ABRIWMTHM Chapter 129

As the question was asked.

A room fell silent.

Although nothing seemed to change in the room, Lu Lu felt that something was different.

The atmosphere was different.

The superficial pleasantries were torn apart, and Chi Yao pointed directly to the root of the problem, catching him off guard, leaving him unsure how to respond appropriately.

It seemed there was no way to properly answer this question.

In his heart, Shi Xing was still the classmate he grew up with, but in reality, he had to admit that Shi Xing was the Emperor’s partner, already belonging to the Imperial family of the Empire.

To answer with his true thoughts, should he?

Lu Lu wasn’t a fool.

But to deny it… Lu Lu didn’t think Chi Yao was a fool.

Slowly, cold sweat began to trickle from his forehead, and Lu Lu’s gaze fell to the ground, feeling as if something was stuck in his throat, unable to speak.

In front of him, Chi Yao maintained a dignified posture, while the officers around stood straight like soldiers. However, as the silence prolonged, the smoke-gray eyes that landed on him grew increasingly oppressive.

No one urged him, yet the invisible tension in the atmosphere tightened.

Lu Lu even felt it difficult to breathe.

If he didn’t speak soon, he feared he wouldn’t be able to open his mouth again.

Struggling, Lu Lu replied, “Your Majesty, why do you say that?”

It was neither an affirmation nor a denial.

With a light touch, he returned the question to Chi Yao.

Chi Yao raised the corner of his mouth, the smile not reaching his eyes; his expression was cold.

Lu Lu knew this.

Lowering his gaze, Chi Yao glanced at the communicator; it was still early.

Since today’s official duties were also completed, and since Lu Lu wanted to beat around the bush, he saw no harm in accompanying him for a while, watching how this child would deal with the situation once it was pierced through.

Chi Yao slowly began, “It’s naturally because of your actions.”

“From the time you started at the Tree Nest, you and Shi Xing have been classmates for four or five years, right?”

“The administrator said that during your time as classmates, your relationship was quite good, and you gave Shi Xing many gifts.”

“On the eve of the matching banquet at the Tree Nest, Fu Qing caught you entangled with Shi Xing.”

“When at the boundary line, you sneaked and attempted to sneak onto the mother ship, only to be caught by Fu Qing again.”

“And just a few days ago, you came to the palace to see Shi Xing.”

“All these actions, deliberately drawing closer to him—if it’s not love… do you have a grudge against Shi Xing?”

With a final turn of phrase, the conversation headed towards a perilous direction.

Lu Lu’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly denied, “How could that be?”

Chi Yao nodded, “If it’s not a grudge, then it must be affection.”

Lu Lu was at a loss for words.

He was belatedly aware that he had fallen into Chi Yao’s trap.

The other party had asked on purpose like that.

Lu Lu: “…”

Lu Lu closed his eyes.

Seeing Lu Lu silent, Chi Yao leisurely added, “Maybe you still have some unexpected yet reasonable answers. I can listen.”

Just short of directly stating that Lu Lu should reveal his true intentions so he could assess their credibility.

Lu Lu: “…………”

Lu Lu’s head ached.

More painful than the headache was the tense atmosphere, which engulfed him with a suffocating feeling of being unable to escape.

Gazing at the youth before him, Chi Yao pointed out, “You’re not speaking again.”

The words were not urgent, but they dropped like thunder at just the right moment, stirring anxiety in the heart.

This rhythm was also deliberate.

Realizing this, the repressed emotions surged within him, and Lu Lu raised his head.

Those were eyes that were both unwilling and defiant. Chi Yao could see the youthful vigor and the characteristic recklessness of Lu Lu’s age.

And Lu Lu, looking into Chi Yao’s unwavering gaze, could only feel an unshakable authority.

Chi Yao had been in power for thirty years.

Compared to the previous king, he was not an easygoing monarch, but he was a monarch who kept his word.

Having lived in the Imperial Capital for years, whenever Lu Guangyu returned home, he would often mention some political changes. Specific matters were not suitable for family discussions; thus, what Lu Lu heard the most were mostly reflections on the current monarch—Chi Yao being young yet particularly mature and decisive, not easily fooled.

Deeper understanding of Chi Yao came after he was thrown back to the third legion’s encampment by Fu Qing, when his elder brother partly spoke about him, partly threatening him with implications.

