Prince Huai had a strong aversion to cats and dogs. When he spotted a cat with a broken leg crouching at the entrance of his courtyard as he stepped out, he instinctively lifted it by the scruff of its neck with two fingers, intending to toss it out of Zhangliu Palace.
Then he noticed a young girl seated in the outer courtyard. Upon closer inspection, it was Yun Duqing’s betrothed, County Mistress Ming, whose eyes were fixed intently on the cat in his hand.
The injury on the cat’s leg—it had nothing to do with him!
His fingers loosened, and the cat tumbled to the ground, limping away in panic before finally hiding behind the stone table where Jiuzhu sat.
“Your humble servant greets His Highness Prince Huai.” Jiuzhu, cautious not to step on the cat, rose slightly slower than usual.
“No need for formalities.” Prince Huai hesitated before adding, “This prince has no idea where this cat came from. Does County Mistress Ming recognize it?”
Jiuzhu shook her head and looked down at the trembling feline. The cat was plump and fluffy, its fur clean and glossy, though the ruff of fur around its neck was slightly askew—likely because its collar had fallen off.
“Your Highness, this cat seems terrified.” Jiuzhu bent down and tentatively stroked its head. When it didn’t resist, she continued gently, coaxing it into letting its guard down before scooping it up and settling it on her lap.
“One leg is broken, and another is fractured.” Seeing the dried blood on its paws, Jiuzhu pursed her lips in displeasure—this was clearly man-made harm.
While Prince Huai summoned a eunuch to fetch the imperial physician, he pondered whether insisting the cat’s injuries had nothing to do with him would only make him sound suspicious.
“What time is it?” Startled by the cat’s pained cries, Prince Chen stretched and asked his attendant, “Has County Mistress Ming not arrived yet?”
The eunuch shook his head.
Prince Chen frowned. For the past two days, “Little Pig Ming” had come to play with him right after breakfast. Why was she so late today?
Setting his book aside, he strode toward the outer courtyard and found several maids and eunuchs from Zhangliu Palace crowded around Jiuzhu, some even reaching toward the cat on her lap.
“What are you doing?” He swiftly stepped behind Jiuzhu. “Step back. Who allowed you to act so disrespectfully toward the County Mistress?”
“Your Highness?” Jiuzhu looked up at him, wide-eyed with innocence. “Why have you come out?”
“I heard a cat and came to investigate.” Prince Chen would never admit he’d come looking for her.
“This one?” Jiuzhu pointed at the cat on her lap.
“So fat—is it a cat or a pig?” Only then did Prince Chen notice the round furball on her knees. He reached out to pat its head.
“Careful, Your Highness.” Jiuzhu caught his wrist. “This cat is injured and seems wary of men. I don’t want it to scratch you.”
“So it’s a cat with a preference for women.” Prince Chen narrowed his eyes at the creature. Upon hearing it was hurt, he let it slide and sat beside Jiuzhu. “Have you found out who owns it yet?”
“The maids have already sent someone to inquire.” Jiuzhu soothed the cat softly. “Your Highness, the injuries… they look deliberate.”
Prince Chen’s brow furrowed. Mimicking her gesture, he patted Jiuzhu’s head and changed the subject. “Once we find the owner, I’ll accompany you to return it.”
Whoever raised such a well-kept cat must cherish it dearly.
A maid from Prince of Qi County’s courtyard hurried out and sighed in relief upon spotting the cat in Jiuzhu’s arms. She turned to a eunuch. “Quick, inform the Princess Consort—the cat has been found.”
“The cat belongs to Fourth Sister-in-Law?” Prince Huai, anxious about being mistaken for the cat’s tormentor, relaxed upon hearing the Princess Consort of Qi was searching for it.
Since his younger brother’s residence neighbored his own, perhaps the cat had simply wandered to his gate.
“Your Highness, the cat climbed into our courtyard last night. The Princess Consort suspected it was a pet belonging to another noble and asked us to watch over it until we could locate its owner today.” Noticing Prince Huai’s odd expression, the maid asked, “Your Highness, is there an issue with the cat?”
She approached Jiuzhu, curtsied to Prince Chen and the County Mistress, then bent to pick up the cat—only to gasp at its injuries. “How did it get hurt?”
Without thinking, she turned to glare at Prince Huai.
The other servants followed her gaze.
“Why are you all looking at me? I had nothing to do with this.” Prince Huai scowled. “It was already at my gate this morning.”
The attendants fell silent. Those who had served Prince Huai knew well of his dislike for furry creatures.
Prince Huai: “…”
What was the meaning behind their stares?
Arms crossed, Prince Chen watched the scene with amusement. Seizing a moment when the cat was distracted, he stealthily stroked its fluffy head.
“Your Highness.” Jiuzhu sighed. “Cat scratches are painful.”
“It’s docile enough in your arms.” He coughed awkwardly and withdrew his hand.
“The physician is here!”
The announcement rescued Prince Huai from his predicament. Torn between staying and leaving, he never imagined a mere cat could corner a prince like him.
The imperial physician entered the courtyard. Assuming the cat belonged to Prince Chen and County Mistress Ming, he treated its injuries with extra care, applying the finest medicinal ointments.
Though privately, he wondered—neither the prince nor the County Mistress seemed the type to harm an animal. How had the cat ended up like this?
After bandaging its legs, he reassured them, “Your Highnesses need not worry. Cats heal quickly. With proper care, it will recover soon. Just avoid letting its wounds get wet, and provide it with finer meals for now.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Jiuzhu bowed slightly.
