Chapter 235: Reuniting with Yusen (Part 1)

From a distance, a light-blue figure dashed out. A noble lady, holding up the hem of her skirt with both hands, rushed toward Buli like a small whirlwind.

Her eyes widened, her voice laced with a hint of grievance. "You never reply to the letters I send you. So! It’s because you’ve found yourself a little lover! You—"

The Dolphin Clan female resentfully glanced at the pure white figure nearby. Her gaze faltered for a moment upon seeing the Rabbit Clan female.

’So this is a land-dwelling female? They’re generally more petite than those from the sea.’

’What’s even more infuriating is—’

’Their fluffy Beast Forms are so ridiculously charming!’

The brown-haired youth quickly stepped in front of Yu Zhizhi.

"Miss Mimi, don’t speak nonsense. This lady was brought here by Lord Shen He."

Mimi had originally been thinking about how to put the little rabbit in her place. According to the customs of the Deep Sea Empire, when females fancied the same male, they would hold a public competition and compete on equal terms.

Whoever won would claim the male.

But now, hearing the formidable name of "Lord Shen He," she couldn’t help but flinch, and her arrogant demeanor deflated significantly.

The Dolphin Clan female hid behind Buli slightly. "Was she really... brought here by Lord Shen He?"

’Why would Lord Shen He suddenly bring back a female?’

’Could it be—’

Mimi’s expression immediately turned gossipy. She tugged on Buli’s sleeve, her eyes asking if this was Lord Shen He’s fiancée.

Buli was silent for a moment before shaking his head.

Seeing the brown-haired youth’s slightly grave expression, Mimi’s heart sank. She didn’t dare pry any further. Clearing her throat, she made an excuse about going to the Royal Palace for an exam and left.

The legion had been waiting outside for a long time.

It wasn’t until nightfall that Shen He’s figure appeared at the main gate.

His gaze swept past the little rabbit and landed on Buli behind her. "Take her to the Royal Palace’s Bishui Pavilion."

The brown-haired youth acknowledged the order.

Seeing that Lord Shen He seemed to have other business to attend to, the legion gradually disappeared into the night.

Only Buli remained, leading Yu Zhizhi into the Royal Palace.

The night was deep, and Yu Zhizhi could only make out the magnificent and imposing buildings in the distance, along with the golden full moon hanging in the sky.

"What kind of place is Bishui Pavilion?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Buli reassured her, "That’s the Lord’s temporary residence in the Royal Palace. He stays there when he’s too busy with political affairs to return to his territory."

’As long as it’s not a dungeon.’

Yu Zhizhi sighed in relief inwardly.

Along the way, they encountered patrolling guards, who bowed slightly upon seeing Buli.

The Royal Palace was oppressive. Everyone hurried along, and hardly any superfluous sounds could be heard.

Noticing the confusion on Yu Zhizhi’s face, Buli said softly, "His Majesty the King is gravely ill. For the time being, the Lord will likely be staying in the Royal Palace."

"Do I have to stay here the whole time too?"

"I believe so."

’Lord Shen He probably won’t let her return to the territory alone.’

They arrived at Bishui Pavilion.

It was a quiet and comfortable residence. The courtyard was brightly lit, and two servants stood guard at the gate.

Lord Shen He had only said to bring Miss Rabbit over, but not how to accommodate her. So Buli took it upon himself to lead her to the Lord’s own room.

’There are so few people here.’

As Yu Zhizhi walked along, she noticed that besides those two attendants, there was no one else around.

As if knowing what she was thinking, Buli spoke gently, "This place isn’t used often, and Lord Shen He doesn’t like to be disturbed."

So, unlike his territory, it didn’t have many servants.

"Oh..." Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly.

Buli led her to the door of the room. "Ms. Zhi Zhi, please make yourself at home. Lord Shen He isn’t here, so you can stay here for now."

"Good night, Mr. Buli."

"Good night."

