Above the Galaxy
Chapter 151 - 113, Is there no justice? Is there no law?

Chapter 151: Chapter 113, Is there no justice? Is there no law?

"Second Prince," Sheng Xinhua bowed slightly, taking the initiative to greet Zhong Tianyi.

"Hello, Mr. Sheng," Zhong Tianyi said with a beaming smile, captivated once again by the myriad charms this woman exuded.

Zhong Tianyi was well-known in Phoenix City as a playboy; one could say he had seen countless women—there were innocent ones, stubborn ones, sultry ones, cold beauties, those who were aloof on the outside but warm on the inside, and those who were warm on the outside but cold on the inside...

However, in terms of grace and poise, this woman was truly the Empire’s foremost.

Of course, she was also the most challenging one.

Zhong Tianyi was surrounded by a crowd, placing him in a star-studded position.

Yet, he disregarded everything else and spoke his mind, "Mr. Sheng, I have invited you out several times for a coffee or a drink... Unfortunately, Mr. Sheng has ruthlessly rejected me each time. Mr. Sheng, isn’t that a bit heartbreaking?"

Many faces in the crowd showed expressions of anticipation for a good show.

Everyone knew that Zhong Tianyi was a playboy, and Sheng Xinhua’s reputation was also somewhat unsavory; the combination of these two people... should definitely be a case of explosive calamity.

Yet, why did it seem that Sheng Xinhua was repeatedly refusing Zhong Tianyi without giving him any good favor?

Sheng Xinhua covered her mouth with a giggle and said, "Second Prince, I remember explaining to you last time that my teaching duties have been very heavy recently, with much content to digest every day... I really can’t make time."

"I understand completely. Mr. Sheng’s dedication to her work is truly a model for our generation," Zhong Tianyi said cheerfully. He lifted his glass and added, "Today is Phoenix’s coming-of-age celebration, and as her good friend, you can surely drink a little more, right?"

Sheng Xinhua nodded and took a champagne glass from a server’s tray, saying, "I toast to the Second Prince."

"Mr. Sheng is truly too polite; our families have also been friends for generations. You can just call me Tianyi or Lao Zhong... Always addressing me so formally as Second Prince really makes things feel too distant."

"Ceremony should not be abandoned. If I really did that, our family’s old antique back home would definitely get angry and smash a cup, believe it or not?" Sheng Xinhua said, feigning helplessness.

Thinking of the Sheng Family elder’s temperament, Zhong Tianyi also felt that this possibility genuinely existed...

"Ha ha ha, it’s just a title after all; the Finance Minister takes things too seriously," Zhong Tianyi gracefully stepped down, saying, "Let’s not worry about other things, let’s drink."

"I toast to the Second Prince." As they clinked glasses, Sheng Xinhua slightly tilted her glass downward before raising it to empty the champagne in one gulp.

Zhong Tianyi noticed Sheng Xinhua’s subtle movement and felt slightly displeased.

He had clearly seen that when Sheng Xinhua toasted with Tang Fei, it was done naturally and casually, without any downward movement.

She got along so well with a newcomer from New Star, yet why was she so courteously distant with him, a long-time admirer?

Was he even less than a refugee from Old Land?

Eh, when put that way...

It was good to shift the focus.

Zhong Tianyi turned to Tang Fei and asked, "Are you getting used to life on New Star?"

Although he did not mention his own name nor did he address him as ’Mister,’ Tang Fei knew he was being spoken to.

"Very much so," Tang Fei said with a smile. "Thank you for your concern, Second Prince."

"That’s good to hear," Zhong Tianyi said with a broad grin, and he moved closer to Tang Fei to introduce him to the guests around him, "I formally introduce to everyone, this young man is the hero who saved Phoenix’s life on Old Land..."

"What a heroic young man."

"He is quite handsome too... I didn’t expect Old Land to produce such graceful and esteemed individuals."

"This lad has a bright future. Having saved the Princess, he will definitely soar high..."

-----

Tang Fei wore a naïve smile; he tried to mimic Little Fatty’s way of smiling to exude an innocuous charm.

Anyone who saw it would surely praise: What a simple and foolish young man.

Unfortunately, he just couldn’t pull it off.

Zhong Tianyi slung an arm around Tang Fei’s shoulder and said, "Tang Fei is a lifesaver to Phoenix, to the entire Zhong Family, and to the royalty... If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have today’s celebration. I propose that all the guests here toast to Tang Fei."

"...."

Tang Fei felt like smashing Zhong Tianyi’s head.

But he dared not.

With so many important officials, so many figures from high society, so many proud young masters and misses...

You suggest everyone toast me, how would that make them feel comfortable?

Why not just tie me up on a high stage and set fire below?

It would be a cleaner end.

"Come, let’s toast to the young hero, Tang Fei." Zhong Tianyi led the toast.

"To Tang Fei, the young hero," everyone in the room raised their glasses, responding to Zhong Tianyi’s proposal.

"Thank you. Thank you, everyone." Tang Fei, with a look of ’apprehension’ on his face, expressed his gratitude, saying, "I do not deserve such high praise; I merely did what I could..."

