Chapter 272: Meeting the Monarch
Mu Tangfeng instinctively wrapped his arms around her. After hearing what she said, he didn’t even bother running, immediately unfurling his large tail and flying back to the bedroom in seconds.
Having endured for so long, he almost couldn’t hold himself back the moment he got her onto the bed, but he still clenched his jaw in the end.
Shi Lan’s clothes were once again "accidentally" ruined by his teeth. In the ensuing chaos, Shi Lan’s hand found his ankle, and she asked in a hoarse voice, "Where’s the anklet I gave you?"
Mu Tangfeng nervously explained, his body trembling with excitement and his voice unsteady, "The-the last time, with the Insect Clan, I was worried I might lose it, so, so I took it off and put it away safely..."
His voice was faltering and broken, but his actions were smooth and continuous, one after another, to the point that Shi Lan no longer had the energy to ask more questions. She could only focus all her attention on handling the fiery passion of his vigorous, youthful body, which left behind more proof of what he believed she enjoyed.
After their romp, they missed lunch again.
Once Shi Lan’s treatment was finished, Mu Tangfeng took her straight out for a lavish meal. The two of them visited many places, and it wasn’t until the sky grew dark that it was time for Shi Lan to go to Ye Ming’s.
However, Shi Lan was once again experiencing the biggest drawback of having five Beast Husbands. ’Even the most demanding socialite isn’t this busy! Although I’m very satisfied with how well they all take care of me, and I enjoy it immensely, it still feels a bit strange. Maybe it’s because I have to go to a different Beast Husband’s home to rest each time. If I had my own place and they came to me, it would feel different—like I was an emperor, and they were taking turns attending to my bedchamber. Of course, I truly have to admire the emperors with three thousand beauties in their harem. No wonder they couldn’t dote on all their concubines; I’m already exhausted dealing with just five.’
Despite these thoughts, Shi Lan was rather curious about the palace, so she followed Ye Ming there.
The Eldest Prince’s proposal and marriage registration had already been announced to the public. Everyone now knew he had a wife, they just hadn’t gotten a good look at her face.
And now, Ye Ming was having his soldiers, especially those serving in his personal palace, familiarize themselves with her. In the future, Shi Lan could enter his Left Hall whenever she pleased.
Perhaps because it was the Eldest Prince’s first time bringing his wife to the palace, it caused quite a stir. After the Monarch heard about it, he specifically had Ye Ming bring her over to meet.
Shi Lan...
A name he had heard many times, but a person he had rarely met face-to-face.
This was her second time meeting the Monarch, and in a setting as formal as the palace—even more so than a banquet—Shi Lan was inevitably nervous. She kept asking Ye Ming, "Ye Ming, look at me. Is this outfit appropriate?"
"Oh, and what’s the Monarch’s personality like?"
"Will he lose his temper?"
Ye Ming knew what she was worried about and patiently answered each of her questions. He soothed her in a gentle tone, "Don’t worry. Since we were able to successfully register our marriage, it means my father approves of you."
"Besides, I’ll be by your side the whole time. Nothing will happen."
"...Oh, okay."
Shi Lan relaxed a little, but she still stood before a mirror to carefully adjust her clothes and smooth her slightly messy hair. Only when she was sure everything was ready did she follow Ye Ming to the Main Hall.
The palace decor was naturally magnificent and opulent, a bit like the White House but larger. Many human guards and robotic sentinels patrolled inside.
As Shi Lan and Ye Ming walked past, hand in hand, the guards would respectfully bow their heads. "We welcome the Eldest Prince’s wife and the Eldest Prince."
Shi Lan was surprised to discover that her title came first in their address, before "Eldest Prince."
As if sensing her surprise, Ye Ming gently explained, "Because you are my wife. In my eyes, you are a more noble person than I am, so your title should come before mine."
Shi Lan brushed the pad of her finger across the back of his hand, disagreeing slightly. "It doesn’t matter what others think. In my opinion, we should be equals. Respect is mutual; it doesn’t matter whose title comes first."
Ye Ming’s green eyes were full of mirth, and the beauty mark beneath the corner of his eye lifted as his lips curved upward. "Mm, I know. Lanlan is wonderful."
Of course, in his heart, Lanlan was still more noble than he.
The palace was huge. The two chatted for quite a while before they reached the Main Hall.
Perhaps because it was similar to meeting the parents, the Monarch had not chosen the council hall or a formal study. Instead, they were in a lounge off the Main Hall, furnished with residential-style sofas and a television. Apart from being more luxurious, it did seem more casual and relaxed.
Shi Lan didn’t say anything more. She even nervously let go of Ye Ming’s hand.
’After all, I’m about to meet the Monarch. It would be too embarrassing to be so intimate in front of him.’
At first, the Monarch was nowhere to be seen in the lounge, but a robot diligently brought out fruit and snacks for the guests.
Ye Ming led Shi Lan toward the sofa to sit, but Shi Lan felt awkward. The host hadn’t arrived yet; as a junior, she felt she shouldn’t be so casual.
Hearing this, Ye Ming didn’t press the issue. He simply stood beside her, keeping her company. He even planned to go hurry his father along if he didn’t show up within five minutes.
Fortunately, the Monarch arrived two or three minutes later.
He wasn’t wearing his usual monarchal attire, but rather soft, close-fitting loungewear that gave him an unexpectedly gentle air.
Despite being in his sixties, the Monarch was very well-preserved. His jet-black hair had no strands of white, and his figure showed no signs of weight gain.
However, the average interstellar lifespan was two hundred years, and Beastmen with stronger spiritual power aged more slowly. As someone with 3S Spiritual Power, it was normal for the Monarch to be in this condition.
The Monarch glanced at the two of them, the corners of his mouth curving slightly. "You’re here. Go on, have a seat."
His tone was very gentle. He sat down on the main sofa first, then gestured to the seats beside it for Shi Lan and Ye Ming to sit.
Ye Ming led Shi Lan over, and this time, Shi Lan sat down properly, feeling at ease.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
She called out nervously, her head lowered slightly. A few strands of black hair fell before her eyes, hiding her flushed, embarrassed cheeks.
The Monarch glanced at Ye Ming and let out a kind, hearty laugh. "Never mind. You can call me that if you wish."
’I can tell he’s implying I could call him something else, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. The gap in status between us is too great. Unlike Ye Ming and the others, he’s someone I’ve only ever admired from afar or seen online. The age difference also makes me feel an unconscious respect, as if for an elder.’
Ye Ming didn’t force Shi Lan to change how she addressed his father. After all, he and Lanlan would be living their own lives and wouldn’t need to see his father often.
Besides, this was their first formal meeting. It was normal for Lanlan to be nervous. Once she got more familiar with him, she would probably start addressing him differently on her own.
"You’re Shi Lan, is that right? How old are you this year?"
Perhaps sensing her nervousness, the Monarch started with some more casual topics.
Shi Lan kept her hands folded properly in her lap as she answered obediently.
"Yes. I’m twenty-five. My birthday was just two days ago."
"Oh, was it that recent? In that case, let me give Xiao Lan a birthday gift. Just a little something."
After speaking, he pressed a chip on his person. The Monarch’s personal butler entered, and he instructed, "Go fetch the gift I prepared for Xiao Lan."
The butler gave Shi Lan a couple of extra glances before quickly obeying and retreating.