Chapter 30
This was not Ye Nanxun's first time entering the Imperial Palace.
But it was indeed his first time venturing deep into it.
The Dream Star Imperial Palace was immense and magnificent, covering an area even larger than an ordinary city.
Whether it was the music room where Ye Nanxun had practiced before or the banquet hall where he had attended the coming-of-age ceremony, both were located on the palace's outer edges.
They were now riding in a black hovercar along a transparent passageway toward the palace's inner district.
At the center of Palace Square, a towering imperial statue gradually emerged from the clouds, revealing its imposing and solemn true form.
The powerful and handsome alpha wore armor and gripped a greatsword in his hand. A fierce, majestic black dragon coiled around him, its jaws spread wide to reveal sharp fangs and the faint glow of fire.
The sculpture was so lifelike that it seemed the dragon would unleash flames capable of destroying the world the very next second.
Ye Nanxun's gaze lingered on the imperial statue for a long while.
That face, firm and imposing, representing the pinnacle of worldly authority and power, gradually overlapped with the man in his memories who stood in the kitchen with his head lowered as he chopped vegetables.
He could not describe how he felt.
"His Majesty had originally wanted to pick you up himself, but there was simply too much going on today. His schedule was packed from morning to night, and he really couldn't make the time, so he asked me to come."
Song Ren sat in the driver's seat. Rather than watching the steering wheel or the road ahead, he spent most of his time looking down as he handled his work.
He rubbed his slightly aching brow, set his work aside, and looked at the young man who had been staring out the window.
"Have you watched the Imperial Palace's New Year's Eve gala before, Nanxun?" Song Ren's gentle voice unconsciously put people at ease.
Song Ren gave Ye Nanxun a similar impression to Jiang Yuenian. Both were refined and mild-tempered people. Though they held high positions, they treated others with warmth and courtesy.
Earlier, Song Ren's repeated "Mr. Ye" had made Ye Nanxun uneasy. After they exchanged a few words, Song Ren had changed to calling him Nanxun, and Ye Nanxun stopped calling him Mr. Song as well.
Ye Nanxun said, "Only on television."
A smile touched Song Ren's eyes. "If you don't have anything planned today, why not stay in the Imperial Palace and have some fun? There'll be a banquet performance and a fireworks show tonight. I'll take you around then."
Ye Nanxun nodded. "Thank you, Brother Song."
Closing his laptop, Song Ren casually asked, "What do you think His Majesty is like?"
Ye Nanxun was slightly startled. He glanced at the grand and imposing statue outside the window and said, "Very... gentle."
An alpha at the very pinnacle of power personally cooked meals, thoughtfully held an umbrella for someone, and kept a little mongrel that most wealthy people would not even look twice at.
Song Ren was quietly taken aback. Using the word "gentle" on Yan Beiyou was, in a way, rather terrifying.
Without pursuing the topic, Song Ren began discussing some of his own research.
Though Ye Nanxun's research was not related to pheromones, he was very interested in Song Ren's work. He also vaguely guessed that Song Ren probably knew that his pheromones were Poison Mushroom.
The hovercar gradually slowed. They had arrived at their destination.
After getting out, Ye Nanxun did not see another person anywhere nearby. Song Ren led the way with practiced familiarity.
Song Ren stopped at the entrance to a corridor. "His Majesty is working inside. Just go knock on the door. I'll come find you later."
Seeing that Song Ren was about to leave, Ye Nanxun spoke up. "Brother Song, how many people know about my pheromones?"
Song Ren turned back and smiled. "Only His Majesty and I know."
Ye Nanxun let out a breath of relief. After saying goodbye to Song Ren, he walked toward the tightly shut study door.
Before his raised fingers could fall, the person inside opened the door.
His lips parted, and Ye Nanxun looked up at the tall alpha before him.
He had seen Yan Beiyou in a long black coat, and he had also seen Yan Beiyou after he took off his outerwear, looking domestic and relaxed in a warm home.
The alpha before him was still tall and straight-backed. His short black hair had been combed neatly back, and his deep, sharp features instantly reminded Ye Nanxun of the enormous statue in Palace Square.
Not a trace of his domestic softness remained. His black-and-gold uniform was cold, austere, and noble.
Ye Nanxun's chest tightened. He quickly lowered his head, his eyes falling on the alpha's black boots with gemstone clasps.
"Your Majesty."
The alpha before him did not speak immediately.
With his eyes lowered, Ye Nanxun could not see Yan Beiyou's expression. In his field of vision, the pair of black boots stepped back.
A low, cool voice fell from above, though the tone was as gentle as ever. "You can call me that in the Imperial Palace. Outside, you should still call me Mr. Yan."
Without waiting for Ye Nanxun's response, Yan Beiyou turned and went back into the study. "Come in."
When Ye Nanxun looked up, all he saw was the alpha's broad, upright back.
He stepped after him. The door behind him automatically closed with a soft sound.
Ye Nanxun glanced back, questions flashing through his mind. Had Yan Beiyou known he was outside the door and gotten up to open it, or had it merely been a coincidence?
The alpha, dressed in a formal uniform, walked over to the liquor cabinet. "Would you like a drink?"
Ye Nanxun said, "I haven't really drunk much..."
Yan Beiyou paused as he reached for a bottle, then gave a quiet laugh. "Such a good boy?"
Ye Nanxun felt embarrassed for a moment. When he was young, he had tried his father's red wine and found it sour and bitter, completely undrinkable.
After that, he had given up on the idea of drinking.
His face felt a little warm. He could not help feeling that Yan Beiyou was teasing him, so he turned his head and looked around. "Warm water is fine."
The study of the ruler of the star system was warmer and more comfortable than he had imagined.
It was neither oppressive nor stern.
The wooden bookshelves were crammed with printed books. A desk stood in the center by the window, clean and tidy, with an open book on it and a wineglass half-filled with red wine.
"Woof, woof, woof—"
Something tugged at his pants. Looking down, Ye Nanxun saw a round-headed Little Yellow Dog gently biting his pant leg, its tail wagging.
Its wet, bright black eyes were filled with delight.
Ye Nanxun crouched halfway down. The Little Yellow Dog released the omega's pant leg and pushed off hard with its short little legs.
When Yan Beiyou turned around with a cup of warm water, he saw his Companion Beast happily leaping toward Ye Nanxun.
The cool-tempered omega flailed in panic, his eyes full of alarm as the Little Yellow Dog nearly knocked him to the floor.
Yan Beiyou's brow twitched. You little thing, how embarrassing.
Before you continue