“Are you feeling better?” Wu Zhen nodded casually, “I’m fine.”
Mei Zhuyu, still not entirely reassured, took her wrist and examined it carefully before tucking her arm back under the brocade quilt. “You still need to rest quietly for a while.”
As he sat up to dress, Wu Zhen caught the edge of his robe. “Hey, where are you going so early?” she asked.
Mei Zhuyu replied, “You should stay home and rest. I need to return to my duties at the Ministry of Justice today.”
Wu Zhen’s face showed sudden realization, remembering that her husband indeed had to go to work. Thinking of the days he had missed, she said reassuringly, “It’s alright. I’ll put in a word for you. Missing a few days of work is no big deal.”
Mei Zhuyu shook his head, saying, “It’s fine.”
Wu Zhen didn’t understand what he meant until she followed him out of the room for breakfast. In the flower hall sat a man who looked identical to Mei Zhuyu, like a twin brother. Wu Zhen paused, looked closely, and finally noticed the difference. She raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, “Is that Daoist Shuangjiang?”
The man with Mei Zhuyu’s face saw the couple approaching and showed a somewhat complex expression. He addressed Mei Zhuyu, “Junior Uncle.”
When it came to Wu Zhen, he wasn’t sure how to address her. After a moment’s hesitation, he chose the familiar term and called her “Cat Master.”
Wu Zhen laughed, sitting down at the table. “We’re all family now. ‘Cat Master’ is too formal. Just call me Sister Zhen.”
Daoist Shuangjiang: … He remembered when they first met, this Cat Master had thoroughly trounced him. Although they had developed some friendship later, such warm and natural language was unprecedented.
Feeling conflicted, Daoist Shuangjiang couldn’t help but look at his Junior Uncle. He suddenly had the strange feeling of being a member of the bride’s family meeting the groom, and being flattered by the groom.
Mei Zhuyu didn’t catch his disciple’s gaze. Seeing him look over, he thanked him, “Thank you for your help these past few days. I’m fine now and can return to work myself.”
Shuangjiang immediately shook his head. A rare smile appeared on his handsome, cold face. He wiped his face, removing the talisman painted on it, revealing his original appearance. He said respectfully to Mei Zhuyu, “It’s an honor to be able to help Junior Uncle.”
Indeed, not just the disciples, but even their masters and grand-masters rarely had the chance to help Junior Uncle. After all, Junior Uncle was too capable, able to handle everything himself. Getting to help him was a once-in-a-decade opportunity. Although he was only asked to substitute for Junior Uncle at work for two days, it was enough to boast about back at the Daoist temple.
Except for me! Who else has helped Junior Uncle? No one!
As he was secretly rejoicing and feeling proud, Daoist Shuangjiang suddenly heard his Junior Uncle say, “You’ll be staying in Chang’an for a few more days, right? In that case, I’ll give you some guidance on your studies during this time.”
At these words, Daoist Shuangjiang’s hand froze, and the joy on his face instantly vanished. But he knew this was Junior Uncle’s way of expressing gratitude, so he couldn’t show his reluctance. He had to thank Junior Uncle, even though it was a reward he didn’t want at all.
Heaven knows how much Daoist Shuangjiang wished for an urgent message to arrive so he could make his escape. Junior Uncle had finally left the temple, and his fellow disciples’ leisurely days had barely begun. How could he volunteer himself for Junior Uncle’s torment?
Daoist Shuangjiang inwardly cursed, full of regret. Wu Zhen said nothing, only observing the two’s expressions as they spoke. Detecting the underlying dynamics, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Mei Zhuyu, not knowing why suddenly laughed, saw that her bowl was empty, and ladled her another serving of porridge, adding two pieces of honey date cake.
“Eat well, then go back and rest.”
Wu Zhen lifted the bowl and took a big gulp, responding casually with a couple of “mm-hmm”s. Thinking of Daoist Shuangjiang’s frustrated and aggrieved expression, and her husband’s oblivious seriousness, she laughed again.
After the meal, when Mei Zhuyu left for work and Daoist Shuangjiang also went out – he still had some unfinished business from impersonating Junior Uncle these past few days – he turned to look at the Cat Master who was leaving right after him. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “Cat… Sister Zhen…” He stumbled awkwardly over the new form of address, then continued, “Didn’t you promise Junior Uncle you’d rest at home?”
Wu Zhen smiled, clasping her hands behind her back. “As long as you don’t tell him, my husband will naturally think I’m resting well at home.”
Daoist Shuangjiang’s face turned cold. “How can you break your promise and deceive Junior Uncle? I won’t cover for you.”
Wu Zhen said, “Oh, Disciple Shuangjiang, do me a small favor, and I promise your Junior Uncle won’t have time to bother you these next few days.”
Daoist Shuangjiang: “…”
“Ahem.” The cold-faced young Daoist cleared his throat and turned away, saying flatly, “I didn’t see anything today. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
Wu Zhen waved her hand. “Thank you, Disciple.”
Walking down the street with his wooden sword on his back, hearing that cheerful voice behind him, Daoist Shuangjiang suddenly felt a pang of distress – how the allure of a woman can mislead a man! Look at his once brilliant and astute Junior Uncle, completely blinded!
Wu Zhen wandered around aimlessly, checking on Mei Si and the others, then nestled in a music hall to listen to someone play the qin. A group of young men and women were surprised to see her there and happily gathered around, chattering and complaining that they hadn’t seen her out playing for days.
