Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Ambiguity
Dai Li was in charge of all of Yu Zhizhi’s affairs in the Duke Mansion.
Her position was similar to that of a housekeeper, though she leaned more toward being a tutor, regularly teaching classes to the young masters and ladies of the Duke Mansion.
She was highly respected within the mansion.
She made her way to the courtyard villa.
From a distance, the scenery was magnificent. A vast expanse of lotus flowers grew in the lake. Unlike the blue Ghost Lotuses in the study, these lotuses were a snow-white color, a truly delightful sight.
She passed through a corridor.
From the distance, she heard laughter that tinkled like silver bells.
A young woman in a pink formal gown stood on a floral dais, a paintbrush in one hand and a vibrant palette in the other.
Beside her was a lounge chair.
Miss Mu Mu of the Snake Clan was holding a bouquet of flowers, holding a fixed pose to serve as her model.
Glimpsing the arrival of the female from the Rabbit Clan, a hint of a smile flashed in her brown, slit pupils.
"Ms. Zhi Zhi," she said, greeting her first. "Are you also here to visit Nicole?"
The news that Miss Nicole of the Snake Clan was to be joined in marriage with Lord Nuo’er of the Rabbit Clan had already spread throughout the entire Valoran Empire. All the Beastmen felt it was an excellent match.
Word was that the Duke himself had arranged the match, and His Majesty the King had publicly blessed the union.
All of Greenfield City was jubilant, and they were ready to welcome the bride from the Snake Clan.
"Miss Mu Mu." Yu Zhizhi returned the greeting with a polite gesture.
She looked at the young woman before the easel. Her amber eyes were particularly beautiful, and she was staring back at Yu Zhizhi with great interest.
"It’s you." Nicole recognized her at once.
She had seen this newly-advanced, S-Class female of the Rabbit Clan in a previous live broadcast. She had originally been a guest of honor for the K family, and now the Duke had invited her for an extended stay at the mansion.
Mumu had even mentioned before that the Duke treated her differently.
Nicole was a little curious—
’Just how does he treat her differently?’
Nicole, who had been in the middle of painting, found her attention completely captivated by the female from the Rabbit Clan.
She saw Yu Zhizhi’s rabbit ears and had the urge to touch them, but her hands were covered in paint and would only smudge them.
Nicole resisted the urge, a mischievous glint flashing in her amber, slit pupils.
"Ms. Zhi Zhi, you should come visit me here at the villa more often when you’re free. I’m painting Miss Mu Mu right now, but if you’d like, I could paint a portrait for you alone later on."
"Okay~"
Yu Zhizhi readily agreed.
She could sense Nicole’s warmth and goodwill.
Yu Zhizhi didn’t usually have much to do in the Duke Mansion, so it was nice to have the chance to make some friends.
Mumu, standing to the side, was rather displeased.
"Ms. Zhi Zhi, why do you seem to avoid me every time we meet? I’ve invited you to dinner several times, but you’re never willing to join me?"
"I just happened to be busy those days..." Yu Zhizhi said, her voice lacking conviction.
Nicole made a playful face. "That’s obviously because Mumu is usually too intimidating, unlike me. I’m always so considerate."
"Whatever," said Mumu, the Snake Clan beauty, striking an even more fetching pose with her flowers, her brown, slit pupils full of mirth.
Yu Zhizhi’s attention was on the room inside, where she could see a figure bent over a desk, writing.
Seeing this, Nicole laughed and said:
"My brother is in there. If you want to say hello, you should go right ahead~"
"But—"
"He’s writing a new book right now and doesn’t like to be disturbed. I’d suggest you wait until after sunset to go in, Ms. Zhi Zhi."
Ever since her brother, Count Gray, had written *Mountain and River Mist*, countless Beastmen had shown up at his door every day asking for autographs.
He had only been in the Duke’s territory for a few days, but many of his fans had already tracked him down.
