ABRIWMTHM Chapter 61

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, good day.”

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, good day.”

The Emperor is addressed as Chi Yao.

The prince is addressed as Shi Xing.

With the greeting from the President of the Elders Council, the group behind him slightly bowed and paid their respects.

“Good day.”

Both Chi Yao and Shi Xing responded simultaneously.

“Your Majesty, you have returned.” Bi Shu stepped forward, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Chi Yao. After speaking, he didn’t forget about Shi Xing, but after all, he had only seen Shi Xing a few times on the communicator. Shi Xing had a need for learning and growth, and Bi Shu’s academic workload was heavier than his. Most of his limited free time was spent talking with his familiar, Xu Jin, and he hadn’t spoken much with Chi Yao.

Bi Shu saluted Shi Xing, “Your Highness, good day.”

Shi Xing smiled, “Good day.”

Chi Yao observed Bi Shu for a moment and also revealed an appropriate smile, patting the other’s shoulder, “You’ve grown taller and have matured.”

Bi Shu hurriedly replied, “By mid-year, I have already been using my talent very well!”

Chi Yao: “Then I’ll ask your teacher about it later.”

Chi Yao: “Alright, stop standing outside. Let’s all go in.”

Xu Jin, the Chief Attendant, returned to the palace, and subsequent arrangements would be reported to him from the palace attendants. He felt there were no issues and only upon giving a nod would the attendants take further action.

Residing in the palace regularly were Bi Shu, his teachers, and a group of palace attendants managing the palace.

After introducing Bi Shu, there was no one else in the palace whom Shi Xing could regard as equally positioned. The remaining people were those Shi Xing could learn about at any time without needing to rush during his return to the capital.

Another group that came to welcome was, naturally, the officials from the Elders Council.

The Elders Council primarily supervises the royal lineage and individuals with royal bloodlines within five generations.

Their oversight spans from personal authority and responsibility, royal asset allocation, daily conduct regulations, to the public image of royals in the empire, covering every detail.

If the empire’s laws bind the citizens of the empire, then above the law, the royal family is also bound by the Elders Council.

Their existence effectively ensures that the royal family’s power is not abused and that their responsibilities are fulfilled.

“This is the President, Ren Yan Yong.”

As Chi Yao introduced, an elderly man in formal attire stepped forward. Noticing the spots at the corners of his eyes, Shi Xing speculated that the president should be over two hundred years old.

Older than Marshal Tan Bai Shan.

Ren Yan Yong exchanged pleasantries with Shi Xing, receiving Chi Yao’s introduction, and pulled forward a young man behind him, “This is my son, Ren Hong, the young prince should have seen him in the Nest. He is currently also serving in the Elders Council.”

“This is the Vice President, He Zhuang, who joined the Elders Council slightly later, and currently, all major matters must pass through her hands.”

A woman around a hundred years old stepped forward, wearing a high-quality amethyst stone brooch on her chest, elegantly greeting Shi Xing.

“This is the Vice President, Jin Jun, who is currently responsible for Prince Bi Shu’s education and public image matters.”

A man stepped forward, younger by quite a bit.

“This is the Vice President, Xu Mi Rou, who is indeed quite impressive. The many documents you will be signing today were all compiled and edited by her.”

The last woman stepped forward, Xu Mi Rou seemed to be around the same age as Shi Xing; he guessed she was about forty, which was indeed quite young for the Elders Council.

After exchanging formal greetings, Xu Jin and the other attendants welcomed everyone to the living room.

“The President and Vice Presidents should rest for a moment while His Majesty and the young prince change into suitable attire.”

Considering there would be welcoming activities, they all wore royal formal attire. With this step concluding, Xu Jin notified the Elders Council, and Chi Yao led Shi Xing to their living quarters to change into simpler formal attire.

Before returning to the palace, Xu Jin had already shown Shi Xing a three-dimensional map of the palace. Once inside, riding a personal flying device through the tall, staggered Star Trees, Shi Xing still felt a bit dazzled.

“Here we are.”

After weaving through countless buildings, the flying device finally stopped.

“Apart from the oldest palace, the interiors of the palace are regularly remodeled with the latest technology for residents. This building is three stories tall and serves as His Majesty’s residence in the capital. Young Prince Bi Shu currently resides here, let’s go in.” Xu Jin explained as he ascended the steps.