Wu Zhen dismissed them one by one and took a short nap on the couch amidst the lively chatter. Although she appeared to have recovered, she had indeed been injured and hadn’t fully recuperated in such a short time, still feeling somewhat drowsy.
After making an appearance at the music hall and meeting with Huzhu, Wu Zhen transformed into a cat and went to the Liu family residence to find her friend, Snake Master.
Liu Taizhen was usually at home during the day, either sitting quietly playing the qin or writing for his amusement. When Wu Zhen arrived, she saw Liu Taizhen’s two tabby cats yawning on a smooth bluestone. Just as she jumped onto another bluestone, she heard unhurried footsteps approaching.
The newcomer was Liu Taizhen. He looked up and saw three identical cats on three bluestone slabs. His gaze accurately fixed on the cat Wu Zhen had transformed into, and he asked, “Recovered?”
“More or less,” Wu Zhen replied, jumping in front of him and walking into the room. She made herself comfortable on a soft cushion on the couch, resting her paw under her head. “Little Snake, have you dealt with the remains of that plague god?”
“If I had, would I be here talking to you?” Liu Taizhen said.
Wu Zhen had only asked casually and wasn’t surprised by his answer. She just drowsily narrowed her eyes.
Liu Taizhen sat on the couch, leaning against the bed, and reached out to stroke a pure white gardenia flower outside the window. “If you haven’t fully recovered, you should stay at home and rest. Why are you running around?”
Wu Zhen: “I’m bored.”
Liu Taizhen: “I don’t have anything here for you to play with. What, did you scare your husband so much that you’re hiding here?”
Wu Zhen: “My husband isn’t one to be easily frightened.”
They were quiet for a moment, and then Wu Zhen suddenly asked, “Little Snake, do you know anything about the previous Cat Master?”
Liu Taizhen glanced at her: “I don’t know. Although my mother guarded the demon market together with the previous Cat Master, they weren’t close. She rarely told me about these things. If you want to know something, you should ask your two deputies. They were with the previous Cat Master the longest.”
Wu Zhen, however, seemed to lose interest. “Forget it, I’m too lazy to ask.”
She often had sudden ideas like this, then just as suddenly lost interest, acting on whims. Liu Taizhen was used to it and didn’t pursue why she asked about the previous Cat Master at this time.
They chatted idly for a while longer, and Wu Zhen didn’t stay long before leaving. However, before she left, she plucked a branch of gardenia and held it in her mouth, causing Liu Taizhen to raise his eyebrows in anger. Just as he was about to scold her, Wu Zhen quickly slipped away.
At the Ministry of Justice, Mei Zhuyu was conversing with an official in crimson robes. The two seemed to have a good relationship. The crimson-robed official placed all the scrolls in his hands on Mei Zhuyu’s desk, observed his expression, and smiled, “You’re finally in a better mood today?”
Mei Zhuyu: “How so?”
The crimson-robed official leaned on the desk, shaking his head. “You said your throat was uncomfortable for the past two days. You’re already a man of few words, and now we barely heard you say anything for two days. Not only that, but your black face and unapproachable demeanor were quite frightening. What’s wrong? Have you been upset about something lately?”
Mei Zhuyu shook his head: “No, thank you for your concern.”
Seeing that he wouldn’t say more, the crimson-robed official felt bored. His eyes wandered and caught sight of a cat jumping in from outside. He exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, how did a tabby cat get in here? It looks quite cute. Oh, and it’s carrying a flower in its mouth?”
Mei Zhuyu, who had been reviewing case records, suddenly looked up at these words. He saw a familiar tabby cat gracefully leaping past the crimson-robed official towards him. He quickly reached out and caught the cat as it pounced.
Wu Zhen nestled in her husband’s arms. Seeing the look of disapproval in his eyes, clearly thinking she shouldn’t be wandering around and should be resting at home, she spat out the gardenia flower she had specially brought into her husband’s hand. The flower was meant to make her husband smile and not dwell on such trivial matters.
Although the effect wasn’t as immediate as she had hoped, holding the fragrant gardenia, Mei Zhuyu’s expression softened. He gently stroked the cat’s soft ears.
The crimson-robed official watched with amazement and moved closer, saying, “It’s so affectionate with you. Is this your cat? How rare, I never thought you’d keep a cat!”
His hand reaching towards the tabby cat was blocked. Mei Zhuyu glanced at him and said flatly, “She’s not feeling well. Don’t touch her.”
The crimson-robed official: … He hadn’t realized before that this impartial Mei Lang was such a cat person. What’s with that vigilant look? It’s just a cat. Anyone who didn’t know better might think he was trying to make a move on his wife.
Feeling out of place, the crimson-robed official left. Mei Zhuyu placed the slightly wilted gardenia flower in a water vessel filled with clear water to keep it fresh. He picked up the cat dozing in his arms and stretched her out.
“Why aren’t you resting at home?”
The tabby cat tilted her head and spoke in human language, her voice filled with mirth, “I missed you, husband.”
Mei Zhuyu’s slight disapproval crumbled in the face of this sudden sweet talk, completely surrendering. He settled his wife in his arms and stroked her fur for quite a while.
“Then rest here for now.” He was a bit worried about Wu Zhen being alone at home but had been concerned that if he showed it too much, the usually free-spirited Wu Zhen might feel annoyed. Now, hearing Wu Zhen say this, he had forgotten all about his previous worries and wanted to just take his wife home right away.
However, glancing at the mountain of documents on the desk, half of which were piled up by his disciple who didn’t know how to handle them, he buried himself in work once again.