The Way of the Empress

Moodys’ physical recovery and news of the emperor handing him the Rising Sun Legion in public attracted the attention of all forces across the aristocratic circle. Everyone wanted to learn more about the situation.

However, Moodys and Zhuo Yang had no intention of dealing with them. They only left a clear message that a banquet for the aristocracy would be held at the crown prince’s resort in a week to publicly answer all questions of concern. After toasting his recovery, Moodys and Zhuo Yang hurriedly left the military parade site on the grounds that Moody’s physical condition was not suitable for staying long and still needed to go home to rest.

Moodys is usually mild-tempered, but he treats his soldiers strictly and resolutely. After gaining control of the Rising Sun Legion, he immediately rectified all the soldiers, and leaving them for Gu Che to manage.

And the female officer and secretary from when he was ill, the sentinel Hathaway, was called to the office soon after.

After Moodys processed a series of things on hand, it was almost evening. Scanning the latest news, he was stuck on the network’s comment about the ‘beautiful crown princess being stuck in cow dung for a lifetime’.

“Do you think I’m ugly now, Hathaway?” After reading the news, Moodys happened to see his unsightly face in the reflective glass. He couldn’t help but ask about this female officer.

He used to wear a mask when he appeared in front of the public because he was disfigured and afraid of scaring people… This time, Moodys felt that wearing a mask was not formal enough because he had to drive a mecha and wear a military uniform, so he didn’t bring it. Unexpectedly, it attracted such comments from the public.

Hathaway, who was busy because of the physical recovery of the prince’s body, was shocked: “Why do you think that? Your Highness… your scar is left to rescue the army. It is a hero’s medal. Who dares to think it is ugly?”

She couldn’t understand why the noble crown prince would think like this?

Moodys’ face was burned by highly toxic zerg venom. Even if it can be temporarily cured and restored to its original condition, it will ulcerate from the deep below the skin within three months, terrifying people. Apart from digging out the half of the face that’s corroded, there is no way to completely stop the the venom.

After his face scared guides, he immediately treated it several times. At first, his face was normal for a while, but within three months, the skin burned by the venom ulcerated from the inside again.

Most of his face was rotten. Not to mention, he had to go through the ulceration period which looked more terrifying than the scars all over his face.

After several treatments with the same result and told by the doctor that there was no cure, since his own physical well-being was deteriorating day after day, he no longer any intention to care about this face, and only covered it with a mask.

But now—

After everything is going in a good direction and his body is getting better, Moodys can’t help but think about his unsightly face again.

“…No, nothing.” Moodys has no habit of interacting with his subordinates, but his heart is dim.

His face became like this. He might be used to it, and always felt that it was nothing…

However, his crown prince was Zhuo Yang. Zhuo Yang grew up looking so good that he was almost perfect, unable to spot any flaws. His entire person is like a work of art. From hair to toes, there is nothing bad. Even his toes are all round and cute, small and exquisite to the extreme. Even if he is not disfigured, standing side by side with Zhuo Yang, his appearance not very suitable…

Now, there is no need to say more. He can’t bear to look directly at it just thinking about it.

Moodys doesn’t care about the opinions of others. But Zhuo Yang…but he doesn’t know if he will feel wronged if he has to face him for the rest of his life…

People in love will think a lot. Especially when the relationship between him and Zhuo Yang is still lacking a formal confession.

“What do you think of my face being operated on now?” Moodys asked tentatively after dinner, when he was alone with Zhuo Yang.

Zhuo Yang immediately looked at him and asked in astonishment: “Why do are you having an operation? Isn’t your face burned by the zerg venom? Even if you have an operation, the effect will not last for a long time… Why should you suffer this crime?”

The answer he gave was very practical.

He feels that there is no need for Moodys to do this. The effect will not last long.

“Yes, but today I didn’t wear a mask. There are many comments online that our appearances don’t match. Frankly speaking, I am quite afraid of scaring people. Before, I was in poor health and rarely came out. I could wear a mask each time, but now… I fear there will be many occasions in the future where I can’t always wear a mask, right?” Moodys hesitated and said with a certain look at Zhuo Yang.

Zhuo Yang didn’t see his careful thinking. He didn’t think much about it, and he opened his mouth to say, “Well, I also saw many messages and comments online, and wanted to discuss with you.”

