Busy with official duties every day, An Honghan would take a nap and then sit at his desk to diligently handle official business.
It must be said that An Honghan was a good emperor. He was involved in everything, big or small. Although he was somewhat ruthless and cruel, he managed the vast country perfectly without making any mistakes.
Xi Xizhi curled up in a ball beside the desk, her furry body curled up, her eyes peeking out from a crack as she quietly observed An Honghan.
An Honghan's features were resolute, as if sculpted. His long, narrow eyes exuded a hint of icy coldness. His nose was high and straight, and his lips were thin; he was very pleasing to the eye. If it weren't for the intense chill emanating from him, which Xi Xizhi could look at for more than ten days without getting tired of it, she wouldn't tire of him.
"Your Majesty, the banquet at Liuyun Palace is about to begin. Shouldn't we head over?"
As darkness fell, the evening breeze brought a refreshing coolness, a sensation that seemed to calm the heart as well.
Xi Xizhi's ears perked up. Damn it, it's already night? He hurriedly got up and tried to run outside.
She hadn't forgotten An Honghan's words, "It suits my taste." There was no reason why someone would be eaten after barely escaping death and not even having enjoyed the good life they had.
Suddenly, Xi Xizhi's four legs were dangling in the air as she was lifted up.
"Where are you trying to run off to again? You're the star tonight." Looking at the little sable's flustered appearance, An Honghan curled up a wicked smile.
How could this little ferret be so clueless? Just based on its title of "Phoenix Cloud Ferret, extinct for a hundred years," everyone would want to keep it. After all, having such a precious pet as a Phoenix Cloud Ferret and taking it out casually would be a very prestigious thing.
The protagonist...? Xi Xizhi shrank her little head. Would An Honghan really want to skin her alive and then cook her in front of all the officials?
What a terrible thing to do!
Xi Xizhi's pair of beastly eyes, brimming with tears, seemed capable of squeezing out a single tear.
"Prepare the carriage for Liuyun Palace." Xiao Diao's actions pleased An Honghan. Even though he didn't smile, Lin En could tell that His Majesty was in a very good mood.
This little sable has only been presented to His Majesty for a day, and His Majesty has already laughed many times!
Xi Xi struggled a few times in his arms, but found that the other's grip was too strong and she couldn't break free at all, so she had no choice but to give up and quietly lie in An Honghan's arms.
So be it. At worst, I'll be a hero again in eighteen years.
The Flowing Cloud Palace was not far from the Imperial Study; it was just a few corridors away. So An Honghan did not summon a palanquin, but instead carried the fluffy, silver-white ball of fur on foot towards the Flowing Cloud Palace.
During this time, a large hand kept stroking Xi Xizhi's back. Sometimes it would pinch her pointed ears, and sometimes it would lift her front legs and pinch her plum blossom-shaped paw pads.
Xi Xizhi was furious but dared not speak out. She had seen harassment before, but never one so blatant! Dozens of eunuchs and palace maids were watching, how could she bear it!
Xi Xizhi reminded herself that she was now a ferret, not a human. Ignore these actions, ignore these gazes…
As a ferret, being petted and looked at is perfectly normal. You have to get used to it, you absolutely must get used to it…
Xi Xizhi kept giving herself positive self-talk, but after repeating it more than ten times, it had no effect. On the contrary, the hand on her back felt very comfortable as it stroked her, and she squinted her eyes contentedly and rubbed against it.
"You like this?" An Honghan meant to caress.
"Chirp chirp..."
Xi Xizhi called out twice in response.
Seeing that His Majesty was in a good mood, Lynn interjected, "Your Majesty, any furry pet will feel very comfortable if you stroke its fur in the direction of its fur."
"Oh? No wonder it looks so content." An Honghan rubbed the little ferret's forehead, his slender fingers gradually moving down to gently stroke its fur.
Xi Xizhi was just about to marvel at how approachable this cold-blooded emperor could be, but his next words made her want to bang her head against the wall in anger.
"This fur feels quite nice to the touch. I wonder what it would feel like to wear a mink cloak made from it," An Honghan said casually, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Xi Xizhi trembled in fright and almost fell from his arms. She clung tightly to him on all fours to steady herself.
"Oh, right!" she thought. "How could this emperor suddenly change his ways and be so compliant to her? He was actually after her fur!"
This fur, except for a tuft of flame-like down on its forehead, was entirely silver-white. Such fine fur was extremely rare in the world, so it's no wonder An Honghan had such an idea.
Did he not only want to cook its meat, but also skin it to make a warm cloak?
Good heavens, did you give her a second chance just so she could experience the excruciating pain of having her tendons and bones pulled out?
She hasn't done anything immoral or harmful in her daily life, so why is she tormented like this?
The little ferret gazed at the sky with a sorrowful expression...
I almost burst into tears.
“Your Majesty, the Phoenix Cloud Sable is too small to be made into a cloak,” Lynn said tremulously.
The little ferret looked at Lynn as if she were its savior, nodding its head repeatedly.
I can't do it... I can't do it...
“However… it’s enough to make a scarf.” Lynn frowned, thought for a moment, and then reported.
Xi Xizhi withdrew her pleading gaze, gritted her teeth, and thought that this uncle was kind-hearted, but she did not expect him to be just as wicked as An Honghan.
What did she do to offend you? All you ever think about is eating her flesh and skinning her!
"That's not a bad idea." An Honghan's uniquely cold voice announced Xi Xizhi's fate for the rest of her life.
"Not bad my foot!" The little sable bared its teeth and grimaced.
An Honghan was even happier. Whenever he teased the little guy, his mood became exceptionally good.
After passing through the last long corridor, An Honghan and the others stopped in front of a magnificent palace. Above the plaque, the three characters 'Liuyun Palace' were written in gilded, flowing script.
Two rows of armed guards stood before the palace gates. Each one was imposing and powerful, their mere presence adding to the grandeur and magnificence of the entire palace.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." As soon as An Honghan appeared, the two rows of guards acted in unison, kneeling down at almost the same time.
"Rise." An Honghan played with the little sable's ears, didn't even glance at the group of guards, and walked directly through the palace gate.
A red carpet was laid on the floor, starting from the palace gate and extending all the way to the nine-tiered platform. In ancient times, the emperor's Mingtang (Hall of Brightness) had nine tiers, so their thrones were usually built on the nine tiers, symbolizing a higher status than others.
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