After class, Qi Qi slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and excitedly walked with the Ninth Prince in the opposite direction from the Phoenix Palace. Today they were going to the Beast Taming Garden!
It was rare for the Ninth Prince to make such a request, but it was just to keep a small pet. Thinking that her son's health had improved and there shouldn't be any major problems, the Empress readily agreed. As soon as get out of class ended, she arranged for a carriage to pick him up, which attracted the attention of all the princes and their companions.
The palace is very large, so carriages can travel there, but not everywhere is accessible. There are designated routes, and a pass is required.
It takes almost half an hour to walk from the Imperial Study to the Imperial Animal Garden, let alone a child, so a carriage is naturally necessary.
The carriage looked quite luxurious, with a moderate interior space and soft cushions to prevent a bumpy ride. Qi Qi curiously lifted the curtain to look outside. Seeing his enthusiasm, the Ninth Prince also came over for a look and said boredly, "What's so interesting? It's all walls."
Qi Qi said, "It's so nice not having to walk."
Ninth Prince: "...I'm too lazy for you."
When they arrived at the Beast Taming Garden, a group of eunuchs who looked like managers were already standing in front of the gate, and there were several people dressed differently. The eunuch in charge introduced them as the animal trainers of the garden.
The Emperor of Great Xia enjoys playing and the Imperial Beast Garden has a fairly rich variety of animals. The steward has received a mission today: to serve the Ninth Prince well, ensuring he is not frightened by the wild beasts, and to allow him to choose a pet that he likes and is docile, preferably a small animal.
Tigers and wolves were out of the question. The manager and the animal trainer led the two towards the cute animals. The place was like a rudimentary version of a zoo, but the animals were all rare species. The deer and baby elephants looked normal enough, but when they passed the snow fox and the Persian cat with heterochromia, Qi Qi's eyes almost stopped moving.
So cute.
As soon as Qi Qi stopped, the Ninth Prince naturally stopped as well, thinking that he was interested. The animal trainer, with great insight, brought the animal over for the Ninth Prince to examine. Qi Qi, whose eyes had turned into heart shapes, grinned and touched this animal and that animal, like a complete playboy.
The Ninth Prince noticed that he wasn't even looking at him, his mind completely focused on the animals: "You like them that much?"
Qi Qi was completely oblivious to his expression. The cat was very docile, and its meows were so sweet that they softened one's heart. Its claws had been clipped. Qi Qi held the cat in both arms and let the Ninth Prince pet it: "Your Highness, it's so soft!"
The Ninth Prince casually touched it: "Hmm, you want this?"
Cats are great, but Qi Qi thought for a moment and said, "No, let's get a dog instead!"
Sorry, kitty! Although you're very cute, you don't seem to talk much, so you can't really expend the Ninth Prince's energy! Walking the dog would be better!
As Qi Qi passed by another tree, a group of adorable little rabbits were hopping around under it, and he paused in his tracks.
Ninth Prince: "You like rabbits?"
Qi Qi swallowed hard and nodded: "The bunny is so cute... Spicy bunny is delicious..."
The Ninth Prince's lips twitched: "What is spicy rabbit?"
Qi Qi recalled the legendary dish from Sichuan Province, and his throat bobbed again: "It was an absolutely amazing delicacy..."
The Ninth Prince disagreed: "Just have the Imperial Kitchen make it."
The animal trainer looked at the cute rabbit with a startled expression, then at the little eunuch: ...
After much effort, I finally managed to find a kennel amidst a sea of flowers. The big dogs were kept in cages, while others wandered around in their enclosures. A group of puppies were hopping around on the grass, chubby and adorable.
As we all know, little dogs are the cutest.
The animal trainer perked up and quickly began to introduce the origins of these dogs: rare breeds presented as tribute from neighboring small countries, excellent and obedient hunting dogs that had been selected from generations of local breeds, and gentle puppies beloved by many noble ladies in the capital...
The Ninth Prince didn't care what he chose, and gestured to Qi Qi with his eyes. Qi Qi then said, "Are there any puppies that are lively, obedient, well-behaved, and cute? They should be enthusiastic and like to cling to their owners... It would be best if they were a little clumsy, so that they could play by themselves when their owners don't have time to walk them, and wouldn't be too sad? By the way, they don't actually need to be so obedient. It's good if they have a little temper of their own. Puppies that are too sensible will ignore their own preferences to cater to their owners, which would be very pitiful."
As the Ninth Prince listened, his gaze swept over Qi Qi.
"Okay, let's do as he says."
The animal trainer was drenched in sweat.
Is this looking for a dog or a wife? Why so many requirements? When other people look for puppies, they look at whether the dog is lively, obedient, strong, and good-looking.
Qi Qi knew he was asking for too much, so he said, "It's okay, it's okay, let's take a look first."
Once the animal trainer had stepped aside, Qi Qi, along with the Ninth Prince, began their search for their cub.
"Your Highness, how about this one?"
"Your Highness, how about that one?"
The Ninth Prince was still just a child and couldn't withstand the furry attacks, so he joined Qi Qi in picking on the puppies.
“They’re all good,” he said, though he didn’t seem to have a particular preference.
The puppy smelled like a dog. Qi Qi petted it a few times, and after petting it all, he felt that although it was cute, he just didn't feel anything special.
Until the sound of barking came from the direction of the kennels in the distance, big dogs barking and small dogs barking, Qi Qi stood up and walked in that direction. The animal trainer hurriedly stopped him: "Sir, the cages are full of large dogs with more aggressive temperaments. It would be safer for Your Highness to choose a small dog."
Qi Qi: "I'm just taking a look, it's fine, I don't pick big dogs."
He turned back and said, "Your Highness, you can choose here first, this servant will go and take a look!"
Ninth Prince: "I'll go too."
Qi Qi: "Just one look. You take a look at those over there first, I'll be right back."
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