Upon entering, seeing the household robot that accompanied them, Shi Xing finally felt some familiarity.

His and Chi Yao’s bedroom is on one side of the third floor, while Bi Shu and Xu Jin’s room is on the other side, and the rooms for Fu Qing and Fei Chu are on the second floor.

Xu Jin led Shi Xing into the room prepared for him, a suite containing a bedroom, an office, and a small living room, all designed for his private work and relaxation.

“The large living room is on the first floor, the office is on the second floor, and the training rooms are not in this building; they are next door, accommodating all kinds of activities. Later, either Yan Changyue or Fei Chu and Fu Qing can take you over for a visit.”

“Divided by the central floating stairs, this side is only for you and His Majesty, and this side contains your rooms; His Majesty’s room is opposite yours…”

Thinking of the living arrangements of past royal partners, hesitating for a moment, Xu Jin ultimately decided not to say anything.

Worried that Shi Xing might feel embarrassed, after enthusiastically showing him around the various rooms, he went next door to check out Chi Yao’s room.

“This is the study, and you are most likely to find His Majesty here.”

“A simple library, containing all of the empire’s legal codes, and a bit of imperial history. There’s a library in the palace, housed in a separate building, I’ll have Changyue take you to see it tomorrow.”

“This is an energy confinement room where His Majesty stays when his mental power is chaotic.”

“There’s also a bedroom and a bathroom, which are private spaces. I won’t take you through there; you can explore it yourself. The household robots and attendants clean it daily, so it’s not a restricted area, no need to feel shy.”

Returning to Shi Xing’s room, the wardrobe was already stocked with a series of garments organized by season and occasion. Xu Jin opened the formal wear section, glanced at Shi Xing, and asked while selecting, “For a simple yet stylish formal outfit, which color do you prefer, black, white, or gold as the main color?”

Just then, there were three sharp knocks on the door.

Shi Xing turned around to see Chi Yao, changed into his outfit, standing at the entrance to his suite.

The formal wear was primarily black and gold, perfectly tailored, making Chi Yao appear broad-shouldered and upright, with long limbs.

“Have you not changed yet?” Chi Yao asked as he entered under the host’s gaze.

Shi Xing looked Chi Yao over from head to toe. “Uncle Xu just took me on a tour, I’ll change soon.”

Chi Yao nodded.

Xu Jin was hesitating when he turned his head and decisively said, “I remember having the palace make a similar outfit for you, just let Xing Xing follow along with you; it will look good together.”

After meeting with the Elders Council, Shi Xing changed into a formal outfit similar to Chi Yao’s.

During a polite lunch surrounded by silence, after a brief rest, they began signing a series of documents brought in by the Elders Council.

Mostly, these were just confirmations of routine procedures.

Shi Xing and Chi Yao were matched to become partners, formalizing their royal lineage marriage, which was considerably more complicated than their initial steps.

Currently, Shi Xing was just completing a series of prerequisite procedures.

They weren’t very important, but they were necessary.

Initially, considering Chi Yao would return to the capital quickly, the Elders Council hadn’t sent someone to have Shi Xing sign, but after a twist of events, they ended up going to the Northern Territory, delaying their return to the capital by more than half a year.

Shi Xing’s official seal, identity effectiveness, and new identification all required these documents to process. The Elders Council took advantage of Chi Yao’s welcome to bring this series of documents along.

Tang Mi and Xu Jin helped Shi Xing review them, and towards the end, Shi Xing simply signed mechanically.

The conversations after signing were the most fraught with undercurrents.

Ren Yan Yong: “How is the young prince’s study arranged?”

“What subjects have you studied so far?”

“Oh, do you have any opinions on the military and internal affairs? It’s fine; just speak casually, I’m just asking.”

He was not asking casually.

Every question was intentional; Shi Xing was very clear about that.

But he studied earnestly and answered cautiously. Not noticing anything strange in one or two sentences soon turned into a creeping feeling reminiscent of Chi Yao’s meticulous work.

Ren Yan Yong exchanged glances with Vice President He Zhuang, then slowly said, “Studying so much, is the young prince’s body able to handle it? The maturity period for Blue Star humans is very fragile; please don’t push yourself too hard.”

Receiving only a two-word reply from Shi Xing, “It’s fine.”

