After saying this, Qiaoqiao noticed Xitian’s expression darken and realized her emotional intelligence had slipped. Although she had been the one to snatch Xitian away from Sui Yi, Sui Yi was still Xitian’s ex-wife. To marry Sui Yi, Xitian had bought her a ring of astronomical value and built the Sui Yi Palace—a place she never even intended to live in. Regardless of why they divorced, Xitian had once truly intended to make the marriage work. By momentarily losing her head and belittling Sui Yi while elevating Su Shiye, wasn't she essentially slapping Xitian in the face?
"When I said 'climbing,' I meant in terms of status," Qiaoqiao quickly added. "Actually, aside from power and wealth, Su Shiye has nothing. His character is poor, and he’s not even that good-looking. His face is so narrow; he doesn't look domineering at all..."
"Why do you talk so much?" Xitian interrupted her. "Why are you paying so much attention to Su Shiye’s looks?"
"It’s only because I care about you so much that I’m keeping an eye on your rival."
Hearing her use the word "rival," Xitian’s anger dissipated slightly, but he remained stern. "Be quiet once we’re inside. Women shouldn't speak on occasions like this, understood?"
"Of course! I’ll be Prince Gasi’s good little woman!"
The others in the party thought Qiaoqiao was sweet and sensible, but Xitian only found her troublesome. If she hadn't used the child in her womb to coerce him, wanting to come to the Abyss to flaunt the joy of motherhood, he wouldn't have brought her at all.
In the banquet hall of the Endless Palace, the Princess of the Red Moon had once again become obsessed with Yujin’s pet, Little Dudu. Consequently, when Fanli entered, the Princess didn't even have time to adjust her infatuated expression into one of hostility; she simply forced a frown and turned her back to her.
Huange’s ancestors were the Umbra Tribe, born in the volcanic ash of the Cold Spring Vents, a branch of the Dark Sea race that felt absolutely nothing for the Light Sea. Thus, as he watched the Light Sea delegation file in, his eyes remained vacant. Behind his monocle, his eyes were half-closed, and the corner of his mouth twitched into a look of disdain. "Welcome to the Dictator of the Light Sea and the Gasi Clan for your visit to Bamanboya. To this, the people of our Empire express their sincere welcome and honor..." His voice trailed off, his tone completely disconnected from his words.
"What is wrong with this Prime Minister—"
Xitian was starting to get angry, but Su Shiye quickly stepped in, moving between Xitian and Huange. He draped an arm over Xitian’s shoulder and turned him in another direction. "Xitian, regarding the transportation expansion of the Storm Well, I have some ideas I’d like to discuss with you."
Before this meeting, Xitian had actually been somewhat apprehensive, fearing that Su Shiye might be willing to cooperate with the Light Sea on the surface while nursing a grudge in private. But he had overthought it. When they first met at the Endless Palace that morning, Su Shiye had been as polite and respectful to him as he had been back at the Saint Grand Military Academy. Xitian still felt uneasy about the War of the Two Vedas and mentioned it occasionally, but Su Shiye simply laughed it off. "It’s normal for brothers to scrap. That’s a closed chapter. I said it’s fine, so don't bring it up again. If you do, it means you don't see me as a brother."
Though Xitian kept a stiff face, a wave of warmth rose in his heart. In truth, setting aside political stances, he genuinely liked Su Shiye. He had liked him in school, and he still liked him now.
However, the people around Su Shiye were always so insufferable.
At this moment, Xitian’s temper hadn't fully cooled, and he wasn't buying the change of subject. "I’ve always admired your eye for talent, but how did you choose this Prime Minister? He’s like the living dead."
"How should I put it with Huange..." Su Shiye frowned in thought for a moment. "If you give him a twenty-digit number, he can look at it once and recite it backward in a second, then recite the most frequently occurring digits in order a second later. That’s why I use him. He’s too useful. His personality stinks, but I just endure it."
"You really don't have it easy. If it were me, I would never tolerate someone like that acting out. Loyalty always comes first. If they aren't loyal enough, there’s nothing to talk about." Seeing that Su Shiye didn't seem to care about loyalty at all, Xitian became curious. He subconsciously glanced at Fanli, who was currently teasing Su Li into a huff. "Since he’s so smart, who’s better—him or Sui Yi?"
