The Lord's Wife of White Sand Star

With barely a moment's hesitation, Shen Que put on his outer robe and matching jewelry, then turned back. "Let's go."

Annie glanced down. "Lady Ai Fan asked that you leave your Terminal behind."

After a brief hesitation, Shen Que unfastened the still-flashing Terminal from his wrist and set it on the table.

Only then did Annie step aside and gesture for him to proceed.

"Please follow me."

In the courtyard of Zhiyue Garden.

Moonlight spilled over the blooming Night Lotuses.

Dressed in a moon-white gown, Ai Fan sat in the semi-open dining room beside the pool, with exquisite dishes and a hand-painted Enamel Teapot that looked expensive at a glance laid out before her.

Under the silvery light, the Lord's Wife tapped her slender fingers lightly against the tabletop, waiting for her guest with composed elegance.

Shen Que bowed. "Lady Ai Fan."

The fingers tapping the table paused, and Ai Fan looked up.

"Commander Shen, why so formal? You've been here for days, yet you still address me the same way the servants do?"

Shen Que froze briefly, then lowered his eyes and corrected himself. "Mother."

Her lips curved as Ai Fan's gaze settled on the ruby between Shen Que's brows.

The high-quality pigeon blood red lent a vivid splash of color to the Omega's pale face.

If she remembered correctly, she had seen that stone listed at the last Golden Butterfly Auction.

The bidding had started at a hundred thousand Starcoins.

Pei Ji certainly had an eye for useless junk that served no purpose beyond decoration.

Just like his spendthrift father.

Without offering Shen Que a seat, Ai Fan raised a hand, signaling him to end his prolonged bow.

The scene seemed to take them back to the wedding, with Shen Que standing below the steps, looking up at Ai Fan.

The Lord's Wife of White Sand Star possessed a quiet elegance, like a trickle of water welling up in the desert.

Yet there was a coldness in her expression.

The outer corners of her narrow eyes were sharp as a blade that could pierce straight through Shen Que.

"You look much better," Ai Fan said conversationally.

Shen Que replied politely, "The General has been taking good care of me."

"You certainly know how to speak up for him."

Ai Fan propped up her head and looked Shen Que up and down.

"I'd say it's the servants who've been taking good care of you, wouldn't you?"

Shen Que's gaze flickered.

"The servants have indeed been very attentive, and the General... cares about me, too."

Ai Fan gave him a cool smile.

"Oh? He cares about you? Then why did he stand you up at your wedding?"

The pointed words stabbed into his ears.

Shen Que's finely shaped brows drew together.

Ai Fan kept smiling.

"I mean nothing else by it, Commander Shen."

"Pei Ji was in the wrong. Abandoning his own Omega on an occasion as important as their wedding was deeply irresponsible. If I were you, I'd at least have made him apologize to me publicly across the entire Star Network-did you make him apologize? Or even explain himself?"

She scrutinized the young Omega.

"Or... do you simply not mind, and not care at all how he treats you?"

Shen Que's heart sank.

He lifted his head to meet the Lord's Wife's gaze, a cold glint flashing through his deep black eyes.

"I did not ask Pei Ji to apologize, Mother, but I am capable of judging whether he is lying to me."

"As Pei Ji's Omega, my responsibility is to maintain this marriage."

He held himself straight, his voice cool and clear.

"As for how he treats me, and whether I care... those are private matters between the two of us. They neither warrant nor require discussion here."

"Responsibility?"

Ai Fan repeated the word.

Seemingly amused, she smiled, then asked slowly and solemnly:

"So, Commander Shen, in your eyes... is this marriage, Pei Ji included... nothing more than your responsibility?"

Shen Que raised his chin and replied with cool arrogance, "Isn't it?"

"This marriage was the Empress's command."

It had nothing to do with affection, nothing to do with love.

"Becoming Pei Ji's Omega and accepting everything he gives me is my responsibility."

The gentle evening breeze brushed over the lotuses' full petals.

It set their elaborate jewelry chiming against itself.

Shen Que disliked these heavy, unnecessary ornaments. They hindered his movements and were far too ostentatious.

But Pei Ji had prepared them for him. His Alpha liked dressing him up like a doll, so he accepted it.

After a moment of silence.

Ai Fan suddenly curved her lips. "Your views on marriage are quite similar to mine."

"I don't believe any feeling can remain unchanged forever."

"I don't even believe in the supposed destined bond between an Alpha and an Omega."

Ai Fan spoke slowly.

"Marks can be erased, and scent glands can be removed."

"Only responsibility and shared interests can sustain a marriage."

She pointed to the seat beside her.

"Would you like some tea?"

"You must be tired after standing for so long."

The oppressive atmosphere seemed to dissolve in an instant.

Shen Que lowered his eyes, pressed his thin lips into a line, and shook his head.

"It's all right... Mother. I can manage."

Ai Fan smiled. "I don't take some twisted pleasure in punishing someone who's ill, Shen Que. I invited you here for dinner."

"It's cold at night. Don't push yourself."

The change in how she addressed him seemed to mean something. Even her tone had softened.

Shen Que hesitated for a moment, then sat down.

Neither Ai Fan nor Shen Que liked talking while eating. Throughout dinner, apart from the occasional chirping of insects by the pool, there was only the clear clink of cutlery.

After the main course, Ai Fan pushed a plate of chocolate cookies toward Shen Que.

"Pei Ji said you like cookies, so I had them bake a batch. Try them."

Shen Que picked up a cookie and took a bite.

It was a little bitter.

Not as good as the ones at Fallen Star Palace.

But he still conscientiously finished it.

Ai Fan took a sip of tea.

"There's something I've thought over and decided to tell you in advance."

She began another topic with apparent casualness.

Shen Que knew this was the real reason for tonight's meeting.

Then Ai Fan said, "You should know that Pei Ji will receive his share of the assets at tomorrow's banquet."

Shen Que nodded.

"Gemstones worth hundreds of millions, checks, shares, an entire oasis, and some businesses."

"...There will be a share for you, too."

Shen Que paused, taken aback. "You mean..."

Ai Fan's tone was matter-of-fact. "You're Pei Ji's Omega. Naturally, we will give you a share of the assets as well."

For once, surprise showed on Shen Que's face.

"But I..."

Ai Fan signaled for him to hear her out first.

"I've discussed it with Pei Li. You won't receive more money than Pei Ji, but it will be enough to keep you from losing face."

"Besides that, we've decided to put you in charge of White Sand Star's mineral business."

[The mineral business.]

Shen Que's head snapped up.

"Sand gold."

Ai Fan steadily met his gaze.

"That's right. Sand gold."

"A special metal that can sense mental power."

"The most important and most expensive mineral produced on White Sand Star."

"And also."

"The lifeblood of the Imperial Fleet."