The Beautiful Top Being Pursued Relentlessly [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 33

What. Did. He. Say?

What exactly did the beautiful Prince want him to say?

Wait, he was currently a majestic, awe-inspiring Great Tiger; he technically shouldn’t understand human speech, nor could he speak it.

The bobbing tiger head suddenly grew clever. His gaze flickered away, and lifting one hind leg, he began to pounce toward a butterfly in a series of wobbly, lurching hops, adopting the posture of a hunter. His padded paws landed on the ground with a soft, muted sound.

Xie Cheng’s gaze traveled from the tiger’s leaping silhouette to its filthy, untreated hind leg, and finally cast a fleeting glance toward the… parts hidden beneath the fur. They had bounced.

Does a tiger need to be neutered?

Xie Cheng the “Beautiful Evil Prince” began to ponder.

Most likely, yes. He couldn’t wait until the creature grew frustrated and then actually go find him a tigress. Just the thought of it felt rather improper.

While holding the hand-warmer, Xie Cheng raised his hand to beckon Jiang Shui from the shadows. As he walked, he gave his orders: “Find a skilled physician to look at his leg.”

Jiang Shui stole a quick glance at the favored cub and lowered his head. “Yes. I shall find one as soon as we leave the palace.”

“Then we leave now.”

With that, Xie Cheng walked lightly toward the cub. Just as the tiger was staring at a butterfly, preparing to pounce, Xie Cheng pressed the tip of his toe neither too lightly nor too heavily against the base of the tiger’s tail.

“Awoo!”

The cub leaped anyway, startling the butterflies throughout the garden. He twisted his body around and bared his teeth at Xie Cheng.

“The hour is late. We’re leaving the palace.”

Xie Cheng didn’t look back at the snarling cub again, walking unhurriedly along the path. Jiang Shui followed behind, occasionally glancing back at the rear.

“Awoo-roar-roar!”

The cub stared longingly at Xie Cheng’s retreating back, his fluffy tail standing straight up as he sprinted forward.

Aren’t you going to carry me? Are you really not going to carry me? Are you truly not going to carry a warm male tiger?

The cub let out a few more bizarre cries, and soon his four paws left the ground as his entire body was scooped up. He looked up and met Xie Cheng’s silver-grey eyes.

“Do you have any idea how heavy a lump like you is?”

The cub scratched his head guiltily. Xie Cheng patted his stupid head and handed the entire tiger over to Jiang Shui. “Behave. No more fussing.”

The cub stood on Jiang Shui’s open palm, keeping a vast distance from the “not-beautiful” guard. His shining eyes remained fixed on Xie Cheng from beginning to end.

I am a Good Tiger.

****

The carriage Jiang Shui had prepared was waiting at the southern palace gate. From a distance, one could see the carriage curtains embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread, reflecting a blinding golden light in the sun.

The imperial guards at the gate bowed low upon seeing Xie Cheng, waiting for him to enter the carriage and depart. Xie Cheng took the cub from Jiang Shui’s hands and stepped onto the mounting stool. Seated on soft cushions, he idly pinched the back of the cub’s neck, using him as a hand-warmer.

The carriage began its steady journey, passing through multiple palace walls. Xie Cheng used a slender finger to lift a corner of the curtain. Red walls and golden tiles entered his vision, followed by the gradually bustling streets.

Pedestrians were woven together like fabric, and the cries of street vendors were endless. Xie Cheng’s gaze drifted over the noisy market as he asked, “Jiang Shui, how goes the investigation I asked for?”

Outside the curtain, Jiang Shui, who was driving the carriage, caught the intent immediately. “The Hostage Hostel is indeed haunted. It’s caused quite a stir; shrill ghostly wails have been heard for several nights in a row.”

“Has anyone been hurt?” Xie Cheng asked.

“Now that you mention it, Your Highness, there has been an incident.” Jiang Shui turned his head. “A hostage from Pingyang was walking in the courtyard at night when he suddenly saw a ghostly shadow. He was so terrified he fell ill.”

