The royal family holds regular banquets at Windsor Palace every year, not only to exchange benefits but also to arrange family marriages. If there are any eligible but unmarried female zergs within noble and wealthy families, they are expected to attend the banquet, as such occasions usually attract the most male zergs.
Blairand had received an invitation from the royal family as early as last week, but the night before the banquet was set to begin, a palace official suddenly came by and specially reminded him with these words:
“This year’s winter banquet will still be held at Windsor Palace, and His Majesty mentioned that he hopes His Highness can also attend.”
That “His Highness” naturally referred to Ah Sui.
Although Blairand didn’t know why the Zerg Emperor insisted on seeing Ah Sui, it wasn’t too surprising when he thought about it. After all, Ah Sui was one of the two only “Highnesses” in the empire—so it would be strange if he weren’t seen.
Blairand nodded slightly. “Thank you for your trouble. I will bring His Highness along to attend.”
After all, the Zerg Emperor had shown exceptional leniency regarding Ah Sui and the marriage in the southern region. He had even disregarded the scheming and competition among the other ministers, directly allowing Ah Sui to live in Blairand’s home. Both emotionally and logically, it would be hard to refuse such a request.
Recently, Ah Sui had been busy with something else. He had pulled up all the artificial flowers planted in the garden and discarded them, then turned the soil over again. He spent a large sum on the StarNet to buy a small batch of radish seeds, intending to plant them.
When Blairand returned to the house, he saw Ah Sui squatting in the garden, digging and picking at the soil like a hardworking… groundhog?
Blairand was amused by his own strange thoughts. He stepped over the scattered artificial flowers, which were expensive but now strewn carelessly across the ground. He leaned down in front of Ah Sui and asked, “Ah Sui, what are you doing?”
Ah Sui, who was focused on studying the soil, furrowed his brow at the question and replied, “I’m planting, but the seeds have been buried for several days and still haven’t sprouted. It’s strange.”
Blairand picked up a handful of soil and examined it. “This is polluted soil. It’s difficult to grow anything in it. Although the pollution origin stone has been sealed and cleared by the research institute, the soil in Salaranfa will be hard to purify on its own in the short term.”
He paused for a moment, then asked, “Do you really want to plant? If so, I can buy some proper planting soil for you.”
The planting soil from Salaranfa was scarce, and even a small amount could be inflated to sky-high prices. Moreover, most of it was under state control, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to access.
However, upon hearing this, Ah Sui shook his head, tossing the soil back into the pit. He clapped his hands and said, “No need. I’ll plant slowly. It will grow eventually.”
Ah Sui had also noticed that this polluted soil was very barren, prone to compacting, and lacked water retention. The seeds buried in it couldn’t absorb any nutrients, and thus couldn’t sprout. No wonder it was so difficult to grow anything.
Blairand didn’t want Ah Sui to waste his efforts. “This soil has no nutrients. The seeds will just die if you bury them in it. Even if you try for a hundred years, nothing will grow.”
Ah Sui, however, responded, “You can nourish the soil. I used to do it back home, it’s just a bit slow.”
Blairand raised an eyebrow in confusion. “With what?”
Ah Sui fell into a brief, subtle silence before replying, “…Pig manure? Sheep manure? Cow manure? You water the plants with it when planting.”
In short, it was all just manure.
Blairand: “…”
Blairand’s face seemed to turn a slight shade of green, though it was not very noticeable. He asked with difficulty, “Why… Why did they use manure to water the vegetables in your hometown?”
Ah Sui looked puzzled. “Don’t you use that to water them?”
Blairand shook his head. “The research institutes use special nutrients to irrigate the soil.”
Ah Sui thought to himself that this was a big city, so it was probably different from the countryside. He glanced again at the light-colored soil in the flowerbed, thinking of the vast forests and blooming flowers back home, and asked curiously, “When will the pollution in the soil be completely purified?”
It would be much more interesting to plant real flowers in the garden. Those artificial flowers were too fake— they didn’t wither even when it snowed, and their fragrance was synthetic. Ah Sui didn’t like them.
Blairand smiled and said, “It should be soon. The animals affected by the pollution have already been slowly recovering, so eventually, the soil will return to normal too.”
After speaking, he seemed to remember something. He pulled a golden invitation from his pocket and handed it to Ah Sui. On the cover was an image of a longsword and a scepter crossing each other, supporting the slowly rising sun— it was unmistakably the royal emblem of the Gohedra family. “This is an invitation from the royal family for you. Tomorrow, His Majesty will hold a banquet at Windsor Palace and has invited you to attend.”
