Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Political Marriage
The formal dress for this occasion had been ordered from the Imperial City a month in advance. As soon as it arrived, Luther came straight to Zero Star Street.
Today was the Moonrise Festival, the Empire’s most important holiday, and the residents had all headed to the Divine City early in the morning.
This time, the Guard Team brought a small steam-powered vehicle. They would escort the Rabbit Clan Lady all the way to the Divine City, ensuring there would be no danger along the route.
After settling into the passenger seat of the steam vehicle and fastening her seatbelt, Luther, from the driver’s seat, gave his customary report:
"Ms. Zhi Zhi, our accommodations for today are at Joey Mansion. It’s very close to the sea, so access will be convenient."
Yu Zhizhi watched as the steam vehicle took off, its glass panes frosting over.
"Alright~"
The Mermaid and Louis were seated in the back row.
Yusen gazed out the window at the white, snow-capped mountains, their layered peaks seeming to connect with the distant clouds.
Louis calmly flipped through the book in his hands.
Luther drove with a steady hand, and several other steam vehicles followed in their escort.
Since arriving at Paradise, Yu Zhizhi had rarely gone out. Most of her time was spent strolling through Zero Star Street, where she had explored every little shop and food stall.
After a little over an hour, the steam vehicle entered the domain of the Divine City.
The view instantly opened up.
Yu Zhizhi had been here once before.
The last time, she had only visited Geoffrey’s manor and hadn’t lingered in the city itself.
The steam vehicle came to a stop on the mansion’s spacious platform. Joey Mansion, stately and vintage in style, was temporarily housing many noble guests from other regions.
Just as Yu Zhizhi took the elevator up to the guest floors, she ran into an "acquaintance."
At the end of the hallway, the young lady of the Fox Clan was using a reflective mirror set into a mural to wipe away some juice she had accidentally gotten behind her ear.
Beside her, other noble ladies from the Divine City were chatting and laughing cheerfully.
Catching sight of the newcomers in their peripheral vision, they stopped their conversation.
It was... the Guard Team from Paradise.
They recognized the medals worn by this group of Beastmen.
The young lady of the Fox Clan folded her napkin and approached them. "We meet again, Rabbit Clan Lady."
Her gaze lingered on Yu Zhizhi’s face for a moment before slowly shifting to the side—
’Just as I thought. She brought the Mermaid along.’
’I heard she dotes on this Mermaid. It seems to be true.’
"Hello," Yu Zhizhi replied with a slight nod.
The other noble females accompanying the young fox lady also offered their greetings.
After Yu Zhizhi had walked away, they couldn’t help but start whispering. "So that’s her? The female from the Rabbit Clan who bought the Mermaid?"
"Why isn’t the Mermaid on a leash? What if something happens?"
"Is her status really that special? Even the Guard Team from Paradise is personally escorting her."
After all, in the Moon Rising Empire, Paradise was a special kind of place.
Its Guard Team was far stronger than those from anywhere else.
That was probably because Paradise held so many criminals. If the Guard Team were too weak, how could they possibly keep them in line?
Besides, there was *his* existence to consider.
Just a moment ago, the lead guard in the black military uniform had merely swept his gaze over them, and they hadn’t even dared to breathe too loudly.
The young fox lady touched her crystal earring. "You all head back to your rooms. I’ll see you at the ball later."
"Huh? Miss Li Yin, what are you going to do?"
"I’m going to go catch up with her."
The top-floor suite had three bedrooms, three reception rooms, and an attached courtyard.
The decor was one of understated luxury, with a sophisticated color palette and a chandelier that was a work of art in itself, casting a dazzling light.
The Guard Team stood guard at the entrance.
One of them went inside to announce the visitor.
Soon, the young lady of the Fox Clan was invited inside.
At that moment, Yu Zhizhi was sitting alone on the sofa in the main room, drinking some water.
Louis was inspecting the layout of the mansion, and Yusen had retired to his own bedroom to rest. Neither of them was present.
Hearing the sound of high heels, Yu Zhizhi stood up. "You’re here. Please, have a seat."
’I was just thinking I’d visit the Fox Clan’s territory tomorrow, after the Moonrise Festival ball is over.’
’After all, I’m quite curious about what she mentioned last time.’
The young fox lady wore a pale gold court gown. She was dressed to the nines, far more formally than when she had visited Paradise.
She had long, wavy, lavender hair, a pair of pale white fox ears, and large, shimmering purple eyes. Her features were striking and coquettish.
"Don’t trouble yourself. I just came to say a few things, and then I’ll be on my way."
"Please, go ahead."
The young fox lady looked at the little rabbit before her. ’Compared to carnivorous females,’ she thought, ’gentle, delicate herbivorous females are always so much more endearing.’
Even she, a fox, preferred cute little rabbits over cheetahs.
"Could you come to my room after the ball?" The young fox lady blinked. "My brother is back, and he would like to meet you."
The young fox lady’s brother...
If Yu Zhizhi remembered correctly, Luther had told her that the State Preceptor of the Moon Rising Empire came from the Fox Clan.
"Is it... Lord Li Yuan?" Yu Zhizhi uttered the name.
The young fox lady smiled. "That’s him. Will you come?"
"Alright." Yu Zhizhi also wanted to know why the Moon Rising Empire was seeking her out.
’But, before that...’
Yu Zhizhi’s expression was a bit strained. "I brought a bottle of iced pomelo juice. Would you like to try it? It’s a specialty from the Valoran Empire."
"Oh, certainly."
’I’ve never been to the Valoran Empire,’ the young fox lady thought. ’Trying their juice sounds nice.’
’The plan is halfway to success.’
Yu Zhizhi went to her suitcase and pulled out an exquisite, transparent glass bottle filled with pale white iced pomelo juice.
Before she arrived, she had poured the Truth Serum into it.
Mixing them together.
The item’s information panel stated that after drinking it, the person would be compelled to answer the first question they heard with complete honesty.
Yu Zhizhi handed the glass bottle to her.
The young fox lady accepted it and took a delicate sip.
It was sweet and cool, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. ’Not bad at all,’ she thought.
Yu Zhizhi watched her nervously.
After silently counting to three, she asked tentatively, "Excuse me, the last time you came to Zero Star Street to propose a deal, you mentioned something about a matter of lifelong importance to me. What exactly was that?"
A vacant look entered the young fox lady’s lavender pupils. Her gaze dimmed, and her hands tightened around the glass bottle.
"Last time..."
"I accidentally overheard it at home. My brother doesn’t know."
"From what they were saying, it sounds like they plan to take you to the Imperial City after the Moonrise Festival... for a marriage alliance with the Imperial Family."
"Of course~ for a female, marrying into the Royal Family is an excellent choice, but—"
The young fox lady lowered her voice, took two steps forward, and leaned in to whisper in Yu Zhizhi’s ear:
"The members of the Moon Rising Empire’s Royal Family are all... peculiar. And none of their wives have ever lived for more than two years."
"—That is what I wanted to warn you about."
After she finished speaking, the light slowly returned to the young fox lady’s vacant eyes. Her head felt fuzzy, and she gave it a little shake, her mind clearing slightly.
’What just happened to me?’
The young fox lady noticed she was standing surprisingly close to the little rabbit, who was staring back at her blankly. Her clear rabbit eyes looked incredibly innocent and sweet.
’For some reason, I really want to pinch her little cheeks.’
But she resisted the urge.
"This is quite nice. Tastes great, thanks." With that, the young fox lady turned and departed gracefully.
Yu Zhizhi was still reeling from the news the young fox lady had just revealed...
’The Royal Family... a marriage alliance?’