The bedchamber was vast, the lights brilliant, and the marble floor reflected a tranquil glow. The bathroom within held a rectangular tub, with steam gently rising from it.

Life had been leisurely at sea. After coming ashore, it felt as if everything was becoming unusual.

Yu Zhizhi lowered her head, her expression forlorn.

「The next day.」

A young servant knocked on her door, delivering a new set of clothes. It was a long, deep purple court-style maid’s dress. After changing, she went to the main gate of Bishui Pavilion.

A nobleman’s carriage was parked there. The brown-haired youth lifted the curtain. "Get in, Ms. Zhi Zhi."

Yu Zhizhi climbed in.

The brown-haired youth took the reins.

She leaned toward the curtain and asked in a low voice, "Where are we going?"

"To the Political Hall."

Sensing the Rabbit Clan Lady’s nervousness, Buli consoled her, "It’s alright. It’s just about the Little Prince’s custody. His Majesty the King is unconscious, and several of the elders want to take the Little Prince back with them. Naturally, our Lord Shen He won’t agree to that."

’It seems a lot has been happening within the Deep Sea Empire, too.’

’Was the previous armistice agreement related to the King’s illness?’

Yu Zhizhi leaned against the carriage wall, feeling bewildered. She had been abducted. Why were they bringing her along to their dispute over the Little Prince?

’What could she possibly do...?’

They arrived outside the Political Hall.

Buli helped Yu Zhizhi down from the carriage.

Fierce arguing could be heard from within. An old man’s voice was exceptionally loud, rebuking the others for harboring ill intentions and plotting to usurp the throne!

Outside the hall, the guards kept a tight watch.

Yu Zhizhi and Buli stood to the side, waiting to be summoned.

Just then, another nobleman’s carriage arrived. Seeing the style of the lantern hanging on it, Buli lowered his voice. "It’s Prince Yusen."

He paused, then explained, "The leader of the Mermaid Clan, the future new Sea Emperor. He usually lives in the Undersea Palace. He must be here for the matter of the Little Prince as well."

"Prince Yusen"—

When Yu Zhizhi heard that name, her heart began to pound wildly.

She could barely hear what the brown-haired youth said after that.

She only watched the figure stepping down from the carriage. Though they were still far apart, Yu Zhizhi’s palms were slick with sweat.

Buli noticed her strange behavior. He opened his mouth to speak, but when he saw Prince Yusen approaching, he quickly lowered his head.

The Deep Sea Empire was different from other Empires.

It was home to both sea and land clans. Although tens of thousands of years of development had led the vast majority of the Sea Clan to live on shore, many clans remained in the sea, having never come ashore.

The Mermaid Clan was the noblest of all the clans in the sea.

There were two major political powers, on land and in the sea. Although the land-based government was dominant, the throne in the sea was also of critical importance.

With the Sea Emperor’s passing, the most suitable successor was the youth before them.

Buli held no particular feelings for the undersea nobles.

But this Mermaid Youth was different.

’He’s Lord Shen He’s biological younger brother.’

’Even though the two brothers have barely ever met.’

’But blood is thicker than water.’

’Otherwise, why would Lord Shen He be helping him ascend the throne?’

Seeing Miss Rabbit beside him staring intently at the future Sea Emperor, Buli couldn’t help but whisper a reminder, "Ms. Zhi Zhi, don’t look, lower your head quickly. Prince Yusen hates being stared at like that..."

The males of the Mermaid Clan were exceptionally beautiful and would draw crowds wherever they went.

And Prince Yusen, in particular, loathed being stared at.

’This was perhaps related to his past experiences.’

He had once been abducted and taken to the Moon Rising Empire, where he was auctioned off in public.

Last month, a female from the Golden Fish Clan couldn’t resist staring at Prince Yusen. The next day, her eyes were gouged out.

Seeing the Prince Merfolk drawing closer and closer while Miss Rabbit still stared at him blankly, making no effort to look away,

Buli was burning with anxiety!

*(One more Chapter, please turn the page~)*