A Disguised Scum Alpha Marked Her Aloof Ex-Wife - Chapter 28.2

Everyone believed Feng Jiyan was playing chicken-and-egg with the Dragon’s authority to eliminate her opponents. She suffered in silence, being incredibly busy during this period, and turning around she still had to handle this mess at the Academy of Sciences.

The Emperor wanted the Feng family to put in effort to do those dirty and exhausting chores, yet consistently refused to grant more power; how could Feng Jiyan possibly be content?

Zhu Yu was a variable, to everyone.

The high-and-mighty nobility had consistently looked down on Zhu Yu, yet it just so happened to be her who, time after time, accomplished many things that the nobility could not achieve.

“How much the Princess loves you, Zhu Yu; make absolutely sure not to let her down.”

Feng Jiyan approached elegantly, resting her hand on Zhu Yu’s shoulder and forcing her to lock eyes with her. “Back then when she chose you, she took a very massive risk. What kind of outrageous move did she make just now to enrage certain individuals?”

“Your cowardice and despicability will kill her sooner or later.” A demonic whisper echoed beside her ear.

The girl’s expression turned entirely cold, as if coated in a layer of frost. She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white, and asked in a low voice: “What do you want me to do?”

For Feng Jiyan to say so much, she had clearly already made plans. Zhu Yu did not trust her, but at this very moment, she trusted Bai Qianze even less; they shared a common enemy.

“Very simple: I will help you.” Feng Jiyan smiled with satisfaction.

“The Emperor definitely won’t want you contacting the Princess again, so you will need a tiny bit of assistance—for instance, the voice of the people.”

As the Star of the Commoners, this was Zhu Yu’s greatest function.

Since her prestige had been promoted, even the number of people enlisting in the military and applying for military academies each year had increased by a lot.

“Your popularity is soaring from the auction, and the Federation has intentions of cooperation as well. The impact of trafficking beast-men is too malicious, unless you are willing to step forward and help clarify some rumors.”

“As far as I know, your relationship with certain Federal military officers is quite good. Only when the two nations join hands can the benefits be maximized; this is also the hope of the vast masses of the people.”

Feng Jiyan’s magnetic voice threw out her final bait, “As long as you do as I say and obtain Federal support, even the Emperor cannot rashly tear you two apart.”

“At the very least, during such a sensitive period, no one will dare touch you. I will help you too, Zhu Yu.”

What a perfect plan.

Zhu Yu looked at her, thinking back to the words Bai Shuzhou had carefully analyzed while holding her hand. She was undoubtedly already very exhausted at that time, yet she remained obstinate in delivering these warnings.

She was so smart; could she have already sensed something? But if she learned the truth, with what kind of expression would she face the older sister she had always loved and respected?

Clenching her palm tight, her icy body temperature and extremely faint rose fragrance seemed to still linger upon it.

“Alright,” her fingertips lightly rubbing together, Zhu Yu extended her hand to Feng Jiyan, saying in a low voice, “Pleasure cooperating.”

“…”

Feng Jiyan’s plan unfolded rapidly.

The next day, everyone learned that the Princess and Zhu Yu had both suffered amnesia after their coupling; the physically weaker Omega princess was even severely ill, receiving treatment at the Academy of Sciences.

At the same time, hitting the hot searches were doubts regarding the Lifetree report and their compatibility rate.

It was precisely because humans experienced reproductive difficulties after a long period of genetic modification that the Lifetree auxiliary system was spawned. Its primary responsibility was to screen out pairings suitable for coupling, which could be called a match of equal status in the genetic domain, rarely making mistakes.

Although complementary patterns across wide gaps frequently occurred, it was the first time a D-grade like Zhu Yu had matched 100% with an SSS-grade.

From a probabilistic standpoint, it was no different from winning a hundred-million-credit grand prize without even buying a lottery ticket.

In the past, they praised that the magic of love was truly grand; now that something had happened, people had to begin pondering: could a mistake have occurred at some step?

The “amnesia” that Bai Shuzhou had set up as a protective buffer for Zhu Yu before her admission actually turned into a boomerang in such a bizarre fashion at this moment.

Having meticulously guided public opinion and completed a delightful counter-attack loop, Feng Jiyan was in a quite excellent mood, personally writing a speech script for Zhu Yu.