Having already preset notions in his mind, seeing Chi Yao in person, he felt the powerful aura belonging to someone in authority.

In that moment, under Chi Yao’s gaze, Lu Lu suddenly came to the realization that it was actually unimportant what he said.

Because the other party came prepared; whatever he said could be seen through.

This left Lu Lu feeling helpless, as if bound by invisible chains, unable to struggle.

The more he felt confined, the more intense the surging emotions became, refusing to calm down.

Chi Yao reminded him: “When you cannot control yourself, it’s best not to look directly at others. Otherwise, just your eyes can completely expose your inner thoughts.”

Chi Yao’s calm statement shattered the last thread of rationality Lu Lu had struggled to maintain.

Emotions surged; unwillingness, resentment, and pain broke open the boundaries he ought to have and exploded forth.

“Is it wrong for me to like Shi Xing?”

Lu Lu no longer spoke respectfully, his tone now mocking and sharp.

“If there’s a question of whether I like him or not, I’m sure Your Majesty has already investigated thoroughly; why ask further?”

“Did you take the time from your busy schedule just to ask me this? That leaves me misunderstanding.”

Chi Yao: “What misunderstanding?”

Knowing he shouldn’t say it, but Lu Lu couldn’t control himself, dark feelings surged within him as he retaliated, “The misunderstanding that my answer is important, that your relationship with Shi Xing isn’t as good as reported…”

“The misunderstanding… that my presence may have made you feel a potential threat.”

Fu Qing frowned and took a step forward.

Chi Yao raised a hand, stopping him.

No need for that.

Seeing Lu Lu’s emotional outburst, Chi Yao found it amusing, “How could your presence make me feel threatened? I’m very curious.”

Chi Yao looked at Lu Lu, but Lu Lu was not in his eyes.

Lu Lu had felt this when he was in front of Shi Xing—a rebound from rock bottom— he didn’t care, gritting his teeth, he said, “From my perspective, that’s quite substantial.”

Chi Yao was eager to hear more.

Lu Lu dared to say, “I grew up with Shi Xing; our bond is naturally different from a relationship forged through matching.”

“Yes, Shi Xing didn’t choose me, but that doesn’t mean he never developed feelings for me that go beyond friendship. First loves are always beautiful; perhaps during the matching, he made a different choice, but…”

Lu Lu suddenly broke into a smile.

“But I have repeatedly approached him, even having somewhat excessive behavior, and he hasn’t actually done anything to me; he still harbors feelings for me.”

“There’s no denying he has been lenient, which may not lack traces of past feelings.”

For a moment, Lu Lu almost believed what he was saying.

He wanted to laugh, yet his eyes burned.

He deemed he had provoked enough, yet before him, Chi Yao remained unfazed.

The delayed feedback left Lu Lu feeling as though he had punched cotton; in extreme agitation, he even disregarded offending remarks to say, “Finally, Shi Xing and I are of the same age; Your Majesty has been in power for a long time and can handle political and military affairs with ease. How can you deal with a younger partner?”

“Is the communication between you and Shi Xing still smooth?”

Chi Yao’s expression did not change, but the calm in his eyes quietly receded.

Clearly, it was the same face as earlier, yet the subtle changes in demeanor brought a startling aura.

Lu Lu finally felt the pleasure of revenge.

Chi Yao: “Are you done speaking?”

Once the dark feelings within him tasted sweetness, they uncontrollably crossed the line again, “Still one last phrase.”

Chi Yao remained silent.

Lu Lu finally slowed down his speech, emphasizing each word, “Your Majesty came to find me, not out of jealousy, right?”

Chi Yao’s expression completely turned cold.

Lu Lu had just wanted to laugh when strong mental power surged over him; this time he couldn’t even resist and directly fell to his knees, veins standing out on his forehead, a few seconds later, pressed completely to the ground, curled up, in pain.

Chi Yao didn’t attack him but merely used his level difference to bring Lu Lu down.

As Lu Lu struggled, he still felt the need to continue, “Your Majesty, you’re not angry because I hit the nail on the head, are you?”

“Does Shi Xing know you came to see me today?”

Upon finishing, he emitted a muffled cry of pain.

Chi Yao didn’t make a move, but Fu Qing did.

Chi Yao didn’t stop it.