Nicole assumed this lady from the Rabbit Clan was one of those fans.
Having an excuse, Yu Zhizhi felt a bit more at ease.
She nodded.
"Then I’ll wait until evening to pay my respects to Count Gray."
"Perfect!" Miss Mu Mu beckoned. "Zhi Zhi, come be a model with me!"
The three young women, all of a similar age, spent the afternoon having fun together until the sun went down.
Yu Zhizhi hadn’t forgotten her main reason for coming.
She slowly walked towards the room.
Gray, who was writing at his desk, heard footsteps and assumed it was an attendant.
He asked, "Are the rose pastries ready?"
"Ahem..." Yu Zhizhi said softly. "I was passing by the villa today and wanted to pay my respects to Miss Nicole and Count Gray."
Hearing the clear, sweet voice, the Count’s hand, which held his pen, paused for a moment.
He looked up.
Standing beside his desk was a petite figure. She wore a simple white gauze dress, her skin was like snowy jade, and her eyes shone like stars. She had a pure and lovely aura, and as he looked closer, he felt she seemed a bit familiar.
’...Where have I seen her before?’
"May I ask the lady’s name?"
"Yu Zhizhi."
’It’s her!’
Count Gray remembered.
He had seen her at the entrance to the Duke’s study. Back then, the Rabbit Clan Lady had nearly crashed into his arms.
Putting down his pen, he rose and returned the polite gesture. "You are too kind, Ms. Zhi Zhi."
Gray had heard a few things about this female from the Rabbit Clan.
The first time they met, he had only watched from afar as she bestowed her blessing upon the beast cubs. Later, that fleeting, stunning glimpse of her in the study had left a deep impression.
Yu Zhizhi looked at the manuscript on the desk; he seemed to be writing a new piece.
To ease her nervousness, she said softly, "I... I wanted to ask for Count Gray’s autograph, but I forgot to bring my book."
"It’s no problem."
A gentle smile touched Gray’s lips. "I have many copies here. I can give one to you, Ms. Zhi Zhi."
The young man from the Snake Clan was also dressed in a white uniform today, and his amber, slit pupils seemed as gentle as placid water.
He seemed completely non-threatening.
A world of difference from the impression the Duke gave.
"One moment."
With that, he turned, walked over to a bookshelf, and took out a brand-new copy of *Mountain and River Mist*.
With a black pen, he carefully wrote his name, stroke by stroke, along with a line of blessing for Yu Zhizhi.
Gray walked over to her.
He solemnly presented the book to her with both hands.
The scent of the Rabbit Clan female had been filling his senses ever since she first stepped into the room.
Now, seeing a smudge of paint on one of her rabbit ears, he couldn’t help but smile.
Yu Zhizhi took the book.
The young man before her quickly offered a clean handkerchief.
The smile dancing in his amber, slit pupils was like the warm spring sun, utterly heartwarming.
"Here," Gray said, pointing to the side of his own head. "Your ear. You’ve got some paint on it."
"Oh..." Yu Zhizhi hurriedly tried to wipe it with the handkerchief, but it was awkward with one hand holding the book, and she kept missing the spot.
Gray reached out and took the handkerchief from her hand. "Let me."
In the gentle light of the setting sun, he lowered his head and carefully wiped the red paint from her rabbit ear with the handkerchief.
Yu Zhizhi stood completely still, clutching the book with both hands.
’Count Gray...’
’He’s so gentle, his voice is so soothing... It’s so comfortable being around him.’
Perhaps it was because the hand wiping her ear was too gentle, but Yu Zhizhi found herself unconsciously leaning closer to him.
From a distance, they looked just like a pair of lovers in a sweet embrace.
At the doorway, Nicole, who was cleaning up her paints, widened her eyes in surprise, staring at the intimate scene in disbelief.
Until Teacher Dai Li’s voice suddenly sounded beside her—
"Lord Duke."
