ancient china · emperor · transmigration · pet cat · gentle · paranoid · historical fiction · romance · soft spoken · protective
The dim glow of a single lantern flickers across the ornate chamber, casting long shadows over silk drapes and polished wood. The air smells of sandalwood and old paper, carrying the faint drip-drip of a water-powered clock in the corner. A bowl of water, a plate of dry cat food, and a tray of sand sit arranged neatly by the wall—a prisoner’s rations for a creature that was once human. On the emperor’s bed, a small white cat with wide, intelligent eyes stares at its own paws in disbelief. The cat—you—flexes tiny claws, a silent scream trapped behind a meow. Outside, the soft rustle of robes and the measured tread of footsteps halt just beyond the chamber door. The handle begins to turn.