered, “Is Master Liu feeling unwell?”

Liu Fenyun almost answered in her original voice but caught herself just in time. She whispered back: “A-Yun is tired from practicing; do not disturb her.”

…Calling myself by a nickname is so awkward.

Since they had indeed spent every day practicing in the dance studio, Xian Lihua believed it. She nodded obediently and sat back in silence.

The interior of the carriage was stifling. Liu Fenyun lifted the curtain slightly to let the wind in. While there were ice containers around the stage, there were none on the road. Traveling by carriage in this weather was pure torture.

Lian Yi was more sensitive to the heat than she was. Fearing Lian Yi might get heatstroke, Liu Fenyun took the folding fan hanging from Lian Yi’s belt. She pretended to fan herself but directed all the air toward Lian Yi.

The three remained silent until the carriage entered the Inner City. Hearing the clamor outside, Lian Yi slowly opened her eyes. Her body slumped downward, and she naturally laid her head in Liu Fenyun’s lap.

Xian Lihua was nearly frightened to death. Her Highness usually couldn’t carry heavy things or let anyone sleep on her lap. If “Master Liu” slept like that, “Lady Lian Yi’s” legs would go numb before they even reached the stage!

Yet, she didn’t dare advise them. Seeing the two seemingly willing, and noting that “Lady Lian Yi” wasn’t angry, Xian Lihua felt a sense of cognitive dissonance. Eventually, she suppressed the thought.

Master Liu is exhausted from practice, it’s normal for Lady Lian Yi to let her sleep on her lap during this special time!

The calico cat spirit was lost in her own imagination. Just as she finished her mental narrative, the carriage stopped. An attendant with a voice like a booming bell shouted:

“The Saintess and the Witch Doctor have arrived!”

Lian Yi immediately sat up straight. The metal ornaments on her body made a crisp jingling sound from the sudden movement.

The Grand Stage

Xian Lihua jumped down, took the soft cushion handed over by the attendant, and laid it on the ground to welcome the two.

The stage had been completed. Compared to the daytime, it looked like a phoenix spreading its wings. Large vats carved with the Fire God’s totem burned with flames that were said to last until dawn.

The spectator stands circled the stage. With the suspended stage as the boundary, the upper sections were for the Royal Family and Great Clans, while the lower sections were for smaller families and commoners. This hierarchy felt strange to Liu Fenyun, but in this ancient society, the people were long accustomed to these class rules.

As they walked toward the stage, they overheard other performers discussing the Witch Doctor.

• • • • “Our Witch Doctor is a Hua ethnic man. I heard royal Hua men never learn to dance, only those in brothels do.”

• • • • “If the Saintess teaches him, he should be willing to learn, right?”

• • • • “Who knows! The last Witch Doctor was one of our own and didn’t dare do a solo in his first year. This guy is something else!”

Hearing this, Lian Yi frowned, ready to scold them. Liu Fenyun pulled her back. Lian Yi gave a low, cold snort, making the gossiping crowd shut their mouths as she went to join the followers for the sacrificial dance.

Before leaving, Liu Fenyun had reviewed the traditional process. She would first lead the followers onto the stage, recite the blessings, and then return to the VIP seats. This was easy.

It was also a perfect chance to test if the assassins’ target was the Saintess. After all, everyone had a moment to appear solo before returning to the stands.

Lian Yi was deeply worried. Before letting Liu Fenyun go, she patted her to ensure Yu Qingyue’s “Feather Shield” was still active.

Behind her, a performer rubbed his eyes and said in the Di language: “Friend, why do I feel like the Witch Doctor looks like a bride who just left her chambers?” “Why do you say that, old friend?” “Oh, just look at that lonely silhouette of his!” “Hahaha! Fire God forgive me! I want to roll on the ground laughing!”

They didn’t truly suspect her gender, they were simply mocking the perceived “effeminacy” of Hua men. However, the two actors soon felt an icy glare pierce through them. The “effeminate” little Witch Doctor was glaring at them with eyes that seemed ready to spit fire.

How dare they mock her A-Yun? These two are finished!

The Hidden Threat

On the stage, Liu Fenyun was focused on her dainty steps. She led the followers, bowed to the audience, and began reciting the blessings amidst thunderous applause.

She had opened her System Map before going up. Two red dots immediately appeared, overlapping with the spectator stands, likely perched near the highest buildings.

During the recitation, she didn’t dare lose focus. Once finished, the followers began the sacrificial dance. From her solo appearance to her walk back to the VIP seats, the assassins remained motionless.

Liu Fenyun’s heart hammered. She spread her Spiritual Sense to monitor them.

As the sacrificial dance neared its end, the two assassins moved. One mimicked the motion of drawing a bow, though no bow was visible while the other flicked their hand, placing something in mid-air.

Liu Fenyun sensed a powerful surge of spiritual energy. Her brow furrowed.

The target was indeed the Witch Doctor.

She used her Blood Contract to message Xian Lihua and Ruan Ju, giving them the assassins’ locations. They replied quickly, stating the positions were hard to reach unless they had wings. Liu Fenyun immediately looked for Yu Qingyue, but she was patrolling with Qi Ran and her exact location was unknown.

An Unexpected Intervention

Lian Yi took the stage, bowing gracefully. Disguised as a man in red gauze dance attire, she looked snow pale and alluring. The thin gold chains on her body shimmered in the firelight. Standing there, she looked both gallant and ethereal, a type of “forbidden beauty” that elicited screams from the women in the audience.

“So that’s the Witch Doctor! He’s so handsome!” “I didn’t know Hua men could be so… attractive!”

Liu Fenyun had no time for the praise. She clenched her fists as the music started. Lian Yi began to dance, her crimson gauze swirling. Liu Fenyun saw the assassin aiming, ready to release.

Suddenly, a loud laugh erupted from the VIP section: “The Witch Doctor’s dance is delightful! This Prince shall join the fun!”

Liu Fenyun found the voice familiar. She looked over, stunned.

First Prince Sha Fuli?!

The purple robed First Prince leaped onto the stage, stood before Lian Yi, gave an elegant bow, and began dancing along with the music.

The hidden assassins: “???”

Wasn’t this supposed to be a solo? What kind of play was this? No Prince in the history of Zhuhuang had ever pulled such a stunt! Fearing they might accidentally hit the First Prince, the assassins lowered their weapons and went back into hiding, waiting for another chance.

Liu Fenyun finally let out a breath.

When the music stopped, Lian Yi performed a Hua style salute and ended the performance to earth shaking cheers. As the First Prince walked with the “Witch Doctor” toward the VIP seats, chatting and laughing, the assassins could only watch.

Sha Fuli led Lian Yi back to Liu Fenyun. Seeing them reunited safely, his fox-like eyes curved into a meaningful smile: “This Prince shall take his leave. Tonight is lively, remember to stay vigilant.”

Liu Fenyun understood instantly. Her master must have told the Grand Priest about the divination results, and only the Grand Priest could coordinate with the First Prince like this.

Normally, interference in the ritual was forbidden, but Sha Fuli was the Crown Prince. As long as he didn’t do anything blasphemous, no one could stop him from joining a dance.

“We are swapping back,” Liu Fenyun whispered through their mental link as she hugged the shaken Lian Yi. “I felt the aim was on you. They are coming for me.”

Lian Yi remained silent in her arms for a moment, then firmly shook her head. Before the target was clear, she didn’t want A-Yun in danger. Now that it was confirmed, she would never agree to switch back.