Marry First, Love Later With The White Cat Princess - Chapter 72

To tell the truth, Liu Fenyun wanted to carry a child herself, but she had to prove her identity as a man to the world. After much thought, she could only ask Lian Yi if she was willing. If her “cat” was unwilling, she would find another way.

That is, provided they could actually conceive.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Liu Fenyun was met with a double silence.

“…There are naturally ways,” Yu Qingyue spoke first after a long pause. “But why do you need Yiyi to get pregnant?”

This matter concerned the life and death of the Liuzhi Kingdom, so Liu Fenyun dared not hide a thing. She detailed her encounter with Meng Nie on the way back and the news that the Zhuhuang Kingdom had already sent envoys to demand accountability.

Upon hearing this, Lian Yi stood up and headed straight for the cubicle where Qi Ran was being held.

Liu Fenyun instinctively pulled her back, shaking her head repeatedly. Mimicking Meng Nie’s tone, she said, “Things have come to this, it no longer matters who the culprit is. we must think of a countermeasure quickly!”

“Fine. I’ll go hang Qi Ran up and beat her first. Once I’ve vented my anger, then I’ll think!” Lian Yi was truly enraged this time. She knew Liu Fenyun had hidden her identity well from others, those who knew she was a woman could only be demons.

As for who spread the news during their absence from the city, it could only be Qi Ran’s people.

The idea that “it doesn’t matter who the culprit is” was merely Meng Nie’s perspective. She and Madame Chong had limited time away from the capital and lacked the patience to investigate.

But Lian Yi was different.

This time, Yu Qingyue did not stop her. Instead, she helped open the cubicle and stood aside, watching Qi Ran in the cage with a cold indifference.

Qi Ran was jolted awake by a splash of cold water. As soon as she opened her eyes, she felt three pairs of icy gazes fixed upon her.

The stares made her shiver. She couldn’t help but ask, “What happened now?”

“Was it you who spread the news that Ah Yun is a woman?” Lian Yi didn’t waste words and asked directly.

Qi Ran froze, then burst into curses. “Nonsense! Even if my subordinates and I only know how to kill, we would never rely on spreading such rumors to do it!”

Though she knew Liu Fenyun was a woman, out of consideration for the antidote Liu Fenyun had made for her Blood Pledge Hex, she had voluntarily kept the secret.

Hearing this news, Qi Ran also gnashed her teeth in anger, her fur even bristling, she did not look like someone who was in the know.

“When you two swapped identities, did you really think you fooled every human and demon?” To clear her name quickly, Qi Ran reminded them, “Lord Liu, don’t forget that white jade pendant you usually use to mask your aura was given to this cat that day. If there was an actual Exorcist on the scene, or a human cultivator with the mind to probe, it wouldn’t be hard to see through your female identity.”

Her reminder wasn’t baseless, but the festival scene had been chaotic. Even if they tried to recall, they couldn’t remember everyone who was present.

The lead on the culprit was cut short, leaving Lian Yi somewhat dejected. However, she quickly rallied and threatened Qi Ran: “I hope your words are true. Otherwise, I’ll call the Imperial Preceptor over to eat you!”

Qi Ran: “?”

She had been asleep for a long time and didn’t know what was happening outside, let alone that she had nearly been eaten by Dan Hui.

Yu Qingyue didn’t like mentioning the topic and shot Lian Yi a cold look.

Sensing the tension, Liu Fenyun hurriedly led Lian Yi out, kindly explaining: “Your subordinates were eaten by the current Imperial Preceptor just a few days ago.”

Qi Ran: “???”

As Lian Yi followed Liu Fenyun out, she left a final word: “If Physician Yu hadn’t stopped the Imperial Preceptor, she would have come in to eat you too! Remember to thank your ‘good’ Senior Sister!”

Qi Ran grew even more bewildered, her crimson eyes looking toward Yu Qingyue, hesitant to speak.

Closing the door, Yu Qingyue met her gaze and said flatly, “It seems you have something else to say to me.”

The black panther cub in the cage remained silent for a moment before whispering, “Senior Sister Qing, are you actually still looking after me as a junior sister? I advise you not to. Later, when you take the Love Gu antidote and remember what happened between us, you will definitely regret it.”

“I look after you because Master ordered it. As long as you are alive, I must bring you back alive,” Yu Qingyue said expressionlessly. “I haven’t forgiven you the way you think I have.”

“I figured as much,” Qi Ran laughed. “After all, in our sect, I was always the one you hated most.”

“That’s enough,” Yu Qingyue sighed softly. “Stop doing things that disappoint Master.”

“If you don’t tell and I don’t tell, no one will know what I did in the human realm,” Qi Ran said provocatively. “As for why I smell so heavily of blood, perhaps I can explain it away as losing control during cultivation or falling into a demonic state, just like that time in Kongmeng City. What do you think, Senior Sister Qing?”

Yu Qingyue’s expression changed instantly. Her hawk like eyes turned exceptionally sharp in the dim cubicle. “Back then, you murdered dozens of citizens in the city… was it intentional rather than an accident?!”