“Pingyang?”

Xie Cheng repeated the name. The plot hadn’t mentioned a hostage from this kingdom; presumably, no important plot points were tied to him.

“What is the hostage’s name?” Xie Cheng asked.

“This Pingyang hostage is quite an eccentric character. They say he was born with a head like a leopard and eyes like a hawk, with the strength to lift a heavy bronze tripod. Although he comes from a small state, his manners show no timidity; he is exceptionally bold.” Jiang Shui remembered this clearly. Finally, he spoke the man’s name: “The Pingyang hostage is named Jiang Yi.”

Xie Cheng’s fingertips lightly tapped the cub’s warm back. With a calm expression, he repeated, “Jiang Yi.”

After a moment, Xie Cheng gave a playful smile, his gaze returning to the street scenery outside. “A warrior strong enough to lift a tripod, yet frightened into illness by a ghostly shadow? How very interesting.”

Reminded by Xie Cheng, Jiang Shui suddenly realized the discrepancy. He said in annoyance, “It seems this haunting is not so simple. Forgive me, Your Highness; it was my oversight.”

Xie Cheng scratched the cub’s chin, his tone suggesting he didn’t care much about the slip-up. “Investigate now. It is not too late.”

“Yes,” Jiang Shui replied.

The interior of the carriage returned to silence, save for the rhythmic rumble-rumble of the wheels on the road. Even with many cushions on the wooden bench, sitting for long periods was uncomfortable. Xie Cheng shifted to a more comfortable position, accidentally touching the cub’s body, which had gone as stiff as a board.

Hmm? What’s going on in that stupid brain now?

Feeling a bit curious, Xie Cheng slid his fingers into the fur, leaned down, and whispered into the tiger’s pricked-up ear: “What do you think the ghost looks like?”

“Awoo!”

The cub leaped up in fright.

“What? Even a little tiger is afraid of ghosts?”

The cub quickly buried its head in its front paws, letting out a piteous and guilty “wu-wu” sound. Xie Cheng took in the cowardly display and chuckled softly. He stopped looking out the window and tapped the cub’s forehead with his knuckle. “Such a big reaction. You look as though you’ve actually been scared.”

“Awoo-woo-woo.”

The cub went back to pretending he didn’t understand. He flattened himself against Xie Cheng’s lap to serve as a heater.

“Playing dead?”

No response from the tiger.

“Then keep playing,” Xie Cheng’s voice grew softer. “Do not get up without my permission.”

*****

The Prince Zhao Manor was built in a quiet alley, and the carriage stopped at the main entrance. Above the lintel hung a plaque reading “Prince Zhao Manor”; one look was enough to see that its specifications far exceeded an ordinary princely residence.

As Xie Cheng descended from the carriage, Manager Liu of the manor was already there with a welcoming smile, handing over a hand-warmer filled with hot liquid. “Has Your Highness had breakfast?”

“I have. No need to prepare anything.”

Hearing this, Manager Liu knew he had visited the Empress. His smile didn’t fade, but as Xie Cheng prepared to enter the manor, his gaze dropped slightly.

Xie Cheng caught the hesitant look and asked casually, “What is it?”

Manager Liu hesitated for a moment before saying, “Your Highness, the young master of the Minister’s household has come to visit. Because the wind was strong outside, I took the liberty of inviting Young Master Ye into the manor.”

“Ye Qing?” Xie Cheng paused, frowning.

“Indeed. Does Your Highness know him?”

“I do not, nor do I wish to see him.” Xie Cheng had no desire to get involved in any romance with the Protagonist Sh受. He took a step back, making a move to enter through the side gate. “Tell him to leave. Say I am not at home.”

“Yes”

Manager Liu bowed to take the order, but before he could finish, a clear and somewhat urgent voice rang out from behind. The owner of the voice had raised his tone to mask his haste.

