Chapter 383: "You Should Serve Me.

’Like this...’

’This should count as a clear hint, right?’

Yu Zhizhi’s heart pounded with a mix of apprehension and anticipation. Cradling the heavy book in both hands, she couldn’t help but peek at the man’s expression.

Cang Lan finished reading the page.

His gaze finally landed on the words "reproduce and have offspring." After a long moment, he looked up at the little Rabbit Clan female before him.

"No rush."

Cang Lan took the book from her hands, closed it, and placed it on the table.

"There will be plenty of time after the wedding."

He had no interest in having children for the time being.

Even after they were married, it wasn’t necessary to immediately produce an heir for the Imperial Family. If he felt differently in a few years, it wouldn’t be too late to try then.

Yu Zhizhi stared at the book he’d taken. Her eyes glazed over slightly. ’Huh? No rush?’

’But I’m in a huge rush!’

’I don’t have much time left...’

While Yu Zhizhi was in a daze, Cang Lan slowly grasped her wrist and pulled her into his embrace. "Compared to reproducing offspring, you have a more important duty to fulfill."

Brushing aside the long hair at her neck, Cang Lan slowly drew closer.

A sense of dread washed over Yu Zhizhi. Just as she was about to struggle, she heard his words fall beside her ear, "...I’m very hungry."

"Prince Canglan—"

Before she could finish, a sharp pain shot through her neck. She let out a muffled grunt, her teeth chattering. "Didn’t you... just now..."

Her only answer was the world spinning around her. She was suddenly pressed down onto the soft cushions, her body growing sensitive. Yu Zhizhi bit her lip as the blood in her veins seemed to turn molten hot.

Ugh...

’This Big Tiger... he really bites.’

Cang Lan followed the desires of his heart. He discovered his craving for this little rabbit was even more intense than he had imagined.

’I want to...’

’...bite every inch of her skin.’

He slowly lifted his dark brown eyes, a sheen of sweat beading on his forehead from the excitement. As much as he didn’t want to stop, he knew he couldn’t go too far.

’If I really break the little rabbit...’

’...there’ll be nothing left to eat.’

Cang Lan slowly sat up. "I have something to attend to this evening."

With that, he left the room.

’If I stay with her any longer, she’ll probably be a corpse by tomorrow.’

Yu Zhizhi’s body felt sore, especially her neck and shoulders where he had bitten her. She checked in a mirror, only to see suggestive red marks.

Two maids quickly entered the room. Seeing the Rabbit Clan Lady lying on the rug in front of the desk with her clothes in disarray, they froze for a moment before rushing over to help her up.

’...It seems they were tangled up for quite a while.’

’But Prince Canglan and Ms. Zhi Zhi will be married soon, so it’s not strange no matter what happens.’

’How wonderful~’

’The Moon Rising Empire is finally going to have a Crown Princess Consort!’

Yu Zhizhi wanted to cry but had no tears.

She had hinted so obviously, but the Big Tiger remained unmoved.

’His tastes are too peculiar.’

’It seems like he won’t get close to me for anything other than drinking my blood.’

’...Should I resort to more forceful methods?’

’A knockout drug?’

’He’d probably discover it before I even got a chance to use it.’

’No, that won’t work.’

’I have to negotiate with him!’

Soaking in the hot pool, Yu Zhizhi’s cheeks were flushed. She resolved to be more proactive in fighting for what she wanted.

「The next day.」

She waited in the bedchamber for a long time before finally seeing Cang Lan.

He had just returned from the Dragon Cave. The Ice Crystal Dragon had been in a good mood lately and had even grown a bit larger.

Seeing the little rabbit sitting in the hall, Cang Lan’s pace slowed slightly. "You’ve done a good job recently. Jeral is very pleased with your care. Keep it up."

Hm? Yu Zhizhi looked up at him. "Mm..."

A servant quickly brought in their food.

Yu Zhizhi noticed that his meal consisted only of meat; even the "red wine" was gone.

’He’s not going to only drink my blood from now on, is he?’

Cang Lan noticed her expression. "What is it?"

He had noticed the little rabbit’s strange expression the moment he returned. She had never been good at hiding her thoughts, and sure enough, after he asked, he saw the little female slowly take a piece of paper from the table.

Yu Zhizhi stood up, walked slowly over to him, and handed him the letter she had written.

Cang Lan took it with one hand.

"What’s this?"

"...A transaction."

Cang Lan scanned the contents, thinking he must have misread it. "’Obey your every command’?"

While soaking in the bath last night, Yu Zhizhi had done a lot of thinking. She felt she needed to have a negotiation with this Big Tiger.

"I can help you take care of Jeral, and I can let you drink my blood, but... you have to grant my wish, too." Yu Zhizhi’s voice grew quieter. "Only then will it be fair..."

"Hmph." Cang Lan chuckled, lifting his eyes to stare at the little female before him. "Do you have any idea what you’re doing?"

’Saying something like "you can drink my blood"...’

’If this really becomes a transaction and I stop holding back, this little rabbit truly isn’t afraid of death.’

"Prince Canglan, I know what I’m doing. I am negotiating with you in all seriousness. As an SS Level female of the Empire, I believe I have the right to make my own requests."

"...Oh?"

He had almost forgotten that his little wife was an SS Level female of the Empire.

Cang Lan put down the letter. "And what is it that Ms. Zhi Zhi requires of me?"

"I..." Yu Zhizhi had prepared her excuse in advance. "My heat is coming. I need you to service me."

’Are my words clear enough now?’

Cang Lan’s eyes paused. He had considered many requests she might make, but he had never expected this one.

Seeing his silence, Yu Zhizhi mustered her courage and said, "As my future husband, you should service me."

She tried her best to make her tone sound forceful.

According to the laws of the Empire, a Beast Husband could not refuse the request of an SS Level female.

"And if I refuse?" Cang Lan’s tone was unreadable. "What will you do?"

Yu Zhizhi looked at him. "Then I won’t take care of Jeral anymore, and I won’t let you drink my blood—"

Cang Lan’s eyes darkened as he stood up. "You think you have a choice in the matter?"

’Have I been too good to this little female lately, giving her the wrong idea?’

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but take a step back. Though she was terrified, she... she didn’t have much time left.

’It’s do-or-die...’

Her voice trembled. "Anyway... if you don’t agree, I’ll lock myself away and never see you again!"

The temperature in the air dropped to freezing in an instant.

Cang Lan despised being threatened. He realized this little rabbit had learned to act spoiled because she felt doted upon.

He sneered. "Suit yourself."

Cang Lan left the bedchamber without a second glance.

Yu Zhizhi’s face was pale. She looked at the paper on the table and slowly sank to the floor.

’...A failure.’

She rubbed her rabbit ears in frustration. ’Did I choose the one method the Big Tiger hates most?’

The negotiation failed, and the Big Tiger disappeared.

For several days, Yu Zhizhi didn’t see him at all.

It wasn’t until a week later, when she heard from a servant that an important guest had arrived at the Extreme Ice Palace, that Yu Zhizhi learned of Cang Lan’s whereabouts.

Another plan began to form in her mind!