A Disguised Scum Alpha Marked Her Aloof Ex-Wife - Chapter 37

Bai Shuzhou had gone too long without displaying her strength, so long that many people had actually forgotten just how astonishing her talent was.

The last time Goloriel had seen her was at the opera house.

Crystal chandeliers poured brilliant golden light over the dome and walls, condensing into silent authority that flowed quietly through the air. The Empire’s most prominent nobles and officials, dressed in finery, took their seats one after another.

At that time, Goloriel’s family had just developed a new vaccine and was enjoying its peak fame. They sat in the best position on the viewing platform, only a short distance from the emperor. Even the Feng family had no choice but to take second place.

From on high, they looked down at that pure-white figure slowly unfolding.

The instant those pale blue eyes opened, even countless precious jewels were reduced to insignificant ornaments. Dazzling light gathered around Bai Shuzhou, as if she had been shrouded in a layer of unreal stardust.

The line of her neck was elegant and fragile. As she lifted her chin slightly, its curve revealed an innate pride.

Everyone could not help holding their breath. Their gazes were completely drawn to her.

When the dance ended, the emperor was the first to applaud.

Three light claps.

The curve of her lips was filled with appreciation and indulgence. Only then did everyone seem to wake from a dream, and thunderous applause surged toward the stage like a tide.

But the person onstage seemed not to care at all.

Her expression was indifferent, and she was miserly enough not to give the audience any extra glance. It was as if all her passionate emotions had already been poured into the dance, and after the curtain call, only an empty shell remained.

Sickly, flexible, elegant.

Without question, Bai Shuzhou satisfied every Alpha’s fantasy of an Omega.

She was the flawless rose of the Empire. Even with fine, dense thorns, countless greedy schemers still wanted to pluck her, hold her in their palms, and admire her carefully.

But at this very moment, those pale blue eyes lit up, filled with the purest killing intent.

Unpolished, making no attempt to conceal her sharp edge.

Goloriel stared blankly into her eyes. Her head lowered first, her knees striking the ground, and her body began trembling beyond her control.

With both hands pressed to the icy floor, she felt the utmost terror, as if the air around her had grown unbearably thin. That rose scent squeezed into her belly, rampaging wildly, almost piercing through her.

“I’m sorry! Your Highness, I—I shouldn’t have barged in without permission! I disturbed you!”

Goloriel shifted back into beast form, tightly biting down on her bloodied teeth. She crawled flat against the ground, barely supporting her crumbling consciousness so she would not faint on the spot.

But how could an Omega have such an aggressively powerful aura?

As her pupils began to lose focus, the image that came to Goloriel’s mind was still Bai Shuzhou on the stage, frail and beautiful. Even the faintest trace of her cool pheromones had driven countless Alphas mad.

Bai Shuzhou asked coldly, “And?”

“And I should not have looked directly at you without permission…!”

Goloriel’s pride and dignity could not help shrinking several more inches.

Bai Shuzhou frowned in disgust, her eyes darkening further. Vines seized the woman’s chin and forced her to lift her head.

“Apologize to Your Highness Zhu Yu.”

“Your Highness… Zhu Yu?”

Goloriel murmured the words, feeling as if her heart had been gripped hard by an invisible hand.

Kneeling to the royal family was only natural.

But Zhu Yu was nothing more than a lowborn commoner. How was she worthy…!

The extreme humiliation made Goloriel cough up another mouthful of blood uncontrollably.

Bai Shuzhou sneered. “As long as the divorce agreement has not been signed for even one more day, she is still mine. How dare you commit such an offense against your superior?”

“Goloriel, are you looking down on Zhu Yu, or are you looking down on me?”

This question was spoken very lightly. Only the ending tone grew slightly heavier, like an invisible blade grinding against Goloriel’s stiff spine.

Bai Shuzhou’s memories had regressed to age eighteen, and there were many things she could not understand.

The seven-year gap seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye, yet everyone’s gaze toward her seemed worlds apart.

