Cloud Firmament City.
Wang Mou's left eyelid had been twitching all day, even during the court session with the Hundred Officials.
It twitched up and down, then side to side, leaving him unable to settle his mind.
Could good news be coming?
He ended the session early. But just as he left the council hall,
he spotted Pan Zhen standing beside a palace pillar not far from the entrance, his hands clasped behind his back as though he were waiting for someone.
"Is he waiting for me? Has he got nothing better to do?" Wang Mou muttered as he walked over.
Pan Zhen greeted him with a warm smile and said,
"Grand Tutor, there you are. I've been waiting for you for ages."
Wang Mou's expression did not change. He flicked his sleeve and said coolly,
"Unlike some people, I'm not so idle that I have time to spare."
"Grand Tutor, you've worked tirelessly for the country and its people. Once Empress Reina formally ascends the throne, I'll make sure she gives you a lifetime achievement award.
"Few have received such an award in the history of the Lieyang Civilization. It's the highest honor an official can earn," Pan Zhen said earnestly.
Even Wang Mou could not help smiling at that. He said,
"That's more like it. Now, Old Pan, did you come here just to wait for me, or is something up?"
"Something is, Grand Tutor," Pan Zhen replied.
"Then say it! I'm in a hurry to get home for dinner," Wang Mou said.
Pan Zhen gathered his thoughts, let out a breath, and said,
"Grand Tutor, Wang Shu is back."
"Oh." Wang Mou answered flatly, not yet taking it in.
Pan Zhen found that strange. Why was the Grand Tutor reacting like this? Something was off. He tried again:
"Shu's Nephew is back."
Wang Mou's calm expression finally cracked. His face changed in an instant, and he barked,
"Why didn't you say so sooner?"
"We were having such a pleasant chat, Grand Tutor! I said a few things too many and forgot for a moment," Pan Zhen said with a grin.
"You blockhead!"
With that, Wang Mou turned on his heel and strode away in a rush.
Pan Zhen stayed where he was, still smiling.
Outside the Grand Tutor's Mansion.
Wang Shu and his mother, Chen Shi, had just finished their heartfelt reunion. Only then did she notice the two beautiful young women beside her son.
One was Anna, whom she had watched grow up and had always adored.
The other looked a little older—or rather, more mature.
She had silver hair and exquisitely beautiful features, the kind of face no one forgot after seeing it once.
An air of hazy, classical elegance surrounded her.
Chen Shi's eyes lit up. What a beautiful girl! If only Shu'er would marry her.
As for Anna, both Chen Shi and Wang Mou already considered her a future daughter-in-law. She was not getting away.
But the Old Wang Family had few descendants. For years, Wang Shu had been the sole heir to its line.
Wang Mou naturally wanted the family to flourish, though ordinary people had only so much energy.
Wang Shu, on the other hand, was a god. He had an advantage beyond compare.
Chen Shi wanted the same thing Wang Mou did.
Husband and wife were of one mind. She hardly needed it spelled out.
Chen Shi looked at He Xi, then at her precious son, and asked,
"And who is this young lady?"
"Mother, this is He Xi, my teacher from Angel City."
Wang Shu introduced her openly, then leaned close to his mother's ear and whispered,
"She's also your daughter-in-law."
"What?" Chen Shi's heart skipped a beat. For a moment, she could not process it.
But how could Wang Shu's little whisper escape He Xi's notice?
How could he just tell her about us like that? she thought, flustered.
At the same time, Wang Shu spoke to He Xi through Dark Communication: "Teacher, call her Auntie—or just call her Mom. My mother's looking at you!"
He Xi was beginning to regret coming to Lieyang Star.
She had lived for so long, yet meeting a partner's parents was an entirely new experience.
Thump, thump...
Her heart beat faster despite herself, and she cried out inwardly,
He Xi, He Xi. You're the Sky-Based King! What haven't you faced?
It's only meeting his parents. How hard can it be?
So hard!
For a moment, her mind seemed to split in two. Conflicting thoughts flashed through it, leaving her unable to decide what to do.
Anna watched from the side. Perceptive as she was, she could guess what was happening.
It was rare to see such an exceptional woman so nervous.
But Anna had no intention of backing down or giving up.
"Teacher," Wang Shu prompted softly once more.
He Xi stiffened. Then she slowly raised her head, straightened her back, and forced herself to look composed.
She squeezed out each word as slowly as toothpaste from a tube:
"H-hello... Auntie..."
Once she had said it, He Xi felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
It felt strange. She was thirty thousand years old, yet she had just addressed a woman many years younger than herself as an elder.
Even if that woman was the mother of the man she loved,
it still felt strange. She could not quite explain it.
"H-hello. Hello, Miss He Xi," Chen Shi said, finally recovering.
She still did not understand why Wang Shu had called He Xi his teacher one moment and her daughter-in-law the next.
Could it really mean what she thought it did?
If so... Chen Shi looked He Xi over again, approval shining in her eyes.
Under that scrutiny, even He Xi's composure, built over countless years, began to waver. She clenched her hands tight.
"Come on, the sun's strong out here. Let's all go inside and talk," Chen Shi said.
"Of course. Whatever you say," Wang Shu replied with a smile.
As they headed in, Anna stepped forward to support Chen Shi. She was sweet and attentive, making herself all the more endearing.
He Xi remained tense, but she stopped thinking about anything else and slowly began to adjust.
She still regretted coming, though. She must have lost her mind to do it.
It was terrifying!
"Son!"
Just then, a figure appeared far away on the horizon, rapidly drawing closer.
Wang Shu turned to look. His eyes widened with delighted surprise.
He Xi's newly calmed nerves tightened again.
"Uncle," Anna said softly.
Wang Mou hurried over, walking faster than he ever had in his life.
The moment he had heard the news, he had rushed here without stopping for a single breath, all to see Wang Shu.
He wanted Wang Shu to see his father as soon as he came home.
Only then would the reunion feel complete.
At last, Wang Mou reached them, panting hard and drenched in sweat.
Chen Shi gave him a reproachful look and said,
"At your age, why were you rushing like that?"
Yet she took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from his face.
"To see Shu'er, of course," Wang Mou answered without hesitation.
Warmth filled Wang Shu's heart. He was deeply moved.
Wang Mou looked at Wang Shu, then noticed He Xi standing nearby. Startled, he said,
"Aren't you that... king of the angels?"
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