Chapter 50 Prince Huai'an, I really just want to eat.
The Prince's Mansion was originally the Princess's Mansion. It was the Princess's Mansion when Princess Nanzhao was alive, and it became the Prince's Mansion after the princess passed away.
The covered boat could only take them to the neighborhood where the Prince's mansion was located; the rest of the journey had to be done on foot.
The mansion, built halfway up the mountain, was unaffected by the floods and remained safely nestled in the mountains.
The Prince's Mansion received a message that Prince Xiao was coming to visit today, so they sent more than a dozen servants to wait at the gate. When they saw that only four people came, they were immediately at a loss.
She was not followed by any officials or servants from Kyoto, but only by a woman and two yamen runners from the prefecture.
The servant hurried forward, "Good morning, sir. Are you His Highness Prince Xiao?"
Bai Yan nodded. "Where is your prince?"
The servant bowed deeply, not daring to raise his head, and said, "Your Highness has been waiting for a long time. Please come in, Your Highness."
The current state of the Prince's Mansion is beyond everyone's expectations.
The first thing they saw was a barren, muddy ground. The servant was clearly embarrassed. “You flatter us, esteemed guest. Our Prince’s beloved pet is still growing and has a rather large appetite, but the Prince has been trying his best to control it.”
The two yamen runners were entering the Prince's mansion for the first time, and they remained silent upon seeing the scene.
Faced with the desolate scene, Jiang Yuzhi didn't know what to say. She noticed that every house she passed had several large brass locks on it.
The dozen or so servants behind him looked wary, as if they were afraid something might rush out.
"Is there no one else in the mansion?" Jiang Yuzhi couldn't help but ask.
The servant continued walking without stopping, and the back of the person leading the way stiffened for a moment. "Some young ladies, to show respect, the Prince has sent most of the servants in the mansion to greet them. They all know some footwork, so it's very safe."
These words are hard not to be suspicious. The only reason the Prince's mansion is unsafe is that the Prince is planning a rebellion and has even brought in a dozen or so people who know martial arts to watch over them.
Although Bai Yan was also puzzled, he had some connection with the Prince of Huai'an and knew his character, so he patted Jiang Yuzhi on the shoulder to reassure her.
Except for Jiang Yuzhi and Bai Yan, the rest of the group walked uneasily into the depths of the mansion.
The Prince's Mansion, located halfway up the mountain, should be a place of birdsong and fragrant flowers, full of natural charm, but at this moment it is eerily silent.
The servant at the very back kept muttering to himself, as if trying to reassure himself, "It's alright, it's alright, the young master is very good. I'm tough, my clothes smell bad, and I don't taste good, it's alright, it's alright..."
The two constables walking with him were so frightened that their legs went weak, and the two eight-foot-tall men supported each other as they moved forward.
Prince Huai'an did not receive them in the reception room, but in the back garden.
It's called a back garden, but it's actually a spacious backyard with only crisscrossing cobblestone paths and rugged rockeries.
A fat man wearing patched clothes was holding a lamb up to knees by the neck with one hand, while pulling the sleeve out of the lamb's mouth with the other. "Little darling, didn't you say you didn't like this? Why are you chewing on it? Loosen your mouth, okay? Be good, we'll open the granary soon, don't rush."
The servant awkwardly reminded the man, "Your Highness, Prince Xiao has arrived."
Prince Huai'an finally managed to clear his mind and look at everyone. "Brother Bai, it's been a long time. I'm sorry to have made you laugh. And who is this?"
“My best friend, Jiang Yuzhi, you can call her Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Yuzhi nodded politely, her attention entirely focused on the lamb.
Huai'an: "This is also my friend, Chichi. Apart from eating a lot, he is very well-behaved most of the time."
As soon as he finished speaking, he slowly opened his mouth and, taking advantage of Huai'an's relaxed guard, skipped over to Jiang Yuzhi and curiously circled around her to observe her.
Huai'an wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a heavy step forward. "Hey! Eat! They're guests! Don't chew on their clothes!"
The servants quickly surrounded Huai'an and moved away from Chichi.
Instead of taking a bite out of Jiang Yuzhi as everyone expected, Chichi tentatively rubbed against the hem of her clothes, making soft, coquettish bleating sounds. Its ears twitched, and it turned to rub against Bai Yan. After a while, it seemed to be unable to decide which side to stay with.
Fortunately, Jiang Yuzhi and Bai Yan were standing very close together. They were both afraid that if something happened, they wouldn't have time to run away with each other. Chichi squeezed into the narrow gap between them, trying to be close to both of them at the same time and feel their caresses.
Huai'an felt a sour taste in his stomach from jealousy. Chichi had never been so clingy to him before. It would only come over and bark at him haughtily when it was hungry and wanted to eat, even though it was hungry most of the day.
Seeing this, Bai Yan stole a glance at Jiang Yuzhi and felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
Jiang Yuzhi subconsciously stroked Chichi's fluffy head. "What's wrong with it?"
Huai'an was practically biting her handkerchief, saying, "Chichi likes you."
Chichi: "Meow~~~"
Huai'an pointed to a few servants and said, "You guys go inside and bring out the food."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Five or six servants went.
Chichi was still acting cute under Jiang Yuzhi's care.
Huai'an also came over and took the opportunity to touch it a few times.
Bai Yan: "Where did this sheep come from?"
Huai'an's eyes dimmed. "An'an's lifespan was over. I couldn't keep it. On the day of the burial, Chichi ran out of the cemetery. It looked pitiful. There was hardly any flesh on its body, and its fur was covered in mud. You couldn't even tell its original color. I thought that maybe An'an was taking care of the younger generation of the clan and gave me another one, so I brought Chichi back."
Bai Yan: "And what's wrong with your figure?"
