Chapter 254: War of Brothers (Part 1)

The brown-haired youth said nothing.

He followed Lord Shen He back to his residence, and in his peripheral vision, he saw Ms. Zhi Zhi "quietly" shuffling toward them.

She seemed to be hesitating, her steps cautious.

’Miss Rabbit must be here to see the Lord,’ Buli thought.

Yu Zhizhi clutched the letter Mimi had written, rounded the garden corridor, and came before them.

Shen He had intended to go straight inside but stopped in his tracks, turning back to look at her.

The little rabbit had hidden from him every time she saw him before.

But this time, she had sought him out...

Thinking of that night at Blue Tone, the sharp, cold look in Shen He’s eyes softened slightly, but his tone remained flat. "Is there something you need?"

He spoke as if he wanted no further entanglement with this little rabbit.

Yu Zhizhi lifted the hem of her light purple skirt with both hands and curtsied. "Lord Shen He."

Shen He gave a slight nod. Just as he was about to send her away, he heard the little rabbit say cheerfully, "I’m looking for Mr. Buli."

Buli froze.

’Huh? Me?’

The words died on Shen He’s lips. With a slightly odd expression, he turned and went back into the house.

Buli walked down the steps to Yu Zhizhi’s side.

The moonlight was faint.

Shen He couldn’t help but glance over, only to see the young woman hand a pink envelope to Buli.

Her two rabbit ears were perked up cheerfully, and her eyes sparkled as she looked up earnestly at the young man before her. The sight was a bit jarring to Shen He.

He recalled that the little rabbit had always gotten along well with Buli.

On the ship, it was Buli who had watched over her most of the time.

As an outstanding youth from a noble sea lion family, he had earned numerous Empire medals at a young age and was very popular among the young females of the Deep Sea.

’It’s only been a few days. Has this little rabbit set her sights on a sea lion now?’

’Is she some kind of collector?’

Shen He spoke coolly, "Buli, have you finished your legion affairs?"

’It’s so late, and they’re still out in the courtyard chatting. Do they plan to talk until sunrise?’

Buli wanted to say that he was already done.

But he suddenly realized something.

He gave the Rabbit Clan Lady before him an apologetic smile. "I have to get back to work."

"Okay, you go on."

Yu Zhizhi waved at him.

The brown-haired youth walked toward the back of Bishui Pavilion, and she watched him go.

Bishui Pavilion fell quiet once more.

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t resist peeking toward Shen He’s room and saw that he had already closed the door. She breathed a sigh of relief, afraid the shark would suddenly want to talk to her.

That night’s incident...

’It must have been a misunderstanding.’

She shifted into her Beast Form, scurried back to her room, and expertly hopped onto the bed, finding a comfortable spot to lie down and sleep.

「The next day.」

Yu Zhizhi woke up in a daze. It was still early. She stretched and saw Yusen, who had just returned. The Mermaid Youth went straight to the bathroom, and after washing up, he changed into fresh clothes.

He pushed open the door and saw the little rabbit squatting beside it.

Ever since discovering that Yusen was more affectionate toward her Beast Form, Yu Zhizhi had subconsciously remained in her Beast Form while in Bishui Pavilion.

She herself also quite enjoyed being a little white rabbit.

’It feels so convenient to get around.’

’And there are so many places to hide.’

A Steward from the Undersea Palace delivered breakfast to the room.

Yusen sat at his desk, fastening the golden belt of his white uniform. He saw the little white rabbit by his feet gather its strength and, with a WHOOSH, leap into his arms like a tiny cannonball.

The little rabbit was so soft.

It made Yusen’s heart feel soft, too.

He didn’t push the little rabbit away.

He just gently gathered her in his hands and placed her on the desk.

The Black-clothed Steward, ever so considerate, brought over a small, empty white plate for the little rabbit’s food.

Yusen spooned out some soft, fragrant mashed potatoes, a scoop of sweet corn, and added a few pieces of broccoli.

It was a peaceful morning.

Yu Zhizhi ate the food on her plate, unconsciously making the nibbling sounds of a little rabbit.

A bit of mashed potato got stuck on the little rabbit’s white whiskers, looking rather comical. Yusen took out a tissue and wiped it for her. Yu Zhizhi tilted her little head back, her round, dark rabbit eyes squinting slightly as if she were enjoying it.

Yusen thought of the Steward’s report.

She had gone to Blue Tone.

The biggest entertainment club in the Deep Sea Imperial City.

And sought out a Blue Shark.

The thought made his chest feel tight. He pulled his hand back, picked up his fork again, and cut a piece of grilled sausage.

’What’s so great about a Blue Shark?’

’All they do is sing. But Zhi Zhi doesn’t know that the Mermaid Clan has the best singers of all.’

Realizing what he was thinking, Yusen lowered his eyes, forcibly suppressing the sour feeling in his heart. ’Forget it. Whether she finds one or eighteen, it’s her freedom.’

He glanced at the little rabbit squatting on the table, single-mindedly and happily munching on broccoli.

Yusen agonized for a long time, but in the end, he couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke her fluffy little head.

After breakfast, Yusen prepared to head to the Political Hall.

Ever since the King fell gravely ill, state affairs had been jointly supervised by three factions: the Political Elders, the royal authority of the Undersea Kingdom, and the Imperial Marshal.

The old Blue Whale King had only one heir.

But he also had a younger brother.

Until the Little Prince came of age, this brother could temporarily act as regent.

Yu Zhizhi was bored staying in Bishui Pavilion, so she ran over to the carriage and squatted beside it. Seeing that Yusen didn’t object, she hopped right in.

Yusen knew she just wanted to get some fresh air, so he tacitly approved.

When the carriage stopped outside the Political Hall, he instructed her softly, "Don’t wander too far."

Yu Zhizhi nodded repeatedly.

She stayed in the carriage by herself for a while before hopping down to take a stroll in the spacious, tree-lined green area outside the Political Hall.

At this time of day, the atmosphere in the Political Hall was very solemn and serious.

From a distance, Yu Zhizhi could see Yusen’s figure. Just like when they first met, he was sitting in a chair with a calm expression.

The distance was too great for her to know what they were talking about.

All political matters had been discussed, and the council members began to leave.

The security cordon was also removed.

Yu Zhizhi knew she could now approach the Political Hall without worrying about being arrested as a spy.

She hopped over. The guards all seemed to recognize the little rabbit, and knowing she had an excellent relationship with Lord Shen He and Prince You Sen, they didn’t stop her.

Only Shen He and Yusen remained in the Political Hall.

Outside the door, Buli spotted the little rabbit and quietly made way for her.

The little white rabbit squatted by the threshold, and through the crack in the door, she could see the brilliantly lit hall and the somewhat delicate atmosphere between the two men.

Shen He was seated in the centermost position, his posture casually relaxed as always, his right elbow draped over the back of the chair, and a dark blue coat slung over his shoulders.

"I have already sent notice to my family. They will deliver the seal in half a month at the latest. At the Sea Sacrifice Ceremony, I will announce my marriage to the entire world."

Yu Zhizhi’s rabbit ears twitched. Being so close, she heard every word clearly.

’Marriage?’

A look of astonishment appeared in her rabbit eyes. ’The Empire’s Big Shark is getting married?’

’To whom?’

"Congratulations." Yusen wasn’t interested in his affairs.

He stood up, but just as he was about to leave, he heard Shen He ask with a smile, "Aren’t you curious who your brother’s bride is?"