Chapter Ten: “Of Mews and Moos”

It had been three days since Xie Lian found himself "gifted" with animal traits thanks to a certain mischievous Ghost King's enchanted bracelet.

Not a god. Not a demon.

No—something far worse: a bored husband.

"Why does it still activate randomly?!" Xie Lian snarled, tugging his hood down over his cat ears for the third time that morning.

From his post by the shrine steps, Hua Cheng stifled a laugh as Xie Lian paced, tail flicking with righteous fury.

"You look adorable when you're furious," Hua Cheng teased, chin resting on his palm.

"I am not adorable. I am the Crown Prince!" Xie Lian snapped—only for a soft, vibrating sound to escape him.

Prrrrrrrr…

Xie Lian froze, eyes wide. "Did… did I just purr?!"

Hua Cheng's grin split his face. "You did. Quite loudly, too."

Xie Lian's ears flattened, and he stamped one foot. "How is that not in the manual?!"

"There isn't one." Hua Cheng stood, brushing dust from his robe. "Emotional highs, they say."

"I was just—" Xie Lian clenched his fists. "Calm!"

"Then it must have been…? Ah." Hua Cheng circled him, voice lowering. "The sight of me, perhaps?"

Xie Lian lunged forward, tail swishing. "Stop enjoying this so much."

"Never." Hua Cheng's eyes gleamed. "But let me show you something else."

Before Xie Lian could protest, Hua Cheng snapped his fingers. A red shimmer rippled along the bracelet.

The cat ears vanished. Xie Lian blinked—only to find two rounded cow ears and tiny horns perched atop his head. His pupils went back to normal, but now a soft bell chimed at his throat, and a gentle tail swished behind him.

"San Lang—why am I a cow?!" Xie Lian nearly shrieked, face heating.

"Divine kine," Hua Cheng said with solemn pride. "Very rare. Very powerful."

Xie Lian pressed both hands to his head, pinching at the ears. "Turn me back!"

"Only when I say so." Hua Cheng leaned close—and Xie Lian felt that familiar flutter in his chest.

Unexpectedly, a low, contented moo slipped from his lips.

Xie Lian's eyes went even wider. "I—c-can moo?!"

Hua Cheng laughed, soft and delighted. "You're a cow. You moo when you… relax."

Xie Lian scrubbed at his face with both hands. "You are insufferable."

"But your insufferable," Hua Cheng cooed, tugging gently on one floppy ear. "And you moo so wonderfully."

Moo…

Xie Lian threw himself backward, tail flicking wildly. "That wasn't me!"

"Oh, but it was," Hua Cheng said, amused. "And I intend to hear more."

Just then, a polite cough echoed from the courtyard gate.

Nan Feng stood there, stoic as ever. Behind him: Fu Yao, arms crossed, expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

"I knew it," Fu Yao said flatly.

"Spare me," Xie Lian muttered, yanking the hood back up—ears, horns, bell, and tail hidden under folds of fabric.

"Ghost King's new recruitment tactic?" Nan Feng asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Divine fashion statement," Hua Cheng replied breezily. "He wears cow ears well."

Nan Feng pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is why I drink."

To be continued.