Ah Sui’s hands were dirty, so he didn’t take the invitation. “I remember, you said a long time ago that you made a suit for me, but it’s still hanging in the wardrobe, unworn. Do I really have to go?”
Blairand gently tapped his fair face with the invitation. “The Emperor invited you, so you can’t not go. Besides, His Highness, the Seventh Prince Yusto, and his male lord, His Highness Lu Yuan, will also be returning to the capital. I’ve heard that His Highness Lu Yuan is eager to meet you. Do you two know each other?”
Ah Sui and His Highness Lu Yuan both had black hair and black eyes, making it hard for the zergs not to suspect they came from the same place.
Ah Sui honestly replied, “I don’t know him.”
They truly didn’t know each other—at most, they had just ridden the same bus together once.
Upon hearing this, Blairand didn’t think much of it. He pulled Ah Sui up from the ground. “Go wash your hands and try on the clothes. If the suit doesn’t fit, we can still have it altered tonight.”
The fitting should’ve happened a while ago, but Blairand had been so busy with official duties recently that he had forgotten to remind Ah Sui. If it hadn’t been for the palace official visiting earlier, he probably would have forgotten about it altogether.
Ah Sui, upon hearing this, went to the nearby flower room to wash his hands clean, then went upstairs to take the light blue suit from the wardrobe to try it on. It was the first time he had worn such formal attire, and he felt something was off. “The shoulders of this suit are a bit tight, it’s not convenient for fighting.”
Blairand, who had been adjusting the fit of the clothes, couldn’t help but twitch his eyelids upon hearing this. He seriously instructed, “Ah Sui, you can’t fight at the banquet.”
Ah Sui blinked in confusion. “But what if a zerg tries to bully me?”
Blairand tightened the buttons on his suit, speaking softly, “You’re a pure-blooded male zerg. Even His Majesty wouldn’t dare to harm you easily. Who would dare bully you?”
He paused for a moment, then added, “If anyone does bully you, I’ll handle it.”
It was only natural for female zergs to protect their males.
Sometimes, Ah Sui acted just like a child. Upon hearing this, he reached out and cupped Bai Lande’s face, planting a couple of quick kisses. “If any zerg tries to bully you, I’ll protect you too.”
From the very first time they met, Ah Sui had already developed a strong affection for the golden-haired beauty standing before him.
Blairand couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the words. Without thinking, he glanced towards the balcony. Through a glass door, he saw the snow gently falling outside, the night still and quiet.
How wonderful,
they had met amid the swirling snow, and when the snow stopped next year, they would still be together…
The banquet the next evening was held at night. Although the cold air outside was biting, the interior of the palace was warm as spring. Nobles, dressed in well-tailored formal wear, gracefully danced in the center of the ballroom, while the older generation of rulers gathered together, clinking their glasses and exchanging the latest gossip and news from the capital.
General Ellis always wore a cheerful smile. “I heard that two Highnesses will be attending tonight’s banquet. No wonder there are so many zergs here; the winter parties of previous years were never this lively.”
Chief Harrington was also part of the conversation circle, though he frequently glanced toward the door, as if waiting for someone. Upon hearing Ellis, he absentmindedly replied, “Is that so? I don’t see much of a difference.”
General Ellis snorted, “Harrington, don’t act coy. I’ve already heard from His Majesty. Ah Sui and Blairand are about to set a wedding date. There are only two pureblooded male zergs in the empire—one belongs to the royal family, and the other to the southern region. What more could you possibly want?”
Chief Harrington, always well-informed, gently swirled his wine glass and said with a meaningful look, “Who says there are only two? Perhaps there are three. I heard a rumor from Hossburgh a few days ago, saying they’ve found another pureblood.”
Upon hearing this, General Ellis’s expression shifted slightly. “Another pureblood has appeared? Is it true or false?”
Just as Chief Harrington was about to respond, a sudden commotion at the entrance caught his attention. Looking toward the source of the noise, he saw Ah Sui and Blairand arriving at the banquet.
At least half of the guests present were clearly there to see Ah Sui. As soon as they saw Blairand accompanied by a tall, elegant male zerg in a blue formal suit, their eyes seemed glued to him, unable to look away.
As soon as Ah Sui stepped through the door, his steps unconsciously froze. Seeing all the zergs staring at him, he instinctively looked down at his clothes and noticed the buttons were properly fastened. He turned to Blairand and asked, “Is there something on my face?”
