Chapter 101 – Could it be that the madam is seducing me?

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

“Why did you lock the door, Madam?” After some time, Xie Qingzhi’s knocking was heard from outside the door.

In a panic, Tang Qing hastily transformed back into his human form, sitting naked in a bundle of blankets.

He frantically tried to put his clothes back on, but Xie Qingzhi had already opened the door and entered directly.

Well, he should have known by now that the door lock was merely a decoration for the master of the Duke’s estate.

So Xie Qingzhi opened the door to find his nominal wife, wrapped up in the blanket, only revealing his beautiful face, resembling a triangular riceball.

The originally cold and beautiful Duchess now had an added touch of cuteness.

“Madam… What are you doing?” Xie Qingzhi looked Tang Qing up and down.

Could it be that his wife was trying to seduce him?

Definitely.

All the people that Katarina had sent to him had one thing in common: they tried every means to seduce him.

“My lord, I was just sleeping…” Tang Qing explained nervously, “Because I’m used to sleeping naked when I’m alone, so…”

Xie Qingzhi nodded thoughtfully as he looked at Tang Qing’s blushing face, seemingly lost in thought.

Who knows if he believed him or not.

“Madam, if you have this habit, you can sleep naked as usual, no need to mind me,” Xie Qingzhi said compassionately.

“I… I only prefer to sleep naked when I’m alone…” Tang Qing, quite frightened, quickly shook his head.

He definitely didn’t want to sleep naked next to this bluebeard Duke every day – that would be too strange.

So he changed the subject, asking, “My lord, is there something you need from me?”

Xie Qingzhi thought to himself that since his dear mother liked to have people seduce him so much, he could play along a little to save everyone some effort. This way, he wouldn’t have to deal with people constantly wearing their emotions on their sleeves.

Compared to the other beauties Katarina had sent, Tang Qing was relatively more pleasing to the eye.

Xie Qingzhi made a decision and said, “Madam, I haven’t shown you around the Duke’s estate yet. Let me show you my pet.”

Pet?

Tang Qing looked at Xie Qingzhi with anticipation. “Is it a kitten or a puppy?”

Could it be a reptile? If it’s a lizard or a giant python, he really wouldn’t be interested in seeing it.

Xie Qingzhi casually nodded, “A kitten, more or less.”

“Wow, I love fluffy animals the most!”

Upon hearing this, Tang Qing suddenly wasn’t sleepy anymore.

He hid under the blankets and put on his clothes.

Xie Qingzhi then leaned against the door, bored, watching his wife change clothes.

Once Tang Qing finished changing, Xie Qingzhi firmly held his hand and led him out. After passing through a desolate and uninhabited path, they arrived at the Duke’s estate where the pets were kept.

Since childhood, Tang Qing had a fondness for furry little animals, and animals were usually very affectionate towards him. So whether it was a kitten or a big dog, he would gladly see them all.

Unexpectedly, upon opening the iron gate, a mighty and huge lion leaped out.

It was a majestic African male lion, with a mane of large and dense brown fur around its head, the long mane extending to its shoulders and chest. As the king of beasts, its fur was shiny and golden, its eyes sharp and full of spirit, exuding a powerful and majestic aura.

After glancing at Tang Qing, the lion suddenly pounced towards him.

Seeing this “kitten” for the first time, Tang Qing was taken aback and took a few steps back.

Witnessing Tang Qing’s fearful expression, Xie Qingzhi immediately half-embraced him, using one hand to block the lion’s furry face as it approached, patting his shoulder with a soothing tone mixed with disdain, “Didn’t you say you like fluffy animals? Why are you afraid of small animals now?”

“I thought you were very brave.”

Tang Qing was speechless.

Could you still call such a large African lion a “small animal”?

As the powerful lion suddenly pounced towards him, he felt like his legs would give out from fear, almost wetting his pants on the spot. Wasn’t that considered brave enough?

He really wanted to retort, but with the lion staring at him so intensely, he was too scared to speak up. He could only silently shrink into the Duke’s embrace, seeking a bit of comfort.

“Don’t be afraid, Ryan is very well-behaved,” Xie Qingzhi was somewhat surprised; he didn’t expect the usually calm Duchess to be afraid of lions.

Seeing Tang Qing huddled in his embrace, his fair face filled with fear and a pitiful look, he couldn’t help but hold him tighter.

It had been a long time since he had been this close to someone.

The feeling of holding someone was like this.

So soft and fragrant, very comforting to hold.

Seemingly to prove its good behavior, Ryan roared at Tang Qing again:

“Roar—!”

Caught off guard by the sudden roar, Tang Qing couldn’t help but bury himself completely into Xie Qingzhi’s embrace.

“My lord… It, it won’t bite, right?”

Tang Qing’s voice, rarely revealing a hint of vulnerability, stuttered.

“Why would it? Ryan is very well-behaved.” Xie Qingzhi finally remembered to control his pet and sternly reprimanded, “Ryan! No roaring!”

Upon hearing the owner’s angry voice, Ryan immediately obediently lay down on the ground, motionless. Only its round black eyes pitifully looked at Tang Qing, tail swishing back and forth, resembling a big dog who had been scolded by its owner but didn’t understand what it did wrong.

