Chapter 6 Missed

The next day, at the Imperial Palace on Capital Star.

The palace was resplendent—they were adorned with pearl curtains, gold-plated pillars, and crystal disk lamps, in a style that was slightly European yet perfectly fused with the beauty of the East, symbolizing the peak of Canaan Empire's wealth and power.

"Yuting, how could you announce such a crucial matter about your reproductive value without consulting me or your father first?"

At this moment, the most honored woman of the Canaan Empire had shed her luxurious attire, but even in her simple golden robe, she retained her elegance. She now looked at her son with a worried expression.

"The fact remains; what is there to discuss?" Si Yuting lacked his usual battle-born ferocity but still held a detached expression.

The Empress knew her son's temperament and could only sigh helplessly.

"Sigh, you have suffered these years."

Thinking of this, Gong Lingyu couldn't help but feel more remorse. Had it not been for Yuting exhausting his spiritual power in order to protect the entire Canaan Empire, his reproductive value wouldn't have continued to decrease.

Yet he had never complained, as if he were born for the battlefield.

"Now that the situation in the Eastern Frontier has stabilized, you should take some time to rest," Emperor Si Chen also said.

"I brought Cheng Feng and others back this time, intending to pursue the Star Thieves in the Beisha Meteorite Belt. The Eastern Frontier can't be left unguarded; I must hurry back there," Si Yuting declined the offer to stay at the Imperial Palace.

Pausing, he added, "The marriage with the Qu Family should be called off."

Upon hearing this, the Empress became anxious, "No! This marriage was fixed long ago. I just discussed it with the head of the Qu Family yesterday. You didn't oppose it before, so why call it off now?"

"Whether I marry or not is unimportant to me. Just call it off, Mother, you shouldn't force the girl."

Si Yuting remained apathetic; the matter of his reproductive value did not affect him—since it had happened, there was no need to continue the marriage.

"Yuting, I asked the Qu Family, and the girl is willing. We can offer additional compensation; after your brother and sister-in-law have their second child, they can adopt one out to you."

"No need," Si Yuting curtly refused.

"Your mother has invited the Qu Family to the palace, and they should be arriving any moment. Your fiancée will also be here. You can meet her first and decide afterward," the Emperor implored.

"Yes, I've seen the girl's photo, and she's both cute and charming. Perhaps you'll like her," the Empress continued to gently coax.

Unfortunately, no matter how the two persuaded, Si Yuting remained unmoved. He rose to take his leave, "I leave it to you, Father and Mother, to explain things to Miss Qu. Should the Qu Family require any compensation, it can be paid directly from my account. I need to head to the Beisha Meteorite Belt, and won't stay longer."

"Ah! The meal…" Not yet finished…

The Empress stretched out her hand, but sadly Si Yuting, with his height and long legs, had already left the palace in a few strides.

The guards at the gate knew that both princes could freely come and go from the Imperial Palace. They respectfully saluted, and of course, they did not hinder him—nor could they have stopped him.

Faced with her headstrong second son, the Empress could only sigh in resignation, while the Emperor gently patted her back to console her.

The Emperor glanced at his light brain device after receiving a message; it was from a trusted aide. "The Qu Family has entered the palace. Let's get ready and head to the West Flower Hall," he said to the Empress.

"They've arrived? If only they could have come a bit earlier," the Empress said with some regret.

Elsewhere in the palace, the rarely dressed-up Qu Tong followed her elders from the Qu Family through the long corridors, taking an interested look at the prosperity and splendor of the Imperial Palace.

On the other side of the rose wall, someone hurriedly left the palace.

The head guard led a few people towards the West Flower Hall. The Emperor and Empress had not yet arrived, but the dining table was already set with exquisite delicacies.

Qu Tong's mood visibly brightened; after several days of subsisting on Nutrient Solution, she couldn't stomach the blandness any longer.

Qu Jianwen noticed Qu Tong's gaze lingering on the food for a long time and couldn't help but think to himself disparagingly.

However, turning his head, he saw his own son and brother with even more fixed stares...

He simply turned his head away. Out of sight, out of mind.

They didn't have to wait for long before two figures clad in brocade emerged at the head of the guest table.

Qu Tong followed Qu Jianwen and the others in greeting them.

"There's no need for formalities, Head of the Qu Family. Everyone, please take your seats," the Emperor said, raising his hand with a dignified gesture.

Qu Tong also carefully observed the two of them. The Emperor was much as she had imagined, with the bearing of a ruler and a somewhat stern expression. The Empress, however, was graceful and elegant, and even smiled at her when she caught her gaze.

Qu Tong, feeling embarrassed, diverted her attention and focused on listening to the polite exchange between Qu Jianwen and the Emperor.

As a junior, Qu Tong had no opportunity to interject in such a situation. The Empress occasionally contributed to the conversation, and her remarks were often echoed and adopted by His Majesty.

It seemed that the rumors were true; the Emperor and Empress appeared to share a deep affection for each other, at least that was the impression she received.

The Empress kept an eye on Qu Tong, who sat up straight, neither timid nor rude, only occasionally staring blankly at a plate of vegetables in front of her, clearly bored. Finding it somewhat amusing, the Empress raised her hand to signal for everyone to start eating.

When a maid came to serve, Qu Tong waited quietly for the maid to arrange her plate and then whispered a thank you.

Only after the Emperor and Empress at the head of the table began to eat did she and the other Qu Family members start their meal.

Qu Tong first picked up a piece of radish with her chopsticks and, as soon as it entered her mouth, noticed something different. It wasn't very tasty, with a faint earthy bitterness, but still within an acceptable range compared to the flavorless Nutrient Solution.

Qu Tong chewed slowly. After finishing the radish, she picked up a slice of meat from an unknown animal, roasted to a tender medium rare. It still had a bitter taste, but much milder compared to the vegetables.

After trying a few dishes, Qu Tong realized that interstellar food seemed to carry a unique bitterness as if contaminated, but the meat was more thoroughly purified and had much less of the bitterness and gaminess.

To someone not fussy about food, this wasn't an issue. Although Qu Tong could taste the difference, she still ate a bit of each dish.

It was simply a matter of habit.

Drinking Nutrient Solution always left one feeling full in the stomach but not satisfied in the mind.

Qu Jianwen, who sat nearby, continued to flatter: "This exotic meat is rich without being greasy, tantalizingly flavorful. Could it be this is the result of the Alchemist Association's recent major breakthrough in purifying Exotic Beast Meat?"

Smiling, the Empress at the head seat nodded: "Indeed, it's from the Lan Family."

After the meal, the Empress asked Qu Tong to stay behind, which was exactly what Qu Tong had hoped for.

The maid led Qu Tong to a room slightly smaller than the West Flower Hall and thoughtfully prepared a cup of rose tea for her.

Qu Tong sipped her tea while surveying the room and, reflecting on the treatment she had received since entering the palace, guessed that the Empress had no intention of making things difficult for her.

The Empress returned in a different outfit, more casual than her earlier attire but still a floor-length dress of regal elegance.