Blairand gently patted his back, silently offering reassurance. “It’s fine. They’re just curious because they’ve never seen you before.”
As they were talking, Chief Harrington had already approached with a wine glass in hand. Always wearing a smile, he was in an even better mood now that Blairand’s marriage issue had been settled. “Ah Sui, Blairand, why are you two so late? His Majesty has been waiting for quite some time.”
Blairand explained, “There was some traffic on the way. Has His Majesty arrived already?”
Chief Harrington pointed nonchalantly toward the upstairs. “His Majesty has been here for a while. He’s upstairs talking with the Seventh Prince and the others. Come on, I’ll take you up.”
As he spoke, his gaze landed on Ah Sui, clearly pleased from head to toe. He complimented, “What a handsome male zerg. Ah Sui, it’s a double blessing. Since it’s a banquet today, how about I go request His Majesty grant you both a marriage right now?”
Blairand immediately realized that Chief Harrington was trying to trick Ah Sui again, and yet, Ah Sui always fell for it. Upon hearing the suggestion, Ah Sui visibly brightened. “Really? Wouldn’t it be too much trouble for His Majesty?”
Chief Harrington’s smile deepened at the response. “What trouble could there be? His Majesty enjoys granting marriages to zergs. Come on, let me take you upstairs.”
Chief Harrington firmly ignored any attempts by the noble zergs to ingratiate themselves with him. He brushed aside those colleagues who approached with wine glasses, and directly pulled Ah Sui upstairs.
This move inevitably disappointed the female zergs who had hoped to get closer to Ah Sui. Someone from the crowd suggested, “Why don’t we follow them and take a look?”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. His Majesty usually has a good temper; he shouldn’t be upset.”
Blairand paused when he heard the remark and turned to look behind him. His pale blue eyes swept over the female zergs who were dressed provocatively and seemed eager to follow Ah Sui. Though his smile remained, his gaze carried a subtle warning. “Gentlemen, unless summoned by His Majesty, I believe the upstairs is not a place one can casually enter.”
This banquet was about significant matters, and Blairand did not want any unwelcome attention from those who might cause unnecessary disruptions. Without paying attention to the colorful expressions on the female zergs’ faces, he gave a polite nod and turned to ascend the stairs.
Although the Zerg Emperor frequently held banquets, he rarely made an appearance and usually stayed in the council chambers. When Ah Sui and Blairand reached the second floor, they saw several guards stationed at the staircase. It seemed that Chief Harrington had said something, and the guards lowered their weapons, allowing them to pass through.
One of the palace attendants was particularly courteous to Ah Sui, smiling and nodding before leading the way. “Please follow me, His Majesty has been waiting inside for some time.”
After speaking, the attendant opened a door to reveal a circular sofa where several zergs were already seated. In addition to the Seventh and Eighth Princes, even their male lords were present in the room.
The palace attendant bowed respectfully to the central figure on the sofa, a female zerg whose age was indiscernible but whose presence exuded immense authority. “Your Majesty, Ah Sui is here.”
Ah Sui had expected the Zerg Emperor to be somewhat intimidating, but to his surprise, the Zerg Emperor sitting at the center of the sofa appeared quite benevolent. Upon hearing the announcement, he straightened his posture slightly and, with a gentle command, addressed the attendant, “Please, let them in.”
Ah Sui had already studied the proper etiquette at home, so upon hearing the Zerg Emperor’s command, he and Blairand stepped into the room together. Ah Sui placed his hand on his shoulder and, bowing respectfully, performed a noble salute. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
The Zerg Emperor glanced up slightly, surveying Ah Sui and Blairand with a calm, unreadable expression. After a moment, he smiled and addressed Chief Harrington. “A graceful female and a handsome male, they truly make a perfect match.” Then, he gestured for them to sit. “Don’t stand there. Please, take a seat.”
Harrington, being a close confidant, immediately took a seat on the Zerg Emperor’s right side. Smiling, he added, “It seems it’s not just me who thinks so; His Majesty agrees as well. Spring is almost here. Why not pick a good date for their marriage?”
The Zerg Emperor, clearly aware of Harrington’s intentions, chose not to respond. Instead, he turned his attention to Blairand and asked, “Major General Blairand, what do you think?”
This particular female zerg was always well-mannered and followed the rules, a model among the nobles. He probably wouldn’t be as hasty as his father.
Blairand hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to set aside his reservations and focus on the matter at hand. With a slight smile, he nodded and said, “Your Majesty, spring might be a good time.”
