Chapter 15 Our Home
Since the "White Crane Messenger" incident, Tang Lu's "territorial consciousness" has soared to unprecedented heights, and she has developed new ways to assert her sovereignty.
Before, she just clung to Chi Li, but now she's become keen on leaving her "marks" on Chi Li and in the places Chi Li frequents.
For example, when Chi Li was reviewing the jade slips, she would find that a tender green ginkgo leaf, carrying her scent, had been pasted onto the corner of the jade slips at some unknown time.
For example, a few small golden leaves are always scattered on the throne of the Crimson Glass. After the eunuch cleans them up, they will magically reappear the next day.
What made Chi Li both amused and exasperated was that one morning when she woke up, she found that her proud, long, crimson-gold hair had been woven with a few strands of fine golden vines, and was also cleverly adorned with a few tiny white flowers the size of rice grains, emitting a fresh grassy fragrance.
Chi Li looked at herself in the mirror with a "flower wreath" on her head and remained silent for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Meanwhile, the culprit was still standing to the side, cupping her little face in her hands, her eyes sparkling as she begged for praise: "Isn't Lili pretty? Tang Lu spent so long getting her ready!"
Looking at Tang Lu's expectant eyes, Chi Li swallowed the phrase "What kind of behavior is this?" which circled in her mouth three times before turning into a helpless sigh: "...Yes, it looks good."
What could she do?
I have to spoil the little tree spirit I picked up, even if I have to kneel down.
Moreover, Tang Lu seemed to have decided that the spot next to Chi Li was her exclusive "flowerpot".
Now, not only in the government affairs hall, but also in Chi Li's study, meditation room, and even the pavilion where he occasionally strolls in the garden, Tang Lu will naturally extend its roots and "plant" in the same spot for a while, leaving behind a trace of its own presence, as long as the time is long enough.
Chi Li let her do as she pleased, and even vaguely felt that being surrounded by the little tree spirit's aura gave her a strange sense of security and satisfaction.
However, Chi Li's indulgence clearly led some "bystanders" to misunderstand.
On this day, Lieshan, a demon general whose prototype was a blazing lion and whose personality was bold and straightforward, couldn't help but laugh heartily after reporting on military affairs, looking at Tanglu who was obediently "planted" next to the Crimson Throne and playing with leaves. His voice was as loud as a bell:
"Your Majesty, your little pet is quite obedient and adorable! I wonder what kind of spiritual plant it is? My cave dwelling is still lacking an embellishment; if only I could have a branch..."
Before he could finish speaking, he felt the temperature in the entire government affairs hall suddenly drop several degrees!
A chilling, bone-piercing pressure emanated from the direction of the throne, making him instantly breathless, and all the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.
Lieshan looked up in horror, only to see that their emperor's crimson-gold eyes were devoid of any warmth, filled only with a chilling coldness.
"Pet?" Chi Li's voice was soft, yet it struck Lie Shan's heart like an ice pick. "Divide?"
Every word was filled with overwhelming rage and... murderous intent?
Lieshan's legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud, his back instantly soaked with cold sweat: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please forgive me! This humble general misspoke! This humble general had no intention of offending you!"
It was only at this moment that he realized he might have made a fatal mistake.
This little tree spirit is probably much more than just a "pet"!
Tang Lu, who was playing with the leaves, was also startled by the sudden low pressure.
Although she didn't quite understand what "pet" and "splitting" meant, she could sense that the big monster's words made her very, very angry!
She immediately dropped Ye Zi and ran to Chi Li's side, grabbing her sleeve tightly with her small hands and using her tiny body to shield Chi Li (though it was of little use). She bared her little fangs at Lie Shan, who was kneeling on the ground, and uttered what she thought was a very intimidating "Hmph!"
Chi Li looked at the small figure blocking her way, and her anger strangely subsided a little, but her eyes remained cold.
