Chapter 366: Engagement?

’Li Yuan?’ The name sounded familiar to Yu Zhizhi.

’She felt like she’d heard it somewhere before.’

’But she just couldn’t place it.’

The Fox Clan’s attendants noticed the female lop-eared rabbit following Lord Li Yuan. Assuming she was simply his attendant for the journey, they didn’t pay her any special attention.

That is, until Li Yuan spoke—

"Take this young lady to rest. She is an honored guest of Moonrise."

The Fox Clan attendant hurried forward with an invitation.

’Lord Li Yuan said she was an honored guest of Moonrise, which meant she was more than just a guest of the Fox Clan. This Miss Rabbit’s status must be incredibly high!’

The small red octopus gliding low to the ground beside her, however, was quite memorable.

With its mechanical wings, the Little Octopus no longer walked by itself. It often used the controls to have the machine carry it in a slow flight. When its power ran low, it would shut down and then figure out a way to get a full charge.

Yu Zhizhi was brought to the Fox Clan’s territory.

An attendant led her to a guest suite, delivering delicious food and new clothes.

Another attendant offered to help her bathe, but she politely declined.

She hadn’t rested well during the two days on the ferry, and Yu Zhizhi was truly exhausted.

The Little Octopus was already sprawled asleep on the warm sofa.

After her bath, Yu Zhizhi changed into clean clothes and heard a familiar voice from outside. "Is she in there?"

"Yes," an attendant replied softly.

The young lady of the Fox Clan paced at the door. ’What excuse can I use to meet this female from the Rabbit Clan?’ she wondered.

Yu Zhizhi opened the door from the inside.

A small smile touched her lips when she saw the familiar face.

The young lady of the Fox Clan was visibly stunned.

She hadn’t expected the door to suddenly open.

Seeing this Miss Ear-down Rabbit before her, she couldn’t help but look her over...

’She’s actually quite elegant.’

Following noble etiquette, the young lady of the Fox Clan performed a formal greeting.

She smiled. "I heard my brother brought a lady from the Rabbit Clan back with him this time. I was just too curious, so I came to see you. I hope I’m not disturbing you."

’My brother actually brought a female home!’

’This is a first!’

The young lady of the Fox Clan was filled with curiosity about this Miss Ear-down Rabbit. At times, looking at her felt like seeing that little rabbit from the past.

’But~’

’That little rabbit’s rank is too high now. She must be well-protected by the Valoran Empire, kept safe from the prying eyes of other Empires.’

’What a shame...’

Yu Zhizhi felt a sense of kinship seeing the young lady of the Fox Clan. She replied softly, "You’re not disturbing me at all. I was actually hoping to find someone to talk to."

"Oh, that’s wonderful!"

Without any further ceremony, the young lady of the Fox Clan lifted the hem of her magnificent dress and entered the room.

She spotted the red Little Octopus at a glance. "Oh! Is this a member of the Beast Clan from the Deep Sea? What a peculiar pet!"

The Little Octopus, woken by the noise, glared at her before hugging its mechanical wings and scurrying into the inner room.

’Pet?’

’I’m not the little rabbit’s pet!’

’I’m her guardian!’

"So, how did you meet my brother?" the young lady of the Fox Clan asked eagerly.

’...Brother?’

Yu Zhizhi’s expression faltered.

’He’s the brother of the Fox Clan’s young lady?’

’If I remember correctly, her brother is the State Preceptor of Moonrise...’

’Li Yuan!’

’No wonder the name was so familiar!’

’They had met once before!’

"He... he was injured. A female from the goat clan asked me to take care of him."

"A goat? Oh, you mean Adelle! I see. So you’re the one who saved my brother?"

"...Yes."

"Hahaha!" The young lady of the Fox Clan seemed overjoyed, a brilliant smile gracing her beautiful face. "Thank you so much for saving my brother and bringing him home. By the way, I don’t believe I caught your name!"