Incorporating the Chaotic Zone, rescuing beast-men in the remote galaxy, combating star pirates, a prisoner’s counter-attack… every single point was sufficient to trigger public opinion, more than enough to shoot several promotional films.

Such an excellent window of opportunity—if abandoned, what a pity it would be!

As long as Zhu Yu claimed all the credit under her own name, cooperated with the Federation, and tearfully played up her deeply devoted persona, even the Emperor would be forced to compromise under pressure.

Everything was prepared. Feng Jiyan was exceptionally satisfied with her arrangements. The first draft of Zhu Yu’s speech script was still in her hands, while another backup plan on her left was meant to intensify the confrontation between the commoners and the nobility.

The Empire’s system was rigid; the middle-to-upper echelons were nearly monopolized by the nobility, which had been heavily criticized for a long time.

Zhu Yu served as a double-edged sword and a fuse, useful no matter where she was placed.

The fox’s eyes curved into crescents, raising her hand slightly in smug satisfaction as she gently swirled the wine in her glass.

The media was already in position. To prevent royal interference, she similarly adopted a galactic live broadcast format.

For this speech, the stage Feng Jiyan had built for Zhu Yu was not a single bit smaller than the auction that day. She liked such lively scenes.

Under countless brilliant lights, Zhu Yu’s clean, amiable attire from head to toe had been packaged by a professional team.

They did not choose a military uniform to remind all citizens of the Empire of Zhu Yu’s past sacrifices on the battlefield; instead, they opted for a gentler everyday outfit.

The most ordinary white shirt and a high ponytail—these ubiquitous elements softened the girl’s sharp lines. The top heroine currently at the absolute peak of her fame across the galaxy appeared in such an approachable image.

Through her glass, Feng Jiyan looked at the silhouette behind the display stage that was slightly distorted and blurred, breaking into a delighted laugh.

Everything was within the plan.

In this long chess game, she would be the victor after all.

Feng Jiyan had always known she would not lose, nor should she lose, even though her beast form was merely a fox—a fox that could be bullied by any fierce beast.

They were naturally unable to contend with fierce beasts like tigers and dragons, experiencing fear due to biological instinct each time they met, forcing her to kneel at the feet of imperial authority… so lowly.

But on what grounds?

Times had changed; intelligence and science were what mattered most! She seemed to already see the dawn of victory, seeing the Feng family ascend to the pinnacle of power under her leadership.

Zhu Yu’s voice was a bit raspy; after Bai Shuzhou fell sick, she seemed to have matured a lot overnight. Even while waiting backstage, she did not look for a random spot to lean back and rest as she usually did.

If the past Zhu Yu was a sword showing all its sharp edges, her sharpness was slightly reduced now, secretly hiding her edge and smiling very gently to everyone.

According to the plan, she first thanked all the people who cared about the progress of the event, harshly condemned the star pirates, and called for peace between the two nations.

The speech script originating from Feng Jiyan’s hand was undoubtedly highly inflammatory.

Many people were already listening with tears welling in their eyes, as if through Zhu Yu’s narration, they had genuinely participated in these events, fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with Zhu Yu.

Feng Jiyan burst into a laugh. Through the surveillance, she specially observed the expressions of those passionate individuals.

With a wicked taste, she had retained some subtle minor details; once relations between the two nations soured in the future, these sharp blades that split open extreme prejudice would point straight back at Zhu Yu.

She wondered what kind of expressions these ignorant masses would have at that time? Would they be this excited too? Truly… too interesting!

Manipulating human hearts was as easy as turning over a hand.

Even Zhu Yu was ultimately born in a small place; what if she had climbed up? Lacking a view of the big picture, she was no different from a frog at the bottom of a well; once she grabbed onto a life-saving straw in danger, she would be fiercely unwilling to let go.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; perhaps she would even have to thank her. The fox’s tail quirked up happily.

Under the lens, Zhu Yu, who had already memorized it backwards and forwards, took a deep breath, suddenly folding the speech script up and looking directly at the dark mass of people before her.

In the past, within such scenes, she was forever merely a bystander in a corner, wondering with utter boredom when it would end and whether she could slip away first.

