Under the dim light, neither of them could clearly make out the emotions on the other’s face.

“You want me to leave. Why?”

“His Highness Oser is the future emperor of the empire. If he doesn’t inherit the throne, power will fall into the Prime Minister’s hands sooner or later. He absolutely must not give up his inheritance rights just for you.”

“If His Highness doesn’t inherit the throne, there’s still his younger brother. You’re really looking down on the Fengdi family.”

“You’re talking about His Highness Disi? Don’t be naive. His Highness Disi has never appeared in public, and no one knows whether he’s dead or alive. Even if he does still live, how could he possibly stand up to the all-powerful Lu family?”

Ling Yi put the scissors back where they belonged.

“What if I don’t want to leave?”

“Are you concerned about your family? I will ask His Highness to protect them and send them to reunite with you when the opportunity arises.”

“You’ve thought this through very thoroughly. But why should I give up wealth and glory to go live a life of wandering and displacement?”

“Have you ever considered what would happen if Lu Hulun ever came into power? That there will be more victims like you and me in the future, and more people will be forced to live a life of exile?”

“What does that have to do with me?”

You Lin’s eyes filled with disbelief: “I refuse to believe you’re that kind of person.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m a selfish person.”

“You’re lying! How could a selfish person kill a member of the royal family for a brother who’s not even your flesh and blood?”

Ling Yi was silent for a moment: “I was just repaying his father for adopting me. A selfish person will occasionally have a change of heart, right?”

His performance disappointed You Lin.

“I lived for years in an unfamiliar foreign country. You can’t imagine how much hardship I have endured. The only belief that kept me alive was that I would return to my country to assist His Highness Oser and get revenge on the man who killed my family!”

“I really can’t imagine it. And I have even less desire to go through the same hardships you suffered.”

You Lin’s eyes were bloodshot: “How can you comprehend losing your loved ones and living a life filled with hatred?”

His increasing volume eventually drew the attention of Oser and Tang De, who were separated from them by a wall.

“What is this?” Oser spied the travel bag on the floor at a glance.

Ling Yi hesitated only half a second before throwing himself into Oser’s arms in front of everyone.

“This person suddenly came in to chase me away. I was so scared.”

He buried his head in Oser’s chest, and naturally didn’t see the expressions that appeared on the faces of Oser and Tang De at his words.

Especially Tang De, whose perception of Ling Yi was once again refreshed.

Oser subconsciously hugged him, only to find that Ling Yi was wearing his jacket.

“Have I been too lenient with you?” There was a hint of coldness in Oser’s attitude toward You Lin.

Before Oser could get angry, Tang De tried his best to push You Lin out.

“Leave it to me. Your Highness, please take good care of Ling Yi. I’ll educate this ignorant person for you.”

He then dragged You Lin out of the room, scolding him all the way.

“Don’t you want to live? I don’t even dare to take a deep breath in Ling Yi’s presence, but you actually went to his room in the middle of the night to persuade him to run away? Don’t you know that you almost crossed His Highness’s bottom line?”

You Lin spun around and accused: “You’ve been at His Highness’s side this entire time. Why didn’t you persuade him?”

“Persuade him about what, ah?” Tang De was baffled.

“About the power of pardon, of course! Don’t you know which is more important, an Omega or the throne?”

Tang De rolled his eyes and said helplessly: “The reason I didn’t tell you was because I was afraid you’d leak the information. Why can’t you believe in His Highness?” 

“I really do want to believe in him. But you saw that just now. I’m concerned that His Highness will be blinded by lust and neglect his duties for an Omega!”

Tang De started to say something, but looked back at the door warily and pushed You Lin a few steps away.

“Come here, and I’ll tell you.”

When they were a safe distance away, he whispered: “Have you only studied foreign law these years and forgotten the laws of your own country? Have you forgotten that the power of pardon is subject to revocable conditions?”

You Lin’s heart moved, and it was as if a ray of sunlight had shone into a dead-end alley. “You mean invalidating Ling Yi’s death sentence?”

