Lately, major news stories had been breaking one after another in the Empire, leaving alphas and omegas too overwhelmed to even feel angry anymore.
First came the protest massacre, then the shooting of the A-Virtue founder, and now, a scandal involving Spartacus.
This latest news was broken by an obscure media company, but it was immediately followed by a chorus of condemnation from a group of A-Virtue alphas, led by the Third Princess. They demanded that the Empire purge this organization of destabilizing elements, implying that the beautiful future for alphas and omegas would be realized by the A-Virtue faction.
The people of the Empire were dizzy from the constant reversals. Traditional alphas, progressive omegas, the A-Virtue faction—none of them were clean. But if one were to pick the best of a bad bunch, the A-Virtue faction at least seemed more moderate.
Just as A-Virtue was gaining the upper hand, this illusion was swiftly shattered by Spartacus’s counterattack. The most vocal alphas in the A-Virtue movement were exposed as having intricate ties to the people from Glory—of course, Lucia was, unsurprisingly, once again found to be “innocent.”
However, this didn’t help much. Spartacus was now clearly trying to drag A-Virtue down with them, even coining slogans like “A-Virtue is the alpha’s trash can.”
The Empire’s grand gender struggle had now devolved into an embarrassing mess that, aside from generating a great deal of hatred, seemed to have changed nothing at all.
The populace was exhausted, and conservative sentiment was on the rise again. It was at this moment that Prince Emile unexpectedly won the people’s favor. The nineteen-year-old prince had married an eighteen-year-old omega. They were said to be childhood sweethearts and were now working hard to conceive the next generation for the Empire; good news was expected soon.
Compared to his older siblings, who were scrambling for attention amidst the conflict, Emile spent his time at school and at home, only appearing for a few charity events. He was the type of traditional alpha who looked destined for success.
For a time, many alphas and omegas began to rally behind Prince Emile.
Ultimately, the reason this large group of royals was so eager to win public support was both simple and complex. As a constitutional monarchy, staging a coup under the banner of “the ruler has lost the hearts of the people” had occurred several times in the Empire’s history. Furthermore, according to imperial law, as long as one did not commit crimes against humanity, even a failed coup resulted in only a thirty-year prison sentence.
But capable people are not constrained by their circumstances. A Hall ancestor had once, while in prison, built up his reputation by continuously writing his memoirs, eventually making a comeback and successfully seizing power in his second attempt.
This led the royal family to pay extra attention to a candidate’s public reputation when selecting an heir. After all, while a coup wouldn’t get a royal killed, it could easily drain the royal family’s finances. The wealth accumulated over several generations could be squandered by a few reckless, unworthy descendants raising armies and buying support.
But at this critical juncture, Lucia launched another combination of blows in the court of public opinion.
First, she severely reprimanded the Davis family for their poor upbringing, citing the fact that her fiancé’s cousin had attempted to harm her dear A-Virtue comrade, Miss Yun Chuji. She then announced her decision to break off the engagement.
The public was in an uproar.
At the same time, with a sweet and joyous demeanor, Lucia admitted that she had already found the one true love of her life. She sincerely repented for having previously hesitated, due to the Davis family’s power, over whether to give up her high-aristocrat fiancé for her true love.
The public was in an uproar once again.
However, the Davis family’s shameless actions and—the arrival of her first child—had brought her to her senses, and she was now determined to live for justice and true love for the rest of her life.
And so, she announced her wedding.
Her fiancé was Yun Chuji’s cousin, an omega who was ordinary in both family background and rank.
The public was so stunned that they completely overlooked Prince Emile’s recent first-place finish in a school exam and Prince Clarence’s announcement that Spartacus had expelled the omega who dared to “plot against” Yun Chuji.
It was clear that Lucia’s clichéd story of a “prodigal alpha’s return” had indeed convinced the vast majority of the Empire.
But this was all within Lucia’s expectations.
The Davis family, after all, had produced several party leaders and had deep roots in the political world. Even the family of Prince Emile’s wife paled in comparison. Therefore, even a recent high school graduate in the Empire could clearly understand what Lucia had given up.
It had to be true love, it absolutely had to be!
“Ha, true love? How ridiculous. Did you know? Human thought is a remarkably limited thing. People tend to analyze others with infinite rationality, but when it comes to their own affairs, they are often governed by emotion.”
“Just as you gave up a marriage alliance with a great noble family, people will subconsciously believe that a love and sense of justice equal in value to that benefit drove you to make this decision. Little do they know that the love and justice they think you possess is the benefit you wanted.”
“You see, people are always so short-sighted, unable to recognize their own true worth.”
Yun Xuan methodically wiped the water from the corner of his mouth. His belly had grown another size, and a gentle aura now enveloped him, something that surprised Lucia every time.
How could someone who appeared so soft and approachable manipulate people’s hearts with such calm, one might even say cold, precision?
