AZI Volume 7 Chapter 22.5 Intermission

Intermission – Her Affection, She Would Be Better off Saving It for Someone Else

Ever since the ninth princess of the Lingchen Star Realm's engagement had become common knowledge, the entirety of the star region had been thrown into a state of excitement—both negatively and positively.

Negatively speaking, the men—who were infatuated with Lin Xiao Kui, all of them can't help but curse at the heavens.

"Of all the peerless talents out there, why must Princess Xiao Kui be engaged to a little blind man?"

"What sort of nonsense is this?"

"More like what sort of dog shit luck does this Bujian Yue have—to obtain the fortune, to get engaged in the first place?"

Positively speaking, or perhaps it would be better to say that mix receptions wise, those who had been aware of Bujian Yue's circumstances felt complicated about the entire engagement. 

"I heard that the 46th prince was born blind…"

"Only eight years of age, and yet, he is destined to forever spend his life in complete darkness."

"At least the princess will be there to accompany him now, so…- Ai, who am I kidding? This entire matter is just strange."

"Maybe it's because the princess is taking pity on a little blind man?"

"This is reality, not some sort of bed time story for children."

...…

Within the audience hall of the Lingchen Empire's imperial palace, two figures faced one another.

The first is a man dressed in a set of imperial robes with a mianguan crown, the Lingchen Emperor.

As for the second individual, she looks to be around 14 years of age. Attire wise, she is dressed in a pure white set of robes.

"Xiao Kui, since this Bujian Yue is blind, letters won't work. I suggest you record your voice onto a jade slip, and send it to him."

Towards the Lingchen Emperor's advice, Lin Xiao Kui nods, and replies—

"I understand, father."

Nodding back, the Lingchen Emperor asks—

"And the clone's preparation?"

"Nearly done."

Laughing aloud, the Lingchen Emperor remarks—

"Good."

The political landscape of the Lingchen Star Realm at this time is divided into two factions—those who wish to wage war against the Hong Xiao Star Realm to take it over, and those who wish to maintain tranquility.

The reason for the pro-war faction to covet the Hong Xiao Star Realm is because of its abundance in the natural energies of Heaven and Earth, while the side—who wishes for peace, they're wary of the monetary costs that would be incurred as a result of a war.

Having said that, one of the factions needs to disappear; that way the remaining faction would be able to gain dominance over the political field.

As the ninth princess, Lin Xiao Kui is both a well-known and a well-loved figure within the Lingchen Star Realm.

That being the case, the plan that the Lingchen Emperor had brewed was to send Lin Xiao Kui—more specifically, a clone of hers, to the Hong Xiao Star Realm as a bride.

Then on the night of the wedding, she will put on the act of the 46th prince having killed her.

Having Lin Xiao Kui disappear from the public's eyes, while spreading the news of her false death throughout the entirety of the star region, the side who wishes to maintain peace, they won't have any choice but to call for war as well.

Exhaling a deep breath, the Lingchen Emperor remarks—

"A righteous cause and morale, these two factors are the key parts to waging a war. Xiao Kui, do you blame father for using you in this manner?"

Chuckling subtly, Lin Xiao Kui replies—

"Why would I? All is for the sake of a more prosperous empire. Still… I do feel somewhat bad for that 46th prince."

Thinking of Bujian Yue, who would probably end up being executed as a result of her actions, Lin Xiao Kui frowns for a brief instance, but she is quick to pay it no mind.

Shrugging a shoulder, the Lingchen Emperor says—

"No need to feel any bit of pity. You're doing him a favor. A little blind man like him, he can't possibly hope to marry anyone under romantic circumstances. The fact that he can die after experiencing a wedding, even if it's all a lie—it's a fortune if anything."

Raising a subtle smile, Lin Xiao Kui asks—

"How long does father think that this war would be waged for?"

"Hmm. Hard to say. Perhaps five years? Worry not, I'll try to end it as soon as possible so that you won't have to stay behind closed doors for too long."

"I see. Hmm, father, would it be best—to make my act of sending voice-recording jade slips to the 46th prince a public matter that is well-known as well?"

Chuckling aloud, the Lingchen Emperor replies—

"Clever girl as always."

...…

Hong Xiao Star Realm, Bujian Yue's residence—

"46th prince, a jade slip from Princess Xiao Kui came in. There's a voice recorded message on it, your highness need only break it to listen to it."

"Un, thank you."

Handing the jade slip over, the palace maid leaves.

"…"

Following the palace maid's departure, Bujian Yue snaps the jade slip in half.

Immediately, a young girl's voice comes from the jade slip, saying—

[Greetings to you. My name is Lin Xiao Kui. You can simply call me Xiao Kui. In exchange, may I call you Ah Yue? I'm sure you're somewhat confused by the situation regarding our engagement. However, I'm being sincere when I say that I love you. When my father and I visited the Hong Xiao Star Region's imperial palace in the past, I got lost, and wandered around, and coincidentally, I saw you from a distance. Out of curiosity, I later asked my father about your situation. I...…- Words of pity, they probably aren't something that you'd wish to hear. I'll simply say that I look forward to seeing you again in due time. Until then, I hope that you'll stay healthy. I'll keep sending you these jade slips every now and then. Goodbye for now, Ah Yue.]

"…"

Setting the jade slip fragments aside, Bujian Yue thought—

(Assuming that she's not reading off a script—that someone else had provided her with, this lass… She's a monstrous little slut in the making. I wonder how much her "lick dogs" would pay for a jade slip like this…)

Heaving a sigh, Bujian Yue reverses his point of view, and thought—

(If she's sincere, then… Her affection, she would be better off saving it for someone else.)

Thinking of this, Bujian Yue raises a subtle smile.

Compared to all the smiles that he's made throughout his eight years of living so far, this one, it lacked the usual venomousness flavor, and contained no traces of insidiousness.