ABFMV Chapter 60 Part 2

The Red Flame gang members had already been subdued by reinforcements. As soon as Rong Ruyue saw Qiye’s mecha, she rushed forward.

Seeing Xu Linlang step out, Rong Ruyue clutched her in tears.

“Sweetheart, you’ve suffered so much.”

Xu Linlang felt a mix of heartache and warmth. She hugged her back. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have made you worry like this.”

Rong Ruyue gritted her teeth. “Where’s the kidnapper? I’ll make him pay, no matter what it takes.”

Her princess-mother spirit was as fierce as ever.

Xu Linlang reassured her, “He’s already been dealt with by Qiye. He couldn’t possibly die more than he already did. Don’t worry.”

She didn’t mention that his end had been far worse than being crushed—his bones had even corroded away.

“Mom, I need to tell you something,” Xu Linlang said seriously.

She believed her mother needed to know everything.

Rong Ruyue blinked, then nodded. “Alright, sweetheart. Let’s go to your room to talk.”

Once in the room, Xu Linlang recounted everything that had happened on the starship.

Rong Ruyue’s expression darkened. “Your father fights on the front lines, yet the people behind him colluded with the insects for their own gain.”

Xu Linlang asked, “Mom, you think there’s a mole, too?”

Rong Ruyue gave a bitter laugh. “Yes, and quite a few.”

Xu Linlang felt anxious. “Then what do we do now?”

Rong Ruyue thought for a moment. “How’s your relationship with the Peter family? If we can ally with them and pressure His Majesty to investigate Lilan Military Academy’s breach, those responsible might be forced to protect themselves, and we could get some leads.”

Xu Linlang hesitated. “Will His Majesty even cooperate?”

Rong Ruyue smiled faintly. “I don’t care if he does. The point is to create momentum. Once the pressure is enough, people will panic, and chaos will follow.”

Xu Linlang replied, “But the Peter family may not help. They’ve always been loyal to His Majesty.”

Rong Ruyue countered, “Even loyalty stems from the power and privileges he grants. They understand that if the Xu family falls, the Peter family could dominate. They were always a counterweight to the Xus.”

Xu Linlang recalled Mi’er explaining the same principle, though she wasn’t sure if he had listened.

Xu Linlang asked nervously, “What if the Peter family refuses to ally with the Xus?”

Rong Ruyue chuckled. “Then we force them. That old man Robert doesn’t have the guts to go against us, and he knows His Majesty won’t protect them openly.”

She paused, then asked, “What do you think about Helena?”

Xu Linlang answered, “Beautiful and kind-hearted.”

Rong Ruyue nodded. “I want your brother to marry Helena. I like her. And today, while you were kidnapped, she coordinated the rescue. Her feelings for Gongyu are obvious to both of us.”

Xu Linlang said, “They’re clearly well-matched. The marriage should happen sooner rather than later. Otherwise, too many variables. I think the princess has some designs on my brother.”

Rong Ruyue sneered. “That’s just Rong Xi daydreaming. Even if I disagreed, my brother wouldn’t agree either. He won’t let the Xu family meddle in power again.”

Xu Linlang asked, “If Rong Xi marries my brother, wouldn’t that strengthen His Majesty’s rule?”

Rong Ruyue countered, “If they marry, would people support Rong Xi ascending or your brother? The answer is obvious—they’d want him to inherit. And then who knows what poison His Majesty might use on him?”

Xu Linlang shivered at the thought.

Rong Ruyue tapped her nose. “I heard you seriously offended Rong Xi?”

Xu Linlang replied, “I just can’t stand her bullying the weak.”

Rong Ruyue said, “That’s my daughter. She may be a princess, but if she causes you trouble again, you come to me.”

Xu Linlang laughed. “Mom, I’ve grown up. I don’t need to tattle. I can handle my own problems.”

Hearing that, Rong Ruyue paused thoughtfully, then glanced at Qiye.