Tang De expressed his approval with a look and handed him a document.

You Lin: “This is…..?”

“Your new identity, starting tomorrow. You will be an intern at the royal court, and your task is to collect all of the evidence in Ling Yi’s case. If the Prime Minister hadn’t headed this case, the sentence would have been at most excessive self-defense, not the death penalty.”

You Lin held the document in his hand, stunned: “Have I wronged His Highness again?”

The last time, he had questioned Oser for not saving Ling Yi.

“I’ve already told you to believe in His Highness. He is no longer a child.”

Tang De clenched his hand into a fist: “Whether it’s the throne or the Omega, he wants it all.”

After sending You Lin away, Tang De made his way exhaustedly to the lounge, in urgent need of relaxing.

He was surprised to find Pat there, browsing a shopping website on his cell phone.

“I didn’t realize you had the leisure to shop,” Tang De teased.

“I’m trying to choose an urn that suits me.” Pat showed him the page. “What do you think of this one?”

“A bit old-fashioned.”

“You’re right.” Pat angrily turned to the next page. “These urn manufacturers don’t consider the needs of young consumers at all.”

Tang De regained a small portion of his life force by smoking a cigarette.

“Maybe I should buy one just in case. Are there any discounts for bulk purchases?”

Pat said with a sad expression: “Don’t make fun of me, Captain Tang De.”

“I’m serious. Less than half a month ago, Ling Yi was a prisoner on death row, but now he can whisper in the Crown Prince’s ear. Even without this incident, he would have risen from an orphan to a military elite. Could our consort have ever been an ordinary person? If I make a mistake, I might be joining you.”

Pat was inexplicably nervous after hearing this: “I haven’t offended Ling Yi, have I?”

“Well, he did become an Omega because of your research.”

Pat was extremely alarmed.

“What are you afraid of? No one ever steps into the same grave twice.”

“Thank you, ah. I feel much better now.”

“Let’s talk about something light.” Tang De waved away the white smoke in front of him. “Want to bet on where His Highness will sleep tonight?”

Pat’s eyes widened: “Is he not following doctors’ orders?”

. . . . . . .

Oser comforted the “frightened” Ling Yi, and when he went to leave, he was embraced from behind.

“Please don’t leave, Your Highness.”

Ling Yi could now frankly admit that he was greedy for this scent. Rather than defending his face as an Alpha, he would rather follow his body’s instincts.

“I can’t sleep alone without you.”

However, Oser was not as free and easy as him: “Pat said I should keep my distance from you.”

“Forget Pat. He even said my pheromones could only match yours.” Ling Yi said dejectedly.

The balance in Oser’s heart fluctuated for only 0.01 seconds before it tilted toward Ling Yi.

Of course, it was also due to Ling Yi’s following words: “The new bed is very soft. Doesn’t Your Highness want to lay down and try it?”

Ling Yi dropped the uniform jacket he was wearing on the floor and stepped on it.

No matter how good a comfort object was, it wasn’t as effective as the person himself.

The new bed was indeed very soft. Oser came to this conclusion through personal experience.

Ling Yi lay obediently in Oser’s arms, his index finger drawing restless circles on the other’s chest.

“Does what Your Highness said at the courthouse gate still stand?”

“What did I say?”

“That you’d let me choose where my monument would be erected. I’ve chosen the place: directly in front of the Prime Minister’s office.”

Oser was amused: “Why there?”

“The people out there don’t know I’m still alive. I think Your Highness’s previous suggestion is a good idea, to let everyone think I died at the hands of Lu Hulun. Even if I can’t bring him down, I’ll make him suffer.”

“You hate him so much?”

Ling Yi replied nonchalantly: “I hate him to the bone.”

These six words lacked any weight. Oser scratched the bridge of his nose.

“I did promise back then, but it doesn’t count anymore.”

Ling Yi turned over and pressed Oser down: “Why not?”

