Chapter 141: Prohibiting Gambling but Not Desire

“Very well, Prince Xian, you truly are a man of passion. I won’t beat around the bush either—today I have come for this serpent. I hope you will not take offense.” Dugu Tianqing pointed firmly at the rainbow python, his stance resolute as if he would not leave without it.

Baili Xian glanced at the coiled python, which watched him and the Fourth Prince’s entourage warily. He couldn’t fathom why the Fourth Prince was making such a grand fuss over a single rainbow python. “Fourth Prince, you seem quite taken with this serpent. Could it be that it holds some significant meaning for you?”

The python remained still, not daring to move. Given the current situation, it was as if it were a fish on the chopping block, powerless under human hands. Staying still was the best chance for survival; any attempt to flee would surely bring immediate suffering. Having lived over ten years, this python was no ordinary creature—it was exceptionally clever.

Dugu Tianqing nodded. “The python is the totem of our Southern Man Kingdom. Our national beast is the python. To be frank, the rainbow python is regarded as a sacred beast in Southern Man. Whenever one is found, it must be kept within the royal palace.”

“A sacred beast?” Baili Xian knew the Southern Man Kingdom’s fondness for pythons, but had never heard of them treating the rainbow python as sacred.

Seeing Baili Xian’s doubt, Dugu Tianqing explained, “It’s understandable if you haven’t heard of the rainbow python as a sacred beast, Your Grace. After all, these pythons are extremely rare—one appears once in a century. In the vast Southern Man Kingdom, there are only three rainbow pythons, all kept in the palace. Unfortunately, one passed away a few years ago.”

At this, the Fourth Prince grew somber. Though the night was dark, Baili Xian noticed a glimmer of moisture in Dugu Tianqing’s eyes. For such a robust man to look so mournful in memory, it was clear that python had meant an extraordinary deal to him.

Meanwhile, the guards accompanying the Fourth Prince had already scattered yellow arsenic powder within a five-yard radius of the python. No matter the snake, yellow arsenic was a persistent bane. The python seemed to detect the scent and became even more hesitant to move.

Baili Xian pointed to the stone table and stools in the courtyard and extended his hand toward Dugu Tianqing. “Fourth Prince, please sit. Let us talk calmly.”

Watching the unmoving python, a gentle light flickered in Dugu Tianqing’s eyes. “Heh, don’t laugh, Your Grace. That departed python was almost like a second mother to me. She cared for me since childhood. If it weren’t for her saving me countless times, I’d have long become a lost soul.”

Dugu Tianqing’s mood brightened as he slowly recounted tales of his youth. Baili Xian, having never been to the Southern Man Kingdom, found himself intrigued by the tales of its customs. “Oh? How did this python save you?”

Dugu Tianqing recalled, “You may not believe this, Your Grace, but the Southern Man Kingdom’s climate is hot and humid, and the animals there grow far larger than normal. Take the rats, for example—ours are nearly twenty times the size of yours. It’s no exaggeration to say our rats rival your rabbits in size.”

Baili Xian felt as if he had heard a tall tale. If it weren’t for the Fourth Prince’s sincere tone, he would have thought he was being deceived. “I can hardly imagine such enormous rats. Wouldn’t that be a great disaster?”

“Indeed. That is precisely why our country reveres the python as its totem. It is thanks to these pythons that our nation has repeatedly avoided rat plagues. When I was a child, the python that accompanied me swallowed countless rats that eyed me hungrily.” The Fourth Prince sighed deeply. “One reason our population growth is slow is that many children have been bitten or killed by rats.”

The thought of being devoured by rats horrified Baili Xian. Though Dugu Tianqing’s childhood was not marred by constant betrayal as his was, it was clear that growing up in such a harsh environment was equally difficult.

“As far as I know, Your Grace, your summers are hot. But you cannot imagine how much hotter it is in Southern Man. When I was young, I loved to sleep hugging the python. Its body was cooler than water, and being near it, I felt no heat at all.” Dugu Tianqing spoke vividly, even making Baili Xian envy the companionship.

“Fourth Prince, you have such a way with words. You’ve made me want to visit Southern Man and experience its customs firsthand.” Baili Xian openly expressed his longing.

Dugu Tianqing grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. “Of course, Southern Man welcomes Your Grace warmly. Given your gracious gift of the python, our kingdom is eager to receive you.”

At that moment, the guards hunting down the vermin in Baili Xian’s manor had long since been ordered to cease. Several guards swiftly assembled a large cage and brought it over.

The Fourth Prince’s men spread a large net, several holding it firm as they approached the python. Their plan was to trap the serpent first, then place it into the cage—thus completing their mission. Having obtained the sacred python, the Fourth Prince would likely leave Eastern Chu at once and return the sacred beast to the Southern capital.

