Just after finishing the meal, the Crown Prince’s guard hurriedly came to summon Zhou Mingyan back to the palace.

Zhou Mingyan frowned, “What’s the rush?”

The guard hesitated, quickly glancing around.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was sipping tea. Next to him, the dignified Song Dapengzi was holding a snack, intently feeding a little white cat in his arms. The cat lay on its back, belly up, munching on the treat, its round eyes staring curiously.

In the subtle pause, Song Suiyuan seemed oblivious, gently covering Ah Yan’s belly. The whole fish it ate seemed to have vanished.

The belly was delicate, not to be touched by others. Ah Yan immediately curled up, its tiny paw instinctively reaching towards the large hand, but remembering this was its future “servant,” it reluctantly pulled back with the other paw.

A little white ball, pulling its left paw with its right, both silly and clever.

Song Suiyuan smiled inappropriately.

The Crown Prince showed no intention of avoiding people. The guard lowered his head, “…The Third Prince passed away yesterday at the imperial tomb.”

The Third Prince, Zhou Mingli, was born of Consort Xian. Consort Xian and Empress Yun were close, so the Third Prince had played with the Crown Prince since childhood and had a good relationship with him.

In early spring, the Third Prince had committed some grave mistake and was punished by the Emperor to guard the imperial tomb at Changshan.

“What did you say?!”

Zhou Mingyan stood up abruptly, too shocked to maintain composure, and the glazed teacup fell to the ground.

“Clang!”

Song Suiyuan paused for a moment.

After a brief moment, Zhou Mingyan, disregarding the spilled tea, hurriedly bid farewell and left with the guard.

Ah Yan, seeing this, used its two front paws to hold onto Song Suiyuan’s wrist, propping itself up, and slowly “meowed~” in the direction the Crown Prince had left.

He left the cat behind.

Its reluctant gaze followed for a moment, then it turned back, its pink little tongue curling around the last bite of the pastry, eating elegantly, with its mouth fur still clean. It gently licked Song Suiyuan’s jade-like finger: “Meow meow.”

Oh well, for the sake of the meal and delicious snacks, I’ll reluctantly not change my servant.

This obviously perfunctory farewell scene even made Sui Mo chuckle.

“His Highness has left, you’re mine to care for now.” Song Suiyuan tapped the cat’s head, placing it back on the table, carefully cleaning his hands with a silk handkerchief, and said, “Sui Mo, give it a cup of warm water, it ate too much mixed food today…”

As he spoke, he remembered something, grabbed the clean little white cat by the scruff and lifted it in front of him, his gaze hesitant, “…Did your master teach you how to relieve yourself?”

Faced with such a question, Ah Yan was stunned, its tail lifted to cover that area, its four limbs flailing in the air: “Meow!”

Stupid human!

Though it didn’t speak, its angry expression conveyed its meaning. Song Suiyuan lightly pressed his lips together, a deep meaning hidden in his eyes, and pinched its paw, saying, “Alright, I won’t ask anymore.”

Sui Mo poured the warm water, not quite understanding why his master was so indifferent to the news of the Third Prince’s death, even having the mood to play with the white cat, so he sighed softly, “The Third Prince just went to the tomb, how could he… pass away. Do you think he was murdered?”

Because of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, in Sui Mo’s heart, his master and the Third Prince had a close relationship.

“Yes.” Song Suiyuan responded calmly, seemingly unaware of the gravity of what he had just said. He even felt a bit itchy seeing the fierce expression on the little white cat, so he rubbed the little cat’s fierce face.

“Really!” Sui Mo was surprised.

Ah Yan was even angrier, the little white cat being held by the scruff flailed its four little white paws in the air: “Meow meow!”

Put this master down for a fight!

Song Suiyuan pinched its ears that were about to fly off in anger.

The little cat in his hand was restless, and behind him, Sui Mo continued to ask, “Then maybe the Third Prince was framed into guarding the tomb—since you know, will His Royal Highness seek justice for the Third Prince?”

Song Suiyuan smiled faintly, not answering.

After teasing the cat enough, he held the white cat’s short limbs on his lap with one hand, took the water cup, and coaxed it to drink.

Gently and softly smoothing its fur for a long time, he finally managed to feed it.

Thinking his master had tacitly agreed, Sui Mo felt relieved and stood by to watch.

Watching and watching…

Why did he feel like his master had gotten a new toy? Teasing it until it puffed up, then coaxing it, the little white cat’s emotions went through a cycle, and his master always watched with a casual smile.

Outside, a thunderclap suddenly sounded, soon followed by dark clouds covering the sun, and the green leaves shivered. The first rain of Shengjing was about to fall.

