Chapter 371: "I Agree to the Marriage Alliance.

’The... the first one?’

Yu Zhizhi stared blankly at the man on the other side of the observation platform. She really had never read about the secrets of the Moon Ascending Royal Family anywhere.

When she realized the Crown Prince was telling her this, her heart suddenly grew uneasy.

’It feels like it would be safer not to know something this important...’

Cang Lan saw the little Rabbit Clan female’s face turn slightly pale. Her rabbit ears twitched, and she quickly lowered her head, trying to hide the panic in her eyes.

He continued, "I awakened my second talent when I was three years old, and that’s when I acquired this Ice Crystal Dragon cub. Unfortunately, it grows far too slowly."

"According to the Ancient Books, it requires the hearts of sacrifices."

"The Beast Clans loyal to the Empire cultivate these sacrifices and send a batch over every year. Jeral spends most of the year in hibernation, aside from these past two months."

’Jeral?’

’Is that the name the Crown Prince gave the Ice Crystal Dragon?’

Yu Zhizhi desperately wanted to cover her ears.

’Can I please not listen to this?’

’I have a feeling that knowing the secrets of the Moon Ascending Royal Family means my life is forfeit.’

’Even the Lizard Servants have probably never seen this Demon Dragon...’

’Oh, no... I don’t want to know so many "secrets."’

Cang Lan glanced at the little rabbit who was about to hide herself completely. "As the future Crown Princess Consort of the Moon Rising Empire, you should be aware of these matters."

...Huh?

Yu Zhizhi looked over in surprise.

Her eyes met a pair of cold, golden-brown pupils.

"Regarding the marriage alliance, I’ve agreed," Cang Lan said, his face devoid of expression.

His tone was exceptionally detached, as if he were discussing some trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.

"You know so much now, so you must watch your every word and action. Don’t even think about escaping Moonrise. If you ever dare to run..."

Cang Lan’s eyes turned dark, cold, and profound. "I will kill you."

The color instantly drained from Yu Zhizhi’s face.

’He isn’t...’

’...joking.’

Every single word was uttered in earnest.

Whether it was agreeing to the marriage alliance, telling her the secrets of the Moon Ascending Royal Family, or his final warning.

She slowly turned her back to him. "...I understand."

"Good. From now on, you’ll be in charge of taking care of Jeral."

"...It will eat me." Yu Zhizhi’s body couldn’t help but tremble as she watched the Ice Crystal Dragon outside the cave gnawing on a bloody heart.

Cang Lan replied, "A rabbit’s heart isn’t even enough to get stuck in its teeth. Jeral has no interest."

"It’s extremely picky."

"It doesn’t eat living people."

"Take it to the hot spring, wash it, and then bring it back."

Yu Zhizhi asked doubtfully, "Will it come with me?"

Cang Lan said, "Jeral is much smarter than you."

Yu Zhizhi: "..."

’Fine.’

The only thing she was grateful for right now was that this Ice Crystal Dragon was still very small, only a little bigger than a Pangolin.

If it were any bigger, Yu Zhizhi wouldn’t dare go near it.

There were steps to the side that led down to where the Ice Crystal Dragon was.

Yu Zhizhi walked over slowly.

She shuffled down one step at a time. Having eaten and drunk its fill, the Ice Crystal Dragon flopped onto the icy ground, exposing its hard belly.

It saw a delicate figure slowly approaching.

From his high vantage point, Cang Lan said nonchalantly, "Jeral, get acquainted. This is the rabbit who will be coming to take care of you every day for the next two months."

The Ice Crystal Dragon let out a soft "CHIRP," lifted its wings, and rolled over to sit up properly.

Its blue eyes watched Yu Zhizhi draw near. It couldn’t help but sniff the air, and its tail suddenly started wagging.

The Ice Crystal Dragon cub happily padded over—

Yu Zhizhi hadn’t expected it to be so friendly and froze on the spot. She watched as the Ice Crystal Dragon nuzzled against her calf, its tail held high.

Up on the observation platform, a flicker of astonishment appeared in Cang Lan’s eyes.

He probably hadn’t expected that Jeral, who had always detested humans, would accept this little female rabbit so easily.

The Ice Crystal Dragon’s living area was huge.

Aside from the cave where it slept, there was a hot spring not far away.

Yu Zhizhi bent down and picked up the Ice Crystal Dragon.

It chirped happily twice.

Although the Ice Crystal Dragon had been in this world for many years, it was still just a cub that couldn’t speak.

’The growth period for a Demon Dragon is incredibly slow...’

Yu Zhizhi found it was heavier than she’d expected; she could barely hold on. Its body was covered in glittering, ice-like crystalline scales that radiated a cold aura. Even though she was dressed warmly and had used a heating spirit card, she could still feel the chill.

Arriving at the hot spring, Yu Zhizhi gently put the Ice Crystal Dragon down.

It knew how to swim. Whether it was dragon paddling or doing the backstroke, its little wings flapped energetically.

Yu Zhizhi sat by the edge of the pool, gently wiping its skin with a towel. The Ice Crystal Dragon, which had already looked immaculate, now seemed to glow.

Cang Lan watched how she took care of the Ice Crystal Dragon the entire time.

’Unexpectedly, she’s quite skilled at this.’

’Most importantly, Jeral is willing to be close to her.’

’This is good, too.’

Cang Lan slowly began to speak. "Tomorrow, I will invite reporters to the Extreme Ice Palace to officially announce our engagement."

SPLASH!

The towel in Yu Zhizhi’s hand fell into the water. She quickly fished it out.

"T-Tomorrow?"

’Isn’t that too soon?!’

Cang Lan said, "The reporters will interview you. Prepare your words carefully—what you should and shouldn’t say. If they ask why you’re here, remember your answer from today."

’What answer?’

’...That I adore him?’

Yu Zhizhi’s heart was in turmoil. She kept her head down, scrubbing the Ice Crystal Dragon’s back. If she did an interview, wouldn’t her whereabouts be exposed?

Besides, from what the Crown Prince was saying, this press release was to announce their marriage.

’If it’s made public, it won’t just be Moonrise that knows...’

’The Duke of the Valoran Empire, the Big Shark of the Deep Sea Empire... they’ll all know.’

’And Sensen...’

’Louis, Lou, Spider...’

’And...’

’And Zero, who’s on his way to Demon Hunting City.’

Seeing the little rabbit remain silent for a long time, Cang Lan’s tone deepened. "Unwilling?"

Afraid he would say something like "Then the marriage alliance is off," Yu Zhizhi quickly replied, "I’m... I’m willing!"

’I can’t worry about all that now. The most important thing is to complete my mission as quickly as possible.’

’I’ll leave the future to the future...’

’Sob...’

Yu Zhizhi soaked the towel, wrung it out, and began to wipe the Ice Crystal Dragon cub’s head.

Jeral understood their conversation.

It chirped twice in excitement.

Yu Zhizhi didn’t understand.

’Is Jeral speaking "dragon tongue"?’

She heard the Crown Prince’s voice, "You can’t go. It’s not time for you to appear yet."

The Ice Crystal Dragon let out a disappointed "COO."

Yu Zhizhi lifted the Ice Crystal Dragon out of the hot spring pool.

Her white robe was soaked, but thankfully, she had the heating spirit card, so the cold wind wasn’t bone-chilling.

The Ice Crystal Dragon was full, had a nice soak in the hot spring, and was now getting sleepy.

It obediently returned to the cave and flopped down on its nest, which was piled high with all sorts of treasures.

Yu Zhizhi followed the steps, slowly walking back up.

She arrived beside the Crown Prince.