Zhu Yu had consistently disliked such large scenes; she rarely even raised her hand during class, and even if she knew the answer, her heart would accelerate when called upon.

She didn’t quite want to expose herself before people, consistently living very quietly.

But now, before her were countless pairs of eyes, countless cameras. How many—hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands? Where would her voice be transmitted through the star-net? And how many people would hear it?

Zhu Yu did not know.

Amidst the dramatic fluctuations, her mood calmed down in a bizarre fashion.

She only knew that there were certain things she absolutely had to do.

Even if she made a fool of herself, even if she failed, even if she tried once more—she simply did not want to let go just like this.

She set down the speech script gently with a light clack that no one would notice.

Exactly like the instant a precious sword was silently drawn.

Radiance reflected from the depths of her eyes.

“Here,” her voice was clear and stable, completely different from the deliberately poised, emotional tone from before, “I also want to thank the Emperor for her appreciation and promotion. She agreed to let me be with the Princess, yet I failed to take good care of Her Highness, feeling deeply ashamed.”

“Furthermore, I want to thank the unremitting efforts of everyone across the Academy of Sciences, silently sacrificing for the Princess and for all people troubled by genetic diseases over the years.”

“Many voices of praise are honors I am unworthy of. My thoughts are actually not that noble; I am also just an ordinary person. But I believe that if the person present that day were not me, but any one of us, under such circumstances, they would make the same choice as me.”

Feng Jiyan’s expression shifted slightly; this segment was not on the speech script. How could she fail to even read a script properly?

“It was Her Highness the Princess who proposed reclaiming the Chaotic Zone and strictly investigating the related cases, and my friend—Ms. Feng Jiyan.”

“Not only is her professional capability outstanding, she also provided vital assistance to us. Here, I sincerely hope she can step into the lights alongside me; she deserves everyone’s applause and respect far more than I do!”

Feng Jiyan had originally anticipated Zhu Yu dying on that day, dying upon the auction stage.

The fox’s smile vanished, staring fixedly at Zhu Yu, but the media lenses had already turned over, countless glittering eyes filled with anticipation.

Caught in a dilemma, Feng Jiyan could only sustain her elegant fake smile, walking onto the stage under the scrutiny of the masses to embrace Zhu Yu “passionately.”

“Don’t play tricks!” she whispered through gritted teeth beside Zhu Yu’s ear.

“Thank you, Ms. Feng.”

Zhu Yu’s voice carried out clearly through the microphone, while simultaneously her fingers were like iron pincers, firmly pinning Feng Jiyan’s wrist as she attempted to break free.

Zhu Yu turned toward the camera, her expression earnest and anxious: “Recently, there have been some rumors among the public regarding the Academy of Sciences… I want to take this opportunity to help Ms. Feng make some clarifications.”

“I guarantee with Feng Jiyan’s life and a scientist’s honor: it is not human experimentation, but medical experimentation. Everyone knows the Princess’s health is poor, and over the years it has relied entirely on the Academy of Sciences’ treatment to be sustained.”

Feng Jiyan: …???

On what grounds are you using my life as a guarantee??

“Ms. Feng has consistently been dedicated to resolving genetic disease—this incurable galactic cancer. The Princess…” Zhu Yu took a deep breath, her hand gripping Feng Jiyan trembling because she applied too much force.

Zhu Yu took a deep breath, a trace of undetected trembling entering her voice, the rims of her eyes rapidly turning red: “The Princess… is still battling the illness at this moment. I implore everyone, during her recovery period, do not spread any malicious speculation or slander.”

She paused, an immense sorrow seeming to submerge her in an instant, her voice choked with emotion: “If after the Princess recovers, she believes we are unsuited, I will leave quietly. But right now…”

Her nose turned sour, a tear sliding down her cheek without any warning.

“I only implore the Emperor to give me one more chance. Do not forbid me from seeing her… even if it’s just a glance from afar…”

The girl’s voice was broken, carrying a heartbreaking pleading, her tall, straight frame trembling gently under the spotlights beyond her control.

“She is still sick. I really, really miss her.”

Finishing her speech, the originally high-spirited, passionate girl bit her lip, seeming to also find this a bit embarrassing, blocking her eyes and unable to continue further.