A cool breeze entered the room, Ah Yan lazily moved an inch, using Song Suiyuan’s drooping wide sleeve to cover itself, continuing to lick water with its little mouth. Remembering the earlier discussion between the master and servant about the Third Prince, it raised its tail and meowed.

Stupid humans.

Zhou Mingli was a bad guy, it’s good that he’s dead, can’t even see that, so dumb.

Only cats are smart in this world!

———

Meanwhile, Zhou Mingyan hurried back to the palace, heading straight for Zicheng Hall, coincidentally meeting the Left Chancellor and the Minister of Rites who also received the news, at the door. The three braved the rain, tidied their appearances outside the hall, and then entered together.

“Lier is innocent, Your Majesty! Lier is innocent…”

Zhou Mingyan stepped over the threshold, seeing the usually elegant and calm Consort Xian, Wei Shi, kneeling on one side, her hair disheveled, her face ashen with grief. In front of her, the Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his expression deep, unreadable.

Finally, Zhou Mingyan exchanged a quick glance with his mother, Empress Yun, who quickly looked away.

After the formalities.

Unlike the Crown Prince who could maintain his composure, the over fifty-year-old Left Chancellor Wei Zhong had tears in his old eyes, bowing to Consort Xian, “Madam… please restrain your grief…”

Hearing the familiar voice, Consort Xian turned around, tears streaming down, her grievances pouring out, “Father…”

Only two words, and grief prevented her from continuing. She had only one child, the Third Prince.

With the ministers entering the hall to discuss matters, it was already inappropriate for them to meet. Empress Yun took Consort Xian away.

Afterwards, the Emperor decreed, confirming the Third Prince’s death, ordering the Ministry of Rites to prepare the eulogy and funeral rites, and said, “I decree to posthumously title the Third Prince as King Ji. Since King Ji had not yet come of age, the funeral should be simple.”

Finally, he turned to Wei Zhong, his words carrying some warmth, “The death of a prince is the will of heaven, take care of your health, beloved subject.”

Wei Zhong thanked for the grace, reciprocating with concern for the Emperor’s health.

The Minister of Rites, having received the order, stood aside, observing quietly.

After mutual consolation between the ruler and ministers, the Emperor, unwilling to say more, waved them away.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince merely went through the motions, leaving the hall and parting ways with the two old ministers, heading straight for the harem.

In the main hall of Weiyang Palace.

Empress Yun dismissed everyone, sitting alone in her court dress, supporting her head, clearly waiting for someone. When the Crown Prince paid his respects, she slowly opened her eyes, helplessly saying, “Yan’er, you acted impulsively.”

Acting hastily, did you really think your actions could be hidden from His Majesty?

Zhou Mingyan stood firmly, his young, sharp face showing no regret, coldly stating, “This was the best opportunity for me.”

Father favored mother, and by extension, favored the legitimate children. Under this premise, Zhou Mingli could still gain father’s favor. Despite his own reasons, he was not simple. More importantly, his third brother was greedy for military power.

If not for father’s disdain and his current focus on the less than two-year-old little Seventh, he could have acted to root out the problem. Otherwise, he might have been bitten by a lurking poisonous snake in the future.

Empress Yun did not see the Third Prince as capable of great things. In her view, it was not worth it for the Crown Prince to be marked by the Emperor for this. However, the situation was already set. She tiredly waved her hand, “His Majesty dislikes infighting among princes. If your position as Crown Prince were even slightly unstable… sigh, if only that child from the Song family were still here.”

At least he could have offered some advice, that child understood things better than Yang Weiqing.

“Song Suiyuan is fine, it’s not like he’s gone…” Zhou Mingyan retorted softly, rubbing his nose, “Even if he were here, I would still act the same.”

Empress Yun glanced at him, “Enough, in the end, you will bear the consequences yourself, temper your character well.”

The Emperor would surely punish him, and this time she need not plead for leniency.

Having passed his mother’s hurdle, Zhou Mingyan breathed a sigh of relief, his toes pointing towards the side hall, “I’ll go check on little Seventh.”

Outside the palace, at the Song Mansion.

The Song Suiyuan, who Empress Yun was thinking of, was arranging a place for the newly adopted little white cat.

If he knew the Empress’s thoughts, he would only think that the Crown Prince’s decisive action in killing the Third Prince actually had his influence.

In the previous life, at this time, they had not yet realized that the Third Prince and his maternal family were drawing in civil officials, encroaching on military power. It wasn’t until the following year, before the Crown Prince’s expedition, that he found clues. Unfortunately, it was too late. The Emperor died unexpectedly, followed by the Crown Prince’s incident on the battlefield, allowing the Third Prince to ascend the throne smoothly.