Special care, subtle looks—the thoughts of young people were always especially sensitive, and Bai Shuzhou clearly understood what that meant.

She had been ill for a very long time, so long that even her memories had blurred, and her entire being had become confused.

Her elder sister had gently held her in her arms and said, “Xiao Zhou, even if you differentiated into an Omega, it doesn’t matter. Sister will protect you and love you twice as much. I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

Goloriel was almost lying flat on the ground, yet her chin was still forced upward, exposing all her wretchedness and terror. Trembling, she said, “I’m sorry. This humble minister would not dare!”

To the side, Feng Jiang stood with one hand behind her back, her gaze flickering slightly.

Bai Shuzhou’s emotions had always been very stable. Even during experiments, she would do her utmost to suppress herself. Hiding joy and anger was a required lesson for those in power.

A single Zhu Yu should not have been enough to make her lose control to this extent.

Her reaction right now was more like…

Using Goloriel to establish authority.

Perhaps Bai Qianze forcing Bai Shuzhou’s memories back to eighteen had not been a wise decision.

Everyone harbored their own schemes. Only Zhu Yu swallowed softly and stared unblinkingly at Bai Shuzhou.

Heavens. So cool!

That’s my wife. She’s so cool!

When she was scolding people, her eyes were bright and sparkling, like icicles in winter, clear and sharp. Especially adorable.

Other than Zhu Yu’s own sister, this was the first time someone had protected her like this.

It was only a few insults. Zhu Yu had not taken them to heart. She had originally only been angry because Goloriel had trampled the flowers, because those had been a gift for Bai Shuzhou.

Although the flowers had not been successfully delivered, the goal had been achieved.

Next time, she would bring Bai Shuzhou more and even prettier flowers. If Bai Shuzhou liked, Zhu Yu could even invite her to pick them personally in the garden. Wherever she pointed, Zhu Yu would pluck them.

Before leaving, she had asked the owner for her business card and agreed to buy flowers from her again next time. That shop was not particularly large in the flower market, but it had the most complete rose varieties in the entire interstellar world. The owner had even confidently said that even the royal family might not have as complete a collection as hers.

Amid all the schemes and calculations, Zhu Yu sneaked a glance at Goloriel, who no longer looked human, then gently squeezed Bai Shuzhou’s hand and said warmly, “Don’t be angry. It won’t be good if you hurt yourself from anger.”

In such a solemn scene, Zhu Yu was openly acting spoiled with Bai Shuzhou.

Goloriel’s bloodshot eyes turned toward Zhu Yu’s face, and all her hatred found a target to cling to.

It was all Zhu Yu’s fault!

If not for her, how could Goloriel have ended up so wretched?

She must have instigated the princess, controlled the princess…

This despicable woman had schemed all the way up from the slums. Wasn’t it all to seize power from the princess?!

No matter how gifted the princess was, she was still an Omega. She must have been controlled by hormones.

Yes. The Tree of Life said Zhu Yu was very suitable for the princess. She must have secretly used some method to bewitch the princess…

Pheromones.

There was something wrong with her pheromones!

Goloriel’s resentful gaze was far too obvious. Bai Shuzhou glanced at her. In the next second, Goloriel let out a scream and collapsed to the side, painfully covering her eyes.

Zhu Yu, Zhu Yu.

This scheming, vicious Alpha!

How could an Omega’s aggression be so strong? Zhu Yu must have done something in secret.

Otherwise, how could a D-rank commoner like her establish herself in the military, stand above nobles, and become some false star of the common people?

Goloriel’s twisted expression suddenly froze.

Could it be… could it be that Zhu Yu had suppressed and altered her own rank and identity?

In truth, her pheromones were roses too…?

Feng Jiang quietly stepped aside, not letting Goloriel’s bloodstains touch her.

But with things reaching this point in the Academy, she could not ignore it.