"I-I’m Zizhi."

"Ms. Zizhi, I thank you on behalf of the entire Fox Clan."

The young lady of the Fox Clan hadn’t seen through her Disguise Technique.

’It seems that, so far, no one besides Dracula can see through it.’

’It must be related to spiritual power...’

’I wonder... did that Purple Fox—er, the Lord State Preceptor of Moonrise—see through my identity?’

After the young lady of the Fox Clan left, Yu Zhizhi was alone with her thoughts for a long time.

’No wonder the Purple Fox agreed to take me to see the Crown Prince...’

’As the Moon Ascending State Master, of course he could arrange it.’

’I’m not going to think about it anymore.’

’Time to rest.’

Yu Zhizhi started to feel her exhaustion, so she returned to the inner room and got into bed.

A few days passed at the Fox Clan territory. No one disturbed her, and there was no news from Li Yuan. Yu Zhizhi grew anxious. ’He wouldn’t abandon me and return to the Moonrise Imperial City by himself, would he?’

Just as her thoughts were running wild, a maid from the Fox Clan spoke softly, "Ms. Zizhi, Lord Li Yuan says he will be departing tomorrow. Please pack your belongings and prepare to accompany him to the Imperial City."

Lord Li Yuan had returned to the Fox Clan to handle some difficult internal affairs.

Now, it was time to return to the Imperial City.

After relaying the message, the maid bowed and took her leave.

Yu Zhizhi quickly began to pack her things.

’The main quest deadline is still over two months away. The journey to the Imperial City shouldn’t take that long, right?’

’I hope I can meet the Crown Prince of Moonrise without any trouble.’

「The next day.」

Yu Zhizhi boarded the Fox Clan’s carriage.

The Little Octopus lay on the carriage roof.

To pass the time on the journey, she had brought along a history book about the Moon Rising Empire.

Soon, the carriage curtain was drawn open.

The Purple Fox entered the carriage.

After returning to Moonrise, his body had almost completely healed. However, to conserve his strength, he planned to maintain his Beast Form for the duration of the journey.

The Purple Fox crouched inside, his massive form nearly filling the carriage.

Yu Zhizhi carefully tucked her legs in, but she could still feel his fluffy fur brushing against her.

"Lord Li Yuan," she called out softly.

The Purple Fox gave her a cool glance. "Mm. You know who I am now?"

Yu Zhizhi quickly busied herself with her book, trying to hide her embarrassment.

’Last time, I was sizing him up right to his face...’

’And it wasn’t a good evaluation, either.’

The Purple Fox remained seated and spoke slowly, "The Crown Prince’s situation is special. Even if we get to the Imperial City, he might not agree to see you. And even if he does, it will likely be from behind a closed door."

"That’s fine. As long as I can speak to him, that’s all that matters."

The Purple Fox said nothing more.

The carriage began to move.

An attendant, following his instructions, passed a newspaper in to him.

The newspaper was placed before the fox, and he lowered his head to read it.

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but glance over as well.

What caught her eye was a large headline—

[Duke Bolan of the Valoran Empire Soon to be Engaged!]

’Oh?’ Yu Zhizhi’s interest was piqued. She leaned closer and saw the smaller text below, which introduced the fiancée as a female from the Jinshe Clan.

The Purple Fox noticed Miss Rabbit leaning in. He recalled her identity; although she had a child with that Duke from the Snake Clan, their relationship seemed rather indifferent.

This Miss Rabbit didn’t seem sad or indignant about the Duke’s engagement.

Like any ordinary person, she seemed more interested in the gossip itself.

’Is this what she truly feels, or is it an act?’

’Considering her sudden arrival in Moonrise and her desire to see the Crown Prince...’

The Purple Fox glanced over, only to discover that the young Rabbit Clan woman had moved right next to him. She was kneeling on the carriage’s carpet, half of her body now leaning against his.