Above the Galaxy
Chapter 530 - 331, Thirsty!

Chapter 530: Chapter 331, Thirsty!

When Tang Fei arrived at Phoenix Pavilion, it was already dusk, the sky growing dark, casting a gloomy veil over the evening.

Seeing Tang Fei, Phoenix threw herself into his arms as if no one else was around.

The maids nearby immediately bowed their heads and left, not even having time to prepare a cup of tea, and discreetly helped close the room’s door.

Phoenix stretched out her arms, holding Tang Fei tightly as if she wanted to merge her body into his.

Compared to when they first met, the young girl’s body had matured further, her chest also gaining some prominence.

Although not yet comparable to Sheng Xinhua, one could distinctly feel that softness.

Like a lotus showing its sharp tips, dragonflies were already landing on it.

While holding the fragrant soft jade-like figure in his arms, Tang Fei felt no stirrings of desire.

He just held Phoenix tightly and asked with concern, "What’s wrong? What happened?"

It was rare for Phoenix to show such emotions, looking lonely and forlorn like a puppy abandoned by its owner.

Previously, it was he who played the role of the puppy, waiting for Phoenix to bestow upon him the greatest maternal affection...

Why had their roles reversed today?

"It’s nothing, I just missed you, wanted to hold you." Phoenix’s pretty little face was buried in Tang Fei’s chest, her voice somewhat muffled and vague.

What could she say?

Could she tell Tang Fei that Chen Fenglei was the mastermind behind the Old Land case?

That those who might be plotting against her could be her own revered father, or one of her beloved brothers...

It was too cruel and too shameful.

She didn’t know how to start revealing such a family scandal to Tang Fei.

She couldn’t even persuade herself. How substantial must the benefits be to drive them to do such a thing?

"Hmm." Tang Fei hugged Phoenix even tighter and said, "It’s alright. As long as you’re fine."

He knew something was troubling Phoenix; she wouldn’t have suddenly called him otherwise.

She was a sensible and reserved girl, not one to bother others but rather to help them as much as possible.

In other words, heartbreakingly considerate.

Since she didn’t want to talk, Tang Fei wouldn’t press her.

Yet, the less she talked, the more Tang Fei knew that something had definitely happened to her.

What could it possibly be?

She was the lofty Empire Princess, without power, not meddling in politics, currently just a fourth-year student at the Empire Military Academy.

Apart from having to represent the Imperial Family on overseas inspections and participating in charity events...

Who could make her feel so distressed that she couldn’t even speak about it?

"Is it affecting your work?" Phoenix asked quietly.

"Work? What work?" Tang Fei responded, "In this world, there’s nothing more important than the Princess’s call."

"Really?"

"Of course." Tang Fei nodded vehemently, "Even if the King appointed me as Director of the Supervision Institute, it wouldn’t be as important as one call from you, Princess."

"You wish!" Phoenix chuckled, "How old are you to be thinking of becoming Director of the Supervision Institute? Besides, what about Dean Yan if you were to take that position?"

"Let Dean Yan take over as Chief Steward, and Chen Fenglei, who’s aging, can retire."

Chen Fenglei...

Phoenix’s heart suddenly trembled.

"What’s wrong?" Tang Fei, sensitive to Phoenix’s emotions, asked.

"I’m fine, just thinking about the feasibility of your suggestion," Phoenix said in a teasing tone.

"I don’t see a problem," Tang Fei said seriously, "The only fear is that Chen Fenglei might not agree."

"Not just Chen Fenglei, but Dean Yan as well. He is doing fine as Director of the Supervision Institute, would he be happy becoming Chief Steward of Phoenix Palace? Although his position isn’t as high as one of the three ministers, he holds just as much power."

"Maybe I should wait then?" Tang Fei said hesitantly.

"You better wait," Phoenix nodded.

Then they both looked at each other and laughed, discussing the swapping of high-ranking officials like Chen Fenglei and Yan Wenli as if they were strategizing national affairs, settling their positions in a few words.

Phoenix got up from Tang Fei’s embrace, her face bright with a smile, back to her usual lively and cheerful self.

"I feel much better now that you’re here."

"Me too," Tang Fei said, "Every time I see you, I feel particularly good. No matter how hard or tiring it is, it doesn’t feel hard or tiring."

Phoenix raised her head to look at Tang Fei with a puzzled expression, "How can you even say such things? If I didn’t know about your life, I might suspect you’ve had countless romances. Tell me honestly, what is your relationship with An Ning?"

"An Ning? We have no relationship," Tang Fei clarified, explaining, "If I have to say there’s a relationship, it would be like siblings, neighbors... Why would you suspect us of having a relationship?"

"Hmm, I’ve seen how An Ning looks at you..." Phoenix spoke, "I recognize that look."

"You recognize it? Where else have you seen it?"

"Yes, in the mirror," Phoenix said, "Whenever I think of you, that’s the look in my eyes."