“Your Highness, Prince Zhao!”

Xie Cheng let out an impatient exhale. His brow didn’t even twitch, but the air of indifference around him grew several degrees colder. Before he could turn around, he was met with a youth’s face.

Ye Qing had pointedly worn a silver-fox cloak similar to his own, and his cheeks were flushed from running in the cold wind. He panted and bowed properly to Xie Cheng. Upon rising, he gave a cunning blink. “I pay my respects to Your Highness.”

“Is there a reason?”

“I have come to thank Your Highness for saving my life.” Ye Qing tried to appear steady, but in front of his “White Moonlight,” the admiration in his eyes was impossible to hide.

“Where is this ‘saving of life’?”

Did he imagine it? If anyone was to thank him for saving a life, it should be the cub playing dead in the carriage, not this person.

“If Your Highness hadn’t acted in time, that tiger cub would surely have wounded me again…”

Ye Qing’s voice suddenly dropped. He bit his lower lip and, as if by accident, revealed the back of his hand where the cub had scratched him. He then hurriedly covered it. “It was my own carelessness. I startled Your Highness’s pet; it is only right that I suffer this small injury.”

Xie Cheng’s gaze remained indifferent. “It’s good that you know.”

Ye Qing was choked by these words, but a look of deep self-reproach appeared on his face. “It is my fault. It’s just that, with the cub’s temperament, I fear it may cause even greater trouble. I was merely worried Your Highness would be troubled by this.”

“Roar—Roar-roar!”

The cub’s head popped out huffily from the small carriage window. His deep brown eyes seemed to burn with fire as he stared fixedly at Ye Qing, flashing his sharp teeth.

The sound appeared so suddenly, and with such a fierce expression, that Ye Qing was genuinely startled. However, within a few seconds, a flash of smugness crossed his eyes. Seeing his opportunity, he feigned a slip of the foot and lunged toward Xie Cheng’s embrace with a gasp: “Your Highness!”

Xie Cheng had already seen through his intent and felt even more repulsed. As Ye Qing leaned in, Xie Cheng stepped aside imperceptibly. Agile as a swallow, he dodged the contact with ease.

Ye Qing hit nothing but air and nearly stumbled. His face was a mixture of shock and embarrassment. Just as he was about to speak.

“ROAR!”

In a flash, a golden blur shot out from the carriage window like an arrow from a bow. His fur was completely on end. Using all four paws, he sprinted to Xie Cheng’s feet and, without a word, pressed his head firmly against Xie Cheng’s calf. While nuzzling desperately, he let out an extremely piteous “wu-wu” sound from his throat.

Seeing that Xie Cheng gave no reaction, the cub lifted his injured hind leg and held it up for him to see. “Awoo-woo-woo” The sound was thin; he was acting pathetic.

For a moment, Xie Cheng had a jealous tiger cub clinging to his leg and a red-faced Ye Qing standing before him. Even the cold wind seemed to have frozen in place.

Xie Cheng looked down at the furry heater wrapped around his leg. The corners of his mouth quirked into a faint, fleeting smile. “Not playing dead anymore?”

The cub let out a spirited “awoo.”

“Look at you, all filthy. You look like you’ve been soaking in a pond for an hour and then rolled in a mud pit.” Xie Cheng spoke with mock disgust, wondering where he could even touch the creature.

He didn’t have an exaggerated obsession with cleanliness; he usually didn’t even bother tidying his own messy hair. But the lump on the ground was truly filthy. His upper half was golden, while his lower half was covered in mud, with a distinct line separating them.

“Forget it. Follow me in.”

Xie Cheng gave up on carrying him. First: too dirty. Second: he was physically weak. Why waste his breath?

Hearing this, the cub naturally followed him up the steps with a smug trot. As he crossed the threshold, he turned around and gave a triumphant, low growl at Ye Qing.

Who is the tiger the beautiful Prince likes most in the world? ME!

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