Her tail swayed faintly. Feng Jiang pushed up her glasses and stepped forward. Zhu Yu nervously climbed down from the bed, straightened her back, and stood in front of Bai Shuzhou’s bed.

This was Feng Jiyan’s mother. The old fox was definitely more formidable than the little fox.

But the woman raised a hand, and the aura she released was unusually gentle, making even Zhu Yu’s accelerated heartbeat gradually calm.

They both wore white coats, but when Feng Jiang smiled, she carried a few less traces of rigor and pressure. Her approachable smile instantly narrowed the distance between them. Zhu Yu could not help thinking of her own mother, and that bit of vigilance was diluted until it was very faint.

Feng Jiang said softly, “Your Highness, your current state is unstable. Please do not use your mental power anymore.”

“This will only worsen your condition. Relax. I will help you—”

Zhu Yu looked toward Bai Shuzhou. Only after receiving permission did she step aside a little, but she still stayed very close, watching as Feng Jiang’s white-gloved hand touched Bai Shuzhou’s wrist. The motion was as light as taking a pulse.

But in the next second, the eyes behind the glasses suddenly turned into upright ovals. Feng Jiang shifted sideways to block Zhu Yu’s view, and a sharp aura stirred the hem of her clothes and the ends of her hair.

Zhu Yu could only see that slender hand begin to tremble uncontrollably, fingertips tense. The cold condensed in an instant, then gradually faded together with the rich rose scent.

Those beautiful eyes looked at Zhu Yu one final time before her eyelids sank heavily.

“What did you do!”

Zhu Yu was furious. She rushed forward and caught Bai Shuzhou’s slowly falling arm.

“Don’t be nervous. I only helped her rest for a while.”

Feng Jiang opened her hands. “If we continue leaving the out-of-control princess alone, she will eventually enter a dissociative state. None of us wants things to develop to that point, do we?”

“Your Highness Zhu Yu.”

Feng Jiang laughed softly and raised a hand to pat Zhu Yu comfortingly. Her attitude was very peaceful, without the slightest airs of a powerful great noble.

But Zhu Yu dodged.

Feng Jiang raised her hand lightly. Before the Snow Leopard Knights could act, two masked researchers had already stepped forward first and dragged away Goloriel, who was limp on the floor.

She extended her hand to Zhu Yu again. It was a very solemn invitation, and the way she met Zhu Yu’s eyes made one feel respected.

“Your Highness Zhu Yu, thank you for caring for the princess. A sick person will have a hard time and be very sensitive.”

“In the past, when the princess lost control, only His Majesty could soothe her emotions. You are the second.”

Feng Jiang’s tone was like that of a loving elder. Her gentle gaze swept over Bai Shuzhou, who had fallen asleep in Zhu Yu’s arms.

The door had already closed. Feng Jiang did not dismiss the Snow Leopard Knights, instead looking openly into Zhu Yu’s eyes.

“All my life, I have devoted myself to the study of mental power. I feel deeply grieved by the princess’s illness, yet powerless.”

“Are you willing to join the Genesis Project and help us continue advancing our research? This research concerns the princess, the Empire, and even the fate of the entire universe.”

Zhu Yu had already been coaxed into extending her hand and loosely shaking Feng Jiang’s. But upon hearing the word research, she immediately let go and smiled awkwardly.

“I really want to help, but as you know, I’m an Alpha from the slums. I’m a rough person and haven’t studied much, so perhaps I’d better not.”

Feng Jiang narrowed her eyes. She did not force her and instead took another step back, taking the initiative to explain.

“Genesis is a study targeting genes and mental power. Only after your public speech last time did I learn that you were also paying attention to this matter. I was very happy.”

Her tone was very gentle, yet it made Zhu Yu’s hair stand on end.

Had the fact that she was secretly collecting Bai Shuzhou’s medical records been discovered?

But Feng Jiang was far too magnanimous. She actually brought the matter directly into the open and was willing to grant Zhu Yu director-level access, allowing her to freely consult materials.