Lu Lu writhed on the ground in discomfort, yet within him was a twisted happiness, as if he had turned the tide in an invisible game.

Compensating a little for the pain he felt since leaving the Tree Nest, for losing Shi Xing.

“Is this how one is treated for speaking the truth? I see the Emperor’s grace only reaches this level~”

Lu Lu continued, unaware of the danger.

Xiang Fei took a step forward.

Before Xiang Fei could act, Chi Yao stood up first.

He had not withdrawn his mental power nor attacked, and still didn’t stop Fu Qing’s attack.

He walked several steps to Lu Lu.

Lu Lu saw Chi Yao’s polished shoe surface and heard the cold voice of the other party.

“Isn’t this what you were asking for?”

“You intentionally made things sound that harsh, disregarding your identity and family and friends; weren’t you trying to provoke my anger?”

“I helped fulfill your wish.”

Lu Lu’s heart raced.

In the next moment, Chi Yao slowly raised his hand, calling a stop to Fu Qing.

The pressure on Lu Lu lessened, but he appeared particularly disheveled, especially when compared to the impeccably dressed Chi Yao, as if one was in the heavens and the other was on the ground.

With his fingers tightly gripping the carpet, trying to get up in exhaustion, Chi Yao just watched him.

The emotionless face, looking down, made Lu Lu uncomfortable, yet he stubbornly didn’t want to lie on the ground; unable to stand, he forced himself to sit on the carpet, trying to raise his chin with effort.

It was a gesture of provocation.

Signaling he wasn’t afraid, indicating to come at him.

After a moment of silence, Chi Yao opened his mouth again.

“You grew up with Shi Xing/He might have developed feelings for you beyond friendship/The first love is always beautiful…” Chi Yao laughed mockingly, “You speak so assuredly; did you two ever get together?”

“Did you become a couple, or did you confess to each other?”

Looking at Lu Lu, the smoke-gray eyes carried an inorganic chill that sent chills down Lu Lu’s spine.

“Not speaking? You sound so convinced, so actually, it’s just your personal feelings?”

Lu Lu defended, “Shi Xing is close to me…”

Chi Yao: “How close? Does he blush when speaking to you? Or has he ever acted beyond friendship toward you?”

Lu Lu choked on his words.

Chi Yao: “The closeness you refer to isn’t just because he accepted your gifts, right?”

Lu Lu struggled: “He even returns my gifts!”

Chi Yao nodded slightly, an almost imperceptible smile creeping onto his lips, a sarcastic smile that wasn’t too damaging but made Lu Lu feel a tremendous humiliation.

“Well, getting gifts from classmates and returning them is something my nephew can do too. Don’t other classmates do it?”

Lu Lu: “.”

Chi Yao seemed to be watching a joke, asking him, “Is this what you call closeness?”

“Then perhaps, the divergence in definitions between you and me is not a matter of degree but of intrinsic differences.”

Chi Yao further stated, “Shi Xing is indeed lenient towards you, but are you sure it’s because of you and not because of considerations regarding the influence of the third legion behind you?”

“By the way, I can tell you, Shi Xing has been by my side for a year and a half, and even when upset, he has never hit anyone. Congratulations, you’ve become the first person in the Empire he punched.”

Lu Lu was dumbstruck.

Chi Yao affirmed, “Rather than following the rules to punish you, this is certainly a form of ‘leniency’; if you wish to think so, then think it that way.”

Lu Lu: “…”

Lu Lu said a lot, and Chi Yao had an excellent memory, dismantling his words slowly but surely.

Chi Yao: “I admit that I am not of the same generation as Shi Xing.”

“As for the communication issue, Shi Xing is a very sincere person; he says what he means—if he likes someone, he likes them; if he doesn’t, he doesn’t. So far, you think the conditions are in your favor…”

It’s too amusing. Chi Yao couldn’t help but mock, “I still stand by what I said; if you want to think it this way, just think it that way.”

One can’t help but say that the etiquette instilled by the royal family can become very harsh when they want to be.

Fu Qing had reason to suspect that that statement about liking and not liking, which didn’t fit the prince’s style, was actually strongly hinting at something!

“Lastly.”

“Shi Xing does not know I came to see you today.”

“But it isn’t that I intentionally didn’t tell him; rather, he didn’t tell me from the very beginning.”

Lu Lu felt confused.

