C16 It Was Good to be a Cat too

“Hmm, this guy sure knows how to pick a spot.” Cang Xu had grown up in the strict environment of a palace, and even after establishing his own residence, he never really explored the market. He was always reading documents in a carriage, never having tasted street food. He was curious about what kind of flavors these roadside stalls could offer.

Cang Xu watched Lu Xiaoxiao, who was crouched on the ground, with a blank expression. With the little cat's company, his orderly life had been disrupted, yet he found it somewhat interesting.

He glanced at the sky, watching the clouds drift by. It seemed like ages since he last enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. Under constant pressure, he had forgotten what it felt like to laugh freely. He wondered how amusing it would be if the little cat could transform into a human.

“Hey! Over here!” July called out loudly to avoid drawing attention while securing a seat, snapping Cang Xu back to reality.

Lu Xiaoxiao was already on the table, sniffing the fragrant wontons in the bowl. July had also bought some osmanthus rice wine soup dumplings, perfect for cooling off in the summer. Lu Xiaoxiao licked them with her tongue, savoring the floral osmanthus flavor that spread from her tongue, the soothing rice wine taste enchanting her senses. She wished she could turn into a human and devour it all, but alas, she was just a cat!

“These wontons smell pretty good,” Cang Xu said, leaning in to sniff the bowl. “Now, where are the chopsticks?”

“Duke, don't be so particular. Street vendors can't match the cleanliness of your residence. Since we're out, let's just make do,” July said with a sheepish smile.

“Meow~” Exactly, exactly, we're outside now, no need to be so uptight, Lu Xiaoxiao nodded her little cat head repeatedly.

Cang Xu glanced at the two of them, giving July a slight glare. Since when did July become so chatty? Oh well, maybe it was time to reconnect with the world. With a sigh, Cang Xu picked up the chopsticks.

“Hmm... hmm~” This street food might not be as refined as what you’d find in a fancy restaurant, but it has its own unique charm. The filling is fresh and tender, with a delightful crunch that makes each bite of the wonton enjoyable. A few drops of clove juice in the broth add a smooth, aromatic touch, making it a treat for both the taste buds and the nose.

“Not bad!” Cang Xu put down his chopsticks and picked up a spoon from the basket, eagerly digging in.

“I’ve been wanting to try this stall for ages. Steward Zhao mentioned it to me before, but I never got the chance. Tasting it today, it really lives up to the hype.” July lifted his bowl, took a sip of the broth, and nodded in satisfaction.

Listening to their conversation, Lu Xiaoxiao felt a surge of pride. Suddenly, being transformed into a cat and landing in this time didn’t seem so bad. At least, as a cat, there were fewer constraints and worries. Plus, life in this era was quite interesting, with its fair share of surprises adding flavor to the mundane days.

After finishing the clove wontons, Old Chen wrapped up his lunch quickly. Lu Xiaoxiao’s mind was still wandering around the bustling market. Besides the food, there were countless intriguing trinkets to explore.

Lu Xiaoxiao bounced ahead, while Cang Xu and July strolled leisurely behind. Cang Xu found the bustling market surprisingly pleasant, adding a bit of joy rather than feeling overwhelming.

Cang Xu noticed a jade shop ahead and walked in, carefully selecting a piece with his finger and whispering something to July.

“Yes.” July followed Cang Xu’s instructions, conversed with the shop owner for a bit, and then both left the store together.

“Meow!”

“Where did this stray cat come from? Out! Get out! You’re filthy, don’t ruin my business!” Cang Xu’s heart skipped a beat when he heard Lu Xiaoxiao’s cry and quickly followed the sound.

The owner of a silk shop was about to toss Lu Xiaoxiao out when July rushed over and rescued the little cat.

"Hold it!" July exclaimed, quickly stepping in to take Lu Xiaoxiao from the owner's grasp.

"This cat's wild, and its owner is just as unruly. Like owner, like cat, huh?" the owner sneered, arms akimbo, casting a disdainful glance at July.

"Meow~" Lu Xiaoxiao whimpered in July's arms, feeling wronged. The cat had only been curious about the ancient silk patterns and jumped up to take a closer look. But before it could admire them properly, the owner had grabbed it.