“So what if it was? So what if it wasn’t?” Qi Ran asked languidly. “Senior Sister Qing, I’m not like you all. You were good children from the start, obedient and well-behaved. But me? Before Master picked me up, I was just a liar despised by everyone.”

“Qi Ran…!”

“If a liar turns over a new leaf and does one good deed, will people praise her?” Qi Ran smiled disdainfully. “Bowing your head to those people just to win their approval is far too exhausting. I’d rather be bad for a lifetime and just do something good occasionally whenever the mood strikes me.”

After staring at her for a while, Yu Qingyue said, “Save these twisted arguments. When you return to Kongmeng City, tell them to Master yourself.”

With that, she turned and left.

Liu Fenyun and Lian Yi were sitting opposite each other at the tea table. When Yu Qingyue came out, she heard Lian Yi saying: “I don’t believe we can get through this that easily. Don’t worry yet. I’ll go with you to see Madame Zhong in a bit.”

Although they hadn’t found the culprit, Lian Yi did not agree with Meng Nie’s suggestion, nor did she believe that Liu Fenyun simply returning to the capital to “prove” her identity would turn away the Zhuhuang envoys.

She knew all too well: even before Liu Fenyun had arrived in the Zhuhuang Kingdom, the Sovereign had already harbored murderous intent.

To the Zhuhuang Kingdom, a marriage alliance with a small nation like Liuzhi was hardly worth mentioning. While the Sovereign didn’t mind having an extra friend, if that friend was too pathetic, he would rather sever ties and the sacrifice would be Liu Fenyun, who had been sent by Liuzhi.

It was inevitable. In fact, Liuzhi should thank Liu Fenyun. If the person sent hadn’t been her, they might not have even survived the wedding night, as soon as the consort died, the Zhuhuang Kingdom would have a reason to deploy troops against Liuzhi.

One could even say that because of Liu Fenyun, the day of Liuzhi’s destruction had been delayed by half a year.

Lian Yi wasn’t opposed to bearing the child of her beloved, but she refused to become a sacrificial lamb to satisfy the ambitions of the rulers of various nations.

Liu Fenyun didn’t know she had escaped a disaster six months ago. After calming down, she felt that having a wife get pregnant to prove one’s identity was a bit far-fetched. It might even result in her being forcibly labeled a “cuckold,” with rumors spreading that the child wasn’t hers.

“I think this is a trap,” Liu Fenyun said as the thought occurred to her. “Regardless of whether I go back or not, I can’t change the fate of the Liuzhi Kingdom anymore.”

“Since we know it’s a trap, why not just take your relatives and those you trust and leave? We were going to the Demon Realm sooner or later anyway,” Yu Qingyue sat down beside them. “Leave the fate of the rest to Heaven’s judgment.”

Liu Fenyun smiled bitterly. “If I do that, I’ll probably have nowhere left to go in the human realm. I can’t hide in Xifeng City forever.”

Speaking of relatives and trusted people, Liu Fenyun thought it over, the only ones she could take were her mother and Lian Yi’s seven cat-demon subordinates.

Meng Nie had been raised as a weapon for the Liuzhi Kingdom since childhood and cared only for her country. As for the native Di people she had befriended in the Zhuhuang Kingdom, they wouldn’t be willing to leave with her.

Lian Yi gave a soft snort. “This world of intrigue and deception isn’t worth staying in anyway.”

Having decided not to return to Liuzhi, Liu Fenyun bid farewell to her master and went with Lian Yi to the relay station where Madame Chong and Meng Nie were staying.

Meng Nie hadn’t expected them to arrive so quickly. She had to wake the napping Madame Chong: “Madam, wake up! Your daughter is here!”

Madame Chong opened her eyes dizzily and looked at Liu Fenyun in a half-awake state. Once she saw her face clearly, she said in surprise, “Yun’er?”

Liu Fenyun actually had little memory of the original host’s mother, but this body instinctively knelt down upon hearing the call, and two rows of tears fell instantly.

“Mother…” Liu Fenyun called out involuntarily, her voice choked with emotion. It seemed this Madame Chong had treated the original host well.

Madame Chong hurried off the bed, took her into her arms, and patted her back gently, coaxing her: “Mother is here. Oh, Yun’er, you’ve suffered this past half-year! Did you eat well in the Zhuhuang Kingdom? I heard the Di people love spicy food, could your stomach get used to it?”

Knowing the mother and daughter needed to catch up, Meng Nie tactfully closed the door and left to stand outside.

Madame Chong patted her for a while, then whispered to Liu Fenyun while Meng Nie was away: “Don’t listen to General Meng’s suggestion. Liuzhi has always been a pit of fire. Now that your master is gone, it’s nothing but a living hell for you. You must stay far away!”

With tears still in her eyes, Liu Fenyun looked at the resolute Madame Chong in shock.