Zhu Yu’s pupils shook. She rubbed her hands and felt somewhat embarrassed, wondering if she had judged a noble heart with a petty mind.

Feng Jiang quietly watched Zhu Yu, her mature and calm charm fully displayed. After pausing, she continued, “If you have any questions, you may come to me at any time.”

Zhu Yu thought for a moment, then shyly opened the lion’s mouth just a little.

“Since the princess’s condition is unstable, I want to stay at the Academy so I can provide care and look after her at any time.”

This idea was somewhat unrealistic, but after a subtle silence, Feng Jiang glanced at the corner of Zhu Yu’s lips, bitten open by someone, and smiled with a nod.

“Certainly.”

Zhu Yu’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Really?!”

“Mm. I will speak to His Majesty.” Feng Jiang blinked lightly at Zhu Yu. “His Majesty is very busy lately, managing countless affairs every day. She cannot accompany the princess at all times.”

The hint was very obvious.

The big boss is not here!

If not for the vast difference in their status, Zhu Yu really wanted to hug her hard.

No wonder she could become the director! Look at this heart, this vision!

So gentle. As expected of a mother. Feng Jiyan was so blessed to have a mother like this.

Next time she came, Zhu Yu would definitely bring Feng Jiang the prettiest bouquet too, and custom-order a huge silk banner—

After turning to leave, Feng Jiang still maintained her gentle, proper smile.

Feng Jiyan was standing outside the door. Seeing Feng Jiang come out, she immediately followed quickly.

“Mother.”

Feng Jiang took long strides and did not stop for her. She went directly to a laboratory, removed the glove that had shaken Zhu Yu’s hand, and placed it into a precision instrument.

A moment later.

Beep—

A detailed analysis report floated onto the blue screen. The most striking characters were red:

SSS+.

SSS+!

How was this possible?

Feng Jiyan, who had followed her in, saw that small line of text. Her pupils contracted violently, and she almost lost composure as she rushed forward.

But when her gaze swept downward, the data below became more and more familiar…

This was clearly still Bai Shuzhou’s report.

And only Bai Shuzhou’s report.

How could an Alpha have absolutely no response to the pheromones of an Omega highly compatible with her?

Too strange.

Even in the Federation, this instrument was one of the most precise and cutting-edge in existence. It was impossible for it to make a fundamental error, not even distinguishing between one person and two.

But it had indeed detected only Bai Shuzhou’s characteristics.

Silently, the rose scent had long since wrapped around and covered Zhu Yu’s pheromones, eating them cleanly and leaving not even the slightest perceivable trace.

That tiny “+” left mother and daughter in a brief silence.

Feng Jiyan said with difficulty, “The princess actually… became stronger again.”

The gap between one person’s talent and another’s was an uncrossable gulf.

The harder one worked to catch up, the more clearly one could feel despair.

Feng Jiang laughed softly. “Perhaps the instrument was updated and finally caught up with her pace. Her Highness the princess has been outstanding since childhood.”

The woman’s unconcealed appreciation and praise deeply stabbed Feng Jiyan. Without showing anything, she clenched her fists.

From beginning to end, Feng Jiang had not even looked at her.

As if all her gentleness and focus were devoted to scientific research and experimental subjects, leaving no energy at all to face her own biological daughter.

Feng Jiyan could not hold back and spoke.

“Mother, why won’t you let me participate in the research on Phoenix?”

“Phoenix?”

Feng Jiang turned around, her expression growing very cold. Unhurriedly, she corrected her.

“It is not Phoenix. It is AH-003.”

AH-003.

An experimental subject number.

The woman’s gaze was too indifferent, and her slightly furrowed brows carried faint disappointment. Feng Jiyan gritted her teeth and, for the first time, talked back.

“How can you confirm she is AH-003? Drawing a conclusion now is far too arbitrary.”

Feng Jiang lowered her eyes and looked at Feng Jiyan as if looking at a child throwing a tantrum.

