Marry First, Love Later With The White Cat Princess - Chapter 7

This time, Lianyi had learned from experience the moment she got into the carriage, she first asked Liu Fenyun for some medicine. After taking it, she ordered the journey to begin.

Not feeling carsick, Lianyi immediately began clinging to Liu Fenyun again.

“Of course I can accompany you,” she said coyly, “but my legs ache today, I can’t walk. You’ll have to carry me.” She wrapped her arms around Liu Fenyun’s neck, her cat ears brushing against Liu Fenyun’s chin as she spoke in a soft, coquettish tone.

The ticklish touch made Liu Fenyun shrink her neck instinctively. Taking advantage of the moment, she held Lianyi in her arms and gently stroked her back. “All right then, Your Highness how would you like to be carried?”

Perhaps it was her imagination, but this little cat seemed even clingier than yesterday.

Lianyi thought for a moment, then turned back into her white cat form, elegantly curling up in Liu Fenyun’s lap.

Liu Fenyun froze for two seconds before she couldn’t resist running her fingers through the warm, soft fur.

Lianyi’s fur was pure white, smooth and silky like fine satin not at all dry or shedding, even though she was ill.

As Liu Fenyun stroked her, Lianyi lazily swayed her tail and rested it on Liu Fenyun’s arm, making Liu Fenyun fight the urge to lift her up and bury her face in that soft fur.

But when she saw the favorability meter still stuck at 60 points, not budging an inch, she immediately suppressed the impulse.

From Liu Fenyun’s years of “cloud cat observation,” nine out of ten cats were tsundere fickle and unpredictable. And this one in her arms wasn’t just any cat; she was a sickly, possessive one. If she wanted to stay alive and well, she had better behave and follow her lead.

“Mmm… just carry me like this to the Imperial Infirmary,” Lianyi murmured after basking in comfort. “Don’t worry everyone there knows what I look like in this form. They won’t trouble you.”

Liu Fenyun tugged at the corner of her lips. Remembering that the only way to maintain favorability was to stay by Lianyi’s side day and night, she couldn’t help imagining having to bring a cat to work every day at the infirmary.

People would surely think she’d gone mad.

By the time she reached the Imperial Infirmary, the morning roll call hadn’t yet begun. Holding a big white cat with a rumbling stomach, Liu Fenyun looked visibly distressed.

She had eaten breakfast before leaving home, but Lianyi hadn’t. Since there were many procedures to complete before she could officially start work a king at least an hour she couldn’t let Lian Yi starve.

Fortunately, just like in Liuzhi Kingdom, palace servants were already pushing carts selling breakfast at this hour.

Liu Fenyun quickly bought a bowl of mutton soup with flatbread and brought it back to the carriage, only to find Lianyi back in her human form. She hurriedly began feeding her.

Although the palace cooks also made this dish, Lianyi had never eaten it outside before. The faint mutton smell made her frown immediately. She pushed the bowl away. “I don’t want this. It smells too gamey.”

Liu Fenyun, who hadn’t smelled anything odd, tasted a spoonful and realized the odor hadn’t been handled properly. Without complaint, she jumped down from the carriage, gulped down the rest herself, returned the bowl, and bought lean pork porridge instead. At last, Lianyi drank half a bowl.

When Liu Fenyun went back to return the bowl, a carriage passed by hers.

She suddenly felt a sharp gaze on her back cold and hostile. Her steps faltered, and she instinctively turned around.

The carriage curtains fluttered in the cold wind. Sitting inside, the High Priest Luo Binglun met her eyes calmly.

The High Priest’s carriage soon rolled away, but Liu Fenyun still felt a chill down her spine. Remembering Mo Huai’s gruesome death the day before, she exhaled into her palms and hurried back to her carriage, unease stirring in her heart.

Surely, Mo Huai wasn’t the only spy the High Priest had planted in the Seventh Princess’s residence. Mo Huai had simply been the first to die from fright.

By now, the High Priest must have learned of Mo Huai’s death no wonder she had looked at her that way.

Lianyi didn’t know about Liu Fenyun’s brief encounter. Seeing her return with a worried face, she teased, “What are you so nervous about? You’ve got your master’s personal letter and decent medical skill. Once you’re in, just focus on your work don’t overthink it.”

Liu Fenyun responded distractedly. After tidying her medicine box and checking her attire, she made sure everything was in order and then held out her hand. “Your Highness, let’s go.”

Carrying the big white cat down from the carriage, she saw other physicians arriving with their medicine boxes.

Although none of them knew the newcomer Liu Fenyun, they all recognized the big white cat in her arms. Each one stiffened, their eyes full of fear.

“Good morning, Saintess! Good morning, Seventh Consort!”

Liu Fenyun, used to solitude, found such formalities exhausting. Taking advantage of the early hour, she quickly slipped inside with the others and waited in a reception room.

Stroking the white cat, she didn’t wait long before an official arrived to verify her credentials. After confirming her master’s letter was genuine, he led her through the entry procedures.

The onboarding process was notoriously tedious, but since she carried Saintess Lianyi, several ritual-related steps were skipped, saving her a great deal of time.

Her master’s letter didn’t assign her any specific position. Not fond of dealing with people, Liu Fenyun requested to work in the pharmacy dispensing herbs.

The official seemed relieved, which made her raise an eyebrow but she said nothing more, simply accepted her Apothecary’s token, lifted the cat in her arms, and headed down the long corridor toward the depths of the infirmary.

