"Yes? Why? We can’t even get in; we might as well just go home..."
"This is about making a statement," Zhao Xinran spoke out. "Those people might not remember who came, but they will definitely know who left... If we leave, it means our stance isn’t solid enough, and we’re not loyal enough to the Royal Family."
"At a time , while everyone else is waiting patiently in the square, should we just drive home and enjoy a hot pot? If word of that reached the Royal Family’s ears, do you think your dad would still have any chances of promotion?"
"Never mind promotions; I fear we wouldn’t even be able to hold onto our current positions... You have your eye on other people’s spots, but there is always someone watching yours..."
"I understand," Zhao Xiaoman nodded and said, "What’s the situation with Zhong Yu and Xiu Xue anyway? Has there been any news yet?"
Zhao Xinran glanced at Zhao Xiaoman and said, "All we need to do is put on a good front, show our loyalty... As for how the Princess is faring... what does that have to do with us?"
"True," Zhao Xiaoman nodded and said, "I wasn’t even invited to her coming-of-age ceremony... I don’t even know why we’re here today..."
"It’s so that in the future, we might get an invitation from the Royal Family."
Similar conversations were taking place inside the luxury cars all over the square.
They discussed the developments, the health of the Princess, her relationship with Tang Fei...
Of course, more than anything, they talked about what they could do in such a situation, and what they could gain from it...
For some, every upheaval was an opportunity.
Some were kicked off the gaming table, while others found a chance to take a seat.
Today, the Imperial Navy Hospital admitted two important patients: Empire Princess Zhong Yu Xiu Xue and her friend Tang Fei.
It was said that when they were brought in, both were severely injured and were now in the operating room undergoing emergency surgery.
Qin Luo, known as the number one surgeon of the Empire, was vacationing in Huacheng but was summoned back by the Royal Guard via Star Disc to personally perform surgery on both patients.
Inside the VIP lounge, Zhong Daolong was smashing cup after cup.
Whenever he inquired about the progress of the surgery and couldn’t get the answer he wanted, another cup would shatter.
Zhong Tianque and Zhong Tianyi stood quietly aside, and the normally imposing director of the Marine Hospital, Guan Xinchao, was sweating profusely, not even daring to take a deep breath.
Little Fatty was also there.
He stood silently in a corner, his gaze vacant as he watched the door of the VIP room.
Every time the door opened, it meant someone was entering to deliver news or to replace the shattered teawares for Zhong Daolong.
He alone had the privilege to sit and drink tea—everyone else could only stand and wait.
Although he’d hardly taken a few sips of tea, countless cups had been broken...
Little Fatty just stared at the door, waiting for someone to come in and report the final outcome of the surgery.
He knew that his big brother would be fine.
Absolutely fine, so he wasn’t worried in the least.
With someone like his brother... who could possibly finish him off?
If he didn’t want to die, not even the mighty King Yan could do anything about it, let alone any minor demons...
His brother had just blazed through Yama Canyon; those minor demons were not his match at all.
But why hadn’t big brother woken up yet?
Big brother, oh big brother...
Sheng Xinhua stood beside Little Fatty, seeing how tense he was, his body shivering constantly as he spoke in a comforting tone: "Don’t worry, your brother will be fine... This is the best hospital in the Empire, with the best doctors and equipment; they can even bring back the dead..."
"I know," Little Fatty forced a smile, but the expression was uglier than a cry.
His eyes instantly reddened, and tears slid down his cheeks. Terrified inside, he stubbornly reassured Sheng Xinhua: "My brother will be fine; he’s just like that, always joking with people..."
"Actually, he’s already awake; he’s just not opening his eyes because he wants to give everyone a big scare..."
"Actually, he’s already awake; he’s fine..."
Sheng Xinhua, seeing Little Fatty in this state, didn’t know what else she should say.
She was very worried too, worried about Phoenix, and about Tang Fei...
She just couldn’t understand, what kind of person would have the guts to attack Phoenix on New Star.
Do they really not fear death?
Zhong Tianque walked up to Zhong Daolong and said softly, "Father, you haven’t eaten anything today. Would you like to have some pastries to tide you over?"
"What to eat? Tide over what?" Zhong Daolong’s eyes were bloodshot as he shouted angrily, "Your sister is still in the emergency room fighting for her life, how could I swallow any food?"
"You are the king of a nation; if you were to injure your body... it could shake the foundation of the country..."
"This is going to injure my body? If something were to happen to your sister... that... that would be what truly injures me..."
Chen Fenglei also stepped forward to console, saying, "Your Majesty, please have a bite. I will have someone bring you a bowl of soup..."
The porcelain cup in Zhong Daolong’s hand smashed onto Chen Fenglei’s forehead. Chen Fenglei didn’t dare to dodge, letting the cup hit him squarely, his head bleeding, his appearance extremely frightening.
Zhong Daolong pointed at Chen Fenglei and cursed, "You old dog, I entrusted my family’s safety to you, and this is how you guard my home? If anything happens to my daughter, flaying you a thousand times wouldn’t appease my hatred..."
Chen Fenglei knelt on the ground and said in a mournful voice, "I have neglected my duty, and I deserve to die. I have already sent people to capture the culprits..."
"Admitting your guilt? The last time Phoenix was ambushed on Old Land, you still haven’t found the mastermind behind the scenes... Now they dare to strike against my daughter on New Star, completely heartless and mad..."
"Do they no longer care for my stature as Emperor? Do they no longer regard the dignity of the Phoenix Empire? It is your incompetence that has emboldened them to commit such heinous acts..."
"How dare they lay a hand on my daughter, how dare they injure my daughter... What use do I have for you useless creatures? What can you do for me? You can’t even safeguard the house... what use do I have for you?"
"I am aware of my crimes..." Chen Fenglei’s head was even lower as he said, "We are currently besieging Wuyou Palace. Any organizations or individuals related to Wuyou Palace are being arrested and interrogated..."
"Interrogation? Forget that process. Capture those who need capturing, kill those who need killing... Without beheading a few, they will never understand the terror of Imperial might..."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Chen Fenglei replied respectfully.
"Get going and tend to your duties. If things don’t go well, don’t let me see you again."
Chen Fenglei responded, got up, and walked outside.
His face seething with killing intent, he didn’t even bother to wipe the blood off his forehead.
Others looked on, hearts pounding with fear. Chen Fenglei was the Grand Steward of the Royal Family, a die-hard confidant of Zhong Daolong, arguably the person he trusted the most.
Even he was smattered with blood across his face, who else would dare provoke the furious Zhong Daolong?
Even the Eldest Prince, Zhong Tianque, thought it wasn’t a big deal if his father missed a meal...
At that moment, the door of the room was pushed open again.
A hospital nurse in charge of delivering messages ran in excitedly, shouting loudly, "The Princess is awake... the Princess is awake..."
A crowd of people rushed out the door.
Little Fatty approached the nurse and asked, "What about my brother? Is my brother awake?"
"Your brother is..." The nurse paused upon seeing Little Fatty, and then asked, "The man who was brought in with you?"
"Yes," Little Fatty nodded. "That’s him... is he awake?"
"No. He’s still in surgery," the nurse replied, then turned to rush out and get busy.
She didn’t care about the life and death of Tang Fei; she just wanted to get more face time in front of the bigshots.
Everybody was concerned about the safety of Her Highness the Princess; Tang Fei was a dispensable existence.
Only a very few people cared about him.