"The Great Oracle is slightly better. She is a polymath. Recently, she suggested some cooperation on pressurized cabin technology and ways to expand the Empire’s diplomatic reach, which gave me a lot of inspiration. I have to say, the Light Sea produces many talents. I’m envious."
"That’s because in the Abyss, having Your Majesty alone is enough," Qiaoqiao said, stepping forward.
In truth, her voice trembled with nerves speaking directly to Su Shiye. But thinking of Xitian’s three other girlfriends—each of whom was very good at pleasing men—she felt insecure. She decided to take this step to become a woman who could hold her own on the grand stage.
"And this is?" Su Shiye looked back at Qiaoqiao.
"The mother of my child," Xitian replied.
"Good evening, His Majesty Su Shiye. Please forgive me; as I am currently pregnant, I couldn't come to greet you first thing this morning." Qiaoqiao widened her eyes, tilted her head, and gave a sweet smile. "I have heard so much about you. Thank you for taking care of the Light Sea and Xitian."
Su Shiye gave Qiaoqiao a slight smile and said to Xitian, "You have good taste. My sister-in-law seems like a fine woman with high emotional intelligence. Her praise makes me quite embarrassed."
"Fine? She’s just a little girl, senseless and prone to talking nonsense. Don't mind her. Continue what you were saying about Sui Yi and Huange."
In all the time Qiaoqiao had been with Xitian, she had never received a single word of praise from him. Compared to Xitian’s habitual barbs, Su Shiye’s smile left her dazed for several seconds. In those few seconds, she felt a profound regret for conceiving this child—a regret so sharp she wished she could abort it right then and there. But then she realized that if she weren't pregnant, she would never have had the chance to come to the Endless Palace and interact with Su Shiye so closely, leaving her feeling both regretful and lost.
"They are both geniuses, and I believe geniuses share common traits. For instance, most are quite indifferent to worldly desires," Su Shiye said, smiling as he recalled the image of a certain someone sitting on him in the laboratory, moving back and forth while calling him "Brother." "Huange is very interesting; he has no interest in women. I had Aize send him a pair of beautiful Umbra twins, but he didn't want them and sent them back to Aize."
"Tsk, lucky for that kid Aize," Xitian scoffed. "Why didn't you keep them for yourself? I recall you weren't exactly the type to be indifferent to worldly desires."
Su Shiye was still reminiscing about the "delicacies" in the lab, and the smile at the corners of his mouth deepened involuntarily. "I’m getting older; I don't have the energy to play around anymore. Besides, I have a daughter to worry about. Now, when I have time, I just want to manage the Empire well. Everything else is up to fate."
"Right, the little princess is over seventy now, isn't she?"
"Yes. Lili, come here." Su Shiye beckoned to Su Li. "Come, this is Uncle Xitian, and this is Auntie Qiaoqiao."
Like all children, Su Li greeted them with the same perfunctory effort one might give to the last day of summer homework before fleeing back to Yujin’s side.
Half an hour later, the banquet officially began, and the dishes were served one by one. Su Shiye sat in the host's seat, very close to Xitian. Fanli sat with Yujin, Shasha, and the others, with four people between her and Su Shiye. While the men discussed state affairs, Fanli said to Yujin, "Xiao Yu, do you ever want to go back to the Light Sea? It’s been so long. The three of us have all gone back, but you’ve stayed here. Don't you miss home?"
"I miss the Fluorescent Sea of my hometown a bit. But since I’ve been in the military, I’ve gotten used to not going back, so it’s alright."
Fanli hadn't been to the Liekong Sea many times, and each visit was a rushed academic discussion, so she never had time to explore. But she knew that in the spring, firefly squid would gather in the island bays to breed, creating a unique fluorescent sea. She said with some anticipation, "That’s right, the Fluorescent Sea of the Liekong Sea is beautiful. If I have time in the future, I’d like to walk along the coast there and see it."
"You’d better not walk the whole coast."
"Why?"
"Don't forget, prostitution is legal in the Liekong Sea. Some of those fluorescent beaches are gathering spots for women in that particular industry. If you don't want to be dragged into the woods, you’d better walk obediently under the lead of a 'Hero of Jante' brother."
"Oh, your way of showing kindness is still so awkward, you little feather," Fanli poked his arm, which made him bristle.
"I’m a man. How can you call me such a mushy name?"
