ABRIWMTHM Chapter 30

There are three agreements provided by the Tree Nest that Shi Xing needs to sign: one for matching confirmation, one marriage agreement, and one contract regarding Blue Star humans’ maturity period in the Empire.

Chi Yao has a lot more to sign.

He also has the three that Shi Xing signed, in addition to the following—

One life commitment agreement.

One responsibility commitment agreement.

One risk disclosure confirmation agreement.

One confirmation commitment regarding the cohabitation terms as reminded by the Tree Nest.

There are also two that are conditional, set to take effect immediately if an incident occurs during the Blue Star human’s maturity period:

Consent for a thorough investigation agreement.

And an agreement to accept all verdicts of a special court after the investigation.

After Shi Xing finishes signing, the agreements in his possession are transferred to Chi Yao’s desk.

Having memorized the royal family name for two days and crammed two thousand years of marriage history, Shi Xing watches as Chi Yao’s hand swiftly moves to sign, unable to suppress his curiosity about which name he is writing.

The two tables are not far apart; Shi Xing slightly lifts his chin to peek and sees it.

To his surprise, it’s the name Chi Yao.

Hmm, he thought…

“Are you disappointed?” Chi Yao suddenly speaks while looking down at the signature.

Shi Xing: “?”

Chi Yao: “I noticed the expression on your face when you saw me sign my name; it looked disappointed.”

Shi Xing gapes: “When did you see that?”

Chi Yao: “I can sense it.”

With such high mental power perception, if Chi Yao wants to, he could easily gaze through the entire Tree Nest.

However, Chi Yao usually keeps his mental power restrained.

Only now does Shi Xing realize this detail.

Shi Xing stumbles in response, “I was just curious, shouldn’t you be signing with… the royal family name?”

His voice gets quieter, part curiosity, part teasing.

Chi Yao raises his head and looks at Shi Xing, and Shi Xing confirms that all his little thoughts have not escaped the other’s eyes.

After a knowing look, Chi Yao doesn’t argue, instead he explains, “The royal family names are too long. All members’ names are publicly disclosed. For treaties between planets, we use the formal name, handwrite the given name, and stamp the surname, but for internal treaties within the Empire, we generally use a different name.”

Before Shi Xing can ask more, Chi Yao actively continues, “It’s convenient, and there is less chance of forgery.”

People who don’t have interactions with the royal family are generally unaware of this situation. Once a contract with the royal name is signed and it causes trouble, it isn’t even necessary to differentiate; they’re directly apprehended and investigated.

Shi Xing: “Oh~”

Hearing Shi Xing still harbor some disappointment in his tone, Chi Yao chuckles, takes a blank sheet of paper, scribbles on it a few times, and tosses it into the air. The paper floats down and lands gracefully on Shi Xing’s desk.

It’s Chi Yao’s royal signature, but…

“The royal surname also has an abbreviation, which is recognized domestically.”

The paper shows just four characters: Yao·~·Beiman

With all the related marriage families encompassed by a wavy line in between.

Shi Xing is astonished.

Shi Xing: “But didn’t Secretary Xu say two days ago that omitting is disrespectful to the Empire’s history?”

Chi Yao’s tone is lively: “Right, that’s why we use the secondary name.”

Shi Xing: “…”

He gets it, which means he will never see Chi Yao write out his full name, right?

Shi Xing’s silence makes the corner of Chi Yao’s mouth curve even wider. Shi Xing realizes tardily: “You’re explaining this so in-depth on purpose, aren’t you?”

Chi Yao’s smile doesn’t fade: “Weren’t you the one who asked first?”

“.”

Not denying it means acknowledgment, meaning it was deliberate.

Watching Shi Xing’s prolonged silence while Chi Yao’s smile grows ever more amused, worried that the Blue Star human who has finally returned might tear up the agreement, Secretary Xu interjects, “You should sign quickly, don’t jest with Xingxing; the Elders Council members are still waiting behind, and there’s still a pile of documents that need your confirmation today.”

Chi Yao raises an eyebrow, and finally stops speaking.

Shi Xing finishes signing, and his copy of the Tree Nest’s stamped agreement is handed to him. As he carefully puts it in the document bag, he glances at Chi Yao’s stylish signature, moving his fingers slightly, tucking that hastily written note in the agreement, adding it to his own document bag.

Following this is the reminder from the Tree Nest specifically for the person in charge. They are overseen personally by the staff.

Shi Xing is taken out by Xu Fu, who needs to officially inform him about some living arrangements.

Xu Jin’s first words, however, aren’t about the upcoming plans, but with a somewhat fatherly tone explains, “His Highness currently presents himself very well externally, but actually, he’s not all quiet; he… is quite a person, and you’ll know in the future.”

“In any case, he will be a bit more casual around those close to him.”

The words “those close to him” hit Shi Xing like a hammer, making him feel dizzy and lack self-confidence. “Really?”

Xu Jin’s expression softens, confirming, “Of course, you’re his family now.”

The term “family” carries profound significance, and Shi Xing feels bubbles of fantastical colors rising in his heart, bubbling up with unspeakable joy.

Xu Jin: “Let’s talk about the future arrangements.”

“After Blue Star humans enter their maturity period, their mental power becomes unstable, and their skin will involuntarily absorb the mental power they come into contact with. Therefore, the Tree Nest always suggests waiting until after the maturity period…”

What Xu Jin says also reflects the current situation of the vast majority of Blue Star humans after matching within the Empire.