“Aren’t you a physician? Why do you prefer dispensing medicine instead of diagnosing patients?” Lianyi asked curiously as she watched her.

“No rush I’ll find my footing first before taking patients,” Liu Fenyun replied with a smile. (She would never admit it was because touching female patients might trigger Lianyi’s jealous, possessive tendencies.) “By the way, the pharmacy smells strong. If Your Highness wishes to watch me work, you should wear a mask.”

Having experienced the “miracle” of masks yesterday, Lianyi’s interest was piqued. Her soft paw tugged at Liu Fenyun’s collar. “I’ve nothing to do at the manor anyway I’ll keep you company for a while.”

The pharmacy, called Bencaotang, differed from the Seventh Princess’s own Baicaotang by just one character. When Liu Fenyun entered carrying the cat, seven or eight apothecaries were already bustling about, skillfully measuring herbs.

Afraid they’d bow to her again, Liu Fenyun quickly tucked the cat into her sleeve and went straight to the supervisor to register attendance.

“Today’s quota is fifty prescriptions,” said the pharmacy overseer after she signed in. “I hear the Seventh Consort has traveled a long way if you’re still recovering, just complete half.”

Liu Fenyun thanked him, stored her medicine box, and gently set the big white cat on a chair, rubbing her head. “Your Highness, wait for me here.”

But Lianyi was unwilling. Before Liu Fenyun could turn around, she leapt gracefully onto her shoulder.

The sudden weight startled Liu Fenyun, who barely caught her before she slid off. “Your Highness, you’re making this difficult for me.”

Even so, she fetched an empty bamboo basket, lined it with soft cloth, and placed the cat inside.

Feeling Lianyi shifting about restlessly, Liu Fenyun sighed inwardly.
Looks like if she wanted to bring a cat to work, she’d need to make a proper cat carrier.

Liu Fenyun was already skilled at dispensing herbs. Wearing her custom gloves, she quickly filled five prescriptions.

Though the strong medicinal scent didn’t bother her, Lianyi couldn’t stand it without a mask. After enduring for a while, she finally climbed out of the basket and tapped Liu Fenyun’s neck with her paw.

“Take me out for some air.”

“Just a moment, Your Highness I’ll set these down and we’ll go outside,” Liu Fenyun promised.

Just then, High Priest Luo Binglun happened to walk by the pharmacy and caught sight of Liu Fenyun standing in the courtyard, holding a big white cat under the sunlight.

The peaceful scene of woman and cat basking together displeased her. She dismissed her attendants and approached alone. “How leisurely you are, Seventh Consort skipping your duties to take your sick cat for a stroll?”

Lianyi had been enjoying the sun, eyes half closed. At the sound of that voice, her fur bristled immediately, every hair standing on end.

Before Liu Fenyun could speak, Lianyi snapped back, “And how leisurely you are, High Priest wandering to the infirmary instead of handling your temple records?”

Luo Binglun, used to their sparring, didn’t take offense. She merely rolled her eyes, gaze landing back on Liu Fenyun.

“Liu Fenyun is the prized disciple of an old acquaintance of mine,” she said smoothly. “I’ve only come to supervise her progress. But if she looks down on our nation’s infirmary and prefers to return to the Seventh Princess’s residence to live in seclusion, that can also be arranged.”

Liu Fenyun blinked, completely lost. She hadn’t expected that simply stepping outside for air would cause such misunderstanding.

Thinking quickly, she gave a polite smile and explained, “I appreciate your concern, High Priest. I actually like it here very much. I just haven’t handled herbs in a while and got a bit dizzy from the smell, so I stepped out to”

Before she could finish, her arms suddenly felt lighter.
Lianyi had transformed back into her human form, stepping protectively in front of her.

“My husband has been jostled about for days and hasn’t fully recovered. Today is her first day here and already, the High Priest finds her resting offensive?” Lianyi sneered, then softened her tone as she turned to Liu Fenyun. “My dear, go on back to work.”

“But”

“I told you last night, such trivial matters are mine to handle. Don’t trouble yourself.” Lianyi smiled, squeezing her hand meaningfully.

Liu Fenyun hesitated, but fearing to lower her favorability score by disobeying, she bowed politely to Luo Binglun and hurried back into the pharmacy.

Only Lianyi and Luo Binglun remained in the courtyard.

“What is she to you her master, Yu Qingyue?” Lianyi asked directly.

Hearing the familiar name, Luo Binglun stiffened inwardly.

“An old acquaintance,” she said, expression unchanged, though her brow twitched slightly.

“You look as though she once bullied you,” Lianyi observed, her blue eyes narrowing. “Don’t tell me… she was your former lover?”

She’d only meant it as a joke but to her surprise, the always-composed High Priest froze for a split second before glaring back. “You insolent cat! Marriage has only made your tongue sharper!”

“Oh, I must thank the High Priest for that,” Lianyi said sweetly. “Without your interference, I might never have married such a wonderful spouse nor enjoyed such blissful nights together.”
Her smile deepened. “By the way, I haven’t thanked you properly. How about this as a token of gratitude?”

With a casual flick, she tossed something at Luo Binglun’s feet the identity token she had retrieved from Mo Huai’s corpse.

Ignoring the High Priest’s darkening expression, Lianyi turned back into a cat and strutted leisurely into the pharmacy.