Married a Big Cat After Transmigrating to the Interstellar Era – CH1

Chapter 1

The hover car pulled over to the roadside. The butler carefully surveyed the view outside the window.

The area around the Marshal’s Mansion counted as a military zone, no matter how you put it.

After confirming there was no danger, the butler finally relaxed and turned to the young man sitting in the back seat. The boy was expressionless, gazing out the window, lost in thought.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived,” the butler said softly, eyes filled with pity.

Right now, throughout the entire Federation, hardly anyone wasn’t afraid when mentioning this newly appointed Marshal—let alone having to face him in person.

“Hm?”

Shi Xiaowang came back to himself and rubbed his face like a startled rabbit.

“Okay, thank you, Butler Wu.”

Shi Xiaowang had inherited his mother’s delicate looks. Having been sickly since childhood and rarely going outdoors, his skin was almost translucent. His features were refined and lovely, his bright peach-blossom eyes always carrying a timid, ingratiating look that evoked pity.

Butler Wu hesitated. Seeing the faint pink scar still not healed on Shi Xiaowang’s forehead, he sighed softly and opened the car door.

It was still drizzling. Shi Xiaowang stepped out, stretched lazily, and took a deep breath before looking at the guards standing alertly by the mansion gate.

“No need to accompany me. I’ll go in myself,” he said.

“But…”

Butler Wu looked uneasy.

Shi Xiaowang gave him a glance.

“I’m already at the Marshal’s Mansion gate. I can’t run away, can I? After all, we came uninvited. If we offend the Marshal, you don’t want to be buried with me, right?”

The butler’s expression grew complicated. He opened his mouth but said nothing.

Shi Xiaowang walked toward the soldiers on guard, smiling brightly.

“Hello, I’m Shi Xiaowang—technically still the Marshal’s fiancé for now. I’d like to speak with the Marshal in person about something important. Could you please announce me?”

The soldier looked startled. “Please wait a moment,” he said quickly, hurrying inside. When he returned, his manner was noticeably more respectful.

“Sir, you may enter.”

“Thank you.”

Shi Xiaowang nodded politely and stepped through the gates.

The Marshal’s Mansion was not small, surrounded by lush greenery—carefully arranged yet not overly deliberate.

As Shi Xiaowang looked at the unfamiliar scenery, his thoughts began to drift.

That he had actually transmigrated—it was absurd.

His original world had already fallen into the apocalypse. His parents had died in the chaos. But he was lucky enough to be rescued by an old man collecting plants near the ruins. After recovering, he awakened a purification ability and lived by farming with the old man in their base.

Not long ago, while gathering herbs, he had slipped from a cliff. When he awoke, he found himself in this strange interstellar era, inhabiting the body of a duke’s orphaned heir.

The original owner shared his exact name—Shi Xiaowang. As the duke’s only son, he was orphaned at five. A distant maternal uncle seized guardianship during his illness, moving his whole family into the Duke’s Mansion.

For over a decade, that so-called guardianship was essentially a soft imprisonment. They controlled every aspect of his life while maintaining a spotless public image as his dutiful, selfless relatives.

Now that the original was of age to inherit the title—and thus no longer needed a guardian—the Emperor happened to announce a marriage for the newly promoted Marshal. Somehow, that couple managed to secure the Emperor’s approval for a match between the Marshal and the young Duke.

Rumor had it the Marshal had killed the old Marshal who had treated him like a son, even sacrificing his own troops to silence witnesses in order to seize power.

Naturally, the uncle knew how bloodthirsty the Marshal was. If the young Duke died after marriage, they could permanently claim the Duke’s estate while gaining public sympathy. If he survived, they could still use the Marshal’s name as leverage. Either outcome suited them fine.

Trapped either way, the original Shi Xiaowang had despaired and taken his own life—by smashing his head into a wall.

Shi Xiaowang touched the faintly itchy scar at his temple and sighed. The original had acted too hastily.

Not because the Marshal had later requested to break the engagement, but because the perverted president of the Chamber of Commerce—who’d lusted after the young Duke since childhood—heard of the broken engagement and immediately volunteered to marry him as a “second wife.”

