26 Chapter 56

Shen Xinian was the legitimate son of the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion. Yet because he misjudged those around him, his stepmother framed him to take the fall for his younger brother. He was thrown into prison on false charges and died there of illness.

When he awoke, he had been reborn as a tribute bird.

Shen Jiujiu despaired completely. He refused all food and water, eager only to bring his short bird life to a swift end.

Then the cloth over his birdcage was lifted. Standing before him was the man of his dreams—his white moonlight, whom he had longed for day and night but never dared imagine getting close to.

The listless White Jade Chirp lunged forward in a single leap. He slammed a claw down on the food dish just as it was about to be taken away and devoured the contents with frantic gusto.

Beneath the man's deep, inscrutable gaze, Shen Jiujiu's belly swelled round and full. The entire bird collapsed into a blissful puddle right there in the man's palm.

His chirps rose and fell in a melodious cadence, brimming with tender affection.

His eyes sparkled like a starry sky.

~~~

The Emperor bestowed upon Prime Minister Pei Du a bird teetering on the edge of starvation.

The creature's stubborn refusal to eat was an uncanny mirror of Pei Du himself.

Pei Du's expression remained cool and detached. "In that case, Your Majesty, this minister shall grant it the honorable death it seeks."

But when Pei Du lifted the cage cloth, the supposedly dying bird's round black eyes lit up at the sight of him. It pinned the food bowl with ferocious determination and scarfed down its meal.

Its movements were so hasty and bold that it nearly choked itself several times over.

Pei Du arched a brow and took the spirited, discerning White Jade Chirp under his wing.

~~~

The aloof prime minister dreaded the clingy bird.

Yet through Shen Jiujiu's tireless efforts, he advanced from the birdcage in the study all the way to Pei Du's bedside pillow.

He even claimed a little blanket of his own.

One night, Pei Du jolted awake in the darkness. He stared in astonishment at the white-haired youth who had suddenly appeared on his bed.

Shen Xinian, stripped of his fluffy bird down, burrowed into Pei Du's arms with his eyes closed. He chirped shamelessly, without a shred of self-consciousness—

"Cold. Jiujiu needs a hug."