“Since we’re already talking about your situation,” Rong Ruyue said calmly, “it’s time you started thinking seriously about your future—your marriage, in particular.”
Xu Linlang blinked. “Isn’t that a bit too soon?”
Rong Ruyue sighed. “You don’t have the luxury of time right now. You were kidnapped by members of the Red Flame Group and somehow returned completely unharmed. His Majesty is naturally suspicious—he’ll start wondering if you have any secret connection with them.”
“Let him suspect whatever he wants,” Xu Linlang said flatly.
Rong Ruyue’s tone grew serious. “You don’t understand. The Emperor might use that as an excuse to choose a husband for you himself—and he could even rally public opinion to pressure your father into agreeing.”
Xu Linlang’s eyes widened. “We wouldn’t have the right to refuse?”
Rong Ruyue shook her head. “Your father’s position is already precarious. If he defies the Emperor’s decree, it would mean open conflict between the Xu family and the royal court.”
Xu Linlang frowned. “Then what should I do?”
Rong Ruyue glanced toward Qiye. After a brief pause, Qiye silently took his leave.
Once he was gone, Rong Ruyue said, “You and Qiye already have an engagement agreement. He was also the one who rescued you during the kidnapping. I like that boy—his father was once one of your father’s most trusted generals. If the two of you end up together, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
She had seen clearly how Qiye treated Xu Linlang these past few days—respectful, attentive, and protective.
Much better than that, Lu Xiao, that was for sure.
If her daughter could be with Qiye, Rong Ruyue would finally be at ease. At least she knew that, whatever storms might come, Qiye would always stand in front of Linlang to shield her.
Xu Linlang hadn’t expected to face the ultimate modern-day crisis, even in outer space—being pressured to get married.
And this time, it even sounded… reasonable.
She thought it over. “But… we don’t have to actually get married, right? What if we just announce the engagement publicly?”
Rong Ruyue shook her head again. “Only a royal decree carries legal weight. Your current engagement means nothing in the eyes of the law.”
“…” Xu Linlang was speechless.
So much for an easy way out.
After a long silence, she said quietly, “Let me think about it.”
After all, marriage was a major life decision—she couldn’t rush into it.
When Rong Ruyue left, Xu Linlang calmly analyzed the situation. The truth was, she didn’t have a better option than Qiye.
Given how much the Emperor disliked her family, if he were to assign her a husband, it would almost certainly be some useless, corrupt noble.
By then, it would be far too late to do anything about it—and her life would be utterly miserable.
- ··
At Lilan Military Academy, gossip was never in short supply. Before the rumor of Xu Linlang being rescued by Qiye had even cooled down, another bombshell hit campus—
Xu Linlang and Qiye were getting engaged!
The first thing everyone wondered was: What about Lu Xiao?
After all, their messy love quadrangle had been the academy’s favorite drama for ages—even the ants on campus probably knew the whole story by now.
Some students were thrilled that their family connections were strong enough to get them an invitation to the engagement banquet—they couldn’t wait to witness the spectacle firsthand.
Others, who weren’t so lucky, were dying of curiosity. Having the gossip right in front of them but being unable to “taste” it was pure torture.
The engagement banquet was lavish—fine wine, polite chatter, and layers of insincere smiles from countless powerful guests.
Even Rong Chen, Xu Linlang’s uncle, attended despite his reluctance. So did Marshal Xu and Xu Gongyu, both of whom had requested special leave from the military for this occasion.
Xu Linlang, meanwhile, stood awkwardly beside Qiye. In a way, she felt like she was dragging him down.
In the game world, he was known as a cold, untouchable villain who had sworn never to love or marry. And now, because of her, he was pretending to be engaged.
If their roles were reversed, even if she said she didn’t mind, she knew she would. Being tied down like this—having your freedom quietly taken away—it wasn’t a small thing.
The thought made her guilt swell to the brim.
What she didn’t know was that, when Qiye first heard her proposal, he had nearly burst with happiness inside—but managed to keep his face perfectly calm.
He’d almost failed to hide how overjoyed he really was.
Because, for once, everything was turning out exactly as he’d hoped.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152