Chapter 28 was so awkward.
Chi Li discovered that when your inner world is completely transparent to someone, maintaining a cold and aloof persona is as difficult as teaching a turtle to fly.
Since "revealing one's innermost thoughts" has become the norm, Chi Li feels like she lives like a walking, talking commentary machine with built-in bullet comments.
And the only audience member (Tang Lu) always gives the most direct and poignant feedback.
Scene 1: During the morning court session
A bird-like general was passionately arguing for the necessity of expanding the aerial patrol, his wings flapping excitedly, creating gusts of wind.
Chi Li sat upright on the throne, her face calm and her eyes majestic, fully demonstrating the Demon King's composure and deep thought.
[Tsk, all that fancy talk, all you want is more funding for your birds and their offspring to build new nests, right?]
Did you use all the money from last time for feather grooming? These feathers are dazzlingly shiny.
If he keeps fanning me, my memorial will be blown away.
"Lili," a soft hissing sound came from the flowerpot next to us.
Tang Lu clung to the edge of the basin, trying to keep her voice down, "Don't always try to expose others... Besides, his feathers are quite beautiful, like shining gems!"
The bird general's speech came to an abrupt halt. He looked in confusion at the flowerpot beside the throne, then at His Majesty.
He thought he just heard the young prince praising his beautiful feathers?
Chi Li remained unfazed, giving a slight nod to the bird clan general, her tone steady: "What you say makes sense. We can discuss the funding issue later."
"Please wait, my foot! Check your accounts from last time first."
Tang Lu: "Li Li, you're swearing in your mind!"
Chi Li: "...Court adjourned."
Scene 2: Reviewing Memorials
Chi Li picked up a memorial, which was a plea from a demon general for his drunken misbehavior at the celebration.
She frowned slightly and began to read.
Oh, it's that silly bear. The one who got drunk and hugged a pillar calling for its mother?
The writing is quite good; the repentance is written with great emotion, almost bringing me to tears.
[If he does it again, I'll send him to a rabbit-themed kindergarten as a babysitter, and see if he dares to drink again.]
"Pfft—" Tang Lu looked at the memorial, then at Chi Li, and laughed so hard she shook in the flowerpot. "Rabbit Clan Kindergarten! Li Li, you're so naughty! But Uncle Bear and the rabbits together... seem kind of cute?"
Chi Li paused, almost drawing a line of ink on the memorial.
She looked helplessly at the little tree spirit who was laughing so hard he was practically falling over: "...Focus on playing with your leaves."
Scene 3: Afternoon nap
Chi Li leaned back on the soft couch for a short rest, while Tang Lu curled up beside her like a kitten.
Half-asleep, Chi Li felt Tang Lu gently pull up the thin blanket that had slipped down on her, and clumsily comb the stray strands of hair that had fallen down her temples with her little fingers.
A warm feeling welled up from the bottom of my heart without me even realizing it.
This little guy is quite considerate when he's quiet.
The fresh, natural scent of herbs emanating from him is so comforting.
[It's so soft and warm, like a piece of jade... much more comfortable than those cold, hard spirit stone pillows.]
She didn't open her eyes, but she felt the small body beside her stiffen slightly.
Then, a fluffy little head gently nuzzled her chin, with a mixture of shyness and immense joy.
Tang Lu didn't say it out loud as usual, but expressed it through her actions: "Tang Lu heard it, Tang Lu is so happy."
Chi Li's lips curved into a soft arc from an angle that Tang Lu couldn't see.
The biggest "crisis" occurred during dinner.
The cook meticulously prepared a dish that Chi Li often enjoyed: Spirit Roasted Phoenix Feather Meat (not a real phoenix, but a bird that resembles a phoenix).
As soon as Chi Li picked up the jade chopsticks, she habitually made a mental assessment:
The cooking time was acceptable, but too many spices were added, masking the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Tang Lu immediately looked up and, in an innocent and helpful tone, loudly conveyed to the cook standing beside her:
"Sister Bunny! Lili said the meat was delicious, but there was a little too much spice! Just use less next time!"
In an instant, the entire dining hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The rabbit cook was so frightened that her ears perked up, and she looked at Chi Li with trepidation.
Chi Li's hand, holding the jade chopsticks, froze in mid-air.
She could feel all the servants' eyes focused on her, filled with awe (Your Majesty can even taste this subtle difference!) and a hint of... sympathy (Your Majesty, your true feelings have been publicly executed!).
She took a deep breath, trying her best to keep her facial muscles from twitching, and said to the pale-faced cook in as gentle a tone as possible, "...It's alright, the taste is acceptable."
[My glorious reputation...] He wailed inwardly.
Tang Lu was completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere. She even looked at Chi Li with a triumphant expression, her eyes sparkling as if to say, "Look, Tang Lu helped Li Li express her thoughts! You're welcome!"
Looking at that innocent little face that seemed to be saying "Praise me!", Chi Li felt all her helplessness and embarrassment turn into a resigned sigh.
She put down her jade chopsticks, picked up a fresh and tender spiritual fruit, and placed it in the bowl of crabapple dew.
"Eat yours." The tone was more weary than ever before, yet full of indulgence.
Forget it, let's just destroy it, hurry up and do it.
The aloofness can no longer be maintained, and the arrogance has lost its foothold.
In front of this little tree spirit, Chi Li was just an ordinary (?) demon who would complain in her heart, complain about the excessive amount of spices, and feel that hugging her was more comfortable than a spirit stone pillow.
And it seems... not bad at all?
At least, she no longer has to bother guessing what the little guy is thinking, even though he can't hide it at all, and she doesn't have to worry about her feelings being misunderstood.
Her heart was transparent to Tang Lu, and Tang Lu's heart, from the very beginning, was presented to her in its purest form.
Today, His Majesty the Demon King has completely bid farewell to his arrogance and embraced a new life of "inner transparency".
She found that being more honest... seemed to make things easier?
Tang Lu: "Li Li! You feel more at ease being honest! That means you like things as they are now! Tang Lu likes it too!"
Chi Li: "...Shut up and eat."
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