Lucia took the handkerchief he had used and placed it on the table—she occasionally performed these small, ingratiating acts. Of course, only when she felt it was worth it.
Yun Xuan gave her a light glance, making no comment on her action, treating her with the same near-indifference as always.
How interesting.
Lucia secretly clicked her tongue.
At the same time, she felt a sense of relief. No matter what, even if he were the most advanced optical computer, he still needed a power source like her to function. With that thought, the faint unease in her heart was finally suppressed.
Lucia extended her hand, took her omega’s, and said politely, “Let’s go. It’s time we went to visit your sister.”
Imperial Capital Star.
After more than ten days of recuperation, Yun Chuji’s mental and physical state had improved significantly. She was now preparing her graduation thesis. She had already read most of the materials and was now just filling in the gaps. After all, a terrified and paranoid Tang Jianxi allowed her to do almost nothing but read. Not even Yun Chuji’s strictest governess had ever managed her like this.
During this time, she had no idea what was happening outside. To keep her from worrying, Tang Jianxi had only given her a brief overview.
All Yun Chuji knew now was that the assassination had been planned by Spartacus, and that her elder brother was going to marry the Third Princess.
The first piece of news was shocking enough. In Yun Chuji’s mind, Spartacus had always been a good organization that advocated for the people. She also believed she had done nothing to deserve their enmity and couldn’t understand how she had become a thorn in their side.
But even that paled in comparison to the shock of her brother’s marriage.
She remembered that sometime before her accident, her sister-in-law had been found to be pregnant. Her mother had even given the servants many rewards because of it.
But how was it now her brother who was pregnant and marrying someone like the Third Princess?
When she first saw her brother in this world, his miserable state could in no way be twisted to suggest this child was conceived in love. Besides, there was no love in her brother’s eyes.
Then why?
Was it for power?
Even if her elder brother could not serve the royal family through the imperial examinations, did he have to throw himself into their service in another capacity?
But this Yun Xuan was utterly alien to Yun Chuji.
It was as if that proud, eldest son of the Yun family had become a faded clay statue.
Yun Chuji’s mind was in turmoil as she thought about these things, and she couldn’t focus on her books. Her health, however, was recovering well. Seeing her improve day by day, Tang Jianxi felt a little more at ease and began to talk more about outside events with her.
This was also because there was an imminent decision that Yun Chuji needed to make.
“Spartacus wants to reconcile. What do you think?”
Tang Jianxi said the words quickly, as if she had done something wrong.
The room, which had been converted into a sickroom, lacked the unpleasant medicinal smell of a hospital. Yun Chuji, using her patient status, had coaxed Tang Jianxi into getting her a perfume with the scent of her own pheromones. As a result, the room had a crisp, cool atmosphere, like an ice palace at the end of the world.
The mistress of the ice palace was still dressed in a pure white patient’s gown. Compared to a dozen days ago, much more color had returned to her face. Hearing the question, she raised a delicate eyebrow and asked softly, “What does Jianxi think I should do?”
Tang Jianxi paused, then said with difficulty, “They should pay for what they did.”
Yun Chuji sighed, came to the bedside, and met the gaze of the downcast Tang Jianxi. She bent over, tilting her head at an odd angle like a poorly made puppet.
“But I want to reconcile.”
Tang Jianxi’s eyes widened, and then she turned her head away as if embarrassed. “Don’t do this because of me.”
Yun Chuji thought for a moment, then replied solemnly, “It’s not because of you.”
“Then why did you ask me that just now?”
“Hehe, I thought if Jianxi begged me, I could make some demands.”
Tang Jianxi replied coldly, “No. You can’t eat barbecue for a month.”
Yun Chuji let out a pitiful whimper, her eyes flashing. Not only had she lost all semblance of alpha decorum, but there was also little left of her decorum as a young lady from a scholarly family!
“…At least twenty days.”
Satisfied, Yun Chuji hugged her lover and said sweetly, “Jianxi is the best.”
Tang Jianxi huffed and hugged her back, but her hands remained hovering lightly, not daring to touch the wound.
After a long while, their scents had nearly blended together—this mainly referred to Tang Jianxi, as Yun Chuji had long been steeped in the room’s fragrance.
“Are you really planning to reconcile?”
“Mhm.”
“Don’t do this because of me.”
“It’s not because of you.”
“But I… I don’t want you to reconcile with them either. They almost killed you.”
“But, if we don’t, Spartacus will be in a lot of trouble, right?”
“I’ll handle it.”
“But, besides the person who tried to assassinate me, there are many people in Spartacus who genuinely want to help improve the lives of omegas.”
“…”
“So, I’m not reconciling with them because of Jianxi. I’m doing it for the people Spartacus will help in the future.”
“…Okay.”
Tang Jianxi replied sullenly.
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