Huai'an: "Eat it and love it, and I've also developed a big appetite. Oh right, I'll pay back the grain I owed Xu Ling once the rent from the estate comes in. I really don't mean anything by it."
His explanation was indeed somewhat unbelievable, and he knew it himself, which is why he allowed the people from the prefecture to keep an eye on him both openly and secretly.
The servants returned carrying two large wooden basins, each about the size of a person's arm, and several burlap sacks.
They skillfully poured the dried meat from the sacks into a wooden basin, and then several other people brought over steaming rice and vegetables, dumping them all together to form a small mountain.
Another basin was filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Huai'an: "Your food is here, go eat quickly."
Bai Yan and Jiang Yuzhi were still shocked to see so many yamen runners around them, even though they were somewhat prepared.
Can such a small body really eat so much?
Chichi was not as excited as usual, ignoring Huai'an completely, and squinted her eyes as she tried to squeeze into Jiang Yuzhi's arms.
Jiang Yuzhi liked the feel of the sheep, but based on what she had seen and heard on the way and the account of the Prince of Huai'an, she knew that this sheep was a tough nut to crack and could bankrupt the Prince's mansion. She softened her voice and said, "Eat, eat, it's time to eat."
Chichi first peeked at her, and after confirming that she was serious, she surprisingly nodded in a human-like manner. Then, with a proud gait, she buried her head in her rice bowl and began to eat in small bites.
Huai'an was too heavy to stand for long, so he sat on a reinforced chair that the servant had brought over. "You may sit as well."
So everyone sat not far from Chichi and watched it eat.
Huai'an: "Sigh, it usually eats so fast, I don't know what's wrong with it today."
Jiang Yuzhi: "There is something I would like to ask the Prince, and perhaps it is a bit presumptuous of me."
Huai'an waved his hand, not caring much, "Miss Jiang, you're too kind. Just ask whatever you want."
Jiang Yuzhi: "Did it eat your entire household to this extent?"
Huai'an: "Miss Jiang has a good eye, but I have tried my best to restrain it. It was only eaten in the mansion, and the mountain is still intact. You can't use this to blame me."
Bai Yan: "Didn't you ever wonder why it ate so much?"
Huai An settled down, looking bewildered.
Jiang Yuzhi suddenly realized something.
Could it be that the pitiful little fellow Huang Daopo spoke of was Chichi? It seems that the Prince of Huai'an and everyone in the manor had their perceptions clouded by some force, and coupled with the Prince's deep affection for Chichi, they all overlooked this fact.
Poor little guy, what's so pitiful... could it be that he's not getting enough to eat?
It seems that there is indeed a record in the records of Fengdu Hall that it has the body of a sheep and the face of a human, eyes under its armpits, tiger teeth and human claws, and a voice like that of an infant.
Name: Taotie.
However, ancient texts also mention that the places where mythical beasts like the Taotie lived were separated from the mortal world thousands of years ago. Some of these beasts died during the separation, while others were seriously injured.
If Chichi is truly a glutton, how did it manage to cross the barrier and arrive in the mortal realm?
etc!
Zhong Yuxiu also came from the outside world. Di Ting also accidentally fell into another world. Perhaps the world she came from has already been torn open in places that cannot be seen.
Upon closer examination, the "Map of Mountains and Rivers" serves as an anchor point for maintaining stability. If this anchor point is damaged, it's not surprising that other parts of the map might also experience problems.
Jiang Yuzhi was lost in thought and Bai Yan had to call her several times before she came to her senses. She then looked at Bai Yan seriously and said, "Mingze, we need to take some food with us."
"good."
Huai'an was speechless. How could these two decide their beloved pet's fate so casually? "No, Brother Bai, I'll eat some more..."
Bai Yan: "You should be able to sense that it's unusual; eating it has already had an effect on you."
Huai'an looked down and saw the fat flesh that was about to burst out of the clothes. Before adopting Chichi, he was a handsome young man of normal build. But Chichi was given to him by An'an, and it wasn't like he couldn't afford to raise it... He really didn't want to send it away, even though the other party was the Prince Xiao, who was highly regarded by the emperor.
Bai Yan: "You've been raising it for almost a year, so it's showing signs of growing?"
Even if Chichi was brought back to the manor right after birth, a one-year-old lamb wouldn't be so short as to not even have horns yet and be as tall as a person's knee.
Huai'an still argued unwillingly, "Eating it... at least it will become stronger, it just won't grow taller. Look at its fur, it's not as rough as it used to be."
Jiang Yuzhi: "Your Highness, we are not trying to forcibly separate you and Chichi. It is very dangerous. To ensure your safety and the well-being of the people of Wannan, it would be best if Chichi came with me. You can also come back to the capital with us."
Huai'an hesitated, "You?"
Jiang Yuzhi remained unfazed. "My ancestors were Taoist priests, and they had experience with strange beasts like the Chichi."
Huai'an frowned as he looked at Bai Yan.
Bai Yan: "Yes, Yu Zhi is very capable."
Jiang Yuzhi pressed her advantage, continuing to persuade, "Besides, look, Chichi likes me a lot too, doesn't she?"
After finishing its meal, Chichi ran towards them with food crumbs still on its mouth. It then took a clean handkerchief from the servant's tray and handed it to Jiang Yuzhi.
Jiang Yuzhi wiped Di Ting's mouth, then skillfully took the handkerchief and smeared it on Di Ting's mouth.
Huai'an was heartbroken. "Miss Jiang, could you be gentler?"
Chichi wasn't stupid; she overheard their conversation. The soft, cuddly little lamb rubbed against Huai'an's leg for the first time, then returned to Jiang Yuzhi's side, baa~
Huai'an understood.
His little lamb wanted to leave.
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Author's Note: [Hugs]
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