As soon as Blairand finished speaking, it sparked a wave of friendly laughter from those around them. The Zerg Emperor shook his head repeatedly, thinking to himself that the Harrington family were all sly foxes, unwilling to give up even the smallest advantage.
Throughout the exchange, Ah Sui remained silent. However, he suddenly noticed that, in addition to the Eighth Prince’s companion, Ashya, there was also a young male zerg with black hair and black eyes sitting on the couch. To his surprise, it was the very passenger he had met on the tour bus.
Ah Sui wasn’t sure if the other zerg recognized him, so he kept silent.
At the same time, the black-haired, black-eyed male zerg was secretly observing Ah Sui. His expression seemed to carry a hint of uncertainty and confusion, as if trying to recall something.
Blairand keenly sensed something and, taking a glass of wine from the server’s tray, he thoughtfully asked, “Your Highness, do you know Ah Sui?”
Hearing this, Lu Yuan finally snapped back to attention, responding a beat too late, “Apologies, this lord seems somewhat familiar, but I don’t believe we’ve met.”
His partner, Yusto, half-reclined beside the sofa, looking somewhat unruly, raised an eyebrow with interest upon hearing this. “But you and that lord both seem to have black hair and black eyes? Truly don’t recognize him?”
Lu Yuan shrugged. “If it were a beautiful female zerg, I might remember, but since this lord is a male, my memory of males is usually not that good.”
His words elicited another round of laughter, but only Seventh Prince Yusto shot him a secretive glare.
A hint of disappointment flickered in Ah Sui’s eyes: it seemed that this compatriot no longer remembered him.
Blairand noticed Ah Sui’s change in mood and quietly explained, “His Highness just returned to the capital today after his honeymoon on another planet. You probably haven’t met him before. He and Prince Yusto have a very good relationship.”
Ah Sui became a little more interested, “So, after we get married, can we travel too?”
Blairand, taking advantage of the fact that the other zergs weren’t paying attention, secretly pinched Ah Sui’s cheek and whispered, “Of course. Wherever you want to go, we’ll go.”
Ah Sui immediately brightened up upon hearing Blairand’s words, casting aside the disappointment he had felt earlier. Although there was no dance floor in the upstairs council hall, there was an abundance of pastries and drinks. The Zerg Emperor and Chief Harrington were discussing national affairs, while Blairand was speaking with the other two married princes about wedding matters. In the end, only Ah Sui, Lu Yuan, and Ashya, three male zergs, were left sitting face-to-face on the sofa.
“…”
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
Ah Sui stood up to ease the awkwardness and walked over to the nearby dessert table, only for Lu Yuan to unexpectedly follow him. Taking advantage of the others not paying attention, he leaned in and whispered to Ah Sui, “Hey, aren’t you the one who was on the bus… that one?”
Ah Sui raised an eyebrow, replying, “…Didn’t you just say you didn’t recognize me?”
Lu Yuan let out a chuckle, “I was just making up an excuse. What if His Majesty asks where we’re from? What should we say?”
Ah Sui nodded in agreement: True, we can’t go back to Earth now. What if the Zerg Emperor thinks our hometown is all purebloods and forces us to lead the way?
Ah Sui glanced around nervously, making sure no one was paying attention to them. He hesitated before asking, “Are you the only one here? Did you meet any other tourists?”
What he really wanted to ask was: “Did you see my Grandpa San?”
Lu Yuan was momentarily taken aback. “Your Grandpa San? Who’s that?”
Ah Sui placed the plate on the table and tried to describe him. “You don’t remember? The one wearing glasses, sitting by the window, all proper and polite, with a laptop on his lap.”
Lu Yuan paused for a moment as if recalling something, then asked, “What’s your Grandpa San’s name?”
Ah Sui replied, “Han Yan, ‘Yan’ as in banquet.”
“…”
What followed Ah Sui’s question was a long silence. Lu Yuan met his eyes, which held hidden expectation, and after a moment of hesitation, he slowly extended his hand and patted his shoulder. With difficulty, he finally said five words: “… I’m sorry for your loss.”
Ah Sui: “??!!”
Lu Yuan, clearly reluctant to share such a cruel fact, added, “I once visited the cliff where the bus fell. Your Grandpa San… he should be… gone.”
And he was buried by him.
Ashya, sitting calmly on the sofa with his legs crossed, appeared refined and aloof behind his glasses, as if nothing could capture his attention. However, when he overheard the quiet conversation between Ah Sui and Lu Yuan, the hand turning his ring paused. His fingers slowly tightened, and his expression shifted to one of stunned surprise.
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