“All right. Transfer AH-003 to a room closer to the princess. Arrange Zhu Yu to stay in her original room.”

Feng Jiyan questioned loudly, “Why? You even opened director-level permissions to Zhu Yu. Do you really want her to participate in the research too?”

“Aren’t you worried that Zhu Yu might be AH-003?”

Bai Shuzhou’s talent was extraordinary. She was special, and Feng Jiyan admitted she was inferior to her.

But Zhu Yu?

Why could she also become an exception?

Zhu Yu, this troublemaker, clearly had only a D rank. Feng Jiyan had investigated her countless times before. She should not have posed a threat.

Clearly, because of Zhu Yu’s speech, human experimentation had been unexpectedly exposed to the public eye. Feng Jiyan had been the first to step forward for public relations and had prevented the Academy from sinking into the mire.

She had also taken the initiative to connect with the Federation, clean up the star pirate aftermath, and receive Phoenix and some sensitive equipment back immediately.

Yet when they were about to harvest the fruits of victory, why did the mother she respected exclude her from the research qualifications?!

Her tone was sharp. Before this, Feng Jiyan had never dared speak to her this way.

Feng Jiang smiled.

Because there was no threat, a child’s anger appeared very adorable in an adult’s eyes.

She answered patiently, “No. The age does not match. Bone testing has already been done. I only trust real data.”

“She is younger and sufficiently resilient… We need some variables.”

“Variables to control Bai Shuzhou.”

“Zhu Yu and AH-003 are both very special to her, aren’t they?”

The plan was perfect.

At night, when Feng Jiang’s subordinate finally found Zhu Yu through surveillance with great difficulty, the young woman had already changed into pajamas and was lying peacefully beside Bai Shuzhou.

Bai Shuzhou’s bed was very large. Even if she slept in the very middle, there was still more than enough room beside her for Zhu Yu to lie down.

After washing up, Zhu Yu wore blue little-fish pajamas and had even put a matching patterned eye mask on Bai Shuzhou.

Zhu Yu knew that Bai Shuzhou’s sleep was always very light. She often pretended to sleep, and even her sleeping posture was elegant like a figure in an oil painting, both hands crossed and lightly resting over her lower abdomen, sacred and beautiful.

This time, the sudden unconsciousness had been too abrupt, so Zhu Yu had thoughtfully arranged her posture for her.

The pillow and quilt were both brought by Zhu Yu herself. Since she had not received permission, she very politely kept a little distance between them.

Just like this, leaning against the soft pillow and gazing at Bai Shuzhou’s soft hair, Zhu Yu’s mood also became very soft. The tension she had carried all day turned like freshly baked golden bread, toasted fluffy and warm.

When she sensed someone entering, Zhu Yu instinctively closed her eyes too and pretended to sleep.

Because she was too nervous, the hand she had been using to loosely trace Bai Shuzhou’s brows and eyes dropped too hastily. Her warm palm was forced to descend onto Bai Shuzhou’s icy arm.

The night was quiet.

Looking at the two people nestled together on the bed, the visitor could not help lowering her voice.

“Why is she sleeping here?”

The Snow Leopard Knight answered, “Your Highness Zhu Yu said Director Feng agreed, and that Director Feng would make it clear to His Majesty. This is caregiving.”

“We also heard it. It is indeed true.”

Sleeping in the Academy, in the princess’s room—how could that not count as part of the Academy?

“…”

A very suppressed, heavy sigh.

Zhu Yu wanted to laugh, but held it back. Even her eyebrows did not tremble.

With her eyes closed, she felt that the skin where she touched Bai Shuzhou had already been warmed.

Author’s Note:

The two of them in the same frame:

A golden oil painting with delicate brushstrokes. The sleeping princess’s silver hair scatters faintly, and beside her is a chibi little fish sleeping curled into a ball.

The world is noisy and troubled, but the little couple sleeps peacefully together. zzzZ [Hug]