The situation was set, and Song Suiyuan could only pretend to know nothing, entering the new court as an official, needing someone to counterbalance the new Emperor’s confidants.

The only thing he hadn’t anticipated was the new Emperor’s ignorance and incompetence, high in the temple without knowing how to wield power, daring to target the military. The Southwest Zhenyuan Army and the Northwest Yun Army, the blood of Great Chu’s sons dyed the borders.

The foolish new Emperor was Song Suiyuan’s nightmare.

Therefore, in this year of rebirth, he often detailed the rights and wrongs in front of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The fall of the Third Prince was only the first step, the next step was the factionalism of the Wei family.

As for the punishment that might fall on the Crown Prince this time… soon, Song’an Mansion to Wuzhou would encounter floods, a dangerous matter, but the rear was always safe.

Just right for the Crown Prince.

Speaking of which, Song Suiyuan was touching this year’s new woven rattan mat, the coolness at his fingertips gentle, suitable for Ah Yan. He said, “Make some adjustments, and lay a rattan mat of the right size for Ah Yan’s little bed.”

Sui Mo was about to respond when Ah Yan placed a paw on Song Suiyuan’s hand: “Meow~”

A little bed? Ah Yan wants to sleep on a big bed!

The white fur ball, small as it was, with clear, obedient round eyes, softly meowed as if it were acting cute.

Sui Mo chuckled, “Master, Ah Yan is thanking you!”

Ah Yan was incredulous: “Meow!”

Stupid!

Sui Mo: “See!”

They were at a standoff, and Song Suiyuan chuckled lightly, the gentle sound falling into the cat’s ears. The angry Ah Yan suddenly remembered the important matter: “Meow~”

Ah Yan wants to sleep on the big bed!

It even quickly jumped to the inner room, stepping on Song Suiyuan’s bed, and let out a loud “meow.”

Claimed it, huh.

“Hey—” Sui Mo wanted to catch Ah Yan.

Song Suiyuan stopped Sui Mo, letting him go prepare the rattan mat, and entered the inner room himself.

On the bed, the silk fabric was dark in color, making the white little ball particularly eye-catching.

Even if Ah Yan’s aura was grand, in Song Suiyuan’s eyes, its small body in the middle of the large bed was just a tiny thing occupying a little space.

“You want to sleep on this bed?” Song Suiyuan asked, looking down at it.

Ah Yan tucked its paws under, cat eyes closing comfortably: “Meow.”

Naturally.

Song Suiyuan tilted his head slightly, examining the little ball, “You have your own little bed, Sui Mo has arranged it very comfortably.”

Ah Yan: “Meow.”

No.

After several attempts, Song Suiyuan found it either too stupid or too smart, not hiding anything: “Ah Yan is a divine cat… can it understand human speech?”

Song Suiyuan never believed in coincidences.

Ah Yan, with its paws tucked, remained as steady as an old cat, looking like a cuter, smarter version of an ordinary tabby, calmly saying, “Meow meow…”

Not only can it understand human speech, the divine cat can transform into a human, won’t that scare you, bleh bleh.

He’s not worried.

Father said that the smarter people in Shengjing, the less they would believe that Ah Yan was actually human. Father was the smartest person he knew, so his words were truth.

Song Suiyuan, well, he was smart.

“Little liar.” Song Suiyuan, seeing its demeanor, rubbed its ears with his fingertips.

In the previous life, this white cat was also sent back to Shengjing by Yun Shizi, but it was always personally raised by the Crown Prince. Later, it scratched Consort Xian’s face and was sent back to the Northwest by the Crown Prince. Just after being sent back, on the third day, a letter from Yun Shizi arrived, warning the Crown Prince to beware of Consort Xian and the Third Prince.

At that time, the Crown Prince was amused, “Look at how he says it, Ah Yan told him that the Wei family harbors disloyalty… his nature takes after his uncle, can’t stand any grievance.”

Although Song Suiyuan paid attention, he mostly treated it as a young man’s joke. Later, when he heard news of the white cat again, it was Yun Shizi’s first triumphant return, with rumors spreading in the army that Yun Shizi was a demon cat puppet, the demon cat speaking human words, bringing disaster to Great Chu, and could transform into Shizi’s appearance, witnessed by many subordinates.

With rumors spreading like wildfire, Song Suiyuan had some reservations about the demon transforming into a human, but there was definitely a secret on this lawless little white cat.

Raising it for fun, perhaps there would be unexpected gains.