Chapter Text
70
Shou climbed up onto the railings and hopped from one to the other to find out what Wang Zixuan was up to.
She navigated her way down the expansive corridors and up the stairs.
She reached one of the corridors and took a moment to observe her surroundings.
Her ears picked up voices, she could hear talking coming from the throne room so she headed there first.
"Your highness, Sun Yùzé is becoming a real problem." Yang Iwen said firmly.
"Really?" Wang Zixuan replied.
"Yes, how do you want me to deal with him?"
Shou felt her fur stand on end. She called out to the system. "Oi, Sun Yùzé's in danger!"
The system responded. "I detect no malice in the character: Yang Iwen."
"No malice my fucking tail, did you hear that, she wants to 'deal' with Sun Yùzé." Shou argued back.
"I did hear what she said, yes." The system replied.
"Then, I gotta do something, you told me to watch that idiot didn't you?" Shou asked.
Shou pressed her ear against the door to listen in more before entering the room.
"Sun Yùzé is probably just worried about me, he is so caring, that's one of the many things I love about him." Wang Zixuan said happily.
Yang Iwen laughed. "Yes, I know that, your highness, however, he will get suspicious."
"I know, but everything is running smoothly and it won't be an issue for much longer so, why don't you arrange us to spend dinner together tonight?" Wang Zixuan replied.
"Good idea your highness, remember not to say anything about the plans." Yang Iwen warned him.
"Of course not!" Wang Zixuan responded enthusiastically.
Shortly after their conversation ended, Yang Iwen left the throne room, leaving Wang Zixuan, alone for once.
Shou siezed her opportunity to enter the throne room and marched over to Wang Zixuan, stretched and jumped straight into his lap.
"Hey, royal idiot." Shou said.
"Shou?!" "I didn't know you were here." Wang Zixuan petted her.
"And just in time too, what's going on, why are ya giving Sun Yùzé the cold shoulder, I just spoke to him and he said that Yang Iwen has him running all over the palace and he ain't seen ya in ages." Shou accused.
Wang Zixuan bit his lip and shuffled uncomfortably in his throne. "Um, well, it's nothing bad, honest."
Shou hissed. "Don't play with me human, you're up to something."
Wang Zixuan shook his head. "Okay, I'll tell you, but only if you promise not to tell anyone."
Shou sighed. "I don't like the sound of that, but fine, demon's honour, I won't say a word to anyone."
Wang Zixuan leaned in and whispered in the cat's ear.
Shou's eyes widened. She leapt down from Wang Zixuan's lap and returned to her humanoid form.
"No fucking way." She covered her mouth with her hands.
"Yes, it's true." Wang Zixuan confirmed.
Shou called out to the system. "Ey, was this in your programming?"
"I will neither confirm nor deny that." The system responded.
Shou quickly returned to her cat form and said her goodbyes to Wang Zixuan. "See you at dinner your highness, don't forget the milk."
"Likewise Queen Shou." Wang Zixuan chuckled.
Shou made her way out of the throne room somewhat relieved that none of the two idiots were in any danger.
"Do I actually care about these stupid humans?" She said to herself.
"You're a very kind demon, Shou." The system responded.
"Yeah yeah, whatever." She rolled her eyes.
Then she returned to the room Sun Yùzé was in but found out it was locked. "Hey, lemme in, I got news for ya!" She called out.
Sun Yùzé called out before opening the door and letting Shou inside.
"Welcome back." Sun Yùzé smiled. "Did you get to speak to Wang Zixuan?"
Shou entered the room, returned to her humanoid form and closed the door behind her. "Of course, I'm an expert aren't I?"
"An expert at what, exactly?" Sun Yùzé asked.
"Demons are very good at adapting you know, so of course, I spoke to him, oh, that reminds me, he says he wants us to all have dinner together tonight." Shou smiled.
"Really?" Sun Yùzé couldn't hide his smile. "So, is he okay?"
Shou grinned. "Yep, he's just been having some, very serious emperor stuff, super boring stuff actually... but he didn't want to worry you at all so he has been having Yang Iwen handle it with him, I told him that if he's stressed he should talk to you though but he's alright."
Sun Yùzé frowned. "Hmm, I know Yang Iwen is more knowledgeable about court stuff than me but I can't help but worry about him, he's been through so much lately."
Shou waved her hands in the air. "Don't worry ya head, human, I saw him for myself and it's alright, just trust me."
Sun Yùzé sighed. "Alright, well if he wants to have dinner with us, let me at least change into something a bit nicer than this?"
Shou returned to her cat form and sat on the windowsill. "I'll be back then, let me out."
Sun Yùzé opened the window and watched as Shou scarpered away.
Then he went over to his wardrobe and tried to find something else to wear.
Something not overly formal but a little more stylish than his usual servant robes.