4 Chapter 4: Better to cling to a miserable life than to die nobly

An Honghan's pure black eyes were so deep that they appeared bottomless. Every human-like action of the little mink intrigued him greatly.

"It's merely a mink, yet it behaves so much like a human." An Honghan lifted the front legs of the little mink and cuddled it in his arms.

The Fengyun mink resembled a modern miniature pet dog. Once an adult, it would only be the size of a kitten. Considering that Xi Xizhi was still a cub, An Honghan could easily envelope her with his palm.

This fragility made her feel powerless.

Was she fated to be an inferior pet? Destined to be manipulated by others for her entire life, devoid of any dignity?

Xi Xizhi was discontented. After all, she was originally a human...

The sparkle in her eyes faded gradually, as she lethargically rested her head on An Honghan's palm.

Unable to understand why the mink had suddenly quieted down, An Honghan looked up at Lin En and asked, "What's wrong with it?"

Lin En was sweating profusely. After hesitating for a while, he could not give a response. He was not a mink, how could he possibly know what it was thinking.

Not receiving an answer promptly, a layer of frost quickly clouded An Honghan's eyes. His sharp gaze was intimidating enough to pierce one's heart.

Having served An Honghan for many years, Lin En recognized this expression as a prelude to his anger.

Fearing his wrath, Lin En dropped down to his knees and said, "Your Majesty, I surmise that the little mink is probably hungry."

Xi Xizhi lazily lifted her eyelids and snorted in disapproval. Just guessing blindly! Which pair of your eyes saw her being hungry...she had just eaten so many pastries that her belly was bulging out.

"Oh?... Is that so?" An Honghan prodded at the little mink's belly, which was as soft as spring water.

The little mink was well-fed, chubby and full of flesh, feeling absolutely comfortable to hold.

"It appears quite satiated to me."

Someone got addicted, incessantly tickling Xi Xizhi's belly.

Although Xi Xizhi's body was of a little mink, her mind was entirely human. Having her belly stroked back and forth by a man made her somewhat embarrassed. She turned over, laying flat on his palm like a dead fish, determined not to let him succeed.

An Honghan burst into laughter, "This little creature actually knows how to be shy."

Xi Xizhi squeaked as if contradicting his words. In reality, if she still had a human face, it would definitely be blushing.

An Honghan has always been serious, instances of hearty laughter like this were rare. You could count on your fingers the number of times he has laughed like this.

"Lin En, I'll spare you this time. If you guess it wrong again next time, you know what the consequences are." As An Honghan stroked the creature in his arms, he did not raise his head when speaking.

"Yes, we understand." Lin En's heart calmed down for a moment, before eventually resuming a steady beat.

Just by observing Lin En's expression, Xi Xizhi could be absolutely certain that An Honghan was a ruthless person. Otherwise, his close attendant would not fear him so much.

Xi Xizhi sighed...both she and Lin En were in the same boat. She had the leisure to sympathize with Lin En, but who would sympathize with her?

Perhaps, tonight is her last chance. She didn't know if An Honghan would steam or deep-fry her.

"Your Majesty, it's almost noon, would you like to have your meal?"

The sunshine was getting more and more dazzling, the world outside looked as if it was plated with gold. Xi Xizhi peered outside, beams of sunlight spilled on the floor, casting a brilliant glow.

An old saying goes, 'better to live badly than to die well.' Surrounded by such splendid sunshine, the gloom in Xi Xizhi's heart gradually faded. Being turned into a little mink was still better than being struck by a thunderbolt and losing her soul.

Suddenly, Xi Xizhi shook her fur and became lively once again.

"Serve..." An Honghan said tilting his eyes towards Lin En.

Upon receiving the order, Lin En strode out to brief the palace maids.

Soon, palace maids dressed in light green court dresses entered the room one by one, each one carrying a platter of delicacies. They were all almost the same height, making it a pretty spectacle when they entered the room.

Xi Xizhi widened her eyes, not even blinking once. Being the emperor sure has its perks. Look, even the maids serving the dishes were exceptionally beautiful.

An Honghan often handled official affairs in the imperial study and sometimes he would dine there as well. Therefore, a round table was set up in a side hall of the study.

The palace maids placed the dishes on the table which was now full of delicacies with mouthwatering aroma, tempting enough to make anyone hungry.

Xi Xizhi regretted why she had eaten so many pastries earlier. Her stomach was bloated and could not accommodate anything else.

Watching An Honghan continuously pick food and put it into his mouth, Xi Xizhi nibbled her claws...with a tinge of jealousy, admiration, and resentment.

She decided to turn around, with her back facing An Honghan, to prevent herself from drooling.

However, someone had other plans for her...

An Honghan reached out to turn her back again.

Xi Xizhi chattered, not doubting that...she was cursing people.

That was precisely because the other party didn't understand her language, which made her so unrestrained. If An Honghan could understand her, she wouldn't dare to curse him, even if given ten times more courage, she wouldn't stake her own life to do so.

Unfortunately, even if he didn't understand, An Honghan could guess well.

"Are you cursing me?" It was not a question; An Honghan declared it in a matter-of-fact tone.

Once An Honghan became serious, he conveyed a chilling vibe that was ice-cold as the winter months. With just a glance at his cold stern glance, Xi Xizhi wanted to turn around and run away. However, her four legs weren't cooperating out of fear, shaking, not to mention running.

Chirp, Chirp...No...

With her eyes wide open, Xi Xizhi fibbed.

"Don't think that I am unaware of your thoughts, your eyes tell me everything." All the emotions of this creature were written in her eyes, it wasn't difficult for An Honghan to make them out.

An Honghan's palm had a light callus from wielding weapons. Whenever he stroked Xi Xizhi's fur, her sense of safety arose.

As he played with the fur, An Honghan leaned over and said, "In the future, when you want to curse someone, don't glare angrily at them. It becomes easier for people to guess your mind."