ABFMV Chapter 31 Part 2

Not even a real competitor.

…

When they finally reached the palace’s main hall, the guards announced them but didn’t let them in right away.

“His Majesty is still resting. Please wait a moment.”

Linlang wasn’t surprised. Classic villain move straight out of a drama—pretend to be napping just to make her wait.

Chu Luochi frowned. “But we came on time. How about this—you let us in to wait in the hall, and when His Majesty wakes up, we’ll already be there?”

The guard shook his head firmly. “I can’t. Without His Majesty’s permission, I can’t let you inside.”

Chu Luochi stamped his foot, clearly annoyed, but said nothing—resigned to standing there for however long it took.

Linlang only smiled. “What a coincidence. I happen to be a little sleepy myself. Since His Majesty is still napping, I’ll go take one too.”

She pointed toward her starship. “It’s right there. Once he wakes, just come fetch me.”

Before the guard could respond, she had already lifted her skirts, turned on her heel, and walked straight onto the ship—smooth and unhurried.

Chu Luochi leaned close to whisper, “You’re really going back to nap?”

Hands behind her back, Linlang replied, “This is Schrödinger’s nap. Same as His Majesty’s. Whether I actually sleep or not doesn’t matter.”

She wasn’t about to play along with such an obvious power play.

The old Linlang had thought that lying low and playing dead would keep her safe. Big mistake.

With her status, she could never escape the political struggle.

And besides, someone already wanted her dead, even without any mistakes on her part.

Like that princess who had deliberately told her the truth.

Better to take control of her fate and fight for her family’s survival.

She had just lain down on her hover-bed when the ship’s comm chimed: His Majesty was awake.

The path to the main hall felt eerily familiar.

As if she’d walked it many times before.

She even knew exactly which hidden doorways led to the back garden.

Things she shouldn’t have known—unless she carried the original Linlang’s memories.

But then why were all her memories from after her recovery missing?

Inside the hall, Rong Chen sat on the throne, black hair crowned in gold. His face was gentle, his lips pale.

Hard to imagine such a man being so calculating.

Linlang bowed deeply. Only then did he smile and lift his hand. “There’s no need for such formality between family.”

She rolled her eyes inwardly. Nice words—but funny how he hadn’t thought of “family” when he poisoned her.

“Family or not, Your Majesty is still the emperor. Respect cannot be discarded,” she answered smoothly, leaving no openings.

Best not to give this petty ruler any excuse.

Draped in his gold-embroidered cloak, Rong Chen looked down at them with a pleasant smile. “I believe I only summoned you and Qiye. Why is young Master Chu here as well?”

Chu Luochi stepped forward, delivering the answer like a rehearsed script. “Your Majesty, I came to visit the Crown Prince. When I heard Linlang was entering the palace today, I came along with her.”

Rong Chen’s smile didn’t fade. “Rong Xia’s health has been poor lately. I’m afraid he won’t be seeing you.”

Chu Luochi stiffened, feigning disappointment. “Then I’ll just wait for Linlang, and we can leave together.”

“As you wish.” Rong Chen shifted his gaze back to Linlang. “You, on the other hand, surprise me. Quietly managing to win Elder Jiang’s favor—that brings honor to the royal family.”

Chu Luochi eagerly nodded along in agreement.

Then Rong Chen’s tone changed. “The truth is, I summoned you here for a reason that’s… a little awkward to bring up.”

Linlang braced herself. “And what reason is that?”

Rong Chen sighed. “There’s a Lieutenant General Catherine in the military—she’s obsessed with mech manufacturing and practically worships Elder Jiang. She’s sought an audience with him countless times, hoping to be his disciple, but he never agreed. Now that you’ve been accepted as his student, she’s been asking relentlessly to meet you. Catherine is a pillar of mech development in the military, and I couldn’t bear to refuse her over and over.”

Linlang mimicked his sigh. “But meeting me won’t help her. If she wants to be Elder Jiang’s student, she should go to him directly.”

Rong Chen shook his head slowly. “Elder Jiang has stopped responding to her altogether.”

Linlang’s face didn’t change. “Then I do know a method she could try.”

“Oh?” His eyes narrowed, testing her.

“She could resign from the military and enroll in Lilan Military Academy. If she passes the entrance exams, she’d naturally become Elder Jiang’s disciple. Simple as that.” Linlang said it with ease.

Rong Chen: “…”

A low contralto voice rang out. “Do you think such matters are a joke? If I resign my post, who will oversee mech development for the military?”

The speaker was none other than Catherine herself. Golden-haired, sharp in uniform, and brimming with presence.

Linlang turned a pained look toward Rong Chen. “Your Majesty, couldn’t you hire a few more people to share her workload? Who knew this position was even worse than a 996 job?”

Rong Chen: “…996? What’s that supposed to mean?”