New Year The moment the words left Eugenia’s lips, a damp, dark mental energy erupted. Jima heard Song Yu’s voice drop its pretense, turning chillingly cold: "Why did you have to say it? You’re my sister. I didn’t want to move against you so soon. I even thought about taking you with me when I succeeded." "Are you insane?" Eugenia rebuked him. "Did you think I would ever be like you?" "You truly sadden me. You’ve always been a disappointment, ever since we were children." Jima’s memory of the aftermath was a blur. The clash of two powerful S-rank mentalities had knocked her unconscious. When she woke up in a hospital bed, she saw Song Yu’s hypocritical face. Over the years, Jima had endured, searching for the recording Eugenia mentioned—the only piece of concrete evidence—but she had found nothing. Song Yu had become bolder yet more cautious, removing key Sentinels from their posts through "accidents" and mental erosion.
…
As Song Yu headed toward the processing plant, his face was grim. His two loyal acolytes followed him, their pupils dilated and expressions numb. He was close.
Only a fool would wait for death on Planet Muli. He knew Empress Lin Shuangxu’s methods too well. He had originally been exiled to the desolate Snow White Star, but a mysterious pirate attack—allegedly from the long-defunct White Wolf Group—had targeted him specifically. It was clearly the Empress's attempt at an assassination.
He was only moved to Muli because of public outcry and his connection to the Executive Officer. He looked down on Eugenia for her "noble" refusal to acknowledge their past. She thought they were too fond of shortcuts, yet here she was, "sick" and incapacitated while he held the reins.
Song Yu cursed Lin Changli’s weakness in his heart. The Prince had everything—status, power, and the perfect opportunity to eliminate his sister, Lin Yangchuan, yet he did nothing. Song Yu couldn't understand how anyone could trust a mother who had effectively stripped them of their inheritance.
But Song Yu wouldn't sit idly. He intended to paralyze the local Eve sub-system and escape the planet before the explosive neck ring could detonate. He needed to live, to start over in another galaxy. He stood before the heavily guarded factory door and took a breath. He would eliminate every threat, even if it meant Eugenia’s death. She had never helped him; it was time she made a contribution.
…
Black Tower. West Building.
The New Year was approaching. In the Empire, the first day of the year was the official holiday. Lin Changli was busy watering the plants, the puppies nipping at his heels and leaving grease stains from their beef bones on his trousers. Despite his fastidiousness, he didn't mind.
"They're just puppies," he’d tell a scolding Sang Ye. "They only rub against you because they love you."
Sang Ye had recently shared everything she’d learned from Melusine and Shan Cha regarding Song Yu. Lin Changli had listened quietly as the sugar from his osmanthus rice cakes settled his mood.
"Thank you for telling me," he had said softly. "I finally understand where his malice came from. But it's a pity—the old schemer has miscalculated again." He had scoffed, his usual sharp wit returning.
As the year drew to a close, Sang Ye finalized her last compensation payment. She was finally debt-free. Her dividends from Jiang Siwei were growing so fast that the factory capacity couldn't keep up. Meanwhile, Shan Cha was quietly investigating the "nightmare victims" in Muli’s hospitals.
The New Year holiday lasted 31 days. High-ranking officers were taking shifts to ensure the base remained guarded. Asu Ment and Jiang Sili were heading to the Capital to introduce the twins to the Jiang family.
Sang Ye assumed Lin Changli would return to the Palace. Their relationship had stabilized, and the Empress's New Year banquet required his presence. Jiang Siwei had even pressured Sang Ye to convince him to go, as his presence—mentally stable and healthy—would be the ultimate advertisement for their food products.
"Will you come home with me for the New Year?" Lin Changli asked, crouching by her rocking chair.
"Me?" Sang Ye blinked. "Is that... appropriate?"
"I want to introduce you to my family. My mother and sister have seen you, but the rest of the clan will be there." He wanted to take the next step.
Sang Ye thought for a moment. "Alright. But I'm bringing my Master. I won't leave her alone on Black Tower."
…
They landed at the Palace spaceport at midnight. Unlike his last sulky, secret return, the Palace was now prepared with full honors. Empress Lin Shuangxu stood under a canopy with little Lin Yangchuan, who was clutching an old dog named "Little Bit."
As Lin Changli stepped off the ship, the four "sisters"—the puppies and the kitten—bolted past him, barking and meowing joyfully. They weren't shy at all, running straight up to the Empress. Lin Shuangxu laughed and scooped up Sang Wuyun.
"Welcome home."
Sang Ye had brought gifts: a gentle pony for Yangchuan and soul-soothing flowers for the Empress's study. As they walked through the grand halls, the puppies scampered over the Persian rugs.
The Empress had arranged for Sang Ye and Du Yuan to stay in grand suites adjacent to her own. Lin Changli, however, had to stay in the highest tower suite—the one built for his Phoenix to fly—while Yangchuan stayed on the other side of the top floor.
As Sang Ye waved a playful "goodnight" to Lin Changli, the Prince looked at the stoic Chamberlain, then back at Sang Ye's mischievous grin. He sighed helplessly and headed up to his solitary tower, leaving his girlfriend and her Master in the care of the Empress.
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