the cat in emperor's arms

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Inside the tent, the young lady's cheeks were tinged with a peach blossom hue, and her eyes, misty like autumn waters, were veiled by a faint layer of moisture, making her brows appear softer. Especially when her almond-shaped eyes half-closed, she looked just like a lazy, coquettish cat.

An absurd thought suddenly rose in Pei Shenyu's mind.

The always wise and decisive crown prince found himself momentarily dazed. Pei Shenyu clenched his palms tightly—this wasn't a dream. His expression remained unchanged, calm as ever, though he kept a sliver of vigilance in his heart. Yet he couldn’t help but soften his voice:

"Who are you?"

"Meow." The young lady on the bed slightly narrowed her eyes and tilted her head.

"Why are you here..."

"Meow~"

She seemed incredibly sleepy, so much so that she couldn't resist stretching out a delicate, pale little hand to rub her eyes. Then she gave a tiny yawn, looking even more adorable and pitiable.

She was like a soft, harmless flower, falling without warning into Pei Shenyu's heart.

For a moment, he could no longer continue questioning her.

Pei Shenyu was briefly lost in thought, and the name he had been silently reciting in his mind unconsciously slipped from his lips: "Little darling?"

"Meow!" The young lady immediately perked up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Pei Shenyu, resembling two translucent pearls.

Her expression—exactly like a cat begging for fish—

It wasn't just similar. It was exactly the same.

Pei Shenyu took a deep breath and pressed his fingers to his brow.

"What exactly is your origin..."

But the young lady, after being alert for just a moment, rubbed her eyes again, becoming drowsy. Her body softened as she lay back down. She quietly nestled into his bed, resting her head on his pillow, and fell asleep once more.

Pei Shenyu couldn't quite describe his current feelings.

...

"Meow... purr... purr..."

On the deep purple rosewood bed, in the center of the soft embroidered quilt, a snow-white jade-like cat was curled up, sound asleep, sweetly dreaming.

Outside, the bright moon hung high, casting a soft, gentle light through the window lattice, illuminating the cat's gleaming white fur. The moonlight and the cat seemed to blend into one, glowing faintly together.

Inside, a single candle was lit, casting light on the man sitting in deep contemplation beneath it.

The man's long brows were slightly furrowed, his emotions flickering like the candlelight.

His gaze could no longer focus on the inked words of the military reports, and Pei Shenyu sighed quietly. He couldn't help but think back to the scene just moments ago—when the little lady, after sleeping on his bed for only a short while, had transformed back into a little snow-white cat.

He had never believed in supernatural forces or spirits, but when such a scene unfolded right before his eyes, he had no choice but to accept it.

What he had thought was just a cat he had been raising was, in fact, a delicate young lady.

At this thought, Pei Shenyu couldn't help but smile. The little cat spirit was completely defenseless, unaware of her own transformation into human form, and had simply fallen asleep in front of him, still dazed and unaware.