She put her arm around Tang Lu's shoulder and brought her back to her side, her gaze sweeping like a blade over the trembling Lie Shan below and the other silent ministers in the hall.
"Listen to me clearly, all of you." Her voice resounded clearly throughout the entire government hall, carrying an unquestionable authority. "Tang Lu is not a pet, much less a plaything. She is my person."
She paused, looked around at everyone, and spoke each word clearly and forcefully:
"To see her is to see me, the king."
"Those who harm her deserve to die ten thousand times over."
"Those who speak recklessly will have their tongues pulled out and their souls extracted."
The entire government affairs hall was deathly silent.
All the demons lowered their heads deeply, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Lieshan lay prostrate on the ground, trembling like a leaf.
They had never seen His Majesty defend someone so fiercely, even to the point of uttering such harsh words.
This is no longer just simple pampering; this is clearly... a slip of the tongue!
Tang Lu looked up at Chi Li, who had a cold expression but exuded an incredibly strong protective aura for her, and her heart felt as if it were filled with honey, warm and sweet.
Although she didn't quite understand those harsh words, she knew that Lili was protecting her and telling everyone that she was very, very important!
She couldn't help but reach out her little hand, hook it around Chi Li's finger, and give her a bright, loving smile full of dependence and joy.
Chi Li lowered her head and met her pure and innocent smile, which was full of love for her. The chill around her instantly melted away, and her eyes softened again.
She gripped that small hand tightly in return, feeling a surge of warmth in her heart.
Perhaps, from the moment she enlightened this little tree in the forest, it was destined that her world would be different because of this touch of gold.
That night, Chi Li took Tang Lu to an observatory at the highest point of the palace.
Here, the view is expansive, offering a glimpse of the dazzling stars in the sky, and the brightly lit, bustling capital of the demon realm below.
"Do you like it here?" Chi Li asked.
"I love it!" Tang Lu nodded vigorously, looking around curiously. "So tall! So beautiful!"
Looking at her excited little face, Chi Li made a decision in her heart.
She channeled her divine power, and crimson-gold light flowed from her fingertips as she began to construct the most expansive and sun-and-moon-receiving area in the center of the observatory.
The warmth of divine power is the most skillful craftsman, quickly outlining the contours, creating a small and exquisite prototype of a courtyard.
There is ground paved with warm jade, suitable for taking root; there is babbling water drawn from the spiritual spring; there are flowerbeds decorated with various spiritual flowers and herbs; and there is even a soft swing woven from clouds.
This was a place that Chi Li had long wanted to prepare for Tang Lu, a place that truly belonged to her, where she could grow and play freely.
“From now on, this will be your yard,” Chi Li said softly to Tang Lu, who was staring in disbelief. “You can sunbathe here as much as you like, take root wherever you want, and plant whatever you want.”
Tang Lu looked at the suddenly appearing, unbelievably beautiful little courtyard, then at Chi Li, her amber eyes filled with surprise.
"Really...really? For Tang Lu?" Her voice trembled slightly.
"Yes, it's for you." Chi Li nodded. "Do you like it?"
"I love it! I love it so much!" Tang Lu cheered, rushing into Chi Li's arms like a happy little bird, hugging her tightly. "Li Li is the best! Tang Lu loves Li Li the most!"
She ran around in her own courtyard, touching the soft swing, stepping on the warm ground, playing in the spring, and finally returning to Chi Li's side, her little face flushed and her eyes brighter than the stars in the sky.
“Lili,” she said, taking Chili’s hand and announcing very seriously and solemnly, “this is our home!”
It's not "her yard," it's "our home."
Chi Li's heart was struck hard by those words, and a warm current flowed through her entire body.
Looking at the little tree spirit before her, which had taken human form because of her, had come to this bustling capital because of her, and now regarded her as its "home," she felt as if the ten thousand years had been spent waiting for this moment of fulfillment.
"Okay." She embraced Tang Lu, her voice gentle yet firm. "This is our home."
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