ABFMV Chapter 35 Part 1

Rong Xi frowned deeply. She hadn’t expected Elder Jiang to completely disregard her.

Her request wasn’t even excessive—she had only asked him to personally craft a mech.

It wasn’t like she demanded an S-class or even an A+-class. She had already been giving him plenty of face by settling for less.

She thought it would be an even exchange—her status for his craftsmanship—but who would’ve guessed Jiang Yan could be so ungrateful?

Rong Xi had always planned to get herself a good mech. But when her contacts in the military told her a batch of A+-class mechs had been produced, she put her search for a private maker on hold.

Her plan was simple: just ask her father, the emperor, for one.

What she hadn’t expected was that the batch of A+ mechs was so limited, and that there wouldn’t be enough materials to produce another round anytime soon.

Her father distributed them all to the generals. She thought the last one would be reserved for her—only for him to gift it to Xu Linlang instead.

Rong Xi had never liked Xu Linlang. In fact, she could even say she despised her.

From childhood onward, both of them had grown up at the center of power, constantly compared against each other.

When they were little, everyone praised Xu Linlang as pure, clever, and adorable, while the only compliment she ever got was that she was “dignified” as a princess.

Even Xu Gongyu, who was always distant and cold with others, seemed to smile much more easily around Xu Linlang.

It wasn’t until Xu Linlang recovered from her illness and grew arrogant and domineering that people stopped putting the two of them side by side.

At that moment, Rong Xia timidly offered, “Sister, a mech craftsman gave me an A-class mech not long ago. I can go back to the palace and fetch it for you.”

Rong Xi waved him off irritably. “I can have as many A-class mechs as I want; I don’t need yours. And besides, Linlang already has an A+-class. If I still settle for an A, I’d look like a fool. I thought that at least if I got Jiang Yan to make me one personally, even if it was only A-class, it would still hold weight. But turns out, Jiang Yan’s a block of wood with no flexibility whatsoever.”

“Oh…” Rong Xia muttered, then asked, “But Sister, if you like Cousin Gongyu so much, then why do you dislike Cousin Linlang? Isn’t that kind of contradictory?”

In his eyes, it didn’t make sense.

After all, Xu Gongyu and Xu Linlang were family. With such close blood ties, it stood to reason that Rong Xi should treat Linlang well, for treating Linlang kindly was indirectly treating Gongyu.

So why was it, in Rong Xi’s case, that she seemed to wish Linlang would never rise again?

Rong Xi let out a mocking laugh. “The reason I like Xu Gongyu is the same reason I hate Xu Linlang.”

Rong Xia looked even more baffled.

Rong Xi cast him a pitying glance. “You don’t seriously think I’m lovesick, do you? I like Xu Gongyu because of his identity. And I hate Xu Linlang for the same reason—because of hers.”

Rong Xia blinked blankly. “But aren’t their identities the same? They’re both Marshal Xu’s children. Apart from gender, there’s no difference.”

Expression cold, Rong Xi paced slowly. “What do you know? Exactly because of Xu Gongyu’s status, if he were to marry me, my path to succession would be nearly unobstructed. With him bound to me, he wouldn’t have any reason to harbor ambitions of seizing power. Father would definitely welcome that outcome.”

“As for Xu Linlang, she’s like a ticking time bomb. Whoever she marries will gain the Xu family’s full support. If she were to wed someone in power, who knows what rebellious ambitions they might hatch. Whether she acts, or her husband does, with the Xu family’s backing, it would spell bad news for the royal family.”

Rong Xia still didn’t quite get it. “But what if Cousin Gongyu marries someone else? Wouldn’t it be the same?”

Rong Xi smiled faintly. “The only way it’s a win-win is if he marries me. If he wants to save the Xu family, I trust he won’t make a foolish choice.”

“As for Xu Linlang—don’t be fooled by her ridiculous antics. Underneath them lies her ambition. Lu Xiao isn’t exactly from a weak family, and at Lilan Military Academy, she even praised Helena in public. She’s nothing but trouble.”

Half-understanding, Rong Xia followed alongside as Rong Xi slowly walked away.

When Xu Linlang reached the top floor, she happened to see the two of them leaving.

At first, they just looked familiar. But little by little, Rong Xi’s figure overlapped with the memory of the haughty little princess she used to know.

So it really was Rong Xi and Rong Xia.

But what were the two of them doing here?

…

Xu Linlang politely knocked on the office door. A steady voice from inside replied, “Come in.”

The researchers inside were still chatting: “What arrogance—demanding Elder Jiang build her a mech. Doesn’t she know Elder Jiang now only crafts exclusively for the Marshal?”

Someone shook their head. “Even when His Majesty himself tried to get Elder Jiang to build for the military, he refused. Why would he agree to her?”

From their words, Xu Linlang quickly understood what Rong Xi had come here for.

One researcher walked up to her. “I’m Professor He Tan, the one assigned to guide you for now. Elder Jiang has a new project and doesn’t have time to mentor you personally, so I’ll be teaching you the basics first.”

Xu Linlang had no objections. As the saying goes, you don’t need an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken.

For basic knowledge, there was no need to bother Elder Jiang.

“Then… may I at least greet him? I haven’t seen him once since being admitted here.”

He Tan shook his head. “After the princess came by earlier, Elder Jiang immediately locked himself in the lab. He’s avoiding any interruptions to his progress.”

Xu Linlang felt a twinge of disappointment, though she didn’t let it show. “Then what should I be learning now? My foundation is pretty weak.”

He Tan swiped across his personal terminal. “I’ve sent you all the data on C-class and D-class components. Go through it thoroughly, and then assemble every single component from both classes. You can collect the materials from the institute’s storage—I’ve already given you access.”

Xu Linlang’s vision almost went dark at the word all.

She asked softly, “And the time limit?”

He Tan chuckled apologetically. “Ah, I forgot to mention—the deadline is one week.”

Even he seemed to think it was harsh, shrugging helplessly. “But the requirement wasn’t set by me. It was Elder Jiang’s order.”

Xu Linlang nodded in despair.