Looking at the seated youth, Chi Yao spoke in a casual tone, intentionally.

“Shi Xing doesn’t know I’m here to see you.”

“In fact, that day when we crossed paths in the courtyard, after returning to my quarters, I asked him about your visit.”

“You know how he described your visit?”

Lu Lu knew he shouldn’t ask further.

Especially when he saw that determined expression in Chi Yao, he should have realized it was a trap; it couldn’t possibly yield a good answer.

But… hearing Shi Xing’s name seemed to enchant him, urging Lu Lu to ask, “How did he describe my visit to you?”

Chi Yao smirked, “The problem lies here; he didn’t describe you to me.”

Shi Xing hadn’t even mentioned Lu Lu to Chi Yao, so in his eyes, Lu Lu wasn’t even a concern.

Based on this, whether Chi Yao met Lu Lu or not was naturally unnecessary and should not disturb Shi Xing.

Lu Lu sneered, “Perhaps he doesn’t want you to know of my existence…”

“You’re not wrong in saying that.”

Chi Yao added, “He mentioned he didn’t want such things occupying our time together.”

Lu Lu’s pupils constricted.

Chi Yao: “He said that because he’s living quite well, and doesn’t want to argue with someone who has nothing.”

Chi Yao met Lu Lu’s gaze coldly, continuing with cruelty.

“Stating—there’s no need to engage with you.”

An unnamed existence.

Complete disregard.

Lu Lu couldn’t believe it; in madness, his reason became lucid—

This was a consistent attitude echoed in Shi Xing’s treatment of him.

Yes, a total disregard.

Wanting to refute, yet unable to, because deep down, Lu Lu already believed it.

Watching Lu Lu’s eyes gradually fill with tears, Chi Yao seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, “At first, I also thought maybe he didn’t want to get you into trouble, but having seen you, I admit, my partner was right—talking with you truly is a waste of time.”

Chi Yao’s gaze swept over Lu Lu from top to bottom.

Just a glimpse made Lu Lu feel as if everything within him had been seen through; his disheveled state, his distortions, and his darkness were all exposed in Chi Yao’s eyes, with nowhere to hide.

“You entangling with Shi Xing during matching shows a lack of understanding of your relationship and your abilities.”

“Looking for him at the border line reflects a disregard for military regulations and your family’s reliance on the legion.”

“Just a few days ago, you sought him out again…”

A light laugh filled with mockery, “How should I describe it? Perhaps… self-inflicted humiliation.”

“I’m sorry; before you, I rarely heard young people being considered an advantage in mate selection.”

“Shi Xing will reach my age one day, and so will you, unless…”

Chi Yao’s voice suddenly turned severe, “You don’t live to see it.”

The sudden change in demeanor made Lu Lu shiver, intimidated by Chi Yao’s aura.

Realizing that Chi Yao could genuinely do these things filled Lu Lu’s bones with fear of power.

Chi Yao naturally saw this on Lu Lu’s face.

The disdain in his heart deepened.

After glancing at the communicator, having wasted so much time, it was time to conclude.

Since Shi Xing didn’t tell him anything about Lu Lu, Chi Yao finally accepted that his partner’s view was indeed correct.

This conversation merely felt frustrating and ridiculous.

Chi Yao: “I came to see you because you are entangling with Shi Xing.”

“In my eyes, things can be tolerated once or twice, but not a third time.”

“You have crossed the line.”

Lu Lu snorted coldly, discontented with this grandiose phrase, “Isn’t it because…”

Chi Yao knew what he was trying to say and denied it, “No.”

This meeting had little to do with Lu Lu’s past relationship with Shi Xing.

Chi Yao: “Shi Xing is excellent, and it’s normal for someone to like him; it’s human nature.”

“It doesn’t matter what his thoughts toward you were in the past; it’s perfectly normal for young people to have crushes on peers. This merely proves he is no different from most people.”

“What’s in the past is past.”

“The key is now.”

“Right now, he doesn’t want to see you; right now, he is my partner.”

Chi Yao looked down from above at Lu Lu.

Lu Lu clenched his fists tightly, a moment later, he laughed again, as if finding some consolation, “Anyone can say pretty words!”

It seemed Lu Lu thought Chi Yao was saying one thing and doing another.

Realizing something, Chi Yao crouched down.

