202: The invitation to power

The black-covered report was clutched in The Emperor’s hand, making his hand appear even whiter and more prominent, even revealing the color of the veins beneath.

"It... it really is true."

The Emperor pondered for a moment, then asked, "What about the investigation on Sea Soul Star?"

He was asking about the other piece of corroborating evidence Tu Nan had mentioned earlier.

The secret recipes for improving offspring Rank, whispered among the noble Male Beasts of Sea Soul Star.

"There has been progress; the report will be submitted in a few days, and the conclusions are consistent."

Tu Nan’s tone was calm, but her fingertips unconsciously rubbed her cuff—this clue meant her hypothesis had advanced another step.

Lance was in charge, with Yi Xingye assisting.

Spread—her perfume company had already established itself on Sea Soul Star. The formula that could invisibly increase attractiveness was also a bestseller there, though its clientele consisted mostly of Male Beasts.

With Hain’s introduction, Lance successfully infiltrated the local aristocratic circles. Several investors proactively bought shares in the branch company, and market research proceeded smoothly as a result.

These materials were brought back to the Capital City, quietly and thoroughly, under the guise of ordinary business.

The Emperor nodded.

"Kong Jiamu should also go to Gamma Galaxy."

He leaned back casually, observing Tu Nan.

"It's been four months, hasn't it? When they are born, you will be alone..."

"Your Majesty, it's nothing."

"Their fathers are also bustling about for Your Majesty and for the Empire. Moreover, it is a Foster Mother’s rule for the father to be present during childbirth."

"But I am now your Female Official, and I don't care about that."

Tu Nan was expressionless.

"Doctor James and an entire team will be looking after me, rest assured."

"Oh?" The Emperor’s eyebrows twitched slightly. "You think Kong Jiamu should go to the front lines?"

He asked Tu Nan with interest.

"He holds a military position, Your Majesty. What's the point of an S-Rank being a node if he's kept in the Capital City?"

Tu Nan lowered her eyes; she could see the longing in the Peacock's eyes.

"I believe battle lines aren't defended by waiting, but by fighting. If only the Capital City of the Empire is safe, does it really still have meaning?"

"A broken country, a ruined home."

Tu Nan was a radical on such matters.

The Emperor observed her with amusement and smiled.

"I didn't misjudge you after all."

"Walk with me." He suddenly became interested.

***

They revisited the Evernight Garden, the place where Tu Nan was first "received" by him.

The snow had finally melted, and the faint blue flowers by the hot spring looked even more delicate. The two sat in the pavilion.

Thinking of the immense pressure that had almost overwhelmed her back then, Tu Nan couldn't help but smile.

"You won your gamble."

The Emperor accurately perceived what she was thinking.

"Because you are an enlightened ruler." Tu Nan promptly flattered him.

The Emperor merely said, "I just wanted to see how much guts you really had, and to teach those two a lesson."

He rarely explained his motives.

Tu Nan smiled without speaking; she knew The Emperor had no regrets.

"They deserved their fall," he commented. "You are worthy of what you desire."

"What do I desire?"

"Power."

Tu Nan frowned, and The Emperor glanced at her indifferently.

"What? Haven't you realized?"

"You want to take the initiative, you want the world to change according to your will, you want to always win. What do you think this is?"

"This is power."

The Emperor’s words were final... So, that's how it is?

Had she strayed so far from the Tu Nan who only wanted to survive?

"Want to try?" The Emperor asked her.

"What?"

"Go higher, see how far you can go."

He casually threw out the bait.

"The position of Third-Class Female Official... can it truly satisfy you? Hmm?" He gazed into her eyes with a half-smile.

"Didn't you just guess the Empress Dowager's intention? Investigate it thoroughly with Hain."

The Emperor’s gaze suddenly turned cold. "Even now, he doesn't dare to strike hard. What about you? Do you dare?"

Something buzzed and exploded in Tu Nan’s mind.

This kind of opportunity... She thought of herself struggling in the underground River Valley.

This opportunity, delivered to her hand, might never come again!

She thought of her past life, manipulated by others.

Wait for others to bestow it? Or seize it herself?

What if there were more risks? The Emperor was right; everything she sought could only be achieved by standing at the top.

Tu Nan trembled slightly, feeling all the blood rush to her head.

She looked up and met the gaze of this Emperor who played with human hearts in the palm of his hand, and from his confident expression, she saw her own answer.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Tu Nan stood up, and for the first time, she sincerely bowed to this Emperor from another dimension.

"I am willing; I wish to serve you."

The Emperor gently helped her up, his entire demeanor softening.

His gaze, when he looked at her, held a certain appreciation, much like how he looked at Hain or Jiamu.

Full of expectation and encouragement, and also tolerance.

He finally regarded her as one of his own.

***

Afterward, the two merely chatted casually about the Children's education.

However, the arrival of a large group of people broke the tranquility of the place.

"It's Your Majesty who is here..."

It was the Empress Dowager; she saw The Emperor sitting in the pavilion from afar and approached with a smile.

Upon reaching the pavilion, she recognized the other person bowing her head in greeting.

"It's you."

Her tone grew several degrees colder.

"What are you doing here?"

"I asked her to report on the research progress." The Emperor answered for her.

The Empress Dowager smiled helplessly at The Emperor, chiding, "Why, do you need to answer for her? It's not like I'll eat her."

She helped Tu Nan up and explained to The Emperor, "Her Children stayed with me for a few days... By the way, why haven't those Two Children come to visit me in so long?"

"Have they forgotten this old woman?"

Although the Empress Dowager was smiling, her words carried an unpleasant implication.

"I've been overseeing their studies, so I forgot to give them a break." It was still The Emperor, unhurried. "Since Mother wants to see them, I'll bring them to you another day."

The Empress Dowager choked for a moment.

Tu Nan’s polite smile remained on her lips.

The Emperor was truly reliable! Being considered one of his own felt really good.

She and Hain were about to begin investigating the Empress Dowager; without protection, she and the Children would absolutely not step into the Empress Dowager's palace.

The Empress Dowager finally abandoned the topic and chatted idly with The Emperor.

But The Emperor suddenly frowned, turned his head, and coughed a few times.

The Empress Dowager’s expression immediately panicked. She haphazardly patted The Emperor's back, repeatedly asking, "Why are you still coughing? Haven't you recovered yet?"

Tu Nan’s gaze slightly narrowed.

Something's wrong.

The Empress Dowager's attitude was completely different from last time. Her concern now was too genuine, accompanied by undisguised panic.

Tu Nan’s gaze unconsciously fell on The Emperor’s hand.

Those hands were abnormally white, and beneath the thin skin, the color of his veins was clearly visible. Coupled with the coughing just now... What was the reason for such a mother to create an exact replica of "Your Majesty"?

Could it be that the Empress Dowager dabbling in the Divine-Grade Domain was to prepare an organ donor for The Emperor?

But this still didn't make sense.

If that were truly the case, The Emperor could completely order an end to such "a doting mother's confused concern." Why would he instead have her and Hain investigate?

In this chess game, there must be a hidden piece she hadn't yet seen.

For some unknown reason, Tu Nan summoned The Emperor’s scroll.

[The Emperor, Flood Dragon (Divine-Grade)

Successful breeding can complete the host's gene chain: 15%]

There's nothing... wrong.