the cat in emperor's arms

bestowing marriage

The room fell silent, so quiet that she could almost hear the sound of bees and butterflies fluttering outside the window.

Ming Luomeng's thick lashes trembled lightly, and there was a hint of confusion in her eyes. As if avoiding his gaze, her eyes fell on the newly bloomed plum branches outside the window.

Her voice, as gentle as soft snow, lightly fell between his chest.

"Then, Brother Junyu, what kind of woman do you like?"

"I... I'm just curious, that's all."

Pei Shenyu silently thought to himself, he probably liked a little fool.

He felt a bit helpless but still replied in a gentle voice:

"Meimei, I like a girl who is innocent, cute, clever, kind, and has a bit of a temper."

Pei Shenyu’s eyes were like a mirror, reflecting the confused and delicate face of the little girl.

If she had lifted her head, she would have seen herself in his eyes.

But Ming Luomeng was lost in her own thoughts, not noticing the seriousness in his gaze.

"Oh…"

She responded softly, lowering her eyelashes, as if she had only asked casually and answered without much thought.

In her heart, Ming Luomeng quickly compared the women she had heard of earlier. The daughter of the Cui family was arrogant, and Miss Li was gentle... none of them seemed to fit the description of being cute, clever, and a bit temperamental.

So, who exactly could it be?

The girl kept her head down, her brows furrowed in deep thought, her eyes flickering as if her mind was wandering.

She didn't realize that the man above her saw everything, his gaze deep and tender.

The room remained quiet, with only the chirping of birds outside to be heard.

Pei Shenyu quietly observed her, just like watching a little cat play with its own tail, completely unaware of what was going on.

He chuckled softly.

Fine, he thought, let her figure it out on her own for now.

...

Outside the hall, there were people coming and going.

Ming Luomeng was startled. She didn’t want to be seen in the study, so she quickly bid Pei Shenyu farewell.

She hid in a side room and transformed back into her cat form.

She then slowly padded along the path she came from.

The stars in the cat’s eyes seemed to dim, her tail drooping as she walked. Her heart felt full of some swelling emotion that she couldn’t relieve, though she didn’t know why.

But since Pei Shenyu didn’t mention a name, it meant that person didn’t exist yet, right?

Ming Luomeng couldn’t help but think that if, one day in the future, Pei Shenyu really met such a girl, would he fall in love with her at first sight?

Just like the palace maids had said, mutual affection, harmony like a perfect tune…

Once she started thinking like this, her mind painted such a picture. Ming Luomeng seemed to see Pei Shenyu’s hand, in the future, holding another woman’s long hair.

And his faint smile would be directed at that woman; the hand he held would also be hers.

All the special privileges she had with Pei Shenyu would be taken away by "her."