"What’s wrong with your sister calling you a cute name? In my heart, you’ll always be my younger brother."
"What do you mean always a broth—"
Before Yujin could finish, they heard Su Shiye’s voice drift over: "Yujin, your Sister Fanli was just as mischievous when she was a student. Didn't she love pinching your cheeks back then? That’s just her personality; she can't change it."
"Why would His Majesty Su Shiye kno—" Yujin froze for a moment, remembering what "Su Shiye" meant in the Ancient Sea language. He looked at Su Shiye, shifted his gaze to the mole on the tip of Su Shiye’s nose, then looked back at Fanli. He whispered, "So, His Majesty Su Shiye is Brother Xinghai..."
"Yes, he is." Seeing the hollow look in Yujin’s eyes, Fanli felt a pang of sadness. She knew Yujin didn't particularly like Su Shiye, but he had been very fond of Xinghai.
"Then the two of you really are a good match. Growing up together, reuniting in university, and then after being apart for so many years, you can still reunite here..."
Fanli didn't understand why Yujin was so dejected and didn't know how to respond for a moment. The Dictator, however, spoke up: "Yujin, you can't say things like that. Great Oracle Sui Yi’s husband is Moer Heqiao. You can say the Great Oracle and His Majesty Su Shiye share a deep fate, but you cannot say they are a 'match,' understood?"
"Yes, Lord Dictator." Yujin then remembered—he knew Fanli was divorced, but outsiders did not.
"Yujin is young; there’s no need to be so harsh on him." Su Shiye maintained the attitude of a gentle older brother toward Yujin. "Besides, soldiers are men of character; it’s normal not to sweat the small stuff."
"Your Majesty, those words carry a lot of weight coming from you." The Dictator stood up with his wine glass. "As expected of a man from the Starry Sea forces. I am greatly looking forward to our future cooperation with your country. I toast to you."
The Starry Sea and the Stormy Sea had always been the two strongest military regions of the Light Sea. The military regulations of the Starry Sea were rigorous and meticulous, giving birth to the world-renowned "Erguolinge Phalanx." After Su Shiye became the Archon of the Starry Sea, he drastically reformed its military. Later, many regulations of the Light Sea Legion and the Glazed Legion originated from the Starry Sea. Because of its long history of military dominance, the Oda Clan of the Starry Sea also had a tradition of military service from a young age; the military-loving Aize was living proof.
After Su Shiye established the Abyss Empire, he further glorified the Starry Sea’s military style. In the Imperial Army, there were 873 types of regulations formulated by the service branches, with punishments for 72 types of misconduct, 22 of which carried the death penalty. Even trivial matters like "gloves" had three regulations in the Abyss military: 1. Only white gloves may be worn; 2. The right glove must be put on first (as the saluting hand takes precedence); 3. No decorations are allowed on the gloves.
Therefore, the Dictator’s words were not mere pleasantries; they were very sincere.
Facing the toast, Su Shiye smiled politely and thanked him, but his hands remained folded in front of him; he did not stand up.
This small detail conveyed many layers of meaning. The previously relaxed atmosphere instantly felt as if it had been frozen in ice. But Su Shiye simply sat quietly, looking at no one, with no intention of saving the situation.
"Well said!!" Aize clapped excitedly. "Cooperation between the Light and Dark Seas makes us in the Starry Sea the happiest! Lord Dictator, I toast to you!"
The Dictator’s hand, holding the glass, was stuck in mid-air, awkward and unsure whether to proceed or retreat. Meanwhile, the habitually silent Huange lifted his young face, revealing his usual misanthropic, "mid-life crisis" expression. "So, are we actually going to continue discussing transportation construction today? If not, I would like to use the Storm Well to test the cabin pressurization technology for the new bomber fleet."
Qiaoqiao didn't understand the implication, only that this person was not to be trifled with. Xitian’s expression, however, was very grim. This thin, sickly young man hadn't given them a single pleasant look since entering. Now, he was blatantly using the threat of bombing Saint Yegana to intimidate the Light Sea.
Xitian often dropped the ball on other matters, but he had always been sensitive to weaponry. After Su Shiye had taken him to see the military exercises that morning, he knew full well that the Light Sea was no match for the Abyss. It was only because Su Shiye showed no aggression and treated him like a brother that he had naturally assumed the Light and Dark Seas would be one big family from now on. He subconsciously looked at Su Shiye. Su Shiye leaned forward slightly and said to Huange, "Why are you so impatient? Cooperation is paramount, don't you understand?"