Neither humble nor overbearing, his responses were as smooth as oil.

Ren Yan Yong observed Shi Xing closely for a moment, finding it amusing yet shaking his head. He was clearly just a half-grown youth, how could he appear so polished? It was simply that he hadn’t had many conversations.

However, he didn’t wish to confront Chi Yao here, especially given Chi Yao’s ambivalent attitude.

Ren Yan Yong shifted the subject, cautiously probing, “Before His Majesty went to the Northern Territory, you mentioned considering the matter reported by the Elders Council. Since then, you haven’t given a response. May I ask if you have a definitive thought on it now?”

It was not another matter, but about temporarily stripping Shi Xing of political and military power for him to better transition through his maturity period.

During the meetings, Ren Yan Yong found it a tricky issue, and everyone in the Elders Council felt as well. Just when they thought they would face an outright veto from His Majesty, they had prepared several arguments for persuasion, and yet Chi Yao seemed to have forgotten the matter entirely.

Initially, Ren Yan Yong had hesitated to ask for fear of appearing too eager, displeasing Chi Yao.

But once he did ask, Chi Yao had consistently said that he would consider it. As time wore on, Ren Yan Yong also understood Chi Yao’s strategy of temporizing. Since Chi Yao was not in the capital, after much discussion among the Elders Council, they had reluctantly put the matter on hold.

But things were different now; Chi Yao had returned. Plus, Shi Xing had signed a series of identity confirmation documents regarding the royal lineage, making it imperative to discuss this matter.

Otherwise, the subsequent work of the Elders Council could not proceed.

Chi Yao subtly shifted the focus, scanning the crowd before stating, “The Elders Council has one president and six vice presidents, and today you only brought three to the palace. Are you sure you want to discuss this now?”

This was not a trivial matter; without everyone present, Chi Yao didn’t want to waste his breath.

Noticing Chi Yao’s direct gaze, Ren Yan Yong straightened his back, thought for a moment, and proposed, “Every time His Majesty returns to the capital, he usually inspects the work of the Elders Council. Why not wait until you come this time and discuss it then?”

Chi Yao provided an answer better than Ren Yan Yong had imagined.

Not only did he agree, but he also set a date for the inspection: two days later.

Ren Yan Yong felt satisfied.

Having dealt with Chi Yao for years, Vice President He Zhuang did not feel relieved; until Chi Yao’s response, they could never guess what was on each other’s minds.

Sure enough, afterward, when Ren Yan Yong subtly tried to probe a few questions, Chi Yao brushed them all off.

Instead, he pressed for two questions regarding issues reported to the Elders Council over the past six months, forcing Ren Yan Yong, He Zhuang, Jin Jun, and Xu Mi Rou each to answer their respective parts, trying to ensure Chi Yao would be satisfied.

Through observation, Shi Xing keenly realized that the authority of the Elders Council was not as expansive as he had imagined; it seemed intertwined with the royal lineage, suggesting a mutually restraining relationship. As long as there were conflicting positions, they could impede each other.

Once the Elders Council departed, Chi Yao still gave them enough face, seeing them off to the entrance.

After Ren Yan Yong took a few steps, it seemed he sensed something and suddenly turned around.

Vice President He Zhuang: “What’s the matter?”

“You… do you feel anything? For example, mental power?”

He Zhuang shook her head, looking at the palace personnel still standing in the distance watching them. Ren Yan Yong was momentarily puzzled, bowing again from afar before leaving.

Once their figures disappeared, inside the palace, Xu Jin quickly dismissed all the attendants and stepped aside a few paces.

Shi Xing broke into a cold sweat, exhaling. Thankfully, he had reacted quickly.

Ren Yan Yong had not been mistaken; Chi Yao’s mental power had leaked, but it was not aggressive. It was a relief that they had moved far away. At that moment, everyone near Chi Yao felt it, and Shi Xing subconsciously opened a barrier to encircle the people.

After Xu Jin had everyone leave, Shi Xing began to pour mental power into Chi Yao’s mental sea.

Yet it didn’t have much of a calming effect.

Just as he wondered about this, Chi Yao grasped Shi Xing’s fingers tightly in his palm, stopping him, “There’s no aggression; it’s just the mental sea readjusting itself. Since it can’t be calmed for a short while, let’s wait a while and see; don’t waste your mental power.”