"..."

Seeing Tang Fei’s intense gaze, Phoenix suddenly felt nervous and quickly changed the subject, "You haven’t had dinner yet, right? What would you like to eat? The chefs here are excellent, they can prepare court dishes and Yangzhou cuisine..."

"I’m not hungry, just a little thirsty."

As Tang Fei spoke, he lowered his head and kissed Phoenix’s lips.

Sweet, moist, truly quenching a thirst.

------

Ga!

The black business van stopped in the eastern suburbs of Phoenix City, and a man in black pulled open the door, dragging two hooded people out of the car.

"Move out."

The man in black jumped into the passenger seat, shouted, and then the business van sped away.

"Husband."

"Husband..."

Wang Jing called out.

"I’m here... I’m here," Zhuang Zhongbing quickly responded, knowing his wife was scared, he hurriedly spoke to comfort her, "It’s okay now, it’s okay..."

He ripped off the hood from his head and removed the hood from his wife’s head as well, then embraced her and said with teary eyes, "It’s okay, we’ve made it through."

"Husband, is it really okay?" Wang Jing’s eyes were moist, and she choked up, "I was so scared, really scared. I thought we were going to die... I’m not afraid of dying, but I’m scared for the child in my belly..."

"She hasn’t been born yet, hasn’t seen the world, how could she just leave with us like this? It’s too pitiful, she’s too pitiful..."

"It’s okay, we’re okay now," Zhuang Zhongbing tightly hugged his wife’s body, gently patting her back, soothing her tense and agitated emotions.

"Husband, it’s all my fault... If I hadn’t secretly given that diamond to my brother, they wouldn’t have targeted you..." Wang Jing was filled with regret.

She regretted it so much, it made her sick to her stomach.

After her husband got those Blue Star diamonds, he gave them to her to keep, repeatedly admonishing her not to use them casually.

But, her brother was getting married, and he came to her.

She had no choice but to secretly select a diamond and give it to her brother...

Through their interrogations, she had learned how they were exposed.

If not for her, they wouldn’t have encountered such dangerous circumstances, wouldn’t have had to endure such inhuman torture.

Fortunately, it was all over now.

"It’s fine, it’s all in the past," Zhuang Zhongbing spoke to console, saying, "What’s important now is that we find a way to survive..."

"Husband, let’s go home. I miss home... I want to go back to our own house," Wang Jing held her husband’s arm, pleading.

She missed home so much, wanted a hot bath, to collapse on the sofa in her fragrant pajamas, to eat beautiful strawberries, to drink lemon tea...

Things once taken for granted now seemed so precious, so wonderful.

For a moment, she thought she had lost all these forever.

"No, we can’t go back," Zhuang Zhongbing maintained his extreme calm and refused.

"Why? Why can’t we go back? They let us go, didn’t they? They promised... said they wouldn’t kill us," Wang Jing widened her eyes in disbelief.

"They promised not to kill us, but... what about the palace? What about Manager Chen?"

"Manager Chen? Didn’t you say you were his man? Why would he want to kill you?"

Zhuang Zhongbing knew his wife didn’t understand how difficult and dangerous the ways of the world were. He had betrayed Chen Fenglei, would Chen Fenglei let him live?

What if the princess confronted Chen Fenglei and he became the most compelling witness...

Only dead men tell no tales.

Moreover, even if the princess didn’t confront Manager Chen, their family’s long disappearance had probably already aroused Manager Chen’s suspicions.

Rushing back now would be walking into a trap.

The Princess hadn’t used any harsh methods, and he had immediately confessed for the sake of his wife and child.

If he fell into Manager Chen’s hands, it would be a fate worse than death.

Manager Chen was not as merciful as the princess...

Until now, he couldn’t understand why the princess had let them go.

To kill and erase all traces, pretending nothing had happened.

Or detain and use as evidence to strike at a critical moment...

Any of these choices would have been better than now; letting them go had no benefit for her.

’What exactly does she want?’

Mercy?

No, he never believed in such things.

Perhaps, somewhere in the world it exists, but definitely not in the palace, not among royal family members.

"We betrayed him, he naturally wants to kill us..." Zhuang Zhongbing looked around, tightened his grip on his wife’s shoulders, and said, "Let’s go, we need to get out of this place quickly."

"But..." Wang Jing spoke with a sobbing tone, "Where can we go?"

They had offended Chen Fenglei, one of the most dangerous and powerful men in the world.

With the world so vast, where could they possibly go?

"Hold on," Zhuang Zhongbing gritted his teeth and said, "For the sake of our child... no matter what, we must find a way to live."

------

In the secret room, the old man looked at the young man in front of him and said, "Help kill two people."

"Who?"

"Deputy Captain of the Imperial Guard Zhuang Zhongbing and his wife."

After a pause, the old man added, "Oh, not two, but three..."

The young man frowned and turned away indifferently.