Chapter 301: "Want to Keep a Cat Clan Male?

Yu Zhizhi’s hand trembled as she held the communicator. She stammered, her mind filled with the Great White Shark’s ferocious expression, and she quickly made up an excuse to hang up the call.

Huuu—

Yu Zhizhi’s rabbit ears drooped. She shook her head again and again, trying to banish the images of her potentially miserable future from her mind.

’The Great White Shark really is dangerous!’

’I can’t let him catch me!’

After returning the communicator to Teacher Dai Li, she stroked the Little White Snake. "I’m off to eat now, okay?"

The Little White Snake wagged its tail.

It obediently wriggled back into the wooden bucket. Although its Beast Bone was slowly healing, its body still needed to soak in the medicinal bath for a better recovery.

Yu Zhizhi sat alone at the dining table, slowly enjoying her lunch.

Sunlight streamed through the window, baking her in its pleasant warmth. She took a bite of soft tofu, and it melted the moment it touched her tongue.

After finishing her meal, Yu Zhizhi reviewed her Healing System lessons.

She waited for a while longer that afternoon, wanting to see the Duke as soon as possible to ask him about Tang Luo Ke’s situation.

But there was still no sign of the Duke.

It wasn’t until late that night, as Yu Zhizhi was sleeping fitfully, that she felt someone embrace her from behind.

The Duke had just returned, his body carrying a trace of the spring night’s chill. He wrapped his arms around the small female lying on her side and pulled her into his embrace.

Her fluffy rabbit ears twitched, and Yu Zhizhi let out a drowsy mumble.

He couldn’t make out what the small female was saying.

The Duke recalled the report he had seen earlier that day. His hand, which had been stroking the little rabbit’s wrist, pressed down a little harder. "You spent so long choosing at the Hughes family. Thinking of keeping a Cat Clan male as a Pet?"

The phrase "Cat Clan male" instantly jolted Yu Zhizhi awake.

"N-No..."

But her tone betrayed a hint of guilt.

The Duke turned her over to face him.

In the darkness, Yu Zhizhi lowered her gaze, not daring to meet the man’s profound golden eyes. But he gripped her chin, forcing her to look up.

The Duke stared at her for a long moment. ’She just got back, and she’s already looking for a new Pet?’

’No.’

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to the little rabbit’s lips. "I won’t allow it."

The Duke’s tone was much gentler than she’d imagined. Yu Zhizhi’s body slowly relaxed. She was still groggy, her mind sluggish—

’Living here, it seems the Duke knows everything I do.’

’So how am I supposed to complete the main quest?’

’First of all, I can’t even find this conquest target. And even if I could, how am I supposed to... right under the Duke’s nose...’

’If he finds out...’

AH— Yu Zhizhi’s face paled.

The Duke noticed the small female was spacing out. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes, and he punished her with a bite on her lip.

’But a light taste like this was hardly enough for him.’

"Open your mouth."

"Stick out your tongue."

The Duke’s golden, serpentine eyes gleamed in the dark as he stared intently at his prey. A wave of shyness washed over Yu Zhizhi. She closed her eyes and tremblingly did as she was told—

The next second, her tongue was captured and entwined with his, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Yu Zhizhi was kissed until her mind went blank from lack of oxygen.

The Duke’s arms were a vise around her waist, allowing no escape.

On his way back, he had faced countless assassination attempts, and they were accompanied by several amorous dreams.

’The star of those dreams could only be her.’

’It felt like...’

’...it was never enough.’

He released the small female’s slightly swollen lips. Her rabbit ears drooped, and the corners of her eyes were damp. Her open eyes shimmered with unshed tears, making her look as if she had been thoroughly bullied.

But this appearance of hers only made the Duke’s desire swell even more.

’Thankfully, he had his little rabbit back now.’

...

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t remember anything from the latter half of the night.

All she could remember was the Duke asking her, over and over again, if she still wanted to keep a Cat Clan male as a Pet. Sobbing, she would shake her head, her nose red from crying, and gently rub her cheek against him.

It wasn’t until broad daylight that the Duke finally let her go.

It was his day off.

The Duke didn’t need to go to the Royal Palace. After waking, he cleaned up all traces of the Clone Puppet he had left behind there. He waited until the small female stirred and turned over in her sleep before he finally gave in, scooping her up and carrying her toward the pool in the backyard.

’He’d seen how exhausted she was this morning and hadn’t wanted to bother her any further.’

Now, he washed her clean. The little rabbit was still asleep, snuggled against his chest. As he used a white towel to dry her delicate wrists, he leaned in and kissed her rabbit ear.

The Duke sat languidly by the pool, his purple robe half-open, the small Rabbit Clan female held in his arms the entire time. Once she was clean, he dressed her in a fresh set of clothes.

He carried the little rabbit to his desk and sat down. After adjusting her into a more comfortable position, he found he could hold her easily with a single arm.

’When he grew tired of his work, he could simply kiss her.’

’Or just hold her quietly, close his eyes, and rest for a moment.’

It was already evening when Yu Zhizhi woke up.

The Duke was leaning back in his plush chair, looking over the documents spread across his desk. When he felt the small female in his arms stir, he glanced down. "Awake?"

Yu Zhizhi, still groggy from sleep, gave a small nod.

Seeing her dazed expression, the Duke chuckled softly. He shook a small bell hanging beside the desk. "Serve dinner."

A personal attendant outside the door responded, "Yes, Duke."

Dinner was quickly served.

They didn’t move to the dining table. Instead, an attendant cleared away the documents and set the meal on the large desk.

Placed at the very front was a cherry pudding specially prepared for the little rabbit.

The Duke picked up a small spoon and fed her a bite.

’Mmm, the cherry pudding is so sweet!’

Yu Zhizhi’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. She eagerly took the spoon from him and began eating from the small bowl in her lap.

The light of the setting sun streamed in through the doorway, bathing the entire study in a warm, yellow glow. The vivid painting on the folding screen seemed to come to life.

From time to time, the chirping of birds could be heard from the courtyard.

Yu Zhizhi ate half a bowl of the sweet dessert. She turned to look at the man behind her. "Lord Bo Lan, I want to go see Tang Luo Ke."

She very rarely called him by his name.

The Duke held her from behind. "Mm. As it happens, I need to take you to see the King."

"Is Lord Locke living in the Royal Palace now?" Yu Zhizhi asked curiously.

"Mm." The Duke didn’t much want to talk about that wolf.

Yu Zhizhi was thrilled at the thought of finally seeing Tang Luo Ke. Plus, she’d been in this world for so long and had never even met His Majesty the King of the Valoran Empire.

’Outside the door, the personal attendant heard the Duke and understood. ’Taking Ms. Zhi Zhi to see His Majesty the King must be about her First Beast Husband.’’

’I wonder if Ms. Zhi Zhi will agree to it?’

After finishing her cherry pudding, Yu Zhizhi picked up a slice of sweet melon. She tried to squirm out of the Duke’s lap, but he held her tighter the moment she moved.

"What are you doing?"

In response to the Duke’s sharp question, Yu Zhizhi murmured, "I want to go out to the courtyard for some fresh air."

"Wait until I finish this scroll."

The Duke’s meaning was clear: the little rabbit could not leave his sight.

If she wanted to enjoy the evening breeze, she would have to be carried to the courtyard by him.

「Three days later.」

The appointed day arrived, and Yu Zhizhi was set to accompany the Duke to the Royal Palace to meet His Majesty the King and Tang Luo Ke.

Early that morning, Teacher Dai Li arrived with two maids to help her dress for the occasion.