Shi Xing immediately retorted, “That’s not a waste!”

Chi Yao smiled, not wishing to argue with him, “Alright, it’s not. But can we wait a bit?”

After a while, Chi Yao’s mental sea indeed stabilized as he said it would.

Shi Xing checked several times, finding nothing unusual; it should just have been an instability entering the chaotic period.

As a doctor, Shi Xing felt a bit helpless in such situations, his anxiety grew.

Instead, Chi Yao comforted Shi Xing a few times. Feeling unwell, Shi Xing moved to a corner to be alone.

Later, after inquiring with the doctor, Shi Xing found Xu Jin and proposed an idea he had been considering for a long time.

“This won’t do for much longer. How about, Uncle Xu, you arrange for me to share a room with His Highness?”

Xu Jin was taken aback.

Shi Xing steeled himself, “I’m currently in my maturity period, and my mental power may leak unconsciously, so my room will be filled with the mental power of Blue Star humans. Living in such an environment would actually be beneficial for His Majesty.”

There was also a certain calming effect, something Shi Xing had always known, but he never thought it would come in handy one day.

Xu Jin: “So, that means you want to be in the same space together?”

Shi Xing nodded.

Xu Jin: “Are you sure?”

Shi Xing shut his eyes and nodded.

However, he added, “Just as you said before, there should be an extra bed in His Highness’s room.”

After speaking, his ears turned red, as if emphasizing something unspeakable; he felt too embarrassed and ran off.

This was before dinner.

After dinner, Yan Changyue looked at the robot moving the bed, puzzled, “Even if they share a room, can’t two rooms connect through a door?”

The rooms of the late king and queen were structured like that, two rooms with a connecting door.

The royal direct line and their partners’ rooms are all of this layout.

Thus, Chi Yao’s suite also featured this structure. Xu Jin called Yan Changyue to help manage the arrangements, and Yan Changyue anticipated that Shi Xing would occupy another room. He never expected Xu Jin to move two beds into one room.

It can fit, but…

As the robot moved the bed away, Xu Jin locked the connecting door and gestured, “From today onwards, no one should tell Shi Xing that this is a connected structure; this room should be treated as if it doesn’t exist, this door…”

“Later, let’s find the engineering robot to seal it off and then disguise it with decoration paintings.”

Yan Changyue: “…”

Alright, what the Chief Attendant says, goes.

Later, Chi Yao also realized this change and asked Xu Jin about it. Xu Jin informed him it was Shi Xing’s suggestion; Chi Yao did not reply.

Shi Xing initially thought it would take until tomorrow to finalize everything, intending to mentally prepare himself all evening to accept his fate the next day. However, just after washing up, Xu Jin called him to inform him that everything was ready.

Shi Xing was stunned, “Ready? What’s ready?”

Xu Jin was somewhat puzzled, “It’s the extra bed you suggested for His Majesty’s room; this evening, I’ve already had it set up, so you can stay tonight.”

“Stay… tonight?” Shi Xing was tongue-tied.

Xu Jin nodded vigorously, “Yes, it’s ready, His Majesty even asked about it?”

Shi Xing’s head was in a spin, “He… asked about what?”

Suddenly, he felt his suggestion from today had been a silly idea.

Xu Jin recounted straightforwardly, “He asked why there was an extra bed, and I told him it was your idea that you would be moving in with him today…”

His idea? He was supposed to move in with Chi Yao?

Every sentence was correct, but why did every sentence feel so wrong in another way?!

Shi Xing panicked, “And then?”

Xu Jin maintained his righteous stance, “Then His Highness said he understands and will wait for you.”

What?!

Wait for him?!!

Shi Xing, in a state of despair, squatted on the floor with his head in his hands.

Once the call ended, Yan Changyue cheerfully asked, “When did His Majesty say he would wait for Shi Xing? Didn’t you say he hadn’t replied to you?”

Xu Jin waved his hand decisively, “Since he knows, he will definitely wait for Shi Xing. We know His Majesty’s character well enough, don’t we?”

Yan Changyue felt something was off but also thought this logic couldn’t be countered.

At midnight, Shi Xing scanned his iris to enter Chi Yao’s suite. In a moment, he heard a knock on the door while half-lying on his bed, looking at some documents.

“Who is it?”

“Your Highness, it’s… me.”

“Shi Xing.”