Chapter 425 - 424: Yun Ze
The little python apologized with the utmost sincerity, seeming to truly believe it had done something wrong.
Yu Zhizhi froze for a moment.
The tiger cub in her arms was dumbfounded. It stared in disbelief at the wretched snake—the black serpent’s current demeanor was the complete opposite of its behavior just moments ago!
Thinking of the tiger cub’s personality—its territorial instincts were particularly strong, and the chance of it attacking first was high—Yu Zhizhi smiled. "It’s alright. You two need to get along from now on, okay?"
"Yes, Mother," the little python immediately agreed.
The tiger cub was so angry its whiskers bristled.
Yu Zhizhi gently patted its head and handed it to Ai Xi. "Go and eat first."
WHIMPER—
The tiger cub watched with tear-filled eyes as the door swung shut.
Ai Xi held it carefully. After a few seconds of building up to it, the tiger cub suddenly let out a wail that echoed throughout the entire castle.
Yu Zhizhi turned to the little python. Although the faint blue Teleportation Array had vanished, the python hadn’t moved a single inch since arriving. It remained in the same spot, looking very reserved, which made her feel a little... guilty.
She sat on the bed and patted the space beside her. "You can come over here."
The young python glanced at the spot beside her. Realizing he would have to slither over—an unsightly motion that might frighten his mother—he shook his head. "I’m fine right here."
’Just two more years. Then I’ll be able to take human form and get close to Mother without any of these worries.’
"What’s your name?" Yu Zhizhi asked.
The little python smiled. "Yun Ze."
"Yun Ze..." Yu Zhizhi softly repeated the name.
Hearing his mother say his name for the first time, the little python’s vertical golden pupils brightened, and his tail swayed gently. "It’s from the name of an ancient homeland, Cloud Dream Marsh. It means ’lake.’"
’So, Cloud Dream Marsh.’
"Did the Duke give it to you himself?" Yu Zhizhi asked curiously.
"Yes," the little python answered truthfully. "Originally, the clan elders gave us our names. But then one day, Father suddenly changed them all."
"Among the Snake Cubs, only Little Liu Yumeng’s name was given by our mother, taken from an ancient classic."
"So Father changed all of our names to a similar style."
"It’s a beautiful name," Yu Zhizhi said with a smile.
The little python was overjoyed to hear his mother’s praise, and his serpentine eyes curved into smiling crescents.
「Outside in the hallway.」
The tiger cub’s wails grew closer, followed by a BANG, BANG against the door. Ai Xi had no choice but to gently push it open. "Lady Lord, Young Master Xingxing only ate a little bit."
It whimpered pitifully as it trudged toward Yu Zhizhi.
Yu Zhizhi had no choice but to hold it and coo softly.
The tiger cub buried its face in her arms, sobbing.
Eventually, Ai Xi presented the dinner menu to Yu Zhizhi for her review.
She glanced over it and saw no issues.
All the while, the tiger cub glared furiously at the little python. The python watched it through narrowed eyes, its tail twitching slightly.
To the tiger cub, this was a blatant provocation!
It let out a furious growl and lashed out with its paw.
The little python didn’t dodge, and the tiger’s claws left a bloody gash across its forehead.
Yu Zhizhi whipped her head around, her heart jumping in shock. She hastily pulled the tiger cub away.
She gently held the tiger cub’s paws. "You’re not allowed to fight with your big brother!"
The little python’s forehead was bleeding. Its tail drooped, and what looked like tears welled in its eyes, making it look utterly pitiful.
The tiger cub bared its fangs in anger—
But in front of Yu Zhizhi, it could only let out a couple of whimpers before flopping onto the ground, refusing to budge.
Yu Zhizhi slowly approached the python. Looking at the three claw marks on its forehead, she gently touched the wound. A warm Healing Light began to glow from her fingertips. The entire time, the little python gazed up at her, its expression one of intense focus.
"Does it still hurt?" Yu Zhizhi asked softly.
"It doesn’t hurt, Mother," the little python said.
Yu Zhizhi looked at the little python before her and gently stroked its head.
The tiger cub stared at them, its mouth forming a resentful pout.
Nearby, Ai Xi gave a helpless smile. ’The two young masters are not from the same clan; their animosity is instinctual.’
’Getting them to live in harmony will likely be very difficult.’
Watching them, Ai Xi’s thoughts drifted to the little master of Paradise. ’I really wish the Lady Lord could meet the little master of our Paradise, too.’
The duration of the Summon was almost over.
The little python departed the territory through the Array.
The tiger cub perked up instantly.
Yu Zhizhi had spent the day playing with the two cubs. As long as she was around, both the tiger cub and the little python were on their best behavior, holding back from any more tantrums.
She was tired out from playing as well, so she washed up and went to bed.
Meanwhile, Cang Lan had waited all day, but his "little rabbit" never appeared.
He stood by the window, waiting long after the Snake Pup’s aura had vanished, but no one ever knocked on his door.
’That detestable rabbit.’
’She’s completely forgotten about me again.’
Cang Lan left his room and walked towards Yu Zhizhi’s bedchamber.
Late at night, the hallway was dimly lit. He came to a slow stop before a delicate white door.
He slowly pushed the door open. The tiger cub, not yet asleep, was quietly playing with a toy. Chewing on a ball of yarn, it looked up.
When it saw it was its father, its gaze turned slightly vacant.
Cang Lan leaned against the door, motioning with his eyes for the cub to leave.
The tiger cub obediently placed the ball of yarn on a shelf. It then padded silently across the carpet and out of the room.
The door clicked shut the moment it was out.
The tiger cub gently pressed its ear to the door. It realized its father must have put up a Barrier; it couldn’t hear a single sound or even catch its mother’s scent.
It was as if the entire room had been cut off from the rest of the world.
The cub was distressed.
WHIMPER~ ’What is with today? Why does everyone keep trying to steal Mama from me!’
It trudged dejectedly down the hallway and saw a familiar figure.
Cang Jie turned around and noticed the little tiger cub. "Still not sleeping this late? Out to watch the moon, are you?"
The tiger cub slumped down beside him, looking thoroughly troubled.
"What’s wrong?" Cang Jie asked.
"ROWR!"
"He’s older than you and trains hard every single day. Is it really that strange you can’t beat him?"
"A whining growl!"
"When the Delegation returns to the Empire, you should go with them. If you don’t start training properly, you won’t be able to beat anyone in the future."
"A low... whimper..."
"I know you can’t bear to leave her. But if one day Ms. Zhi Zhi is being bullied and you can only stand by and watch, helpless, would you want a day like that to happen?"
The tiger cub lowered its head and stared at its own paws.
Cang Jie crouched down, stroking its head, and said in a heartfelt tone, "We can’t afford to stagnate, because we have people we want to protect."
—In this dog-eat-dog world, the Beast Clan has no place for the useless.
「Inside the room.」
On the bed, Yu Zhizhi was sound asleep.
In a sleepy haze, she felt someone sit down on the edge of the bed.
Hmm... ’Is that the tiger cub?’
She fluttered her eyes open and saw a figure bathed in moonlight. A trace of displeasure was hidden in the depths of his dark eyes.
’...Prince Canglan?’
Unsure if she was dreaming or awake, Yu Zhizhi slowly leaned closer and hugged his arm.