“Only the dead can have such a monument erected. It’s unlucky to create one for the living.”

Ling Yi’s lips curved: “Your Highness is a highly educated person. How can you still have such superstitious beliefs?”

“You said the same thing once before.”

“I did?”

“Before you went into the operating room.”

He seemed to have some impression of it.

Oser stroked his hair: “You know I want you to get well soon. I’ll take you out to show you off and enrage that old man.”

Ling Yi’s response was more direct – a passionate kiss. “Having a secret lover is much more exciting. This might be your only chance to experience it in this life. Won’t you consider it?”

Oser looked at Ling Yi with blazing eyes: “Your seduction skills are even more impeccable than when you were an Alpha.”

Ling Yi licked the corner of his mouth: “It’s human nature to be lazy. As long as this method still works, I’ll use it again and again.”

“Then I promise you,” Oser said, “From now on, as long as it’s you, this method will always work. You hate my grandfather. I’ll help you get rid of him. One life for another.”

“Whose life is being exchanged?”

Oser gently touched his belly: “You’ll conceive a tiny life for me.”

Ling Yi: “……”

. . . . . . .

As Tang De reported to Oser in the room next to Ling Yi’s, he stole a glance at the bed.

It was the same as it had been when he left last night, with no sign of anyone having slept there.

He feigned ignorance: “You Lin reported to court early this morning.”

Oser lowered his head to peruse the documents: “We should have sent him away earlier. Keeping him here just stirred up more trouble.”

“By the way, I went to the detention center to retrieve Ling Yi’s phone.”

Although he had agreed to get the phone for Ling Yi, he would never dare give it to him without permission.

Oser stopped reading: “He asked you for it?”

“That’s not the case. I think he’s rather bored in the ward, and he needs to be given something to do. Young people these days just love to play on their phones.”

Tang De shook the phone: “It won’t turn on right now. I don’t know if it’s broken or the battery is drained, but I’ll give it to him after I fix it.”

Oser gave a light “hm” and didn’t object.

“Don’t let the news that Ling Yi is alive leak out yet. Keep pressure on the old man through public opinion and insist that he was the one burned to death in the vehicle.”

“Aren’t you planning to announce to the public that he’s still alive and initiate a retrial of the case?”

“Little Weed begged me sincerely, and it was difficult to refuse. Let’s find a random place near the old man’s home and erect a monument for him. In any case, there’s no rush for a retrial.”

Based on Tang De’s understanding of Oser, he was not someone who would easily change his plans.

He became vigilant: “Your Highness, your original plan hasn’t changed, has it?”

“What do you mean?”

“First overturn Ling Yi’s verdict, then retract the pardon.” He asked cautiously, “The unexpected results of the surgery won’t affect the plan?”

Oser heard the hidden meaning in his words and tossed down his pen with a sneer: “What unexpected results? The non-uniqueness of Ling Yi’s pheromone matches? Even if Ling Yi regains his freedom, who else can he choose aside from the wealthy, prestigious, legitimate Crown Prince and top-tier Alpha who’s a perfect match for him?”

Tang De put on a smile, but it was a stiff one: “Your Highness is right. I shouldn’t worry. I’ll go carry out the tasks you’ve assigned to me.”

“Get back here!”

Tang De was still standing there, unmoving.

“Forget about erecting a monument, it’s too unlucky. An altar is easier to tear down.”

Tang De agreed, but was called back again before he could reach the door.

“Don’t write his name correctly. Omit one or two strokes.”

“…..Understood.”

After Tang De left, Oser took Ling Yi’s medical report out of a drawer and looked through the list for the nth time.

This list was like a top student’s report card. The examiners had tried their best, but could only deduct a few points. 

Every name seemed irritating aside from his own, and he wished he could assassinate them all in order.

Oser’s gaze was distant. After a moment, he threw the report back into the drawer.

Assassinations cost too much. He would think of something else.

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Chapter 20 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 22