Lian Yi had originally intended to persuade Madame Chong, but she hadn’t expected the other woman to see through things even more clearly than herself. She couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, walked over to help the mother and daughter up, and promised softly: “Mom, I definitely won’t let Ah Yun go back into that fire pit.”

Madame Chong’s eyes instantly crinkled with a smile. “That’s good. Make sure you remember that!”

She wasn’t afraid of the demon race. She looked Lian Yi up and down, finding her more and more pleasing to the eye, and even asked to rub the cat’s ears.

Seeing how kind she was, Lian Yi obediently let her. The warm hand on her head, gently stroking her snowy hair, calmed her anxious heart.

Liu Fenyun was still remaining vigilant. While Madame Chong was petting the cat, she was constantly monitoring her actions through the system.

Fortunately, Madame Chong showed no signs of anything unusual. After she finished petting the cat, she said to Liu Fenyun: “In three days, the Liuzhi Kingdom will send envoys to find you. If you’ve already decided on a place to go, leave as soon as possible. I will help you stall General Meng and the envoys.”

Because of Lian Yi’s “Mom,” Madame Chong simply changed how she referred to herself.

Liu Fenyun hurriedly said, “Mother, you mustn’t! If the envoys come and don’t find me, they will surely take you…”

Madame Chong shook her head. Gazing at her in her female attire, she reached out to smooth a few stray hairs for her and smiled. “There is no need. My heart died when you were young; I have long since been a walking corpse. Sending you to the medical clinic was also so that you could have a good future and not end up like your mother, becoming entangled in love yet powerless to escape it, ending up in this lonely and desolate state.”

How could Liu Fenyun not hear the persistence in her words? She understood Madame Chong’s stance and determination. There should have been no need for more words, yet her mouth moved of its own accord: “No, that’s not right. You aren’t a walking corpse. Mother… Mother is a very good person. I want to take Mother away with us!”

Lian Yi could not bear to see them part forever like this either. Just as she was about to speak up, the door was suddenly pushed open. Meng Nie leaned against the doorframe, her gaze cold as she looked at them.

Sensing the murderous aura radiating from her, Lian Yi instinctively stepped in front of Liu Fenyun. Sharp claws extended from her fingertips as she asked in a low voice, “You heard everything? Tell us, what do you intend to do?”

“Meng Nie is loyal to the Liuzhi Kingdom for life. I have the right to purge traitors for my country. Any subject who dares to betray Liuzhi must die.”

When Meng Nie spoke, her voice was as cold as ice shards growing in a cavern. “Since you have decided to betray Liuzhi forever, you had better vanish cleanly. Leave no trace of yourselves in the human realm.”

These words sounded very much like a vow before an execution. Lian Yi narrowed her eyes, instinctively preparing to pounce, but then she heard Madame Chong say, “General Meng, please do not frighten them. They are not familiar with you and do not understand your meaning.”

Meng Nie gave a cold snort and addressed Liu Fenyun: “Then I shall speak more plainly. I will give you one day. Leave Qifeng City and get as far away as possible. As for the envoys, I will tell them that you remained defiant and have already died by my hand.”

This sudden reversal left Liu Fenyun a bit dazed. She couldn’t help but ask, “But didn’t you say that death cannot solve things?”

“I did indeed say that,” Meng Nie admitted. “But since you have already planned to flee, it means even the demon race cannot think of a countermeasure. Without a countermeasure, returning home is simply a path to death. Even if you were to plead guilty and be taken back by the Zhuhuang envoys, I doubt the Fire God’s Creed would grant you a way to live.”

The “Fire God’s Creed” of the Zhuhuang Kingdom was famous throughout the world. Meng Nie naturally knew how harsh its regulations were, especially regarding same-sex love.

Since she had put it so bluntly, Lian Yi was no fool. She immediately retracted her claws and smiled. “So you are a reasonable person. With that sour face you were making just now, one really couldn’t tell!”

Meng Nie: “?” Why did she suddenly feel like she was being insulted indirectly?

Liu Fenyun wiped her tears, her body still feeling the ache of parting emotions. She asked Madame Chong again, “Will Mother really not come with us?”

Madame Chong drew her close and rubbed her hair once more, saying with regret, “I would like to go with you, but I am just an ordinary person. I would likely hold you back on the journey, so I won’t add to your troubles.”

She then looked at Meng Nie with a gentle smile. “Besides, I wouldn’t feel right leaving General Meng to face those old foxes alone. Someone must take responsibility for your departure.”

Meng Nie was not used to being cared for in this way. She opened her mouth, but eventually just muttered, “Madam Chong’s words are too kind.”

The parties reached a consensus to flee within the one day limit. Meng Nie escorted the two downstairs. Seeing Liu Fenyun looking back with every step, she couldn’t help but say, “This parting may very well be for eternity. Do you need to have a meal with Madame Chong to say goodbye?”

Liu Fenyun shook her head. The original host’s emotions for her mother were too intense, she had to return quickly to calm her feelings, otherwise she feared she would be affected by them when it came time to actually escape.