Chapter 384: "I Want You to Keep Me Company.

Yu Zhizhi arrived alone outside the main hall.

In her hands, she held a bouquet of wild frost flowers she had picked from the side of the road on her way to the Dragon Cave. They formed a pure white cluster, their small, translucent petals blossoming like snowflakes.

She hadn’t been to this part of the palace in a long time. Usually, she would go directly from behind her bedchambers to the area where the Ice Crystal Dragon was kept.

But she hadn’t gone to see Jeral for the past few days.

Today, she wanted to see the Crown Prince first before going to find the Ice Crystal Dragon.

She waited outside the main hall for a while. When she saw a tall, slender figure emerge wearing a loose, warm white robe, she hurried over. "Your Highness~"

The man stopped and turned around, looking at her with curiosity.

Only then did Yu Zhizhi realize she had mistaken him for someone else.

The first person to come out was not Cang Lan, but a strange man who appeared to be about the same age. The man’s features were softer, though he had the same golden-brown eyes, which shone like sunlit autumn waters. His long white hair was tied back in a low ponytail. He spoke gently, "Ah, it’s Ms. Zhi Zhi."

"You are..."

"I am Cang Jie, the Seventh Prince of the Moon Rising Empire."

’Ah, Big Tiger’s younger brother!’

Yu Zhizhi gave a slight curtsy. "Prince Cang Jie."

’So he’s the important guest the palace servants were talking about.’

"There’s no need to be so formal, Ms. Zhi Zhi. I’ve come this time specifically to oversee your studies. You can ask me about anything you don’t understand."

The white-haired man’s smile was gentle. His gaze fell upon the wild frost flowers the Rabbit Clan girl was holding in both hands. "How beautiful. If someone had picked those especially for me, I would be very happy."

He seemed to be hinting at something.

Yu Zhizhi glanced down at the flowers she’d picked and said softly, "This bouquet... I’m going to give it to Prince Canglan."

Cang Jie feigned disappointment. "What a shame."

"In the future—" Yu Zhizhi said, "If I have the chance, I’ll pick some fresh ones for you."

Cang Jie smiled at her and was about to say more when he saw a figure appear in the main hall. ’Oops, this is bad. My brother looks rather gloomy.’

He quickly excused himself.

Yu Zhizhi looked up and saw the Crown Prince. She trotted over and offered the bouquet to him.

Cang Lan had heard their conversation.

’The first part was good. She’d refused Cang Jie, saying the flowers were for him.’

’But the second part...’

He glanced disdainfully at the unremarkable wild frost flowers from the roadside. As if to be deliberately cruel, he said, "From now on, Cang Jie will take care of Jeral. You no longer need to go to the Dragon Cave."

...Huh?

Cang Lan didn’t take the flowers. Yu Zhizhi slowly drew back her hand.

The Seventh Prince, Cang Jie, was also a member of the Royal Family, so of course he knew about the Frost Dragon’s existence.

It was only right and proper for him to take care of Jeral.

Cang Lan wanted this little rabbit to know that her duties were not irreplaceable.

"...Oh," Yu Zhizhi responded softly. She didn’t know what to say.

Cang Lan’s gaze remained fixed on her face. He saw the flicker of disappointment in the Rabbit Clan female’s eyes, and her two snow-white rabbit ears drooped, flopping limply.

She clutched the bouquet of wild frost flowers to her chest. A gust of wind blew past, lifting the white petals into the air and carrying them past her cheek into the distance.

Cang Lan averted his gaze. He walked out of the main hall, brushing past the little female.

But he had only taken a few steps before he suddenly stopped—

Cang Lan smelled the sweet, metallic scent of blood hanging in the air. For the first time, a look of shock appeared in his eyes. He spun around and glared at the source—the little female, her back to him, seemed to be holding a dagger. She had cut her own finger.

Yu Zhizhi’s heart was pounding...

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP...

’She didn’t know if this would work, but she felt that if the ever-busy Big Tiger left now, it would be many days before she saw him again.’

Cang Lan stared at the little Rabbit Clan female’s back. She looked so fragile, yet her audacity was boundless!

He strode back and seized her by the wrist. "What in the world do you think you’re doing?"

Cang Lan was radiating a cold fury. His gaze was drawn uncontrollably to the crimson on her fingertip. A bead of blood dripped slowly, feeling as if it had fallen directly into the depths of his throat, igniting a searing desire within him.

Yu Zhizhi’s face was pale, as if she might faint at any moment.

She sounded aggrieved. "I wanted you to stay..."

"You’re always gone for so long."

’Big Tiger didn’t seem to like being coerced. His attitude had changed in an instant last time. So this time... ’

Yu Zhizhi leaned in, gently rubbing her forehead against his chest. Her voice was soft and coaxing. "I want you to stay with me..."

Cang Lan felt the warmth against him, and the anger he’d been suppressing in his eyes gradually subsided.

Now, he had to restrain a different kind of desire.

Even though the little female was clinging to him, he did his best not to embrace her.

Yu Zhizhi noticed his body was growing scorching hot.

’But he was always so cold before...’

She looked up and saw a hint of discomfort on Cang Lan’s face. His body was trembling slightly.

Yu Zhizhi thought for a moment, then lifted her cut finger to his lips.

Cang Lan opened his mouth almost instinctively and gently took her finger inside. But he quickly realized how pathetic he was being, and a flash of indignant frustration crossed his eyes.

He felt even more incensed, especially under the little female’s gaze.

Yu Zhizhi watched him intently.

’He seemed to be resisting, yet he bit down firmly on her finger, preventing her from pulling away.’

The man gripped her wrist. After what seemed like a thousand internal battles, he finally closed his eyes and began to suckle her finger.

’He hadn’t sought her out in days...’

Cang Lan was like a desert traveler who, after thirsting for ages, had finally found a sweet spring. A flush spread across his pale face. This single drop of blood was not enough to revitalize his withering body. He opened his eyes, slowly bent his knees, and brought his lips to her chest, biting down.

Yu Zhizhi held onto him, her body gradually beginning to tremble.

She heard the sound of swallowing.

In the dim main hall, the great doors were half-open. She said, a little shyly, "Your Highness, the doors aren’t closed..."

’If someone passes by, they’ll see.’

Cang Lan lifted his head. He wiped the bloodstain from the corner of his mouth with his finger and swept her up into his arms.

He walked deeper into the hall.

Although they had parted on bad terms last time, Cang Lan hadn’t wanted the little rabbit to become too proud, thinking she could control and threaten him.

But now, his mind was empty of everything but an endless, primal desire.

Cang Lan placed the little female on the throne in the main hall. He knelt before her on one knee and untied the delicate lace ribbon on her chest.

’The little rabbit had delivered herself right to his doorstep, after all.’

’She had even cut her own finger to lure him in. Whatever happened next, he couldn’t be blamed, could he?’

Cang Lan had been suppressing himself for days. The more he did, the more his bloodlust now surged like a tidal wave.

Yu Zhizhi was a little scared. She felt Cang Lan’s gaze was even more terrifying than before. She turned her head slightly and closed her eyes, trembling.

Cang Lan’s fingers paused. His voice was husky. "Tell me..."

The man’s fingertips caressed her cheek. "How do you want me to serve you?"