“You honor me, County Mistress.” The physician smiled. “A healer’s duty is compassion.”
Even toward cats.
“Meow~” Uncomfortable with the bandages, the cat tried to chew at them.
The physician promptly had a bamboo collar fitted around its neck to prevent it from biting its wounds.
“Utterly foolish.” Prince Chen mocked the cat mercilessly.
“It does look… a bit silly.” Jiuzhu studied it before nodding. “But silly can be endearing.”
“Indeed.” Seizing the chance while the cat couldn’t retaliate, Prince Chen patted its head again. “Silly—yet endearing.” His gaze flicked to Jiuzhu.
Jiuzhu: “…”
Why was he looking at her when the cat was the silly one?
Behind the courtyard gate, Sun Caiyao watched Prince Chen and Ming Jiuzhu chatting with lowered heads but made no move to approach.
“Princess Consort, will you not go over?” a maid whispered.
“No need.” Sun Caiyao shook her head. “With County Mistress Ming here, she’ll ensure the cat finds its rightful owner.”
The maid murmured, “But you were the one who found the cat last night. Why let her take the credit?”
“What does it matter?” Sun Caiyao smiled faintly. “It’s just a cat.”
She was merely puzzled. The cat had been perfectly fine when she found it last night, yet today it was injured. Had some audacious servant done this, or was it Prince Huai…
“Caiyao.” Yun Yanze walked up to Sun Caiyao and glanced at the people in the courtyard. “What are you looking at?”
“Your Highness, you’re awake?” Sun Caiyao reached out to support his arm. “Nothing in particular. Your health hasn’t fully recovered yet—let me accompany you back inside.”
“I’m fine.” Yun Yanze grasped Sun Caiyao’s wrist and gently removed her hand from his arm. “Let’s go take a look.”
“Your Highness…” Sun Caiyao’s gaze fell on Ming Jiuzhu, who was sitting by the stone table, and she didn’t want Yun Yanze to approach her.
“Hmm?” Yun Yanze turned to her, his expression gentle yet slightly confused.
“It’s nothing.” Sun Caiyao forced a smile and followed behind him.
How could she possibly tell His Highness that she suspected Ming Jiuzhu’s presence was ill-fated for him and that she wished he’d stay away?
Not only would His Highness never believe such a thing, even she herself felt like she was losing her mind.
“Your Highness, County Mistress, the owner of the cat has been found.” A female official from Bright Moon Palace strode into the courtyard. “This servant just sent someone to inquire. A Dowager Consort from Jing'an Palace lost her cat last night and was so distressed this morning that she fell ill. After hearing the palace servants describe the cat’s appearance, it seems this must be the one.”
“That’s wonderful news.” Jiuzhu handed the cat to a maid from Prince of Qi County’s residence. “Please deliver it to the Princess Consort and ask her to arrange for the cat to be returned to the Dowager Consort as soon as possible.”
Sun Caiyao stepped forward and reached out to stroke the cat’s head, only for it to let out a fierce growl: “Mrowr!”
She awkwardly withdrew her hand and smiled at Jiuzhu. “Since you’ve already tended to its wounds, it’s grown attached to you. Would you mind taking on the task of returning it to the Dowager Consort?”
The cat clearly disliked her presence, yowling repeatedly and frantically swiping its claws in her direction, heedless of its injured leg.
Prince Chen grabbed the scruff of the cat’s neck and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Little Pig Ming, let’s go deliver this cat.”
If the creature kept thrashing like this, its freshly set leg might snap again.
Strangely, the previously ferocious kitten suddenly became docile in Prince Chen’s embrace, even attempting to nuzzle against him—though the bamboo collar around its neck made it difficult.
“Your Highness, this cat seems to really like you,” Jiuzhu remarked, stroking its head soothingly.
“Naturally.” Prince Chen lifted his chin slightly. “This prince’s charm is boundless.”
“Mm-hmm.” Jiuzhu nodded. Someone as kind and celestial as His Highness was bound to be adored by animals.
Prince Huai nearly gagged. One had the nerve to boast, the other the naivety to believe it.
Yun Duqing, of all people, dared to claim boundless charm?
Had he no shame?
Had he trampled it underfoot?
Once Yun Duqing and the Ming girl had left with their entourage of servants, Prince Huai turned to Sun Caiyao and sneered, “I heard you kindly took this cat in last night, only for it to try biting you. Beasts will always be beasts—they don’t know what’s good for them. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Elder Brother, my wife is rather timid. Please don’t jest like this—she might take it seriously.” Yun Yanze clasped Sun Caiyao’s hand and gave Prince Huai a faint smile. “I ask for your understanding.”
Prince Huai scoffed. “Oh, really?”
“Then tell me, who injured this cat?” He raised an eyebrow. “Pity it can’t speak. Some well-dressed beasts can get away with anything.”
“But in life…” Prince Huai pointed skyward. “Heaven watches all. There will be retribution.”
“Elder Brother speaks wisely.” Yun Yanze’s expression was inscrutable, a faint smile playing on his lips as he pressed a hand to the wound on his chest—as if mocking Prince Huai. “This younger brother also eagerly awaits such retribution.”
Prince Huai: “…”
What was this posture, this look supposed to mean?
First, the servants suspected him of abusing a cat.
Now Yun Yanze seemed to imply he was behind the assassination attempt?
Was this some kind of joke?!
