Chapter 123: Chapter 106: The Empire’s Interests Above All Else?

Louisa’s gentle and kind nature was just a facade. Now that her interests were at stake, the cold disdain in her eyes was on full display.

If the people who supported and believed in her were to see this, there was no telling what kind of uproar it would cause.

*

Sure enough, as Louisa’s words fell, the last trace of hesitation vanished from Queen Belina’s face, her expression becoming utterly resolute.

"If that’s the case, we’ll do as you say."

"For so many years, the Imperial Federation has allocated resources based on victories in the military tournament. We can’t break this tradition just because of an unexpected incident this year."

In just a few moments, Queen Belina had already come up with a reasonable public explanation.

"Otherwise, all sorts of ’accidents’ will start happening in future military tournaments. Are we to deal with this every year?"

The curve of Louisa’s lips grew wider.

The triumphant mockery in her eyes intensified.

’Yu Lan, you wanted to get medicinal herbs for Garbage Star and build your benevolent reputation, didn’t you?’

’Well now, let’s see what you can do.’ 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She was willing to do anything that would spite Yu Lan and make her unhappy.

When Yu Lan, still in her hospital room, received the news that Belina had rejected the Federation’s proposal to split the resources of Green Emerald Star, she was completely stunned.

"Why would she do that?"

"This was clearly the best possible outcome."

"If she rejects the proposal, what will happen to all those people on Garbage Star?"

Her pretty face filled with confusion and bewilderment, Yu Lan threw back the covers in a panic, intending to get out of bed. "I have to go find her."

Yu Lan still had an IV in her hand, replenishing her body’s nutrients. Her sudden movement caused a startling splash of red blood to flow back into the transparent tube.

The few men attending to her immediately panicked.

"Lanlan!"

"Lanlan, be careful! Does it hurt?"

"Su Xingye, hurry and get a doctor!"

Voices thick with worry filled the air.

But the young female, usually doted on by all, now wore an expression of absolute determination.

"This concerns hundreds of millions of Star Citizens on Garbage Star. I have to go to Her Majesty the Queen and ask her for a clear answer."

Her eyes showed a resolve that would not back down.

*

「Meanwhile」

The Federation delegation, who had come to the Empire with the best intentions bearing Commander Fu Chenhan’s decision, was now on their indignant journey home.

They couldn’t for the life of them understand what Queen Belina was thinking. It was a rare occasion for their Commander to be willing to concede a step and divide the resources of Green Emerald Star through peaceful negotiation.

And Queen Belina had actually chosen to refuse?

"I just don’t get it. Isn’t there a plague breaking out on the Empire’s Garbage Star? Don’t they need the medicinal herbs that can only be found on Green Emerald Star? Why would she refuse?"

"Hah! Arrogant, cold, and heartless. The Imperial People only care about their own interests. Why would they care about what the lower classes think? Queen Belina must be very confident that she can beat our Federation in the next military tournament and claim final victory."

This statement immediately drew discontent from the other Federation People around them.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Victory will always belong to the Federation! Under our Commander’s leadership, what is the Empire? Once we’ve dealt with the Dark Planet, our next step is to annex the Empire."

"Instead of thinking about that, aren’t you guys curious why the Commander made this decision in the first place? It’s completely out of character for him."

"It’s strange, really strange. Haven’t you noticed? Ever since he was rescued from the military tournament, he’s been a different person. When I go to his office to report, I sometimes see him just... spacing out. I have no idea what he’s thinking about."

For Fu Chenhan, a man renowned throughout the Federation for being cold-blooded and imposing, with a fierce and decisive style, "spacing out" was an almost impossible trait to associate with him.

The two concepts were worlds apart.

Combined with Fu Chenhan’s rare concession to the Empire this time—not taking the opportunity to use the Garbage Star situation to coerce the Empire and demand benefits.

The members of the Federation delegation exchanged glances and arrived at a stunning conclusion.

"The Commander couldn’t have... fallen in love, could he?"

"And his love interest might even be a female from the Empire."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. What the hell is the Commander doing? If he really likes her, he should just snatch her, bring her back to the Federation, and dote on her in his bed day and night. Why is he pining away with this unrequited love?"

The Federation crowd clicked their tongues in amazement.

A juicy piece of gossip is always the most interesting topic. Spurred by this sudden theory, they all began piecing together clues from every angle, determined to figure out which female had captured Fu Chenhan’s heart.

After all, they had made a rare trip to the Empire; they couldn’t possibly go back empty-handed.

「At that very moment」

Yu Lan had arrived at the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace.

It was a place of stunning opulence, with carved pillars and painted beams. A single floor tile was so outrageously expensive that selling it could cover a normal family’s living expenses for a lifetime, with money to spare.

「Now」

Yu Lan stood opposite Belina and Louisa.

Louisa stood behind Queen Belina, casually massaging her temples. When she saw Yu Lan, a flash of provocative, triumphant malice appeared in her eyes, unseen by anyone else.

She was waiting to see Yu Lan make a fool of herself.

"Why have you come?"

Queen Belina’s voice sounded. Her Majesty the Queen, her face elegant and noble, slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze fell upon Yu Lan, a flicker of complex emotion within them.

"Didn’t you just wake up in the hospital? Why aren’t you resting properly? What are you doing here?"

Yu Lan lowered her gaze, breaking eye contact with Louisa. She tried her best to appear calm and obedient before Belina.

"Her Majesty the Queen, I heard that you rejected the Federation delegation’s proposal to divide the resources of Green Emerald Star."

"On Garbage Star right now, there are hundreds of millions of..."

"Enough."

Belina cut Yu Lan off before she could finish.

After she had made this decision, she had already faced opposition from many of the powerful nobles on Central Star.

Chief among them were the Huo Family, the Li Family, and the Shen Family—the families behind the males associated with Yu Lan.

Males obey the commands of females.

Why else would Huo Zhanting and the others do this, if not at Yu Lan’s instruction?

’What is Yu Lan trying to do? Does she think she can defy me just because she invented the Hope Potion?’

If it weren’t for the fact that Yu Lan was still recovering from a serious illness, Belina would have long since summoned her to the Imperial Palace to be put in her place.

She never expected that before she could even give the order, Yu Lan would show up on her own, spouting such tiresome words from the moment she opened her mouth.

Queen Belina’s voice rang out, laced with a chilling warning.

"Yu Lan, this is not something you should concern yourself with."

"You should learn from Louisa how to be a proper Empress and put the Empire’s interests first."

"The Empire’s interests are paramount."