Su Shiye said "cooperation is paramount," not "peace is precious." The meaning was clear: if you don't listen and cooperate, Huange’s insane ideas aren't bad either.
After hiding them all day, Su Shiye finally bared his fangs.
At this moment, Xitian finally understood why Fanli had repeatedly emphasized that Su Shiye was difficult to deal with. Qiaoqiao didn't understand their words, but she was an expert at reading faces; from Xitian’s expression, she realized that the "sister-in-law" Su Shiye had called her earlier wasn't nearly as humble as it had seemed.
The Dictator understood as well. He quickly forced himself to clink glasses with Aize and downed his wine.
Fanli’s emotions were the most complex. She knew Su Shiye loved this style of negotiation. But when his target was the Light Sea, she was very displeased. So, should she show weakness and thank Su Shiye for not putting her through such a "Hongmen Banquet," or should she pick up a knife and fight him?
Why was this man always unwilling to be peaceful? Why did he always force her to choose between him and the Light Sea?
She suppressed her anger and continued to listen to their conversation.
Subsequently, Huange proposed three cooperation plans for long-distance vessels. The first favored the Light Sea, the second favored the Abyss Empire, and the third involved the Empire providing the technology with a profit-sharing model based on patent fees. It sounded fair, but there were many gray areas, and the stronger nation would have more say.
Then, the choice between the gold and silver axes was tossed in front of the Light Sea delegation.
"Which one do you think is better?" Su Shiye leaned slightly, propping his chin and lips with his knuckles, speaking gently.
The Dictator and Xitian exchanged looks. Seeing that Xitian remained silent for a long time, the Dictator said, "The... the second one seems quite good?"
"The third one," Xitian said, already somewhat angry.
If it came down to it, they’d let their strength speak. Su Shiye really knew how to make people uncomfortable. Honestly, simply presenting the second or third options would have been better than insulting them with the first. Damn it, he would never accept the second option; it was a matter of dignity. At worst, they’d fight. At worst, they’d die.
"Great Oracle, what do you think?" Su Shiye looked at Fanli.
"Your Majesty, what do you think?" Fanli said coldly.
"I’ll listen to you."
"I choose the first one."
Su Shiye’s eyes crinkled slightly, but he managed to keep his smile in check. "Fine, the first one it is. Huange, take note."
Fanli was stunned. Everyone present was stunned.
Next, Huange proposed four choices for the construction locations of the transit stations. Su Shiye hypocritically asked each person again, finally asking Fanli. After Fanli made her choice, he said, "Good, the Great Oracle is right. Do as she says."
Then it was the start date, the sea regions to be considered for cooperation, the choice of Dark Sea nations, and so on.
"Good, the Great Oracle is right."
"Mhm, the Great Oracle’s opinion is excellent."
"Listen to the Great Oracle."
"Great Oracle Sui Yi, how are you so impressive?"
...
By the end, the Dictator and Xitian simply stopped giving opinions and just waited for Fanli to provide the answers. Fanli and Su Shiye were sitting far apart, so every time a question was asked, the dialogue was loud enough for everyone to hear. She was dying of embarrassment from Su Shiye’s antics and just wanted the conversation to end quickly, but Huange was too meticulous. It took over two hours to go through the thick stack of documents.
After the banquet ended, Fanli saw Xitian and the Dictator out. Xitian was very unhappy, but the light in his eyes when he looked at Fanli was even brighter. "Sui Yi, keep it up. We’ll have to rely on you to cover for us from now on."
"Sigh, I have to admit, the power of a beautiful woman is truly staggering." The Dictator wiped away a cold sweat. "It’s just that if Moer Heqiao finds out about this, I don't know what will happen. But Great Oracle, rest assured, our lips are sealed. He won't know."
Qiaoqiao had been feeling conflicted about Fanli, but after this meal, her attitude changed completely. She said weakly, "The future of me and my child is in your hands now. Sister Sui Yi, keep it up. Our power is small, but if there’s anything we can do, just say the word."
Now, she didn't want to compete with Fanli at all. Thinking of Xitian’s other girlfriends, they were the ones who were truly annoying.
