191: Inside the cage

When she returned to the study, The Emperor was actually still there.

"Soothed him?"

The Emperor was flipping through a book. Hearing the movement, he turned from the bookshelf as the Female Beast entered, wearing a man's coat over her shoulders.

Tu Nan didn't answer. The journey to and from the palace gates wasn't short; her face had been scraped by the cold wind, and now, entering the warm room, she felt a thawing prickle.

It was like being scorched by ice, a bizarre balance of pain and numbness.

Seeing his question ignored, The Emperor didn't get angry.

Placing the book on the desk, he flipped through it page by page.

"What, you like travelogues that much?" he asked.

"Please forgive me for touching your bookshelf without permission. However, I thought that since Manager Yuan allowed me to stay here, there probably wouldn't be any secrets."

The Emperor pointed to a page in the book and asked, "You want to go here?"

That was the very page recording that legend. Tu Nan had inserted a plain piece of paper she'd taken from the study to serve as a bookmark.

Tu Nan replied, "I'm just interested in ancient ruins... That part of the legend is written very interestingly. It's said that legends are often connected to history."

She observed whether The Emperor showed any reaction.

"Your Majesty should be very familiar with your territory. Have you been here?" Tu Nan asked.

"Me?" His Majesty's expression was very strange.

"The palace is my cage. Where else could I go?" Although he was smiling, he had already closed the book and tossed it onto the table.

"Like you, I pass the days reading travelogues. Oh, and reports, which is even worse."

This was, of course, The Emperor's self-deprecation. He had campaigned for years, even going to the border stars; there was no comparison between him and someone like Tu Nan, who had only lit up a few spots on the world map.

However, as a wise ruler, his itinerary likely had nothing to do with leisure.

He must be very busy and not in the mood for any entertainment.

"An overly magnificent cage," Tu Nan chimed in casually.

After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Kong Jiamu should have returned by now?"

She couldn't wait any longer. Today's sudden arrangement by The Emperor was also telling her: was he waiting for that experiment, hoping for that result?

"Kong Jiamu." The Emperor, on the contrary, seemed to have just remembered his existence, thinking for a brief moment.

Yuan Zhe, like a shadow, stepped forward and reminded The Emperor, "Colonel Kong has already returned. He has submitted four requests for an audience. This morning... he went to the Empress Dowager's place."

"Oh... I see." The Emperor showed an expression of realization and said to Tu Nan, "It seems I really don't need to worry about your progress."

"He's truly burning with anxiety for your sake."

Tu Nan defended the Peacock, "Your Majesty, it was you who summoned him back. I don't think he traveled so fast because of me."

"You underestimate yourself," The Emperor remarked.

Tu Nan stopped arguing; she focused on the more practical issues ahead.

"Your Majesty, since you have recovered, may I move to the Autumn Courtyard with the Children?" It should be enough to have kept her locked up for three days; she had realized it the moment she turned around that day.

How could she possibly have the ability to make The Emperor faint from anger?

It was likely just a coincidence, and she had essentially been caught in the crossfire.

"Are you in a hurry too?" The Emperor asked.

Tu Nan nodded directly.

"I am indeed in a hurry, Your Majesty. The Children's situation is unclear, so I can't help but be anxious." To make The Emperor realize the seriousness of the matter, Tu Nan brought up an authority figure.

"Has Doctor James returned to the Medical Institute? Before everything begins, it's best to do another check-up. I also have many things I want to ask him," she asked.

It was time to start creating records. Previously, the conditions weren't there, but now, maintaining the balance would require precise examinations.

The Emperor rubbed his fingers; his palms were large and powerful. When thinking, he would exhibit several small hand gestures, such as touching his power ring.

Tu Nan was stunned for a moment. That deep black ring... wasn't on his hand today.

But her gaze quickly lowered, accompanied by a familiar sensation.

Then, all she could do was widen her eyes and glare at the man.

"Your Majesty!"

Good, she could still speak this time.

The palm she had been observing just now lightly scooped her into his arms. The Emperor smiled contentedly, reaching out to touch the tuft of long white fur on the black cat's ear, and commented.

"The 'smart fur' is quite long. Hmm... better than that pile of cats the Empress Dowager has."

Those were real cats; Tu Nan didn't feel there was any point in competing with them.

"What do you mean by this?" What exactly was The Emperor's problem with her?

The Emperor's hand completely covered her round head, kneading it haphazardly. After being pricked by Tu Nan's whiskers a few times, he finally began to pinch the skin behind her ears.

He wasn't very skilled, but his strength wasn't heavy either. After a few tries, he found what he considered the right pressure.

"When asking for a favor, remember to keep your attitude humble, hmm? I don't like this attitude of yours, so..." He gave the cat a little bounce and walked out.

On the way, he didn't forget to keep stroking her, and his hand movements finally settled into a steady rhythm.

That made Tu Nan instinctively feel comfortable... It was terrifying; her fighting spirit was almost being kneaded away.

Straining to perk herself up, she tried to regain the initiative.

"Your Majesty, it's very inappropriate for me to be seen like this."

The Emperor didn't stop his pace. He smiled and told Tu Nan.

"If you shut up and act like a cat, no one will know. If too many people find out, ordering them to shut up will cost extra... Are you sure you want to pay?"

Tu Nan shut her mouth in frustration.

Fortunately, it seemed The Emperor just wanted an excuse to pet a cat.

He brought Tu Nan to the Medical Institute and tossed her into the examination room, and that episode ended.

Doctor James rushed over from somewhere, looking in much worse shape than the newly recovered Emperor.

The Treatment Pod seemed truly effective... "Examine her," The Emperor ordered.

"I want to create a record. Let's discuss how often to do an examination," Tu Nan said directly to Doctor James, suggesting, "It's best to shorten the intervals. Doing it more frequently at the beginning is fine."

James nodded, and the examination proceeded smoothly.

The Emperor stayed in front of the screen the entire time, engaging in a detailed discussion with the doctor.

He even commented in detail on the two small, blurry black shadows and expressed his best wishes for them to grow well.

As if the Two Children could actually understand at this stage... Tu Nan complained inwardly.

But The Emperor's concern represented the stability of the matter. She was sensible and cooperated obediently with everything.

James went to the inner room to create the records. Tu Nan slid up to a sitting position on the examination bed.

"Tell me..."

The Emperor suddenly spoke.

"A Foster Mother," he looked at the screen and asked, "how exactly does she summon such courage? It's truly intriguing."

Tu Nan was puzzled.

After exposing her identity for the first time, The Emperor hadn't mentioned it much; he really didn't seem to care.

"I've told you, Your Majesty."

"Tell the truth."

"It's all the truth." Tu Nan wouldn't retract what she had said, but seeing that The Emperor was about to sneer, she added briefly.

"Because I want to live, Your Majesty."

Tu Nan said.

"I want to be with the Children and live. That's all."