Chapter 263: A Kitty
Rong Chao stopped so abruptly that he nearly stumbled down the final steps, barely catching himself in time. His silver eyes widened, his pupils constricting as his breathing hitched.
Ningyan stood where he was, utterly confused.
The tiger beastman stared at him as though he were looking at a ghost. It instantly reminded Ningyan of the forest qilin back in Water City only this tiger didn’t run away. Instead, he slowly began walking toward him.
His entire body trembled.
When he finally stopped directly before Ningyan, his voice came out strained and almost disbelieving.
"...Is it really you?"
His silver eyes searched Ningyan’s face desperately.
"Su Ningyan?"
Ningyan parted his lips to respond, but was immediately caught off guard as Rong Chao slowly walked toward him, stopping right in front of him.
He studied Ningyan’s face intently, his silver eyes searching every familiar feature before he suddenly turned to Rong Yue, as though checking whether he was dreaming.
Then he gasped. "No... no... I can’t believe this."
Before Rong Yue even had the chance to reassure him that it truly was Ningyan, Rong Chao abruptly turned around and hurried away, disappearing around the corner.
Ningyan watched his retreating figure with a blank expression before slowly turning back to Rong Yue.
"Was he another husband of mine?" Ningyan asked.
At this point, he genuinely wouldn’t have been surprised.
Rong Yue barely had time to react before Ningyan immediately corrected himself, "A former husband?"
"No. Never," Rong Yue answered without hesitation, clearing his throat. "He was one of your closest friends... and my brother."
Ningyan blinked in surprise, glancing thoughtfully toward the corridor Rong Chen had vanished down. "Oh."
The two of them soon entered the grand palace.
Unlike the Phoenix Palace, whose beauty carried an elegant warmth, the White Tiger Palace exuded raw power and absolute authority. Every pillar, corridor, and courtyard seemed to embody martial strength. Guards and servants alike lowered themselves respectfully as Rong Yue and Ningyan passed.
Eventually, Rong Yue led him into his private bedchamber.
The room was enormous, decorated in a harmonious blend of gold and silver. Yet despite its grandeur, it felt quiet... almost lonely.
"A hot bath will be prepared for you," Rong Yue said. "Anything you need will be brought to you. You may wander about the palace if you wish..." He paused. "...Just don’t wander too far."
Ningyan narrowed his eyes. "What does that even mean? And why do I suddenly feel like some sort of concubine?"
He looked genuinely offended.
Rong Yue couldn’t help laughing. "You’re not a concubine." He shook his head. "I simply have matters I must attend to."
He started toward the door before pausing. "Oh, and one more thing." He looked back at Ningyan. "You’re free to do as you please. Just... don’t kill my kin."
Ningyan scoffed. "I wasn’t planning to."
Dragging himself over to the enormous bed, Ningyan tossed the white cloak aside and flopped onto the mattress face-first. He rolled over onto his back, stretching out both his arms and legs until he resembled a starfish.
"I can’t believe I left my clan just to become someone’s concubine," he muttered under his breath.
Rong Yue stopped walking. He looked back at the sprawled phoenix before quietly making his way back over.
"You’re not a concubine, little bird."
Ningyan pushed himself upright. "You can tell me the truth, Your Majesty."
"You’re my husband," Rong Yue corrected calmly. "Your Majesty."
Ningyan folded his arms across his chest. "Unfortunately for you, I don’t remember our wedding ceremony."
Rong Yue closed the remaining distance between them. His hand settled lightly against Ningyan’s waist as he leaned in, their faces only inches apart. A few loose strands of Ningyan’s white hair had fallen across his cheeks, framing those striking violet eyes.
"Then shall we hold another ceremony?" Rong Yue asked softly.
Ningyan’s lips curled into a mischievous grin worthy of the demon beast he had become. "It wouldn’t matter."
Rong Yue gently caught Ningyan’s chin between his fingers, tilting his head upward. "Now you’re the one provoking me."
"It’s fun," Ningyan admitted shamelessly, seeing someone as powerful as the White Tiger King get so worked up. He blinked with practiced innocence before smiling, a playful glint flashing through his violet eyes.
"If you were me, you’d understand... kitty."
Rong Yue looked genuinely flustered.
"Kitty...?" He blinked at Ningyan in utter disbelief. "What did you just—"
He immediately leaned back, clearing his throat as a rare hint of embarrassment crossed his usually composed face.
Ningyan, on the other hand, smiled with complete satisfaction before leisurely leaning back onto the bed and giving him a lazy wave. "You can go. I’ll wander, but not too far. And I won’t kill anyone." He tilted his head innocently. "I’m not a tyrant."
Rong Yue simply stared at him for a long, silent moment. Then, without another word, he quietly turned around and left the chamber.
The moment he was gone, Ningyan pushed himself off the bed with a long stretch.
Since Rong Yue had practically invited him to do whatever he wanted, he might as well satisfy his curiosity. He began snooping around the spacious bedchamber, opening cabinets, peeking behind shelves, and searching for anything that might trigger a lost memory.
Eventually, he crouched beside the bed and even looked underneath it.
Nothing.
Just as he straightened, a familiar prickling sensation crept across the back of his neck.
Ningyan immediately rose to his feet and turned toward the doorway.
There stood Rong Chao.
The tiger beast clutched the edge of his robes tightly, staring at Ningyan with wide silver eyes that looked ready to overflow with tears at any moment.
Ningyan hesitated before walking toward him. Not quite knowing what to say, he offered an awkward little wave. "Hi..."
Rong Chao blinked. After a brief pause, he slowly returned the wave, then stepped into the room with visible hesitation. "You don’t remember me... do you?"
Ningyan pressed his lips together before giving a small shake of his head. "No." He smiled helplessly, a quiet determination settling into his eyes. "But I’m trying to remember. I want to remember, that’s why I’m here."
Rong Chao smiled faintly, his gaze lingering on Ningyan’s face. "I heard you returned... as the Beast King of the Phoenix Clan."