"Don't worry, I’ll do my best." Fanli nodded and bid them all farewell.
In the vessel returning to the hotel, Qiaoqiao clung affectionately to Xitian’s arm. "Sister Sui Yi is sacrificing her beauty to save the Light Sea; it’s not easy for her. I’m still the lucky one, being able to be with the one I love."
"How can you relate everything to physical charms?" Xitian had been holding in his anger, and now his words were even harsher. "Do you think Su Shiye listens to Sui Yi because she’s pretty? There are many, many pretty women; can every one of them become a Sui Yi? You aren't a child anymore; why do you still think without a brain? How are you going to teach our child in the future?"
Qiaoqiao was turned into a literal statue by his rebuff. After a long while, her eyes reddened. "On what grounds... Look at how much chivalry Su Shiye shows Sister Sui Yi? She’s even a divorcee, yet how do you treat me?"
"That’s because she has ability. Do you?"
"Fine, fine, fine! I have no ability! I’ll jump out right now with your child and let my internal organs burst for you to see!"
With that, Qiaoqiao tried to open the hatch to go out, but Xitian had his subordinates grab her. She lay on the floor crying heart-wrenchingly, as if her life were ending, but Xitian didn't even want to coax her. He turned and went to the soundproof lounge to lie down. Qiaoqiao felt incredibly wronged and once again regretted this pregnancy to the extreme. But everyone present, including herself, knew that from the next day on, she would still brainwash herself: she loved Xitian with all her heart and would always be Prince Gasi’s number one little fangirl.
Throughout the banquet, Fanli had been deep in thought and had barely eaten. After the guests dispersed, Fanli clutched her growling stomach and rubbed her aching neck as she returned to the Evernight Palace to find Su Shiye.
To welcome the visit of the Light Sea representatives, all of Bamanboya was setting off fel-energy fireworks. The lights were off in Su Shiye’s bedchamber. In the darkness, Fanli saw him standing before the balcony, his silhouette tall and slender. She even lightened her footsteps as she walked over. "Thank you, Brother."
"Do you know," Su Shiye said calmly without turning around, "seeing Xitian today reminded me that over four hundred years ago, I was also of the Light Sea race."
Fanli pursed her lips and whispered, "I’m sorry."
"I didn't say that to hear an apology. What I want to say is that for these four hundred years, you have always been in the Light Sea. Whether with Gasi Xitian or Moer Heqiao, your marriages lasted a very long time. But in the end, you left them both because of politics."
"It wasn't like that..." Fanli frowned and shook her head. "It wasn't because of politics. There were other reasons."
"To be honest, I feel like a fool tonight. Because no matter how hard I try to demonstrate my strength, in the end, I am still replaceable. Why did I go this far? Why couldn't I stop myself from touching you..." By the end, Su Shiye leaned against the wall, covered his eyes with one hand, and sighed.
"What nonsense are you talking about... Are you still doubting me?"
"You and I both know what’s going on. When I was no longer the Dictator, you were with Gasi Xitian. Once the regime stabilized, you left Gasi Xitian to be with Moer Heqiao. When you’d made enough money, you didn't even want Moer after three hundred years, and then there was Shao..."
"No—" Fanli said urgently. "That’s not it! I didn't leave them because of politics, and I wasn't the one who proposed the divorces. They were."
"How could they possibly take the initiative to divorce you? Look at the way Xitian looked at you today... Don't say any more, Lili. I don't want to hear your flowery words." Su Shiye hung his head, his voice very low.
"The divorces were because they wanted children." Fanli took a breath, pausing for a few seconds as her heartbeat thundered in her ears. "Because I was pregnant with your child. I wanted this child, but I didn't have the courage to give birth to it alone. I didn't want to have anyone else’s, so I..."
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 幽影族 | Umbra Tribe | Huange's race, born in volcanic ash. |
| 巴曼薄亚 | Bamanboya | The capital city of the Abyss Empire. |
| 尔国临格方阵 | Erguolinge Phalanx | A famous military formation from the Starry Sea. |
| 莫尔黑乔 | Moer Heqiao | Fanli's second ex-husband. |
| 邪能礼花 | Fel-energy fireworks | Unique fireworks used in the Abyss Empire. |
| 永夜殿 | Evernight Palace | Su Shiye's personal residence/sleeping quarters. |
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