Ye Qianning noticed Sang Qi’s expression. Just as she was feeling puzzled, an attendant came out carrying a cage.

The cage was covered with a white cloth. Gu Shuo took it, lifted the cloth, and a fluffy white ball appeared before Ye Qianning’s eyes.

"It really is a White Spirit." Sang Qi jumped out of his carriage, excitedly staring at the White Spirit curled up in the cage. It looked almost identical to the one he’d had as a child.

’If I bring this back, Mother will be overjoyed.’

Ye Qianning looked at it from all angles, but it was just a ball of fluff. It had its head tucked in and was curled up, so she couldn’t see it clearly. Based on its shape, it resembled a long-haired cat.

"Boss—"

"For you."

Sang Qi had just started to speak when Gu Shuo took a step forward, cutting him off, and offered the cage to Ye Qianning.

"I don’t want it." Ye Qianning had dealt with plenty of animals; nothing like this was a novelty to her.

"If you don’t want it, then I’ll just have it thrown out." Gu Shuo held the cage out to Luo Wen.

Luo Wen hadn’t received permission from his mistress, so he didn’t dare accept it.

"If you want to throw it out, Boss Gu, then do it yourself. I don’t have time for this. Luo Wen, let’s head back." Ye Qianning dropped the carriage curtain.

Luo Wen jumped onto the carriage.

Gu Shuo’s grip on the cage tightened.

"Boss Gu, Miss Xiang is rather unsophisticated. She’s never seen a White Spirit, so it’s natural she doesn’t appreciate how precious it is. These creatures are mountain sprites and are exceptionally picky eaters; they must be fed with the utmost care. If you plan on giving it as a gift, it would be better to give it to someone who knows how to look after it."

Gu Shuo stared at the fluffy white ball in the cage, his expression complex. ’Such an adorable little creature, yet she’s completely unmoved.’

"My mother is an expert at raising such creatures. If you were to give it to her, Boss Gu, she would surely reward you handsomely... Boss Gu?" Sang Qi was still rambling when he saw Gu Shuo turn and walk away.

After taking a few steps, Gu Shuo finally acknowledged Sang Qi’s call. "Crown Prince, I must head to the General’s estate, so I will take my leave."

’The little lady probably didn’t like it because she didn’t see it get up. The White Spirit is beautiful when it opens its eyes. Their color is an exquisite shade she couldn’t possibly imagine.’

Sang Qi could only watch as Gu Shuo walked away, heading in the very same direction as that damn fatty’s carriage.

’Damn it all! First one, then the other—they both refuse to give me, the Crown Prince, any respect! I’m going to tell Mother when I get back. I’ll have her teach that damn fatty a lesson.’

’That White Spirit... I will have it!’

Ye Qianning had no sooner returned to the estate and sat down to eat with her father than she saw the butler walk into the main hall carrying a very familiar-looking cage.

"Eldest Miss, this is from Boss Gu."

"...Send it back."

"But Boss Gu has already left." The butler, seeing Ye Qianning’s frown, felt a wave of uncertainty.

Ye Qianning put a hand to her forehead.

"What’s inside?" Xiang Minghou asked.

"He said it’s a White Spirit."

"A White Spirit?" Xiang Minghou stood up in surprise and lifted the white cloth covering the cage.

"My goodness!" the butler exclaimed in shock, staring intently at the fluffy creature inside the cage.

Ye Qianning glanced over before picking up her chopsticks and taking a bite of meat. "It’s just a small creature. Why are you so surprised, Dad?"

"It really is a White Spirit. Very few people have ever seen one. Gu Shuo certainly is capable." Legend had it that only the fated could encounter such a creature. Years ago, when he had accompanied the Emperor on a hunt at Shigu Mountain, the Emperor himself had found one.

At the time, everyone had marveled, saying the Emperor’s imperial aura had drawn out the mountain spirit, and that it was an auspicious omen.

While they were talking, the White Spirit in the cage stirred. It lifted its head, opened its mouth wide in a yawn, and then opened a pair of sea-blue eyes.

"Good heavens! My word! An animal with blue eyes actually exists in this world." It was the first time in his life the butler had ever seen such a thing, and he was both terrified and amazed.