“I think that not many people are as scared as you think. Most of the comments are just taunts. I think you can completely stop wearing masks in the future and show up in front of everyone like this. Your scars were left for the empire. It is a heroic, honorable medal and part of you. There is no need to cover it.” Zhuo Yang suggested sincerely. “Moreover, I read a lot of people’s messages today. I think this upright appearance of not concealing anything will help increase your popularity. Most people in the world are forgetful. If your scars are gone, your achievements will be gradually forgotten. If the scars remain and are shown to the world, you can instead remind most people of what you did for the empire…”

“It sounds like a bit overly much, but now many forces are following the trend and opposing the royal family and demanding that the royal family be abolished. What can you do to remind people all the time? On the contrary, this can help bias the people’s sentiment and public opinion towards us, so that the rule of the royal family will continue to be maintained because you are the ruler.“

Seventy-five years ago, the heir to the throne and Emperor Winston’s elder brother, Prince Hannibal, because of his self-proclaimed identity and noble blood, discriminated against ordinary people. In order to create special private soldiers, he did not take ordinary lives as human lives, and carried biochemical and human experiments in the outer galaxy. Ordinary humans and animals were grafted together to create an undead team, which indirectly caused large-scale plagues and diseases on the border planets. The outbreak, gradual infection, and news explosion of the incident to the inner galaxy,was already very dangerous and delicate.

If not for the emperor at the time making a decisive decision and killing his eldest son’s family without hesitation, just for the common people… I’m afraid that Osphia’s royal family would have been long gone.

And now, it’s just barely hanging on.

When Winston the Great taught his heir, he has been asking Moodys to promote equality for all, learn to sacrifice oneself for the people, and love with a brotherly heart. Even if Moodys is too benevolent or idealistic, it is better than another Hannibal.

Otherwise, the anger of the people would completely drown the Osphia royal family.

Although people are always forgetful, Hannibal’s affairs did not happen long ago.

However, Moodys gaining such high popularity from being close to the people is also beyond the emperor’s expectation.

“What you said is very reasonable.” Moodys didn’t expect Zhuo Yang to have such acute political sense. He just wanted to unravel the knot in his heart and test his mind. But Zhuo Yang directly thought of how to get through this appearance fiasco, and even gain more popularity and support.

Moodys was a little helpless, and grabbed Zhuo Yang’s hand nervously, and looked at him. “What about you? Do you think I look ugly now?”

He didn’t care about his appearance. What cares more is his partner’s opinion.

“… Me? Of course I don’t think you look ugly now. I told you – in my opinion, this is a part of you and a hero’s medal.” Suddenly having his hand held, Zhuo Yang immediately understood what Moodys was asking. “Moreover, I wish your face was like this all the time.”

Of course he wouldn’t think Moodys was ugly.

Holding onto his hand, Moodys eyes were sparkling. “Oh?”

“This way, I’m not afraid that other guides will long for you, since they’ll be scared away. I can be more at ease, since I hate others coveting my sentinel.” Zhuo Yang looked at him with a warm smile.

Moodys was very relieved in his heart. He didn’t care much about his appearance, and cared more about Zhuo Yang’s views. Now that Zhuo Yang didn’t care about his appearance, he didn’t worry about it anymore.

After his voice fell, their hands were still clasped tightly, not letting go for a long time.

The atmosphere became ambiguous.

Zhuo Yang’s and Moodys’ ears were a little red unconsciously.

After a while, Moodys took the lead in speaking: “Remember, on the day of our wedding, I gave you a signed divorce agreement?”

Zhuo Yang didn’t know why he asked, but he answered: “Yes.”

“At the time, the reason I gave you this divorce agreement was because you told me that you already have someone you like, and don’t want to be married off by your family. But you never said who that person is, only that they didn’t like you at the time. I didn’t ask much back then, thinking I was was going to die soon anyway. Giving you the divorce agreement was so you can divorce whenever you want, since I won’t be able to live long. So you will be able to pursue your own happiness…” Moodys looked determinedly at him, as if Zhuo Yang was the only one in his eyes. “Now it seems that I will not be able to die for a while. At that time, when we were newlyweds, you wanted to tell me who you liked, and I interrupted you…”

Clutching Zhuo Yang’s hand tightly, beads of sweat formed on his palms: “What’s your choice now?”

He knows that Zhuo Yang likes him, but he wants to ask and pierce this ambiguity.

“Heh.” Zhuo Yang chuckled as he looked back and asked: “What did I want to say? Can’t you guess? Since you can’t guess it, I’ll say it again.”

He smiled: “On our wedding night, what I wanted to say to you is that the person I like is— ”

But before he could say anything, Moodys interrupted him again: “Hush! I should speak this kind of thing first.”