This Alpha warrior who rose from the grassroots of the military department—even when subjected to severe torture by star pirates upon the auction stage that day, she had not yielded or shed a tear.

Yet at this very moment, she could not control the rims of her eyes from turning red; that intense sorrow and grievance could not be faked, directly impacting everyone before the screens.

The entire venue was dead silent.

Subsequently, public opinion was completely ignited by that single tear.

The instant the live broadcast was cut, Feng Jiyan violently flung away Zhu Yu’s hand. Looking at the clear, purple-red finger marks on her wrist, and then looking at Zhu Yu’s tear-stained face that was written entirely with innocence and sadness, she shook with rage, her chest heaving violently, almost passing out.

She finally understood.

Where had Zhu Yu changed! She had evolved! Evolved from a sunny youth into a high-tier green tea!!

Once more! She, Feng Jiyan, had once more been unexpectedly played by this bastard!

The frantic reporters resembled a zombie siege, carrying long lenses and short microphones as they swarmed like a tide; the guards could not block them at all, every single one wishing they could stuff the microphone into Zhu Yu’s mouth.

But Zhu Yu was like a long-legged, slippery fish, nimbly flipping down from the speech stage without a single shred of hesitation, her objective clear.

The Imperial Royal Academy of Sciences!

Her long legs strode out, each step planting firmly and swiftly, the corners of her clothes rustling behind her, the wind she brought along seemingly unable to catch up with her resolute heart.

“Zhu Yu, Xiao Yu! Over here!” a loud shout carrying an excited, crying tone pierced through the clamor.

By the roadside, a taxi driver sister, her eyes red, leaned half her body out of a flying vehicle, waving her arm forcefully, “Quick! Get in my vehicle! It’s free!”

She had just listened to the entire live broadcast along the way, her blood boiling. Even if Zhu Yu wanted to go blow up the parliament right now, she would deliver her; who would miss such an opportunity? It would be worth it even to die!

“Hey hey hey, friends, I’ve picked up Zhu Yu, heading to the Academy of Sciences. Hurry and help clear a path! This is going into the history books!”

The sister roared excitedly into the communicator, her tail wagging wildly, subsequently slamming on the gas pedal as if this contraption relied on foot-pedal power.

The orange flying vehicle let out a roar like a starving fierce beast, speeding toward the target prey.

Inside the cabin, Zhu Yu tightly pursed her lips, her fingertips still trembling slightly.

The desperate gamble just now seemed to have exhausted her entire supply of courage, but at this moment, only a single, incomparably clear thought remained within her chest cavity: go see her!

Once they react, it will be too late!

The vehicle arrived at the Academy of Sciences at an astonishing speed; Zhu Yu didn’t even have time to thank that enthusiastic driver sister before her body had already dashed inside ahead of her thoughts.

Relying on her status as a marriage partner that hadn’t been dissolved yet, and the monstrous public opinion she had just manufactured, she carried everything before her like splitting bamboo all the way, until she reached that familiar ward door, where she was firmly blocked by the bodies of the Snow Leopard Knights who looked as though they were facing a formidable enemy.

Guns could not be fired, but the person absolutely could not be permitted passage either. The two sides confronted each other silently before the door, the atmosphere taut.

A Snow Leopard Knight pulled a bitter face: “Please don’t make it difficult for me. If we let you in, the Emperor will kill us.”

“I understand,” Zhu Yu nodded, taking a deep breath.

Subsequently, a clear voice saturated with all her longing, grievance, determination, and pleading pierced through the thick door panel, delivered clearly into the ward:

“Princess, I am your wife, Zhu Yu.”

“The Zhu of blessings, the Yu of surplus year after year—!!”

Inside the room.

Upon the hospital bed, the long eyelashes of the woman whose face was as pale as jade gave a near-imperceptible tremor, like the undulating movement of a butterfly within a dream.

Those pale blue, gem-like eyes gently flashed a tiny, weak and perplexed light from their daze.

Zhu Yu… wife?

These were all exceptionally unfamiliar vocabulary words, yet subtly, it felt as though a strand of foxtail grass were looping lightly over her fingertips; an itch rose within her heart, floating with the fragrance of cooking smoke.

Very abruptly, she thought of a bun.

Soft, very nice to squeeze.

And…

Braised beef instant noodles?