Chapter 49

The moment Ye Wulan opened his eyes, a subtle, enchanting glow flickered within them. Like moonlight shimmering across a quiet river, his gaze held an air of mystery—captivating yet unfathomable.

He looked at her, the movement of his eyes drawing attention to the striking vermilion mark at the corner, vibrant and almost otherworldly.

“Miss Ye.” His voice carried a seductive charm, effortlessly ensnaring the senses, imbued with an intoxicating allure.

Ye Baizhi, stunned by his awakening, almost found herself lost in the depths of his gaze. Hearing his voice, she snapped back to reality.

Her hands trembled, and the bowl of medicine slipped, crashing to the ground.

“Uh… y-you’re awake?” She wasn’t sure if he had heard everything she had just said.

“I was only feeding you medicine.”

A hint of amusement flickered in Ye Wulan’s eyes as he slowly sat up. “Mm, I know.”

Even while unconscious, he had been aware of the world around him. His senses had not faded. It was simply that his body, burdened by old and new wounds, could no longer endure, forcing him into a deep sleep. Yet, he had heard everything she said—he knew what she had done. That was why he had cooperated with drinking the medicine. Otherwise, no one could have made him open his mouth while he slept.

“You knew?” Ye Baizhi’s heart trembled. How was that possible? How could he know while unconscious?

A faint, seductive smile curved at Ye Wulan’s lips. “Mm, thank you, Miss Ye, for saving me.”

Ye Baizhi felt she couldn’t take credit for that. “You saved me and Da Bao too.”

“And you ended up like this because of us. If anything, I should be thanking you.”

Without Ye Wulan, she and Da Bao’s fate would have been unimaginable. Having just given birth, she was still weak. She knew she wasn’t strong enough yet.

Ye Wulan’s voice was low and steady. “It was something I promised Brother Xue.”

“Xue Youchen?” Ye Baizhi couldn’t help but think of him.

Remembering that Da Bao had said he had asked Ye Wulan for help, Ye Baizhi had been somewhat skeptical.

Ye Wulan took out a jade slip. With a flick of his fingers, a projection emerged from the jade slip.

…

It was a scene from four days ago.

Xue Youchen and Ye Wulan sat in Ye Wulan’s stone chamber, speaking.

“The Snow Wolf King visiting late at night—what brings you here?”

Xue Youchen spoke in a low voice. “The barrier in the Misty Forest has become unstable. Demonic energy and beasts are emerging, and I must lead the Snow Wolf tribe to reinforce the barrier at the northern pass.”

“But in doing so, I will be failing Ah Zhi—I won’t be able to be by her side on the day she gives birth. That is my greatest regret.”

“If danger arises, I request Master Ye to lend his aid.”

For Ye Baizhi’s sake, a noble king had humbly used the word “request.”

Even Ye Wulan was slightly surprised. “The infamous cold and ascetic Snow Wolf King actually knows how to ask for favors?”

Xue Youchen replied, “As long as she and the child are safe, what does it matter if I have to plead?”

“Master Ye, you may name your terms and conditions.”

“Consider this a favor I owe you.”

Ye Wulan’s eyes shifted slightly, his tone relaxed and unhurried. “You should know that warriors of our strength only protect a female as a beast husband—we will do everything in our power for her.”

Xue Youchen understood. “I know. Ah Zhi is remarkable—she will not have only one beast husband.”

“I simply want her to be safe and well.”

If he could not protect Ah Zhi himself, if he could not remain by her side at all times, then he had no right to monopolize her.

Ye Wulan noted that Xue Youchen showed no resistance to the idea and curled his lips into a faintly seductive smile. “Still, I must admit—I’m curious. Why did you choose me?”

Xue Youchen said, “Because only you in the Northern Territory have the strength to protect her.”

“The prince of the Enchanted Demon tribe! And it is said that the prince of this tribe never breaks his word.”

Ye Wulan chuckled softly. “As expected of the Snow Wolf King—you’re hard to fool.”

“And since I can’t deceive you, you must already know why I’m here.”

Xue Youchen tightened his grip around his cup, seemingly restraining some emotions. “Your goal has always been her?”

Ye Wulan replied leisurely, “She is not a goal. I came for her—and I will not harm her in the slightest.”

“I require no conditions. What I intend to do, as long as you do not interfere, will proceed.”

Xue Youchen closed his eyes briefly, letting out a quiet sigh. “If you become her beast husband and can guarantee her safety, I will not stop you.”

“As long as it is for Ah Zhi’s well-being, and as long as she agrees, I will respect any decision she makes.”

“Moreover, it is said that dual cultivation with the Enchanted Demon tribe can enhance a female beast’s strength—this would benefit Ah Zhi.”

Ye Wulan’s voice deepened. “It is not merely a rumor. It is true.”

“Miss Ye is an exceptional woman—she will not have just one beast husband. She is unique, one of a kind. A single husband would never be enough to protect her and the child.”

“I understand. I entrust this to you.”

“No need. It is my duty to protect the future of my clan.”

…

As the projection from the jade slip faded, Ye Baizhi remained overwhelmed, unable to process everything.

“You…” She didn’t even know what to say.

She understood that in the Beast Continent, it was normal for female beasts to have multiple husbands. But… adjusting to this reality so suddenly was difficult.

Ye Wulan’s expression was open and unwavering. “Miss Ye, everything you saw was a true projection.”

“I showed you this simply to let you know that from the moment I came to the Rabbit Tribe as a healer, I had been waiting for you.”

“There were certain things I couldn’t tell you right away—I feared they might alarm you or make you uncomfortable.”

“But now that you’ve held me in your arms, I am already yours. Naturally, I must tell you everything—I wish to be your beast husband.”

“From now on, protecting, caring for, and saving you is my duty.”

“You need not feel burdened.”

Ye Baizhi’s eyes widened in shock. “B—Beast husband?”

Her heart nearly skipped several beats. She hadn’t even finished processing everything yet.

“You… you knew I was holding you?”

At the thought, Ye Baizhi’s face flushed red. She had held him the entire night. What she had done couldn’t simply be ignored, nor could she deny it. That wasn’t her way, and perhaps she really couldn’t avoid taking responsibility.

Ye Wulan lowered his gaze, his expression softening, his entire presence shifting into something gentle and harmless. It carried an undeniable warmth.

“Yes, though I was unconscious, I could still sense the outside world.”

“So now, I shall become your second beast husband.”

“Is that alright?”

Ye Baizhi didn’t know how to react.

Seeing her hesitation, Ye Wulan spoke in a low tone. “Miss Ye, if you don’t wish to take responsibility, it’s fine. I can pretend nothing ever happened.”

“I will still take care of you and the child.”

“And I will help conceal Da Bao’s unique spiritual constitution.”

“I will do everything I can.”

Ye Baizhi snapped out of her daze, quickly waving her hand with a hint of nervousness. “I… I never said I wouldn’t take responsibility.”

She understood that in the Beast Continent, as a female beast, having slept in Ye Wulan’s embrace all night meant she had taken advantage of him—she ought to take responsibility. Just the thought of not doing so made her feel an odd pang of guilt. And besides, his injuries were still severe—his body was burdened with both old and new wounds.

“I just want to understand—when you said you came specifically for me, what did you mean?”

“And you’re from the Enchanted Demon tribe, but I’ve heard that your clan was wiped out.”

“You also mentioned protecting the hope of your clan—what does that mean?”

She needed to clarify these things first. “But if it’s inconvenient for you to answer, you don’t have to.”