Chapter 385: No Backing Out

The petite female before him leaned back in her chair, her eyes shimmering, her cheeks flushed crimson. After hearing what he said, a dazed look flickered in her eyes.

’...He agreed?’

Yu Zhizhi’s head was still spinning. ’He must have drunk too much of my blood,’ she thought, ’my mind feels so fuzzy.’

Her cheeks burned, making the cool touch of his fingertips against them feel even more distinct. ’Ah, this touch feels so good...’

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t resist leaning into his touch.

Cang Lan had yet to break free from his bloodlust. Seeing her take the initiative, his eyes darkened. He bent down, gently swept aside the hair at her neck, and placed a soft kiss there.

"You’re the one who set the terms of this deal. No backing out."

Cang Lan’s voice was hoarse.

He slowly bit down.

’He had held back before, but since this was a deal, he should properly savor the delicacy before him.’

Yu Zhizhi seemed to realize something. She slowly clutched the collar of the man before her as waves of heat washed through her body...

This time seemed to last even longer than before.

WHIMPER...

She curled up in the man’s arms, her body trembling uncontrollably.

’The Big Tiger isn’t going to drink me dry, is he...?’

At some point, it seemed he picked her up.

Yu Zhizhi’s eyelids were heavy. She managed to lift them for a glance before slowly sinking back into unconsciousness.

Cang Lan held her waist with one hand. The deeper their entanglement, the more he found he couldn’t let go. He had never tasted such sweet and fragrant blood.

It was addicting.

The little rabbit rested limply in his arms, the tip of her nose red, her eyelashes damp, looking utterly pitiful and endearing.

A patch of crimson on her chest was his handiwork.

Cang Lan’s throat still itched.

He averted his gaze, placed her on the bed, and wrapped her tightly in the blankets.

Even in her dreams, Yu Zhizhi felt as if the Big Tiger was pinning her down and drinking her blood. Gradually, she felt a cool liquid on her lips. She couldn’t help but swallow, and after drinking it, her condition slowly improved.

The petite female slept through the night.

Cang Lan fed her some tonics.

The sleeping little rabbit was even more well-behaved than when she was awake. After finishing the Nutrient Liquid, she had burrowed into his arms and was now nestled quietly against him.

Cang Lan gently stroked her cheek. ’I’ll stay in the palace for the next two days; after all, I’ve already promised her.’

The Seventh Prince of the Moon Rising Empire returned from the Dragon Cave.

As soon as he stepped into the bedchambers, he noticed the curtain of the canopied bed behind the screen was drawn. The faint silhouette of a man could be seen leaning against the bed, a bamboo slip in his hand, engraved with the most ancient script of the Moon Rising Empire.

Cang Jie bowed. "Your Highness, I have completed the task you assigned me."

He had been looking after the Ice Crystal Dragon for the past two days.

The little fellow was a bit bigger than the last time he’d seen it, but it was still just as aggressive. It took him a great deal of effort just to get it to accept him.

But that was only a grudging allowance to get close.

And now, Cang Jie noticed that the distinguished Rabbit Clan Lady was also in the hall.

’Who would have thought my brother, the Crown Prince, had such a meticulous side to him?’

"Mm." Cang Lan set down the bamboo slip. He rose and walked toward the center of the hall.

Cang Jie wore a helpless smile. "Brother, Jeral has been making a fuss. He seems very unhappy about the change in caretakers. What’s more, he’s lost interest in the food we’ve been sending. If this goes on, I’m afraid..."

’The Ice Crystal Dragon actually adores Miss Rabbit!’

This greatly surprised Cang Jie.

’Logically speaking, since I share the same blood as my brother, the Ice Crystal Dragon should be more drawn to me.’

’And yet...’

Cang Jie gave a bitter smile.

He had been utterly rejected.

’I reckon that if it weren’t for my brother’s sake, Jeral would have already attacked me.’

Cang Lan recalled the scene he had witnessed of the little rabbit with Jeral. It seemed that from her very first visit to the Dragon Cave, Jeral had been extremely fond of her, circling her excitedly, not acting like a dragon at all.

’Knowing Jeral’s temperament, he must be throwing a tantrum from not being able to see this little rabbit.’

’It seems I’ll have to let her see Jeral after all.’

’However...’

’We’ve already agreed to the deal, so this will naturally fall into place.’

"I understand. You can go rest," Cang Lan said flatly.

The corner of Cang Jie’s mouth lifted. "Yes, Brother."

’Hehe~’

’It seems my brother is eager to cultivate his relationship with his Crown Princess Consort. I’d better not get in the way!’

The white-haired man turned and left the bedchambers.

Suddenly, he stopped again. "Those Demons outside, why don’t you let me handle them for now?"

’It’s not like I need to take special care of the Ice Crystal Dragon anymore anyway.’

’I don’t know what happened between Brother and Ms. Zhi Zhi before, but it looks like they’ve made up completely now.’

’I remember when Miss Rabbit came to deliver those flowers, her cheeks all flushed. So cute.’

’She’ll definitely be the one responsible for Jeral from now on.’

’She is my brother’s future wife. In the entire Empire, besides Cang Lan, she’s the only one qualified to be the Ice Crystal Dragon’s master.’

Cang Lan gave a slight nod, agreeing to his proposal.

’Conveniently, I also wanted to stay in the Extreme Ice Palace for the next few days.’

Cang Jie’s figure quickly disappeared.

「Late at night.」

Yu Zhizhi gradually awoke. She found the hall empty.

Slowly sitting up, she noticed she was in a clean nightgown. Realizing the Big Tiger had disappeared again, she sighed helplessly.

’This won’t do!’

’I clearly remember that Prince Canglan already agreed to the deal—’

’But if he gets to enjoy his part first, I always end up falling asleep...’

’The rest of it will probably be impossible to carry out.’

Cang Lan emerged from the side room to see the petite female sitting on the bed, clutching the blanket with a look of vexation.

Hearing footsteps, Yu Zhizhi looked over in surprise.

’He’s actually here!’

Cang Lan had just finished a bath. He wore a thin white shirt with the collar wide open. His long, golden hair seemed even softer than during the day, giving him the beautiful look of a royal consort prepared for a night of service...

The slender man drew slowly closer. He looked at the petite rabbit silhouette sitting on the bed and said softly, "You’re finally awake."

Yu Zhizhi was practically mesmerized.

’As beautiful as a lotus rising from clear water...?’

’Maybe it’s the night,’ she thought, ’but the aura around Prince Canglan isn’t as sharp as usual. He seems so gentle, he’s like a different person.’

Yu Zhizhi suddenly felt a little shy. "I... I should go take a bath first..."

"You’ve already been washed." Cang Lan sat on the edge of the bed. "I had the maids give you a thorough bath during the day."

Sensing the man’s approach, Yu Zhizhi quickly scooted backward. "N-No more biting!"

’I just woke up! Even though I feel full of energy right now, if the Big Tiger bites me again, I’ll just pass out!’

Cang Lan glanced at her sideways. "You still haven’t said how you want me to serve you."

’He agreed?’

’He really agreed?!’

A trace of joy appeared on Yu Zhizhi’s face. ’It wasn’t a hallucination last time!’

’As far as I’m concerned, the completion of my mission is right within reach!’

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but move closer to him. She looked up at the man before her, meeting his deep, golden-brown eyes. "...Ma... te."

It was hard to tell if it was from shyness or excitement, but her voice was trembling.

In the end, she could only manage to get that one word out.