Lu Lu felt the pressure of being looked down upon was already daunting.

He was mistaken; locking eyes with Chi Yao at such close quarters was an overwhelming pressure like waves, sweeping over him, drowning him.

After sizing him up for a moment, Chi Yao suddenly said, “Your thoughts are quite problematic.”

Chi Yao didn’t think any of his words were wrong; instead, he found Lu Lu’s rebuttal and the inherent implications in it, quite abnormal.

“Pretty words? Then how do you suggest I think? Should I mind your bond with Shi Xing and not allow anyone else to like him?”

Lu Lu didn’t answer, but his eyes gave Chi Yao the answer.

Chi Yao felt an impulse to pinch his brow.

Unbelievable; this was Lu Guangyu’s son and Lu Li’s younger brother.

“I understand now.”

Chi Yao exhaled lightly, “It seems this trip didn’t go to waste after all.”

If such factors were allowed to wander in the Imperial Capital, it would truly be concerning when he interacted with him in the future.

“Perhaps before learning to love, you should learn to respect others.”

“With my status, I indeed can do what you say.”

“But loving someone does not equate to possessing or entrapment.”

These words rung like a warning bell, making Lu Lu dizzy, disbelieving.

“Do you hope many people like Shi Xing?” He forced himself to calm down, twisting the meaning.

Chi Yao: “This has nothing to do with my preferences. Excellent people attract more others; if you can’t accept that, the fundamental solution is simple: don’t pursue someone excellent in the first place.”

Lu Lu: “Are you not afraid that Shi Xing…”

Feeling extreme absurdity, Chi Yao straightened his sleeve calmly but unyieldingly replied, “Have you forgotten? There aren’t many who are better than me.”

Lu Lu: “.”

Chi Yao shook his head, and during their short conversation, the absurd feeling left him nearly speechless.

In his movement, Lu Lu caught sight of something, his gaze frozen.

On Chi Yao’s neck, there were bite marks, and further down, a patch of deep red and purple.

Though inexperienced, Lu Lu could still identify it as a hickey.

As for who left it, there was no need to elaborate.

Lu Lu’s mind went blank, and he began recalling that day’s Shi Xing; he hadn’t seen any marks on him.

As Lu Lu’s stare froze, Chi Yao noticed, then realized what he was staring at.

The marks were left by Shi Xing.

That day, when Shi Xing had wanted to come down, he wouldn’t let him, holding onto his waist and making moves.

Shi Xing, pushed to a point of no return, had bitten a few times on his neck, losing himself for a moment, neglecting whether it was conspicuous, and neither did Chi Yao think of that, thus… it ended like that.

Shi Xing would be very unhappy with any marks on him, feeling it inappropriate, so usually, he wouldn’t leave them in obvious places.

But he had no demands in this regard, so even though Shi Xing felt sorry afterward, Chi Yao was fine with it.

However, the marks revealed the nature of how they interacted privately, showing Chi Yao’s pampering and indulgence towards Shi Xing.

It revealed… their equality in character.

Lu Lu was left speechless.

In hindsight, perhaps every single word that Chi Yao said was true…

Lu Lu’s eyes dimmed completely.

His first reaction was to find himself laughable.

Wondering if he looked like a clown before Chi Yao today.

His second reaction was tears spilling uncontrollably.

Facing Chi Yao, he suddenly realized he would never intersect with Shi Xing again.

But Chi Yao didn’t care how he thought.

He had long since figured out how to handle Lu Lu; this meeting was merely a matter of adjusting the details.

“Entangling with Blue Star humans in the Tree Nest, approaching the mother ship recklessly in the army, all of this will be documented in your files. You know what it means to join the military.”

“Colliding with the royal family, the Elders Council will coordinate with the Lu family to handle this.”

“As for education matters…”

This was also what Chi Yao felt was the biggest issue.

“The first military academy exchanges a batch of students with the Alliance every year; I will have Lu Guangyu choose teachers for you specifically responsible for you, so you can just finish your studies in the Alliance for college.”

“As for whether you’ll return to the Empire years later, or when you can return to the Imperial Capital…”

“That depends on your performance.”

Chi Yao left.

Leaving behind a small team of soldiers.

Responsible for watching Lu Lu pack.

Later on, they would directly send him into the first military academy, and until then, Lu Lu was not allowed to leave the academy.