Chapter 16 The Tree Spirit Comes with Its Own Base

Chi Li discovered that giving gifts can be addictive.

Especially when the little tree spirit received the gift, it was as happy as a little bear that had stolen honey, jumping and hopping around her, and finally hanging on her neck, rubbing its soft little face against hers with drool.

That sense of satisfaction was even stronger than when she finally defeated the toughest opponent in the demon realm.

The small courtyard on the observatory quickly became Tang Lu's favorite spot.

She would drag Chi Li to spend a long time there almost every day, either busy "decorating" the new home (such as putting her shiny little trinkets everywhere), or excitedly trying to take root in every corner to see which "spiritual soil" was more comfortable.

Chi Li let her do whatever she wanted, and would even help her secure a few loose nodes when she tried to wrap the swing with vines and flowers.

"This is our home!" Tang Lu always liked to emphasize this point, and her eyes would shine like stars every time she said it.

Chi Li really enjoyed hearing her say that.

However, the little tree spirit clearly has its own understanding of the concept of "home".

She felt that "home" meant that wherever Lili was, she would be there too.

Therefore, apart from the small courtyard of the observatory, Chi Li's bedroom, study, government affairs hall... all the places where Chi Li often stayed were also her "home".

Thus, a new scene appeared in the Hall of State Affairs.

Previously, the dew vines would take root directly in the ground.

Now, she feels that it's not "formal" enough and doesn't do justice to her and Lili's "home".

That day, Chi Li had just sat down on the throne in the government hall, ready to start her day's work, when she saw Tang Lu not "planting" directly on the ground as usual, but instead carrying a... flowerpot? as she walked over.

It was an exquisite white jade flowerpot, with a pattern of phoenixes and ginkgo trees intertwined carved on its surface. It was obviously hastily made by a skilled eunuch.

The flowerpot wasn't filled with ordinary soil, but rather with "high-grade nutrient soil" that was a mixture of spiritual spring mud and finely crushed warm jade shavings.

Tang Lu, carrying a large flowerpot that was almost as tall as herself, huffed and puffed as she moved to Chi Li's throne, then looked up at Chi Li with longing eyes.

Chili: "..."

She had a bad feeling.

"Lili," Tang Lu patted the smooth side of the basin, her tone tinged with a hint of pride, "Tang Lu's... new seat!"

Chi Li looked at the "royal flowerpot" that was clearly made in the style of her throne, but much smaller in size, and her lips twitched slightly.

So now, when she reviews memorials, not only does she need a tree growing beside her, but that tree also needs to be planted in a flowerpot.

Isn't this scene a bit too much?

Even she felt that this was somewhat... detrimental to her dignity?

She tried to struggle: "Tang Lu, it's good to take root in the ground... that's fine too."

At least it looks more natural and untouched?

Tang Lu's little mouth immediately pursed, her amber eyes began to well up with tears, and her voice became aggrieved: "But...but the ground is hard...this soil, it was given to me by Lili, it's warm and soft..."

She wasn't lying; the soil in the flowerpot was indeed the spiritual soil that Chi Li had given her before, the most suitable soil for her to grow in.

Seeing the little guy's accusing expression that said, "If you don't let me use the new seat, you don't love me," Chi Li was defeated once again.

Oh well, a flowerpot it is then.

It's better than her randomly taking root anywhere in the government affairs hall and accidentally prying up a load-bearing pillar one day.

Chi Li discovered that she was now very good at comforting herself.

"Put it there." Chi Li pointed to the empty space to the right of the throne, a space she had already tacitly agreed to belong to Tang Lu.

"Yay! Lili is the best!" Tang Lu's mood instantly brightened. She happily arranged the large flowerpot and then climbed in using both her hands and feet.

That's right, it's climbing in.

She planted herself in a flowerpot as if she were a real plant.

Her delicate roots skillfully burrowed into the soft, warm soil. She sighed contentedly and even patted the surrounding soil down with her hands to compact it.

Then, she adjusted her posture to make sure she could comfortably lean against the side of the basin and see her Lili when she looked up, before settling down contentedly.

From afar, next to the majestic throne of the Demon King, there was an exquisite white jade flowerpot planted with a small tree spirit.

The little tree spirits would either nap, play with the leaves, or listen curiously to the ministers' reports in the pot, becoming a fixed and... eerie sight in the Hall of State Affairs.

At first, the officials were shocked, then they secretly observed each other, and now... they've gotten used to it.

On one occasion, a minister was giving a report when he saw Tanglu nodding her little head in the flowerpot because she was sleepy. He subconsciously lowered his voice, afraid of disturbing this special "colleague".

Chi Li gradually got used to the "bonsai" beside her.

Sometimes, when she got tired of reviewing jade slips, she would turn her head and see her little tree spirit sleeping soundly in the flowerpot. Its tranquil appearance could instantly soothe all her restlessness.

She would even casually transfer a wisp of gentle divine power to Tanglu while she was asleep, ensuring that the "soil" in her pot remained warm and moist.

The eunuch was very thoughtful, preparing a small pot of gentle spiritual spring water, perfect for Tang Lu, every day and placing it next to the flowerpot so she could easily "water" it.

Thus, the administration of the Demon King's Palace became strangely, yet harmoniously, closely linked to a small tree spirit living in a flowerpot.

Chi Li noticed that since Tang Lu got this "exclusive seat," she has become more proactive in coming to the government affairs hall to accompany her while she works.

Moreover, because of the "constraint" of the flowerpot, she caused significantly less trouble (after all, her range of movement was limited). At most, when she felt bored, she would quietly use the vines to snatch a minister's memorial or pen, play with it for a while, and then secretly put it back.

Chi Li chose to turn a blind eye to this.

After all, it's cute when your own little tree spirit is a bit mischievous.

His Majesty the Demon King felt that his bottom line might have been so low that he could be buried in the soil of Tang Lu's flowerpot.

And she had absolutely no intention of digging it out.