Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Fluffy?
News, or what one might call intelligence.
It’s incredibly important, for the Empire and for individuals alike.
The news the young lady of the Fox Clan brought was extremely valuable. She was confident she could strike a perfect deal with the Rabbit Clan Lady.
Yu Zhizhi’s expression faltered when she heard the Fox Clan girl’s words.
She looked back at Yusen.
The Mermaid was leaning against the staircase, watching her quietly without a word.
"I’m sorry, Miss..." Yu Zhizhi said softly. "I can’t agree to this deal."
The Fox Clan girl was stunned. "Why?"
"I can’t make that decision for him."
The young lady of the Fox Clan stared as if she’d seen a ghost. "What do you mean you can’t? You’re his owner."
’When it comes to a deal, the owner’s decision is all that matters.’
Yu Zhizhi fell silent for a moment before gently shaking her head.
"Yusen is free."
A smile touched the corners of Yusen’s lips as he leaned against the stairs.
The morning light fell upon the Mermaid. His pale blue eyes shone like undersea gems, and with his handsome, delicate features, his smile made it impossible to look away.
The young lady of the Fox Clan stared, momentarily lost in a daze as her heart pounded in her chest.
A bitter feeling welled up inside her.
’Since I failed to get the Mermaid at the auction, it’s probably impossible for the rest of my life.’
"Are you sure you won’t reconsider?"
The young lady of the Fox Clan wasn’t ready to give up. "It really is an incredibly useful piece of intelligence for you, you know. Aren’t you the least bit curious?"
Yu Zhizhi was, in fact, curious.
She just didn’t want to use Yusen as a bargaining chip.
Having spent enough time on the Beast World Planet, she understood how noble females viewed Mermaids and what it meant to keep one as a male consort.
When the young lady of the Fox Clan saw the troubled look on the little rabbit’s face, a flicker of delighted surprise lit up her eyes—
’Is there a chance?’
Just as her hopes were rising, she heard the little Rabbit Clan female say softly:
"How about... I spend the day with you instead? Would that work?"
...?
The young lady of the Fox Clan froze. If not for her family’s honor, she would have poked the little female right in the forehead.
’Rabbit Clan Lady, what are you talking about?’
’The one I’ve always wanted is the Mermaid.’
’Not some rabbit.’
A smile touched Louis’s lips. He turned away, propping his cheek on his hand to hide his expression.
The Fox Clan girl gazed wistfully at the Mermaid—
’If only I could be the one to keep him, how wonderful that would be.’
’It’s this hard just to borrow him for a single day.’
’Sigh, but what can I do? This little rabbit is the Empire’s S-Class female.’
The young lady of the Fox Clan was currently an A+. Perhaps after awakening a second ability, she too could advance to S-Class.
"The deal is off," the young lady of the Fox Clan said, feigning nonchalance. "In that case, let’s get down to business."
She clapped her hands.
A servant from outside stepped forward, bowing as they presented an invitation.
"This is an invitation to the Moonrise Festival, which will be held in the Divine City. This time, my Fox Clan is hosting the ball, and we hope Ms. Zhi Zhi will honor us with her presence."
The Moonrise Festival was the largest and grandest holiday in the Moon Rising Empire.
Evening galas would be held in every town, with people everywhere singing and dancing.
This invitation had to be delivered by her personally to show how much the Fox Clan valued this Miss Rabbit.
Yu Zhizhi accepted the invitation.
She remembered that the jewelry merchant, Geoffrey, had also invited her to this Moonrise Festival.
"Thank you, I’ll be there."
Yu Zhizhi needed to go to the Divine City to make preparations. It was near the sea and had a long harbor. When the time came to send Yusen away, that would be his point of departure.
The young lady of the Fox Clan prepared to leave.
She gathered the hem of her elaborate, snow-white dress and headed for the door.
’This little cabin is just too small.’
