Chapter 391: "Getting Along Pretty Well With Him.

Yu Zhizhi felt a little guilty. She picked up the soup bowl with both hands. "I have a feeling the Spirit Art I’m learning will be useful in the future."

’Spirit Art is pretty interesting, but I’d much rather see Louis~’

Cang Lan left the bedchamber, leaving her with a single sentence: "That depends on if there’s enough time."

Yu Zhizhi thought for a moment. ’There should be enough, right?’

She had taken care of the Ice Crystal Dragon before; it wouldn’t take too long.

After finishing her meal, she headed toward the Dragon Cave.

Yu Zhizhi thought about how she might be leaving the Extreme Ice Palace in another week and suddenly felt reluctant to part with the Ice Crystal Dragon, Jeral.

When she arrived this time, he was wandering around outside the cave, batting a purple Crystal Ball with his tail.

Hearing the sound, the Ice Crystal Dragon excitedly spread its wings—

Yu Zhizhi quickly said, "There’s a Barrier, don’t fly."

The Ice Crystal Dragon never seemed to remember. Sometimes, it would get too excited upon seeing her and crash into the Barrier above, quickly tumbling back down.

She walked down the steps to the Ice Crystal Dragon’s side.

The Ice Crystal Dragon circled her a few times, then picked up the purple Crystal Ball in its mouth and dropped it in front of her, as if inviting her to play.

Yu Zhizhi played with it for a while.

The Ice Crystal Dragon was overjoyed.

Suddenly, it froze and turned its head to look up at the viewing platform above.

Noticing this, Yu Zhizhi followed its gaze and saw Prince Canglan.

’Huh, he’s here too?’

Yu Zhizhi had been so absorbed in playing with the Ice Crystal Dragon that she hadn’t noticed when Prince Canglan had appeared at all.

The Ice Crystal Dragon flapped its wings, hopping back and forth and chattering away in the draconic tongue.

Cang Lan turned slightly to the side, his tone calm. "Come up."

Yu Zhizhi froze for a second.

She thought Cang Lan was talking to her.

But then she saw the Ice Crystal Dragon spread its wings and fly straight up to him.

Only then did Yu Zhizhi realize the Barrier was gone!

She walked up the steps to the viewing platform. The Ice Crystal Dragon, as if it had regained its freedom, flew in mid-air with its ice crystal wings spread wide.

It looked even bigger when it was flying.

Cang Lan started walking toward the depths of the cave.

Yu Zhizhi followed.

The Ice Crystal Dragon circled high above their heads, staying close to the pair and never flying too far away.

Yu Zhizhi suddenly realized, ’Are we taking Jeral out for a walk?’

She had been in the Extreme Ice Palace for so long, but all she knew was that this area of the Dragon Cave was usually deserted. Continuing deeper led to the side hall she had seen before.

There was a fork in the path. Following Cang Lan, she walked down a rugged road and soon arrived in a boundless, barren wilderness.

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t tell if they had already left the Extreme Ice Palace or were still inside it.

The sky was as dark and heavy as ever. The firmament was like a giant black cloth, with only mottled specks of starlight visible.

The ground, however, glowed white from the accumulated snow.

The Ice Crystal Dragon let out a cry and flew even higher than before.

It circled in the night sky. As the wind brushed against her face, Yu Zhizhi slowly tightened her grip on the warming spirit card in her hand.

Suddenly, a dark robe was draped over her shoulders.

Waves of warmth washed over her.

Yu Zhizhi turned her head to look. Cang Lan was gazing at the Ice Crystal Dragon flying freely in the air. "Before long, it will be able to carry you."

Jeral had entered a rapid growth phase and was gradually shedding its young dragon appearance.

’Huh? Ride on a dragon’s back?’

Yu Zhizhi had never experienced that before.

But by then, she might not be in the Extreme Ice Palace anymore.

She didn’t know how to respond, so she could only nod lightly.

The Ice Crystal Dragon was having a great time playing outside. Yu Zhizhi recalled how, during her meal, Prince Canglan had mentioned the question of whether there was enough time...

’So that’s why. It was because he was planning to bring Jeral out today.’

’It’ll probably be very late by the time we get back.’

The Ice Crystal Dragon grew tired from flying.

After returning it to the Dragon Cave, Yu Zhizhi stood on the viewing platform, watching it obediently crawl back into its cavern.

Cang Lan observed her secretly.

From this outing, he could vaguely sense that the young female from the Rabbit Clan was keeping her distance from him.

He thought about how she had approached him time and again before, a complete reversal of her current attitude.

Cang Lan moved closer to her.

When Yu Zhizhi saw this, she instinctively backed away, nearly missing her step. Cang Lan grabbed her wrist and pulled her in front of him.

Her body suddenly stiffened. "P-Prince..."

’His desire to drink blood hasn’t come back, has it?’

Cang Lan stared at her intently. "How have you been resting these past two days?"

"O-Okay..."

In truth, she had been resting quite well. Yu Zhizhi didn’t dare to look the man in the eyes and could only reply in a small voice, "It would be even better if... if I could rest for a few more days."

Cang Lan’s gaze shifted from her fair face to her delicate neck. The roots of his fangs began to itch. He had wanted her to rest well, at least until morning, but the little rabbit’s sudden distant reaction bothered him immensely.

He slowly bent his neck, moving closer...

Yu Zhizhi turned her head to the side, shutting her eyes tightly.

Cang Lan desperately wanted to bite down. But then he remembered how she had collapsed from exhaustion that day, curled up in his arms—so small, so light and soft to hold...

In the end, he didn’t bite down. Instead, he slowly straightened up.

"Let’s go. I’ll walk you back."

Yu Zhizhi slowly opened her eyes and looked at him in astonishment.

’The Big Tiger is letting me go?’

His presence had been so close just now. Yu Zhizhi had thought it would be like all the other times, that he was about to bite her and drink her blood.

She nodded lightly and slowly followed him.

They walked in silence.

Just as they were nearing the bedchambers, Cang Lan stopped.

He didn’t want to stay the night in the Extreme Ice Palace, otherwise he might not be able to control himself. The little rabbit needed to rest well for a few days. With the wedding approaching, she had to be in her best condition to become his bride.

Yu Zhizhi also seemed to realize something.

’Prince Canglan must have something he needs to attend to.’

She gave him a small smile, took the outer robe off her shoulders, and handed it to him.

Cang Lan took it.

Yu Zhizhi watched him leave.

Thinking about how she hadn’t been bitten today, she couldn’t help but touch her neck. ’It would be great if Prince Canglan could always be like this!’

She happily walked toward her own bedchamber.

The maids saw her return and bowed slightly. "Ms. Zhi Zhi, your hot water has been prepared."

"Thank you~"

Yu Zhizhi wanted to take a bath.

She wasn’t used to being attended to while bathing, so the maids generally didn’t enter without reason.

Pushing open the door, Yu Zhizhi stepped into the bedchamber.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her aside as the main door swung shut behind them.

Yu Zhizhi’s heart leaped in shock, but she quickly realized the person holding her from behind was Louis.

"Louis..."

She called out softly, "You’re here?"

Louis had waited for her all afternoon but hadn’t seen a trace of her.

Just now, he had seen her return with Cang Lan. The little rabbit’s face had been full of joy, and she had even watched him leave with a look of reluctance.

Louis’s tone was a little sour. "You seem to be getting along well with him."

Yu Zhizhi paused. "Who?"

"The Crown Prince."

"...Not really."

"Today was a special case." Yu Zhizhi’s hands gently touched Louis’s arms, which were wrapped around her from behind. "I was just trying to hurry back so I could see you~"