Chapter 418 - 417: Persistence

Yu Zhizhi carried the little tiger cub to find Cang Lan.

The little tiger cub stayed obediently in her arms, his head peeking out, his round tiger eyes staring at the figure on the bed—

’Father?’

He didn’t make a sound.

Yu Zhizhi slowly approached. She’d had a hard time getting to see Prince Canglan, and she wanted to use this opportunity to raise his favorability toward her. After all, once he left, it would be even harder to improve it with her territory being so far from the Moon Rising Empire.

She tentatively sat on the edge of the bed and placed the little tiger cub on it. "Little Star, this is your father."

Now that his mother had spoken, the little tiger cub let out a soft cry, which served as a greeting.

It was their first meeting, so there was still a sense of unfamiliarity.

The little tiger cub pressed close to Yu Zhizhi’s body, not daring to get too close to Cang Lan.

Cang Lan had originally intended to ignore them, but the thought that the little rabbit had actually borne his child made him unable to resist opening his eyes to look.

The little golden tiger sat on the bed. When their eyes met, his gaze faltered slightly, but he forced himself not to look away.

’...He’s got some courage.’

Cang Lan had originally expected to see a Beast Egg, not a cub that had already hatched.

He still hadn’t gotten used to the idea that he was a father.

Yu Zhizhi saw the untouched food on the table. ’It looks like the Big Tiger still hasn’t eaten.’

She said softly, "Ai Xi’s cooking is delicious."

The Bee Clan females are very skilled at cooking.

She mentioned that she used to experiment with recipes all the time back at the Paradise Lighthouse, and now she could put her skills to better use in the territory.

Cang Lan’s tone was cold. "Not hungry."

The little tiger cub let out a low growl, as if in disapproval.

Yu Zhizhi quickly placed a hand on his head. "Daddy isn’t feeling well. It’s not that he’s being mean to Mommy."

The little tiger cub looked up at Yu Zhizhi, the corners of his mouth turned down, and he slowly leaned against her.

Hearing what the little rabbit said, Cang Lan lifted his eyes and glanced at her.

’She’s certainly adapted quickly.’

Cang Lan’s tone was a little gentler than before, but still just as cold. "I need to rest."

He was telling her to leave.

’Coming to pick up the little tiger cub is just fulfilling the Empire’s mission, nothing more.’

Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly. "Okay, you should sleep then."

She remained seated on the edge of the bed, showing no intention of leaving.

Cang Lan’s brow furrowed slightly.

Yu Zhizhi, holding the little tiger cub, said gently, "Your Highness, after you fall asleep, I’ll use my Healing Skill to soothe your body. It’ll make you feel a little more comfortable."

Just as Cang Lan opened his mouth to speak, Yu Zhizhi quickly cut him off. "And don’t say you don’t need it. If you don’t rest and recover properly, you’ll never get your appetite back, and you’ll just get weaker. Besides, Little Star and I both want to spend more time with you."

Yu Zhizhi lifted the little tiger’s front paw. "Isn’t that right, Little Star?"

The little golden tiger let out a cry in perfect cooperation.

He didn’t actually feel that way; he just liked being clingy with his mother.

Hearing the little rabbit’s gentle words, Cang Lan’s gaze fell on her small, porcelain-white face. Her clear eyes were exceptionally sincere. If it weren’t for what happened last time, he almost would have believed her.

Cang Lan let out a cold laugh.

’This rabbit is probably like this with everyone.’

He spoke, "Now that you have a territory, why are that pack of lovers of yours taking so long to arrive?"

Yu Zhizhi froze.

’Wasn’t it because...’

’I have to invite them one by one, don’t I?’

’If they all crowded in at once, how would I ever raise their favorability?’

She said nothing.

’She had a feeling that no matter how she answered the Big Tiger’s question, she would lose favorability points.’

Seeing the little rabbit’s gaze become evasive, Cang Lan’s heart grew heavy. "There’s no need for all this. No matter what happened between us, he is a child of the Moon Ascending Royal Family. He will receive the best treatment."

Cang Lan assumed the Rabbit Clan female was afraid the little tiger cub would be mistreated after returning with him.

Hence her current "ingratiating" behavior.

"Still not leaving?" His tone grew increasingly impatient.

Yu Zhizhi slowly stood up. "Well, then... Your Highness, you should get some rest. I’ll come see you again later..."

’The Big Tiger just arrived; I can’t be too hasty in ’repairing’ our relationship.’

’It’s better to let him get a good night’s sleep.’

Yu Zhizhi left, carrying the little tiger cub.

The little tiger seemed to have sensed something. He rested a paw on Yu Zhizhi’s arm as if to comfort her.

Yu Zhizhi looked down and smiled at him.

After returning to her room, Yu Zhizhi set the little tiger cub on the floor. He leaped onto a chair and stared at himself in the mirror for a long time.

WAAH—

’This shiny golden fur of mine must be from Father. I really, really hope Mother doesn’t hate me for it!’

Yu Zhizhi hadn’t closed her door. After tidying up a bit, she noticed that Cang Jie had appeared at her doorway at some point.

Seeing the little rabbit emerge so quickly, he comforted her, "My older brother has always been like that, even as a child. He’s good at bluffing. Actually, he volunteered to come with the Delegation to pick up the Little Prince."

’At first, the elderly councilor said Prince Canglan was unwilling to go.’

’Then, a letter arrived from the Sky Star Territory.’

’And my brother changed his mind.’

Cang Jie seemed worried that if the little rabbit kept getting rebuffed, she would be too scared to approach Cang Lan again.

He wanted to encourage her.

Yu Zhizhi smiled. "Mm, I understand."

’Even though the Big Tiger kept resisting her advances... she had no intention of giving up.’

’Once Prince Canglan has rested enough, I’ll find another excuse to visit him.’

Cang Jie said softly, "We’ll probably stay for a few more days. At the very least, we have to wait for the Crown Prince to recover his strength."

Hearing this, Yu Zhizhi was naturally delighted.

’This means I’ll have more opportunities!’

After seeing Cang Jie off, she went to the bathroom to wash up. She changed into fresh clothes, and when she came out, the little tiger cub was already asleep on her bed.

That evening, Ai Xi asked from the doorway, "Lady Lord, should the fresh food for Prince Canglan be sent over now?"

"I’ll take it."

Yu Zhizhi opened the door and took the tray from Ai Xi’s hands, whispering, "Little Star is asleep. Don’t wake him."

"Okay." The Bee Clan female gently closed the door. She turned and stood leaning against the wall. "I’ll stand guard here, then. You can go without worry, Lord."

"Mhm~"

Yu Zhizhi carried the tray toward the Big Tiger’s room.

Ai Xi watched her retreating figure, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly. ’The Lady Lord’s relationship with Prince Canglan doesn’t seem to be going too well. It’s good to let them have more time alone together.’

Suddenly, her thoughts turned to the Lord Leader—

’I wonder if the Lord Leader has heard the news about the Lady Lord giving birth to a tiger cub?’

Ai Xi suddenly felt conflicted.

’As a resident of Paradise, she naturally wanted to see the relationship between the Lady Lord and the Lord Leader grow warmer.’

’But now that the Crown Prince has come in person, will his place in the Lady Lord’s heart surpass the Lord Leader’s?’

Yu Zhizhi soon arrived outside Cang Lan’s door.

She listened for a moment. There was no sound from within the room.