"Actually, at the beginning, I couldn’t provide much help to the Princess. I just applied some medicine, cooked some meals, that’s all... After all, we didn’t know the Princess’s true identity at that time."

"It was only when those assassins appeared that we were stunned... How could there be assassins coming to kill? How could so many cruel people catch up, wanting to annihilate us completely..."

"Those people were too horrifying and too brutal, they killed a lot of people... we were almost killed by them as well..."

"Fortunately, the Princess’s strength was formidable, and I happened to be familiar with the terrain of the Old Land... As everyone might know, I have always lived in the mountains since my childhood, hunting, extremely familiar with forest terrain... That’s also why I was able to defeat Shen Qingping..."

"It’s indeed a stroke of luck... that I can stand here, and take part in the Princess’s coming of age ceremony... This certainly is no trivial matter."

"..."

The room fell silent.

Everyone stared at Tang Fei in disbelief. Had this lad gone mad? How could he bring this up at such an event?

The Phoenix Empire already widely recognized the incident of the Princess’s attack in the Old Land; it was an open secret. With the star-chain network so advanced, keeping it under wraps was hardly a feasible task.

For this matter, the royal family had recently decapitated quite a few...

The entire Phoenix City was in turmoil, everyone was silent like cicadas in winter, not daring any oversteps.

Afraid that they might end up as the birds that stick out their heads, being devoured by the ’bees’ under Chen Fenglei.

The unrest was yet to completely die down, and now as it had slightly eased, everyone wanted to use the Princess’s ceremony to suppress this incident completely, yet Tang Fei, this ’clueless’ guy literally burst the bubble on spot.

Rotten meat hid beneath the dressed-up facade, and lifting the surface revealed the putrid pus within.

Whose face was he slapping?

Xin Huai stood by, a playful smile on his face.

These people wanted to push Tang Fei into the spotlight, making him a target, yet they didn’t anticipate that he’d shift the focus, causing everyone to fall into their ’quandaries.’

You all dance so joyously; beware of the royal family’s list.

The case in Old Land was far from over; it’s better everyone tones down...

"Did I speak out of turn?" Tang Fei saw everyone’s faces turn slightly pale, falling into silence, and turned to ask Zhong Tianyi.

"Heh..." Zhong Tianyi snorted coldly, saying, "You’re right. As long as the culprits are not removed, this matter will never be over... Whatever it takes, we owe an explanation to Phoenix, to our royal family..."

Tang Fei nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed. It’s utterly audacious, daring to offend the Princess like that. Isn’t there any justice? Any rule of law?"

"Those who dare challenge the majesty of the royal family must pay a grave price."

"I believe the Second Prince can certainly accomplish this." Tang Fei spoke with grave seriousness.

He paused, then added, "However, I would like to ask the Second Prince for one thing."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Although I saved the Princess’s life in the Old Land, please, Second Prince, stop thanking me for it, let alone make it widely known as if I’m boasting... After all, the Princess helping me move from the Old Land to New Star is an immense virtue..."

"And the Second Prince has also gifted me a Flying Car, and the Crown Prince has given me a handgun... These are priceless treasures, infinite grace, no deeds of mine could ever erase them..."

Zhong Tianyi looked at Tang Fei with a chuckle, saying, "You don’t mention it, and I nearly forgot... The Flying Car I promised to give you is ready; you can take it when you leave later..."

"I dare not, dare not, how could I actually take the Second Prince’s Flying Car? Besides, I don’t even have a flying license, how could I drive it away?"

"What? When have I, Zhong Tianyi, ever gone back on my word? If I say I will give it, then it must be given..." Zhong Tianyi squinted at Tang Fei, saying, "Aren’t you making me out to be untrustworthy? Your refusal also tarnishes the royal family’s reputation... do you realize?"

"Ah?" Tang Fei was terrified and quickly replied, "Second Prince, what if you gift the Flying Car to the Princess... and once I get my flying license, I can take the car from her... What do you think about that?"

Zhong Tianyi nodded, saying, "That works. It doesn’t matter who receives it; after all, I’m giving this gift..."

"Second Prince’s word is his bond, truly a noble man," Tang Fei gave a thumbs up in admiration.

"Hehe... I can’t talk about being noble; I just like reciprocity. I repay those who help me and settle scores with those who harm me. Reward for goodwill, revenge for grudge."

"I feel the same," Tang Fei spoke.

"That’s why I felt an instant connection with you..." Zhong Tianyi looked towards Mr. Sheng, asking, "Mr. Sheng, don’t you think we two are somewhat alike?"

"No," Mr. Sheng replied.

"..."

"The Second Prince is lofty and elegant; how could he compare with you?"

"Ha ha ha, Mr. Sheng sure knows how to speak," Zhong Tianyi said with a laugh: "You make me want to have another drink with you."

At this moment, the soothing music stopped, then switched to the rather generous and passionate ’Dawn Symphony.’

The auspicious hour had arrived; tonight’s brightest star, the only female protagonist, the Princess, was about to make her appearance.