That man was a famous interstellar tycoon; it was a win-win for everyone—especially the greedy relatives. They were already tempted.

Seeing that they might agree, Shi Xiaowang himself proposed going to speak with the Marshal.

One man was bloodthirsty, the other was a creep. But at least the bloodthirsty one had no interest in him— and that made him safer.

Besides, it was an imperial decree. As long as he stayed out of sight, he’d likely survive.

Weighing the pros and cons, the Marshal’s side was clearly the lesser evil. So the couple sent Butler Wu to escort him to the Marshal’s Mansion.

Shi Xiaowang brushed his fingers over the leaves of a roadside shrub.

Well, I’m already in the wolves’ den—what’s a tiger’s lair to me now?

“After His Majesty’s decree, I investigated this young Duke,” an elderly butler reported inside the Marshal’s study. “Nineteen years old, one year away from inheriting the title. Rarely appears in public due to poor health. Educated by private tutors, never attended formal school, and has very few social contacts.”

A white lion lay sprawled lazily on the sofa, surrounded by suspended holographic screens that cast a soft glow around his powerful form.

Resting his chin on his paws, the lion gazed languidly at the screen showing the boy.

He had no personal connection with this duke’s heir. Having returned from the battlefield less than three months ago, he’d suddenly been dragged into this engagement.

Leaving aside the fact they were total strangers, his current reputation in the Federation—and the fragile condition of his body that could collapse into berserk at any time—meant he couldn’t, in good conscience, entangle this boy’s life with his own.

Though the marriage hadn’t been officially annulled, he had already sent word to the Duke’s household.

The screen showed Shi Xiaowang’s hair slightly damp from the drizzle, the pink hue at his temple soft as peach petals.

Jian Mo zoomed in, frowning slightly.

“Uncle Ye, go greet him.”

The butler glanced up at the Marshal’s spirit form in surprise but nodded. “Understood.”

“Good day, Young Master Shi. I’m the house butler,” Uncle Ye said as soon as he met Shi Xiaowang, immediately using a handheld device to dry the moisture from his clothes.

“You didn’t activate your personal shield?” he asked.

Shi Xiaowang rubbed his now-dry hair with a shy smile. “I don’t go out much. It’s my first time seeing rain. I didn’t really know how to use it.”

“Please, come inside,” Uncle Ye said, maintaining his courteous smile as he led him in.

The mansion’s interior was simple, almost austere. Compared to the Duke’s Mansion, teeming with servants, this place was quiet—almost cold.

Shi Xiaowang sat on the sofa and accepted the warm tea the butler offered.

“Sir has been occupied with military duties at the base,” Uncle Ye explained directly. “He’s been informed of your visit. If there’s anything you wish to say, I can relay it for you.”

Shi Xiaowang hesitated, unsure whether to feel relieved or disappointed, and nodded, “Thank you.”

Upstairs, Jian Mo silently observed him—the nervousness, the curiosity, the cautious politeness—all reflected in those clear eyes.

“I came today to ask,” Shi Xiaowang said softly, “why does the Marshal want to break off the engagement? Did I do something wrong?”

The butler blinked, clearly not expecting that question.

“You… don’t want the engagement canceled?”

Shi Xiaowang nodded slightly.

The butler studied him for a long moment.

“Forgive me, but as far as I know, our Marshal’s reputation isn’t… good. Aren’t you afraid?”

“A little bit…”

Shi Xiaowang lowered his eyes, then quickly added, “But my uncle said that I owe my good life to my father’s name. I have no special talents. As someone supported by the Federation, I should make myself useful whenever possible. He said the Emperor’s marriage decree was the best way for me to repay that debt. So… I want to be useful.”

His voice was crisp and innocent, full of naivety—but his words made the butler frown.

“Your guardian… taught you to think like this?”

“Yes.”

Shi Xiaowang twisted the hem of his sleeve nervously and glanced up, timid, “Did I say something wrong?”

