readytorunbook Chapter 29 is about her cat from her past life!
Chapter 29 is about her cat from her past life!
Chu Qingyin looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of palace servants chasing a nimble kitten.
The cat had snow-white fur, slender limbs, and heterochromatic eyes. It was agile and easily evaded the palace servants' pursuit.
Chu Qingyin froze the moment she saw the cat.
“Little Snowball…” she murmured.
The cat seemed to have noticed her too, and it ran straight towards her.
Upon seeing this, the palace servants exclaimed in alarm, "Stop it! We can't let it disturb Consort Qiao!"
However, before they could react, the cat had already leaped up and landed lightly in Chu Qingyin's arms.
Chu Qingyin looked down at the kitten in her arms. Its golden and turquoise eyes, and its snow-white fur, were those of her beloved pet from her previous life, Little Snowball.
"Little Snowball, is it really you?" she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
As if in response to her call, the kitten meowed softly and rubbed its head against her hand.
A thin layer of tears welled up in Chu Qingyin's eyes as she gently stroked the kitten's fur, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
In her past life, this cat was one of the few sources of comfort she found in the palace after losing her unborn child.
I thought that after she was banished to the cold palace, Little Snowball would also be abused and harmed by those villains, but I didn't expect that it would still be alive and well, and that they would even be able to reunite!
Xiao Guizi, who was responsible for feeding the little snowballs, was also stunned.
They were surprised that this usually aloof cat would actually throw itself into the arms of a stranger, and even more surprised that the woman's appearance was so similar to that of the deceased imperial concubine!
For a fleeting moment, he thought he saw the Imperial Concubine from the past.
Just then, a dignified voice rang out from not far away: "What's going on here?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the emperor, dressed in a robe with a dragon and floral pattern, walking slowly towards them, followed by several eunuchs.
Everyone immediately knelt down and bowed, shouting, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Chu Qingyin hurriedly tried to kneel down, but her movements were slightly slowed by the cat in her arms. Just as she was about to apologize, she heard Pei Yuanling say, "Rise."
Everyone then stood up.
Pei Yuanling's gaze fell on Chu Qingyin, and when he saw that she was still holding Xiaoxueqiu in her arms, a hint of surprise flashed in his narrow eyes.
“This cat…” Pei Yuanling frowned, “How did it get here with you?”
Chu Qingyin looked down at the cat in her arms and replied softly, "Your Majesty, I don't know either. The cat just ran into my arms on its own."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling's breath hitched: "You're saying it ran into your arms by itself?"
Chu Qingyin nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty, I dare not conceal it."
Xiao Kangzi, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, seeing that the weather is nice today, I thought I'd let Little Snowball out to bask in the sun. Unexpectedly, Little Snowball suddenly darted out of the Lizheng Palace and headed straight for the Imperial Garden. We immediately chased after it, but it unexpectedly jumped right into this lady's arms..."
Xiao Kangzi was a former servant in the Imperial Concubine's palace. Since the Imperial Concubine passed away, Xiao Xueqiu had been raised by Xiao Kangzi. Now that even he said so, Pei Yuanling believed that the cat had run into Chu Qingyin's arms on its own initiative.
Moreover, the little snowball, which usually only allowed Pei Yuanling and the Imperial Concubine to pet it, was now nestled docilely in Consort Qiao's arms, making comfortable purring sounds, showing that it was truly close to Consort Qiao.
Cats are said to be very perceptive, so why is Little Snowball so attached to this Consort Qiao? Is she mistaking her for her former master, or...?
Pei Yuanling was stirred by the bold guess in his mind.
Seeing that the man in front of her remained silent, Chu Qingyin cautiously spoke up: "Your Majesty, is this cat your pet? If it has disturbed you, I deserve to die."
Pei Yuanling waved his hand: "It's alright. This cat is usually not friendly to strangers, but today is an exception."
He paused, then asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Your Majesty, Consort Shu invited me to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers today because of the beautiful spring weather. However, she had some business to attend to at her palace and left earlier."
Seeing her with Consort Shu again, Pei Yuanling frowned slightly. Just as he was about to ask, "Are you and Consort Shu on good terms?", the cat in Chu Qingyin's arms suddenly stirred and let out a soft "meow".
Chu Qingyin looked down and saw the cat looking at her with its two clear, glass-like eyes, its gaze full of affection.
Chu Qingyin's heart softened involuntarily.
Although the cat couldn't speak, she had a vague feeling that the little snowball had probably recognized her.
This intelligent little fellow has eyes that see much more clearly than most people's.
How wonderful it would be if I could see it often in the future.
Thinking of this, she had a sudden inspiration and asked innocently, "Your Majesty, this cat is so cute. May I visit it often in the future?"
Upon hearing this, the palace servants nearby all gasped in shock.
Everyone in the palace knew that Little Snowball was the beloved pet of the Imperial Concubine. As the saying goes, a pet follows its master, and Little Snowball was just as aloof and arrogant as the Imperial Concubine, and no one else could catch its eye.
But this young Consort Qiao, who had only recently entered the palace, recklessly insisted on visiting Little Snowball frequently.
The palace servants secretly worried for Consort Qiao.
Pei Yuanling casually twirled the jade thumb ring between his thumbs, his gaze shifting back and forth between Chu Qingyin and Mao'er.
After a moment, he nodded: "Alright. Since it likes you, you can visit it at Lizheng Hall often in the future."
Chu Qingyin was overjoyed and quickly thanked him, "Thank you for your permission, Your Majesty."
Pei Yuanling glanced at Chu Qingyin again, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, then turned to the eunuch beside him and said, "Pass down the decree that Consort Qiao may freely enter and leave Lizheng Palace from now on."
The eunuch accepted the order and left, saying, "Yes."
Upon hearing this imperial decree, Chu Qingyin felt both joy and a touch of indescribable melancholy.
Lizheng Palace was her former palace, a place that held so many of her memories and emotions. Now, with the opportunity to revisit it, she felt a mix of trepidation and nostalgia.
Pei Yuanling glanced at the cat in Chu Qingyin's arms and said softly, "You play with it. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
Chu Qingyin was slightly taken aback. She had just arrived, and she was leaving so soon?
That won't do; it's not easy to see each other all the time.
Just as she was thinking of an excuse to call out to the emperor, the little snowball in her arms suddenly meowed.
The next moment, the kitten jumped off Chu Qingyin's arms and ran to the side.
"Little Snowball!" Chu Qingyin exclaimed, instinctively chasing after the cat.
Suddenly, she stumbled, her body involuntarily leaning forward.
"Watch out!" Pei Yuanling reached out and grabbed Chu Qingyin's arm.
The two bodies were instantly very close. Chu Qingyin could clearly feel the ambergris scent emanating from the man, as well as the intense heat of his hand that was supporting her.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly calmed down. However, her body was not yet used to intimate touch with a man, and her snow-white skin soon flushed a bright red.
Her thoughts were in turmoil when a deep voice sounded above her head, "Are you alright?"