Seeing no escape, the python grew desperate. Even a cornered dog will leap a wall. Suddenly, it raised its body three to four meters high, hooking onto a large tree branch. There was no time to hesitate; it coiled itself around the branch and climbed the tree.

No one expected the python to use the branch to escape the yellow arsenic circle. This was extraordinary cunning. The tree was lush, its branches reaching the roof. Taking advantage of this, the python climbed onto the rooftop.

Not only Dugu Tianqing’s men were stunned, even Baili Xian’s own guards covered their mouths in disbelief, nearly gasping aloud. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they would have never believed such a surreal scene.

While they scrambled to find ladders, whether from losing its grip or the slippery tiles, the python suddenly slipped and fell to the ground. The situation quickly turned dramatic again. The python, ignoring its pain, frantically slithered off in some random direction.

Baili Xian’s eyes narrowed sharply, and he sprang to his feet, chasing after the python. The reason was simple—the serpent had entered the room of Liu Ling’er, who was still asleep inside. If startled or harmed by the python, it would be disastrous.

Rushing in, Baili Xian found a scene that completely upended his expectations. There was no sign of violence or bloodshed.

Inside, the python lay quietly coiled. Liu Ling’er stood before it, gently stroking its silvery-white head, murmuring words Baili Xian could not understand.

The scene resembled a conversation between a woman and a serpent, with Liu Ling’er soothing the creature. Dugu Tianqing, who had followed Baili Xian in, widened his eyes to their limits, covering his agape mouth before exhaling loudly. “You speak snake language? My heavens! There is someone in Eastern Chu who understands snake speech!”

His voice was somewhat loud, seeming to disturb Liu Ling’er and the python. The two turned their heads in perfect unison, their four eyes fixed on Dugu Tianqing, as if annoyed at his noise.

Dugu Tianqing instantly shrank back. The room fell silent except for Liu Ling’er’s murmured snake speech and the python’s intermittent hissing.

When she finished speaking, Dugu Tianqing stepped forward, his gaze burning into Liu Ling’er, making her visibly uneasy.

Just as Baili Xian was about to warn him to be cautious, Dugu Tianqing spoke: “Miss Liu, how would you like to be my wife?”

The words sent a wave of shock through the room. Baili Xian’s face fell, and Liu Ling’er was utterly speechless. “Heh, Fourth Prince, you do enjoy joking. I’m already the consort of Prince Xian. A good woman does not marry two husbands. Please do not repeat this proposal.”

Seeing Liu Ling’er’s immediate refusal, Baili Xian’s expression eased somewhat. “Fourth Prince, if you make such an impolite request again, I fear I cannot be so courteous.”

Dugu Tianqing scratched his head. “I was rash; please forgive me. It is just that the fact Miss Liu speaks snake language astonished me. My mother knows it as well; it is said that one in ten thousand can speak snake language. Those who do are favored by the snake gods. In the Southern Man royal family, most queens can speak snake language.”

“In Southern Man, gambling is forbidden but not indulgence in pleasures. Every few miles you’ll find pleasure boats and brothels. Marrying a woman as a wife is not such a big deal.”

“Moreover, I noticed your brow was furrowed, indicating your virgin purity. That is why I made the proposal. If Miss Liu does not mind, would you consider becoming the sacred maiden of Southern Man?”

Is this not a case of stubbornness persisting despite reason? With such a flourishing industry in Southern Man, going there sounds more like courting disaster.

Though Liu Ling’er had not left her room, Baili Xian had overheard much of the conversation, especially the parts about rats the size of rabbits and unbearable heat—things he could not endure.

As for the sacred maiden—no thanks. Most sacred maidens he had seen either spent their lives in virginal devotion or performing sacrifices. No one in their right mind would agree.

Without hesitation, Liu Ling’er declined Dugu Tianqing’s offer politely. “Fourth Prince, I appreciate your kindness, but I know my place well. I am not worthy of becoming the sacred maiden of Southern Man. Please withdraw your proposal.”

“Ah, what a pity!” Dugu Tianqing felt a bit awkward at the firm rejection, but he was not petty. “Those who speak snake language are always welcome in Southern Man. Our doors are open to you at any time. May I ask what you spoke to the python just now?”

Seeing that Dugu Tianqing no longer pressed his plans to take Liu Ling’er to Southern Man, she breathed a sigh of relief. “The python, Cai Guo, was frightened by you all. She rarely leaves the forests, and simply stumbled upon you. She feared you meant to kill her.”

Dugu Tianqing’s expression grew awkward once more. “Cai Guo—that is the python’s name! It seems I was too impulsive. Seeing the python stirred me deeply. Miss Liu, could you please convey my intentions to Cai Guo? I wish to take her to Southern Man to be cared for in the palace. I mean no harm to her.”