Seeing Ryan’s non-threatening behavior, Tang Qing breathed a sigh of relief and stepped back from Xie Qingzhi’s embrace.

“Madam, don’t be afraid. Ryan is my pet and won’t harm anyone without my command.”

“It just has a loud voice and a bit of bad breath.”

With newfound courage, Tang Qing carefully examined Ryan. It did indeed look like a well-behaved pet.

“Ryan, give me your paw.”

Tang Qing then saw the once majestic lion actually behaving like a little dog, extending a paw into the air, waiting obediently.

Tang Qing couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Seeing Tang Qing finally smile, Xie Qingzhi, unconsciously, let out a sigh of relief.

“Madam, you can touch it.”

“Ah… Me?” Tang Qing looked at the lion, still a bit unsure.

“Madam, it’s very gentle.”

Xie Qingzhi found it somewhat inexplicable. Why would his wife be afraid to touch his pet?

This Empire’s number one beauty, who usually appeared calm and brave, unexpectedly had a fear of animals.

This Beta is quite delicate.

After speaking, Xie Qingzhi reached out and roughly and casually rubbed Ryan’s face in a circle, demonstrating, “See, like this.”

Tang Qing, watching the once majestic lion now with its fur all messed up by Xie Qingzhi, looking silly and adorable, couldn’t help but chuckle.

Summoning his courage, he reached out his hand and smoothed out the fur on Ryan’s face that Xie Qingzhi had ruffled.

Ryan, being touched gently by the soft hand, found it very comfortable and lowered its fluffy head, eagerly nudging Tang Qing’s hand.

Tang Qing withdrew his other hand from Xie Qingzhi’s and began to pet the lion with both hands.

He gradually relaxed, fully immersed in petting the big cat.

It had to be said, these furry creatures were truly soothing.

Whether they were small kittens or “big kittens.”

“My lord, do you also like keeping these fluffy pets?” Tang Qing couldn’t quite imagine someone as ruthless as Xie Qingzhi enjoying having pets.

Xie Qingzhi replied, “A few years ago, I was saved by a furry animal, so I’ve grown to like these furry creatures more.”

Tang Qing was a bit surprised and asked, “What kind of furry animal was it?”

Xie Qingzhi said, “I don’t quite remember. I was in a vulnerable state at the time, my consciousness was hazy, but I recall a powerful silver lion-like animal agilely leaping out and rescuing me from danger.”

A silver lion?

Tang Qing imagined it for a moment, picturing Ryan’s majestic golden fur dyed silver.

Tang Qing was puzzled, “Is there really a breed of silver lions?”

Xie Qingzhi shook his head, “I checked the records, and there isn’t. I presume it was a rare and fierce beast. Unfortunately, my pheromones were in disarray at the time, and I was dizzy and couldn’t clearly see what the beast looked like.”

Tang Qing nodded.

A fierce beast resembling a silver lion sounded quite cool. He wondered how it would feel to pet it.

After playing with Ryan for a while, the two returned to the Duke’s estate.

“My lord, I have to return to the Tang residence tonight. Would you like to accompany me if you’re free?” Tang Qing asked cautiously.

In the afternoon, Tang’s father called, repeatedly requesting Tang Qing to return to the Tang residence, but he wasn’t sure what his father wanted to discuss.

However, in the empire’s customs, it was quite normal for a newlywed wife to visit her maternal home during the first few days of marriage. Typically, the husband would accompany her to show respect to the new bride and her family.

Of course, expecting Xie Qingzhi to accompany him to his family’s home was too fantastical, and Tang Qing almost had no hope for it.

“I don’t have time tonight, I can’t go,” Xie Qingzhi decisively refused without hesitation.

This response was within Tang Qing’s expectations, and he nodded understandingly.

For someone like him, merely a convenient marriage tool, how could he dare to expect the Duke to accompany him back?

…

In the evening, Tang Qing returned to the Tang residence.

Lady Luo Xuanling opened the door and upon seeing Tang Qing alone, she genuinely smiled, “Xiao Qing, back alone? The Duke didn’t come with you?”

Glancing at her smug face, Tang Qing replied indifferently, “The Duke is busy with official matters and couldn’t spare the time.”

Seeing Lady Luo Xuanling still standing at the door with a smile, Tang Qing expressionlessly bypassed her and walked into the hall.

Tang’s father said, “Xiao Qing, your younger brother is also going to take the Imperial Academy entrance exam this year. Do you have any exam tips you can share with him?”

Tang Qing found this quite amusing. When he took the Imperial Academy entrance exam, he relied solely on his own hard work. It seemed like Tang’s father had forgotten he had a son preparing for exams, often demanding him to socialize and find potential engagement partners.

Now that Tang Xiaobai was preparing for exams, he needed guidance?

With a straight face, Tang Qing replied, “My notes are all at home. He can take a look at them.”

However, Lady Luo Xuanling couldn’t resist and interjected, “Xiao Qing, now that you’ve married into the royal family, do find out if this year’s exam leans more towards theory or practical skills.”

No reuploading anywhere else.

Your ko-fi donations would be greatly appreciated.

Ko-fi goals? Extra chapter release once we reach our goal!!