“No. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Uncle Ye smiled gently, trying to ease the boy’s tension.

“And although I haven’t met the Marshal in person,” Shi Xiaowang continued, “I know he only kills on the battlefield. So I’m not that scared. But…”

He shrank his shoulders slightly, lowering his voice.

“I’m more afraid of Chairman Shu. My uncle says he acts close to me because he likes me, but I don’t like the way he touches me. Every time he visits, I’m terrified… He told my uncle that if the Marshal doesn’t want me, he’ll marry me instead… but I…”

The boy’s bright eyes filled with tears as he ducked his head to hide his trembling.

The white lion’s tail flicked against the floor, his once-lazy gaze darkening.

Fourteen years ago, the Federation had faced a catastrophic Zerg invasion. Jian Mo’s parents died in that war. The Duke and Duchess, representing the royal family, had visited the front lines and died in an “accident” on their return, leaving behind a five-year-old boy.

After that war, the old Marshal had adopted Jian Mo, raising him as his own son. Jian Mo had assumed the Duke’s child would also be cared for—but those guardians turned out to be vile parasites.

Couldn’t use a shield—because he was never allowed outside. Didn’t know public opinion—because his terminal access was restricted. Didn’t want to annul the marriage—because he was terrified of being handed to a worse fate.

Every word the boy spoke revealed the shackles of his life.

Jian Mo’s gaze lingered again on that faint pink mark on Shi Xiaowang’s temple. He sent a message to the butler.

“Take him to the medical pod first.”

Receiving the command, Uncle Ye’s tone softened with sympathy.

“I’ll inform the Marshal of your wishes. It may take some time. You caught a bit of rain earlier, and your forehead seems injured. Why don’t I take you to the medical pod to rest for a while?”

Shi Xiaowang blinked, then nodded, “Okay. Thank you, Uncle Butler.”

“It’s no trouble.”

The boy, fair and doll-like, curved his brows with such sweet obedience that Uncle Ye smiled.

“My name is Ye. Call me Uncle Ye—just like the Marshal does.”

“Alright, Uncle Ye.”

Lying in the medical pod, Shi Xiaowang curiously examined the advanced interstellar equipment around him, while quietly analyzing his situation.

The butler’s attitude probably reflected the Marshal’s. Otherwise, he would never have been allowed to use such a private medical device.

It seemed his gamble had paid off.

Shi Xiaowang relaxed.
His act of playing the pitiful little victim hadn’t been for nothing.

In the study, Uncle Ye approached the white lion.

“You intend to let the young Duke stay?”

The lion flicked his tail hesitantly and sent a freshly drafted agreement to Uncle Ye.

“If he agrees, he may stay.”

Uncle Ye glanced at him, “Are you worried about something?”

The lion remained silent.

Those who possessed spirit beasts were rare—and those whose forms were predators even rarer. But with his unstable condition, Jian Mo couldn’t safely return to human form for long without risking total madness. Only his spiritual form remained stable.

If Shi Xiaowang stayed, they would inevitably meet under the same roof. The boy looked too fragile. His current appearance might frighten him.

Yet when Shi Xiaowang emerged from the pod and saw the white lion standing beside Uncle Ye, his eyes widened in amazement.

Jian Mo instinctively took a step back, quietly observing.

“This is—” Uncle Ye began.

“The Marshal’s pet? Wow, he’s so handsome!” Shi Xiaowang interrupted brightly, eyes shining with open admiration.

…the Marshal’s spirit beast, Uncle Ye almost said—but the words stuck in his throat. He looked from the boy to the stunned lion, coughed lightly to hide a smile.

“Yes… very handsome indeed.”

The lion shot him a sharp look.

“Can I pet him? He doesn’t bite, right?”

Shi Xiaowang turned to Uncle Ye, full of expectation.

As the boy approached, the white lion instinctively took another step back— not because he feared startling the boy, but because the boy startled him.

Jian Mo was momentarily frozen, his gaze on Shi Xiaowang filled with confusion, disbelief, and a hint of shock.

It seemed… he’d have to reevaluate the courage of this little Duke.

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