Because of their unstable conditions, even if the marriage relationship has taken effect, the Tree Nest recommends—and it has received recognition from most families within the Empire—that it’s best to live separately before maturity.

“Of course, it’s just temporary. You and His Highness… I think there should be some time for getting to know each other. In the future, whenever you want to live together, it’s always fine.”

The last sentence makes Shi Xing’s ears turn red, quickly clarifying, “Just normal arrangements are fine, just fine.”

Xu Jin: “Another consideration is that His Highness’s mental power is unstable this year; the turbulence period will start earlier. There has already been an incident of mental power leakage in the Tree Nest. For your safety, this is also the best arrangement.”

Mentioning this point, Xu Jin’s voice grows somber; the doctor’s examination results regarding Chi Yao’s mental sea from a few days ago were not good.

“But I’ll arrange your room on one side; subsequently, my room and the rooms of the accompanying military officers will be slightly further away.”

“The marriage certificate’s paper version and the electronic version can be obtained upon leaving the Tree Nest.”

“Based on the strict protection you need during your maturity period and to keep a low profile, the royal family will not disclose any information regarding you during this period.”

“Therefore, the royal family officially announcing you, publicizing your relationship with His Highness, and your wedding ceremony are also scheduled to take place after the maturity period; is there any problem?”

Shi Xing shakes his head.

In the past, there were instances of external forces invading and using Blue Star humans to coerce Imperial officials. Since then, the whereabouts of Blue Star humans during their maturity period have been kept confidential.

“In your future life, you’ll have to learn many things, which you already know. Specifically…”

Secretary Xu doesn’t take too long, formally notifying him of the routine procedures, then he frees Shi Xing to meet the Elders Council members.

Holding his set of documents and Chi Yao’s perfunctory signature, Shi Xing returns to the small lounge with a smile on his face.

Not long after sitting down, a message from Chi Yao appears on the communicator.

[It will still take a while here.]

[I will stay in Ancheng for a few more days, but after leaving the Tree Nest today, I probably won’t come back again.]

Chi Yao: [If you’re getting impatient, you can wander around the Tree Nest. If there’s anything you want to take away, please take it along.]

Shi Xing reads it several times, confirming it; he supposes Chi Yao is concerned he might miss this place where he grew up after leaving the Tree Nest.

Although he shouldn’t feel that way, Chi Yao encourages him to take a stroll, and there is indeed one place he wishes to visit.

He wants to say goodbye to the Tree Garden and the Mother Tree.

Who knows when he’ll come back next time; this year’s Blue Fruit hasn’t matured yet, and he cannot see the next batch of little Blue Star humans.

The Mother Tree is alive; although it cannot speak, there exists some subtle connection with the Blue Star humans.

Once they enter the Mother Tree’s mental power domain, they can feel the unique mental energy waves.

Without any words, Shi Xing understands; it knows he is about to leave.

The mental power projected onto Shi Xing from the Mother Tree increases, as if reluctant to see him go. Shi Xing makes his way from the outer ring to the inner garden; the guards see him, inquire with the staff, and Chi Yao’s voice from the communicator allows him to pass.

“I’m leaving again.”

“The next time I come back, it shouldn’t be as messy as last time.”

“What do you think? Will I manage to get through the maturity period smoothly this time?”

Pressing his face against the tree trunk, Shi Xing speaks to himself.

He smiles, murmuring, “I should be fine.”

After a while, a leaf, urged by the mental energy, brushes against Shi Xing’s cheek. He grasps the leaf in his hand, deciding to take it as a souvenir from the Tree Nest.

Waving goodbye to the Mother Tree at a distance, the towering trees sway slightly in the wind as if bidding him farewell.

Initially, he thought nothing of it, but after seeing the Mother Tree, he genuinely feels a twinge of longing.

This reminds Shi Xing of the last time he returned to Ancheng after his mental sea had withered, how the Mother Tree projected so much mental energy onto him, even knowing it was in vain, he tried for a long, long time.

Thus, as Shi Xing steps on fallen leaves and sees a pair of high heels, he freezes for two seconds.

Looking up, he sees long calves dressed in a knee-length skirt, a favorite elegant and modest length for slightly older women in the Imperial Capital, a tall figure, and hidden splendor in her clothing. She holds a vintage parasol, richly embroidered, glittering under the sunlight.

The parasol covers most of her face.

Only a pair of red lips is visible.

Shi Xing’s heart suddenly feels as though someone has gripped it.

The parasol lifts slightly, revealing a delicate face. Along with the eyes that resemble Lu Lu’s, Shi Xing swiftly realizes who has come; he even feels that, even if he forgets Lu Lu, he would never forget his mother.

Princess Consort Tan Shao.

The person has arrived.

“Hello, I apologize for the abrupt visit; I hope I am not interrupting.”

Her tone is unhurried, carrying an innate noble air.

However, Shi Xing shows little expression.

It’s difficult for him to muster any reaction.

Tan Shao smiles, waiting for Shi Xing’s response.

There’s a moment of silence between them as the woman continues to smile without introducing herself, seemingly waiting for Shi Xing to respond first.

In the end, she still waits for it.

Shi Xing speaks plainly, “Since you know it’s an abrupt visit, you shouldn’t have come.”

Tan Shao’s smile falters.

She didn’t expect Shi Xing would speak to her in such a tone.

Tan Shao hesitates, “Do you know who I am?”

Shi Xing counters with a question, “Do you know who my superior is?”

Confirming that there’s not a hint of jest on Shi Xing’s face, Tan Shao can no longer smile.