She couldn’t understand why a noble S-Class female would live in the desolate Paradise. Life in the Divine City would be far more comfortable.
Yu Zhizhi walked her to the door.
The young lady of the Fox Clan spoke earnestly. "There are too many cautionary tales. You’d better be careful. I’m talking about the Mermaid."
She settled into a magnificent red sleigh.
"You must have heard how the Moon Rising Empire’s Little Princess died, haven’t you?"
"She died at the hands of the Mermaid she kept."
"Her body was torn into countless pieces."
"Mermaids are not suitable long-term companions."
Yu Zhizhi remained silent.
The Fox Clan girl’s gaze lingered on her face for two seconds, then she suddenly laughed. ’Am I just being a case of sour grapes?’
A servant tugged on the Elk’s reins, setting the sleigh in motion. The young lady of the Fox Clan adjusted the brim of her hat.
Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the Mermaid who had stepped outside.
She held her breath.
She saw the Mermaid on the steps bend down to adjust the little Rabbit Clan female’s collar, his expression gentle and intent.
The little female looked up, and they shared a smile.
The Fox Clan girl’s heart filled with a mixture of shock and bitterness.
It was like having her childhood candy snatched away, without even the wrapper left behind.
But what bothered her most was the feeling this Mermaid gave her...
’Could it be... he’s actually fallen for that little rabbit?’
’No, no, no. They say Mermaids are masters of disguise.’
’He must be acting.’
’All so that one day, he can kill that rabbit with his own hands.’
’The Mermaid Clan... haven’t they always been like this?’
’Every single one that’s been captured, without exception.’
’It’s as if from the day they leave the sea, they never plan on returning.’
’They don’t care about their own lives at all.’
’And they seek revenge for the slightest grievance.’
"Miss, the Lost Tower called today. A new shipment of the suppression potion has arrived." Louis, now in a black coat, added, "I’ll go pick it up."
The suppression potion from the Lost Tower was designed specifically to control Mermaids.
Louis smiled. "We should get what we’re supposed to get. It’ll shut them up and stop the gossip."
There were a lot of rumors going around.
Things like—
The noble Rabbit Clan Lady has been so bewitched by the Mermaid that she’s lost her senses. Not only does she not keep him in chains, but she only gives him the medicine sporadically.
The past tragedy of the Moon Rising Empire is likely to repeat itself.
"Be careful out there," Yu Zhizhi said, watching Louis leave.
A snowmobile was parked outside the courtyard.
After Louis drove off, she slowly closed the door to the small cabin.
WHEW...
’It’s so much warmer in here.’
The moment she stepped inside, she felt Yusen, who had followed close behind, wrap his arms around her from behind. The Mermaid’s breath tickled her neck.
Yu Zhizhi laughed.
Yusen asked,
"Why didn’t you let the Fox Clan lady ask for my opinion?"
"What?"
"If I had chosen to spend the day with her, would you have minded?"
...
Yu Zhizhi froze.
She had never even considered that question.
Yusen held her quietly, as if waiting for a specific answer from her.
Yu Zhizhi considered the question seriously.
’Yusen...’
’Spending... spending the day with the Fox Clan lady?’
’That wouldn’t be good, right?’
Suddenly, an idea struck her. She spun around, grabbing his arm in excitement.
"I have a plan! On the day of the ball, I have a way to make her tell me what that important piece of intelligence is!"
Yusen paused, taken aback.
He couldn’t stop himself from grabbing the little female’s wrist, his expression tinged with reproach. "That’s not the point."
’The point is—’
’—whether this little rabbit would mind him being with another female.’
’Would she get jealous?’
But Yu Zhizhi was still lost in the joy of her newfound plan.
Among the rewards from a previous mission, she had received a bottle of Truth Serum!
Yu Zhizhi was just about to call out to the System when she heard its voice.
[System: Ding! Host, you are reminded that you will awaken your spiritual power today. Please remember to test it.]
