Free Web NovelChapter 39: Chapter 39: Disobedient
Leaving the study, she passed a pond and a corridor that led out into the courtyard.
Yu Zhizhi ate a freshly steamed rice cake, eager to go check on the "Wild Dog."
She came to a small path winding through a bamboo grove. Morning light filtered through the stalks, and the air was filled with the scent of spring.
Her maid followed beside her, carrying a food container filled with fresh provisions. freēwebnovel.com
Soon, Yu Zhizhi saw the storage shed.
She had heard it had been cleaned out for the Wild Dog to live in.
As Yu Zhizhi arrived, the territory’s doctor was just walking out. Seeing the young female approaching, he gave a slight nod.
"How is he?" Yu Zhizhi asked.
The doctor spoke with a heavy heart. "His life has been saved for now, but his injuries are severe. Whether he can pull through depends on him."
Yu Zhizhi nodded.
She and her maid walked up the steps.
CREAK—
She pushed the door open. The window of the shed was cracked open just a sliver. The room had been cleared out, leaving only a table, a chair, and an old wooden plank bed.
A figure was curled up in the corner.
The maid was a little nervous.
She gripped Yu Zhizhi’s wrist. "Ms. Zhi Zhi, I heard that before he was sold to the Duke Mansion, he bit his previous master to death."
Hearing this, Yu Zhizhi’s eyes widened slightly.
"Then..."
She thought for a moment. "I’ll just put the food down and leave."
’As long as I can make sure he’s still alive, that’s enough.’
Yu Zhizhi took the food container from the maid. She approached slowly, the lingering smell of rotting wood filling the room.
On the far side of the wooden bed, the newly arrived Wild Dog was bound by thick chains on his neck and limbs, restraining his movements.
Hearing footsteps, the brown ears on his head twitched. His body tensed, and his fangs were gradually exposed.
"I..."
Yu Zhizhi stayed close to the wall as she placed the food container by the bed.
"I brought you something to eat. Remember to have it later, okay? If you’re not feeling well, just tell me."
’That voice...’ fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
’He remembered it.’
’He’d heard it at the pavilion, just as he was about to be whipped to death.’
’It was her.’
"Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. I’ve left the food. I’ll come see you again tomorrow."
Yu Zhizhi didn’t stay any longer.
She knew the Wild Dog was severely injured. Closer up, the air was thick with the stench of blood, mixed with the pungent smell of medicinal ointment.
’He probably just wants to be left alone in peace.’
After they left, the maid outside the door clutched her chest, her heart still pounding with fear.
"That scared me to death! I was so afraid he’d suddenly pounce. Ms. Zhi Zhi, are you really coming to see him again tomorrow? Honestly, a small task like delivering food can be left to the guards."
Yu Zhizhi smiled. "I hope he gets better."
Their voices weren’t loud, but some beasts have exceptionally sharp hearing—like wild dogs.
He had heard every single word of their conversation.
After the female from the Rabbit Clan left, his form stirred slightly, and he reached out with one hand to grab the food container.
’He’d seen too many hypocritical Beastmen.’
’This one was no different.’
’Nursing him back to health was probably just so they could break him all over again.’
...
That evening, the Duke returned to the mansion.
His personal attendant helped him bathe and change his clothes.
The Duke had been at the Royal Palace all day, but his mind had been on his little pet.
"What did she do today?"
The attendant replied respectfully, "My Lord Bo Lan, Ms. Zhi Zhi went to visit the rescued slave after her morning meal."
"How long did she stay?"
"She only went in long enough to deliver the food container."
The attendant recalled, "In the afternoon, led by a maid, she toured many parts of the estate. She ran into the patrolling guards."
At this point, the attendant’s expression faltered, and he hesitated.
Tying his sash, the Duke stepped barefoot onto the cobblestones and headed toward the study.
"What about the guards?"
Following behind the Duke, the attendant had no choice but to tell the truth. "Ms. Zhi Zhi had a very pleasant conversation with the Guard Captain. She offered him a bamboo basket of lychees and even sent a glass of iced lime tea to every guard on the team."
"Oh?" The Duke walked over to the dining table, sat down, and picked up a teacup. He asked with feigned interest, "Which Guard Captain?"
"Guard Captain Jieao."
The attendant replied with a smile, "A talented young man from the Snake Clan whom you personally promoted to this position."
’Jieao?’ he recalled. ’A Green Snake.’
A faint smile played on the Duke’s lips. He spat the mouthwash into an exquisite porcelain bowl held by a servant, then ran his tongue over the sharp teeth inside his cheek.
"Where is she now?"
The attendant replied, "She was waiting for Guard Captain Jieao’s shift to end. By my calculations, his shift should be over by now, and he’s likely gone back to rest."
The smile on the Duke’s face grew stiff.
’Just great.’
’Waiting until his shift ended.’
’Was she planning to go back to Guard Captain Jieao’s room for a... more intimate encounter?’
"Go bind that disobedient little pet and bring her back."
"Yes, my lord."
In Yu Zhizhi’s plan, she was to find an agreeable Snake Clan male and figure out a way to complete her mission.
Guard Captain Jieao—witty and talkative—had become her second choice.
She had spent the whole afternoon cultivating a connection.
Just as she was about to enter his room, the Duke’s personal guards shackled her hands with chains and dragged her away.
Yu Zhizhi stepped into the study, and the door was shut from the outside behind her.
She had no idea what was happening.
Seeing the Duke at the dining table, she said cheerfully, "You’re back~"
Look at her. The little female still looked so innocent, as if she didn’t think she’d done anything wrong.
The Duke was so angry he could have laughed.
"Coming from Jieao’s place?"
"Mm..." Yu Zhizhi nodded. "Yes."
"And are you satisfied with him?"
At the mention of Jieao, Yu Zhizhi’s eyes lit up. "Oh, he’s wonderful! He tells lots of interesting stories, and he’s a great singer, too."
"..."
The Duke’s golden, slitted pupils narrowed. He stared darkly at the little female who was singing another male’s praises.
’This was the little pet he kept.’
’And now she was gushing about some Green Snake male she’d just met.’
’Every word was like nails on a chalkboard.’
Unable to bear it any longer, he cut her off. "Yu Zhizhi."
It was the first time the Duke had ever called her by her full name.
Yu Zhizhi froze. "...Here."
"Have you forgotten everything I said last night?"
’Last night?’
Yu Zhizhi thought back. Last night, they had been talking about her having a child—
The Duke had refused her.
And he had vetoed her request to seek out other Snake Clan males.
Seeing the little female’s expression change, the Duke knew she remembered.
Yu Zhizhi’s gaze darted away. She saw that the Duke had risen from his seat and was now walking toward her.
She instinctively backed away.
Her back hit the door as the tall, slender figure stopped before her, looking down at her imperiously.
In the dark, the Duke’s golden, slitted pupils were especially stark.
His voice, laced with the seductive charm of a spring night, held an undercurrent of danger. "Tell me, how should I punish you?"
"My previous pets... when they were disobedient, a whipping and a lockdown did the trick. Simple and effective."
He pinched the young woman’s cheeks.
Her soft face was forced into a pout. From this angle, she looked charmingly naive, even more like a rabbit.
Yu Zhizhi stared at him, stunned.
And at the black snake that had appeared on his shoulder at some point...
